This weekend we taught the children the biblical account of the Hebrew people’s escape from Egypt and Miriam’s song of thanks. We also gave the children opportunities to celebrate God’s power and salvation.

This weekend’s lesson tell of the Hebrews’ escape from Egypt. Pharaoh let the people go, and God led them across the desert toward the Red Sea. Egyptian military outposts marked the land of the most direct route, and Moses avoided this for obvious reasons. God protected the Hebrews, providing a cloud by day and a column of fire by night to guide them. When Pharaoh realized that he had let all of his slaves go, he decided to bring them back to Egypt. Pharaoh, who led the pursuit of the Hebrew people from his chariot, was followed by his entire army of horses, chariots, and soldiers. What a sight that must have been!

When the people of Israel saw Pharaoh’s army coming closer and closer to their camp at the Red Sea, they began to complain and say it would have been better to have remained as slaves in Egypt than to die in the desert. Moses reassured the people of God’s power and, doing as God told him, Moses stretched his hand and staff over the sea so that God’s people could escape. Once they had escaped, Moses and Miriam gave thanks to God with songs of praise. Some scholars believe that the verses were first ascribed to Miriam, and that they are among the most ancient examples of Hebrew poetry that we have. This is the same Miriam who watched her baby brother float in a basket and into the arms of Pharaoh’s daughter. Miriam is described as a prophet, which tells us that she held her own place as a leader in the spiritual lives of her people.

It is important for the children to understand that the celebration in the Bible story came from gratitude for what God has done. Celebration follows thanksgiving. As a parent, we encourage you to look for opportunities to model and teach thankfulness with your children. Show appreciation for the things they say and do and, most of all, for them as children of God.

The account of the Hebrew people’s deliverance from Pharaoh is a story of God’s care. God cared for the Hebrew people by providing the pillar of cloud by day. God cared for the Hebrew people by providing the pillar of fire by night. God cared for the Hebrew people by providing a strong east wind that turned the sea into dry ground. So Miriam’s thanks were a celebration of God’s care: “Miriam led them in singing, Sing to God—what a victory!” (Exodus 15:21, THE MESSAGE).

This week as you interact with your children, think about God’s care. How has God’s care manifested itself in your own life? What has God done for you that would cause you to burst into song and celebrate God’s power and salvation? Think on these things and give thanks to God.

I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart; I will tell of all your wonderful deeds. Psalm 9:1