Then the angel of God who was going before the host of Israel moved and went behind them, and the pillar of cloud moved from before them and stood behind them, coming between the host of Egypt and the host of Israel. And there was the cloud and the darkness. And it lit up the night without one coming near the other all night.
Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and the LORD drove the sea back by a strong east wind all night and made the sea dry land, and the waters were divided. And the people of Israel went into the midst of the sea on dry ground, the waters being a wall to them on their right hand and on their left. The Egyptians pursued and went in after them into the midst of the sea, all Pharaoh’s horses, his chariots, and his horsemen. 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, clogging their chariot wheels so that they drove heavily. And the Egyptians said, “Let us flee from before Israel, for the LORD fights for them against the Egyptians.” Then the LORD said to Moses, “Stretch out your hand over the sea, that the water may come back upon the Egyptians, upon their chariots, and upon their horsemen.”
Comment: The word translated here as ‘angel’ can mean ‘message’ or ‘messenger’. Here ‘the angel of God’ means that pillar which was dark during the day and light during the night. I understand that it was darkness to the Egyptians and light to the Israelis as it took up its position behind them. It usually led them! This crossing of the Red Sea is what very many today call a myth. Thinking of the destructive power of cyclones and floods with huge winds and great power, as we have seen in many places this year, I can believe that God can perform wonders when He chooses to do something special! The dry ground on which the Israelis crossed was obviously muddy enough to stop the chariots driving through easily. The Egyptians, at last remembering the Power of Jehovah, recognized that this was a ‘God’ event and sought to back track and flee. God had promised that this would be the end of the army of Pharaoh chasing them and Moses lifted his staff and God stopped the wind and the Egyptians died!
Prayer: Gracious God, thank You that Your call to follow Jesus is so clear and that Your Grace is so freely given.
As I read it! 