The answer to the heading is later in CLIVE WILLIAMS’ latest Whimsy column. This time he’s pondering how the the biblical story of Moses magically parting the waters of the Red Sea was even possible. 

As someone who has spent a lot of time in, on, and under the sea, including the Red Sea, I know it’s difficult to influence the sea – hence my doubts about the biblical story of Moses magically parting the waters of the Red Sea. 

I therefore went looking for natural explanations of what supposedly occurred. These are some of the theories:

• Reed Sea theory – Some scholars believe the original Hebrew term Yam Suph (often translated as “Red Sea”) may actually refer to a “Reed Sea”, a shallow marshy area in the region. A strong wind or seasonal changes in water levels could have made it possible for people to cross on foot, with waters returning later and drowning pursuers. 
• Wind setdown theory – A meteorological phenomenon called “wind setdown” occurs when strong, sustained winds push water away from a region, temporarily exposing land. In 2010, researchers at the US National Center for Atmospheric Research simulated how a powerful east wind could have pushed back waters in an area resembling the Nile Delta, allowing a crossing before the waters returned. 
• Tsunami or volcanic activity theory – Some suggest that an earthquake or volcanic eruption (possibly linked to the Thera eruption around 1600 BCE) could have triggered a tsunami. The water might have temporarily receded before rushing back, which could explain the biblical description of the waters returning to drown the Egyptian pursuers. 

Another possibility is that there was never a literal parting of the waters. Instead, it’s a story of an extraordinary escape passed on orally that became altered and exaggerated in the telling. In the process it gradually transformed into a more dramatic narrative, attributing the escape to divine intervention. 

One could wonder why, if Moses had supernatural powers, he chose to settle the Israelites in an area of the Middle East with violent competing claimants and no oil.

How stories can get altered over time is also illustrated by the oft-quoted story of King Canute (Cnut) the Great trying to hold back the incoming tide because he thought he had the supernatural power to do so. In fact, the opposite was the case.

The original story recorded in the 12th century by Henry of Huntingdon describes how King Canute set up his throne in the path of the incoming tide to demonstrate to his sycophantic courtiers that he could not control the elements, demonstrating that his secular power was limited compared to the supreme power of God. 

What then do the stories of Moses and King Canute have in common? Both are linked to the sea. Both demonstrate leadership and authority, though in different ways – Moses as a charismatic prophet and liberator, Canute as an astute monarch.

And both stories have a lesson for us and Donald Trump – Moses’ story emphasises the power of faith, while Canute’s is about the limits of human power and the danger of surrounding oneself with sycophantic followers.

On a lighter note: Dan feels much better now healthwise. On his doctor’s advice he switched in the morning from coffee to orange juice. His doctor attributes his improved health to Vitamin C and natural sugars. Dan thinks it’s more likely the vodka.

A pastor is giving a sermon on the need for equality in marriage. To test his point, he says: “All the men who are controlled by their wives, please get up and move to the left of the church”. 

All the men in the congregation moved to the left of the church except for one. The pastor is surprised but gratified that at least one man has a more balanced relationship with his wife. The pastor says to the man, “Tell the congregation why you didn’t move”. The man explains, “Because my wife told me not to”.

Ed was asked out by a lot of women. Then he realised he was in the ladies’ changing room.

Clive Williams is a Canberra columnist.