Then the Exodus from Egypt began with the whole company under Moses being directed away from the northern road leading from Egypt to Gaza in Canaan. From Rameses, probably near Qantir, they moved to Succoth perhaps, the ancient Tell el Maskhuta situated in the Wadi Tumilat in the southeastern region of the Nile delta.

Then the Hebrews camped at Etham on the edge of the Wilderness of Shur - Ex. 13:20 - at a site still unknown but probably north of Lake Timsah close to the fortifications guarding Egypt's northeastern frontier. They were directed by a PILLAR OF CLOUD during the day. At night they were guided by a PILLAR OF FIRE which led them away from Etham probably in a northwesterly direction to a site opposite Baal Zephon and Pi Hahiroth.

At this site a body of water stood in the way. - Ex. 14:2 - To the Egyptians this spelled the doom of a group of runaway slaves that had become thoroughly confused about their location as they struggled to get out of the Goshen area. This misunderstanding was part of God's plan to destroy the Egyptian armies. - Ex. 14:3-4 - They closed in on the Israelites camp, eager to recapture their escaped slaves. While the Hebrews assembled and rushed to the edge of the water the pillar of cloud moved to the rear of the fleeing Hebrews preventing the movement of the Egyptian armies.

A strong east wind from the desert began to blow on the surface of the water which is also described more fully as a "reed sea" - Ex. 15:22 - or lake of papyrus reeds. English versions of the Sacred Scripture/Holy Bible mistakenly translated the phrase as "Red Sea" but this name describes a large oceanic gulf far to the southeast in which papyrus reeds do not grow. The concentrated hot winds parted the shallow marsh waters and dried the bottom so the Israelites could flee across it.

As the Egyptians followed the winds stopped and the waters drowned the pursuers. The miracles of the Exodus were thus completed by the destruction of the Egyptian armies. The jubilant Israelites sang a victory song with Moses to celebrate the event. - Ex. 15:1-18 - The women led by Miriam the sister of Aaron also danced and sang - Ex. 15:20-22 - as they praised God for His deliverance.

Then the Israelites began to journey into the WILDERNESS OF SHUR - Ex. 15:22 - known in the book of Numbers 33:8 - as the WILDERNESS OF ETHAM. They had traveled in a circular manner except that now they were east of the body of water. Being free from the threat of capture they traveled east and south into the Sinai peninsula in order to meet with God at Mount Sinai (Horeb). Here they would establish a COVENANT that would make them God's chosen nation. Etham contained very little water but after God enabled Moses to locate a supply the Hebrews arrived at an oasis named Elim.

The Exodus became for the Hebrews the supreme occasion when God acted to deliver His people from harsh captivity binding them to Himself by a solemn covenant. Even today when the Jews celebrate the Passover they are reminded of God's mighty deliverance in that long time ago.

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Sunday, May 24, 2009

I have through years of reading, pondering, reflecting and contemplating, the 3 things that last; FAITH . HOPE . LOVE and I would like to made available my sharing from the many thinkers, authors, scholars and theologians whose ideas and thoughts I have borrowed. God be with them always. Amen!

I STILL HAVE MANY THINGS TO SAY TO YOU BUT THEY WOULD BE TOO MUCH FOR YOU NOW. BUT WHEN THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH COMES, HE WILL LEAD YOU TO THE COMPLETE TRUTH, SINCE HE WILL NOT BE SPEAKING AS FROM HIMSELF, BUT WILL SAY ONLY WHAT HE HAS LEARNT; AND HE WILL TELL YOU OF THE THINGS TO COME.

HE WILL GLORIFY ME, SINCE ALL HE TELLS YOU WILL BE TAKEN FROM WHAT IS MINE. EVERYTHING THE FATHER HAS IS MINE; THAT IS WHY I SAID: ALL HE TELLS YOU WILL BE TAKEN FROM WHAT IS MINE. - JOHN 16:12-15 -