Exodus from Egypt

After 430 years in Egypt, God finally leads His people out of slavery. But almost immediately, Pharaoh changes his mind and sends his army after them.

Now the Israelites are trapped. Pharaoh’s army is behind them and the Red Sea is in front of them. They panic, which honestly makes sense. But Moses tells them, “The Lord will fight for you.” God parts the sea, the Israelites walk through on dry ground, and when the Egyptian army follows them in, the water comes crashing back down.

God has rescued His people, but now they have to learn how to trust Him.

As they travel through the wilderness, God leads them with a cloud during the day and a pillar of fire at night. They are not just wandering around hoping they are headed the right direction. God is literally showing them where to go.

Then they get hungry.

They start complaining and even say they would have been better off back in Egypt. God responds by providing manna every morning and quail for them to eat.

Then they get thirsty.

Once again, they complain, and once again, God provides. Moses strikes a rock and water comes out for the people to drink.

Then they get attacked by the Amalekites. Joshua leads the people into battle while Moses stands on a hill with the staff of God. As long as Moses keeps his hands raised, Israel is winning. When he gets tired, Aaron and Hur help hold his arms up until Israel wins the battle.

So in just a few chapters, God rescues them, guides them, feeds them, gives them water, and protects them.

The people are learning something they are going to need to remember over and over again:

The God who rescued them from Egypt is the same God they can trust in the wilderness.