Long ago, the Israelites lived as slaves in Egypt. They had to work hard, and it was very hard for them for a long time. They pleaded with God for help, and God heard their cry. He sent Moses to save them.
God said to Moses and his brother Aaron, “Go to Pharaoh and tell him to let my people go and serve me.” But Pharaoh, the king of Egypt, would not let the Israelites go. Therefore, God sent plagues upon Egypt to show Pharaoh that He was powerful.
- The water turns to blood
Moses struck the Nile with his staff, and the water turned to blood. The fish died, and the river began to stink. The Egyptians could no longer drink water, and there was need everywhere. - The Frog Plague
God had frogs come out of the Nile. They jumped into the houses, into the beds and even into the kitchens. There were frogs everywhere, and people were desperate. - The mosquito plague
God turned the dust of the earth into small, annoying mosquitoes. They plagued people and animals and made life difficult. - The plague of
fliesSwarms of flies came over the land. They forced their way into the houses and destroyed everything. But in the land of Goshen, where the Israelites lived, there was not a single fly to be found. - The cattle are dying
God sent a plague that hit the cattle of the Egyptians. The cows, sheep, camels and horses died, but the livestock of the Israelites remained unharmed. - The ulcers
God caused ulcers and painful wounds to come upon the Egyptians and their animals. Even the Pharaoh’s sorcerers could not save themselves from the pain. - The hail
A heavy hailstorm fell from the sky and destroyed the fields, the trees and the crops. It was the worst storm Egypt had ever experienced. But in Göschen everything remained intact. - The plague of
locustsThen locusts came over the land. They ate up everything that was left after the hail. Not a green leaf remained in Egypt. - The Darkness
For three days, Egypt was in complete darkness. No one could see anything or leave the house. But it was light with the Israelites.
But again and again Pharaoh hardened his heart and refused. Then God said, “I will bring a last plague upon Egypt.” This was the hardest, because that night the angel of the Lord would pass through Egypt and all the firstborn sons of the Egyptians would die. But God said to Moses: “Tell the Israelites to slaughter a lamb and to smear its blood on their door frames. The angel will see the blood and pass by these houses.”
That night became the first Passover, and the Israelites did all that God had instructed. When the angel of the Lord came, the Israelites were spared.
After that terrible night, Pharaoh called Moses and Aaron and said, “Go away from my people! Take your people and go out to serve the Lord, as you have said.”
So the Israelites set out and left Egypt. God led them with a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night, so that they knew where to go. But Pharaoh changed his mind and chased them with a large army.
The Israelites came to the Red Sea and saw that Pharaoh was approaching with his chariots. They were very afraid and cried out to Moses, “Why did you bring us here to die?” But Moses said, “Do not be afraid! See how the Lord will save you today.”
God told Moses to stretch out his staff over the sea. Then the water parted, and the Israelites walked on dry ground in the middle of the sea. Everyone arrived safely on the other side.
When the Egyptian army followed the Israelites, God let the water flow back. The sea covered all Pharaoh’s chariots and soldiers, and the Israelites were saved!
They rejoiced and praised God for freeing them from slavery.
Message of history
God is powerful and faithful. He protects and saves us if we trust Him and listen to His guidance.
Bible passage
The story of the Exodus from Egypt can be found in Exodus, chapters 12 to 14. Here are the most important passages according to the Schlachter 2000 translation:
- Genesis 12:31-36:
“And he called Moses and Aaron in the night, saying, Arise, go out of the midst of my people, both you and the children of Israel, and go, serve the Lord, just as you have said. Take your sheep and cattle with you, as you have said; go and bless me too! And the Egyptians urged the people to send them out of the land soon; for they said, “We are all dead!” And the people, before it was leavened, took their baking bowls, wrapped in their garments, on their shoulders. And the children of Israel did according to the word of Moses, and demanded of the Egyptians silver and gold utensils and garments. And the Lord had given to the people [Gunst] in the sight of the Egyptians, that they would grant them. So they robbed the Egyptians.”
- Moses 13:17-18:
“It came to pass, when Pharaoh let the people go, that God did not lead them through the land of the Philistines, which was nearest; for God said, “The people may repent when they see battles before them, and they may return to Egypt.” That is why God made the people make a detour, the way through the desert to the Sea of Reeds. And the children of Israel went out of the land of Egypt armed.”
- Moses 14:21-22:
“Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and the Lord drove the sea back all night long by a strong east wind, and made the sea dry land, and the waters parted. And the children of Israel walked through the middle of the sea on dry land; and the waters were a wall to them on the right and on the left.”
These verses provide an overview of the exodus of the Israelites from Egypt, the urging of the Egyptians, and the miraculous parting of the sea.
