As an introduction to this study, please read the 1-minute devotion When God Has a Plan C.
1. Imagine you were standing between the angry Egyptian army and the Red Sea.
Why do you think God waited to tell His people about His Plan C? What did the people gain by their delayed deliverance? Have you ever found yourself in a similar situation?
When you read this passage, remember
that at this point the Israelites had already experienced God's miraculous power,
provision, and purpose in the ten supernatural plagues that
freed them from cruel slavery in Egypt.
For the sake of room, I've put the "bare bones" version of this story. If you have time, I encourage you to read the entire story by clicking the link.
Exodus 13:17-14:31: "When
Pharaoh let the people go, God did not lead them on the road through
the Philistine country, though that was shorter. For God said, 'If they
face war, they might change their minds and return to Egypt.' 18
So God led the people around by the desert road toward the Red Sea. The
Israelites went up out of Egypt armed for battle.… Then the LORD said
to Moses, 2 'Tell
the Israelites to turn back and encamp near Pi Hahiroth, between Migdol
and the sea. They are to encamp by the sea, directly opposite Baal
Zephon. 3
Pharaoh will think, "The Israelites are wandering around the land in
confusion, hemmed in by the desert."' … As Pharaoh approached, the
Israelites looked up, and there were the Egyptians, marching after them.
They were terrified and cried out to the LORD. 11
They said to Moses, 'Was it because there were no graves in Egypt that
you brought us to the desert to die? What have you done to us by
bringing us out of Egypt? 12
Didn’t we say to you in Egypt, "Leave us alone; let us serve the
Egyptians"? It would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than
to die in the desert!' 13
Moses answered the people, 'Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will
see the deliverance the LORD will bring you today. The Egyptians you see
today you will never see again. 14 The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still.'"
2. Read the entire 77th Psalm HERE, and explain why verse 19 would be especially meaningful to Asaph, the author of the psalm.
Psalm 77:19: "Your path led through the sea, your way through the mighty waters, though your footprints were not seen."
Copyright, Gail Burton Purath, 2013, BiteSizeBibleStudy.com, edited and updated in 2021
Bite Size Bible Study
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