Then the Egyptians arose, and thrust the Israelites out; and they left Egypt, and journeyed towards the Red Sea.

[Illustration:  Sprinkling the blood.]

MOSES STRIKING THE ROCK.

After the Israelites left Egypt they crossed the Red Sea, whose waters divided so that they passed through on dry land.  Then they travelled through the wilderness toward Mount Sinai.  Passing onward, they wanted water and food; and forgetting the great things God had already done for them, they began to murmur.  At a place called Marah they found the water too bitter to drink; so they grumbled, saying to Moses, “What shall we drink?” He asked God; who showed him a tree, which, when cast into the water, made it sweet.

Next the people murmured for food, and God sent them manna, which they gathered every day except the Sabbath; but with all God’s care and kindness the Israelites continued to grumble whenever any difficulty arose.  Journeying forward, they entered another wilderness, called the Desert of Sin, and came to a place named Rephidim, where they found no water.  They were very thirsty, and came to Moses murmuring and saying, “Give us water that we may drink.”  How could Moses do that?  He was grieved with them, and said, “Why chide ye with me? wherefore do ye tempt the Lord?” But the people grew so angry that they were ready to stone him.  Then Moses told God all the trouble, and God showed him what to do.  He was to go before the people, taking the elders of Israel with him, and his rod, and God would stand before him on a rock among the mountains of Horeb.  This rock he was to strike, when water would gush forth.

Moses did as God commanded.  He went forward with the elders, struck the rock with his rod; and the pure, clear water gushed out, so that all the people were able to drink.

[Illustration:  Striking the rock.]

THE TEN COMMANDMENTS.

The Israelites journeyed onward and encamped before Mount Sinai.  There God talked with Moses, and instructed him to remind the people of the great things He had done for them; and to say that if they obeyed Him, and kept His covenant, they should be a peculiar treasure to Him above all people, and a holy nation.

When the people heard God’s message, they answered, “All that the Lord hath spoken we will do.”  How happy would they have been if they had always kept this promise!  But, alas! they did not do so; and great punishments came upon them in consequence.

God also said that on the third day He would descend upon Mount Sinai; and commanded the people to prepare themselves for that great and solemn event.  None were to approach the mount, for if they did so they would die.  On the third day, according to the command, the people gathered before Mount Sinai.  A thick cloud covered the mountain, which smoked and quaked, and there were thunders and lightnings; a trumpet also sounded exceeding loud, so that all the people trembled.  Then God spake from the midst of the fire, and gave the people the Ten Commandments.  These you will find in the twentieth chapter of Exodus; and little folks with sharp eyes can read them in our picture.