In Exodus Chapter 13:17-18 we read that God deliberately did not take Israelites through a nearer way from Egypt to Canaan that involves passing through the land of Philistines, but he took them through the wilderness of the Red Sea, inasmuch as God knew the weak hearts of Israelites, who would grumble against God for having led through the land of Philistines, where they had to face war. At the end of the chapter 13 we read that the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of cloud, and in the night in a pillar of fire to give them light. Thus they had the light the entire time they traveled in the wilderness. Holy and gracious God, the God of Israel, did not leave the children of Israel in darkness when they were passing through the wilderness but provided them light the entire time they traveled.

In Exodus Chapter 14 we read about the triumphant walk, of Israelites on the dry land through the Red Sea. Before that God hardened the heart of Pharaoh so as to show his mighty power over Pharaoh and his gods. It is emphasized three times in this chapter alone, that God hardened the heart of Pharaoh, in order to show his power over the Egyptians and their gods. The LORD spoke to Moses in clear terms where to go and how to go. First of all, the Israelites were asked through Moses that they should “turn and encamp before Pihahiroth, between Migdol and the sea, over against Baalzephon: before it shall ye encamp by the sea”. That was important inasmuch as it creates a misunderstanding in the mind of Pharaoh, that they are entangled in the land and the wilderness has shut them in. Pharaoh would then think of laying his trap on Israelites in a much easier way than it should be and capture them, but he was taken aback when in reality it was strategically a movement by God to humble Pharaoh.

The Israelites did just as God commanded them to do. In the meanwhile when the king of Egypt came to know that the Israelites fled Pharaoh's heart and that of his servants turned against the people of Israel and repented for having let them go. Pharaoh made his chariot ready and his people with him in order to pursue and get the Israelites back to Egypt so as to use them again as slaves. Pharaoh took six hundred chosen chariots and all the chariots of Egypt and captains with him and pursued the children of Israel. The children of Israel, however, had the mighty hand of God on their side. Pharaoh's mighty army overtook Israelites, who were encamping by the sea, beside Pihahiroth before Baalzephon. Israelites were scared beyond any one's imagination and cried out unto the LORD, and asked Moses to explain if they did not have graves in Egypt that he brought them out from Egypt to be buried in the wilderness. This is the first time, the children of Israel murmured and complained against the almighty God after their deliverance from the bondage of slavery. More to come in desperation ahead in their journey, this compliant against God was the first one, which was serious enough to make God angry with them, and yet, he had compassion on them and delivered them in a marvelous way. When Moses heard their complaints he assured them the LORD shall fight for them and advised them to hold their peace. Their annoyance on Moses was great because of the proximity at which the enemy is stationed and it seemed to them that they had no other way out than to perish at the hands of enemy.

This is the same case with many believers when they find enemy at close proximity they feel the almighty God is short of power to handle them and lodge complaints against God and every one around them. Moses tells the people not to fear but to see the salvation of the LORD, who will fight the Egyptians and make them disappear for ever. The LORD tells Moses to take courage and march forward, but he should, in the meanwhile, lift his rod, and stretch it out over the sea, and divide it, so that the children of Israel walk in the midst of the Red Sea on a dry land. The LORD told them that he will make them honor God over and above Pharaoh, his host, his chariots and upon horsemen. The angel of God, who was going ahead of Israelites, now went and stood behind them. An astounding miracle was seen here, when the Israelites saw light on their side, the enemy forces of Egypt saw darkness ahead. Although the Israelites were very close to them Pharaoh's army could not capture them, because of the darkness ahead cast by the angel of God.  It was then that Moses stretched out his hand over the Red Sea and the Red Sea waters parted and stood like walls on either side making a dry clear land in the midst of the Sea for the children of Israel to walk on it comfortably. While the children of God were walking comfortably; the men, the women, the children, the cattle slowly and crossing the Red Sea, with the parted Sea Waters standing on their right and on their left like walls, the Pharaoh's chariots and army went in to the midst of the Red Sea on the dry land to capture them; but alas! their chariots gave up their wheels, and they drove hard. In the morning watch, the LORD looked upon the Egyptians with pillar of fire and cloud, which troubled the host Egyptians.  The Egyptians had enough of trouble pursuing the children of God and were desperate; they realized that the God of Israel was mightier than their own gods, or chariots or any of the captains in their army.  The Egyptians said to themselves, "Let us flee from the face of Israel; for the LORD fighteth for them against the Egyptians".  At last they realized the Holy One of Israel, the God of gods is mightier than any of their idols, or frog-gods, and said to themselves that the God of Israel is fighting on behalf of Israelites. But it was too late to realize the fact about the almighty God. In the meanwhile, all the children of Israel had passed on the dry land in the midst of the Red Sea and crossed over the Red Sea.  Moses now stretches his hand again over the Red Sea, and when the morning appeared, the sea returned to its normalcy with strength and force making all the chariots of Pharaoh, the army of Pharaoh, the horses and horsemen, and all the host of Pharaoh to be overthrown in the midst of the Red Sea.  Israelites walked on the dry land but the Pharaoh's army and chariots were overthrown in to the Sea and Israel saw the Egyptians dead on the sea shore. This was marvelous and the Israelites believed the LORD and the LORD' s servant Moses.  This was a great deliverance from the Egyptians and the children of Israelites feared much and trusted in the LORD.