Long ago, God’s people, the Israelites, were in a very big trouble. They were slaves in Egypt, working very hard and feeling very sad. But God loved them very much. He sent Moses to help them. Moses told the king, called Pharaoh, “Let my people go!” But Pharaoh said, “No!”
One night, God told Moses, “Take my people out of Egypt.” So, Moses and the Israelites packed their bags and left quickly. They walked and walked, following God’s special light that looked like a big cloud by day and a bright fire by night. The people felt scared but also excited. “Where will God take us?” they wondered.
Soon, they came to a big sea called the Red Sea. They saw water everywhere! But then, they saw Pharaoh and his army chasing them. The people were very afraid. “What will we do? The sea is in front, and the soldiers are behind!” they cried. Their hearts were pounding like a drum.
But Moses said, “Don’t be afraid! God will help us.” Moses lifted his staff, and something amazing happened! The wind blew very strong, and the sea began to split. The water moved to the sides like giant walls of water, and the ground in the middle was dry! The Israelites walked right through the sea on dry land. It was like walking through a big water tunnel!
The soldiers tried to follow, but when the Israelites were safe on the other side, God told Moses to stretch out his hand again. The walls of water came crashing down like giant waves. The sea closed, and the soldiers could not catch God’s people.
The Israelites were so happy! They sang songs and danced because God saved them. Their hearts were full of joy and thankfulness. “Thank you, God, for saving us!” they said. They knew God was very powerful and very kind.
This story shows us that God is always with us, even when we are scared. He can do big, wonderful things to help us. We can trust God because He loves us very much.
Questions to think about
- Who helped the Israelites leave Egypt?
- What did Moses do to help the people cross the sea?
- How did the water move when the Israelites crossed?
- Why were the Israelites not afraid?
- What did the people do after they were safe?
Message of the story
God is powerful and loving. He helps us when we are scared and can do amazing things to keep us safe.
Bible passage
Exodus 14:1-31 (World English Bible)
1 The LORD spoke to Moses, saying,
2 “Speak to the children of Israel, that they turn and encamp before Pi-hahiroth, between Migdol and the sea, in front of Baal-zephon, opposite it shall you encamp by the sea.
3 Pharaoh will say of the children of Israel, ‘They are wandering in the land. The wilderness has shut them in.’
4 I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, and he will follow after them. I will be honored through Pharaoh and all his army, and the Egyptians will know that I am the LORD.” So they did so.
5 When the king of Egypt was told that the people had fled, the heart of Pharaoh and his servants was turned against the people, and they said, “Why have we done this, that we have let Israel go from serving us?”
6 So he made ready his chariot, and took his people with him.
7 He took six hundred chosen chariots, and all the chariots of Egypt, with captains over every one of them.
8 The LORD hardened the heart of Pharaoh, king of Egypt, and he pursued the children of Israel.
9 The children of Israel went out with boldness.
