Chapter 26—From the Red Sea to Sinai
This chapter is based on
Exodus 15:22-27
;
16
to
18
.
From the Red Sea the hosts of Israel again set forth on their journey,
under the guidance of the pillar of cloud. The scene around them was
most dreary—bare, desolate-looking mountains, barren plains, and
the sea stretching far away, its shores strewn with the bodies of their
enemies; yet they were full of joy in the consciousness of freedom,
and every thought of discontent was hushed.
But for three days, as they journeyed, they could find no water.
The supply which they had taken with them was exhausted. There
was nothing to quench their burning thirst as they dragged wearily
over the sun-burnt plains. Moses, who was familiar with this region,
knew what the others did not, that at Marah, the nearest station where
springs were to be found, the water was unfit for use. With intense
anxiety he watched the guiding cloud. With a sinking heart he heard
the glad shout. “Water! water!” echoed along the line. Men, women,
and children in joyous haste crowded to the fountain, when, lo, a cry
of anguish burst forth from the host—the water was bitter.
In their horror and despair they reproached Moses for having led
them in such a way, not remembering that the divine presence in that
mysterious cloud had been leading him as well as them. In his grief
at their distress Moses did what they had forgotten to do; he cried
earnestly to God for help. “And the Lord showed him a tree, which
when he had cast into the waters, the waters were made sweet.” Here
the promise was given to Israel through Moses, “If thou wilt diligently
hearken to the voice of the Lord thy God, and wilt do that which is
right in His sight, and wilt give ear to His commandments, and keep
all His statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I
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have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the Lord that healeth thee.”
From Marah the people journeyed to Elim, where they found
“twelve wells of water, and threescore and ten palm trees.” Here they
remained several days before entering the wilderness of Sin. When
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