90. After having established His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, what next did God do in preparation for the carrying out of His purpose? Answer: He sent Jacob's family down into Egypt, where, in process of time, they grew numerous, and were enslaved by Pharaoh, who used them as makers of brick for the building of cities.
Proof: (Where the proofs consist only of references, it will not be needful to trouble the scholar with committing to memory the parts referred to.)
Gen. chapters 35-50; also Exodus chapters 1 and 2.
91. How long were they in Egypt? Answer: Between two and three hundred years.
Proof:
But in the fourth generation they shall come hither again: for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet full. (Gen. 15:16).
And this I say, that the covenant, that was confirmed before of God in Christ, the law, which was four hundred and thirty years after, cannot disannul, that it should make the promise of none effect. (Gal. 3:17).
92. How did they get away from Egypt? Answer: God sent Moses to Pharaoh to demand their release, and when Pharaoh refused to let them go, God sent plagues into the land, one after another, to the number of ten, and at the last, Pharaoh was glad to let them go.
Proof:
Exodus chapters 3 to 14
93. Did they go straight to the land of promise? Answer: No; God led them to the west side of the Red Sea, where they were brought into great danger; for Pharaoh, hearing that they were in a place where they could not get away, came out with a great army to catch them, and take them back again into Egypt.
Proof:
Exodus chapter 14
94. What did God do to release His people from the strait they were in? Answer: He opened a way in the sea for Israel to pass through. Israel got safely to the other side, and when the Egyptians followed them, God brought the sea upon the Egyptians and drowned them all.
Proof:
Exodus chapter 14
95. For what purpose did God perform all these wonderful works? Answer: That He might make His existence and power known to Israel and to all the earth.
Proof:
Or hath God assayed to go and take him a nation from the midst of another nation, by temptations, by signs, and by wonders, and by war, and by a mighty hand, and by a stretched out arm, and by great terrors, according to all that the LORD your God did for you in Egypt before your eyes? Unto thee it was shewed, that thou mightest know that the LORD he is God; there is none else beside him. (Deut. 4:34-35).
Nevertheless he saved them for his name's sake, that he might make his mighty power to be known. (Psa. 106:8).
In the day that I lifted up mine hand unto them, to bring them forth of the land of Egypt into a land that I had espied for them, flowing with milk and honey, which is the glory of all lands: Then said I unto them, Cast ye away every man the abominations of his eyes, and defile not yourselves with the idols of Egypt: I am the LORD your God. But they rebelled against me, and would not hearken unto me: they did not every man cast away the abominations of their eyes, neither did they forsake the idols of Egypt: then I said, I will pour out my fury upon them, to accomplish my anger against them in the midst of the land of Egypt. But I wrought for my name's sake, that it should not be polluted before the heathen, among whom they were, in whose sight I made myself known unto them, in bringing them forth out of the land of Egypt. (Ezek. 20:6-9).
And the LORD said unto Moses, Go in unto Pharaoh: for I have hardened his heart, and the heart of his servants, that I might shew these my signs before him: And that thou mayest tell in the ears of thy son, and of thy son's son, what things I have wrought in Egypt, and my signs which I have done among them; that ye may know how that I am the LORD. (Ex. 10:1-2).
And in very deed for this cause have I raised thee up, for to shew in thee my power; and that my name may be declared throughout all the earth. (Ex. 9:16).
And I will sever in that day the land of Goshen, in which my people dwell, that no swarms of flies shall be there; to the end thou mayest know that I am the LORD in the midst of the earth. (Ex. 8:22).
96. When Israel had crossed the Red Sea, what did God next do with them? Answer: He led them to the wilderness of Sinai among great and barren mountains, and showed His presence in a visible manner before them by descending to the top of Sinai in the midst of dense cloud, smoke, and earthquake; and speaking to them with a loud voice which they all heard.
Proof: