Good Morning.
And Moses stretched out his hand over the sea; and when the morning appeared, the sea returned to its full depth, while the Egyptians were fleeing into it. So the Lord overthrew the Egyptians in the midst of the sea. (Exodus 14:27)
If you recall, I had previously mentioned that it was likely that the sea began to divide in the east opposite of where Israel entered the seabed. If that is accurate then it is logical to conclude that, when the wind died down, the sea began to return to its normal course in opposite direction, i.e. the west. In other words, the wall of waters began to collapse in the direction the Egyptians would have fled, making certain that none survived, including Pharaoh (see Psalm 136:15).
Also consider that if it happened that way, the force of the water would have carried the dead Egyptians to opposite shore, in other words, where Israel stood after emerging from the sea bed. That is exactly what the Bible describes for us saying, “The LORD saved Israel that day…and they saw the Egyptians dead on the seashore” (Exodus 14:30). Observing this, the Israelites would have known that it was the Almighty who had saved them and, thus, the Scripture also says, “the people feared the Lord, and believed the Lord and His servant Moses” (Exodus 14:31).
God had already demonstrated His control over nature but, in destroying the Egyptians, He proved to His people that they were His people. This is how He redeemed them with an outstretched arm because if the Egyptians had emerged alive, the splitting of the sea would have served no real purpose. Still, many humans died that day which compels us to remember what God has to say on a matter such as this:
“As I live, declares the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live.” (Ezekiel 33:11)
Our God is the God of the living, not the dead. He is about life, redemption and restoration. It is not His intention to destroy unless it becomes necessary so that His people might live. In fact, that is the story of Israel’s redemption; someone had to die in order that Israel might live. And so at Passover, a drop of wine is removed from the Seder cup at the mention of each plague recalling the fact that, Israel’s redemption was bought at a great price. The greatest price was paid by the lamb, its blood being the sign between God and His people. And so as followers of Messiah, thought we celebrate the defeat of our enemy by the work of the Cross, we remember that we live because He was willing to die.
Blessings and Shalom,
Bill
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