Christ in all the scriptures Crossing the Red Sea

 Christ in all the scriptures

Crossing the Red Sea

Exodus chapter 14  readings Exodus 14v1-31; Numbers 33v1-8

The Red Sea has been very much in the news in recent years, mostly because it is a popular destination for holidaymakers, but, more recently, a centre of world unrest and conflict.  However it takes a pivotal role in the history of Israel, as the scene of one of the greatest miracles ever recorded.  The narrative in Exodus 14 is riveting, if we truly absorb what happened here.  It begins with a detailed record of where this amazing event occurred.

"And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, speak un to the children of Israel, that they turn and encamp before Pi-hahiroth, between Migdol and the sea, over against Baal-zephon: before it ye shall encamp by the sea."

The Spirit of God anticipates arguments raging about the location, to cast doubt on the whole story, so He states exactly where they camped before crossing.  Linking with Exodus 13v20-22 and Numbers 33v1-8 they journeyed from Rameses to Succoth, and encamped in Etham in the edge of the wilderness.  There they were given the promise of the Divine presence-a cloud by day and a pillar of cloud by night.  From there they were directed to the land between Migdol (watchtower) and the sea, before Pi-hahiroth, directly across from Baal-zephon, the place of a shrine to Baal the false God.  They were under Divine protection, they were untouchable by any external force.  Those whom God redeems, He keeps by His power.  When Pharaoh's army amassed against them they were afraid, their trust in God not yet fully mature.  Moses calms their fears, "Fear not, stand still and see the salvation of the Lord...the Lord shall fight for you and ye shall hold your peace"-14v13-14.  

"The angel of God, which went before the camp of Israel, removed and went behind them; and the pillar of cloud went from before their face, and stood behind them: and it came between the camp of Egyptians and the camp of Israel: and it was a cloud and darkness unto them, but it gave light at night to these: so that the one came not near the one to the other"-14v19-20.

The stage was set for a spectacular separation of Israel from their tormentors.  God parted the sea with a powerful east wind, and 3m+people crossed over on dry land, whilst the same waters drowned the chariots of Pharaoh.  The story is legendary, and  the New Testament interprets it as a figure of Christian baptism-1st Corinthians 10v1-2, "...all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea,; and all were baptised unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea...".   The link to Christ is obvious.  Paul writes in Romans 6v3 that Christians are "baptised into Jesus Christ".  Baptism in the Red Sea bound all Israel to Moses, to his leadership, to his instructions; baptism in water unites us to Christ in His death, burial and resurrection, and brings us under His authority. We can trace the reality of this by comparing baptism to Moses, and baptism into Christ as follows:

They were all baptised      "...all our fathers...all passed through the sea...all were baptised unto Moses.  There is no example of an unbaptised believer in the New Testament.  The New Testament pattern is clear, "One Lord, one faith, one baptism..."-Ephesians 4v5.

Their baptism was a virtual immersion...they were baptised in the cloud and in the sea.  As they passed over the waters were on either side, and above them was the cloud.  Baptism by immersion is the clear pattern in scripture.  A lot of controversy about this is unhelpful and leads to strife.  The symbolic picture is of burial-refer Romans 6v4 and Colossians 2v12.  The very word used-baptizo, is mostly used of the dying of garments.  Garments to be dyed are immersed in the dye.

This baptism did not save them from the wrath of God, the blood applied to their homes in Egypt did that.  All those baptised were redeemed by the blood of sacrifice.  In the same way, baptism today does not save us but removes us from our former life, and introduces us to a new life.

Just as Moses led them through the wilderness to the promised land, so Jesus, as the captain of our salvation is leading us to glory-Hebrews 2v10.  We are baptised into Jesus Christ, to His death. His burial. and His resurrection.  We have a new destination, and a new lifestyle; we have crossed the Red Sea, we are heading for the promised land.  We are walking in newness of life, just as Israel did, following the release from the bondage of Egypt.  In Jesus we are heading to glory, and His presence, and protection, is with us to to the end.  The Red Sea separated Israel from Egypt; public baptism separates us from the world, as anyone who is baptised will testify.