14:19Exodus 14:19

Trapped between the Red Sea and Pharaoh's army on a seemingly impassable route, Israel saw the angel of God and the pillar of cloud leave their place ahead of the camp and stand behind them between the two hosts all night so neither came near the other.SG3 233.2–3+4 That same barrier became thick darkness that blinded the Egyptians and halted them, while to Israel it became great light that flooded the encampment like day, lit the path through the divided waters, and restored hope.Ms 21, 1897, par. 12–15+4 The One in the pillar was Christ Himself, the invisible Leader and Captain of their salvation, with God present to guard His people from sight and approach so what had frightened them became their protection and none perished.Ms 21, 1897, par. 12–15+3 God had led them into apparent helplessness to prove whether they would trust Him, rebuke unbelief, and reveal His power over the gods of Egypt, calling them to go forward in obedience before any open path could be seen until at Moses' touch and their step of faith the waters parted and then closed upon their pursuers.SG3 233.2–3+4 Helpless slaves thus withstood the mightiest army on earth by trusting God's word, witnessing that when His people come to their own Red Sea place they must discern His opening providence and advance without waiting for certainty of success, and He will carry them safely across.Lt 46, 1892, par. 2–4+4

Israel stood trapped between the Red Sea and the pursuing Egyptian army, shut in by mountains and sea on what seemed an impassable route, with the pillar of cloud having been their signal to go forward yet appearing to have led them into disaster.PP 283.5–284.1+2 The Lord commanded Moses to lead the people forward and miraculously opened a way through the sea, so Israel escaped across safely while the Egyptians were drowned.RH Aug 27, 1861+1

The angel of God and the pillar of cloud left their place before the camp of Israel and stood behind them between Israel and the Egyptians, holding the two camps apart all night so neither came near the other.SG3 233.2–3+4 God Himself in the pillar moved the cloud that had led Israel to the rear to stand as a wall of protection between His people and Pharaoh pursuing with armies, chariots and horsemen, as part of bringing His chosen people out with mighty signs and wonders.ST Apr 1, 1880+2 The cloud stood as a barrier that hid the Israelite camp from the Egyptians, with thick darkness on the Egyptian side so they could not see the Hebrews, while to the Israelites the same cloud was all light by night that illuminated their camp and gave hope of deliverance.SG3 233.2–3+4

The cloud rose majestically over Israel and descended toward the Egyptians as a wall of darkness so they could no longer see the Hebrew camp and were forced to halt.RH Oct 8, 1903+1 To Israel that same wall became great light in the deepening night, flooding the whole encampment with radiance like day and restoring hope.RH Oct 8, 1903 As they entered the divided sea the pillar moved slowly from before them to behind them between them and Pharaoh's army.RH Oct 8, 1903

The cloud that gave light to Israel shone from the pillar of fire upon the foam-capped billows and lit the road cut like a mighty furrow through the divided waters.RH Oct 8, 1903 To the Egyptians the same cloud was a wall of darkness so they could see nothing and only discovered by sentinels and the sound of marching that Israel had moved.RH Oct 8, 1903 Guided by sound they followed on expecting soon to break through the cloud and overtake the fugitives, but they moved slowly because their chariots drove heavily, and by the passing of night shadows and the dawning of morning they were almost within reach of the fleeing Hebrews.RH Oct 8, 1903

The cloud that moved behind Israel was a bright white cloud like banks of snow-white billows piled over mountains, white as the whitest snow, rolling and spreading like the billows of the sea and like mountains of snow in the noonday sun, a picture of loveliness.10MR 379.3–380.1+1 It served as a friendly shelter and refuge that hid God's people from the sight of their persecutors so they could escape.10MR 379.3–380.1+1

The angel of God in the pillar of cloud by day and fire by night is Jesus Christ Himself, the invisible Leader of Israel enshrouded in cloud and fire.Ms 21, 1897, par. 12–15+2 He is the Captain of their salvation, the Lord of hosts, the Lord of Sabaoth, to whom Moses looked in faith, with God Himself present in the pillar to bring His chosen people out of Egypt with mighty signs and wonders.Ms 21, 1897, par. 12–15+2 At the Red Sea that Leader removed from before the camp to behind it, and the cloud stood between Israel and the Egyptians to open a path through the sea and then at His word roll the waters back upon the Egyptian hosts while Israel sang triumph.Ms 21, 1897, par. 12–15+2 Through Him God communicated His will to a people blessed with great light and precious opportunities to know it, alongside wondrous works of providing food when hungry and bringing cool water from the Rock and manifesting His glory.15MR 291.1–2

The same cloud that moved behind Israel was thick darkness to the Egyptians so they could not see the Hebrews nor come near them all night, holding the two camps apart.Ms 21, 1897, par. 12–15+4 To the Israelites that same cloud was all light by night, hiding the Israelite camp from the Egyptians while becoming light to Israel, illuminating their camp and path and giving hope of deliverance.Ms 21, 1897, par. 12–15+4 In darkness the Egyptians could not see Israel and were shielded from pursuing them into the sea, yet God delivered His people and destroyed their pursuers as they attempted to follow.Ms 21, 1897, par. 12–15+2 The cloud darkened the Egyptians' side and became light for Israel, placing a barrier between the armies that shielded the people and enabled them to cross.Ms 21, 1897, par. 12–15+4

In rising grandly over their heads from before them to behind them and taking position between the two armies, the Leader followed instead of going before in order to guard and shield Israel from sight and approach.Ms 21, 1897, par. 12–15+4 God's angels guarded the Israelites and troubled the Egyptian host that attempted to follow, so that none of Israel perished as God made a safe passage through the sea.Ms 21, 1897, par. 12–15+2 What had frightened the people became their protection, for the pillar came between Israel and the pursuers bringing darkness that hid Israel and light to Israel's camp while God led the people toward the sea.Ms 21, 1897, par. 12–15+2 Israel was safe because its heavenly Leader guided and guarded it, and for those who depend on Christ His righteousness goes before them while God's glory is their protection behind.Ms 21, 1897, par. 12–15+3

The pillar of cloud had been their signal to go forward, but its leading them into what seemed an impassable way shut in by mountains and sea made the people fear disaster.PP 283.5–284.1+2 In terror they misunderstood God's leading and mistook the angel's appearance behind them as a warning and harbinger of disaster, fearing the angel had brought them into danger.PP 283.5–284.1+3 The cloud and fire represented their divine Leader and had guided and protected them, though God was still leading and guarding them when the angel stood behind them between Israel and Pharaoh's army.RH Oct 8, 1903+1

God deliberately brought Israel into danger at the sea to display His power, to prove whether they would trust Him after such tokens of His care and love, to strengthen their trust, and to rebuke their unbelief and murmuring.SG3 233.2–3+2 That display came when the angel of God and the pillar of cloud left the front of the camp and took position behind Israel between Israel and the Egyptians, holding the two camps apart all night so neither came near the other.SG3 233.2–3+1 To the Egyptians the cloud was thick darkness so they could not see the Hebrews, while to the Israelites the same cloud gave all light by night.SG3 233.2–3+1 They had to advance in faith at command before the sea was opened, and after they did what they could God made a dry path through the water.PP 290.1

He brought them to the Red Sea into a place of apparent helplessness where escape from the pursuers seemed impossible, so they would recognize their need for divine help and their helplessness without divine aid.RH Oct 17, 1907+1 He then delivered them by guiding and protecting them by His power and destroying the Egyptian army that pursued them to enslave them again, revealing His power and mercy and His rule of the universe as greater than the gods of Egypt.Ms 83, 1903, par. 10+2 That deliverance was freedom from servitude to a tyrannical, idolatrous nation, inspiring love, gratitude, and confidence in Him as their deliverer from temporal bondage.RH Oct 17, 1907+2 Yet Israel soon forgot His wonders and longed for Egypt's former comforts, and by withholding indulgences He tested whether they valued His service and their freedom more highly than those comforts.1T 287.2

Israel was trapped between the sea and the pursuing army, and the Lord commanded Moses to lead the people forward and to bid them go forward before any opened path could be distinctly seen, so that crossing depended on obeying before seeing.Lt 46, 1892, par. 2–4+2 At the touch of the rod God had given Moses and as their feet stepped into the very waters in obedience, the waters parted and rolled back and left a plain, dry path for Israel to travel, and they went safely over.Lt 46, 1892, par. 2–4+2 God Himself in the pillar stood as a wall of protection between His people and Pharaoh pursuing with armies, chariots and horsemen, bringing His chosen people out with mighty signs and wonders.ST Feb 27, 1896 Then at His word of command the sea rolled back upon the Egyptian hosts pursuing to enslave them again, while Israel escaped safely and sang songs of triumph and praise.RH Aug 27, 1861+2 God's opening providence must in the same manner be discerned and followed closely without waiting for certainty that the undertaking will succeed, for refusing to move forward until success is sure is unbelief that loses a precious blessing and hinders the work, and He will open the way in present work when Satan brings difficulties to hinder advancement.Lt 46, 1892, par. 2–4+1

The passage tested faith by calling the people to go forward in a seemingly impossible situation.JIOKP 28.4–29.1 As His servants prayed in earnest faith He opened the way and brought them through to safety.JIOKP 28.4–29.1 It shows that God can clear the way for His people when they face an obstacle, directing them to go forward and opening a path through the waters, and that His work may proceed in ways they could not plan for themselves.Ms 1, 1874, par. 36

The pillar of fire that moved behind Israel at the Red Sea to separate the Israelites from the Egyptian host is recalled by the fire that descended from heaven upon Elijah's altar.RH Sep 25, 1913+2 Its brightness is matched by the heaven-sent fire seen on Mount Carmel.RH Sep 25, 1913+2 The fire that fell on Carmel resembles that pillar in form and glory.RH Sep 25, 1913+2

God's presence in cloud and fire both protected and guided Israel, with light that illuminated Israel's camp and path while becoming darkness to Pharaoh's forces.4T 27.2–3 That twofold working illustrates God's commandments, which guide toward salvation those who obey them but are darkness to those who disregard them.4T 27.2–3 God going first before the camp of Israel and then moving behind it, with the cloud likewise shifting to stand behind them, shows His presence both guides and protects His people.Ms 9, 1891, par. 47–48 For those who depend on Christ this means His righteousness goes before them while God's glory is their rear guard and protection behind.Ms 9, 1891, par. 47–48 The same pillar that brought terror and darkness to the Egyptians was a pillar of fire and brightness to Israel, showing that God's presence shields and guides His people while bringing judgment upon those who oppose Him.Lt 137, 1896, par. 7–10

At the Red Sea the children of Israel were a helpless, terrified multitude of slaves, in themselves utterly helpless against the mightiest army of the mightiest nation on the globe.ED 254.2–3+2 By trusting the word of God they withstood the power of the whole world.ED 254.2–3+2 Their deliverance witnesses to the power of God's word against human power and policy in support of evil.ED 254.2–3 It places them in the world's true nobility, its royal line of faith that the youth of today are called to join, showing that those who trust God's word can withstand overwhelming human power.ED 254.2–3+1

When God's people come to a Red Sea place where the way is blocked by water and ice and human counsel says turning back is safer, Israel's God commands them to go forward.SG2 217.2–219.1 His angel and guiding cloud move from before them to behind them to cover them.SG2 217.2–219.1 Going forward in prayer trusting in Him, they are carried safely across and ascend the other side praising the Lord.SG2 217.2–219.1

God's opening providence must be discerned and followed closely without waiting for certainty that the undertaking will succeed.Lt 46, 1892, par. 2–4 Israel was commanded to advance toward the sea before any opened path could be distinctly seen, and as their feet stepped into the very waters in obedience the sea was rolled back and a plain dry path was opened before them through which they went safely over.Lt 46, 1892, par. 2–4+1 At the touch of the rod the waters parted and left a plain path for Israel to travel.STMW7 19.1 Refusing to move forward until success is sure is unbelief that loses a precious blessing and hinders the work.Lt 46, 1892, par. 2–4 God will open the way in the same manner in present work when Satan brings difficulties to hinder advancement, for He can clear the way when His people face an obstacle and His work may proceed in ways they could not plan for themselves.Lt 46, 1892, par. 2–4+2