Moses and the Red Sea

Moses stands before Pharaoh with God's demand: let my people go. Pharaoh refuses and makes Israel's burdens heavier, denying them straw for their bricks. So the LORD sends plague after plague upon Egypt -- the river turned to blood, frogs filling the land, hail mixed with fire, locusts, and a darkness that can be felt. At last comes the most terrible night of all: Israel marks their doorposts with the blood of the lamb, and at midnight a great cry rises in Egypt, for the firstborn of every unmarked house is dead. Pharaoh finally lets Israel go.

Guided by a pillar of cloud by day and fire by night, Israel marches out of bondage -- until Pharaoh's heart hardens again and his chariots thunder in pursuit. Trapped between the army and the sea, the people despair, but Moses tells them to stand still and see the salvation of the LORD. He stretches out his hand, the waters divide, and Israel crosses on dry ground between walls of water. When the Egyptians follow, the sea returns, and Israel stands free on the far shore.