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MOSES LEADS ISRAEL OUT OF EGYPT
Scripture Reading: Exodus 12:40-15:27
The Israelites had been in Egypt for 430 years. They numbered 75 when Jacob went to Egypt. Now there were over 600,000 men, plus children. Scholars think there were possibly 3,000,000 Hebrews in Egypt. They had known nothing but slavery. To be free was a new experience.
God gave Moses directions for their journey and where they should camp. They camped by the Red Sea. Pharaoh heard about their place of encampment and decided they were tangled up in the wilderness. He and his servants decided that letting Israel go had been a big mistake. There was no one to do the Egyptians’ work. The army was ordered to capture Israel and return them to Egypt. They overtook Israel as they were camped by the sea.
When Israel saw the approaching Egyptian army, they were very afraid. They began to complain to Moses. “Because there were no graves in Egypt, hast thou taken us away to die in the wilderness? Wherefore hast thou dealt thus with us, to bring us forth out of Egypt?” They told Moses they had asked him to leave them alone in Egypt; that it was better to serve the Egyptians than to die in the wilderness.
Moses said, “Fear not, stand still, and see the salvation of Jehovah, which He will work for you today: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen today, ye shall see them again no more forever.” He assured Israel that God would fight for them and that they should be quiet and see what happens.
God told Moses to have the people go forward. Moses was to stretch out his rod over the sea and divide it. The angel of Jehovah went before Israel and a cloud was positioned behind them, separating the Hebrews from the Egyptian army through the night. Israel’s side of the cloud gave light. The Egyptians remained in the dark.
The next morning when Moses stretched forth his rod over the sea, God divided the waters by a strong wind and the Israelites crossed the sea on dry land. The Egyptians followed, but their chariot wheels began to come off and God caused the water to come back on the Egyptians and they were drowned in the sea. The Bible tells us that none of the Egyptians escaped.
Notice the reaction of the Israelites: “And Israel saw the great work which Jehovah did upon the Egyptians, and the people feared Jehovah: and they believed in Jehovah, and in his servant Moses” (Ex. 14:31).
Remember this verse, because Israel soon forgot their faith in God and Moses.
Exodus 15 gives us a song of joy, triumph, and praise, but when they came to a place called Marah they talked against Moses, because the water was bitter and they could not drink it. God showed Moses a tree which was put into the waters and they became sweet and good to drink.
Moses told the people follow God and be faithful and God will bless you.
Questions
1 How long had Israel been in Egypt?
2. How many were there at first, and how many men left there?
3. Who told Moses where to camp?
4. Who heard about the camp, and what did he do?
5. What effect did this have on the Israelites, and what did they do?
6. What did Moses tell them?
7. Who guarded them that night?
8. How did God separate the Israelites from the Egyptians?
9. How did Israel cross the sea?
10. Who tried to follow them and what happened to them?
Drawings to Color
Observations for Parents and Children
1. Those in slavery must learn how to be free, whether it is literal slavery or spiritual slavery. To be free in Christ is to be God’s bondservant.
