Exodus 14

Chapter Summary

The chapter begins with God instructing the Israelites to turn back and camp by the sea, which seems to trap them between the water and the pursuing Egyptian army. Despite their fear, Moses assures them that God will fight for them, and they are to stand still and see God's salvation. As the Egyptians approach, God parts the Red Sea, allowing the Israelites to cross safely, and then destroys the Egyptian army as they attempt to follow. The chapter concludes with the Israelites rejoicing and singing a song of praise to God for their deliverance, as seen in Exodus 14:13-14 and Exodus 14:31. This dramatic event demonstrates God's power and care for His people, setting the stage for their journey to the Promised Land.

Context for the Chapter

Exodus chapter 14 follows the Israelites' departure from Egypt, where they had been enslaved for centuries. The chapter is part of the larger narrative of God's deliverance of the Israelites and their journey to the Promised Land. This event sets the stage for the giving of the Law at Mount Sinai and the establishment of the Israelites as a covenant people, as seen in Exodus 19-24. The chapter also serves as a reminder of God's power and sovereignty, and the importance of trusting in His deliverance and salvation.

Heart Application

As believers, we can apply the principles of this chapter by trusting in God's deliverance and salvation, even in the face of overwhelming odds. We are called to stand firm in our faith, just as the Israelites were called to trust in God's promise, and to trust in God's sovereignty and power to bring about our spiritual salvation, as seen in Romans 8:28-30. This trust is not simply a passive acceptance of God's plan, but an active trust in His power and provision, and a willingness to obey His commands and follow His leading.

What Does This Chapter Mean?

This chapter tells the story of how God delivered the Israelites from the Egyptian army by parting the Red Sea, as seen in Exodus 14:21-22. The Israelites were able to cross safely, but the Egyptians were destroyed when they tried to follow. This event shows God's power and care for His people, and serves as a reminder of the importance of trusting in His deliverance and salvation. As believers, we can trust in God's power and provision, just as the Israelites trusted in His promise, as seen in Exodus 14:13-14.

Voices from the Church

“The parting of the Red Sea is a type of the greater miracle of our salvation in Christ, where we are delivered from the bondage of sin and death. This event serves as a reminder of the power and provision of God, and the importance of trusting in His deliverance and salvation.”

— Charles Spurgeon

“The hardening of Pharaoh's heart is a testimony to God's sovereignty and the mystery of His providence. This sovereignty is a testament to God's power and wisdom, and serves as a reminder of His active involvement in the lives of His people.”

— John Calvin

Outline for Preaching

1. God's Instructions to the Israelites (Exodus 14:1-4) — God instructs the Israelites to turn back and camp by the sea, which seems to trap them between the water and the pursuing Egyptian army. This instruction serves as a reminder of God's sovereignty and the importance of trusting in His plan.
2. The Israelites' Fear and Moses' Assurance (Exodus 14:5-14) — The Israelites are afraid as the Egyptians approach, but Moses assures them that God will fight for them and they are to stand still and see God's salvation. This exchange serves as a reminder of the importance of faith and trust in God's deliverance and salvation.
3. The Parting of the Red Sea (Exodus 14:15-22) — God parts the Red Sea, allowing the Israelites to cross safely, and then destroys the Egyptian army as they attempt to follow. This event serves as a powerful symbol of God's deliverance and salvation, and a reminder of the importance of trusting in His power and provision.
4. The Destruction of the Egyptian Army (Exodus 14:23-28) — The Egyptian army is destroyed as they attempt to follow the Israelites through the Red Sea, serving as a testament to God's power and sovereignty. This event serves as a reminder of the importance of trusting in God's deliverance and salvation, and the consequences of rejecting His plan.
5. The Israelites' Song of Praise (Exodus 14:13-14, Exodus 15:1-21) — The Israelites sing a song of praise to God for their deliverance, expressing their gratitude and worship for God's salvation. This song serves as a reminder of the importance of praising God for His deliverance and salvation, and the importance of trusting in His power and provision.

Core Doctrines

Sovereignty of God

The chapter illustrates God's sovereign control over all events, including the hardening of Pharaoh's heart and the parting of the Red Sea. This sovereignty is a testament to God's power and wisdom, and serves as a reminder of His active involvement in the lives of His people.

Salvation

The deliverance of the Israelites from Egypt foreshadows the greater salvation that Christ would bring, where believers are rescued from spiritual slavery to sin. This salvation is a reminder of the importance of trusting in God's deliverance and salvation, and the power of His provision and care.

Faith and Trust

Moses' trust in God's promise, despite the overwhelming odds, serves as a model for believers to trust in God's deliverance and salvation. This faith is not simply a passive acceptance of God's plan, but an active trust in His power and provision, and a willingness to obey His commands and follow His leading.

Baptism

The parting of the Red Sea is a powerful symbol of baptism, where believers are buried with Christ and raised to new life. This event serves as a reminder of the importance of trusting in God's deliverance and salvation, and the power of His provision and care.

Lessons from Exodus 14

1. God's Deliverance is Certain — The chapter demonstrates that God's deliverance is certain, even when circumstances seem impossible. This lesson serves as a reminder of the importance of trusting in God's power and provision, and the certainty of His deliverance and salvation.
2. Faith and Trust are Essential — Moses' trust in God's promise, despite the overwhelming odds, serves as a model for believers to trust in God's deliverance and salvation. This faith is not simply a passive acceptance of God's plan, but an active trust in His power and provision, and a willingness to obey His commands and follow His leading.
3. God's Sovereignty is Absolute — The chapter illustrates God's sovereign control over all events, including the hardening of Pharaoh's heart and the parting of the Red Sea. This sovereignty is a testament to God's power and wisdom, and serves as a reminder of His active involvement in the lives of His people.
4. Praise and Worship are Essential — The Israelites' song of praise expresses their gratitude and worship for God's deliverance, serving as a model for believers to praise God for their spiritual salvation. This praise and worship serve as a reminder of the importance of trusting in God's deliverance and salvation, and the power of His provision and care.
5. God's Power is Greater than Any Obstacle — The parting of the Red Sea demonstrates God's power and ability to overcome any obstacle, serving as a reminder of the importance of trusting in His deliverance and salvation. This power is a testament to God's sovereignty and wisdom, and serves as a reminder of His active involvement in the lives of His people.

Themes from Exodus 14

1. Deliverance — The chapter describes the deliverance of the Israelites from Egyptian bondage, foreshadowing the greater salvation that Christ would bring. This theme serves as a reminder of the importance of trusting in God's deliverance and salvation, and the power of His provision and care.
2. Faith and Trust — Moses' trust in God's promise, despite the overwhelming odds, serves as a model for believers to trust in God's deliverance and salvation. This faith is not simply a passive acceptance of God's plan, but an active trust in His power and provision, and a willingness to obey His commands and follow His leading.
3. Sovereignty of God — The chapter illustrates God's sovereign control over all events, including the hardening of Pharaoh's heart and the parting of the Red Sea. This sovereignty is a testament to God's power and wisdom, and serves as a reminder of His active involvement in the lives of His people.
4. Praise and Worship — The Israelites' song of praise expresses their gratitude and worship for God's deliverance, serving as a model for believers to praise God for their spiritual salvation. This praise and worship serve as a reminder of the importance of trusting in God's deliverance and salvation, and the power of His provision and care.
5. Redemption — The deliverance of the Israelites from Egypt foreshadows the greater redemption that Christ would bring, where believers are rescued from spiritual slavery to sin. This redemption serves as a reminder of the importance of trusting in God's deliverance and salvation, and the power of His provision and care.

Questions for Meditation

1. How does the parting of the Red Sea symbolize our spiritual deliverance in Christ? What implications does this have for our daily lives, and how can we trust in God's power and provision?
2. What does the hardening of Pharaoh's heart reveal about God's sovereignty and the mystery of His providence? How can we apply this understanding to our own lives, and trust in God's plan and provision?
3. How does the song of praise in Exodus 14:13-14 and Exodus 15:1-21 express the Israelites' gratitude and worship for God's deliverance? What can we learn from their example, and how can we apply it to our own lives and worship?
4. In what ways does the deliverance of the Israelites from Egypt foreshadow the greater salvation that Christ would bring? What implications does this have for our understanding of God's plan and provision, and how can we trust in His deliverance and salvation?
5. How can we apply the principle of standing firm in our faith, as seen in Exodus 14:13, to our own lives and challenges? What does this mean for our daily trust in God's deliverance and salvation, and how can we obey His commands and follow His leading?

Detailed Chapter Outline

Frequently Asked Questions

Top Cross References

Sermons on Exodus 14

	Sermon	Description
	A Message for New Christians by Oswald J. Smith	In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of four steps to reach the Promised Land. The first step is separation from sin, where individuals must distance themselves f
	A Holy Nation by T. Austin-Sparks	In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of separation from the world in the life of Abraham. God called Abraham to leave his country, his family, and his father's hou
	Feeding and Leading by Warren Wiersbe	In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of being a person of integrity and using one's unique gifts and message in preaching. He encourages preachers to not be imitat
	Jesus Today by Warren Wiersbe	In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of perseverance and the sacrifice of Jesus. He highlights the role of Jesus as our High Priest who sympathizes with our weakn
	The Worms Shall Crawl Out of Their Holes by David Wilkerson	In this sermon, the speaker discusses the loss of trust and confidence in various institutions, including the judicial system, school system, and even marriage. He highlights the p
	Awake and Shake by David Wilkerson	In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes that God loves even his most disobedient children and is focused on delivering them rather than condemning them. The preacher uses the examp
	Doubt, the Sin God Hates the Most by David Wilkerson	In this sermon, the speaker shares a personal story about a doctor receiving good news about a patient's health. The speaker emphasizes the importance of believing in God's word an
	Stand Still and See the Salvation of the Lord by David Wilkerson	In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of standing still and trusting in the salvation of the Lord, even in the midst of difficult circumstances. He encourages the
	The Making of a Worshipper by David Wilkerson	In this sermon, the speaker addresses the common question of why God allows sudden disasters and tragedies to happen. He uses the example of the Israelites in the Bible who were fr
	(Exodus) Exodus 10:21-29 by J. Vernon McGee	In this sermon, the speaker discusses the darkness that fell upon the land of Egypt during the time of Moses. He highlights the miraculous nature of this darkness and how it affect

Summary of Matthew Henry Commentary on Exodus 14

Matthew Henry's commentary on Exodus 14 highlights the remarkable deliverance of the Israelites from the Egyptian army, which is a type of the greater salvation that Christ would bring. Henry notes that the hardening of Pharaoh's heart is a testimony to God's sovereignty and the mystery of His providence, and that the parting of the Red Sea is a powerful symbol of baptism and the spiritual deliverance that Christ brings. Henry also emphasizes the importance of faith and trust in God's deliverance, as seen in Moses' assurance to the Israelites, and the Israelites' song of praise, which expresses their gratitude and worship for God's salvation. This commentary serves as a reminder of the importance of trusting in God's deliverance and salvation, and the power of His provision and care. Read the full unabridged Matthew Henry Commentary →

What Do You Notice?