Waking up the next morning I fully expected us to continue moving.  I knew the Red Sea was in front of us a short distance away.  I believed that today would be the day Moses would part it. Soon the people of Israel would cross on dry land.

On this day Moses would begin with a pause for the people to take a rest.  We were admittedly worn down from constant travel.  The elderly suffered the most.

What began as a peaceful morning sharing smiles, laughter, and supporting one another would change.  Caleb and Nun’s families spirits were up as were many others.  Everyone seemed hopeful.  This hope would turn into panic.

The Egyptians Pursue Israel

At mid afternoon the peaceful setting changed.  Word began to spread throughout the camp that Egyptians had been seen in the distance.  The moment I heard this Jared and I ran to an elevated rock outcropping.

Climbing, we looked into the distance.  Even though we could not see the Egyptians themselves, we could see the dust cloud.  This can only be caused by a massive number of horses running at full speed.

Running back to camp we witnessed people gathering their few belongings.  The column of Israel began to push forward to the sea.  We were surrounded by an impossible situation.

To our left were mountains, in front of us the Red Sea.  To our right would be more ocean, and behind us was Pharaoh with his army.  There was no way out.  Reaching the Red Sea in front of us the people began to cry out.

“Have you brought us here to die?” The people of Israel demanded to know.
“We would have been better off in Egypt.” Others cried.

It was now late afternoon.  Evening would soon come, and night would fall on us.  Moses found a high spot in which to stand and began to shout to the people.

Moses told the people that the Lord would fight for them and to remain at peace.  He stated that they would never have to face the Egyptians again.

Moses Parts The Red Sea

Where we stood was on a rim which overlooked the beach.  After his very short motivational speech, Moses made his way from the rocks and then further down the rim onto the beach.

“What is he doing?” Jared asked.
“God will part the sea for us.” I replied.
“Is that really possible?” Nathan questioned.
“You will see.” I said.

As he approached the waters edge, he stretched out his staff over the water.  There was no shouting, and no commands which came from the mouth of Moses.  He didn’t tell the water to part; he didn’t call out to God to part it.

It was as if God told Moses what to do and he simply did what was commanded.  The moment his staff was held over the water, it all began.  God moved and Moses watched.

In my time I have faced heavy winds, but nothing as eerie as this.  It was an easterly wind that moved.

In wind storms, a storm front will cover many miles.  This wind was different.  It was as if it cut through the water and rolled it back.  This was no narrow gap, it was multiple football fields wide.

To think in my old world, I always called this a myth.  I often would say that this portion of the Red Sea was misidentified by Israel and was a sea of reeds.  What was claimed in the story of Moses was impossible.  Now, here I stood watching it happen in front of my eyes.

Two walls of water would rise which towered over the people.  In between was the ocean floor which created a channel to be walked across.  I stood watching as people began to rush forward past Moses to cross on the dry ground.

The Pillar Of Fire Moves

As the people began to cross, Moses walked back to the rim where we had been standing.  He was watching to ensure all who needed help received it, and no one would be left behind.

The Pillar of Smoke and Fire that was in front of us moved.  It positioned itself in between the children of Israel and the oncoming Egyptians.  In the last hours of daylight it cast a darkness across the land so black the Egyptians could not see.

As night fell while the Egyptians remained in darkness, the Pillar of Fire gave light to Israel allowing safe passage.  Myself, Jared, Nathan, as well as the families of Nun and Caleb, would be among those helping people down the rim to the beach. While we all were amazed, there was much work to do.

Crossing The Red Sea Through The Night

The rim leading to the beach was steep.  Carts had to be moved carefully, animals guided, and older individuals walked down to ensure safety.  This passage through the Red Sea would not be a fast one.

Near two million people must cross safely.  I knew immediately it would be an all night endeavor.  I thought we would be lucky to be finished by daylight.

Our point of crossing the Red Sea is known in modern times as the Straight of Tiran near modern Nabq, a coastal city on the Gulf of Aqaba.  This passage was nothing to take lightly.  The moment the people began to walk from the shores we stood on to the other side was between three to four miles.

A fast-paced run could take a half hour for someone to make it across.  Imagine herding animals, and not to mention older people traversing the passage.  It was a testing process which required faith of the people being willing to step forward.

Events Unfold Through The Night

Through the night the wind was constant.  This did present some issues in talking.  Jared had fallen a couple times on the rim, Nathan’s foot was ran over by a cart wheel, but he was alright.

By four in the morning, I was exhausted and so were the other men.  I took a moment to rest at the edge of the rim.  Joshua came to sit next to me.  Half shouting over the wind, he began to speak his mind. I knew this was going to be about the previous night’s eavesdropping.

“How did you know the sea would part?” Joshua asked.
“You are not one for allowing much privacy, are you?” I shot back at him.
“You are avoiding the question.” Joshua pressed.
“You bet I am.” I replied as Nathan came walking over handing me water to drink.

“Just tell him and get it over with.” Nathan insisted.
“See, there is more, and they know.  I want to know.” Joshua would not relent.
I nodded my head at Nathan. “You tell him, I’m leaving.”

I stood and walked over to where Jared was using a guide rope to prevent a cart from speeding down the hill.  After getting the last few carts down, all of Israel was about to be on the three-mile trek through the Red Sea.

Walking down to the beach I made sure everyone I could see would be alright.  It was my turn to for the long walk.  As I began passing across the dry ground I looked to my left and my right. 

The gap for our passage had to be about five hundred yards wide.  As for the towering wall of water above us, I had no idea how to begin measuring its height.  About half way through it was unbelievably surreal. 

The Column of Fire cast its light perfectly in line with our passage.  There would be no shadows that could cause someone to trip or fall.  The ground beneath my feet was solid.  Kneeling I placed my fingers into the dirt, it was certainly dry.

Joshua must have been in a full sprint to reach me.  As I stood he grabbed my shoulder and spun me around.

“You knew Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob?” He shouted over the wind.
“They were my friends.” I replied.
“You also knew Noah, Shem and his brothers?” Joshua continued.
“Noah was like a father, and the boys were my brothers.” I stated.

“Why have you kept this a secret?” He demanded.
“It doesn’t change anything.  What God has decided, will still be done.  This has nothing to do with me helping anyone here.  This is about me, and me alone.  That is why.” I didn’t want to continue the conversation.

Turning I began to walk in order to reach the other side.

Pharaoh And Egyptian Soldiers Die In The Red Sea

By the time we managed to reach the other side of the passage, dawn had broken.  The beach on the opposite side led to a rise in the landscape but not a steep climb.  Thankfully it was easier for people move away from the shore.

Reaching the top of the hill I looked back.  In the distance I could see a dust cloud coming up from what should have been the sea bed.  The people began to scream as they too saw it.

Pharaoh and his army were coming for us.  They too were attempting to pass through the dry ground across the Red Sea. 

I saw Moses wait patiently.  The people were crying out.  I knew their fears were pointless.  I knew what would come next.

When all of Pharaoh’s army was well within the passage Moses once again stretched out his staff towards the sea.  Immediately whatever was holding back the water let it go.

Imagine two three-mile walls of water which towered over land.  Then imagine the impact it would hold as they crashed to the ground sweeping to meet in the middle.  The roar of the water was greater than any waterfall or storm I have ever heard.

As the water came together it was violent.  Upon meeting it swelled into the air to come crashing back down into the sea.  The waves that came to shore almost reached the top of the hill which people stood on.

As the waves pulled back into the ocean many Egyptian soldiers were left on the shore.  Their bodies were twisted, broken, and bloodied.  The force of the impact from the water was crushing.

In that moment, the threat of Pharaoh was over.  Israel was free.

A Moment Of Celebration

This day would come to be known as the Shvi’i shel Pesach.  It would mark the seventh day of Passover in which God spared Israel and removed the Egyptians. 

Songs would break out, the people sang loudly.  While there was not much to celebrate with, just obtaining a moment of rest, prayer, and being thankful was more than enough.

Families were holding each other.  People were crying but it was tears of joy.  Men were gathering the remnants of spears and swords along the beach.  All fear had been removed and the relief on the people burst out as they loved each other.

This deliverance was supernatural.  It held no explanation other than by the hand of God Himself.  It was something which science could not quantify.  It was something people of the future must either choose to believe or deny.

For those who would begin to look for logical answers, there would be none.  No matter what people in the future would one day believe, for us today, we are alive and the people celebrated.

I found Jared and Nathan by a few palm trees and high grass.  They were stretching canvas for shade and a place to rest.  Walking over I helped them finish before we laid down to relax.

“It happened.  So now what?” Jared asked laughing.
“Like I said, I am not sure, but it is a lot of things.” I replied.
“You still want to stick it out here with them Clay?” Nathan asked.
“I do not believe that I have a choice.”

“Everyone here is happy, except you.” Jared pointed out referring to my attitude.
“I have my reasons.” I really didn’t want to discuss it.
“At some point you are going to have to come to terms with that is going on inside you.” Nathan was now badgering me.

“Can a guy just get some rest?” I asked.
“Here comes Joshua.” Jared began waving to him.
“That’s it, I am going to find something to eat.” I stood and began to walk away.

“Clay!” I could hear Joshua calling out to me. “Clay!” I stopped and turned around.
“I think you should go to Moses and tell him what is going on.” Joshua said.
“For what purpose exactly?” I asked.

“You are right in that you are not here to help what God is doing.  I understand that.  I believe you need to understand what God is doing with you.” Joshua was rather blunt.

“Moses cannot help me.” I turned and walked away.