Nonetheless, if we take note of the records before crossing the Red Sea, we would discover that the Red Sea was actually a dead end instead of some protection. “The Egyptians—all Pharaoh’s horses and chariots, horsemen and troops—pursued the Israelites and overtook them as they camped by the sea near Pi Hahiroth, opposite Baal Zephon. As Pharaoh approached, the Israelites looked up, and there were the Egyptians, marching after them. They were terrified and cried out to the Lord. They said to Moses, ‘Was it because there were no graves in Egypt that you brought us to the desert to die? What have you done to us by bringing us out of Egypt? Didn’t we say to you in Egypt, “Leave us alone; let us serve the Egyptians”? It would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the desert!’” (Exodus 14:9-12). Behind the Israelites were the Egyptian army and in front of them was the Red Sea obstructing their path. The faced an army they could not defeat and deep waters they could not cross.
If we were in their position, we, like the Israelites, would also think there was no escape. We might even question why God made things so difficult for us. In truth, a normal person would probably not be caught in a situation where they were pursued for their lives with no escape. We would, however, encounter difficulties such as unemployment, business failure, disease, tense family relationship, being bullied by employers, life’s constraints, rebellious children, et cetera. In such situations we might not see an escape route or hope for a good turn of events. We, like the ancient Israelites, think there is no way forward. In the face of the “Red Sea” of life, we are confused and disorientated. We also question why God placed before us this “Red Sea” with no escape route. Is something wrong with God? Or is God deliberately harming us?
When God led the Israelites away from Egypt and towards the Promised Land, He intentionally brought them to the Red Sea. Of course, it was not to harm them. “When Pharaoh let the people go, God did not lead them on the road through the Philistine country, though that was shorter. For God said, ‘If they face war, they might change their minds and return to Egypt.’ So God led the people around by the desert road toward the Red Sea. The Israelites went up out of Egypt ready for battle” (Exodus 13:17-18). With His infinite wisdom God led the Israelites to walk on the wilderness road to the Red Sea, and not take the more direct route that led to Philistine. God knew that despite having experienced many of His miracles, the Israelites would choose to stay in Egypt when faced with a difficult situation and forgo the blessing God had given them. God led the Israelites to the route that led to the Red Sea to witness how He would fight for them, so that they could experience His salvation more profoundly. At the same time He did not give them the option of turning back. After the Red Sea incident, they would learn to rely only on God as they move on to claim the blessing God sworn to give them. Similarly, God leads us to our “Red Sea” not with the intention of harming us but so that we, the cowards, people who fear for our lives, who would give up God’s greater blessing for food, would have experience more deeply His salvation and Him fighting for us.
“Moses answered the people, ‘Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still’” (Exodus 14: 13-14). When faced with our “Red Sea”, we must be more like Moses, unafraid, composed, trust God and also note how He would fight for you and how he would divide the “Red Sea” for you. The Red Sea is not a dead end but a salvation!