Lesson 4: Crossing the Red Sea

Scripture

Exodus 14:5-31

Quick Summary

            After his son died in the last plague, Pharaoh finally allowed the Hebrews to leave Egypt with Moses. Moses and the Egyptians went out following a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire at night. They got to the Red Sea and got stuck. By that time, Pharaoh had changed his mind and was hot on their trail. On God’s command, Moses raised his staff on the bank of the Red Sea and God split it in two, sending a breeze down the center. The Hebrews walked across on dry land. By the time the Hebrews all got across, Pharaoh’s army was between the walls of water. With one more command from God, Moses raised his staff again, and the water rushed over the pursuing army. The Hebrews were safe and free from Egypt thanks to God!

The Point

God will make a way when we are stuck.

Questions for Family Time

1.     What were the Hebrews stuck between?

a.      The Red Sea and the Egyptian Army

2.     How did God make a way for them?

a.      He split the Red Sea in half, and the Hebrews walked through on dry land.

3.     What happened to the Army chasing them?

a.      They died when the water went back over the path.

Our Song for today:

CHORUS: Pharaoh, Pharaoh, whoa baby, let my people go! (2x)

A burnin' bush told me just the other day
That I should go to Egypt and say,
"It's time to let my people be free -
Listen to God if you won't listen to me!"

CHORUS

Well me and and my people goin' to the Red Sea,
With Pharaoh's best army comin' after me.
I took my staff, stuck it in the stand,
And all of God's people walked on dry land.
Singin...

CHORUS

Now Pharaoh's army was a-comin' too,
So whattaya think that God did do?
Had me take my staff and clear my throat,
And all of Pharaoh's army did the dead man's float.

CHORUS

Well that's the story of the stubborn goat.
Pharaoh should've know that chariots don't float.
The lesson is simple, it's easy to find,
When God says, "GO!" you had better mind!

Deeper

Have you ever found yourself stuck like the Hebrews? Their past was chasing them down. They were trying to follow God, and find their way out, but they had no other place to go. Their past was going to be their death.

Many times, that is what it feels like when we decide to follow God. When we commit to walking away from our old life, and becoming a disciple, we come to places where it would just be easier to go back to our old ways. Even when we know they aren’t right.

It is in those moments that we need to keep walking forward. We need to trust that God will split the waters that stand in our way. It may take some time. The Bible says it took all night for the breeze to dry the seabed. At that same time though, God’s pillar stood between the Hebrews and the Egyptian Army, protecting God’s people.

It is hard to wait for God. It is hard to walk through the sea, seeing water on both sides of you, and not know if you will make it out before the waters come in. It is hard when you know those chariots are right behind you. But God saw the Hebrews through, and landed them on safety on the other side. Keep following God and he will make a way where none seem possible.

Personal Reflection

When have you walked away from your past and had a roadblock? How did you get through? Did you trust God or go back to your old ways?