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One of the most dramatic rescues that has ever occurred is the deliverance of the children of Israel from the plague of death and from Egyptian slavery.
Israel and the Exodus .—The principal events of the Mosaic dispensation were the exodus from Egypt and the establishment of Israel as an independent nation, under the leadership of their great prophet and lawgiver, Moses. Both these events foreshadowed greater ones, namely: the world's deliverance from the bondage of sin and death, and the establishment upon earth of the Kingdom that shall stand forever.
In many ways this rescue symbolizes an even greater rescue which is our deliverance from sin and death through the Savior’s atoning sacrifice. A study of this event will encourage us to trust the Lord to fulfill his promises, to increase our appreciation for the Savior’s atoning sacrifice, and to make the sacrament more meaningful in our lives. Three very important needs in our daily lives to help us return to our home with Father.
So, lets talk some history.
Jacob, as we have we learned, and his family moved to Egypt, the Israelites lived there for 430 years. During that time, a Pharaoh arose who enslaved them and imposed heavy burdens on them. As Joseph had prophesied, the Lord raised up Moses to deliver the children of Israel 2 Nephi 3:10
1. Moses
We all know the story of the birth of Moses, how he was saved, and raised in the house of Pharaoh, as the son of his daughter; but little is said of the youth of Moses. Stephen, however, in the New Testament gives us this insight: "And when he was cast out, Pharaoh's daughter took him up, and nourished him for her own son. And Moses was learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and was mighty in words and in deeds" Acts 7:21-22
"And when he was full forty years old, it came into his heart to visit his brethren the children of Israel. And seeing one of them suffer wrong, he defended him, and avenged him that was oppressed, and smote the Egyptian" Acts 7:23-24
When Pharaoh found out about this act of Moses, he sought to slay him. But Moses fled from the face of Pharaoh, and dwelt in the land of Midian." Exodus 2:15
I must admit when reading this account of Moses the first thing I thought of was "The Ten Commandments" movie. But not much was actually said about Moses during this time in the scriptures. So we move to Midian where things begin.
In Midian, Moses became acquainted with Reuel or Jethro. Jethro was a descendant of Abraham and Moses married his daughter Zipporah, who she bore him two sons. In reading this part of the scripture most assume that it was here that Moses began to be taught the true gospel, however with the blessing of revelation we learn more.
Robert J. Matthews: "The Bible informs us that Moses, while in Midian for forty years, became the son-in-law of Jethro and the keeper of the sheep; but this record is silent about any spiritual activities of Moses during this period. In fact it says only that Jethro was the priest of Midian. However, from modern revelation we learn that it was Jethro (a descendant of Abraham through Abraham's wife Keturah and thus a non-Israelite) who ordained Moses to the Melchizedek Priesthood (D&C 84:6). This was done through a priesthood line outside of Israel. We are accustomed to thinking of ancient priesthood holders such as Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Ephraim, and so on, but here we learn that others also had the holy priesthood of God." (A Bible! A Bible!, p60)
As Moses was tending the flocks of Jethro at Mt. Horeb or Sinai, he was visited by the Lord.(Exodus 3:2) "And the angel of the LORD appeared unto him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush."
The Joseph Smith Translation, however reads a bit different giving us better understanding: "And again, the presence of the Lord appeared unto him, in a flame of fire in the midst of a bush." (Joseph Smith Translation Exodus 3:2). With this translation we can see that Moses was being taught and groomed before this meeting but it was here that Moses was officially called by the Lord for his mission to free Israel.
2. Moses Called by the Lord Exodus 3-4
How did the Lord call Moses to deliver Israel from bondage? Exodus 3:1–4.
1 Now Moses kept the flock of Jethro his father in law, the priest of Midian: and he led the flock to the backside of the desert, and came to the mountain of God, even to Horeb.
2 And the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush: and he looked, and, behold, the bush burned with fire, and the bush was not consumed.
3 And Moses said, I will now turn aside, and see this great sight, why the bush is not burnt.
4 And when the Lord saw that he turned aside to see, God called unto him out of the midst of the bush, and said, Moses, Moses. And he said, Here am I.
What did the Lord tell Moses while calling him? Exodus 3:5–10
5 And he said, Draw not nigh hither: put off thy shoes from off thy feet, for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground.
6 Moreover he said, I am the God of thy father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. And Moses hid his face; for he was afraid to look upon God.
7 ¶ And the Lord said, I have surely seen the affliction of my people which are in Egypt, and have heard their cry by reason of their taskmasters; for I know their sorrows;
8 And I am come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians, and to bring them up out of that land unto a good land and a large, unto a land flowing with milk and honey; unto the place of the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites.
9 Now therefore, behold, the cry of the children of Israel is come unto me: and I have also seen the oppression wherewith the Egyptians oppress them.
10 Come now therefore, and I will send thee unto Pharaoh, that thou mayest bring forth my people the children of Israel out of Egypt.
What can we learn about the Lord from his calling of Moses? The Lord knows his people, is merciful to them, wants to bless them, and keeps his promises to them.
Imagine, if you will, you are a part of the children of Israel living in Egypt. For generations you have been taught that you are God’s covenant people and that he will fulfill the promises he made to Abraham. Yet now you are slaves, living in oppression and bondage.
What can we learn from this circumstance that can help us when we experience adversity? God does not forget us in our adversity, as he showed by calling Moses and eventually delivering Israel. But usually he does not deliver us from trials immediately. No matter how long the trial, we should continue to pray to him, trusting that he loves us and will have all things work together for our good if we obey him. D&C 90:24; 98:3; Mosiah 24:14–15.
How have you received comfort and help from the Lord during times of adversity? Thinking about our adversity in the past or what may be in the present now, and remembering how the Lord has helped us in many different ways as we struggle, can give us strength to not give up and keep calling on him, it can help us to be steady. As you think on your trails, your adversity record your thoughts in your journal!
What did Moses say when the Lord called him to deliver Israel? Exodus 3:11; 4:1, 10
11 ¶ And Moses said unto God, Who am I, that I should go unto Pharaoh, and that I should bring forth the children of Israel out of Egypt?
1 And Moses answered and said, But, behold, they will not believe me, nor hearken unto my voice: for they will say, The Lord hath not appeared unto thee.
**In the King James Version of the bible, I AM is used for the Lord. In the Hebrew text YHWH is the word that has been translated for this, which in this instance is to mean HE IS or HE EXISTS
14 And God said unto Moses, I Am That I Am: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I Am hath sent me unto you.
In what ways did Moses feel inadequate? What assurances did the Lord give him? Exodus 3:12; 4:11–12
12 And he said, Certainly I will be with thee; and this shall be a token unto thee, that I have sent thee: When thou hast brought forth the people out of Egypt, ye shall serve God upon this mountain.
11 And the Lord said unto him, Who hath made man’s mouth? or who maketh the dumb, or deaf, or the seeing, or the blind? have not I the Lord?
12 Now therefore go, and I will be with thy mouth, and teach thee what thou shalt say.
How do you feel when you receive a calling from the Lord? Scared maybe, unqualified, nervous, slow of speech as Moses stated, worried about what others will think...
Why might some feelings of inadequacy be good? They keep us humble. All must learn to trust in the power of the Lord. Moroni taught that the Lord specifically gives individuals weaknesses so that they will be humble. But if they have enough faith in God His grace is sufficient to make weak things become strong for them. In our callings if we continue calling upon the Lord, staying connected with the spirit so that we serve valiantly as HE desires for us to do all will work for the good.
How has the Lord helped you in callings for which you felt inadequate?
What did Moses sacrifice by accepting the call to lead his people? Hebrews 11:24–26
24 By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter;
25 Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;
26 Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward.
What do we sacrifice by accepting calls to serve the Lord?
Why is it important that we be willing to sacrifice for the Lord? We may sometimes feel reluctant to do what the Lord asks because of fear or because we do not think it is possible. It is important to remember that the Lord loves us and knows us, if HE sees fit to call us to help and aid in HIS work, we should count it a blessing and do not deny HIM, for HE is so merciful to us in the answer of our prayers. The best way we can show our gratitude for all that we receive is to serve as we are called upon to do so.
3. The Lord sends plagues upon Egypt Exodus 5–6
Moses was commanded to go to Pharaoh and request the release of the
Israelites. He approached Pharaoh many times and asked him to free Israel. Despite signs, wonders, and plagues, Pharaoh refused.
In learning about the signs and wonders and how this scene plays out we read that Moses is commanded to show his wonders before Pharaoh to obtain the release
of captive Israel. The Lord says that he "will harden" the heart
of Pharaoh. As I read this verse, I wondered why the Lord would harden someone's heart for bad things to happen. But In turning
to the Joseph Smith Translation, we find clarity: "And the Lord said unto Moses, When thou goest
to return into Egypt, see that thou do all those wonders before Pharaoh,
which I have put in thine hand, and I will prosper thee; but Pharaoh will
harden his heart, and he will not let the people go."
(Joseph Smith Translation Exodus 4:21)
After receiving this instruction from the Lord, Moses, along with his wife and family returned to Egypt. Aaron, his brother, was commanded by the Lord to go into the wilderness and meet Moses and was also commanded to be his help. The begin in Exodus 5 to magnify their callings.
"And afterward Moses and Aaron went in, and told
Pharaoh, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, Let my people go, that they
may hold a feast unto me in the wilderness. And Pharaoh said, Who is the
LORD, that I should obey his voice to let Israel go? I know not the LORD,
neither will I let Israel go."
How did Pharaoh respond the first time Moses and Aaron asked him to let the children of Israel go? Exodus 5:1–9
1 And afterward Moses and Aaron went in, and told Pharaoh, Thus saith the Lord God of Israel, Let my people go, that they may hold a feast unto me in the wilderness.
2 And Pharaoh said, Who is the Lord, that I should obey his voice to let Israel go? I know not the Lord, neither will I let Israel go.
3 And they said, The God of the Hebrews hath met with us: let us go, we pray thee, three days’ journey into the desert, and sacrifice unto the Lord our God; lest he fall upon us with pestilence, or with the sword.
4 And the king of Egypt said unto them, Wherefore do ye, Moses and Aaron, let the people from their works? get you unto your burdens.
5 And Pharaoh said, Behold, the people of the land now are many, and ye make them rest from their burdens.
6 And Pharaoh commanded the same day the taskmasters of the people, and their officers, saying,
7 Ye shall no more give the people straw to make brick, as heretofore: let them go and gather straw for themselves.
8 And the tale of the bricks, which they did make heretofore, ye shall lay upon them; ye shall not diminish ought thereof: for they be idle; therefore they cry, saying, Let us go and sacrifice to our God.
9 Let there more work be laid upon the men, that they may labour therein; and let them not regard vain words.
How did the children of Israel respond to this trial? Exodus 5:15–21
15 ¶ Then the officers of the children of Israel came and cried unto Pharaoh, saying, Wherefore dealest thou thus with thy servants?
16 There is no straw given unto thy servants, and they say to us, Make brick: and, behold, thy servants are beaten; but the fault is in thine own people.
17 But he said, Ye are idle, ye are idle: therefore ye say, Let us go and do sacrifice to the Lord.
18 Go therefore now, and work; for there shall no straw be given you, yet shall ye deliver the tale of bricks.
19 And the officers of the children of Israel did see that they were in evil case, after it was said, Ye shall not minish ought from your bricks of your daily task.
20 ¶ And they met Moses and Aaron, who stood in the way, as they came forth from Pharaoh:
21 And they said unto them, The Lord look upon you, and judge; because ye have made our savour to be abhorred in the eyes of Pharaoh, and in the eyes of his servants, to put a sword in their hand to slay us.
How did Moses respond to it? Exodus 5:22–23
22 And Moses returned unto the Lord, and said, Lord, wherefore hast thou so evil entreated this people? why is it that thou hast sent me?
23 For since I came to Pharaoh to speak in thy name, he hath done evil to this people; neither hast thou delivered thy people at all.
What can we learn from this account? One thing we can learn is the need for patience in adversity. The Lord will fulfill his promises, though he may not do so at the time or in the way we expect.
After Pharaoh increased Israel’s burdens, the Lord repeated His promises to Moses. What were these promises? Exodus 6:4–8
4 And I have also established my covenant with them, to give them the land of Canaan, the land of their pilgrimage, wherein they were strangers.
5 And I have also heard the groaning of the children of Israel, whom the Egyptians keep in bondage; and I have remembered my covenant.
6 Wherefore say unto the children of Israel, I am the Lord, and I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, and I will rid you out of their bondage, and I will redeem you with a stretched out arm, and with great judgments:
7 And I will take you to me for a people, and I will be to you a God: and ye shall know that I am the Lord your God, which bringeth you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians.
8 And I will bring you in unto the land, concerning the which I did swear to give it to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob; and I will give it you for an heritage: I am the Lord.
How did the children of Israel respond when Moses reminded them of these promises? Exodus 6:9
9 ¶ And Moses spake so unto the children of Israel: but they hearkened not unto Moses for anguish of spirit, and for cruel bondage.
Why do some of us stop listening to the prophets and believing God’s promises during times of trial?
How can we maintain faith in God during adversity? If we look unto God with firmness of mind and pray with exceeding faith, He will console us in our afflictions.
How did Moses respond when the Lord asked him to go before Pharaoh a second time to request Israel’s freedom? Exodus 6:10–12
10 And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying,
11 Go in, speak unto Pharaoh king of Egypt, that he let the children of Israel go out of his land.
12 And Moses spake before the Lord, saying, Behold, the children of Israel have not hearkened unto me; how then shall Pharaoh hear me, who am of uncircumcised lips?
How has the Lord helped you when you have felt doubt or fear?
Following these events in Exodus 7–10, Moses is appointed to give the word of the Lord to Pharaoh. The Lord multiplies signs and wonders in Egypt and Aaron’s rod becomes a serpent. Also the river is turned into blood, and the magicians imitate the miracles of Moses and Aaron. The Lord then sends plagues of frogs, lice, and flies upon Egypt but Pharaoh hardens his heart. After this the Lord destroys the cattle of the Egyptians, but not of the Israelites. Boils and blains are sent upon the Egyptians and The Lord sends hail and fire upon the people of Pharaoh, but not upon the people of Israel. This is followed by a plague of locusts, followed by thick darkness in all Egypt for three days and Moses is cast out from the presence of Pharaoh. We now come to the instruction of Passover.
4. Passover Exodus 11–13
What was the purpose of the first Passover? Exodus 12:12–13, 22–23.
12 For I will pass through the land of Egypt this night, and will smite all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgment: I am the Lord.
13 And the blood shall be to you for a token upon the houses where ye are: and when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy you, when I smite the land of Egypt.
22 And ye shall take a bunch of hyssop, and dip it in the blood that is in the basin, and strike the lintel and the two side posts with the blood that is in the basin; and none of you shall go out at the door of his house until the morning.
23 For the Lord will pass through to smite the Egyptians; and when he seeth the blood upon the lintel, and on the two side posts, the Lord will pass over the door, and will not suffer the destroyer to come in unto your houses to smite you.
Why did the Lord want Israel to continue to keep the Feast of the Passover in future years? Exodus 12:24–27, 42; 13:1–10
24 And ye shall observe this thing for an ordinance to thee and to thy sons for ever.
25 And it shall come to pass, when ye be come to the land which the Lord will give you, according as he hath promised, that ye shall keep this service.
26 And it shall come to pass, when your children shall say unto you, What mean ye by this service?
27 That ye shall say, It is the sacrifice of the Lord’s passover, who passed over the houses of the children of Israel in Egypt, when he smote the Egyptians, and delivered our houses. And the people bowed the head and worshipped.
42 It is a night to be much observed unto the Lord for bringing them out from the land of Egypt: this is that night of the Lord to be observed of all the children of Israel in their generations.
1 And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying,
2 Sanctify unto me all the firstborn, whatsoever openeth the womb among the children of Israel, both of man and of beast: it is mine.
3 ¶ And Moses said unto the people, Remember this day, in which ye came out from Egypt, out of the house of bondage; for by strength of hand the Lord brought you out from this place: there shall no leavened bread be eaten.
4 This day came ye out in the month Abib.
5 ¶ And it shall be when the Lord shall bring thee into the land of the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Amorites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites, which he sware unto thy fathers to give thee, a land flowing with milk and honey, that thou shalt keep this service in this month.
6 Seven days thou shalt eat unleavened bread, and in the seventh day shall be a feast to the Lord.
7 Unleavened bread shall be eaten seven days; and there shall no leavened bread be seen with thee, neither shall there be leaven seen with thee in all thy quarters.
8 ¶ And thou shalt shew thy son in that day, saying, This is done because of that which the Lord did unto me when I came forth out of Egypt.
9 And it shall be for a sign unto thee upon thine hand, and for a memorial between thine eyes, that the Lord’s law may be in thy mouth: for with a strong hand hath the Lord brought thee out of Egypt.
10 Thou shalt therefore keep this ordinance in his season from year to year.
In addition to reminding Israel that God had protected them from the plague of death and delivered them from the Egyptians, the Passover also symbolized an important future event. What was this event? The atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, which delivers us from sin and death. 1 Corinthians 5:7
7 Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us:
How did the Passover symbolize the Atonement?
- The children of Israel were to use a firstborn male lamb without blemish in the Passover (Exodus 12:5). The Savior is the firstborn Son of God, the Lamb of God without spot or blemish (1 Peter 1:19).
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The children of Israel were to sprinkle the blood of the lamb on their doorposts to save their firstborn from death (Exodus 12:7, 22–23). The Savior’s blood, which he shed in Gethsemane and on the cross, cleanses the faithful and saves them from spiritual death (Mosiah 4:2).
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The children of Israel were to eat unleavened bread (Exodus 12:8, 15–20). “Leaven, or yeast, was seen anciently as a symbol of corruption because it so easily spoiled and turned moldy. … For the Israelites, eating the unleavened bread symbolized that they were partaking of the bread which had no corruption or impurity, namely, the Bread of Life, who is Jesus Christ (see John 6:35)” (Old Testament Student Manual: Genesis–2 Samuel [1981], 119). The removal of leaven also suggested repentance, or the removal of sin from a person’s life.
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The children of Israel were to eat the Passover meal in haste (Exodus 12:11). Like the Israelites, we need to respond eagerly and immediately to the deliverance that the Savior offers us.
- At the Last Supper, the Savior instituted the sacrament in place of the Passover Matthew 26:19, 26–28
- What similarities are there between the Passover and the sacrament? Exodus 12:14; 13:9–10; D&C 20:75–79
- 14 And this day shall be unto you for a memorial; and ye shall keep it a feast to the Lord throughout your generations; ye shall keep it a feast by an ordinance for ever.
- 9 And it shall be for a sign unto thee upon thine hand, and for a memorial between thine eyes, that the Lord’s law may be in thy mouth: for with a strong hand hath the Lord brought thee out of Egypt.10 Thou shalt therefore keep this ordinance in his season from year to year.
- Elder Howard W. Hunter taught that at the Passover meal that is now known as the Last Supper, “the bread and wine, rather than the animals and herbs, [became] emblems of the great Lamb’s body and blood, emblems to be eaten and drunk reverently and in remembrance of him forever. “In this simple but impressive manner the Savior instituted the ordinance now known as the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper. With the suffering of Gethsemane, the sacrifice of Calvary, and the resurrection from a garden tomb, Jesus fulfilled the ancient law and ushered in a new dispensation based on a higher, holier understanding of the law of sacrifice. No more would men be required to offer the firstborn lamb from their flock, because the Firstborn of God had come to offer himself as an ‘infinite and eternal sacrifice’” (Conference Report, Apr. 1985, 22; or Ensign, May 1985, 19)
- Elder Hunter also said that just as the Passover was a covenant of protection for ancient Israel, the sacrament is a “new covenant of safety” for us (Conference Report, Apr. 1974, 24; or Ensign, May 1974, 18)
- How is the sacrament a covenant of safety for us? The sacrament reminds us of the Savior’s atoning sacrifice, which brings eternal safety by freeing us from the bonds of sin and death. The covenants we renew as we partake of the sacrament also help provide us eternal safety.
- Elder Jeffrey R. Holland asked: “Do we see [the sacrament] as our passover, remembrance of our safety and deliverance and redemption? “With so very much at stake, this ordinance commemorating our escape from the angel of darkness should be taken more seriously than it sometimes is. It should be a powerful, reverent, reflective moment. It should encourage spiritual feelings and impressions” (Conference Report, Oct. 1995, 89; or Ensign, Nov. 1995, 68)
- In his instructions about the Passover, the Lord emphasized the need for parents to teach their children its significance Exodus 12:26–27; 13:8, 14
- Why was it important that Israelite parents do this? How might this apply to our day? Like ancient Israel, we should teach our children the significance of the sacrament and other ordinances that remind us of the Lord’s hand in delivering us from sin and death.
- 5.The children of Israel cross the Red Sea Exodus 14
- In Chapter 14 Israel goes out of Egypt and passes through the Red Sea on dry ground. After Pharaoh let the children of Israel leave Egypt, he turned against them and sent his army after them, then the Lord overthrows the Egyptians in the midst of the sea. Exodus 14:5–9
- What did the children of Israel do when they saw the advancing army? Exodus 14:10–12
- 10 ¶ And when Pharaoh drew nigh, the children of Israel lifted up their eyes, and, behold, the Egyptians marched after them; and they were sore afraid: and the children of Israel cried out unto the Lord.11 And they said unto Moses, Because there were no graves in Egypt, hast thou taken us away to die in the wilderness? wherefore hast thou dealt thus with us, to carry us forth out of Egypt?12 Is not this the word that we did tell thee in Egypt, saying, Let us alone, that we may serve the Egyptians? For it had been better for us to serve the Egyptians, than that we should die in the wilderness.
- President Lorenzo Snow: "It appears that the children of Israel at the time referred to in the passage I have read, were not very well acquainted with the Lord, or with His ability to carry out His purposes. They, however, had not the opportunities of becoming acquainted with Him, as have the Latter-day Saints. They had seen some of the works of the Lord wrought in the presence of the Egyptians as well as in their own presence; but their hearts had not been touched, neither had their understandings been enlightened by the intelligence of the Holy Spirit, as has been the case with the Latter-day Saints; and therefore, when they were brought to face the Red Sea, which, to all human appearance, was impassable, and with the armies of the Egyptians pressing close upon them, their hearts failed them." (Journal of Discourses, 23:150)
- What did Moses tell the children of Israel when their faith faltered? Exodus 14:13–14
- 13 ¶ And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will shew to you to day: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen to day, ye shall see them again no more for ever.14 The Lord shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace.
- How can we develop faith that is strong enough to sustain us when we are filled with fear? Faith requires action. Developing the kind of faith that replaces fear with power and love will take effort and practice. You can’t just wait for faith to come to you. You need to develop it.
- Our ability to exercise faith seems to depend in great measure on our confidence in our own righteousness. I don’t think that we are expected to live a perfect life before we can have any faith, but certainly we must be constantly working toward perfection. Our keeping of the commandments and our participation in the Church should be more than just routine and perfunctory. There needs to be an earnest desire, a hungering and thirsting after righteousness. We need to be “anxiously engaged in a good cause.” (D&C 58:27; italics added.) We need to have communion with our Father in heaven, rather than just say prayers. (Larry Hiller, How Can I develop greater Faith, January 1979 Ensign)
- How did the Lord save the children of Israel from the advancing Egyptian army? Exodus 14:21–31
- 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.23 ¶ And the Egyptians pursued, and went in after them to the midst of the sea, even all Pharaoh’s horses, his chariots, and his horsemen.24 And it came to pass, that in the morning watch the Lord looked unto the host of the Egyptians through the pillar of fire and of the cloud, and troubled the host of the Egyptians,25 And took off their chariot wheels, that they drave them heavily: so that the Egyptians said, Let us flee from the face of Israel; for the Lord fighteth for them against the Egyptians.26 ¶ And the Lord said unto Moses, Stretch out thine hand over the sea, that the waters may come again upon the Egyptians, upon their chariots, and upon their horsemen.27 And Moses stretched forth his hand over the sea, and the sea returned to his strength when the morning appeared; and the Egyptians fled against it; and the Lord overthrew the Egyptians in the midst of the sea.28 And the waters returned, and covered the chariots, and the horsemen, and all the host of Pharaoh that came into the sea after them; there remained not so much as one of them.29 But the children of Israel walked upon dry land in the midst of the sea; and the waters were a wall unto them on their right hand, and on their left.30 Thus the Lord saved Israel that day out of the hand of the Egyptians; and Israel saw the Egyptians dead upon the sea shore.31 And Israel saw that great work which the Lord did upon the Egyptians: and the people feared the Lord, and believed the Lord, and his servant Moses.
- How can this story help us in times of trial?
- Conclusion
- The life of Moses was a similitude of the Savior and the Key to his character was his meekness, and the capacity to be molded by the Lord and His Spirit. Analyze our life so that like Moses, you can identify your weaknesses and purge yourself of them. Take up the assignment the Lord has for you in this life. Just as the Lord fulfilled his promise to deliver the Israelites from bondage, he will fulfill his promises to us as we increase our appreciation for the Savior’s atoning sacrifice and to partake of the sacrament worthily and thoughtfully, keeping the covenant to “always remember him” D&C 20:77
- Resources
- Journal of Discourses
- Ensign
- Old Testament Student Manual
- A Bible! A Bible!, p60
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