Where the Israelites Crossed the Red Sea

Two common questions Christians ask are if Noah's Ark can be found on Mt. Ararat, and where the Israelites crossed the Red Sea. It would be nice to get some things nailed down historically and scientifically. However, our faith rests in the Word of God, not in finding artifacts.

Comparatively recent history such as the 1908 Butch and Sundance shootout in Bolivia is uncertain and has had many legends arise. Extrabiblical legends have arisen over thousands of years about the Ark and the Red Sea Crossing, which may provide clues — or make things worse.

Flickr / Darla دارلا Hueske (resized, lower resolution, CC BY-ND 2.0)

There have been multiple alleged sightings of the Ark that have prompted several expeditions over the years. Nothing substantial has come of them, and there's probably nothing left. After all, Noah and the family probably used the wood for furniture and their homes, and nature would have given it a smackdown.

Tim Mahoney made the Patterns of Evidence series about the Exodus and the Red Sea Crossing. (He had what he called a "crisis of faith" because he couldn't find evidence. Again, our faith is in the Word of God. Tim did learn how to examine and interpret ancient records properly.) He has contributed his speculations about where the Crossing happened. There are several places offered by Mahoney and others, with strengths and weaknesses for each.

During their sojourn in Egypt, the Israelites built and lived around Pithom and Raamses (Exodus 1:11). . . . We can be fairly certain of where they lived. However, the timing of the events immediately after they left Egypt is somewhat murky.

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Also, even though the Red Sea crossing was clearly miraculous, physical causes (e.g., a strong wind) are also mentioned. Thus, there is a tension among the scholars about how much ‘miracle’ they want to accept. Did a wind move the water? Then the water must have been quite shallow. But if it was too shallow, the water could not have “stood up like two walls” on either side or drowned the Egyptian army. Wind alone could never part water that is a half-mile deep (for example, at the Gulf of Aqaba). Even steel-reinforced concrete could not hold back that much pressure. If a miracle is involved, we need not search for physical answers, but we still need to exhaust all possibilities.

To read the full article, visit "Where did the Israelites cross the 'Red Sea'?”