What Troubled the Egyptian Army?
The dramatic events at the Red Sea culminate in a moment where the seemingly undefeatable Egyptian army becomes overwhelmed, confused, and ultimately destroyed. While Egypt entered the pursuit with confidence, a series of escalating divine interventions began to cripple their strength. These troubles were not random misfortunes but deliberate acts meant to protect Israel and display God’s power.
1. The Angel of God Blocked Their Advance
Before the Egyptians even faced physical trouble, they encountered a supernatural barrier. The Angel of God, who had been leading Israel, moved behind them. The pillar of cloud also shifted, creating light for Israel but darkness for Egypt (Exodus 14:19–20).
This divine obstruction halted the Egyptians’ ability to charge forward swiftly, delaying their movements and creating confusion.
2. Confusion Spread Through the Egyptian Camp
The Egyptian army’s greatest strength was organization and discipline. But during the night, as God’s presence hovered between the two camps, the Egyptians entered a state of confusion and hesitation.
The darkness from the cloud disoriented them, breaking the precision required for their chariot formations and coordinated assaults.
3. God Caused the Sea to Wall Up—A Sign of Power They Couldn’t Ignore
When the Egyptians saw the Red Sea standing like walls of water on either side, it was not merely a geographical shock. It challenged their confidence in the gods of Egypt and stirred fear about what supernatural force was aiding Israel.
This fear grew as they pursued Israel into the parted sea, stepping into a place they sensed was dangerous but felt compelled to enter.
4. Their Chariots Malfunctioned
The most direct trouble came when God acted against their technology and mobility. Exodus 14:24–25 states that God “looked down from the pillar of fire and cloud” and threw the Egyptian army into confusion, causing the wheels of their chariots to jam or fall off.
Their chariots—symbols of Egyptian military superiority—became a liability.
They could no longer maneuver, charge, or retreat. Horses panicked, soldiers struggled, and what began as a strategic pursuit turned into chaos and immobility.
5. The Egyptians Realized God Was Fighting Against Them
The Egyptians eventually confessed the true source of their trouble. Overwhelmed, they cried out:
“Let us flee… for the Lord fights for them against Egypt!”
(Exodus 14:25)
This realization marked a psychological collapse.
Their confidence shattered, their military strength failed, and they understood they were contending not with Israel, but with Israel’s God. This spiritual and emotional breakdown sealed their fate.
6. The Water Returned and Became Their Final Trouble
As Israel safely reached the opposite shore, God commanded Moses to stretch out his hand again. The waters crashed back into place. Already trapped by disabled chariots and confusion, the Egyptians were overwhelmed and drowned.
This final act ended the pursuit and demonstrated the full extent of God’s intervention against the Egyptian military power.
Conclusion
The Egyptian army was troubled by a combination of divine intervention, physical obstacles, psychological fear, and military breakdown. From the cloud that blocked their path to the chariot wheels that jammed beneath them, every element showed that the battle was not between Israel and Egypt, but between Egypt and the power of God.
Their trouble was not accidental.
It was purposeful—designed to protect Israel, bring judgment on Egypt’s oppression, and display God’s supremacy.