Crossing The Red Sea Exodus 14

Lesson 040 Crossing The Red Sea Exodus 14

MEMORY VERSE EXOD US 15:2a The LORD is m y strength and song, and He has becom e m y salvation; He is m y God, and I will praise Him... WHAT YOU WILL NEED: About fifty pieces of wadded paper and some large pieces of cardboard for shields. A large tub of water, a spatula, a blow dryer, and a towel. A pan of red Jello. ATTENTION GRABBER! Paper Wad Wars You will need about fifty pieces of wadded paper and some large pieces of cardboard for shields. Divide your class into two groups. Have them throw the divided pieces of paper at each other without the cardboard shields first. When they have sufficiently hit one another, have them start over using the shields. Point out that if they are behind the shield, they are safe from the incoming paper bombs. Explain that the Lord is our protection and shield. If we stand behind Him (live obedient lives as His children), He will protect us from the weapons of the enemy.

LESSON TIME! Today we are going to learn about one of the most exciting events in the Bible--the crossing of the Red Sea. God delivered the children of Israel although deliverance seemed quite impossible. When God works on behalf of His people, there is no obstacle too great--not an Egyptian army and not an entire sea. God is our Protector. EX O D U S 14:1-9 N o w t h e L O R D s p o k e t o M o s e s, s ay i n g: " S p e ak t o t h e c h i l d r e n o f I s r ae l, t h at t h e y t u r n an d c am p be f o r e Pi H ah i r o t h, be t w e e n M i gd o l an d t h e s e a, o p p o s i t e B aal Z e p h o n ; y o u s h al l c am p be f o r e i t by t h e s e a. " F o r Ph ar ao h w i l l s ay o f t h e c h i l d r e n o f I s r ae l, ' T h e y ar e be w i l d e r e d by t h e l an d ; t h e w i l d e r n e s s h as c l o s e d t h e m i n. ' " T h e n I w i l l h ar d e n Ph ar ao h ' s h e ar t, s o t h at h e w i l l p u r s u e t h e m ; an d I w i l l gai n h o n o r o v e r Ph ar ao h an d o v e r al l h i s ar m y, t h at t h e Egy p t i an s m ay k n o w t h at I am t h e L O R D. " An d t h e y d i d s o. N o w i t w as t o l d t h e k i n g o f Egy p t t h at t h e p e o p l e h ad f l e d, an d t h e h e ar t o f Ph ar ao h an d h i s s e r v an t s w as t u r n e d agai n s t t h e p e o p l e ; an d t h e y s ai d, " Wh y h av e w e d o n e t h i s, t h at w e h av e l e t I s r ae l go f r o m s e r v i n g u s?" S o h e m ad e r e ad y h i s c h ar i o t an d t o o k h i s p e o p l e w i t h h i m.

Al s o, h e t o o k s i x h u n d r e d c h o i c e c h ar i o t s, an d al l t h e c h ar i o t s o f Egy p t w i t h c ap t ai n s o v e r e v e r y o n e o f t h e m. An d t h e L O R D h ar d e n e d t h e h e ar t o f Ph ar ao h k i n g o f Egy p t, an d h e p u r s u e d t h e c h i l d r e n o f I s r ae l ; an d t h e c h i l d r e n o f I s r ae l w e n t o u t w i t h bo l d n e s s. S o t h e Egy p t i an s p u r s u e d t h e m, al l t h e h o r s e s an d c h ar i o t s o f Ph ar ao h, h i s h o r s e m e n an d h i s ar m y, an d o v e r t o o k t h e m c am p i n g by t h e s e a be s i d e Pi H ah i r o t h, be f o r e B aal Z e p h o n. Moses and the children of Israel left Egypt. Pharaoh has, once more, hardened his heart and is now pursuing the children of Israel. Pharaoh had been humiliated and angered by the events surrounding the Israelite s deliverance, and he now sought revenge. Although the Egyptian army was much more powerful than God s people (who had no weapons and traveled with their families--women, children, and elderly), they lacked that which was most important: the presence of God on their side. God is our Protector. When Moses looked up and saw the Egyptian army coming, he was not surprised. Not only did God tell Moses of the approaching Egyptian army, but God revealed his plan to judge the Egyptians. Egypt had been full of pride against God, and now they faced judgment. If we, as the Egyptians, turn against God, all of our plans will be frustrated; and eventually, we will be judged. Instead, let us turn to God. He will go before us and cause us to triumph.

EX O D U S 14:10-12 An d w h e n Ph ar ao h d r e w n e ar, t h e c h i l d r e n o f I s r ae l l i f t e d t h e i r e y e s, an d be h o l d, t h e Egy p t i an s m ar c h e d af t e r t h e m. S o t h e y w e r e v e r y af r ai d, an d t h e c h i l d r e n o f I s r ae l c r i e d o u t t o t h e L O R D. T h e n t h e y s ai d t o M o s e s, " B e c au s e t h e r e w e r e n o gr av e s i n Egy p t, h av e y o u t ak e n u s aw ay t o d i e i n t h e w i l d e r n e s s? Wh y h av e y o u s o d e al t w i t h u s, t o br i n g u s u p o u t o f Egy p t? " I s t h i s n o t t h e w o r d t h at w e t o l d y o u i n Egy p t, s ay i n g, ' L e t u s al o n e t h at w e m ay s e r v e t h e Egy p t i an s?' F o r i t w o u l d h av e be e n be t t e r f o r u s t o s e r v e t h e Egy p t i an s t h an t h at w e s h o u l d d i e i n t h e w i l d e r n e s s. " Pharaoh s army was close behind the children of Israel. They were being followed by hundreds of men on chariots who sought to capture them. Seeing the great Egyptian army behind them, the Israelites became overwhelmed with fear. They cried out to God, but did not trust Him. In their unbelief, they began to complain. They even accused Moses of making a foolish decision to leave Egypt. How quickly the children of Israel forgot the miracles God had wrought in Egypt. Now, blinded by their unbelief, they wished they were back in Egypt serving Pharaoh again, back in bondage where they imagined they would be safe. The children of Israel did not know that God had a magnificent plan to rescue them. Their eyes were on the mighty Egyptian army and not on their all-powerful God. We, as Christians, will face circumstances in our life that could easily overwhelm us. May we choose to focus our attention on our mighty God and not on our circumstances.

EX O D U S 14:13-14 An d M o s e s s ai d t o t h e p e o p l e, " D o n o t be af r ai d. S t an d s t i l l, an d s e e t h e s al v at i o n o f t h e L O R D, w h i c h H e w i l l ac c o m p l i s h f o r y o u t o d ay. F o r t h e Egy p t i an s w h o m y o u s e e t o d ay, y o u s h al l s e e agai n n o m o r e f o r e v e r. T h e L O R D w i l l f i gh t f o r y o u, an d y o u s h al l h o l d y o u r p e ac e. " Moses was a good leader and pointed them to the Lord. The Bible says, If God is for us, who can be against us? The mighty Egyptian army was not a match for God. In our time of need, may we realize that if the Lord is on our side, the strength of our enemies is insignificant. God is our Protector. EX O D U S 14:15-20 An d t h e L O R D s ai d t o M o s e s, " Wh y d o y o u c r y t o M e? T e l l t h e c h i l d r e n o f I s r ae l t o go f o r w ar d. " B u t l i f t u p y o u r r o d, an d s t r e t c h o u t y o u r h an d o v e r t h e s e a an d d i v i d e i t. An d t h e c h i l d r e n o f I s r ae l s h al l go o n d r y gr o u n d t h r o u gh t h e m i d s t o f t h e s e a. " An d I i n d e e d w i l l h ar d e n t h e h e ar t s o f t h e Egy p t i an s, an d t h e y s h al l f o l l o w t h e m. S o I w i l l gai n h o n o r o v e r Ph ar ao h an d o v e r al l h i s ar m y, h i s c h ar i o t s, an d h i s h o r s e m e n. " T h e n t h e Egy p t i an s s h al l k n o w t h at I am t h e L O R D, w h e n I h av e gai n e d h o n o r f o r M y s e l f o v e r Ph ar ao h, h i s c h ar i o t s, an d h i s h o r s e m e n. "

An d t h e An ge l o f G o d, w h o w e n t be f o r e t h e c am p o f I s r ae l, m o v e d an d w e n t be h i n d t h e m ; an d t h e p i l l ar o f c l o u d w e n t f r o m be f o r e t h e m an d s t o o d be h i n d t h e m. S o i t c am e be t w e e n t h e c am p o f t h e Egy p t i an s an d t h e c am p o f I s r ae l. T h u s i t w as a c l o u d an d d ar k n e s s t o t h e o n e, an d i t gav e l i gh t by n i gh t t o t h e o t h e r, s o t h at t h e o n e d i d n o t c o m e n e ar t h e o t h e r al l t h at n i gh t. God did a mighty thing for His people that night. He used a pillar of cloud to go behind them and cause darkness for the enemy, but light for His children. EX O D U S 14:21-22 T h e n M o s e s s t r e t c h e d o u t h i s h an d o v e r t h e s e a; an d t h e L O R D c au s e d t h e s e a t o go bac k by a s t r o n g e as t w i n d al l t h at n i gh t, an d m ad e t h e s e a i n t o d r y l an d, an d t h e w at e r s w e r e d i v i d e d. S o t h e c h i l d r e n o f I s r ae l w e n t i n t o t h e m i d s t o f t h e s e a o n t h e d r y gr o u n d, an d t h e w at e r s w e r e a w al l t o t h e m o n t h e i r r i gh t h an d an d o n t h e i r l e f t. God did another miraculous act in order to protect His children from the enemy that pursued them. God parted a mighty sea and allowed the Israelites to pass through on dry land. Can you imagine how it must have been to walk on dry land while the sea was restrained on either side of you. God is all-powerful! He can do anything He wants to accomplish His will. As Christians, we need never be afraid, for God is our Protector.

Note, the children of Israel had desired to go backwards in their hearts (back to Egypt); God s way was forward. God always moves us forward in our relationship with the Lord. As we move forward, God will show Himself strong on our behalf. EX O D U S 14:23-29 An d t h e Egy p t i an s p u r s u e d an d w e n t af t e r t h e m i n t o t h e m i d s t o f t h e s e a, al l Ph ar ao h ' s h o r s e s, h i s c h ar i o t s, an d h i s h o r s e m e n. N o w i t c am e t o p as s, i n t h e m o r n i n g w at c h, t h at t h e L O R D l o o k e d d o w n u p o n t h e ar m y o f t h e Egy p t i an s t h r o u gh t h e p i l l ar o f f i r e an d c l o u d, an d H e t r o u bl e d t h e ar m y o f t h e Egy p t i an s. An d H e t o o k o f f t h e i r c h ar i o t w h e e l s, s o t h at t h e y d r o v e t h e m w i t h d i f f i c u l t y ; an d t h e Egy p t i an s s ai d, " L e t u s f l e e f r o m t h e f ac e o f I s r ae l, f o r t h e L O R D f i gh t s f o r t h e m agai n s t t h e Egy p t i an s. " T h e n t h e L O R D s ai d t o M o s e s, " S t r e t c h o u t y o u r h an d o v e r t h e s e a, t h at t h e w at e r s m ay c o m e bac k u p o n t h e Egy p t i an s, o n t h e i r c h ar i o t s, an d o n t h e i r h o r s e m e n. " An d M o s e s s t r e t c h e d o u t h i s h an d o v e r t h e s e a; an d w h e n t h e m o r n i n g ap p e ar e d, t h e s e a r e t u r n e d t o i t s f u l l d e p t h, w h i l e t h e Egy p t i an s w e r e f l e e i n g i n t o i t. S o t h e L O R D o v e r t h r e w t h e Egy p t i an s i n t h e m i d s t o f t h e s e a. T h e n t h e w at e r s r e t u r n e d an d c o v e r e d t h e c h ar i o t s, t h e h o r s e m e n, an d al l t h e ar m y o f Ph ar ao h t h at c am e i n t o t h e s e a af t e r t h e m. N o t s o m u c h as o n e o f t h e m r e m ai n e d.

B u t t h e c h i l d r e n o f I s r ae l h ad w al k e d o n d r y l an d i n t h e m i d s t o f t h e s e a, an d t h e w at e r s w e r e a w al l t o t h e m o n t h e i r r i gh t h an d an d o n t h e i r l e f t. The Egyptians tried to follow the Israelites into the sea; but, God confused them, and their chariots became difficult to drive. When the Egyptians began to realize that God was in control of the situation, they tried to escape. However, God caused the sea to close as Moses stretched out his hand. Try to Part the Sea You will need a large tub of water, a spatula, a blow dryer, and a towel. Have different volunteers try to part the water in the tub using the tools you ve brought. Of course, they will not be able to. Explain what a miracle God performed for His children. Ask your students what they think it must have been like to witness and be saved by such a miracle. EX O D U S 14:30-31 S o t h e L O R D s av e d I s r ae l t h at d ay o u t o f t h e h an d o f t h e Egy p t i an s, an d I s r ae l s aw t h e Egy p t i an s d e ad o n t h e s e as h o r e. T h u s I s r ae l s aw t h e gr e at w o r k w h i c h t h e L O R D h ad d o n e i n Egy p t ; s o t h e p e o p l e f e ar e d t h e L O R D, an d be l i e v e d t h e L O R D an d H i s s e r v an t M o s e s. God enabled the Israelites, over two million people, to pass safely through the Red Sea. God cast judgment on Pharaoh and the Egyptian army who did not obey for follow Him.

God had demonstrated His great power to deliver not only from the bondage of Egypt, but from the pursuing Egyptian army a circumstance that seemed like certain death to the Israelites. God is able to deliver us no matter our circumstances. May we not, as the Israelites, cry out in fear and complaining when faced with impossible circumstances; may we, instead, be filled with faith, remembering God s past miracles. God who delivered us in the past will surely deliver us today and in the future. II Corinthians 1:20 states: who delivered us from so great a death, and does deliver us; in whom we trust that He will still deliver us,.. Even if it seems like the Egyptian army is pursuing you and the Red Sea is in front of you, you can Stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which He will accomplish for you today" (Exodus 14:13). We can trust God fully. God is our Protector. The Red Sea You will need a pan of red Jello. Make Jello jigglers out of your pan. Cut the Jello in the middle and remove the center pieces first. Explain how God divided the Red Sea for the children of Israel. PRAYER Lead the children in a prayer thanksgiving for the Lord s protection and deliverance. If there are any children who have not yet responded to the Gospel, give them an opportunity.