In ancient Egypt, with its grand pyramids and the mighty River Nile, there was a cruel Pharaoh. He was afraid of the Israelites because there were so many of them. So, he made them slaves, forcing them to build huge cities and monuments.
But God had other plans.
An Israelite mother, wanting to save her baby boy from the Pharaoh’s harsh orders, placed him in a basket and set it adrift on the Nile. The baby floated until he was discovered by none other than the Pharaoh’s daughter! She named him Moses, which means “drawn out of the water.”
As Moses grew, he learned of his true heritage. One day, witnessing an Egyptian hurting an Israelite, he acted to defend his people but had to flee into the desert.
Years passed, and Moses lived a peaceful life as a shepherd. But everything changed when he saw a bush on fire that didn’t burn up! From the flames, God spoke, “Moses, I have seen the suffering of my people. You will lead them to freedom.”
Moses hesitated, “But why me, God?”
God replied, “I will be with you.”
With God’s guidance, Moses returned to Egypt and stood before the Pharaoh. In a powerful voice, he declared, “Let my people go!”
But the Pharaoh’s heart was stubborn. He refused again and again, even as God sent ten plagues upon Egypt: rivers turning to blood, swarms of locusts, never-ending darkness, and more.
Finally, after the last and most heartbreaking plague, the Pharaoh relented. The Israelites hastily packed and left, but they didn’t journey alone. A pillar of cloud led them by day and a pillar of fire by night.
Yet, the Pharaoh changed his mind! He sent his army after the Israelites, trapping them against the Red Sea. The people panicked, but Moses said, “Do not be afraid. Stand still and see the salvation of the Lord.”
Then, with a mighty wind and a stretch of his staff, Moses parted the Red Sea! The Israelites walked through on dry land, but when the Egyptians tried to follow, the waters crashed back, stopping them.
The journey to the Promised Land wasn’t easy. There were challenges and tests, but Moses, with God’s guidance, led the people, teaching them laws and ways to live in harmony.
Moses may not have entered the Promised Land himself, but his leadership and faith paved the way for the Israelites’ new beginning.