Crossing the Red Sea

The Israelites left Egypt in a great rush, carrying their unleavened bread and everything they owned. God led them as a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. But Pharaoh changed his mind and sent his entire army — chariots, horsemen, and soldiers — to chase them down.

When the Israelites reached the Red Sea, they panicked. The sea was in front of them and the Egyptian army was behind them. They cried out to Moses in fear. Moses raised his staff and said, "Do not be afraid. Stand firm and see the salvation of the Lord!" God told Moses to stretch out his hand over the sea.

A mighty east wind blew all night, and the waters parted — a wall of water on the left and a wall on the right, with dry ground in the middle. The Israelites walked through on dry land. When the Egyptian army tried to follow, the waters came crashing back and the army was swept away. Moses and the Israelites broke into joyful song on the other side. The Coptic Church sees this crossing as a symbol of baptism — passing through water into freedom and new life in God.