EXPLORE THE TEXT
When we see God’s power, our faith is strengthened.
29 But the Israelites had walked through the sea on dry ground,
with the waters like a wall to them on their right and their left.
30 That day the Lord saved Israel from the power of the Egyptians,
and Israel saw the Egyptians dead on the seashore.
31 When Israel saw the great power that the Lord used against the Egyptians,
the people feared the Lord and believed in him and in his servant Moses.
Saved
The Hebrew word used here means to help, rescue, defend, or deliver.
While it is sometimes used to describe the actions of people in the Old Testament
(like the role of the judges in Israel’s history),
it often refers to God’s actions on behalf of His people against their enemies.
It also is used within the Old Testament context of salvation.
verses 29-30 on pages 52-53 of the PSG.
29) Waters like a wall:
This phrase is repeated from verse 22 to show how the walls of water that God had built to protect Israel were the same ones He used to destroy the Egyptians.
The sea was clearly a deep body of water.
Passing between those walls must have been terrifying for both Israel and the Egyptians.
30) Power of the Egyptians:
The Hebrew word for power here can also been translated “hand” (yad).
It can be used in positive context to mean rescue, guide, provide, or help.
However, in regard to Egypt, it was used negatively, referring to capturing, enslaving, oppressing, or controlling.
For centuries, Egypt was a dominant power in the ancient world.
But the Lord’s plan was to judge Egypt for their idolatry
and to demonstrate His superior power over Egypt and their false gods
(Ex. 3:8; 18:9-10).
the word “saved” and how it contrasts the power of God against the supposed power of the Egyptians.
think about how God still demonstrates His power on behalf of His people today.
personalize what “saw” means in verse 31 (PSG, p. 53).
Note that Israel “feared” the Lord.
what comes to mind when they think of fear.
fear as a healthy respect for God and faith in Him.
the Israelites also gained a new level of admiration for Moses.
Review these points from Apply the Text on page 54 of the Personal Study Guide:
Identify which of the summary statements calls to mind a personal event in your life and could be used in your testimony.
Restate it from your point of view.
Encourage volunteers to share this part of their testimony with the group.
Encourage members to share their responses to the last two questions on page 54 of the PSG.
Challenge them to spend time in the coming days talking with God about His desire for their lives and asking Him for the courage to take the first step on their own “Red Sea road.”
Share that Exodus 14:13 is the memory verse for this session.
Lead adults in reading this verse aloud a few times as a group.
Allow them to pray silently about some challenges they are facing as they enter the new year.
After a few minutes, close in prayer, asking God to reveal Himself to each adult by answering their prayers.
Reinforce the session this week by sending each adult a text or email that wishes them a happy new year. Remind them of the way God led Israel through the Red Sea and encourage them to trust Him to lead them through any difficult situation they are facing. Challenge them to commit to growing in their faith and drawing closer to God over the next twelve months.
God
God is all powerful and all knowing. (See Jeremiah 32:27; Matthew 19:26.)
Observe when and for what purpose a New Testament passage includes an Old Testament reference.
Exodus 15 is the first song in the Bible, and Revelation 15:3-4 is the last. Compare the two songs. What is the common theme?