God appeared to Moses in a burning bush and commanded him to tell Pharaoh to set the Israelites free. Despite ten warnings and disasters, the king only let the people go after the final plague, but quickly changed his mind and sent his army with chariots to recapture them. Trapped between the sea and the approaching soldiers, the Israelites were terrified until God instructed Moses to lift his staff, causing a strong wind to divide the waters so the people could cross on dry ground. When the Egyptian army tried to follow, God caused the waters to return and swallow them up, leading the rescued Israelites to sing a song of praise for their miraculous salvation.
