Exodus 14

Pharaoh and his servants decided to pursue the Israelites, chasing them into the wilderness in front of the Red Sea.

God empowered Moses to divide the water through spreading his arms. The Israelites were able to walk through it on dry land, water as a wall on both sides. The Egyptians tried to follow, but was engulfed by the water. Only then did the Israelites have special reverence for God and Moses.