“By faith they passed through the Red sea as by dry land: which the Egyptians assaying to do were drowned,” V. 29.

As we move on to verse 29, there continues that series of references to a series of incidents which I said last week are very illustrative of the experiences of the Christian on the pilgrimage to heaven. In verse 28 we saw the ‘deliverance from bondage by the blood.’ Now we come to the second illustration.  Here we have a way being made through a seemingly impossible barrier - the Red Sea. 

1.The situation that faced Israel filled them with great fear. Exodus 14:10.

‘Sore afraid’! There are things which face the Christian which makes them very afraid. They ought not to be but they are. In their fear, they prayed but sadly also complained. “And the children of Israel cried out unto the LORD. And they said unto Moses, Because there were  no graves in Egypt, hast thou taken us away to die in the wilderness? wherefore hast thou dealt thus with us, to carry us forth out of Egypt?” Ex 14:10-11. This is unbelief talking.

2. However, Moses spoke a reassuring word to them. 

“Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will shew to you to day. . . The LORD shall fight for you” Ex 14:13-14. When we are obeying God it is wrong to fear. We have but to stand still and see what He will do for us.

3. The Lord then wondrously opened a way for them through the Red Sea. 

The sea was opened by the lifting up of the rod of Moses, Ex 14:16. The ROD is picture of God’s Word. The shepherd used the rod to convey his mind and will to his flock, Ps 23:4. God’s Word shows us the way forward when faced with difficulties. Notice the wind moving, Ex 14:21. Here we have another ‘agent’ by which the Lord saves His people. The ‘wind’ speaks of the Holy Spirit, John 3:8.

4. What appeared as a death-trap for Israel became a death-trap for their enemies. 

The sea was opened for Israel but not Egypt. It was a way of life for Israel but a way of death for Egypt. “The Egyptians assaying . . were drowned,” Hebs 11:29. Only by faith in Christ can we escape to God’s promised land.