Context No. 3034 of 4322 · Numbers

Numbers 33:1-16: in context

1These are the journeys of the children of Israel, when they went out of the land of Egypt by their armies under the hand of Moses and Aaron. 2Moses wrote the starting points of their journeys by the commandment of the LORD. These are their journeys according to their starting points. 3They traveled from Rameses in the first month, on the fifteenth day of the first month; on the next day after the Passover, the children of Israel went out with a high hand in the sight of all the Egyptians, 4while the Egyptians were burying all their firstborn, whom the LORD had struck among them. The LORD also executed judgments on their gods. 5The children of Israel traveled from Rameses, and encamped in Succoth. 6They traveled from Succoth, and encamped in Etham, which is in the edge of the wilderness. 7They traveled from Etham, and turned back to Pihahiroth, which is before Baal Zephon, and they encamped before Migdol. 8They traveled from before Hahiroth, and crossed through the middle of the sea into the wilderness. They went three days’ journey in the wilderness of Etham, and encamped in Marah. 9They traveled from Marah, and came to Elim. In Elim, there were twelve springs of water and seventy palm trees, and they encamped there. 10They traveled from Elim, and encamped by the Red Sea. 11They traveled from the Red Sea, and encamped in the wilderness of Sin. 12They traveled from the wilderness of Sin, and encamped in Dophkah. 13They traveled from Dophkah, and encamped in Alush. 14They traveled from Alush, and encamped in Rephidim, where there was no water for the people to drink. 15They traveled from Rephidim, and encamped in the wilderness of Sinai. 16They traveled from the wilderness of Sinai, and encamped in Kibroth Hattaavah.

The record of Israel's journeys opens with the departure from Egypt. They set out from Rameses the day after the Passover, going out boldly, with a high hand, in full view of the Egyptians who were still burying their firstborn. Then the stages are listed one by one: Succoth, Etham, through the sea, Marah, and Elim, where there were twelve springs of water and seventy palm trees.

The journey-record begins with a triumphant departure, a redeemed people going out in the morning after the first Passover, saved by the blood of the lamb while Egypt mourned. And among the stages named is Elim, a green place of twelve springs and seventy palm trees, a place of rest and refreshment on a hard road. God's leading through the wilderness included not only tests but oases, appointed places to breathe. He does not march his people relentlessly onward; he brings them to their Elims. The whole itinerary is the record of a God who both led and provided at every single stage.

As I look back over my own journey, can I see the "Elims," the springs and shade God provided along the hard road, and trust him for the stages still ahead?

Sources

Numbers 33:3: "On the next day after the Passover, the children of Israel went out with a high hand in the sight of all the Egyptians."
Numbers 33:9: "In Elim, there were twelve springs of water and seventy palm trees, and they encamped there."
Exodus 15:13: "You, in your loving kindness, have led the people that you have redeemed."