Exodus 15:22-18:27 PowerPoint Slides (PDF)
[Draft in progress]
This next section is an important narrative transition which details Israel’s departure from Egypt and travels to Mt. Sinai. The life of Israel here parallels Abraham’s in that as Pharaoh had summoned the Patriarch and commanded him to “Take her [Sarai] and go” (Gen 12:19), Pharaoh had told Moses to “Take … your flocks and your herds … and go” (Ex 12:32). The narrative here records for us Israel’s departure into the wilderness even as its patriarchal father travelled through the wilderness to return to Canaan.
Later we will see another parallel expressed: “So Abram went up from Egypt to the Negev” (Gen 13:1), and Israel went up into the Negev after leaving Sinai (Numbers 13:17, 22, 29).
Israel here crossed the Red Sea and “went out into the wilderness” (Exodus 15:22).
Into the Desert of Shur, 15:22-27
The desert of Shur lay between Egypt and Canaan. A vast region, three days journey was but the start of the trip. It was also the length of journey Moses had requested of Pharaoh (Exodus 5:3).
As Israel enters into the wilderness, they experience lack of water and thirst. The lack of water is due from the bitterness of the waters of Marah. There was water there, but they could not drink it.
This thirsting of Israel at the waters of Marah is a testing of God, and a theme of testing associated with the giving of God’s commands is discernable through chapter 20 (15:25; 16:4; 17:2, 7 and 20:20). The chiastic structure of the passage highlights the theme of God’s provision of the sweet water following Israel’s complaining. [See the slide].
God uses the waters of Marah too as an illustration of how his law will provide protection for Israel and save it from the destructive consequences of disobedience which God brought upon the Egyptians. Yahveh will become Israel’s Healer (Exodus 15:26). This promise becomes a milestone for the nation which is symbolized in the twelve springs and seventy date palms (remember Israel, represented by Jacob and his twelve sons, had gone to Egypt with seventy persons).
Israel journeys into the wilderness to find bitter water, but God’s presence among them makes the difference between desperation and thirst and springs of sweet water where they may camp; so, also for the believer (John 4:13-14).
In the Desert of Sin, 16:1-36
Israel at Rephidim, 17:1-16
Jethro Comes to Visit, 18: 1-27