What was the geographical and military situation of Israel at the Red Sea?
Israel was trapped: the Red Sea lay in front, forbidding mountains stood to the right, populated areas were to the left, and Pharaoh's army with his chariots came in from behind. They were encamped by the Red Sea after being led through the wilderness, ready to cross when the waters parted.
Les explains that the geographical setting was dire: the Red Sea was in front of Israel, forbidding mountains blocked the right, and populated areas—stretching along the Nile—lay to the left. Pharaoh's army and chariots were pursuing from the rear. He notes the top end of the sea was only about eighteen inches deep with reeds and was not wilderness but populated; the wilderness began farther down. Les is convinced they crossed at the deeper portion, since an eighteen-inch crossing would hardly be a miracle. God had led the people about through the wilderness of the Red Sea, and Israel went up "harnessed." Les marvels that three to seven million people, plus livestock, could move out of one area, encamp by the Red Sea, and be ready to go through as the waters parted—not a common experience, especially with slow-moving herds.