The Hebrews were now afraid of the Egyptians, and not believing in God as they should have done, they exclaimed against Moses for bringing them out of Egypt. Moses prayed to the Lord for deliverance. That part of the Red Sea where they now were, was not many miles broad. God told Moses to stretch his rod over it. He did so, and God caused the waters to be separated, so that a passage was made for the Hebrews through the sea, and they arrived safe upon the other side.
Pharaoh and the Egyptians, being resolved to overtake the Hebrews, if possible, and carry them back to Egypt, pursued after them into the passage which the Lord had made for the Hebrews in the sea. But God knew how to preserve his people from these wicked and cruel Egyptians. He caused them to meet with difficulties in the passage, and made the way dark unto them. And when the Hebrews were all over, and the Egyptians in the channel, God directed Moses to stretch his rod towards the sea; and being moved by a strong wind which the Lord sent, the waters of the sea suddenly returned to their former place, and drowned the whole of them.
In order to direct them on their way through the wilderness, God caused a pillar of a cloud, or a cloud in the form of a pillar or column, extending upwards toward heaven, to hover over the camp or tents of the Hebrews. In the day-time it appeared as mist, and protected them from the scorching sun. In the night, it seemed a pillar of fire, and gave them light. When they encamped, it hovered above them over the tabernacle; when they marched, it went before them. Forty years it attended them, until they had arrived at the promised land.
