Forming Faith Blog

Egyptian Defeat at the Red Sea (Exodus 14)

Posted on September 22 2026 by Gregory Rawn

The Egyptian army, despite its overwhelming military superiority, is no match for the power of the Lord, the God of Israel, at the Red Sea.

A bas-relief of Egyptian figures and hieroglyphics (not about the Red Sea).
Photo by AXP Photography
About the Story

Two weeks ago, we read of the promise made to Abram and Sarai (Abraham and Sarah) that God would make of their family a nation through which all the families of the earth would be blessed. Last week, we read of how God protected this growing family in the midst of severe famine by providing for them in Egypt under Joseph’s protection. Life in Egypt was good for this family—for a while. The family grew to be large in number, an entire nation. But they were not living in their own land. Eventually a new king arose in Egypt who did not remember Joseph’s accomplishments. This king was afraid of how numerous and powerful Joseph’s family (now called Israelites) were becoming, so he enslaved the people.

But God was with them. God saw their suffering, heard their cries, and acted. To lead the people, God chose a man named Moses (a descendant of Abraham who, through a story all his own, was adopted into Pharaoh’s own family). God promised that Moses would lead the people out of Egypt. Through signs and wonders God provided, Moses and the rest of the Israelites were able to leave Egypt. But our story picks up today with the Egyptians in hot pursuit. Would God bring them this far only to let them die? This is the question that the people raised as they cried out in desperation.

No! God knew their needs and provided a means of deliverance more wonderful than could be expected. Even as God provided in surprising ways for the Israelites, God provides in surprising and wonderful ways for us, too. God has not abandoned us. God has provided deliverance! (Adapted from Living the Word: Small Groups)

Context Insights

The following are a few insights found in our background resource Living the Word: Contexts & Connections.

  • History: In Exodus 14:7, Pharaoh took “six hundred picked chariots” in addition to all of the other chariots in Egypt. During the second millennium BCE, chariots were the most prestigious, expensive, and powerful military technology in the ancient Near East. Chariot drivers and horses required great skill in maneuvering, and the composite bows used by the archers were the most powerful in the world at that time. Chariot forces also required many wheelwrights, bow-makers, horse-breeders, armorers, and metalsmiths for logistical support; only the richest and most powerful kingdoms could field a corps of chariots. In Exodus 14, the Israelites are being confronted by overwhelming military might.
  • Culture/Religion: God’s ability to control the waters of the Sea of Reeds hearkens back to the creation story found in Genesis 1, where order is brought out of the chaotic waters. It is also reminiscent of the Noah story in Genesis 6–9, where God unleashes the chaotic waters to wash away evil. Many cultures in the ancient Near East had stories of gods defeating and controlling the chaotic sea creatures. God not only controls the chaotic waters of the sea, but also those waters can be used as an instrument of deliverance.
  • Literature/Genre: The authors of this passage skillfully use repetition for dramatic force. The chariots of Pharaoh are mentioned seven times (Exodus 14:6-7, 23, 25, 26, 28). The chariots represent the power and prestige of Pharaoh (see History); their destruction by God vividly portrays God’s victory. The main idea of this divine conflict between God and Pharaoh is to show that God is sovereign over all of creation and over all nations, even Israel’s enemies.
Connections and Suggestions

We have Narrative Lectionary resources for 2026-2027 for all age groups. Here are a few activity summaries you can use. The full activity descriptions and much more are available in the product noted. 

  • Kids: Gather painter’s or masking tape and chairs, tables, or other movable furniture. Use the tape to create a “tightrope” across your space, and place the furniture on each side, leaving enough space for one student to walk on the tape with a helper walking next to them. Explain that the furniture represents the water of the Red Sea parting to make a path. One at a time, students will walk on the tape without stumbling, though a helper will walk beside them to help as needed. If the walker stumbles, the rest of the large group can cheer “Stand firm!” (From Living the Word: Kids (PK-2nd))
  • Youth: Have youth use Internet-connected devices to research refugees, with a particular focus on the questions: What makes someone a refugee? How does the idea or definition of refugees relate to the Israelites in today’s story? What are some modern refugees fleeing from? Where do they go? What are their needs? After youth have had time to research, have them share what they have learned. Brainstorm a service project to meet the needs of a particular group of refugees. (From Living the Word: Youth)
  • Intergenerational worship: As a large group or with the worshippers around them, ask worshippers to share situations that can cause fear, even when the scary situation is not as severe as what the Israelites faced. Then guide worshippers in a breath prayer. They can think to themselves “Do not be afraid” as they breathe in, and “Stand firm with God” when they breathe out. Guide them through the breath prayer exercise a few times. (From Living the Word: Cross+Gen Worship)
Daily Bible Readings

Throughout both the Narrative Lectionary year (roughly September through May) and the summer, we have created a daily Bible lectionary that corresponds with the Narrative Lectionary readings. These readings are used throughout our NL products, and you can subscribe to them digitally through our Daily Readings Calendar.

DateDayLectionTitle
10/4/2026SundayExodus 14:5-7, 10-14, 21-29Parting the Red Sea
10/5/2026MondayExodus 15:1-10Moses’ Song
10/6/2026TuesdayExodus 15:22-27God Provides in the Wilderness
10/7/2026WednesdayExodus 16:1-16More Provision: Manna and Quail
10/8/2026ThursdayExodus 17:1-7Water from the Rock
10/9/2026FridayExodus 17:8-16Amalek Is Defeated
10/10/2026SaturdayExodus 19:1-25Israel Arrives at Sinai
10/11/2026SundayExodus 19:3-7; 20:1-17The Ten Commandments
Previous Posts

This is our blog’s third go-around in the Narrative Lectionary, Year 1. Here are some previous posts on this particular passage if you are interested:

I hope you find this all useful! If you have any questions or feedback on this blog post (or anything else), comment on this post below or on Facebook, or send me a message.

In Christ,

Gregory Rawn (Publisher)

Order Faith Formation Resources

It’s not too late to purchase resources for your 2026-2027 faith formation programming! Order program-year curriculum resources for the Narrative Lectionary (Year 1, 2026-2027), Revised Common Lectionary (Years A & B, 2026-2027), or Key Bible Stories (non-lectionary, PK-2nd, 3rd-6th) and download TODAY.

New RCL faith-at-home resource!

I’m excited to announce a new product series for Spirit & Truth Publishing: Taking Faith Home. Taking Faith Home is a set of weekly devotional resources (often distributed as worship bulletin inserts) that follows the Revised Common Lectionary. We offer it as a Church Year (Dec. 2026 to Nov. 2027) and a Program Year (Sept. 2026 to May 2027). You can also purchase by quarter, such as Summer and Fall. Learn more here and read a review!

VBS, Events, Retreats, and More!

Are you looking for resources for topical Sunday school, family/intergenerational events, retreats, and more?

Learning Together can help! This series of affordable, five-lesson units on a variety of topics can be downloaded immediately, uses basic supplies you probably already have, and is so easy to use that you can hand the leader’s guide out that day (though that’s not recommended)!

Like all of our faith formation resources, Learning Together is effective, theologically sound, and inclusive. The current topics are:

+ Paul’s Adventures (NEW!), Celebrations, Created to Care, God’s Gift of Water, Heroes of the Bible, The I AM Statements of Jesus (free!), Travelers (Immigrants and Refugees), Do Justice, Celebrations, Women of the Old Testament, and Bible 101

Building Faith has recommended two of our units as VBS curriculum: Paul’s Adventures (reviewed in 2026) and Celebrations (reviewed in 2025)!

You can also read outside reviews of both our Do Justice and Created to Care units.

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