Some of the wadis in these mountains
From Google Earth
“The light from God’s pillar of fire shone upon the foam-capped billows, and lighted the road that was cut like a mighty furrow through the waters of the sea, and was lost in the obscurity of the farther shore.” Patriarchs and Prophets p287.
When Israel was safely across, the pillar was removed from before the Egyptians.
“And the Egyptians pursued, and went in after them to the midst of the sea, even all Pharaoh’s horses, his chariots, and his horsemen. And it came to pass, that in the morning watch the Lord looked unto the host of the Egyptians through the pillar of fire and of the cloud, and troubled the host of the Egyptians, And took off their chariot wheels, that they drave them heavily: so that the Egyptians said, Let us flee from the face of Israel; for the Lord fighteth for them against the Egyptians.” Exodus 14:23-25.
The “morning watch” is possibly around 5.00am, as this is the beginning of twilight in the morning.
By this time, Israel is safe on the other shore.
Let us look at the time frame. Israel’s walk across the ocean floor could have begun at 8.00pm and finished at 4.00am, a period of eight hours.
This is a reasonable time, for worked out mathematically, at a speed of 5 kilometres an hour, it could take eight hours. If the blowing of the wind was very short, they could have left at 7.00pm, giving them another hour, but they would be well across by the time the army was in the sea. (The width allowed for the calculations was 800 metres, whereas it is actually 800 – 900, so a margin is allowed)
God’s people would need to be at a safe distance on the other shore before the Egyptian army entered the water, for the Bible says the sea became a fury. A great storm arose -- rain, lightning, thunder, even earth tremors.
“The mysterious cloud changed to a pillar of fire before their astonished eyes. The thunders pealed and the lightnings flashed.” Patriarchs and Prophets p287.
“The clouds poured out water; the skies sent out a sound: thine arrows also went abroad. The voice of Thy thunder was in the heaven: the lightnings lightened the world: the earth trembled and shook.” Psalm 77:17.18.
It would have been a fearful time for Pharaoh and his army.
“The Egyptians were seized with confusion and dismay. Amid the wrath of the elements, in which they heard the voice of an angry God, they endeavored to retrace their steps and flee to the shore they had quitted.” Ibid p287.8.
They shouted to one another, “Let us flee from the face of Israel; for the Lord fighteth for them against the Egyptians.” Exodus 14:25.
This is the judgment of God upon a nation that defied the living God. You will remember that pharaoh made the challenge, “Who is the Lord, that I should obey his voice to let Israel go? I know not the Lord, neither will I let Israel go.” Exodus 5:2.
Then the Lord said to Moses, “Stretch out thine hand over the sea, that the waters may come again upon the Egyptians, upon their chariots, and upon their horsemen.” Exodus 14:26.
And Moses obeyed.
He “stretched out his rod, and the piled-up waters, hissing, roaring, and eager for their prey, rushed together and swallowed the Egyptian army in their black depths.” Ibid p287.8.
“And the waters covered their enemies: there was not one of them left.” Psalm 106:11.
When was this?
“And Moses stretched forth his hand over the sea, and the sea returned to his strength when the morning appeared; and the Egyptians fled against it; and the Lord overthrew the Egyptians in the mist of the sea.
And the waters returned, and covered the chariots, and the horsemen, and all the host of Pharaoh that came into the sea after them; there remained not so much as one of them.” Exodus 14:27.28.
Let us think of the time frame again.
The deliverance across the Red Sea would have been on the night of the 21st, the Israelites making their crossing prior to the early morning watch. (Daybreak would still be the 21st )
“As morning broke it revealed to the multitudes of Israel all that remained of their mighty foes – the mail-clad bodies cast upon the shore. From the most terrible peril, one night had brought complete deliverance.” Patriarchs and Prophets p288.
Thus, the deliverance was on the last day of the feast of Unleavened Bread. Again, we must remind ourselves that it was not a feast, but the experience is the reason for the feast.
At the setting of the sun on that wonderful day, the people knew that tomorrow would be a new beginning. And soon… the promised land. (Their first full day of freedom was the 8th day. See further on)
On the 15th of the first month, Israel was to keep the feast of Unleavened Bread for seven days that they might remember their travels through the wilderness in haste. It was eaten with bitter herbs to remind them of their bondage in Egypt.
On the 15th of the seventh month, Israel was to keep another feast called Tabernacles or Booths. Leviticus 23:39.40. “When Israel marched out of Egypt, they made their first encampment under the shelter of green boughs at Succoth. And for more than fifteen hundred years the Hebrew nation by the command of God left their houses, and dwelt one whole week in tabernacles of green boughs, to commemorate the encampment of their fathers under the palm branches of Succoth.” Signs of the Times. Feb 2.1882.
On their journey, Israel dwelt in tents, but when they arrived in the promised land they built houses. Thus it was necessary for them to make temporary shelters of palm branches and other leafy boughs. “This feast was not only the harvest thanksgiving, but the memorial of God’s protecting care over Israel in the wilderness. In commemoration of their tent life, the Israelites during the feast dwelt in booths or tabernacles of green boughs. These were erected in the streets, in the courts of the temple, or on the housetops.” Desire of Ages p448.
Rehearsing the journey and the timing.
Passover – 14th Abib -- The Lord spared the firstborn; they left Goshen. Unleavened Bread Day 1 – 15th Abib – Camp & Exodus from Succoth Unleavened Bread Day 2 – 16th Abib -- Traveling across the desert Unleavened Bread Day 3 – 17th Abib -- Camp at Etham. Arrived at Nuweiba Unleavened Bread Day 4 – 18th Abib -- Encamped at Nuweiba
Unleavened Bread Day 5 – 19th Abib -- Encamped at Nuweiba Unleavened Bread Day 6 – 20th Abib -- Encamped at Nuweiba Unleavened Bread Day 7 – 21st Abib -- Deliverance over Red Sea
In the Bible, numbers have important meanings.
For instance, 10 represents God’s law; 4 represents this world; 6 represents sinful man, of which 666 is the ultimate man of sin; 8 represents resurrection and new beginning, and so forth.
The number 7 represents God’s perfect completion as revealed in the Sabbath, the seventh day of the week, and many instances in Revelation of the end of this world.
Therefore it is not surprising that God would deliver His people on the seventh day of a feast to be kept in the new land. It was to be a reminder of their journey from Egypt in haste.
Israel’s experience is a type of the deliverance of God’s people at the end of time, for “In freeing our souls from the bondage of sin, God has wrought for us a deliverance greater than that of the Hebrews at the Red Sea.” Patriarchs & Prophets p289. Praise God.
It is clear from the Bible that God has allowed only six thousand years for this world of sin, and at the beginning of the seventh millennium, He will deliver His people. (The following millennium (the 8th) we will begin our life in the new earth, the ‘heavenly’ promised land)
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For many years I have wondered the significance of the seven days of unleavened bread. Nothing had fulfilled it, except for the first two days of the seven, which most Christians accept. But what did the seven days mean to Israel?
Some say Israel had a feast for seven days at Succoth before leaving for the promised land. It is true, the wording of Scripture could mean this. But why would God make His people wait a whole week before leaving? They were anxious to be on their way. Was not their journey in haste? Exodus 12:11.33.
As you would have discovered, the writer of this little book believes the timing of the Exodus to be seven literal days, however, you are welcome to disagree. Of course the timing is not an important point, however, it is of interest to Bible students.
The main message of the Exodus is that God delivered His people, and being a type, we have the assurance that He will again deliver His faithful people.
Praise God.
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Having studied the subject for myself and come to the conclusion that the Israelites crossed the Red Sea on the last day of the feast of Unleavened Bread, I wrote this book and was satisfied. Some months later I came across the following statement by James Usshur, under the heading, The Deliverance of Israel across the Red Sea.
“This happened on the 21st day of the first month on the last day of the feast of Unleavened Bread, as appointed by God. This is the general opinion of the Jews and is in accordance with known facts.” The Annals of the World by James Usshur p39.
This was indeed encouraging to me, as I hope it will be to you.
Israel “went out with a high hand (exalted) in the sight of all the Egyptians.” Numbers 33:3.
“And it came to pass the selfsame day, that the Lord did bring the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt by their armies.” Exodus 12:51.
What is “the selfsame day”?
There are a number of verses that speak about “the selfsame day”, a day to be remembered when Israel left Egypt.
“And it came to pass at the end of the four hundred and thirty years, even the selfsame day it came to pass, that all the hosts of the Lord went out from the land of Egypt. It is a night to be much observed unto the lord for bringing them out from the land of Egypt….” Exodus 12:41.42.
“And Moses said unto the people, Remember this day, in which ye came out from Egypt, out of the house of bondage; for by strength of hand the Lord brought you out from this place: there shall no leavened bread be eaten. This day came ye out in the month Abib.” Exodus 13:3.4.
The surrounding verses are not clear in identifying the day, however, the mention of ‘no leavened bread’ is a clue.
“And ye shall observe the feast of unleavened bread; for in this selfsame day have I brought your armies out of the land of Egypt: therefore shall ye observe this day in your generations by an ordinance for ever.” Exodus 12:17.
We see from the verse that it was the first day of the feast of Unleavened Bread, not then a feast, but would be kept in the future. (See Exodus 13:3-10) It is still remembered as the day of their deliverance by the Jewish community, and often called Passover.
The distance from Goshen to Succoth is not known. Various distances have been given, from 120 miles to 20 miles. It is believed to have been north of Memphis, and would have to be a very large area for 600,000 families and their animals. Allowing ten sheep per family, would mean six million animals.
Leaving Goshen, they needed to gather the rest of their belongings, organise their animals, spoil the Egyptians (which would mean going through a large Egyptian city, possibly Pi-Rameses), as well as collect the bones of Joseph from an Egyptian tomb, and walk to their meeting place. It was a completely new experience, and would have taken all day, arriving after sunset at Succoth, outside the Egyptian boundary.
It was the 15th Abib. (Remember that in the Bible, evening precedes the daylight hours. Once the sun had set, it was the next day. In Egypt at this time of year, sunset is at 6.00pm and sunrise at 6.30am)
What did Israel do when they arrived at Succoth?
“And the children of Israel removed from Rameses, and pitched in Succoth.” Numbers 33:5. “And they baked unleavened cakes of the dough which they brought forth out of Egypt, for it was not leavened; because they were thrust out of Egypt, and could not tarry, neither had they prepared for themselves any victual.” Exodus 12:39.
They would be very tired from the exciting night and hectic day, so after eating, they were able to lie down and sleep. The morning would begin their long journey, and they needed to be refreshed.
Early on the 15th, the final preparations were made for their departure from Succoth.
What excitement!
But the desert was wide and the journey long.
“Across a dreary, desertlike expanse they journey. Already they began to wonder whither their course would lead; they were becoming weary with the toilsome way, and in some hearts began to arise a fear of pursuit by the Egyptians. But the cloud went forward, and they followed.” Patriarchs and Prophets p282.3.
The area is flat, but perhaps dotted with trees and bushes. Today it is pure desert. Of this long journey, the Bible says, “And they took their journey from Succoth, and encamped in Etham, in the edge of the wilderness.” Exodus 13:20. It is a short statement about a long journey of approximately 200 kilometres. (124 miles)
No doubt it was evening when they set up camp at Etham.
Note that Etham is on the opposite side of the desert, a place where they would have expected to be turning north towards the promised land. (See map)
Instead, God told Moses, “Speak unto the children of Israel, that they turn and encamp before Pihahiroth, between Migdol and the sea, over against Baalzephon: before it shall ye encamp by the sea.” Exodus 14:2.
This was a strange direction. Why would they be going south?
God had revealed to Moses that “Pharaoh would pursue them, but that God would be honored in their deliverance.” Patriarchs and Prophets p282.3.
The route south was through a dry water course called a wadi, this one being the Wadi Watir. It ran between mountains all the way to the sea at Nuweiba beach in the Gulf of Aqaba.
This was to be their next camp site.
Having spent the night at Etham, the people would have risen early to begin their trek through the wadi, arriving at the beach early that night. (ST 3.10.1881) (Photograph taken from satellite)
Deliverance – When?
The Hebrews were still in Goshen, Egypt. It was the 14th Abib.
During the plagues, they had gradually assembled themselves in companies and tribes, putting together some provisions.
“Swiftly and secretly they made their preparations for departure. Their families were gathered, the paschal lamb slain, the flesh roasted with fire, the unleavened bread and bitter herbs prepared….The sign of blood – the sign of a Saviour’s protection – was on their doors, and the destroyer entered not.” Patriarchs and Prophets p279.281. Exodus 12:11.
This was the night when all the firstborn of Egypt died at the hand of the destroying angel. At midnight, young and old were cut down, even the firstborn of pharaoh. Exodus 11:4. 12:29. (Research has shown that the firstborn of pharoah was probably Tutankhamen, the prince who died at a young age, and whose tomb was found undisturbed, full of the treasures of Egypt)
“With their loins girt, with sandaled feet, and staff in hand, the people of Israel had stood, hushed, awed, yet expectant, awaiting the royal mandate that should bid them go forth.” Ibid p281.
Few slept the night of the 14th. “Before morning broke, they were on their way….” Ibid p281. (This is still the 14th, as a Bible day begins with the night, followed by the day)
“And the Egyptians were urgent upon the people, that they might send them out of the land in haste; for they said, We be all dead men…. And the Lord gave the people favour in the sight of the Egyptians, so that they lent unto them such things as they required. And they spoiled the Egyptians.” Exodus 12:33.36. (The KJV uses the word ‘lent’ and ‘borrow’, but in Hebrew these words mean ‘to ask or demand’ and ‘to give’, not related to returning the goods later)
The Egyptians “were too eager to be freed from their presence to refuse them. The bondmen went forth laden with the spoil of their oppressors.” Ibid 281.
They took “jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and raiment”, a worthy “recompense for unpaid labour”. Exodus 3:21.22. 12:35. Ibid p281.
The women Israelites had prepared their bread during night, but knowing there would not be time for it to rise, made it without leaven. They “took their dough before it was leavened, their kneading troughs being bound up in their clothes upon their shoulders.” Exodus 12:34. (Certain flours were leavened by kneading, but there was not time to do it)
How many made the journey?
The Bible says, “… about six hundred thousand on foot that were men, beside children.” Exodus 12:37. Allowing every man a wife and two children gives a figure of 2,400,000. (Two children is a very low figure) A “mixed multitude” of Egyptians also went along, but we do not know how many. Exodus 12:38.
This means there would have been at least 3,000,000 people.
“The people took also with them ‘flocks, and herds, even very much cattle’. These were the property of the Israelites, who had never sold their possessions to the king, as had the Egyptians. Jacob and his sons had brought their flocks and herds with them to Egypt, where they had greatly increased.” Patriarchs and Prophets p281.
“And the children of Israel journey from Rameses to Succoth”. Exodus 12:37. (The name of the place where Israel lived is called both the land of Goshen and the land of Rameses. See Genesis 27:11. 46:28.34. Exodus 8:22. 9:26. It is possible Rameses is where they built the treasure city of Rameses, maybe the same as Pi-Rameses, once a large Egyptian city. Exodus 1:11)
God led Israel to Succoth, not along the northern route in case of war with the Philistines, nor by the way of Shur, a direct route to Canaan. Instead He led them by the southern route, called the way of the wilderness of the Red Sea.
The area of Succoth is a large flat plain where the Egyptian army assembled its soldiers. However, there were also many “green boughs” of “palm trees” under which the people could shelter. Signs of the Times. Feb 2. 1882.
Moses had been instructed in all the wisdom of Egypt, and well able to marshal the people into an organised body. The Bible says they “went up harnessed out of the land of Egypt”. Exodus 13:18. The Hebrew word for ‘harnessed’ means to be organised in ranks as an army. (Remember, they had already been organised in Goshen prior to leaving their homes, so the organisation at Succoth would be minimal)
A wadi on Google Earth
The Exodus --- How Long?