I also try to remind myself that these people came out of Egypt and had been surrounded by the idolatry and atheism (where Jehovah was concerned), that was so prevalent in Egypt itself. Over 600,000 men (not counting women and children) left Egypt for the Promised Land and it is a sure bet that most were in it for what they could get out of it.

It seems that God’s plan always included paring things down to a believing remnant and while that remnant got very small at times, there is coming a time in the future when a final remnant specifically chosen by God will survive the coming Tribulation period and enter into the comparative bliss of the Millennial Kingdom reign of Jesus. Even though the Bible provides highlights of that coming time, it is difficult to fully appreciate because of the times we live in now. I try to remind myself of the terrible times in which the original escapees to the Promised Land lived.

However, try as I might, it is difficult not to become frustrated with them for their extreme selfishness at times. Let’s take a look at a few highlights. I’m discussing their attitudes as a warning to myself and putting it out there for you as well so that we can guard ourselves from becoming the same type of person that many of the original Israelites were before God. The only excuse is narcissism and that is no excuse because it fully involves our sinfulness.

Starting in Exodus 5, we see where things began to get harder for the Hebrew slaves in Egypt. Moses went to Pharaoh and asked that they be released to go into the wilderness to worship. Pharaoh not only refused but accused the people of having too much time on their hands. He ordered that they be given no straw. They would have to find their own and still meet their quotas. They couldn’t so they got upset with Moses, who in turn, went to the Lord, who began to unfold His plan to Moses.

The plan included harsh realities and Moses needed to be prepared. This grumbling of the Hebrews becomes their downfall on many occasions. In Exodus 6, God lays out His promise of deliverance. God notes that it won’t be easy and it is deliberately designed that way to bring much glory to God.

Exodus 7 shows us Moses/Aaron before Pharaoh and the first plague of ten to rain down on Egypt. The final and tenth plague (Exodus 12) is the death of all firstborn in Egypt. It is this final plague that destroys Pharaoh’s stubbornness but only for enough time to allow the Hebrews to “plunder” the Egyptians, leave, and stop on the west side of the Red Sea.

After the Hebrews leave, Pharaoh has an attack of remorse and chases after the Hebrews. He corners them at the Red Sea but God intervenes with His Pillar of Cloud to keep the Egyptians at bay. Of course the people are afraid thinking their deaths are right around the corner, but God has a different plan.

Ultimately, God parts the water of the Red Sea so that the Hebrews walk across on dry ground. The Egyptians try to follow and the waters go back destroying all of them including Pharaoh (Exodus 14). Following this, Moses and Miriam gave much praise to the Lord in word and song.

One would think this phenomenal miracle would carry the Hebrews for quite some time, wouldn’t you? I mean, we’d like to think that if we witnessed such salvation with towering water on each side as you passed through the Red Sea on dry ground, it would create an indelible mark of faith in your life. Yet, it was a mere three days later (Exodus 15:22), that the Hebrews/Israelites came to a place where the water was so bitter it was undrinkable. Instead of waiting to see what the Lord would do...