tightly. Their faith in God is being tested to the breaking point.
Even Aaron is confused. "We promised that God would free our people. Yet now he sends death. How can this be?"
"We must trust in him," Moses whispers to Aaron.
Vengeance doesn't take long. The next morning, every firstborn son in Egypt is gone. Every last one. A 47 dozen soldiers have arrived to tear Moses and Aaron from their beds.
"Leave them be," screams Miriam. "They've done nothing!"
But her words fall on deaf ears, and soon Aaron and Moses are being led through the towering palace doors.
Then they hear Rameses' voice. The sound of grief is unmistakable. "Why?"
he cries. "Why should lowly Israelite slaves have life... when my son is dead? Is your God satisfied now?"
Moses and Aaron say nothing.
"I asked you a question."
Moses stays quiet. He only looks at Rameses with sadness, as if to remind him that all of this could have been prevented. If Rameses had only listened.
"Take your people and your flocks and go! Leave my land. And take your wretched God with you!" Rameses orders.
Moses and Aaron say nothing, eager to get out of the throne room as fast as possible.
Amid preparations for departure, people can't help but celebrate. The Hebrews seem to have permanent smiles on their faces, and they spontaneously sing and chant songs of joy. When it comes time to depart, Moses is carried through the city streets on the
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shoulders of men who were once wary of his presence. The impossible promise Moses made is coming true.
"Put me down!" Moses tells the group of men carrying him through a packed street. Children are running and jumping to get a better view of their new hero.
As the Israelites travel east out of Egypt, Rameses is having second thoughts.
Rameses pivots to his left, to where the captain of the guard stands watching along the wall. "We will bring them back," Rameses orders. "I will lead the way, Commander. The Hebrews want freedom? They're free to choose:
crawl back to me as slaves--or die. Get my chariot!" he roars. "We leave immediately."
The Hebrews reach the Red Sea after a week's journey. To be truly out of Egypt, and free from the Pharaoh's power, they must cross to the far shore, a distance of many miles. They have no boats. Swimming is out of the question. There is no other option but to trust in God.
Trouble is fast approaching from the west. Horses'
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hooves pound the desert floor. The chariots and the lines of soldiers following close behind kick up considerable dust--so much that they can be seen from miles away.
"Horses!" Joshua screams. "Chariots!"
The Hebrews panic. They begin packing their belongings as quickly as they can.
Moses looks at them in dismay.
An exasperated Aaron comes to Moses' side. "This is hopeless, brother.
What do we do?"
"Do not be afraid," Moses commands.
Moses plants his feet in the sand and sinks his staff into the ground. The surf washes over his feet. Moses closes his eyes and lowers his head until it comes to rest on the staff. Moses shuts out the chaos and panic surrounding him.
Moses prays. "God, we need you now. Your people need you."
He remembers the moment when God appeared to him and told him the specific route he must follow to the Promised Land. Moses knows that he has done just as God commanded, so even as he prays, his faith is strong that God will find a way to deliver the Hebrews from this coming evil.
The sky is growing black, and a hard wind whips at his robe, sending his long hair flailing about his
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shoulders. "Lord, I know you have a plan for us. And I believe in your plan.
And I believe that this is not the end you planned for us."
The strong wind whips up clouds of sand.
But Moses sees none of it. His faith is in God, and he continues to pray. "We have watched you bring terror on our enemies...."
The long line of chariots races down the road to the beach.
Moses' hand grips his staff ever tighter. "You kept death from our doors...."
Then Moses' eyes suddenly open as God speaks back to him. "Lord!" Moses says in shock.
The wind is now almost at hurricane strength. A funnel cloud touches down on the sea before Moses, hitting the water and then exploding back up into the sky.
Only Moses is left standing, not letting go of his staff as he raises his face to the heavens.
Before him, the sea rises to the sky, a great wall of