And as for you, lift up your staff and stretch out your hand over the sea and divide it, so that the Israelites can go through the sea on dry ground.
God's question to Moses is no reproof but an admonition to resolute action; the people must move forward while Moses stretches his staff over the sea. The angel then removes from before Israel and stations himself behind them as their defence against the pursuing Egyptians.
AI summary
Commenting on Exodus 14:15-19
But lift thou up thy rod, and stretch out thine hand over the sea, and divide it,.... Even the same rod with which so many wonders had been done in Egypt; and Artapanus, the Heathen, says (x), that Moses being bid by a divine voice to smite the sea with his rod, he hearkened to it, and touched the water with it, and so it...
Moses lifted up his heart in silent prayer more effectually than Israel's loud outcries, but now God calls him from prayer to action at his post. Every thing is beautiful in its season; when we are in the way of duty we must go forward, not stand in mute astonishment, and leave the event to God.
AI summary
Commenting on Exodus 14:15-20