Moses and Aaron told Pharoah that greater trouble was coming and after the 9th Plague, 3 days of total darkness, Pharaoh said, “Go, worship the LORD. Even your women and children may go with you; only LEAVE YOUR FLOCKS AND HERDS BEHIND.” (Exodus 10:24) That would not work of course because Moses intended to take them to the Promise Land, so after the 10th Plague, Pharaoh let them go FINALLY!
“Tell the people that men and women alike are to ask their neighbors for articles of silver and gold.” (The LORD made the Egyptians favorably disposed toward the people, and Moses himself was HIGHLY REGARDED in Egypt by Pharaoh’s officials and by the people.)” (Exodus 11:2-3) “The LORD had made the Egyptians favorably disposed toward the people, and they gave them what they asked for; so, they plundered the Egyptians.” (Exodus 12:35-36) Just before the 10th Plague, death of all the first born, God said He would Pass Over each house that had blood on the Doorpost and the Lintel. This is where the Passover Service was introduced, what we know as Communion.
“That night the people of Israel left Rameses and started for Succoth; there were SIX HUNDRED THOUSAND MEN, besides all THE WOMEN AND CHILDREN, going on foot.” (Exodus 12:37) The estimate is that there were probably over two million people all together, that were leaving Egypt. “When word reached the king of Egypt that the Israelis were not planning to return to Egypt, but to keep on going, Pharaoh became bold again and led the chase in his chariot, followed by 600 CHARIOTS IN ALL—As the Egyptian army approached, the people of Israel saw them speeding after them, and they were TERRIBLY FRIGHTENED AND CRIED OUT to the Lord to help them. And they turned against Moses, WHINING, “Have you brought us out here to die in the desert…Why did you make us leave Egypt?” (Exodus 14:5-11)
Moses was not really happy about leading the children Israel and the people were definitely not happy right now because they thought they would soon die. “Then the Angel of God, moved the cloud (that was leading them) around behind them…” (Exodus 14:19) To block the Egyptians and God said to Moses, “Use your rod—hold it out over the water, and the sea will open…and all the people of Israel shall WALK THROUGH ON DRY GROUND…The people of Israel went through the sea ON DRY GROUND. There was a wall of water on their right and left side.” (Exodus 14:16, 22) “All of Pharaoh’s horses and chariots chased them. The LORD saw the Egyptian army and threw it into a panic. He kept their chariot wheels from turning freely. The Egyptians said, “Let’s get away from the Israelites! The LORD is fighting for Israel against Egypt…Moses reached his hand out over the sea…the sea went back to its place. The Egyptians tried to run away…The water flowed back and covered the chariots and horsemen. It covered the ENTIRE ARMY of Pharaoh…Not one of the Egyptians was left.” (Exodus 14:23-28)
WHAT THEN SHALL WE SAY TO THESE THINGS? IF GOD IS FOR US, WHO CAN BE AGAINST US? (Romans 8:31)
Your Personal Pastor -Bill Stockham