The People of Israel (1417 BC)
29 By
faith the people passed through the Red Sea as on dry land; but when the
Egyptians tried to do so, they were drowned. Hebrews 11:29
(NIV)
READ: Exodus 14
Israel was constituted as a
nation at the time of the exodus. The
going out from Egypt is the beginning of their national history. The book of Genesis provides us with the biographies
of the patriarchs who become the nation of Israel. Then the book of Exodus opens with the
Hebrews as unorganized slaves in Egypt.
With the exodus and the deliverance from slavery in Egypt, the
Israelites become a nation and enter the course of national development which
is recorded in the historical books of the Bible. Connected with the exodus were mighty works
of God beginning with the plagues. These
showed God’s control over nature and finally persuaded Pharaoh to let the
Israelites to leave Egypt. The opening
of the Red Sea to le the Israelites cross and the destruction of the coming
Egyptian army by the waters was further evidences of God’s hand in the
deliverance of the Israelites. The
difference between the Israelites crossing the Red Sea and the Egyptians who
followed them was not courage but faith.
While scholars like to debate dates and places the important thing about
the exodus was the fact that God had delivered them from bondage and had called
them to be His chosen people with a unique role in history. These great events were commemorated each
spring in the Passover festival.
1. Where do you feel weak in your faith?
2. Ask God how He wants to grow your faith this summer. What does He want to do in your heart?
3. Thank God for what He has shown you, and pray that it would become a reality in your life.
