THE L.I.F.E. PLAN THE RED SEA BLOCK 2 THEME 4 - THE WILDERNESS LESSON 1 (49 of 216)
BLOCK 2 THEME 4: THE WILDERNESS LESSON 1 (49 OF 216): THE RED SEA LESSON AIM: God delivered Israel from the pursuing Egyptian Army through the Red Sea. SCRIPTURE: (Exodus 14) 21 And Moses stretched out his hand over the sea; and the LORD caused the sea to go back by a strong east wind all that night, and made the sea dry land, and the waters were divided. 22 And the children of Israel went into the midst of the sea upon the dry ground: and the waters were a wall unto them on their right hand, and on their left. (Exodus 14:21-22) God had just done a miraculous job of delivering Israel from bondage in Egypt after some 430 years. He brought 10 plagues upon the nation to loosen their iron grip from the necks of the chosen people of God. His plan was to take them from Egypt to the land he had been promising them, all the way back to their father, Abraham. The distance from the land of bondage to the land of promise should have taken the Israelites about two weeks to cover. Unfortunately, it took them 40 years to make the journey. This 40 year period is known as the wilderness wanderings. While God had taken them out of Egypt, he would need more time to prepare them to enter his land of promise. This theme of lessons will take a look at how God prepared Israel for the promised land during those 40 years in the wilderness. As the massive crowd of Israelis pulled out of Egypt, it must have seemed like all would be well. They had just seen God humble the proud and haughty Egyptians. They left Egypt with riches, gold and silver jewelry, and changes of clothing. The Egyptians also gave them other things that they would need on their journey. They had literally spoiled the Egyptians as they left their slavery behind them. As you might guess, the jubilation was short lived. About the time that a good distance had been laid between the fleeing Israelis and the spoiled Egyptians, the Pharaoh and his servants realized what a mistake they had made in letting Israel go. In their anger and rage, they mounted up and began to pursue them, intending to bring Israel back into slavery. In the camp of Israel, people were starting to get nervous. Their journey had taken them directly into what appeared to be a trap. On one side of them lay the wilderness. On the other side were the mountains. Directly in front of them was the Red Sea. Retreat was out of the question when the people began to notice the Egyptian Army marching straight toward them. This would be a good time for God to perform another miracle on their behalf. And he did. The situation in which Israel found themselves was no surprise to God. In fact, he planned it all along. As it always is with God, the things he does are done for multiple reasons. One of his reasons for allowing Israel to seem caught in a trap was to finish
the job he was doing in the heart of Pharaoh. The leader of Egypt had allowed his country to worship idols which is the number one offense God addresses in the lives of people. Egypt had mistreated Israel for a long time and it was time to repay that offense. God was in the process of hardening the heart of Pharaoh toward him. This is an act of God that we do not always want to acknowledge, but he often does this in accordance with his purposes. Another reason God led Israel into this trap was for their benefit. He had to show them, and his people after them, that in the times in life when we are closed in on every side, and when it seems that there is no way out, we must look unto God. We must call upon him, and expect him to bring us through the situation. In these times, we can have an experience similar to that of Israel at the Red Sea when God makes a way to bring us through once again. Israel stood before the Red Sea. They could go neither left nor right. The pursuing Egyptians were behind them. At this point, God made a way for their escape and at the same time, to destroy the Egyptian Army. Night began to fall and God stood between the two camps. To the camp of Israel, his presence was light through the night. In the Egyptian camp, his presence was a cloud of darkness. Moses stretched out his hand over the Sea and God caused a strong wind from the east to blow all night long. The wind caused the waters to divide and wall up on either side of a dry path on the Sea bed wide enough for the entire people of Israel to cross over to the other side. The Egyptians also entered the path through the Sea but were led into a trap God had set for them. God caused the wheels of their chariots to come off and closed the pathway through the Sea, allowing the Egyptians to drown to the last man. The Psalm writer wrote of this event in Psalm 77. He said that God lead them to a pathway in the Sea; a pathway no one knew was there. There are many great lessons for the believer from this event. Even when we cannot see a way through a situation, God has one. He keeps it a secret until just the right time. We just have to wait and trust him to reveal it when we need it. Sometimes God waits until the last minute to show the way. This makes life more exciting. In our favorite stories, the hero always comes riding in in the nick of time to save the day. Where do you think that story line comes from? It comes from God s story because this is often how he does it. Another lesson is that, often times, what may seem like a trap for us may actually be a trap God has set for the enemy. He has simply used us as the bait to draw them into the trap. Israel left Egypt on the way to the promised land. The journey was hard, eventful, long, and devastating. God was with them across every mile, through every circumstance, and at every dead end. Israel was not a good learner. God showed himself, his love, provision, and care to them over and over again. The time in the wilderness was used to purge Israel of Egypt. God was there for them but they so often refused to walk with God. God has included their story in his story that we might learn from their example today. Let s walk with God. Let s be aware of his secret pathways he opens to us in those times when we need a way through a difficult situation. Then, let s walk with God after his deliverance.
LESSON OUTLINE BLOCK 2 THEME 4: THE WILDERNESS LESSON 1 (49 OF 216): THE RED SEA I ISRAEL LEAVES EGYPT A. Israel spoils the Egyptians B. The Egyptians pursue Israel C. Israel is trapped at the Red Sea II GOD DELIVERS ISRAEL A. No place to go B. God opens a pathway through the Red Sea C. Israel escapes; Egypt drowns SCRIPTURES TO BROADEN YOUR UNDERSTANDING 1. The distance from Egypt to the promised land Deuteronomy 1:1-3 2. A reference to the wilderness wanderings 1 Corinthians 10:1-14 3. Israel leaves Egypt Exodus 13:18 4. Israel leaves Egypt with riches Exodus 12:35-36 5. Moses song in reference to God s deliverance at the Red Sea Exodus 15:1-21 LINES OF THEOLOGICAL CONNECTION 1. THE DOCTRINE OF GOD Providence Protector of his people Sovereign even over the lost 2. SPIRITUAL WARFARE Idolatry
3. ANTHROPOLOGY Trusting God in difficult times LESSON GLOSSARY 1. Jubilation Happy, joyful 2. Devastating Destructive, ruinous QUESTIONS ANSWER KEY 1. Why were the Israelites nervous about the Egyptians pursuing them? They doubted God s power over the situation 2. What were the reasons God allowed the Israelites to be trapped between the Egyptians and the Red Sea? He was hardening Pharaoh s heart; He was doing it to teach them to count on him in their time of need. 3. How did God rescue the Israelites from the Egyptians? He used his power over the elements to dry out the sea bed at just the right time. 4. We know God works to humble our hearts. What is another work he does in people s hearts that we do not often consider? He also hardens the heart 5. Give an example of how God brought you through what seemed like an impossible situation. Student response 6. Explain the difference in the appearance of God s presence between the camps of Israel and Egypt. Israel - light; Egypt - darkness 7. Do you have an example from your life of a bad situation that God turned to good? What is it? Student response
BLOCK 2 THEME 4: THE WILDERNESS LESSON 1 (49 OF 216): THE RED SEA QUESTIONS TO INSPIRE THOUGHT 1. Why were the Israelites nervous about the Egyptians pursuing them? 2. What were the reasons God allowed the Israelites to be trapped between the Egyptians and the Red Sea? 3. How did God rescue the Israelites from the Egyptians? 4. We know God works to humble our hearts. What is another work he does in people s hearts that we do not often consider? 5. Give an example of how God brought you through what seemed like an impossible situation. 6. Explain the difference in the appearance of God s presence between the camps of Israel and Egypt. 7. Do you have an example from your life of a bad situation that God turned to good? What is it?