Growing in the WordGod Leads in Cloud and Fire Exodus 13:17–14:31

LawBecause of my sin, I doubt God’s presence

and power to save me.

GospelEven though I doubt, through Word and

Sacrament, God is with me and saves me from sin, death, and the devil.

ContextWith the death of their firstborn males,

the Egyptians compel God’s people to leave immediately(Exodus12:33).Moses,theauthorofExodus,emphasizesGod’sdesign in all this when he writes thatIsraelleftEgyptafter430years “to the very day” (Exodus 12:41NIV).

Moses takes the bones of Joseph with him, fulfilling a promise made hundreds of years earlier. Joseph trusted God’s promise that Abraham’s descendants would become a great nation. Moses fulfills Joseph’s request, further demonstrating his trust in God’s promises.

God leads the people out of Egypt on a southwesterly route. While not the most direct, itavoidedtheterritoryofthewarlikePhilistines.God knew His people were ill-prepared to deal withthePhilistinessosoonafterleavingEgypt.

CommentaryThe exodus from Egypt was a dramatic pre-

figuring of Jesus’ resurrection. The exodus (from the Greek for departure or exit)marksIsrael’sIndependence Day. In a grand way, it illustrates the defeat of evil, escape from certain death, and emergence into new life.

It is difficult to imagine such a multitude moving out together. There were likely more than two million people: six hundred thousand men plus women and children, additional for-eigners who had attached themselves to the

nation,andalltheirlivestock(Exodus12:37–38).To supply even the most basic of services—from water to food to sleeping quarters—was a mind-boggling achievement!

Yet set off they did, and they were “equipped forbattle”(Exodus13:18).Goddirectedeverystep, going ahead of them in a cloud and fire (Exodus13:21–22).Byday,thepeoplesawthepillar of cloud. By night, the pillar of fire lighted theirway.AttheRedSea,Godwouldusethissymbol to protect His people.

WiththearmyofPharaohnippingattheirheels, God parts the waters of the RedSeainordertoleadHispeople

through it. Years later, the psalm-ist would record it this way:

“Your way was through the sea, Your path through the great waters; yet Your foot-prints were unseen. You led

Your people like a flock by the handofMosesandAaron”(Psalm

77:19–20).

As the Egyptians followed the Israelites into the sea, God used the pillar of cloud and fire to confuse and panic the army. So great was their panic that they said to one another, “Let us flee from before Israel, for the Lord fights for them againsttheEgyptians”(Exodus14:25).

The pillar of cloud and of fire would not depart from the people throughout their jour-ney in the wilderness. This visible sign was God’s constant reminder of His presence for the Israelites. God continually provided all that they needed, just as He does for us.

Through His Word and Sacraments, Christ’s followers today are constantly reminded of His presence in their lives. In the Lord’s Supper, we see Christ’s very body and blood present under the bread and wine. Through faith in Jesus Christ, we are certain of our victory over sin, death, and every evil. In Him, we own the prom-ise of our resurrection on the Last Day.

Podcast

cph.org/teacherspot and listen to the

Seeds of Faith podcasteach week!

Visit

23

This is a map of our country. People use maps to find out how to get from one place to another. How many of you went on a family trip in the car recently? Ask for a show of hands. How many of you think your parents looked at a map before or during the trip? Get another show of hands.

I need a few volunteers to show me where they went recently. I will mark those places with a colored pushpin. Ask three of four children to share where they’ve been.Placeapinonornearthetownorsite.Askeachchildhoweasyordifficultitwastoget there, and invite each one to share one memorable event that happened along the way. ReadtheBibletextfortheday.

God had a trip planned for His people, but He didn’t show it to Moses on a map. God told His plan to Moses, often one day at a time. God’s people didn’t travel by road, nor did they travel in cars, sport-utility vehicles, or even by horseback. They traveled on foot, with everything they owned with them. God, in a way, packed up His people with Moses at the wheel and became their map and road signs as He started them down the road to the Promised Land.

When your family was ready to leave, did you parents ever forget to bring you along in the car? (No?) They remembered you too! It’s nice to be included in a big plan that involves you and others. God’s plan included all of His chosen people; they left Egypt together, with God directing them on His schedule. God had promised to save them as they followed Him.

God’s plan of salvation includes us too. Jesus hadn’t been born yet when the Israelites left Egypt; He would be born much later, at another place on God’s road map and according to God’s schedule. In Romans 4, Paul tells us that these Old Testament people received the gift of salvation by faith in the promise of the Savior. Through faith in Him, all people are saved. Jesus came to save us—the world—from sin. We know that all along the way God is always with us. He shows us His presence in His Word and the Sacraments. God shows His love for us and His people by saving us from sin.

Prayer:Loving God, grant that we might follow Your loving and forgiving will each day. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Text: Exodus 6:6–8

Hymn of the Day: Go My Children, with My Blessing (LSB 922; HS98 887; AGPS 102)

Visual Helps: Large, foldout road map of the United States posted on corkboard or foam board; different colored pushpins

God Leads in Cloud and FireLesson 1

Seedlings Devotional Talks

10

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Coloring Pages

Story Page 1 Growing in Christ® Early Childhood © 2007 Concordia Publishing House. Scripture: ESV®. Reproduced by permission.

The Lord your God . . . goes with you. He will not leave you. Deuteronomy 31:6

God Leads in Cloud and FireExodus13:17–14:31

color

94

Coloring Pages

Story Page 1 Growing in Christ® Early Childhood © 2007 Concordia Publishing House. Scripture: ESV®. Reproduced by permission.

The Lord your God . . . goes with you. He will not leave you. Deuteronomy 31:6

God Leads in Cloud and FireExodus13:17–14:31

color

94

Coloring Pages

Story Page 1 Growing in Christ® Early Childhood © 2007 Concordia Publishing House. Scripture: ESV®. Reproduced by permission.

The Lord your God . . . goes with you. He will not leave you. Deuteronomy 31:6

God Leads in Cloud and FireExodus13:17–14:31

color

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Resource Page 3 Growing in Christ® Middle and Upper Grades © 2007 Concordia Publishing House. Scripture: ESV®. Reproduced by permission.

God Leads in Cloud and Fire

The Lord is my strength and my song, and He has become my salvation. Exodus 15:2

1. (Across)ThekingofEgypt(Exodus14:5)

1. (Down)LedIsraelitesduringthenight(13:21)

2. (Down)WhattheIsraeliteswalkedtowardand,later,through(13:18)

3. (Down)WhattheIsraeliteswalkedon(14:29)

4. (Down)WhatIsraelsawinthismiracle(14:31)

5. (Across)LedIsraelitesduringtheday(13:21)

6. (Down)Pharaohgotthisandhisarmyready.(14:6)

7. (Down)Chariotsneededthese.(14:23) 8. (Down)TheIsraelites___intheLord

andMoses.(14:31) 9. (Across)GodtoldMosestodothis.

(14:26)

1

5

10

8

9

7

13

1514

17

2

6

11

4

12

16

3

10. (Across)GodthrewtheEgyptianforcesintoa___.(14:24)

11. (Across)Godusedthistodrivetheseaback.(14:21)

12. (Down)TheLordsaved___fromtheEgyptians.(14:30)

13. (Down)Asaresultofthemiracle,thepeople___theLord.(14:31)

14. (Across)TheIsraelitestraveledthroughthis.(13:18)

15. (Down)Timeofthecrossing(14:20) 16. (Across)WhatGoddidtoPharaoh’sheart

(14:4) 17. (Across)God’schosenleaderoftheIsraelites

(14:15)

For use with Lesson 1

Games, Puzzles, and More

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Resource Page 3 Growing in Christ® Middle and Upper Grades © 2007 Concordia Publishing House. Scripture: ESV®. Reproduced by permission.

God Leads in Cloud and Fire

The Lord is my strength and my song, and He has become my salvation. Exodus 15:2

1. (Across)ThekingofEgypt(Exodus14:5)

1. (Down)LedIsraelitesduringthenight(13:21)

2. (Down)WhattheIsraeliteswalkedtowardand,later,through(13:18)

3. (Down)WhattheIsraeliteswalkedon(14:29)

4. (Down)WhatIsraelsawinthismiracle(14:31)

5. (Across)LedIsraelitesduringtheday(13:21)

6. (Down)Pharaohgotthisandhisarmyready.(14:6)

7. (Down)Chariotsneededthese.(14:23) 8. (Down)TheIsraelites___intheLord

andMoses.(14:31) 9. (Across)GodtoldMosestodothis.

(14:26)

1

5

10

8

9

7

13

1514

17

2

6

11

4

12

16

3

10. (Across)GodthrewtheEgyptianforcesintoa___.(14:24)

11. (Across)Godusedthistodrivetheseaback.(14:21)

12. (Down)TheLordsaved___fromtheEgyptians.(14:30)

13. (Down)Asaresultofthemiracle,thepeople___theLord.(14:31)

14. (Across)TheIsraelitestraveledthroughthis.(13:18)

15. (Down)Timeofthecrossing(14:20) 16. (Across)WhatGoddidtoPharaoh’sheart

(14:4) 17. (Across)God’schosenleaderoftheIsraelites

(14:15)

For use with Lesson 1

Games, Puzzles, and More

Egg-Carton PuppetsMaterials: For each project, you will need an egg carton, gummed circles, blue construction

paper, markers or crayons, and scissors.Instructions: Cut the egg carton into rows of three or more cups. For each cup, draw a face

on a gummed circle and stick it on. Draw waves lengthwise along a piece of blue construction paper. Fold paper into thirds to make “stand-up” waves. Move the egg-cup people between the waves and retell the story.

Options:(1)Cutwavesalongtheedgeofthebluepaper.(2)Gluedownapaperpathwayandmacaronishells.(3)AddMoseswithatwigstaff.

Walking ViewerTo Prepare: To complete this activity, you will need one envelope for each child, white craft

paper, scissors, and fine-tipped markers.

Cut a rectangle into the front side of the envelope. Trim off the ends of the two opposite sides of the envelope. From craft paper, cut a strip of white paper that will fit through the enve-lopewindow(about11 ⁄2timesthelengthoftheenvelope).Gluedowntheenvelopeflap.Moveyour hand along the white paper strip, and trace around your fingertips. Draw faces and robes in thefingeroutlines.Colorwavesalongtheenvelope.Pullthestripthroughtheenvelope.WatchGod’speoplewalkthroughtheRedSea.

Options: Add Moses and the pillar of fire. Draw a wilderness background on an additional envelope.

Craft Guide

Lesson 1: God Leads in Cloud and Fire

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