The Exodus

Jim and Bob learn about...

...The Exodus

(Puppets up)

Bob: Jim, what’s up?

Jim: Nothing much, Bob. Are you ready to finish the story today?

Bob: NOT quite. But we can get a lot farther today. We’ll be starting in Exodus chapter 13. Verse 17 reads: “Then it came to pass, when Pharaoh had let the people go-

Jim: Whoa whoa whoa! He let the people go?!

Bob: For now, they were free, yes. But that was about to change.

Jim: Huh?

Bob: JUST LISTEN TO THE STORY!!!!

Jim: Okee-dokee.

Bob: Let’s finish the verse. “When Pharaoh had let the people go, that God did not lead them by way if the land of the Philistines, although that was near; for God said, “Lest perhaps the people change their minds when they see war, and return to Egypt.”

Jim: Pause! Time-out! Rewind! Too many words-

Bob: -Not enough explanations, I know. This verse is basically telling us that God is leading His people out of Egypt. And even though they COULD take a shortcut through Philistine territory, God didn’t want the Israelites getting scared of the war going on there. God was taking care of His people. As long as they did as He told them, they would be safe.

Jim: So what happened?

Bob: Well, back in Egypt, Pharaoh was having second thoughts about letting his slaves go. He decided to chase after them.

Jim: AHA! I knew it! The bad guy is never beaten until the sequel. I learned that by watching Sesame Street.

Bob: Three things: One, Sesame Street doesn’t have villains. Two, Sesame Street doesn’t have sequels. It’s a TV show, not a movie. And third, you watch Sesame Street?

(Awkward pause)

Jim: Can we get back to the story?

Bob: Of course, of course. Well, Pharaoh assembled some chariots and soldiers and pursued the fleeing Israelites.

Jim: (Sarcastic) Great. Just great. Did they catch up with them?

Bob: Yup. Right at the edge of the Red Sea.

Jim: That’s what my mom named the kitchen after I exploded a bottle of ketchup in there. Don’t tell me Moses has been in my kitchen?!

Bob: (Long pause) (sigh) No, Jim. The Red Sea is a sea in the Middle East. That’s just what it’s called. (Jim gasps) No, It’s not actually red. And no, it’s NOT ketchup.

Jim: That’s not why I’m excited! I’m excited because the Red Sea…is a sea!

Bob: Thanks for clearing that up.

Jim: No, listen! There’s water! That means there could be NARWHALS!!!

Bob: No Narwhals, Jim. No Narwhals. But the Israelites did have one whale of a problem.

Jim: (exaggerated) What?

Bob: The sea was in their way. The sea was in front, and the Egyptian army behind. They were trapped.

Jim: Of course. The heroes’ escape is always hard. I learned that on Barney.

Bob: Pretending you did not just say that. I’m just gonna get to how they escaped.

Jim: The Narwhals saved them, didn’t they?

Bob: Nope. No Narwhals. It was God that saved the Israelites.

Jim: How?

Bob: By using, in my opinion, one of the coolest miracles in the Old Testament. Exodus 14:21 tells us what happened. “Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea; and the LORD caused the sea to go back by a strong east wind all that night, and made the sea into dry land, and the waters were divided.”

Jim: HOLD UP! Too many words, -

Bob: -Not enough explanations. C’mon Jim, pay attention This verse is telling us how God parted the Red Sea.

Jim: WHAT IN THE SEVENTEENTH DIMENSION?!

Bob: God told Moses to raise his staff over the water. It was a weird command, but Moses did it. And because Moses obeyed, God blew the water away. He divided the sea, so that the Israelites could cross safely.

Jim: Oh, well, that’s good. But…

Bob: …But?

Jim: Wouldn’t that mean that the Egyptians could get across too?

Bob: Jim, have you been paying attention to the lessons I’ve been teaching you? What was the lesson from day 1?

Jim: God provides for the people that believe in Him.

Bob: Right. And day 2?

Jim: God has more power than any man.

Bob: Right. And today, I told you that if you obey God, He will provide for and protect you. Do you think the Egyptians obeyed in God or believed in His power?

Jim: (Hesitates) …Yes?

Bob: NO! They didn’t believe in God, and because of this, God took vengeance on them.

Jim: What did God do?

Bob: After the Israelites crossed the Red Sea, they all turned and saw God’s power demonstrated. When the Egyptians tried to cross the sea behind the Israelites, God closed the Red Sea on top of them. They were all drowned.

Jim: Good gravy! Just think, those poor Narwhals trying to swim around with chariots and weapons floating around…

Bob: No Narwhals, Jim. No Narwhals. So, what do you think of the story?

Jim: That was one of the best stories you’ve ever told me! Such a happy ending, just like Telletubbies…

Bob: (Stares at Jim for a second) Well, there’s one more part to the story. I’ll have to tell you that part tomorrow.

Jim: What happens?

Bob: Well, tomorrow I’m going to tell you about a segment of the story many, many years later. Israel had wandered in the wilderness near Jordan for years, and now God was going to allow them to cross over to the Promised Land. And…I’ll tell you the rest tomorrow.

Jim: Oh, c’mon, man! Leave me hangin’ like that!

Bob: Sorry, man. I’ll have to tell you the rest tomorrow.

Jim: Oh well. I’ll see you then!

Bob: Ok, see ya!

END SKIT