Our third period of Israel’s history covers only 40 years. This time of Wandering in the Wilderness starts with the crossing of the Red Sea (marking the Exodus from Egypt) and ends with the crossing of the Jordan River (marking the entry into the promised land). The period includes an encampment at Sinai, where God gave the Law to Moses on the mountain.
Summary of Third Period
WANDERING IN THE WILDERNESS In the providence of God, one of the Israelites, Moses, was privileged and powerful in Egypt. After forty years he tried to deliver his people from slavery, but they rejected him. Having killed one of the cruel slave masters, Moses fled to Midian and was forty years a shepherd. He saw an angel in a bush that was burning yet unconsumed. The angel sent Moses back to Egypt. There he brought ten plagues upon Egypt and led the children of Israel across the Red Sea into the sandy wastes of Sinai. He led them wandering in the wilderness forty years because they were too disobedient and unthankful to enter Canaan the promised land. At Sinai, the law was given and the tabernacle of worship prepared.
In this lesson we look at the first part of the wilderness wanderings: from the crossing of the Red Sea to the arrival at Sinai. The events of this part are summarised on the next page.
The Exodus from Egypt actually begins with the journey from Ramases to Succoth (Exo 12:37-41). The number of 600,000 men on foot does not include children, and probably does not include the women. There is also mention of "a mixed multitude" that went with them. This means that possibly some two million people plus a huge number of livestock began the journey that was to last 40 years. Some scholars think of this number as a problem. However, to move and encamp such a large number is by no means impossible logistically. We must remember, too, that God was providing miraculous help.
The Main Point
Behind this story is the amazing power demonstrated by God in dealing with the Pharaoh and helping his people to get out of Egypt under the leadership of Moses (Exo 14:31). God’s power is acknowledged in Moses’s Song. "In Thy strength Thou has guided them" (Exo 15:13).
Bible Summary (Exodus 14-19)
The Exodus (14)
Pharaoh pursues the Israelites (14)
Crossing the Red Sea (14)
Egyptian army destroyed (14)
Song of Israel (15)
Grumbling begins (15)
Bitter water turned sweet (15)
Quail and manna given to eat (16)
Water from the rock (17)
War with Amalek (17)
Jethro advises Moses on a judicial system (18)
Arrival at Sinai (19)
The Miracles in the Wilderness
Moses said, "Stand by and see the salvation of the Lord!"
An angel of God and a pillar of cloud and fire guarded the multitude (Exo 13:21-22; 14:19).
The sea was swept back by a strong wind to make a path for the Israelites through the sea (Exo 14:21-22,29).
The Egyptian’s chariot wheels were made to swerve, and when the army tried to flee, the waters of the sea returned to normal and drowned them all
(Exo 14:25?28,30-31)
Bitter waters were made sweet and drinkable (Exo 15:22-25).
Guaranteed freedom from disease (Exo 15:26).
Manna rains from heaven for bread (Exo 16:4,14-18).
Quail are sent to provide meat (Exo16:13)
Water comes from a rock (Exo 17:2-6)
Moses’s raised hand allows the Israelites to prevail over Amalek
(Exo 17:9-13).