Scripture: Exodus 13:20-14:31

Aim: To remind the pupil how Jehovah God delivered the Israelites from slavery in Egypt.

Golden Text: “Thou in thy mercy hast led forth the people, which thou hast redeemed: thou hast guided them in thy strength unto thy holy habitation” (Exodus 15:13).

The movement of the Israelites from Egyptian slavery to a national state in the world of nations was a momentous task.

Jehovah God had promised Abraham that He would give the land of Palestine to Abraham’s descendants through Isaac and Jacob.

Jacob was the father of the 12 tribes of Israel. The Israelites had gone to Egypt under Joseph for survival during a terrible famine in Palestine. Over the years, the Egyptians brought the Israelites into slavery as a foreign people. Israel was in Egypt for more than 400 years.

Jehovah had called Moses to lead the people out and had sent Aaron, Moses’ brother, to help him lead them to the land of Palestine. Moses and Aaron had, under the guidance of Jehovah, called down 10 plagues upon the Egyptians because Pharaoh would not let Israel go out of Egypt. After the 10th plague, the death of the first born of all the Egyptians, Israel was thrust out of the land.

On the eve of being thrust out by the Egyptians, the Passover was instituted by Jehovah for the Israelites. This feast expressed the action of Jehovah in delivering Israel from slavery in Egypt.

I. As the Israelites was leaving the land, the Egyptians were having second thoughts about their leaving. Pharaoh and the army began to pursue them (Exodus 14:5-9). They caught up to Israel at late evening.

Israel was camped with two large hills on either side, the Egyptians behind them, and the Red Sea before them (vs. 8-9). They were trapped! But! The Lord had a plan!

II. The Israelites argued with Moses that he had brought them out into the wilderness to die (Exodus 14:10-14). They were angry with Jehovah and with Moses.

Moses answered them by commanding them to “Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord” (vs. 13). Further, he continued, “The Lord will fight for you (vs. 14).

III. Jehovah moved a cloud (the cloud of His Presence) to stand between Egypt and Israel. He then commanded Israel to go forward toward the sea (Exodus 14:15-23). The cloud was blackest night to the Egyptians (they could not attack in the darkness), but for Israel, it was a bright fire for light and warmth (vs. 19). He then commanded Moses to part the Red Sea (vs. 16-17).

Moses stood with hand stretched out over the sea, and the Lord sent an east wind all night and parted the waters with a path in the middle of the sea (vs. 19-21).

The Israelites went across on “dry ground” (vs. 21). They passed over and the Egyptians followed them. When Egypt’s army was down in the valley of water, the Lord let the waters roll together and destroy all the Egyptians in the sea (vs. 23-31).

That day “Israel saw that great work which the Lord did upon the Egyptians: and the people feared the Lord, and believed the Lord, and his servant Moses” (vs. 31).

The Golden Text above reveals good lessons for us today.

First, the Lord shows mercy.

Second, this mercy is seen in His redeeming us from our sins, as He redeemed Israel from Egypt.

Third, He guides us in our lives, showing us what to do, what not to do and when to wait.

Fourth, He exercised His strength on behalf of those who are especially His. God still does all this!

Jehovah asks His people to “hear” (His Word). Listen to what God has to say. Then, He asks us not to be “afraid,” but to act in accordance with His Word. He will give deliverance both now and throughout our lives. God asks us to “stand still” and see the blessed work God will do on our behalf. We just “Trust and Obey” and He brings us the blessings!