“FREE FROM EGYPT AT LAST!”
Season 2: Heroes of the Bible
Episode 29: “Free from Egypt at Last!”
Today’s Bible Bite: Exodus 11:15-21
Video Story:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rzcYLCYItuc (Saddleback Kids – 4.30 to end)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wkru9sTnurU (Sharefaithkids.com)
“Moses answered the people, ‘Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the LORD will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still.’” (Exodus 14:13-14)
God had caused nine plagues to come on the Egyptians to convince Pharaoh to let the Israelites go. But every time Pharaoh said he would, he changed his mind. God sent one final plague; He knew that Pharaoh’s heart was so hard it would take something very personal to get through to him. God warned Moses that in the last plague, the oldest son of every family and even of the cattle would die, even in Pharaoh’s family. The Israelites were to protect themselves from the angel of death by participating in a special meal and by identifying their houses with the blood of a lamb painted on their door frames.
That night, Pharaoh and all the Egyptians, ordered the Israelites to leave. They gave them gold, silver, clothes, whatever they needed…they were now desperate for the slaves to leave as God had commanded. But after they were gone, a most astonishing thing happened. Pharaoh changed his mind again! He gathered his army and chased after the Israelites.
The Israelites were camped at the Red Sea and when they saw Pharaoh and his army they panicked. Why would God bring them out of Egypt only to have them die here? But God had very different plans. He parted the water of the Red Sea and all the Israelites crossed over safely to the other side. God’s final lesson for the Egyptians then came. They chased the Israelites into the Red Sea too, but God collapsed the walls of water on top of them and they all drowned. Pharaoh, the man who had wanted to keep them as slaves for himself, was gone. The Israelites were finally free!
Think about it...
• Pharaoh’s stubbornness cost the Egyptians…even their oldest sons. What would have happened if Pharaoh had just agreed to let them go?
• God showed the Israelites that He was on their side and protected them. What happened when they found themselves stuck between Pharaoh’s army and the Red Sea?
• Pharaoh foolishly followed the Israelites into the Red Sea. What happened to him and all his soldiers?
• God loves all people, but when Pharaoh refused to cooperate with God, he died. How could the story have ended differently if Pharaoh hadn’t been so stubborn?
Prayer: Thank you, God, for protecting the Israelites and for showing them and us that you are more powerful than any person might think they are. Help me never to be so stubborn that I ignore you and refuse to do what you want me to.