God's mighty power had delivered the people of Israel from being slaves in Egypt, and now God was going to take His people to the land of Canaan, which He had given to Abraham.

After the Israelites left their homes in Egypt, they travelled for some time until they reached the edge of the Red Sea.  They had to stop there because they had no boats in which to cross over to the other side.   Now, how do you suppose the Israelites got across the Red Sea? (Let the children respond).

No,they couldn't fly, because there were no aeroplanes in those days.   And they couldn't wade across because the water was too deep and they all would have drowned!  But, God's cloud had led them straight to the edge of the water.  Now, what were they to do?

Pharaoh, the wicked king of Egypt was sorry that he had let them leave Egypt.  He knew which the direction they travelled and that they would have to stop when they reached the Red Sea.  So he called his army out and commanded that they chase after the Israelites to bring them back into slavery!

Pharaoh's army had six hundred two-wheeled chariots that were pulled by horses.  The soldiers rode on the chariots and could fight much better than foot soldiers.  It was like having lots of tanks in one of today's armies.  And so Pharaoh was sure he would have no difficulty at all in re-capturing the Israelites, because they had no army and no chariots!

The Israelites started to get fearful when they heard the rumble of the Egyptian chariots that were chasing after them.  They went to complain to Moses and told him that they wished they had stayed in Egypt!  Poor Moses!  But, actually they were complaining to God, for He had told Moses to lead them this way.

What do you suppose Moses did? (Let the children respond).  Well, Moses told the people that God would fight for them, and that they weren't to worry.  And then Moses prayed to God for help.  God told Moses that he should tell the people to go forward.  Go forward?  That was impossible because the sea was right in front of them!

It was dark by this time, and the cloud which guided the Israelites now moved in between them and the Egyptian army.  On Israel's side, the cloud was bright like fire, but on the Egyptian side it was pitch black and so Pharoah's army was unable to see or catch the Israelites!

In the meantime, God told Moses to hold his rod over the sea.  When Moses did this, what do you suppose God did? (Let the children respond).  Yes, God caused a strong wind to blow over the water all that night and a dry passageway was formed in the sea!  The waters of the Red Sea had parted and now the Israelites could march across on dry land to the other shore.  And they didn't even get their feet wet!

The Egyptians soon found out what had happened and decided that if the Israelites could cross over that way, so could they!  Do you think that was a wise thing to do? (Let the children respond).

Well, they started to follow, but as soon as a the people of Israel were safely on the other side, God caused the wind to stop blowing, and the waters rushed back into their regular place.  And the Egyptiaqns?  Every single Egyptian chariot, horse and soldier was drowned!   In this wonderful way God saved His people from their former slave masters.

When the Israelites saw how God had saved them from the Egyptian army, and brought them through the Red Sea to safety, they were very happy.  In Exodus 15:1-2, Moses and all the children of Israel sang a song of praise to God:

"I will sing unto the LORD, for He has triumphed gloriously:
the horse and his rider has He thrown into the sea.
The Lord is my strength and song, and He has become my salvation.
He is my God, and I will praise Him!"

It was God's mighty power that delivered the people of Israel from being slaves in Egypt, and God continued to do wonderful things for them.   God promised to bring His people into the land of Canaan, and He kept His promise!

God is still the same today and always keeps His promises.  In Jeremiah 33:3, God said:

"Call unto Me and I will answer you,
and show you great and mighty things you do not know."

In Matthew 7:11b and 21:22, Jesus said:

And so when you have a need, remember how God saved the people of Israel and helped them cross the Red Sea.  Pray every day to God and He will guide and protect you.  He will also answer your prayers and meet your needs!

God bless.