Exodus 14:24 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And in the morning watch the Lord in the pillar of fire and of cloud looked down on the Egyptian forces and threw the Egyptian forces into a panic,

NIV: During the last watch of the night the Lord looked down from the pillar of fire and cloud at the Egyptian army and threw it into confusion.

NASB: But at the morning watch, the Lord looked down on the army of the Egyptians through the pillar of fire and cloud, and brought the army of the Egyptians into confusion.

CSB: During the morning watch, the Lord looked down at the Egyptian forces from the pillar of fire and cloud, and threw the Egyptian forces into confusion.

NLT: But just before dawn the Lord looked down on the Egyptian army from the pillar of fire and cloud, and he threw their forces into total confusion.

KJV: And it came to pass, that in the morning watch the Lord looked unto the host of the Egyptians through the pillar of fire and of the cloud, and troubled the host of the Egyptians,

NKJV: Now it came to pass, in the morning watch, that the Lord looked down upon the army of the Egyptians through the pillar of fire and cloud, and He troubled the army of the Egyptians.

As Israel left Egyptian slavery (Exodus 12:40–41), God used a pillar of cloud and fire (Exodus 13:21–22) to bring them to the shore (Exodus 14:1–2) of the "Red Sea" (Exodus 13:17–18). The Hebrew text calls this yam suph, meaning "Sea of Reeds." So, this is not the precise body of water the modern world calls the Red Sea. Rather, this is either the northern tip of the Gulf of Suez or one of the large lakes in the area. Israel can pass to the other side overnight.

Egypt has pursued (Exodus 14:5–9). While protecting their rear (Exodus 14:19–20), God has split the waters like walls, so Israel can cross safely (Exodus 14:21–22). At some point, the Egyptians felt there was enough room to advance, so they follow (Exodus 14:23). This was a major blunder, caused by God's punishment on Egypt for their constant defiance of His will (Exodus 10:1–2; 14:8, 17).

It's not clear from this verse what the Lord did to cause panic among the Egyptians. It might have been by using the column of clouds and fire. Or, through a gradual dampening of the seabed (Exodus 14:29) that caused their chariot wheels to clog (Exodus 14:25). In any case, the attacking army is realizing too late (Exodus 14:27–28) that it was not wise to pursue Israel into the sea.

Exodus 14:15–31 records the monumental crossing of the Red Sea. Egypt's king has changed his mind about releasing Israel from slavery (Exodus 14:5–9). God has led the people to the shore of the "Sea of Reeds." This is not the same location as the modern-day Red Sea, but somewhere further north, probably the Gulf of Suez. The supernatural pillar leading Israel (Exodus 13:21–22) moves to block the oncoming soldiers. At God's command, Moses holds out his staff and the sea splits to open a path of dry land with a wall of water on each side. This allows Israel to cross during the night. Egypt's military attempts to follow. Moses again follows God's command to gesture with his staff, and the waters close over the Egyptian soldiers, eliminating every single one. Israel is now free both from slavery and any threat of being taken back by their former oppressors.

God leads Israel (Exodus 13:21–22) to make camp in front of the "Sea of Reeds." This is different from the modern-day Red Sea; it is more likely the Gulf of Suez or the wide Lake Timsah. As in the past (Exodus 8:15, 31–32; 9:34–35; 10:19–20), Pharaoh changes his mind about Israelite freedom. He gathers soldiers to pursue Israel and catches them at the shore. God blocks the incoming attackers and makes a dry path through the sea for Israel's escape. When the Egyptian forces attempt to follow, God closes the walls of water over them, drowning the entire army.

Egypt's king freed Israel after the devastating death of the firstborn on Passover (Exodus 12:29–32). God led the people southeast, rather than along northern roads (Exodus 13:17–18). This brings them the shore of the Sea of Reeds. Pharaoh sends his military to recapture—or annihilate—the Israelites. Instead, the Egyptian army drowns when God allows the Hebrews to cross between parted waters, only to close them when the soldiers pursue. The next chapter is a song of celebration, thanking God for His incredible, miraculous salvation (Exodus 15).

The book of Exodus establishes God's covenant relationship with the full-fledged nation of Israel. The descendants of Abraham prosper after settling in Egypt, only to be enslaved by a fearful, hateful Egyptian Pharaoh. God appoints Moses to lead the people out of this bondage. Moses serves as God's spokesman, as the Lord brings plagues and judgments on Egypt, leading to the release of Israel.