Image Details

Israel Museum/N. Slapak

Arms upraised in defeat, Pharaoh and his army drown in the Red Sea as Moses and the Israelites watch from dry land at upper left. This 18th-century Iranian painting follows Islamic tradition by showing the winged angel Gabriel, on a horse at center, holding out a written judgment to Pharaoh, seated on the white horse beside him. The judgment is one that Pharaoh had previously decreed to execute a slave by drowning for the crime of rebelling against his lord.

God revealed himself to be the Lord of creation and salvation by parting the Red Sea to save the Israelites from Pharaoh’s army. In a similar fashion, Jesus acts as Lord of creation and salvation by walking on water and stilling the storm, thereby saving his disciples from drowning.