Exodus 14:27Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

God does not punish individuals out of rage; while we may unleash our anger upon others, God's punishments are intended for correction rather than wrath. Some might wonder why God did not show compassion to Pharaoh after his change of heart. Our response is that Pharaoh demonstrated no true virtue. Even after enduring ten plagues, he continued to oppress the Israelites, revealing his desire to overpower them. Thus, it is clear that Pharaoh himself was responsible for his own downfall, not God. The Lord brings death to those afflicted by an incurable plight, as He did with the inhabitants of Sodom and those in Noah's time, who perished because they ignored salvation.

When Pharaoh and the Egyptians entered the sea through the newly created passage in the waters, the waters returned to their original state. The divided sections of the sea rejoined, forming a single, unbroken expanse.

The surface of the waters once again coalesced, with the waves, which had been momentarily parted, coming together as before. The event transpired in such a way that it remains undeniable over time, continually evident through the phenomena of nature. This illustrates the truth of what was proclaimed and manifested concerning the sea.

Yet, within the waters, the just Arbiter condemned Pharaoh and his entire host to ruin: for in the waters, He annihilated the offspring of the Hebrews.

As the Israelites walked safely on the dry ground, shielded from harm, the entire Egyptian host, including their ruler, faced devastation and ruin. The land, once burdened by executions, lay wasteland after this ultimate catastrophe. Even now, the clearest testament to these events endures: the impressions of the chariots and the circles of their wheels can be seen not only along the shoreline but also beneath the waters, stretching far into the distance.

The Egyptians, intent on escaping the Israelites whom they pursued along the sea's floor, realized too late that retreat was impossible. They understood that they were not racing toward dry land, but rather beneath the surface, enclosed by the waters standing tall on either side. By this time, the Israelites had already crossed to safety on the opposite bank. At God's command, Moses extended his hand with the miraculous staff over the sea. The wind, which had blown throughout the night and had held the waters in place by divine power, halted, and the waters, no longer contained, surged into the space that had been created. A devastating whirlpool emerged, bringing destruction upon the Egyptians.

As the new day begins, the wind shifts direction at God's instruction, likely becoming a westerly or south-westerly breeze. This change sends the waves crashing upon the retreating Egyptians, inundating the western shore of the gulf first and effectively blocking their escape.