Exodus (Lesson 6) Through the Red Sea
WHEN YOU ARE UP AGAINST A BRICK WALL WITH NO WAY OUT
Picture this: The Israelites are finally free after 400 years of slavery.
They’re walking away from Egypt, hearts racing with new hope.
But suddenly, they hear something terrifying behind them, the rumble of Pharaoh’s army.
Chariots. Horses. Soldiers. Death is on their tracks.
And in front of them? Nothing but the Red Sea.
No bridge. No boat. Just water.
Behind them, danger.
In front of them, impossibility.
They are trapped.
Welcome to Episode 6 of our 13-part series on the Book of Exodus.
Exodus is a powerful story about escape, freedom and deliverance.
It tells how God helped His people, the Israelites, escape when trapped by their enemies.
This is not just a story of the past; it is a story of the present.
It is a story of deliverance, and escape from the forces of evil.
Join us on this journey of faith and trust.
But, before we begin, let’s pray.
God Almighty, thank you for leading us thus far on our journey. Help us learn to put our total trust and faith in you even when facing what seems impossible. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Exodus
(Lesson 6)
Through the Red Sea
Part 1 Introduction
Maybe life has backed you into a corner, and all you can do is cry out, “What now?” “What do I do?”
Hold on because this Exodus story let us know what to do when all seems hopeless.
The Israelites panicked. Their joy turned into fear.
They cried out to Moses, but Moses didn’t panic. He didn’t run. He didn’t argue. He spoke words that were powerful, words that still speak to us today:
13 And Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which He will accomplish for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall see again no more forever. 14 The Lord will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace.” (Exodus 14:13–14).
The Lord “instructed Moses to encamp beside the sea, that He might manifest His power in their deliverance” (Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 284).
In other words, God led them into what looked like a trap so He could prove His power to deliver them.
This was a moment of faith building, designed to help them look away from their fears and look to their God.
This story is not just a piece of history, it’s one of the most powerful, breathtaking stories of the entire Old Testament. (Pauser)
The Exodus was a divine model of how God defeats the Hebrews Enemies and takes them safely to the Promise Land.
It was God’s announcement loud and clear to the world around them that “These are My people, and I will fight for them.”
It is more than just about the Hebrews escaping Egyptian slavery. (Pausere)
It is about God standing between them and their enemies.
It’s about the True and living God, the creator of the universe, who sent plagues, parted the Red Sea, destroyed Pharaoh’s army, and God paving the way for His people to walk through the Red Sea on dry land!
It becomes evident that this was by no means human power.
This was not a clever escape.
This was God showing up and showing that all power is in his hands.
But as incredible as the Exodus was, it pointed to something even greater.
From a human viewpoint, the Israelites were trapped.
Their situation seemed hopeless, and they couldn’t save themselves.
If they were going to be rescued, only God could do it
Yet this act pointed to something more powerful.
It pointed to the cross.
Just like the Israelites were trapped between Pharaoh’s army and the Red Sea, we are trapped in sin with no way out on our own. We don’t have the power to save ourselves.
But God has made a way.
It is the cross of Christ and what He did on it for us all.
Jesus is our Deliverer; He came to set us free sin and the penalty of sin.
He didn’t just split the sea.
He split open the gates of hell.
He didn’t just defeat Pharaoh; He defeated death itself.
Ellen White writes in Desire of Ages “The deliverance of Israel from slavery was an object lesson of redemption, pointing to the power of Christ to deliver us from the slavery of sin” (Desire of Ages, p. 25).
Take a deep breath and walk with the Israelites one more time.
From Exodus 12, when they left Goshen, to Exodus 15, where they sang the Song of Moses.
In this story we see the manifestation of God power in His signs, wonders.
It shows His miraculous redeeming work at its heights.
But the drama in Exodus is a mere prefigure of the highest peak, which is Christ redeeming work for us when he sacrificed his life for us on the cross.
So, what do you do in a hopeless situation?
Maybe the past is chasing you, and the future looks impossible.
But listen, this is not the time to give up.
God hasn’t brought you this far to leave you.
He didn’t fail them, and He won’t fail you.
When you’re stuck, don’t go back. Don’t give up. Don’t fall apart.
When God makes the move to deliver His people, on which side will you stand?
Will you be with those who obey his command, or will you be on the other side? (Pausere)
Read: Exodus 12:1-36. Then continue to Part 2: Go, and Worship the Lord
Exodus
(Lesson 6)
Through the Red Sea
Part 2: Go and Worship the Lord
When Judgment Falls, where will You Stand?
There are moments in life when no amount of money, no position, and no power can protect you.
When God’s judgment moves, our only safety is in obedience.
This part of the story is about what happened on that Passover night.
Remember this is not just history, it’s an example to show us what happens when stubborn hearts meet the justice of a Holy God.
It was a night like no other.
Egypt had been warned—again and again.
But now, the final plague came with no more delay.
Death moved silently across the land, and divine judgment fell on every home not covered by the blood of the lamb. Exodus 12:12 says:
📖 “For I will pass through the land of Egypt on that night, and will strike all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgment: I am the Lord” (Exodus 12:12).
This wasn’t about race, wealth, or power.
Not even Pharaoh’s royal house was safe.
The Book Patriarchs and Prophets Chapter 23 the Passover expresses that God’s justice is impartial—His judgments fall where disobedience and pride reign, regardless of status. No one escaped because of who they were. From the palace to the prison cell, if there was no blood on the door, death came in. Even the animals’ firstborn died. Egypt’s pride was shattered. The so-called “gods” were exposed as powerless, and the true God stood as judge and deliverer.
Pharaoh finally gave in. After stubbornly resisting God over and over, the pain of loss crushed him.
He was humiliated. So, he called Moses and Aaron at night and told them to leave, every last one of them, along with their flocks.
But then, he adds something strange:
“And bless me also.”
Wait—what? The king of Egypt? The man who just lost his own son?
The man who mocked God and refused to listen?
He’s now asking for a blessing?
Now, this is not a picture of repentance.
It’s a moment of desperation.
Pharaoh saw God’s power, but not with a heart ready to yield. The thing is, God cannot bless rebellion.
Pharaoh wasn’t broken in heart—just broken in spirit.
He didn’t turn to God in humility.
He just wanted the pain to go away.
He wasn’t surrendering, he was defeated.
And Pharaoh wasn’t the only one. The whole land of Egypt was in mourning.
Grief filled the streets.
The Egyptians had had enough.
It says in Exodus 12:33
📖 “And the Egyptians urged the people, that they might send them out of the land in haste. For they said, ‘We shall all be dead’” (Exodus 12:33, NKJV).
The fear was real. After watching plague after plague devastate their land, and now death itself walking through their cities, the Egyptians were ready to let go.
God’s power had been revealed so clearly that even those who didn’t worship Him pleaded for His people to leave.
They knew now that their survival depended on it.
They weren’t just letting go, they were pushing them out the door.
The Israelites didn’t leave empty-handed either.
Exodus 12:35–36 says
35 Now the children of Israel had done according to the word of Moses, and they had asked from the Egyptians articles of silver, articles of gold, and clothing.
36 And the Lord had given the people favor in the sight of the Egyptians, so that they granted them what they requested. Thus they plundered the Egyptians. (Exodus 12:35–36).
This was not theft, it was justice.
God made sure the Israelites received payment for the hundreds of years of slave labor.
The Egyptians willingly gave their riches to the Hebrews, desperate to be free of the plagues.
This act symbolized both restoration and preparation.
God knew the journey ahead would be long and hard.
He made sure His people were equipped for the road.
Now let’s pause and ask a heart-searching question:
Have you ever said “I’m sorry,” not because you truly regretted the sin, but just to escape the consequences?
We’ve all done it. That’s what Pharaoh did.
He didn’t change his heart—he just wanted relief.
But true repentance isn’t about avoiding punishment.
Are we only sorry when we get caught?
Or are we truly sorry over sin because we love God and want to please Him?
Now let’s pick up the story in the aftermath.
Exodus 12:31–32
1 Now the Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt, saying,
2 “This month shall be your beginning of months; it shall be the first month of the year to you. (Exodus 12:31–32).
God spared the lives of the Israelites first born. In honor of this and obedience to him, God instructed them to do something special. What does this mean for us today? Read Exodus 13:1–16
Then, View the next segment of this video, Part 3: Consecration of the First Born
Exodus
(Lesson 6)
Through the Red Sea
Part 3: Consecration of the Firstborn
The time for freedom had come. After years of suffering, God was ready to deliver His people from Egypt.
But deliverance required more than just listening, it required obedience.
It wasn’t enough to believe in their hearts.
Now they had to act with their hands and feet.
They needed to do what God instructs them to do.
Faith without obedience will not open the way to move forward.
James makes this clear, in James 2:17-20. It says in verse 20
“But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead?”
(James 2:20)
Faith is more than just agreeing with God, it’s moving when He says move.
The Israelites had to trust Him with their action, not just with their words.
God had just protected their homes during the final plague.
When death came through Egypt, the homes covered in blood were spared.
That was grace. But now, grace requires a response.
In Exodus 13:1–16 God gave them a command that would help them remember what He had done.
Through Moses, God said in Exodus 13:2
“Consecrate to Me all the firstborn, whatever opens the womb among the children of Israel, both of man and beast; it is Mine.”
(Exodus 13:2)
God was saying, “Set aside your firstborn for Me as a sign that you remember who rescued you.”
It was their way of honoring the God who stepped in when they had no power to save themselves.
This command applied to both people and animals.
Why? Because it reminded them of a greater truth that everything already belonged to God.
He wasn’t asking for something they owned.
He was asking them to return what was already His.
As indicated in Psalms 24:1
“The earth is the Lord’s, and all its fullness, the world and those who dwell therein.” (Psalm 24:1)
This world belongs to God.
Every inch of it. Every soul in it.
We’re His, and all we have is His.
Just as Haggai 2:8 says,
“The silver is Mine, and the gold is Mine,” says the Lord of hosts.
(Haggai 2:8)
All wealth belongs to God.
We’re just managers of what He lets us use.
It’s not ours to selfishly keep for us and decide how we will use it to benefit us.
Everything we possess is to be used as God instructs.
So, the firstborn sons were to be given as a symbol of this trust.
They were the first of many blessings God would give.
Offering them was a way to say, “Everything I have come from You.”
But there was more.
Those sons had been spared from death.
Why? Because of the blood on the doorpost.
This was a shadow of something much bigger, salvation.
They were redeemed from death, as are all who are under the blood of Jesus.
As expressed in Colossians 1:14
“In whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.”
(Colossians 1:14)
Just like the firstborn were saved by the blood in Egypt, we are saved today by the blood of Jesus. His blood paid the price for our freedom. ❤️
In the meantime, God gave them detailed instructions about how this dedication should be offered and how the celebration of their deliverance from Egyptian slavery should be done.
This wasn’t just about remembering the past, it was a new way of life for them.
The animals were to be offered. But the sons were to be redeemed, bought back.
Exodus 13:12-13
12 that you shall set apart to the Lord all that open the womb, that is, every firstborn that comes from an animal which you have; the males shall be the Lord’s.
13 But every firstborn of a donkey you shall redeem with a lamb; and if you will not redeem it, then you shall break its neck. And all the firstborn of man among your sons you shall redeem.
15 And it came to pass, when Pharaoh was stubborn about letting us go, that the Lord killed all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both the firstborn of man and the firstborn of beast. Therefore I sacrifice to the Lord all males that open the womb, but all the firstborn of my sons I redeem.’(Exodus 13:12, 13, 15, )
Every part of this command was a living memory.
It was a reminder: “We can’t save ourselves.
God does. So, we give back the first and the best — because we remember His mercy.”
But God wanted this truth not just in their actions. He wanted it in their hearts, in their minds.
In their habits. In their thoughts. So, He gave them this instruction:
“It shall be as a sign on your hand and as frontlets between your eyes, for by strength of hand the Lord brought us out of Egypt.”
(Exodus 13:16)
The sign on their hands meant their choices.
The frontlets between their eyes meant their thoughts.
Everything they did and thought was to be shaped by what God had done.
His power delivered them — and they were never to forget it.
So, what do you do in a hopeless situation?
You remember what God has already done.
You obey what He’s already said.
When you’re out of answers…you go forward.
And That’s exactly what the Israelites were instructed to do when they were trapped at the Red Sea.
What happened when they went forward? Read Exodus 13:17–14:12
Bottom of Form
Then Continue to the next segment of this video, Part 4: Crossing the Red Sea
Exodus
(Lesson 6)
Through the Red Sea
Part 4: Crossing the Red Sea
There are times when I have felt stuck.
Like fear was chasing me, and the road ahead seemed like there was no way out?
Have you been there?
If you have, you are not alone. (Psudrr)
God led the Israelites to this very point.
But what He did next will fill your heart with hope and joy.
We find in Exodus 13:17–18 that when Pharaoh let the Israelites go, that God did not lead them by way of the land of the Philistines.
He didn’t lead the Israelites the quickest way out because He knew they weren’t ready for war.
So, He led them through the wilderness, a longer path, but one that would be safe for them.
And, they didn’t leave like a group of slaves; they left Egypt like a well-organized army!
📖 (Exodus. 6:26; 7:4; 12:17, 41, 51; 14:19, 20)
Each tribe had their place, like strong soldiers on a mission.
Even the prophet Balaam acknowledge this as he saw Israel encamped according to their tribes as indicated in Numbers. 24:2
In the process of leaving Moses took the bones of Joseph with him.
Joseph lived in the riches of Egypt, but his heart never lost sight of the Promised Land.
In Genesis 50:24–25
24 Joseph said to his brethren, “I am dying; but God will surely visit you, and bring you out of this land to the land of which He swore to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob.”
25 Then Joseph took an oath from the children of Israel, saying, “God will surely visit you, and you shall carry up my bones from here.”(Genesis 50:24–25)
This shows pure faith! Though they were still in the hands of the Egyptian, at his death Joseph believed that God would free them and bring them to the land He had promised.
Acknowledging Joseph’s faith Hebrews 11:24-25
Therefore, honoring Joseph’s request, when Israel’s arrived in Canaan, Joseph’s bones were “buried at Shechem” (Joshua. 24:32)
Thus years later, Joseph’s bones were laid to rest in the land God promised.
As the Israelites left Egypt:
God didn’t just lead them. He was with them. By day, a cloud led them. At night, a fire lit the way according to Exodus 14:24, and
Numbers 12:5-6
“God’s presence was with them—day and night.”
He was right there with them, watching, speaking, and protecting them.
Now what happen to Pharaoh, the King of Egypt. He revealed his true self.
His heart had not changed.
He pretended to repent.
He asked God to bless him, but it wasn’t sincere; perhaps he was even fooling himself.
But his heart remained full of pride, anger and resentment.
Sin can completely blind us.
That’s why sin is so serious.
So, Pharoah gathered his army and chased after the people he had let go.
He was still trapped, not by walls, but by his own hard heart.
He was totally blinded by sin.
Now, when the people saw Pharaoh’s army coming, they said words and felt emotions in Exodus 14:11 they would repeat many times later
11 Then they said to Moses, “Because there were no graves in Egypt, have you taken us away to die in the wilderness? Why have you so dealt with us, to bring us up out of Egypt? (Exodus 14:11)
God with a mighty hand had just brought them out of Egyptian slavery, yet they still doubted him.
The Israelites had seen miracles, plagues…freedom.
God saved their children. He opened doors that no one else possibly could.
But the moment trouble showed up again… they forgot!
They panicked. They doubted.
And they asked, “Moses, why did you bring us here to die?”
Think about the last time life hit you hard.
What was your first thought?
Was it Fear or faith?
It’s easy to forget what God already did when new trouble shows up.
But He’s still the same. He hasn’t changed.
God’s path may not always be quick… or easy, but it’s the best one.
And even when fear comes chasing after us, we’re not left alone. God is right there with us.
Despite their lack of faith, what did God do for the Israelites? Read Exodus 14:13–31
Then, continue to the next segment of this video, Part 5: Marching Forward by Faith
Exodus
(Lesson 6)
Through the Red Sea
Part 5: Marching Forward by Faith
When it appeared to be no way out, when pain, fear, or trouble in your life had you trapped—with no hope in sight, what happened?
The Israelites stood frozen between a sea they couldn’t cross… and an army out to destroy them.
But God… God stepped in and may a way out of no way.
What God did for them, He will do for you.
The children of Israel had just escaped slavery in Egypt.
They were finally free! But then, something terrifying happened.
Pharaoh changed his mind… and sent his army to bring them back.
The Israelites stood by the Red Sea, trapped.
In front of them: deep, dangerous water.
Behind them: soldiers, horses, and chariots.
They were afraid—terrified.
And even though they had just seen God do mighty miracles, their faith began to fade away. 😟
But one man—Moses—stood strong.
This was because he completely trusted in God and His world with all his heart.
And in that hopeless dreadful moment, he encouraged the people, giving them four powerful charges on what to do in difficult times when life feels impossible.
- Moses first charge Exodus 14:13
“And Moses said to the people, ‘Do not be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which He will accomplish for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall see again no more forever.’” ( Exodus 14:13)
Trust in the Lord: Moses told them, “Don’t be afraid.” That’s the first step—trust in God. Because fear loses its power when we believe God is with us. Isaiah reminds us of this in Isaiah 41:10, 13
10 Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’
13 For I, the Lord your God, will hold your right hand, Saying to you, ‘Fear not, I will help you.’
(Isaiah 41:10, 13)
Then Moses posed another charge in Exodus 14:13 “Stand still.”
He didn’t mean, do nothing!
He meant, stop panicking.
Stop murmuring. Stop complaining.
And start waiting patiently in faith, expecting for his divine hand and trusting that he will intervene in due time.
Then Moses made a really powerful charge:
Exodus 14:13 :
“You will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today.”
When we recognize that God is the one leading and helping, and we become grateful for His promised help our faith increases.
“See” here means open your eyes—not just your physical eyes, but the eyes of your heart. 👀
Too see that God is already at work, even when you can’t see it yet.
He is the only one who brings victory, safety, and salvation.
God is always there for us, caring and providing what we need at the exact time that we need it.
Then came this bold promise Exodus 14:14
“The Lord will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace.” (Exodus 14:14)
Now, let those words sink in:
God Himself will fight for you. This tells us that God will take care of our problems.
God will personally fight for us. You don’t have to fix it.
God will fix it for you.
Your job is to just trust Him.
Jesus has already won the greatest battle on the cross, defeating Satan so we could live forever.
Calvary is the ultimate proof of our victory, for on the cross Christ defeated Satan to give us eternal life (John 5:24; Hebrews 2:14; Revelation. 12:10, 11).
In Exodus 14:25 we see that even the Egyptians, who didn’t believe, would soon see that God fights for His people.
Then God gave Moses a simple but powerful command…
In Exodus 14:15 (paraphrased):
Go forward: “Move on.”
When you’re stuck, and all hope is gone, God often charges us to, “Go forward.”
And then something amazing happened—God’s rescue plan began to unfold:
1️⃣ The angel of God and the pillar of cloud that had led them moved behind the Israelites, standing between them and danger. God was now their shield protecting them from the Egyptian Army
2️⃣ Then Moses by faith raised his hand over the sea.
3️⃣ God sent a strong wind that parted the waters and dried the ground beneath it. The sea, once roadblock, became a roadway.
4️⃣ Then, the Israelites walked safely down the road, step by step, on dry land to the other side.
The Egyptian army blindly chased after them, not realizing that God was the one doing all these mighty wonders for his people.
It was too late when they finally realized this as they confessed in
Exodus 14:25
“And [the Egyptians] said, ‘Let us flee from the face of Israel, for the Lord fights for them against the Egyptians.’ ” Exodus 14:25
Even their enemies had to admit it. God fights for His people. When the battle is too much for us, it’s not too big for Him.
Now that the Israelites are on the other side on dry land and the Egyptian Army has been overthrown in the Red Sea, what do the Israelites do next. Read Exodus 15:1-21
Then, continue to the last segment of this video, Part 6: The Song of Moses and Miriam
Exodus
(Lesson 6)
Through the Red Sea
Part 6: The Song of Moses and Mariam
The sea had closed behind them. The wind was calm again. But something was different now.
God’s people stood on the other side of the Red Sea on dry land alive, free, and in amazement.
When they looked back… they saw no one.
The once-mighty Egyptian army, gone. Every last soldier. Every last horse.
It says in Psalm 136:15 that Even Pharaoh himself had been swallowed by the Red Sea.
It was a powerful defeat for the Egyptians and a complete victory for God’s people.
It’s No wonder the Jewish people still recount this story.
How can you ever forget when God shows up and rescues you like that!
And Moses, he didn’t just walk away in silence.
His heart was so full, he sang.
And Mariam and the people sang with him.
Exodus 15:1–2 says
“Then Moses and the children of Israel sang this song to the Lord, and spoke, saying:
‘I will sing to the Lord, for He has triumphed gloriously!
The horse and its rider He has thrown into the sea!
The Lord is my strength and song, and He has become my salvation;
He is my God, and I will praise Him;
My father’s God, and I will exalt Him.’” Exodus 15:1–2
This was no ordinary song. It came from deep within, from the place where pain used to live, but now had been filled with joy.
They weren’t just praising God for what He had done… they were praising God for who He is.
In Exodus 15:3 Moses says:
“The Lord is a man of war;
The Lord is His name.”
God is not passive. He’s not distant.
When His children are under attack, He becomes a warrior. A defender. A protector.
Moses song continues: Exodus 15:11 saying
11 “Who is like You, O Lord, among the gods? Who is like You, glorious in holiness, Fearful in praises, doing wonders? (Exodus 15:11)
Moses asks the question that has only one answer:
No one is like God. He is holy. Glorious.
And always doing miracles—even when we least expect them.
This song wasn’t just about the past.
It looked ahead, too.
Moses spoke of God’s love and guidance… and even of a future home.
It says in Exodus 15:17:
17 You will bring them in and plant them In the mountain of Your inheritance, In the place, O Lord, which You have made For Your own dwelling, The sanctuary, O Lord, which Your hands have established. (Exodus 15:17)
Moses believed that God would not only save—but lead His people to a place to call home. A sanctuary. To a safe and holy place.
And later, in Jerusalem, that sanctuary stood, pointing to something even greater still Zion, our A heavenly home above.
And then… the Bible shows us something beautiful.
In the last book Revelation 15:2–4 we find this same song again. It talks of not just Moses.
It talks of the redeemed. They sing the song of Moses and the song of the Lamb.
Read Revelation 15:2–4
One day, we will all sing that song. A song of victory, of freedom, of justice finally done.
All the pain, all the wrongs that went unanswered, God will set them right.
And the whole universe will know: He is holy. He is fair. He is just, He is good, He is love.
God’s people will worship Him not just because He’s powerful, but because His judgments, His decisions are right and just.
We may not see justice today. People seem to get away with wrong.
The world can feel so unfair. But hold on!
The philosopher Immanuel Kant once said,
“If God is just, then there must be some kind of afterlife.”
And he was right. Because God’s justice isn’t always seen here on earth.
But one day… it will be.
So if you’re hurting… if you’re waiting for justice… if you’re crying out for peace—don’t lose hope.
One day, the wrongs will be made right.
The tears will be wiped away.
And the song of Moses… and the Lamb… will rise from our lips.
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