The Exodus: Difference between revisions

The '''Exodus''' refers to the event in which the Israelites, who had been enslaved in Egypt for approximately 400 years, escaped from their bondage. To subdue [[Pharaoh]], the king of Egypt, and to deliver the Israelites, [[God]] sent ten plagues upon Egypt. The Israelites obeyed God’s commandment by keeping the [[Passover]] and took their first step toward [[Canaan]]. This event was the fulfillment of a prophecy given in the time of [[Abraham]], in which God foretold that the Israelites would be enslaved but later set free.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis+15%3A13-14&version=NIV |title=Genesis 15:13–14 |quote= }}</ref>  

==Exodus==

===Egypt’s Oppression and Cry for Deliverance===

The number of Israelites continued to grow day by day. Fearing that they might ally with enemies and rebel, Pharaoh appointed overseers and began to oppress them, forcing them into hard labor to build the store cities of Pithom and Ramses. However, the more the Israelites were oppressed, the more they multiplied and prospered. In response, Pharaoh intensified their suffering, making their labor even harsher—forcing them to mold bricks, bake them, and perform all kinds of agricultural work. Despite the passage of time and the rise of new kings, the oppression persisted. The Israelites groaned under their burdens, and their cries reached God, who looked upon them with compassion.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Exodus+2%3A23-25&version=NIV |title=Exodus 2:23–25 |publisher= |quote= }}</ref>

===Plagues Upon Egypt===

Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh and delivered God’s command to let the Israelites go. However, Pharaoh ignored them and instead made their labor even harsher. As their suffering increased, the Israelites grumbled against Moses and Aaron. God then revealed to Moses and Aaron that He would bring great plagues upon Egypt to demonstrate His power and set the Israelites free. One by one, He struck Egypt with plagues: The first plague turned all the rivers in Egypt into blood. As the water turned to blood, the fish died, and the river reeked, making it undrinkable. However, Pharaoh, with his hardened heart, refused to release the Israelites.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Exodus+7%3A20-23&version=NIV |title=Exodus 7:20–23 |publisher= |quote= }}</ref> Following the first plague, the plague of frogs,<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Exodus+8%3A5-6&version=NIV |title=Exodus 8:5–6 |publisher= |quote= }}</ref> the plague of gnats,<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Exodus+8%3A17&version=NIV |title=Exodus 8:17 |publisher= |quote= }}</ref> the plague of flies,<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Exodus+8%3A24&version=NIV |title=Exodus 8:24 |publisher= |quote= }}</ref> the plague on livestock,<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Exodus+9%3A3-6&version=NIV |title=Exodus 9:3–6 |publisher= |quote= }}</ref> the plague of boils,<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Exodus+9%3A10&version=NIV |title=Exodus 9:10 |publisher= |quote= }}</ref> the plague of hail,<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Exodus+9%3A23-24&version=NIV |title=Exodus 9:23–24 |publisher= |quote= }}</ref> the plague of locusts,<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Exodus+10%3A13-15&version=NIV |title=Exodus 10:13–15 |publisher= |quote= }}</ref> and the plague of darkness<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |url=https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Exodus+10%3A22-23&version=NIV |title=Exodus 10:22–23 |publisher= |quote= }}</ref> befell throughout Egypt. Despite these plagues, none of them affected the Israelites living in Goshen.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Exodus+8%3A22&version=NIV |title=Exodus 8:22 |publisher= |quote= }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Exodus+9%3A4&version=NIV |title=Exodus 9:4 |publisher= |quote= }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Exodus+9%3A26&version=NIV |title=Exodus 9:26 |publisher= |quote= }}</ref><ref name=":0" /> Each time a plague struck, Pharaoh, overwhelmed by suffering, promised to release the Israelites. But once God removed the plague, he hardened his heart and broke his promise.

===The Last Plague and the Passover===

Before bringing the tenth plague, God warned Pharaoh through Moses, but he still refused to listen. In preparation for the plague, God instructed Moses and Aaron to establish the [[Passover]] as a means of protection from disaster. God commanded them to take a one-year-old male lamb without blemish, slaughter it at twilight on the 14th day of the first month, and apply its blood to the sides and tops of their doorframes. That same night, they were to eat the roasted meat, along with bitter herbs and unleavened bread. Any leftovers were to be burned by morning. Moses summoned the [[Elder|elders]] of Israel and delivered God’s instructions. The Israelites obeyed and carried out everything God had commanded.

===Miracle of the Red Sea===

The day after the Passover, the Israelites assembled by divisions and set out from Rameses in Goshen. Among them were not only the Israelites but also a mixed multitude of other people who had lived in Egypt. Meanwhile, upon hearing of the Israelites’ departure, Pharaoh regretted letting them go. Determined to reclaim them, he led his entire army, including chariots, commanders, and horsemen, in pursuit of Israel. Pharaoh’s army soon caught up to them by the sea near Pi Hahiroth. Finding themselves trapped between the [[Red Sea]] ahead and Pharaoh’s army behind, the Israelites fell into desperation and cried out in fear. They complained to Moses, saying, “It would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the desert!” But Moses reassured them, saying, “Do not be afraid; you will see the deliverance of the LORD.”

Then God moved the pillar of cloud that had been leading them to the rear, blocking the Egyptian army’s advance. God then commanded Moses, “Raise your staff and stretch out your hand over the sea.” When Moses obeyed, a strong east wind blew all night, causing the sea to part and stand like walls on either side. The Israelites crossed the Red Sea on dry ground. The Egyptians pursued them into the sea, but God threw their army into confusion, causing the wheels of their chariots to come off, making it difficult for them to advance. Once the Israelites had safely crossed, God commanded Moses to stretch out his hand over the sea again. The waters rushed back, covering Pharaoh’s army and burying them beneath the sea. Having witnessed God’s mighty power in parting the Red Sea, the Israelites continued their journey into the desert.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Exodus+12%3A37-14&version=NIV |title=Exodus 12:37–14:31 |publisher= |quote= }}</ref>