Crossing the Red Sea

God's people, Israel, had been slaves in Egypt for a long, long time. Now God was leading them out. By day a tall pillar of cloud went in front of them, and by night a pillar of fire gave them light. God never took it away.

But Pharaoh, the king of Egypt, changed his mind. "Why did we let Israel go?" he said. He took six hundred chariots and all his army, and he chased after them.

Israel was camped beside the Red Sea. When the people saw the Egyptians coming, they were very afraid, and they cried out. But Moses said, "Do not be afraid. Stand still, and see how the LORD will save you today. The LORD will fight for you."

God said to Moses, "Lift up your rod and stretch out your hand over the sea." Moses did. All night God sent a strong east wind, and the sea opened up! The people of Israel walked through the middle on dry ground, with the water standing like a wall on their right hand and on their left.

The Egyptians chased them right into the sea. But God made their chariot wheels come off, so they could hardly drive. Then Moses stretched out his hand again, and the water rushed back. It covered Pharaoh's whole army. Not one of them was left.

So the LORD saved Israel that day. When the people saw the great thing God had done, they trusted the LORD and his servant Moses.