Moses Leads the People Out of Egypt!!!

Say: God made a promise to Abraham that he would have an uncountable number of descendants - more than the stars in the sky! For exactly 430 years, Abraham’s descendants, the Israelites, had been slaves in the land of Egypt. Pharaoh was the ruler of Egypt. God sent Moses to Pharaoh to tell him to let God’s people go. What did Pharaoh say to Moses (and ultimately to God)? “No!”

Pharaoh would not listen to God. God sent terrible plagues upon the land of Egypt. Why did He do this? God was showing His incredible power. God had power over all the false gods that the Egyptians worshiped. Repeatedly God proved His power and might. Now remember, some of the Egyptians believed God - they were listening to Him. But Pharaoh would not.

The last plague that God sent was by far the worse plague. God sent the death angel to kill the first-born child of every family and the firstborn of every animal. The Bible says that there was loud crying in Egypt for there was not a household without someone dead. During the night, Pharaoh summoned Moses and told him to leave Egypt. This is exactly what God said would happen. Moses and all the Israelites left in a hurry. Their bread did not even rise, and this is why Jewish people today still celebrate the Feast of Unleavened Bread.

Out Of Egypt (Exodus 14)

Say: Moses led 600,000 people out of Egypt in the middle of the night. God did not lead Moses and the Israelites through enemy land. Rather He led them through the desert toward the Red Sea as they journeyed to the Promised Land. God led His people with a pillar of clouds during the day, and a pillar of fire at night. Following these incredible sights would remind them that God was always with them, guiding them each step of the way on their journey to the Promised Land.

Ask: What has God given us so that we can know that God is always with us? The Bible - something the Israelites did not have.

Look to God’s Word for reassurance of His presence. Just as the Hebrews looked to the pillars of cloud and fire, we can look to God’s Word day and night to know He is with us, helping us through life.

Say: God told Moses to lead the people toward the Red Sea. God told Moses that He was going to make Pharaoh’s heart stubborn so Pharaoh would chase after the Israelites. God would then do something amazing so all the Egyptians would know that He was the one true God (Exodus 14:1-4).

Application: The Bible says that God hardened Pharaoh’s heart. Earlier, we read in the Bible that Pharaoh hardened his heart against God and would not listen to Him, but now we read that God hardened his heart. This teaches us a VERY important lesson - we must ALWAYS be ready to listen to God! The hardening of a heart is a process - a repeated event. If a person hardens their heart too many times, he may come to a place where they cannot listen anymore.

Say: Once the Israelites had left Egypt, Pharaoh became upset that he released all of his slave workers, so he changed his mind - again. This happened just as God said it would. Pharaoh sent 600 of his best chariots after Moses.

The king of Egypt was told that the people had gotten away. Then Pharaoh and his officials changed their minds about them. They said, “What have we done? We’ve let the people of Israel go! We’ve lost our slaves and all of the work they used to do for us!” - Exodus 14:5

Say: As Pharaoh’s army came after Moses and the Israelites, it looked like an IMPOSSIBLE situation. To the east was the sea. To the south and west, there were mountains, and to the north was Pharaoh’s army.The Israelites were trapped.

Ask: Have you ever been trapped? Do you know how it feels to be completely trapped?

Say: To top it off, listen to what the people were saying to Moses:

They said to Moses, “Why did you bring us to the desert to die? Weren’t there any graves in Egypt? What have you done to us by bringing us out of Egypt? We told you in Egypt, ‘Leave us alone. Let us serve the Egyptians.’ It would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die here in the desert!” - Exodus 14: 11-12

Say: The Israelites were afraid. They were blaming Moses for being trapped. The interesting thing to note here is that GOD led them EXACTLY to this place where they would FEEL trapped. He was about to show the entire world His amazing power as the One who RESCUES His people!

Moses answered the people. He said, “Don’t be afraid. Stand firm. You will see how the Lord will save you today. Do you see those Egyptians? You will never see them again. The Lord will fight for you. Just be still.” - Exodus 14:13-14

Say: WOW! Do you think it would be hard to STAND STILL in a situation like this? Now listen to what God said.

Then the Lord spoke to Moses. He said, “Why are you crying out to me? Tell the people of Israel to move on. Hold your wooden staff out. Reach your hand out over the Red Sea to part the water. Then the people can go through the sea on dry ground.” - Exodus 14:15-16

Say: The Lord told Moses to stop praying and get moving! Prayer must have a vital place in our lives, but there is also a place for action. Sometimes we know what to do, but we pray for more guidance as an excuse to postpone doing it. If we know what we should do, then it is time to get moving.

I will make the hearts of the Egyptians stubborn. They will go in after the Israelites. I will gain glory for myself because of what will happen to Pharaoh, his whole army, his chariots and his horsemen.

The Egyptians will know that I am the Lord. I will gain glory because of what will happen to all of them. - Exodus 14:17-18 always listen to the Holy Spirit !!!