The children of Israel were joyful to receive the tidings of their freedom and made haste to leave the scene of their bondage. But the way was toilsome, and at length their courage failed. Their journey led them over barren hills and desolate plains. The third night they found themselves walled in on each side by mountain ranges, while the Red Sea lay before them. They were perplexed and greatly deplored their condition. They blamed Moses for conducting them to this place, for they believed they had taken the wrong course. “This surely,” said they, “is not the way to the wilderness of Sinai, nor to the land of Canaan promised to our fathers. We can go no farther; but must now advance into the waters of the Red Sea, or turn back toward Egypt.” {4T 21.2}

Israels børn var glade for at få efterretning om deres frihed og skyndte sig at forlade deres trældomssted. Men vejen var svær og til sidst svigtede deres mod. Deres rejse førte dem over ufrugtbare bakker og øde sletter. Den tredje nat fandt de dem selv omgærdet af bjerge på hver side. medens det Røde Hav lå foran dem. De var rådvilde og angrede stærkt deres situation. De bebrejdede Moses for at føre dem til dette sted, for de troede de var gået forkert. "Dette er helt sikkert," sagde de," ikke vejen til Sinajs ørken, heller ikke vore fædres forjættede land i Kanaan. Vi kan ikke komme længere; men vi må nu gå ud i Det Røde Havs vande, eller vende tilbage til Ægypten."