Decision One: The Exodus

The role of Divine Providence in war

"appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions... and for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor."

Jefferson

"The hand of Providence has been so conspicuous in all this, that he must be worse than an infidel that lacks faith, and more than wicked, that has not gratitude enough to acknowledge his obligations—but—it will be time enough for me to turn preacher, when my present appointment ceases."

George Washington

“It has pleased Almighty God to hearken to the supplications and prayers of an afflicted people and to vouchsafe to the army and the navy of the United States victories on land and on the sea."

Abraham Lincoln

"Give me four clear days so that my planes can fly, so that my fighter-bombers can bomb and strafe, so that my reconnaissance may pick out targets for my magnificent artillery. Give me four days of sunshine to dry this blasted mud, so that my tanks may roll, so that ammunition and rations may be taken to my hungry, ill-equipped infantry.  I need these four days to send von Rundstedt and his godless army to their Valhalla. I am sick of this unnecessary butchery of American youth, and in exchange for four days of fighting weather, I will deliver You enough Krauts to keep your bookkeepers months behind in their work. Amen."

General Patton's prayer

Exercise 1

You are Moses. You claim you had a conversation with God who appeared to you as a fire in a bush. He told you to go to Pharaoh and demand that the Hebrew slaves be released to go worship.

Such boldness could be very risky, and you are not very confident. But God has assured you His assistance.

FIRST DECISION: Do you go? If so, what do you say? 

Pharaoh has scorned your demands and laughed at your threats. God told you to curse Egypt with a plague: all water turned to blood.

Pharaoh ignored your warning. The plague came. Pharaoh agreed to release the slaves. When you removed the plague, Pharaoh changed his mind.

The pattern of #4 happened ten times. A plague was sent, Pharaoh agreed to free slaves, the plague was removed, and Pharaoh changed his mind.

Finally, God told Pharaoh to announce that the first-born son in every house would die if the slaves were not released. To protect Hebrew sons, blood from a sacrificed lamb would have to be painted on the door. Those houses would be "passed over."

All first born Egyptians were killed.

Pharaoh agreed to free the Hebrew slaves.

Very shortly after their Exodus, Pharaoh changed his mind. He gathered his military and set out to re-capture the Hebrews.

The Hebrews were caught between the Red Sea and the Egyptian Army. 

SECOND DECISION: You are the leader of the Hebrews. What is your strategy? Surrender? Fight? Run?

Concepts:

divine assistance

confidence v. recklessness

geographical advantage