The people of Israel were leaving with their arms raised in victory. But the Lord caused Pharaoh, the king of Egypt, to become brave. And Pharaoh chased the people of Israel.
This is like a string tied on your hand. And it is like a sign in front of your eyes. [89] It helps you remember that the Lord brought us out of Egypt with his great power.”
“This holiday will help you remember—it will be like a string tied on your hand. It will be like a sign before your eyes. [83] This holiday will help you remember the Lord’s teachings. It will help you remember that the Lord used his great power to take you out of Egypt.
I will make Pharaoh brave, and he will chase you. But I will defeat Pharaoh and his army. This will bring honor to me. Then the people of Egypt will know that I am the Lord.” The people of Israel obeyed God—they did what he told them.
While Moses was traveling back to Egypt, God spoke to him. God said, “When you talk to Pharaoh remember to show him all the miracles that I have given you the power to do. But I will cause Pharaoh to be very stubborn. He will not let the people go.
Then the Lord said to Moses, “Now you will see what I will do to Pharaoh. I will use my great power against him, and he will let my people go. He will be so ready for them to leave that he will force them to go.”
I am the Lord your God. You were slaves in Egypt. But I brought you out of Egypt. You were bent low from the heavy weights you carried as slaves. But I broke the poles that were on your shoulders. I let you walk tall again!
On the 15th day of the first month, they left Rameses. That morning after Passover, the people of Israel marched out of Egypt with their arms raised {in victory}. All the people of Egypt saw them.
The God of Israel (the Jews) chose our ancestors. God helped his people to have success during the time they lived in Egypt as strangers. God brought them out of that country with great power.
But I know what their enemies would say.
The enemy would not understand.
They would brag and say,
“The Lord did not destroy Israel.
We won by our own power!”’
The Lord wanted those people to think they were strong. Then they would fight against Israel. This way he could destroy them without mercy. He could destroy them the way the Lord had commanded Moses to do.
I will make Sisera, the commander of King Jabin’s army, come to you. I will make Sisera, his chariots and his army come to the Kishon River. [33] I will help you to defeat Sisera there.’”