The Cloud, The Fire, & The Red Sea

^{The Cloud, Fire, & Red Sea}

At last... the Israelites are on their way out of Egypt. They are leaving their 400-year history of being slaves to the Egyptians behind them. But…where are they going?

    Do you remember that God had promised Abraham the land of Canaan? But the Israelites ended up in Egypt when there was a famine in their land. Joseph was already in Egypt so they went to live there.We know that they stayed there for 400 years. Now that they are finally leavingEgypt, they get to go to the land that God had promised to Abraham so long ago. But…how do you get to Canaan?

    Well, God did not lead the Israelites to Canaan by the shortest route. God knew they were not ready for a trip through the land of the Philistines. He knew the Israelites would be afraid and run back to Egypt. So, God chose to lead them in a roundabout way through the wilderness towards the Red Sea. He led them by day in the form of a pillar of cloud and He led them by night in the form of a pillar of fire. He never left them for one second.

    Back in Egypt, Pharaoh and the Egyptians are regretting their decision to let the Israelites go. They are feeling the pain of not having their slaves to do all of the hard work. So, Pharaoh and the Egyptian army decide to go after the Israelites.

    The Israelites came to the edge of the Red Sea. Behind them, the Egyptian army was chasing them, and in front of them was the wide, deep water of the Red Sea. The people were scared, but God told Moses to stretch out his staff over the sea. Suddenly, a strong wind blew, and the waters parted, making a dry path right through the sea! All the Israelites walked through the middle of the sea on dry ground, with walls of water on each side! When all the Israelites had reached the otherside, God said to Moses, “Raise your hand over the sea again.” The walls of water came crashing down and all the Egyptians who had chased them, were drowned and the Israelites were safe.

    Just like the Israelites did, we should follow God’s plans, even when they seem confusing. He sees and cares about everything we do. Even though you can’t see Him, God is always with you. God rescued the Israelites from Pharaoh in Egypt, He also rescued us! When God parted the Red Sea, He saved the Israelites and made a way for them to have a new life in the “Promised Land.” When Jesus died on the cross, He paid the price for our sins and made a way for us to have a new life in our Promised Land too – “Heaven.”  

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