God’s Presence

The Israelites left Succoth and camped at Etham on the edge of the wilderness. The Lord went ahead of them. He guided them during the day with a pillar of cloud, and He provided light at night with a pillar of fire. This allowed them to travel by day or by night. And the Lord did not remove the pillar of cloud or pillar of fire from its place in front of the people. Exodus 13:20-22 (NLT)

After leaving Egyptian slavery, the true and living God was visibly present with the Israelite people through a pillar of cloud by day and pillar of fire by night (Exodus 13:20-22; Exodus 14:19–20). The pillars of fire and cloud is sometimes called a “Theophany” — God visibly appearing in a physical form. This pillar was also identified with the Angel of the Lord (Exodus 14:19; Exodus 23:20-23; see also Nehemiah 9:12). One of God's names is “Jehovah-Sabaoth,” which means "Lord of hosts, Lord of armies.” This title for God is used 285 times in the Old Testament. Occasionally, God spoke from the pillar of cloud (Numbers 12:5-6; Deuteronomy 31:15-16; Psalm 99:7).

Other biblical scholars call this miraculous pillar of cloud and fire the Shekinah glory of God. This same glory later filled the Tabernacle (Exodus 40:34-35) and then Solomon’s Temple (1 Kings 8:10-11), and finally departed from the Temple and Jerusalem just before the Babylonian captivity of the Israelites (Ezekiel 8–11). God’s glory departed Israel because of the people’s disobedience and corruption (Ezekiel 9:3; Ezekiel 10:4, 18; Ezekiel 11:22-23). Then, God’s glory visibly returned again to earth with the birth of Jesus Christ – the grand Theophany (see John 1:14; 2 Corinthians 4:4). Jesus Christ is the new Temple of God filled with God’s glory (John 2:19-21). In Jesus Christ, we see the fullness of God’s glory (Hebrews 1:3).

The pillars of fire and cloud guided, protected and assured the Israelites (also called “Jews” or Hebrews”) of God’s presence as they traveled from Egypt through the wilderness to the Promised Land (Exodus 14:19-20; see also Numbers 9:17-18; Nehemiah 9:12, 19; Psalm 78:14). God gave the Israelites a pillar of cloud and a pillar of fire so they would know day and night that God’s glorious and holy presence was with them on their journey (Exodus 13:20-22; see also Psalm 105:39). Neither the pillar of cloud by day nor the pillar of fire by night left the Israelites (Exodus 13:22). In fact, the miraculous pillar moved between the Israelites and the Egyptians as God became a wall of protection between the Israelites and their enemies (Exodus 14:19). Also amazingly, the pillar that brought light to the Israelites but brought a shield of darkness to the Egyptians to protect the Israelites from the pursuing Egyptians (Exodus 14:20; see also John 8:12). The pillar of cloud also shielded the Israelites from the hot sun in the desert, perhaps as God’s shading “wings” of protection as they journeyed (Psalm 17:8; Psalm 121:5-6;  Psalm 105:39). Moreover, the pillar was a covering for the fiery manifestation of God’s glorious presence (see Exodus 16:10; Exodus 24:16; Exodus 34:5; Exodus 40:34-35; Numbers 11:25; Numbers 12:5; Numbers 16:42; Deuteronomy 31:15; 1 Kings 8:10-11). When the cloud moved, the Israelites moved; when the cloud waited, the Israelites waited (Exodus 40:34-38).

When word reached the king of Egypt that the Israelites had fled, Pharaoh and his officials changed their minds. “What have we done, letting all those Israelite slaves get away?” they asked. So Pharaoh harnessed his chariot and called up his troops. He took with him 600 of Egypt’s best chariots, along with the rest of the chariots of Egypt, each with its commander. The Lord hardened the heart of Pharaoh, the king of Egypt, so he chased after the people of Israel, who had left with fists raised in defiance. The Egyptians chased after them (Israelites) with all the forces in Pharaoh’s army — all his horses and chariots, his charioteers, and his troops. The Egyptians caught up with the people of Israel as they were camped beside the shore near Pi-hahiroth, across from Baal-zephon. . . . But Moses told the people, “Do not be afraid. Just stand still and watch the Lord rescue you today. The Egyptians you see today will never be seen again. The Lord Himself will fight for you. Just stay calm.” . . . Then the Angel of God, who had been leading the people of Israel, moved to the rear of the camp. The pillar of cloud also moved from the front and stood behind them. The cloud settled between the Egyptian and Israelite camps. As darkness fell, the cloud turned to fire, lighting up the night. But the Egyptians and Israelites did not approach each other all night. Then Moses raised his hand over the sea, and the Lord opened up a path through the water with a strong east wind. The wind blew all that night, turning the seabed into dry land. So the people of Israel walked through the middle of the sea on dry ground, with walls of water on each side! Then the Egyptians — all of Pharaoh’s horses, chariots, and charioteers — chased them into the middle of the sea. 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. He twisted their chariot wheels, making their chariots difficult to drive. “Let’s get out of here — away from these Israelites!” the Egyptians shouted. “The Lord is fighting for them against Egypt!” . . . When the people of Israel saw the mighty power that the Lord had unleashed against the Egyptians, they were filled with awe before Him. They put their faith in the Lord and in His servant Moses. Exodus 14:5-9, 13-14, 19-25, 31 (NLT)

While escaping Egyptian slavery, Pharaoh and the Egyptian army pursued the people of Israel (Exodus 14:5-9). Pharaoh and the Egyptians wanted the Israelites to return to Egypt and continue being their slaves. God Almighty displayed His glory and power against Pharaoh, all his chariots and his horsemen so the Egyptians would “know that I am the Lord” (Exodus 14:4, 17-18). God parted the Red Sea (also called the “Sea of Reed” or “Yam Suph”) for the Israelites and allowed the Israelite people to cross safely and without harm. Yet, God destroyed six hundred Egyptian war chariots and mighty men of Egypt (Exodus 14:6-9, 19-25). These Egyptians were no match against the Israelites and the power of their Almighty God, who destroyed both the chariots and the Egyptian soldiers (Exodus 14:19-25).

Moses had become a man of faith and not a man of fear (Hebrews 11:27-29). Faith and fear cannot live together in the same heart, for one will destroy the other (Mark 4:40). True faith depends on God, not on what we see or how we feel. “For we walk by faith, not by sight” (2 Corinthians 5:7). Moses now knew that Pharaoh's army was no match against the true and living God’s power. Moses gave several commands to the people, and the first command was, “Do not be afraid” (Exodus 14:13). The Israelites were tempted to flee with fear because they were hemmed in by the mountains, the sea, and the Egyptian army and they seemed doomed. So, Moses gave the Israelites another command: “Just stand still and watch the Lord rescue you today” (Exodus 14:13). By faith in God, the Israelites marched out of Egypt, and now by faith the Israelites would stand firm and watch the wonderful Almighty God destroy the Egyptians (Exodus 14:14). Moses not only told the Israelites to stand still, but also to “be still” because Almighty God would fight their battle against the Egyptians (Exodus 14:14; see also Deuteronomy 1:30; Psalm 46:10). The Israelites would be saved without having to fight, although they were “armed for battle” (Exodus 13:18) and “marching out boldly” (Exodus 14:8). The victory against the Egyptians would be won by God alone to reveal His glory and power (Exodus 14:8, 14, 25). Almighty God miraculous opened a highway through the Red Sea (Exodus 14:21). “The Lord opened up a path through the sea, with walls of water on each side; and a strong east wind blew all that night, drying the sea bottom. So the people of Israel walked through the sea on dry ground!” (Exodus 14:21-22). However, God swept the Egyptians into the sea (Exodus 14:27). What a great and mighty God we serve! The God Most High was their Redeemer (Psalm 78:35). When the people saw the mighty power that God had unleashed against the Egyptians, they were filled with respect, fear, and reverence before Him. The Israelites placed their faith (trust) in God (Exodus 14:31). The true and living God is our warrior, protector and defender (Exodus 15:3; see also 2 Chronicles 20:17-18) and He has no rivals (Exodus 15:11; Exodus 20:3).

There is only one God. There may be so-called gods both in heaven and on earth, and some people actually worship many gods and many lords. But we know that there is only one God, the Father, who created everything, and we live for Him. And there is only one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom God made everything and through whom we have been given life. 1 Corinthians 8:4-6 (NLT)

The parting of the Red Sea is one great example in the Holy Bible of what are called miracles (Exodus 14:21-22). Miracles are supernatural interventions by God to accomplish His purpose and bring glory to His name. Without question, God continues to perform miracles today. The miracle at Red Sea was God’s greatest and miraculous act of redemption in the Holy Bible. Subsequent ages looked back to the Red Sea miracle as one of victorious living under divine guidance. Future psalmists would praise God for His miraculous mighty works at the Red Sea (see e.g. Psalm 66; Psalm 78; Psalm 105-106; Psalm 136). The psalmist never tired of celebrating one of God’s greatest events. Also, the Old Testament prophets would use the Exodus to encourage the Jewish people in their return to their land after the Babylonian Captivity (Isaiah 43:1-7; Isaiah 52:11-12; Isaiah 55:12-13; Jeremiah 16:14-15; Jeremiah 23:7-8), as well as to motivate the backslidden Jews to return to God (Jeremiah 2:2-3; Ezekiel 20; Hosea 2:14-23; Amos 3; Micah 6:3-4). The prophets harked back to the days of the exodus to stir the conscience of Israelites. In 1 Corinthians 10:1-2, the Apostle Paul saw the Israelites march through the Red Sea as their “baptism,” for the water was on either side like a wall and the miraculous cloud of God's presence was behind them and over them.

Then Moses and the people of Israel sang this song to the Lord: I will sing to the Lord, for He has triumphed gloriously; He has thrown both horse and rider into the sea. The Lord is my strength, my song, and my salvation. He is my God, and I will praise Him. . . . The Lord is a warrior — Yes, Jehovah is His name. . . . Who else is like the Lord among the gods? Who is glorious in holiness like Him? Who is so awesome in splendor, a wonder-working God? You reached out Your hand and the earth swallowed them (Egyptians). You have led the people you redeemed. But in Your loving-kindness You have guided them (Israelites) wonderfully to Your holy land. The nations heard what happened, and they trembled. . . . Jehovah shall reign forever and forever. Exodus 15:1-3, 11-14, 18 (The Living Bible)

With their Egyptian enemies drowned and their freedom secure, the Israelites burst into joyful song and praised God (Exodus 15:1-21). Moses’ song at Exodus 15 celebrated the event from which this book gets its name: “the exodus” from Egypt, when a band of Hebrew slaves escaped from the most powerful civilization on earth. The Israelites lifted their hearts and voices outward and upward unto God as they worshipped God’s mighty redemption. Redemption should lead to rejoicing (Luke 15:1–24). The first portion of the song retells the story of God’ decisive victory over Pharaoh and the Egyptians and Israel’s redemption and deliverance (Exodus 14:13) at the Red Sea (Exodus 15:2-11; see also Psalm 118:20), and the second portion of the song anticipates Israelites future approach to the Promised Land (Exodus 15:12-17).

Some scholars believe Exodus 15 is the oldest and first recorded song in the world. Exodus 15 is a pattern for true worship to God, for this song emphasized God first and foremost and praised Him. Today, believers of Jesus Christ must also praise God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ for His strength, glory and redemption (Exodus 15:2; see also Psalm 118:14; Isaiah 12:2). All of Scripture clearly reveals a loving God – the divine name Yahweh (“the LORD”) – who is good, true, powerful, pure, and compassionate and not vindictive or brutal.

At the Red Sea, the Israelite learned that their future success lay in obeying three responsibilities: following God (Exodus 13:17-22), trusting God (Exodus 14:1-31), and praising God (Exodus 15:12-21). The Israelites’ trust and obedience in God would lead them into the Promised Land and give them their inheritance from God. No wonder the Israelites joyful sang, “Who else is like the Lord among the gods?” (Exodus 15:11; see also Micah 7:18) The answer is nobody! No one or no being in the universe is “majestic in holiness, awesome in glory, working wonders” than the Lord God Almighty (Exodus 15:11, NIV). The Lord God Almighty is definitely without equal and is glorious.

I find rest in God; only He can save me. He is my rock and my salvation. He is my defender; I will not be defeated. . . .  I find rest in God; only He gives me hope. He is my rock and my salvation. He is my defender; I will not be defeated. My honor and salvation come from God. He is my mighty rock and my protection. People, trust God all the time. Tell Him all your problems, because God is our protection. . . . God has said this, and I have heard it over and over: God is strong. The Lord is loving. Psalms 62:1-2, 5-8, 11-12 (NCV)

References

King James Version Study Bible. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, 1988.

KJV Bible Commentary. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, 1994.

Life Application Study Bible. Carol Streams, IL: Tyndale House Pub., 2005.

New Student Bible. New York: Zondervan, 1992.

Ryrie Study Bible. Chicago, IL: Moody, 1995.

Word in Life Study Bible. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1996.

Zondervan NIV Study Bible. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2008.

Wiersbe, Warren W. Bible Exposition Commentary. Victor Books, 1989.

Wiersbe, Warren. With the Word Bible Commentary. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, 1991.