The Story of the Exodus  (From Exodus 1-14 TLW below or TEV)

Suggested Ideas:  If the previous readings have been acted out or mimed, then perhaps a straight reading/story telling is best here with one reader at front center near the people. Or try this version for two narrators, both at front center near the people.  Watch the timing and pacing of this narration closely.  It starts with relaxed long sentences and paragraphs divided between the story tellers.  But later the sentences and phrases are divided between the story tellers, indicating a faster pace and excitement.

NARRATOR 1:  The Story of the Exodus.

After 400 years in Egypt, after generations of being slaves and working under the whip to build the cities of Egypt, the children of Israel were released by Pharaoh from their bonds. Moses led them out, while the Egyptians were still reeling from the terrible tenth plague -- the angel of death, who had killed all the firstborn males of Egypt.

NARRATOR 2:  No harm had come to the Israelites, though. The angel of death had passed over their houses when he saw the blood of the lamb from their passover meal on their doorposts. And now the Israelites were leaving Egypt amid the cries and the wailing caused by the hardness of heart of their own Pharaoh. Yet one more passover remained before the children of Israel would find themselves completely free.

For now, they were content, because the Lord God himself was guiding them -- in a pillar of cloud by day and in a pillar of fire by night. The cloud and fire of the Lord were never out of their sight. And the Lord led them to the Red Sea, where they set up camp to rest after a long journey's walk.

NARRATOR 1:  Shortly after the Israelites had gone, Pharaoh and his officials began questioning themselves. "What have we done? We have let the Israelites escape, and we have lost them as our slaves."

NARRATOR 2:  So Pharaoh and his rulers set out to chase after the people of Israel.

NARRATOR 1:  All the king's chariots, including 600 of his finest, commanded by their officers, set out in hot pursuit.

NARRATOR 2:  The entire army of Egypt, horses and chariots and drivers, gave chase to make the Israelites their slaves once more.

NARRATOR 1:  The people of Israel saw this great multitude coming in the distance, and they knew that it must be Pharaoh and his army. They were terrified. They cried out to the Lord and complained to Moses,

NARRATOR 2:  "Did you bring us out here in the desert to die? Look what you have done! The Egyptians are coming to kill us! We told you this would happen while we were still in Egypt. It would have been better for us be slaves in Egypt than to die out here in the desert."

NARRATOR 1:  But Moses said to them, "Don't be afraid! Stand your ground, and you will see what the Lord will do to save you today. You will never see these Egyptians again. The Lord will fight for you, if you but keep still and let him do it."

NARRATOR 2:  Then the Lord commanded Moses,

NARRATOR 1:  "Move the people forward toward the sea. Lift up your staff over the waters, and the sea will part before you so that the Israelites may walk through it on dry ground. I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians until they follow behind into the sea. Then you will see me honored as I defeat them all -- the king, the army, the chariots and the drivers. And all Egypt will know that I am the Lord."

NARRATOR 2:  At this point, the pillar of cloud that had been leading the Israelites moved to the rear and held back the Egyptian army into the evening and all through the night.

NARRATOR 1:  Then Moses stretched out his staff as God had commanded him, and the Lord opened up a path through the sea.

NARRATOR 2:  Walls of water piled high on each side.

NARRATOR 1:  A strong east wind blew all night long and dried the sea bottom.

NARRATOR 2:  Then the next morning, the Israelites began to pass over to the other side,

NARRATOR 1:  walking on dry ground,

NARRATOR 2:  as the Lord had promised.

NARRATOR 1:  When they were able, the Egyptians followed the Israelites into the sea.

NARRATOR 2:  All the horses and chariots and drivers of Egypt gave pursuit.

NARRATOR 1:  But the Lord looked down from the pillar of cloud and threw them into a panic.

NARRATOR 2:  Their chariot wheels clogged and wouldn't move.

NARRATOR 1:  Some fell off entirely.

NARRATOR 2:  "Let's get out of here," yelled one of the Egyptians.

NARRATOR 1:  "The Lord is fighting for the Israelites and against us!

NARRATOR 2:  Let's get out of here!"

NARRATOR 1:  And they began to retreat toward the shore.

NARRATOR 2:  When all the Israelites had reached the other side, the Lord said to Moses,

NARRATOR 1:  "Now stretch out your hand and your staff over the sea, and the waters will come back again, covering the Egyptian army and their chariots and their drivers."

NARRATOR 2:  So Moses did as the Lord commanded, and the sea returned to its place beneath the morning light.

NARRATOR 1:  Some of the Egyptians tried to escape from the water,

NARRATOR 2:  but the Lord drowned them in the sea,

NARRATOR 1:  covering the pathway and all the army of Pharaoh.

NARRATOR 2:  Not one remained alive.

NARRATOR 1:  But the Israelites had passed over into their freedom by walking through the sea on dry ground,

NARRATOR 2:  with walls of water on both sides.

NARRATOR 1:  On that day, the Lord saved the people of Israel from the Egyptians, and the Israelites saw their enemy lying dead upon the seashore. When the Israelites witnessed the Lord's mighty power that defeated the Egyptians, they were in awe of him. And they believed in the Lord, and they had faith in him and in his servant Moses.

In praise and celebration, Moses and the people of Israel sang this song to the Lord.

(The Canticle of the Exodus follows, sung by the congregation.)

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From

Six Stories for the Easter Vigil

Source: The Rev. Thomas L. Weitzel