יהושע, פרק כ״ד, פסוק ז׳

At the edge of the Red Sea, a moment of profound crisis transforms into a display of divine intervention, where the forces of nature are weaponized to protect a fleeing people. As the Egyptian army closes in, the Israelites cry out in terror. This desperate plea stems from more than just physical fear, as they are terrified because they perceive the spiritual guardian of Egypt actively pursuing them [אלשיך]. God intervenes by placing a thick, heavy darkness between the two camps. This is no ordinary shadow, but an active, tangible force designed to completely block out the light [מלבי״ם].

This darkness serves a vital dual purpose. First, it creates an impenetrable barrier, preventing the Egyptians from launching an attack before every Israelite can safely enter the water [אלשיך]. Second, the darkness completely blinds the Egyptian forces to the miracle unfolding before them. Had they been able to see the sea split and the Israelites walking on dry ground, they surely would have retreated in fear. Instead, the sudden blindness causes them to charge blindly into the seabed, unaware of their surroundings until it is too late and the waters collapse upon them [מצודת דוד].

The destruction of the pursuers is described with a distinct focus on a singular target. The primary approach among commentators is that this refers to Pharaoh himself or to the entire Egyptian nation acting as one unified entity [רד״ק, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. However, others understand this as a highly individualized punishment where the water acts as an active, conscious force against each specific soldier. If a terrified Egyptian attempts to flee rather than enter the seabed, a wave chases him down, sweeps him up, and drags him into the depths [רש״י, רד״ק]. From a more mystical perspective, the destruction targets the spiritual guardian of Egypt. Because a spiritual entity cannot drown in physical water, God subdues this force in the upper sea, overwhelming it entirely through the power of His Divine Presence [אלשיך].

In the aftermath, the Israelites do not have to rely on rumors of their survival. They witness the absolute shattering of Egyptian power with their own eyes as the bodies of their oppressors wash up onto the shore [ביאור שטיינזלץ]. Beyond this physical sight, they are also granted a unique spiritual vision, allowing them to witness the ultimate defeat of Egypt's spiritual guardian [אלשיך].

Yet, despite experiencing these massive miracles firsthand, the people are led into a long and difficult reality in the desert. Even after witnessing God's overwhelming might, their faith remains fragile and incomplete. God must guide them through the wilderness for forty years to thoroughly cleanse and purify them from the deep spiritual impurity they absorbed in Egypt [מלבי״ם]. Furthermore, this extended stay in the desert serves as a direct continuation of God's absolute mastery over nature. Just as He controlled the air with the thick darkness and the water by splitting the sea, He now protects them in the harsh wilderness. By shielding the Israelites from deadly snakes and scorpions, which represent the element of fire, God allows them to live securely in an environment that should have been entirely hostile and dangerous [אלשיך].