Crossing the Red Sea

Efforts have been taken to locate the route the Israelites took to cross the Red Sea. The major problem is that the names of the places mentioned in the Scripture can no longer be found in modern maps.
Tell the people of Israel to turn back and encamp in front of Pihahiroth, between Migdol and the sea, in front of Baalzephon; you shall encamp over against it, by the sea (Exodus 14:2).
Where can we find Pihahiroth, Migdol and Baalzephon? Scholars know that the word Migdol means "tower" in Hebrew. It might suggest a fortress or even a mountain towering over the sea. Pihahiroth means "mouth of the caverns". Baalzephon means "the Baal of the north" or perhaps "the Baal of Typhon".  Of course these can be proper location names. But nowadays, we are hopelessly unsure. Anyway, if you are patient enough, a search on the Internet will yield a lot of information. Truly, a lot of people take their faith seriously and have attempted to work out an acceptable route. Here is an article that disputes the traditional map at the back of some Bibles. It also supplies a map which I am sure will satisfy the curiosity of many of us.

The Red Sea is also at issue.
First of all, was Red Sea 3500 years ago the same Red Sea nowadays? Rivers changed course through the passage of time. Coastlines underwent constant sea-water erosion. It is no easy task to reconstruct the Red Sea 3500 years ago.
Secondly, the name is also problematic. The Red Sea יַם-סוּף in Hebrew is not red, but sea weeds. That is why scholars who tend to downplay Biblical miracles prefer thinking of the Israelites crossing a shallow swamp of Reed Sea rather than the Gulf of Suez. However, in denying one miracle, these scholars have to deny the miraculous drowning the chasing Egyptian army as well. Can these scholars deny the pursuing army out of existence? I'm afraid not because it is more reasonable for Pharaoh to chase these Hebrew slaves back than allowing them to pillage the Egyptians and go free (Exodus 12:35-36).

For the Jews, the whole story tells the world that despite their weakness as a people, as a nation, they have Yahweh to fight for them, to protect them. God killed the first-born of Egypt, forcing Pharaoh to release them. God prevented the pursuing Egyptian army from getting close to them. God blew dry an escape route for them to reach the other side. The seabed was dry enough for them to walk on to safety but soft enough to catch heavy chariots into a death-trap. It was not enough for Pharaoh to release them because Pharaoh always changed his mind. Only the crossing of the Red Sea and the drowning of Pharaoh's army could guarantee their liberty. Yahweh is truly the God of gods, worthy of glory and praises. Yahweh is superior to all other gods.
For Christians, the whole story becomes the prototype of baptism. Jesus is the true Passover Lamb that redeems them. It is not enough just to believe in the redemptive action of Jesus. Only the sacrament of baptism, the crossing of the Red Sea, can guarantee their freedom from the bondage of sins. God is truly merciful.
For both Jews and Christians, the historical accuracy of the story itself is no longer important. When they believe in God, they do not need natural explanations for supernatural phenomena. In fact, if love were solely explained in terms of hormonal actions, life would be unbearable. We have to learn to live with something inexplicable, something of a mystery.

Dear Lord, while we should work hard to seek a proper understanding of our faith, let us humbly admit our inadequacy and trust in Your mercy for us. Amen.