Opening Activity

• Moses led the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt. However, after they left, the Egyptians chased them across the desert! The Bible tells us that God parted the Red Sea and the Israelites crossed safely to the other side. However, the Egyptians were swallowed up by the water and they all drowned.
• Today, we will learn how Moses and his sister, Miriam, used music to worship God for His protection from the Egyptians.

Bible Story

• Have you ever felt things were impossible? Our story today is about a time when the Israelites were in an impossible situation. God had an unexpected solution. Afterwards, they sang the song of Moses and Miriam—thanking and praising God for His goodness.

• The Israelites were scared. They were trapped. Pharaoh and his army were behind them. In front of them was the Red Sea. They felt certain that they would either drown or be taken back to Egypt as slaves.

• As they camped by the Red Sea, God’s angel and the pillar of cloud that had been showing them the way moved behind them. Throughout the night one side of the cloud kept Pharaoh’s army in darkness. On the other side, the cloud looked like fire and gave light and warmth to the Israelites. Pharaoh’s army could not get near them.

• The Lord told Moses to stretch out his hand over the sea and he did. All night long, God sent a wind to blowback the sea. The wind caused the sea to divide. When it was almost morning, the Israelites walked through the sea! Walls of water stood to their right and their left. But the ground where they walked was dry.
• Pharaoh’s army followed the Israelites into the sea. But their chariots got stuck and would not move. “God is with the Israelites,” they screamed. “Let’s get away from them!”
• Then God said to Moses, “Hold your hand over the sea”. Then the water came crashing back, and all Pharaoh’s army drowned. When the Israelites saw this, they could hardly believe their eyes. They were so relieved and happy! Everyone started singing and praising God. Their song told how God saved them from Pharaoh’s army.
• Moses’ and Aaron’s sister, Miriam, was so happy, she grabbed her tambourine and started dancing and singing. All the other women played their tambourines and danced and sang with her.
•  Moses, Miriam, and the Israelites sang about two things at the same time. They sang about being saved while crossing the Red Sea. They may have also been looking forward and singing about what would happen in the future— how God will save His children and take them to live with Him in heaven.
• Moses worshipped God by singing, and Miriam also worshipped with
  instruments and dancing. Music is a wonderful way to praise God because it helps us express our feelings and thankfulness. So, we can sing, dance and play instruments to worship God and celebrate Him!

Questions

1. What does “worship” mean? (Celebrating God and showing Him our love.)
2. How does Moses use music to worship God? (He sings.)
3. What is his song about? (God’s power, strength, defence/protection, greatness, love, etc.)
4. Why does God punish the Egyptians? (Because they are against Him and the Israelites.)
5. What does Moses say about God’s reign? (That it will last forever!)
6. How does Miriam worship God? (With a tambourine, an instrument, and a song.)
7. How do the women follow in worship? (They also play instruments and dance.)
8. What is Miriam’s song about? (God’s greatness, power, and protection.)
9. Why do you think music is a great way to worship God? (Because it’s fun and helps us show how we are feeling.)