Hebrews 11:29: By Faith They Passed Through the Red Sea
2023-09-23
Hebrews 11:29
By faith they passed through the Red sea as by dry land: which the Egyptians assaying to do were drowned. (Hebrews 11:29)
Consider the story in Exodus 14. Previously, the Israelites had complained and were afraid because they were trapped in the land by the Red Sea, most likely at the point falsely known as the Sinai Peninsula. Meanwhile, the Lord gave them instructions that would have otherwise sounded impossible with the rod and the parting of the waters. The angel of God gave the Israelites light, but the Egyptians received darkness. The waters parted, and the Israelites walked easily to the other side, while the Egyptians lost chariot wheels. The Israelites made it safely to the other side while the Egyptians drowned in the sea.
The key phrase is the last verse, saying, “And Israel saw that great work which the LORD did upon the Egyptians: and the people feared the LORD, and believed the LORD, and his servant Moses” (Exodus 14:31). Most of their faith and fear of God was realized in retrospect. “And the waters covered their enemies: there was not one of them left. Then believed they his words; they sang his praise. They soon forgat his works; they waited not for his counsel” (Psalms 106:11-13).
But Moses and the people must have had some faith. Sometimes faith in the Lord is spurred on by circumstances because there is nothing else to trust in. When you’re brought to your wits’ end, you look to the Lord for a way out, because only a miraculous intervention can solve the problem.
They must have had some faith to cross the Red Sea. Like the previous example of the Passover and the next examples of Jericho and Rahab, if the people did not act in faith, they would have perished or failed. It was not enough to “believe” like in the sense of assent to God’s command. True belief drove them to do what was necessary.
This event caused the people of Jericho to fear for their lives. “For we have heard how the LORD dried up the water of the Red sea for you, when ye came out of Egypt; and what ye did unto the two kings of the Amorites, that were on the other side Jordan, Sihon and Og, whom ye utterly destroyed” (Joshua 2:10).
The Red Sea was a key event of the Lord’s salvation of Israel from Egypt. It is commemorated throughout the Bible as an example God’s faithfulness. It was also a time where we see some faith on behalf of Israel amid much unbelief.