July 29, 2026
Wednesday, July 29
Read Exodus 14, particularly vv. 19-31. Now, let’s count the miracles that take place in this one event.
First, there’s something you never see in the movie versions: The pillar of cloud that has been leading the Israelites for three weeks suddenly switches places, and goes behind them. Now it’s a wall between them and the Egyptians. On the Egyptian side, it’s dark, but the fire in that pillar lights up the night for Israel.
That enables them to watch the second miracle: All night long, a strong wind blows back the waters of the sea, forming a path in the middle. And in case you’re unclear how colossal this miracle is, scholars say the narrowest part of the Red Sea is 11 miles across.
When Israel steps into the breach, with waters forming a wall on their right and on their left, the ground they’re walking on is dry. This is not some freak natural occurrence, like an earthquake that temporarily displaces the water. This is God intruding on natural law, which is the definition of a miracle.
Then, when hundreds of thousands of Israelites have crossed, and dawn is breaking, God removes His presence from between the two groups, and the Egyptians plunge into the space between the waters.
But things aren’t going well for them. V. 25 says the Lord clogs their wheels. Some think that means that the ground was suddenly muddy, so that the chariots got stuck. Others think the chariots themselves were hard to handle, that the wheels actually came off. Either way, the Egyptians themselves start to panic and say, “Let’s turn back.” But it’s too late.
The sixth and final miracle is that once the Egyptian cavalry is completely in the midst of the sea, the waters return to their place, and the entire army is destroyed.
The Old Testament records many inspiring stories of God delivering His people when they were completely outmatched on paper. None of them are as monumental in Israelite history as this one; none of them are as repeated and referred to in the rest of Scripture as the victory at the Red Sea. That means this wasn’t just a spectacular one-time miracle. It wasn’t just about rescuing Israel. It was about who God is, and what He wants to do in our lives. He is the God who saves.
“Father, I give you praise today as the One and Only Savior. Help me to remember that when I am tempted to trust in the things of this world to rescue me. In Jesus’ name, amen.”
Senior Pastor
First Baptist Conroe
More from Pastor Jeff at his website: jeffbergerwriting.com
