Page 126 - Bible History

THE DEPARTURE OF THE ISRAELITES FROM EGYPT 99
out thy rod over the Red Sea.'' Moses did as he was commanded. The waters of the sea divided, and a burning wind dried a path through the sea. The Israelites crossed this path to the opposite shore. They passed between a wall of water to their right and a wall of water to eir left.
While they were crossing, the pillar of cloud was lifted, and the Egyptians followed the Israelites in haste. They drove their chariots into the path. By the power of God their chariots were overthrown, and the Egyptians cried out, "Let us ee from Israel, for the Lord ghts for th against us." But it was too late.
As soon as the last Israelite had crossed over to the opposite shore, God said to Moses, "Stretch forth thy rod over the sea.'' Moses did as God commanded. The waters closed in, and all the chariots and Egyp­ tians were buried in the depths of the sea. In grati­ tude to God r their delivera e, Moses and the
Israelites recited a canticle of thanksgiving.
They were now able to proceed in peace. On their ­
way to the land owing with milk and honey, the n Israelites had to travel through a desert. They had little food and less water, and the country was strange
to them. They encamped at a place where they found
a spring, but the water of the spring was bitter, hence Moses called the place Mara, ich means bitterness. At the command of God, Moses cast a tree into the water and the bitterness was taken away.
fter a journey of six weeks, the Israelites reached