THE HEBREW CHRONICLE
March 23 1280 BC Volume 3 Issue 7
RED SEA PARTS: SAVES MANY...KILLS MANY
Many are baffled by the events that occurred last week at the Red Sea. A group of Israelites under the leadership of a man named Moses were making their escape from Egypt. A large convoy of heavily armed Egyptian Soldiers with many Chariots were pursuing the Israelites. One night a great wall of fire appeared between the Egyptian and Israeli camps. During the night, Moses raised his staff to the Red Sea and the Lord produced a great wind that parted the waters and dried the sea bed as great walls of water rose on either side. The wind blew all night and allowed the Israelites to gain a lot of ground. The next morning when the Egyptians realized what was happening they set out in mad pursuit. In a miraculous turn of events, the wheels of the Egyptian Chariots twisted and warped, impeding their progress. After the people of Israel reached the other side of the Sea, Moses, under the direction of the Lord, raised his staff once again. The God-produced wind ceased and the Red Sea closed in on the Egyptians. Not a single man sent by Pharaoh survived this event. Many bodies are still unaccounted for.
WHO IS THIS MOSES?
So where did this mystery man Moses come from? That is the question that hundreds of Egyptians are asking. All of a sudden this man is capable of leading an Exodus of an entire people who are under Egyptian control. Some people wonder how this could have happened. They say there is no way that a man of low class and little importance and rudimentary education could lead such a massive movement. Yet at the same time, many don't think it impossible at all. There is a story being told that the God of the Israelites spoke to Moses through a bush that was engulfed in flames, yet didn't burn up. God told him that he was the man who had to go before Pharoah and would lead his people out of Egypt. When considering this story, it seems to make perfect sense that this man some would consider weak was chosen to exhibit the power of God.
WAS THE RED SEA PARTING AN ISOLATED EVENT?
When we look at the recent history of Egypt and all of the freak events that have been going on, we begin to question whether or not the death of so many Egyptian soldiers in this manner was an accident. In fact, many people are calling it the culmination of what God has been planning for the Egyptian people if they didn't cease their mistreatment of the Israelites. Recently Egypt has experienced ten terrible plagues that have no other explanation than the wrath of God. Plagues of blood, frogs, gnats, flies, a plague against livestock, festering boils , hail, locusts, darkness, and death for the firstborn sons of Egypt have all been experienced. Maybe the Pharaoh should have taken a lesson when the first born sons of his people died. Maybe then he wouldn't have had to experience even greater wrath.
NEW JEWISH LAWS REVEALED TO MOSES
After the Israelites were delivered safely from Egypt across the Red Sea, they traveled for two months. Finally they arrived in the wilderness of Sinai and they set up their camp at the base of Mt. Sinai. Moses climbed to the top of the mountain to appear before God, for he was a very religious man. At the top of the mountain God spoke to Moses and revealed himself. Moses visited the Lord on the top of Mt. Sinai every day for three days. He warned Moses to place a boundary around the mountain and those who tried to break through the boundary to see God would be destroyed. He said that even priests had to purify themselves. Then God told Moses to bring Aaron back to the top of the mountain with him. The Israelites were scared of God because of the miraculous display of his power he had shown, but Moses assured them to fear not because God was just showing them that they should be obedient. Then God revealed to the people of Israel his ten commandments that they were to live by. They are as follows: have no other god before him, have no idols, do not use the Lord's name in vain, remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy, honor your father and mother, do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not lie, and do not covet. These are commandments spoken to the Israelites by God himself.