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The Exodus: Exodus 14-15
When the last plague was brought on Egypt, the children of Israel had put blood on their doorposts, and the feast of the Passover was inaugurated. Then the children of Israel were led out to the Red sea, which they would cross and eventually they would go to the Sinai peninsula. God indicated His presence among them by going before them in a pillar of cloud by day, and a pillar of fire by night (Exodus 14-15).
However, Pharaoh had a change of heart once again. He had driven them out, but then decided that he wanted Israel back to be Egypt’s slaves again. So he gathered his army and chased after the Israelites.
This frightened the Israelites, whose back was now to the Red Sea. They began complaining about this, indicating a desire to go back to Egypt so that they would not die in the wilderness. Moses told the people not to fear, for God would save them. Moses was told to lift up his staff and stretch it out over the sea, and the sea would divide so that they could walk through on dry ground. The waters became like a wall on each side, and the people walked through unharmed.
The Egyptians decided to pursue Israel through the sea. As they went between the waters, the walls collapsed on them and destroyed the army. Israel saw God’s great power that day and feared Him.
From there, they traveled down to the Sinai Peninsula, where they would receive the Law. God continued His care for them, though they often complained. However, God’s mighty works were sufficient to show them, and all generations since, how powerful God is, and how much He loves His people.
Discussion
1. Whose bones did Israel take out of Egypt? Why?
2. Why did the people complain at the Red Sea? What lessons can be learned from this?
3. What did the Egyptians realize as they went into the sea?
4. How did the people think about God and Moses after they saw these events?
5. What can we learn about the power and care of God from these events? What parallels are there to our own salvation?
