The story of Moses and the Red Sea is an exciting tale from the Bible, found in Exodus 14. It’s about how Moses led the Israelites out of Egypt and how they miraculously crossed the Red Sea.
Pharaoh Changes His Mind
Bible Verse: Exodus 14:5-6
“When the king of Egypt was told that the people had fled, Pharaoh and his officials changed their minds… So he had his chariot made ready and took his army with him.”
After letting the Israelites go, Pharaoh changed his mind. He took his army and chased after the Israelites, wanting to bring them back to Egypt.
The Israelites’ Fear
Bible Verse: Exodus 14:10-12
“As Pharaoh approached, the Israelites looked up, and there were the Egyptians, marching after them. They were terrified and cried out to the Lord. They said to Moses, ‘Was it because there were no graves in Egypt that you brought us to the desert to die?'”
When the Israelites saw Pharaoh’s army coming, they were very scared. They thought they were trapped between the army and the Red Sea.
God’s Command to Moses
Bible Verse: Exodus 14:15-16
“Then the Lord said to Moses, ‘Why are you crying out to me? Tell the Israelites to move on. Raise your staff and stretch out your hand over the sea to divide the water so that the Israelites can go through the sea on dry ground.'”
God told Moses not to be afraid and gave him a plan. Moses was to raise his staff and stretch out his hand over the Red Sea to split it open.
Crossing the Red Sea
Bible Verse: Exodus 14:21-22
“Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and all that night the Lord drove the sea back with a strong east wind and turned it into dry land. The waters were divided, and the Israelites went through the sea on dry ground, with a wall of water on their right and on their left.”
Moses did as God commanded, and the sea parted! The Israelites walked through the middle of the sea on dry ground, with walls of water on both sides.
The Egyptians’ Defeat
Bible Verse: Exodus 14:26-28
“Then the Lord said to Moses, ‘Stretch out your hand over the sea so that the waters may flow back over the Egyptians and their chariots and horsemen.’ Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and at daybreak the sea went back to its place. The Egyptians were fleeing toward it, and the Lord swept them into the sea.”
After the Israelites had crossed, Moses stretched out his hand again, and the sea closed over the Egyptian army, defeating them.