cbl-2-8

Israel Leaves Egypt

n the previous Lesson, we learnedabout the many plagues that God

brought upon Egypt. Moses andAaron spoke to Pharaoh one lasttime and described the final plaguethat would strike the Egyptians.However, because God hardenedhis heart, Pharaoh wouldnot let the Israelitesleave.

Death of the Firstborn

Moses told the Israelitesthat all the firstborn ofpeople and animals inEgypt would soon die.But God would protectthe Israelites from thisfinal plague if theyobeyed Him.

On the 10th day of themonth of Abib, a manfrom every Israelitehousehold was to take ahealthy male lamb. Onthe 14th day of Abib,they were to kill the lambin the evening and put

some of the blood on the doorpostsof their houses. They were told toroast the entire lamb and eat itquickly with bitter herbs andunleavened bread. Also, sandalswere to be on their feet, and a staffwas to be in their hands.

I

1 CHILDREN’S BIBLE LESSONIllustrations by Paula Rondeau

Israel Leaves Egypt

An angel would pass through theland of Egypt that night and kill allthe firstborn of man and animal.But when the angel saw the bloodon the doorposts of the Israelites, hewould pass over their homes, andno one would be harmed. Moses

explained that this was thePassover, and a memorial to be keptforever. (A memorial is somethingthat helps you remember a specialevent.)

On the 14th day, the Israelites didas they were commanded, and none

2LEVEL 2 / LESSON 8

3 CHILDREN’S BIBLE LESSON

of their firstborn were killed. But inEgypt, there was great sadness andcrying because of all the dead first-born.

The Exodus

Pharaoh called forMoses and Aaron thatvery night. He and theother Egyptians wanted theIsraelites to leave Egypt quicklybecause they were afraid theywould all die!

The Egyptians gave the Israelitessilver, gold and clothing. Some ofthe Egyptians were prepared to

leave Egypt with theIsraelites.

On the 15th of Abib,at least two to threemillion people leftEgypt with theirbelongings, including

animals and unleavened dough. Thebones of Joseph, who died manyyears before, were also taken out ofEgypt. This was a very happy night

for the Israelites. Today, we call itthe “Night to be Much Observed.”

While the Israelites journeyed,God used a pillar of cloud to leadthem during the day. This shieldedthem from the scorching sun. Atnight, He used a pillar of fire to givethem light.

Crossing the Red Sea

After the Israelites left Egypt,Pharaoh was sorry that he let themleave. Who would be his slaves anddo all his hard work? Pharaohdecided to send 600 of his bestchariots and their captains after theformer slaves. The Israelites soonrealized they were being chased!

The mountains and the Red Seawere on one side of the Israelites,and the Egyptians were on theother. The Israelites became wor-ried and cried out to God. Theycomplained to Moses, saying,“Have you brought us out of Egyptto die in the wilderness? It wouldhave been better if we had juststayed in Egypt and been Pharaoh’sslaves.”

But Moses told the people not tobe afraid, because God would pro-tect them. The Israelites would

never see Pharaoh and his armyagain! The Egyptians could not seethe Israelites because a cloud ofdarkness was blocking their view.But the Israelites could see becausethe pillar of fire gave them light.

God told Moses to lift up his rodand stretch his hand over the sea.

4LEVEL 2 / LESSON 8

5 CHILDREN’S BIBLE LESSON

Moses did as God instructed, andsoon a wind came from the east. Itblew so strong that the sea divided,and the sea floor became dry! TheIsraelites saw a wall of water ontheir right and their left sides asthey walked through.

The Egyptians followed theIsraelites into the parted Red Sea.The wheels on their chariots startedfalling off. Some of the troopswanted to leave because they real-ized that God was fighting for theIsraelites.

But before Pharaoh’s army coulddo so, God told Moses to stretch outhis hand over the sea. Moses did asGod commanded, and the walls of

water came crashing down on theEgyptians and their chariots! Everysoldier died.

Moses and the children of Israelsang a song that praised God for thegreat and powerful miracle He did.Miriam (Moses’ and Aaron’s sister)and other Israelite women sang anddanced with timbrels. The Israeliteswere filled with joy on this specialday, the last Day of UnleavenedBread.

Waters Made Sweet

The Israelites left the shores of theRed Sea. They journeyed for threedays in the wilderness without find-ing water. Finally, they found waterat a place that was later calledMarah. But they could not drink itbecause it was bitter. After Mosesheard the Israelites’ complaints, he

prayed to God for help. God toldMoses to throw a certain tree intothe water. Moses did as God com-manded. Another miracle was done:the bitter water became sweet! Godsaid, “You will not suffer any of thediseases that I have put on theEgyptians if you obey Me.” Hecontinued, “I am the God who healsyou.”

The children of Israel traveledfarther, and then camped at a placecalled Elim. There were 12 wells ofwater and 70 palm trees.

Food From Heaven

The Israelites left Elim andcame to the Wilderness ofSin. About a month hadpassed since they hadleft Egypt. Theyhad little food left.Once again, theycomplained toMoses and Aaron.Thinking they

would starve to death in the wilder-ness, the people wished they hadstayed in Egypt. God told Mosesthat He would provide food for theIsraelites.

That evening, quail covered thecamp. The Israelites enjoyed meatfor dinner! The next morning, the

6LEVEL 2 / LESSON 8

7 CHILDREN’S BIBLE LESSON

ground was covered with some-thing that looked like frost, but itwas actually food! The Israelitescalled this small, white, round stuff“manna”, which means, “What isit?” They discovered that it tastedlike wafers made with honey. It didnot stay on the ground all day, how-ever. When the sun became hot, themanna melted.

Each morning, the Israeliteswere to gather enough manna forthe entire day, but they were not tosave any for the next day. But noteveryone obeyed. Some people leftmanna in their tents overnight. Thenext morning, their tents were filledwith an awful smell! The mannawas rotten and full of worms!

On the sixth day of the week, theIsraelites were to do something spe-

cial. They were to gather extramanna for the seventh day, theSabbath, because it is a day of rest.God would not provide the specialbread on the Sabbath. When theIsraelites awakened Sabbath morn-ing, the manna was still fresh. It didnot stink or have worms.

But some people disobeyed God.They went out Sabbath morning togather manna, but did not find any.Their disobedience made Godangry. God is full of mercy, and Heexplained that the Sabbath was agift from Him so the people couldrest and worship Him.

Through Moses, God instructedAaron to keep some manna in a potso the Israelites’ descendants couldsee how the people before themwere fed in the wilderness. TheIsraelites continued eating mannafor forty years, until they came tothe land of Canaan.

Water From a Rock

The children of Israel left theWilderness of Sin and came to aplace called Rephidim. They andtheir animals were thirsty, but therewas no water to drink. They com-plained to Moses, saying, “Why did

8LEVEL 2 / LESSON 8

you bring us out of Egypt to kill us,our children and our animals withthirst?” They thought that God wasno longer with them.

Moses prayed to God and askedHim what he should do. God told himto strike a rock with his rod. Mosesdid as God commanded and water

came out of the rock! The Israeliteshad plenty of water to drink!

War With the Amalekites

While the Israelites were camped atRephidim, the Amalekites attacked.The Amalekites were descendants

9 CHILDREN’S BIBLE LESSON

10LEVEL 2 / LESSON 8

of Esau, and the Israelites weredescendants of Jacob (Esau’s broth-er). They were distant cousins.

Moses told Joshua to choosesome men and fight against theAmalekites. Moses went up to thetop of a nearby hill. When Mosesheld up his hands, Israel did well inthe battle. But when he lowered hishands, the Amalekites did well.

Moses held up his hands as long

as he could, but he eventuallybecame tired. So Aaron and Hurfound a stone that he could sit on.They then held up his hands. Theydid this until sunset, and theIsraelites won the battle!

About three months after theyleft Egypt, the Israelites arrived atMt. Sinai. There, God gave themthe Ten Commandments. We willread about this in the next Lesson.

BIBLE MEMORY: Exodus 13:21

Published by The Restored Church of God.Printed in the USA; All Rights ReservedCopyright © 2006

080422 / CBL28

On the LEFT, you will find empty baskets.On the RIGHT, you will find piles of manna.

Draw a line connecting the related words so thebaskets can be filled with manna.

GATHERING MANNA