Exodus 13:1-15:27

Now that they are out of Egypt - God wants to consecrate the firstborn.  He does allow a lamb to redeem the sons and donkeys.  Hmmm... lamb as the redeemer??? What does that make you think of?  

They were told how to celebrate as well. No yeast for 7 days and a celebration on the 7th day.  The Jewish culture still celebrates passover in this way.

Moses had Joseph's bones with him.  And God lead the way by day with a cloud and by night with a pillar of fire.  He steered them away from other towns for fear of the people wanting to return to Egypt.  Once again, God hardened Pharaoh's heart so the Israelites were pursued and hemmed in by the Egyptians.  Haven't you ever felt pursued and hemmed in?  Guess what, God provided an escape route where one was not thought possible.

It took the entire night to divide the sea and dry the land for the Israelites.  He did keep the two factions separated and then confused the Egyptians by causing the chariot wheels to fall off and confusion to reign.  It sounds like a comedy of errors.

Afterwards, they sang praises to God. then they were thirsty and complained to God.  fickle people.  But God provided and promised to not bring the judgements on them that he did Egypt if they 15:26  "listen carefully to the voice of the LORD your God and do what is right in his eyes, if you pay attention to his commands and keep all his decrees, I will not bring on you any of the diseases I brought on the Egyptians, for I am the Lord, who heals you."