This pivotal journey details their miraculous Red Sea crossing, their time at Mount Sinai where they received the Ten Commandments, and their subsequent four decades of wandering in the wilderness. It is a defining narrative of divine covenant, human failing, and ultimate deliverance, charting their transformation from a band of slaves into a nation poised to enter their promised homeland of Canaan.
Exodus from Egypt
After enduring ten devastating plagues, Pharaoh finally relents and orders the Israelites to leave Egypt immediately. The people depart in such haste that they cannot even wait for their bread dough to rise, marking the end of 430 years of sojourn and slavery. Reference: Exodus 12:31–41
Crossing the Red Sea
Trapped between the sea and Pharaoh’s approaching chariots, the Israelites face certain death until God instructs Moses to stretch out his hand. A strong east wind parts the waters, allowing the people to cross on dry ground, while the pursuing Egyptian army is swept away when the waters collapse back upon them. Reference: Exodus 14:21–28
Journey to Mount Sinai
As the Israelites travel through the barren Wilderness of Shur and Sin, they face hunger and thirst. God miraculously sustains them by raining down “manna” (bread from heaven) each morning and commanding Moses to strike a rock at Horeb, causing water to gush out for the people to drink. Reference: Exodus 16:4; 17:6
Receiving the Law at Sinai
The people encamp at the foot of Mount Sinai, which is enveloped in smoke, thunder, and lightning as the presence of God descends upon it. Here, Moses ascends to meet with God and receives the Ten Commandments and the Book of the Covenant, establishing the moral and legal foundation for the nation of Israel. Reference: Exodus 19:16–20:17
Building the Tabernacle
Following specific architectural blueprints given to Moses by God, the Israelites donate gold, silver, bronze, and linens to construct a portable sanctuary. Once completed, the cloud of God’s presence descends and fills the Tabernacle, signifying that God now dwells among His people. Reference: Exodus 36:1–7; 40:34–38
Spies Sent to Kadesh Barnea
Moses sends twelve leaders to scout the land of Canaan; they return after forty days carrying massive clusters of grapes but also terrifying reports of fortified cities and giants. Ten of the spies give a bad report that causes the people to despair and rebel, leading God to sentence that generation to wander the wilderness for forty years. Reference: Numbers 13:25–33
Final Approach to Canaan
As the forty years of wandering come to an end, the new generation of Israelites travels north toward the Promised Land. When the Amorite King Sihon and King Og of Bashan refuse them passage and attack, the Israelites defeat them in battle, seizing their lands east of the Jordan River. Reference: Numbers 21:21–35
Moses’s Death and Joshua’s Commission
Moses climbs Mount Nebo to view the Promised Land that God swore to give Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, though he himself is forbidden to enter it. After Moses dies and is buried by God in the valley, Joshua, filled with the spirit of wisdom, takes command to lead the people across the Jordan River. Reference: Deuteronomy 34:1–9
