Exodus 14

The narrative moves from human tactical entrapment and fear to divine intervention and the ultimate vindication of God's power over the pride of man.

• The Lord shall fight for you (v 14)
• Ye shall see them again no more for ever (v 13)

• Speak unto the children of Israel, that they go forward (v 15)
• Lift thou up thy rod, and stretch out thine hand over the sea (v 16)
• Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord (v 13)
• Hold your peace (v 14)

• None explicitly stated, though the fate of the Egyptian army serves as a historical caution against warring against God's people (vv 27-28).

• The precise route of the Exodus and the location of the 'sea' (יָם [H3220]) remain subjects of archaeological and geographical debate, as ancient names like 'Pi-hahiroth' do not definitively map to modern sites.
• The 'six hundred chosen chariots' (v 7) reflect the Egyptian military structure of the New Kingdom, capable of rapid pursuit.

• In the ancient Near East, a king's reputation was built on his military force; by destroying the 'host' (חַיִל [H2428]), God dismantled the pride of the Egyptian state.
• Matthew Henry observes that 'God brings us into straits, that he may bring us to our knees,' noting that Israel's fear in verse 10 was their initial, albeit flawed, step toward prayer.

• The chapter follows the institution of the Passover in Exodus 12-13, moving from the legal enactment of redemption to the physical experience of liberation.
• It serves as a narrative climax for the deliverance out of Egypt before the journey to Sinai begins.

• The apostle Paul identifies the crossing of the sea as a 'type' of baptism (1 Cor 10:1-2), signifying the people's identification with Moses and their separation from slavery.
• Psalm 114:3 and 106:9 look back on this event as the foundational act of God's power in Israel's history.

• The 'hardening' of Pharaoh's heart (חָזַק [H2388]) is a recurring motif that links back to God's predictions in Exodus 4-7.
• The 'strong east wind' (v 21) echoes the creative act of God in Genesis 1, where the Spirit/breath of God moves over the waters to create order.

• The verb 'speak' (דָבַר [H1696]) often carries a sense of arranging or setting in order, suggesting that God was strategically placing Israel into a 'trap' for His own purposes.
• The term 'people' (עַם [H5971]) is used collectively for Israel, highlighting their identity as a unit (a congregated group) rather than just individuals.
• The 'hardening' (חָזַק [H2388]) of Pharaoh's heart denotes a 'fastening upon' or an 'obstinate' resistance, illustrating that God's sovereignty works within the context of human rebellion.

• The irony of the Egyptian confession in verse 25: 'the Lord fighteth for them against the Egyptians'—the enemy acknowledges the divine reality before their destruction.
• The pillar of cloud is described as 'darkness' to the Egyptians but 'light' to the Israelites (v 20), emphasizing how God's presence is perceived differently based on one's relationship to Him.

• The mechanism of God 'hardening' (חָזַק [H2388]) Pharaoh's heart remains a central point of debate: historic Calvinist positions emphasize God's sovereign control over even the will of the wicked, while other traditions, such as Arminianism, emphasize Pharaoh's active, preceding choice to resist, with God confirming that choice.
• The exact location of the 'sea' (יָם [H3220])—whether the 'Reed Sea' (Yam Suph) or the body of water commonly known as the Red Sea—is a persistent scholarly question.