Easter Saturday is when we remember Christ in the Garden Tomb. Yesterday, He died on the Cross. Tomorrow, He will rise, glorified in a Resurrection Body. This Saturday is the time between His death and Resurrection.
In this mini-series, we are looking at the Easter Story through the lens of Moses and the Children of Israel leaving Egypt. On Good Friday, I wrote on how Christ dying on the Cross was like the Passover Lamb. Today, we are comparing Easter Saturday (The Harrowing of Hell) to the journey through the waters of the Red Sea.
After the final plague, the death of the firstborn, Pharoah commanded Moses and the Children of Israel to leave Egypt. They left and headed towards the Red Sea. Pharaoh changed his mind about their departure and decided to send chariots to chase them down and bring them back. As the army came closer, Moses called on God. He told him to place his staff over the waters. As soon as Moses obeyed, a strong wind from the East blew, which began to part the waters. The Children of Israel went through the Red Sea on dry ground. The Egyptians followed, but their wheels get stuck in the sea bed and as the water return, they were drowned.
Red Sea or Reed Sea
There was an unfortunate issue with the translation of the Septuagint. Where in Hebrew, it names the body of water where the Israelites crossed as the Sea of Reeds, it was translated in Greek as the Red Sea. There are several theories about why, some more generous than others. But even so, it doesn’t take away from the fact the crossing happened.
The Sea of Reeds covered the area between the Mediterranean Sea and the Red Sea, modern day Suez Canal. Nowadays this area is dry, but at the time of Moses it was populated by marshes and lakes. The Children of Israel crossed near to Baal Zephon. No one is completely sure where this is and so the two crossing points are likely to be either nearer the Mediterranean Sea and then slightly further South, next to the most tip northern of the Western arm of the Red Sea.
There is an argument the crossing occurred at the Eastern arm of the Red Sea, but there is no accepted archaeological evidence to support this.
The Wind Blows Across the Sea
In the Exodus text, we read how a wind blew across the Sea of Reeds.
Exodus 14 v 21
Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and all that night the Lord drove the sea back with a strong east wind and turned it into dry land. The waters were divided
It blew all night, and the waters parted. This is a natural phenomena know as ‘Wind Set-Down’. The North end of the Sea of Reeds, near the Mediterranean Sea, has topology which could allow for such an event to happen. You can watch a video on this by Carl Drews and he has an animation here.
This natural phenomena is less likely at the southern end of the Sea of Reeds, or the place of the traditional Red Sea crossing.
The Blood Red Sea
If we remain with the Red Sea translation, we can see some beautiful imagery and symbolism. The name of the Red Sea can be linked to blood. A ‘sea of blood’ washing away the sins of the those trusting in Christ. But also a sea of judgement against all those who reject His sacrifice.
The Way of the Dead
But there is equally, beautiful symbolism with the Sea of Reeds crossing. The Egyptians had a specific relationship with this body of water. It was part of their narrative around the Underworld. Once someone died, the recently deceased soul had to walk through the Sea of Reeds to get to the Underworld. If the person had been a good Egyptian, they would know the path and walk through the sea, but if they weren’t, they would be lost amongst the tides. Forever drowning in the waters.
In the Exodus, not only did God split the Sea of Reeds in two and the Children of Israel walked though on dry land, proving they were good. But He allowed the waters to return, drowning the Egyptians, showing they were bad.
The Harrowing of Hell
Harrowing is the act of ploughing up the land.
On Easter Saturday, we remember how Christ ploughed up Hell. Just like the East wind which harrowed the sea, splitting it apart. Through these waters, associated with the Egyptian Underworld, the faithful Children of Israel walked free from the land of Egypt. Just like how Christ released all the faithful souls in Hades, bringing them to Himself.
Tomorrow, we will look at the journey from the Red Sea to Mount Sinai and how this relates to the Cross.
The Exodus story is the Standard Basis for the First Ode of almost all ☦️ Canons (a hymn🎶 in nine Odes) of the Holy Orthodox Church. Your wonderful ponder on the state of the soul ⚓🌊 on the Blessed Sabbath is worthy. Thanx, Grace and Peace to you Amigo! ☀️⛪ May we all find our way 🌪️🔥🧭 out of bondage through the Pilgrim Sea to that land of milk and honey, even if🌙 it adds another 40yrs.....⛲🕊️💫🕯️📿😌⏳🌐🌴✨
....at least maybe, we'll have time to repent. "μετάνοια"
Some fascinating stuff here that I had hoped to draw out too in our Roman Liturgy series, but the Triduum is a busy time. You might find some of the stuff from this series interesting too, e.g.:
https://wmreview.substack.com/p/the-roman-liturgy-septuagesima-the-e3d