Let My People Go by Patricia C. McKissack

Author:Patricia C. McKissack
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Atheneum Books for Young Readers

I s’pose right then the people were amazed and frightened, too. The Hebrews didn’t stand around, ’cause they could hear the hooves of Pharaoh’s charioteers behind them. They hurried across the Red Sea. But imagine a wall of water on your right, and a wall of water on your left, held back by the power of an unseen God. It was a wonder of wonders, I tell you.

When the last of the Hebrews looked back, they saw Pharaoh and his army ridin’ hard, catchin’ up. “Look, Moses,” the people cried. “The army is upon us. What shall we do?”

Moses raised his staff again, and the walls of towering water came crashin’ down on the Egyptians’ heads. Their chariots sunk like rocks, and the soldiers, dressed in heavy armor, drowned. Now the Hebrew people were free from bondage. We all know that folks got a way of turnin’ things wrongside up. But God will not stand with anything that is wrong. It may take time, but in the end the power of the Lord will bring things to right side up. That was the hard lesson Pharaoh had to learn.

Moses was able now to lead his people into the desert, where they could worship God. But, the Hebrews had lived so long in Egypt, they’d taken on Egypt’s ways. For three days, the people were without water, and their thirst made them forget their joy and happiness. “Where is the promised land?” they cried to Moses. “In Egypt there was plenty to drink. We should have stayed there, but instead, we done followed you here to die.”

Moses couldn’t believe the people had so little faith. He shook his head. “You still don’t understand. The Lord has and always will provide and protect us. You will see.”

And God showed Moses where there was plenty of water, and for a while the people stood satisfied. God’s cloud continued to lead the Hebrews farther into the desert. But soon, there was no food, and their empty stomachs rumbled with hunger. They cried out again, “Look what you’ve done to us, Moses. We should have stayed in Egypt. We will starve to death on account of you.”

“Do not worry,” said Moses.

The next morning the people found manna that had fallen from Heaven. To their wonder and surprise, it tasted like bread. And come every morning from then on there was always manna—enough for everybody to eat their fill. The Hebrews were never hungry, ’cause God provided.

God’s cloud led the Hebrews even farther into the desert, where they came to Mount Sinai. Moses left the people and went up into the mountains to talk with the Lord. And that is where God gave Moses ten laws, or commandments, for the people to live by:

DO NOT HAVE ANY OTHER GODS BUT THE ONE GOD.

MAKE NO IDOLS OR GRAVEN IMAGES OF FALSE GODS.

DO NOT TAKE THE LORD’S NAME IN VAIN.

REMEMBER THE SABBATH DAY AND KEEP IT HOLY.

HONOR THY FATHER AND THY MOTHER.

DO NOT KILL.

DO NOT COMMIT ADULTERY.

DO NOT STEAL.

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