Exodus 14: A road through the sea and an end to pursuit

Israel's first great danger outside Egypt begins with a camp chosen by divine instruction but interpreted by Pharaoh as a tactical mistake. Regretting the loss of Israel's service, he pursues with chariots and overtakes the people by the sea. Fear transforms their memory almost instantly, and bondage begins to sound safer than the wilderness. Moses answers that the LORD will fight for them, then the command comes to move forward. The pillar shifts behind the camp, separating Israel from Egypt through the night, while a strong east wind opens dry ground through the sea. Israel crosses. The pursuing chariots enter the same passage but cannot master it, and the Egyptians themselves recognize that the LORD fights for Israel. When the water returns, the pursuing force is destroyed. The chapter closes with Israel seeing that Egypt's army can no longer reach them and responding with fear of the LORD and belief.