During the final stretch of the Hebrews’ journey out of Egypt, they reach the barrier of the Red Sea. Pharaoh Ramses and his army trail behind them, and when it seemed like all hope was lost, Moses took his staff once more to part the Red Sea.

The painting depicts Moses in this moment, though he is clearly leaning backward. This composition portrays the awe, and perhaps the fear, of what he is witnessing. In the Movie, Moses’ brother Aaron, on the other hand, takes the first step forward. There were several moments in the Book where Aaron was asked to move forward when Moses was reluctant.

“And the people of Israel went into the midst of the sea on dry ground, the waters being a wall to them on their right hand and on their left.” - Exodus 14:22

Moses and Aaron’s body language mirrors that of the parted sea. They stand as walls that create a safe valley through which their people can travel. Even their robes, drenched in the mist of their surroundings, look more like rippled water than folded linen.

If you follow the direction of the staff to the brushstroke, you’ll notice a repeating motif throughout the paintings, which is the idea that every low point is followed by one that’s higher. This constant fluctuation is a reminder to never lose faith, for what might seem to us as rollercoaster of untethered circumstances is actually the phenomenon of the natural ebb and flow of life.