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After the Israelites left Egypt, the LORD did not lead them along the most direct route to the land of Canaan (through territory occupied by the Philistines), but rather toward Yam Suf - the Sea of Reeds. The LORD led the way for the Israelites b'amud anan (in a pillar of cloud) by day and b'amud aish (in a pillar of fire) by night, and led them back from Etham to camp by the Red Sea, so that Pharaoh would be led to believe that the Israelites were lost in the wilderness.
When Pharaoh learned of Israel's position, however, he hardened his heart yet again, and led his army to force the Israelites to return to their life of bondage. After the Egyptians caught up to them, the Israelites were trapped against the sea, and the people were terrified that they were to be slaughtered. The pillar of the cloud moved to the rear, however, and created a veil of darkness that hindered any further Egyptian advance.
The LORD then commanded Moses to raise his staff over the Red Sea. A strong east wind then blew and divided the waters, forming a wall of water on the right and left, and the Israelites crossed on the dry seabed. The Egyptian cavalry attempted to follow them, but were thrown into confusion by the LORD, who caused their chariot wheels to become stuck in the wet sand. Moses then stretched out his hand over the sea, and the returning waters overwhelmed the Egyptians. Once the Israelites saw that their tormentors were destroyed, Moses and Miriam led the people in the "Song of the Sea," a spontaneous hymn of praise and thanks to the LORD. (Josephus reports that the Israelites armed themselves with weapons that were salvaged on this occasion).
Soon, however, the bitter reality of their journey in the wilderness eventually caused the people to complain to Moses. When the Israelites reached Marah ("bitterness," so named because of its bitter waters), the people murmured against Moses, who was shown a tree which when thrown into the waters made them "sweet" (i.e., suitable for drinking).
The Israelites then entered the wilderness of Sinai. Soon their lack of food made them wish they had died among the "fleshpots" of Egypt. However, the LORD declared that He would cause "bread to rain" from heaven and would test whether the Israelites would obey His torah. In the evening, quails came to the camp, providing the people with meat; in the morning, the ground was covered with manna (bread from heaven). The Jews were commanded to each gather no more than an omer (approximately four pints) of manna per day; however, on the sixth day, they were told to gather a double portion so that they would have it on Shabbat, when work was prohibited. (Some of the people disobeyed and went to gather manna on the seventh day, but found none. Aaron preserved a small quantity of manna in a jar, as a testimony for future generations).
At Rephidim, the people again complained to Moses about the lack of water. At LORD's commandment, Moses struck the rock (on nearby Mt. Horeb) with his staff, causing streams of water to gush forth, and the people were strengthened and satisfied. The place where this miracle occurred was called Massah u'Merivah (testing and quarreling). Note that 40 years later, at Kadesh, Moses would strike the rock twice (Numbers 20:7-11), a sin that dishonored the true Rock, Mashiach (1 Cor 10:1-5), and would cost him entry into the land of Promise.
The Israelites then encountered their first battle as a nation with Amalek (a tribe that descended from Esau). While the war raged, Moses (accompanied by Aaron and Hur) went to the top of the hill holding his staff. When he raised his hands in prayer to the LORD, the Israelites prevailed. The battle lasted until sunset, when Amalek was decisively defeated. To commemorate the victory, Moses built an altar and called it, Adonai Nissi - the LORD is my banner.
The LORD commanded Moses to record the incident and impress its occurrence upon Joshua (who would lead the people into the Promised Land). Because of their treachery in attacking the Israelites, the tribe of Amalek (a type of "carnal man" or lower nature) was to be totally destroyed and its memory eradicated.
NOTE: This is an abbreviated parashah summary. I am unable to provide Haftarah and Brit Chadashah summaries this week.
Blessing:
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