Following a Trusted Leader

                                                                 Sunday School Lesson
                                                                      January 29,2012
Lesson Focus:
Look to God as your Leader
Lesson Scripture:
Exodus 15:1-3,19,22-26

Introduction:

God taught the Hebrew slaves coming out of Egypt some very important and significant lessons that should be heeded today as well.The Israelites walked throught the Red Sea on dry ground but when the Egyptians pursued God's people ,God fought on their behalf.The former slaves witnessed the destruction of their enemies from the shore.Moses recoginized God's attributes.God is powerful and strong.He is our salvation.He is majestic in His Holiness and a worker of wonders.The Lord is a man of war and he defeated all the gods of Egypt.Then Moses led Israel from the Red Sea to the desert of Shur.For three days they traveled without water.Finally, they came to Marah but could not drink the water because it was bitter.The people complained and grumbled,they complained to Moses,"what are we to drink?" God placed them in this situation to teach them how to turn to Him in difficulties, instead of whining and complaining to their leader.God used this occasion to instruct His people and express His expectations.Even though He had rescued them from slavery,God expected them to trust Him,to follow Him closely,and to do as He said,as obedient servants to Him. Submission to Him would result in emotional, physical,and spiritual heath.However,if they rebelled they would suffer as the Egyptians did.God is no respect of person,all disobedience could expect to experience God's consequences.

Intervention By God

Exodus 15:1-3,19,KJV

 ¹Then sang Moses and the children of Israel this song unto the LORD, and spake, saying, I will sing unto the LORD, for he hath triumphed gloriously: the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea.

   ²The LORD is my strength and song, and he is become my salvation: he is my God, and I will prepare him an habitation; my father's God, and I will exalt him.
   ³The LORD is a man of war: the LORD is his name.
¹⁹For the horse of Pharaoh went in with his chariots and with his horsemen into the sea, and the LORD brought again the waters of the sea upon them; but the children of Israel went on dry land in the midst of the sea.
Footnotes:

Shortly after the Israelites' miraculous escape from Egypt, they found themselves trapped between the Red Sea and the chariots,horses, and men of Pharaohs army.When they felt the had no way out,they cried out to Moses and to God,"was there no graves in Egypt that they were brought to the desrert to die?"(exodus 14:11)Moses told them they had nothing to fear ,God was going to deliever them.We too must have no fear and trust that if God leads us to a situation,He will deliever us.There is no failing in God, He is perfect.God told Moses to raise His staff above the water of the sea,and when he did the waters parted and the Israelites passed over on dry land ,while the Egyptians ,their horses,chariots, and all the men were drowned. When the people saw the great power of the Lord displayed against the Egyptians,the people feared the Lord and put their trust in Him and in Moses His servant.They began to sing a song of praise to the Lord,they acknowledged what God had done for them.We too must sing a song of praise for all God has done for us.He saved us from the slavery of sin,allowing us to cross over with the death of His only begotten Son, into the land of promise.

A Promise from God

Exodus 15:22-26 KJV

 ²²So Moses brought Israel from the Red sea, and they went out into the wilderness of Shur; and they went three days in the wilderness, and found no water.

   ²³And when they came to Marah, they could not drink of the waters of Marah, for they were bitter: therefore the name of it was called Marah.
   ²⁴And the people murmured against Moses, saying, What shall we drink?
   ²⁵And he cried unto the LORD; and the LORD shewed him a tree, which when he had cast into the waters, the waters were made sweet: there he made for them a statute and an ordinance, and there he proved them,
   ²⁶And said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the LORD thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the LORD that healeth thee.
Footnotes:

The children traveled south and wandered into a dry desert,short on water as well as patience.They soon found water but it was to bitter to drink,but rather than trust God who had just shown them His wonderful power,they began to grumble.Moses was upset that they so soon lost their confidence in God,and in frustration cried out to Him.God didn't get upset with them ,instead He showed Moses a piece of wood and told him to toss it in the water.Moses obeyed and when the stick hit the water,the water became sweet.God then promised the Israelites "If you listen carefully to the voice of the lord your God and do what is right in His eyes,I will not bring on you any of the diseases I brought on the Egyptians,for I am the Lord,who heals you".Implied with this promise was a warning,if they ignored God's voice or failed to follow His instructions,they would suffer the same consequences as those like the Egyptians,who chose to make something or someone else their god.Putting our trust in God is not a one time thing, that after we do it we go back to our self-directed ways.We need to constantly put or trust in Him in all we do and say.
Make God your Leader and you can never go wrong..........