בשלח

When Pharaoh finally let the Israelites go, God did not lead them on the nearest road through Philistine land. God knew that if they faced war too soon, they might turn back to Egypt. So the people traveled the longer way, through the wilderness toward the Sea of Reeds.

The Israelites left Egypt armed, and Moses carried Joseph’s bones, because Joseph had made the people promise, “When God takes notice of you, bring my bones up from here.” They set out from Succoth and camped at Etham, at the edge of the wilderness.

God went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night, so they could travel safely. Then God told Moses to have the people turn back and camp by the sea, near Pi-hahiroth, between Migdol and the sea, facing Baal-zephon. God said Pharaoh would think they were trapped, and Pharaoh would chase them, so the Egyptians would know God’s power.

When Pharaoh heard the Israelites had fled, he changed his mind. He took his chariot force, six hundred picked chariots and many more, and chased them. The Egyptians overtook Israel camped by the sea. Seeing the army coming, the people were terrified and cried out. They complained to Moses, but Moses said, “Do not fear. Stand and see the deliverance God will work for you. God will battle for you.”

God told Moses, “Tell the Israelites to go forward.” Moses lifted his rod and held out his arm over the sea. All night a strong east wind drove the water back, and the Israelites marched into the sea on dry ground, with water like walls on both sides. The Egyptians followed, but at dawn God threw them into panic and jammed their chariot wheels. When Moses stretched out his arm again, the sea returned and covered Pharaoh’s army.

Israel saw what God had done and sang. Miriam the prophet, Aaron’s sister, led the women with hand-drums and dancing as they sang, “Sing to God, for He has triumphed gloriously; horse and driver He has hurled into the sea.”

After the Sea of Reeds, Moses led Israel into the wilderness of Shur. For three days they found no water. At Marah the water was bitter, and the people asked what they could drink. Moses cried to God, and God showed him a piece of wood. When Moses threw it into the water, it became sweet.

They camped at Elim, where there were twelve springs and seventy palm trees. Later, in the wilderness of Sin, the people worried about food. God promised bread from the sky: each day they gathered only what they needed. In the evening quail covered the camp, and in the morning a fine, flaky food lay on the ground. They asked, “What is it?” and Moses said it was the bread God gave them. On the sixth day they gathered double, and on the seventh day they rested.

At Rephidim there was no water again. God told Moses to strike the rock at Horeb, and water flowed. Then Amalek attacked. Joshua led the fighters while Moses stood on a hill with the rod of God. When Moses’ hands grew heavy, Aaron and Hur held them up until sunset, and Israel prevailed. Moses built an altar and named it Adonai-nissi, a Hebrew name meaning “The Lord is my banner.”