[Biblemat] Can God prepare a table in the wilderness?

[Steve Rudd]

  Can God prepare a table in the wilderness? Ps 78:19

The Miracle of the Red Sea Crossing and the 40 years in the wilderness.
Introduction:
Exactly what was the geographic boundaries of Egypt in the time of 
the Exodus? When did Israel escape from Egypt? In the end, all the 
discussion about Egyptian territory in 1450 BC is unimportant. As we 
will see, a detailed study on the phrase "out of Egypt" is no help in 
determining the actual territory of that the Pharaoh controlled and 
what he considered within his power and domain. From a strictly 
language point of view, they were already out of Egypt while sleeping 
in Goshen before they left (Gen 50:7-8; Ex 9:25-26). They were 
already "out of Egypt" the first night they slept, 25 miles from 
Goshen. (Ex 12:51; 13:3; Deut 16:6) This of course, doesn't make any 
sense for those who press for the Bitter Lakes or the Gulf of Suez, 
since both of these areas are still clearly within Egypt in every 
sense. The Bitter Lakes are only 25 miles from Goshen and the Suez 
was only 60 miles. There was also a major Egyptian shipping port 5 
miles from the proposed crossing point at the north tip of the Gulf 
of Suez. No one would rationally suggest that this was "out of 
Egypt". So it is clear, that from a civil point of view, they had 
"left Egypt", their civil residences, the moment they started walking.
But we believe that the most important moment they were free from 
Egyptian control is at the crossing of the Red sea. Arguing over 
Egyptian Territory in 1450 BC is irrelevant considering the fact that 
even the Straits of Tiran at the Gulf of Aqaba was within striking 
distance for Pharaoh. Egypt had a migdol "military watchtower" 
permanently manned with lookouts at the three way intersection of 
waterways at the Straits of Tiran. While Pharaoh's lookouts watched, 
Israel marched past "Midgol" to Etham, only to be boxed in and turn 
back again and camp right in front of the military watchtower (the 
migdol). Word was sent to Pharaoh that Israel was shut into the 
wilderness and they were trapped by the mountains and the sea. 
Pharaoh sent his army to their watery destruction while Israel 
escaped to the shores near Midian and on to Mt. Sinai five days later.
The Bitter Lake's were so close to Goshen that it was likely the 
Hebrew's fishing hole on their days off. And the North Suez crossing 
is equally unlikely since the Hebrews would not waste any time 
rejoicing on the far side, they would keep running at full speed. 
After all they were only 10 miles away from one of Egypt's largest 
shipping terminals and only 60 miles from Goshen. You would not 
rejoice, you would run!  To the average Hebrew, freedom from Egypt 
only came when they entered modern Saudi Arabia which was the only 
crossing point that provided geographic security from Pharaoh.
1.      The term "land" designates the local town where they slept at 
night in their own houses: Gen 50:7-8 "So Joseph went up to bury his 
father, and with him went up all the servants of Pharaoh, the elders 
of his household and all the elders of the land of Egypt, and all the 
household of Joseph and his brothers and his father's household; they 
left only their little ones and their flocks and their herds in the 
land of Goshen. " ; Exodus 9:25-26 "The hail struck all that was in 
the field through all the land of Egypt, both man and beast; the hail 
also struck every plant of the field and shattered every tree of the 
field. Only in the land of Goshen, where the sons of Israel were, 
there was no hail."
2.      "So the Lord shifted the wind to a very strong west wind 
which took up the locusts and drove them into the Red Sea [Gulf of 
Aqaba]  not one locust was left in all the territory of Egypt. " Exodus 10:19
3.      Quite often in the Bible the expression "land of" denotes 
local towns within the same country: The "land of Goshen" and "land 
of Egypt" are both within the Country of Egypt and under Pharaoh's 
control: Gen 50:7-8; Ex 9:25-26, Num 32:1. In these three verses 
"land of" denotes local "states or provinces" within the country of 
Egypt. Today we would say, "He left the land of Tennessee to live in 
the land of New York.
4.      In the same way we notice that the land of Goshen was a city 
suburb within the country of Egypt. The Hebrews and Egyptians were 
living in two distinct city areas yet both were called "lands". The 
Land (local district) of Goshen was within the Land (Country) of 
Egypt. But the term "land of Egypt" also denotes the local city 
suburbs where the Hebrews did not live, as opposed to the land of 
Goshen. So the terms here are used to designate local tribal type 
boundaries not distinct countries.
5.      This verse shows that three days in the wilderness was not 
within the land of Egypt. But even here "out of Egypt" means, away 
from the visual presence of the Egyptians when they do their 
sacrificing. "Pharaoh called for Moses and Aaron and said, "Go, 
sacrifice to your God within the land." But Moses said, "It is not 
right to do so, for we will sacrifice to the Lord our God what is an 
abomination to the Egyptians. If we sacrifice what is an abomination 
to the Egyptians before their eyes, will they not then stone us? "We 
must go a three days' journey into the wilderness and sacrifice to 
the Lord our God as He commands us." Pharaoh said, "I will let you 
go, that you may sacrifice to the Lord your God in the wilderness; 
only you shall not go very far away. Make supplication for me." " 
Exodus 8:25-28
6.      "'I brought your fathers out of Egypt, and you came to the 
sea; and Egypt pursued your fathers with chariots and horsemen to the 
Red Sea. " Joshua 24:6
7.      "And on that same day [the day the left Goshen] the Lord 
brought the sons of Israel out of the land of Egypt by their hosts." 
Exodus 12:51
8.      "but at the place where the Lord your God chooses to 
establish His name, you shall sacrifice the Passover in the evening 
at sunset, at the time [the day the left Goshen] that you came out of 
Egypt. " Deuteronomy 16:6
9.      "Moses said to the people, "Remember this day [the day the 
left Goshen] in which you went out from Egypt, from the house of 
slavery; for by a powerful hand the Lord brought you out from this 
place. And nothing leavened shall be eaten. " Exodus 13:3
10.     ""You shall tell your son on that day, saying, 'It is because 
of what the Lord did for me when I came out of Egypt.' "And it shall 
serve as a sign to you on your hand, and as a reminder on your 
forehead, that the law of the Lord may be in your mouth; for with a 
powerful hand the Lord brought you out of Egypt. " Exodus 13:8-9
11.     "They baked the dough which they had brought out of Egypt 
into cakes of unleavened bread. For it had not become leavened, since 
they were driven out of Egypt and could not delay, nor had they 
prepared any provisions for themselves. " Exodus 12:39
12.     "Then they said to Moses, "Is it because there were no graves 
in Egypt that you have taken us away to die in the wilderness? Why 
have you dealt with us in this way, bringing us out of Egypt? " Exodus 14:11
13.     It is possible, but unlikely that this verse says they were 
still in Egypt at the Red Sea. More likely it says that while in 
Egypt proper (Goshen), then later after they left the suburbs of 
Egypt at the Red Sea, they did not believe. "Our fathers in Egypt did 
not understand Your wonders; They did not remember Your abundant 
kindnesses, But rebelled by the sea, at the Red Sea. Nevertheless He 
saved them for the sake of His name, That He might make His power 
known. " Psalm 106:7-8
14.     "'You shall also observe the Feast of Unleavened Bread, for 
on this very day [the day they left Goshen] I brought your hosts out 
of the land of Egypt; therefore you shall observe this day throughout 
your generations as a permanent ordinance. " Exodus 12:17
A. It was entirely by God's power that a city of 100,000 - 2 million 
survived in the desert for 40 years:
1.      "Moses said to the people, "Remember this day in which you 
went out from Egypt, from the house of slavery; for by a powerful 
hand the Lord brought you out from this place." Exodus 13:3
2.      "and the Lord brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand and 
an outstretched arm and with great terror and with signs and wonders 
" Deuteronomy 26:8
3.      "Say, therefore, to the sons of Israel, 'I am the Lord, and I 
will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, and I 
will deliver you from their bondage. I will also redeem you with an 
outstretched arm and with great judgments. 'Then I will take you for 
My people, and I will be your God; and you shall know that I am the 
Lord your God, who brought you out from under the burdens of the 
Egyptians." Exodus 6:6-7
4.      "but because the Lord loved you and kept the oath which He 
swore to your forefathers, the Lord brought you out by a mighty hand 
and redeemed you from the house of slavery, from the hand of Pharaoh 
king of Egypt. " Deuteronomy 7:8
5.      Not just the miraculous ten plagues, but also direct 
continuos supernatural help for 40 years.
B. Non-Hebrews joined them in the exodus:
1.      "A mixed multitude also went up with them, along with flocks 
and herds, a very large number of livestock. " Exodus 12:38
2.      The gentiles could see God was with the Hebrews and wanted to 
join them.
3.      Rahab joined Joshua.
C. They took their flocks, being expert herdsman who Pharaoh wanted 
tend his own herds:
1.      "Then Pharaoh said to his brothers, "What is your 
occupation?" So they said to Pharaoh, "Your servants are shepherds, 
both we and our fathers. ... The land of Egypt is at your disposal; 
settle your father and your brothers in the best of the land, let 
them live in the land of Goshen; and if you know any capable men 
among them, then put them in charge of my [Pharoah] livestock." Genesis 47:3,6
2.      ""Therefore, our livestock too shall go with us; not a hoof 
shall be left behind, for we shall take some of them to serve the 
Lord our God. And until we arrive there, we ourselves do not know 
with what we shall serve the Lord." " Exodus 10:26
E. Their clothing and shoes and body did not grow weary:
1.      ""Your clothing did not wear out on you, nor did your foot 
swell these forty years. " Deuteronomy 8:4
2.      ""I have led you forty years in the wilderness; your clothes 
have not worn out on you, and your sandal has not worn out on your 
foot. " Deuteronomy 29:5
3.      ""Indeed, forty years You provided for them in the wilderness 
and they were not in want; Their clothes did not wear out, nor did 
their feet swell. " Nehemiah 9:21
E. They were given supernatural help crossing the sea so as to not 
even trip going down or up from the sea:
1.      "Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea; and the Lord 
swept the sea back by a strong east wind all night and turned the sea 
into dry land, so the waters were divided. The sons of Israel went 
through the midst of the sea on the dry land, and the waters were 
like a wall to them on their right hand and on their left. " Exodus 14:21-22
2.      ""You saw the affliction of our fathers in Egypt, And heard 
their cry by the Red Sea. "Then You performed signs and wonders 
against Pharaoh, Against all his servants and all the people of his 
land; For You knew that they acted arrogantly toward them, And made a 
name for Yourself as it is this day. "You divided the sea before 
them, So they passed through the midst of the sea on dry ground; And 
their pursuers You hurled into the depths, Like a stone into raging 
waters. "And with a pillar of cloud You led them by day, And with a 
pillar of fire by night To light for them the way In which they were 
to go. " Nehemiah 9:9-12
3.      "Then His people remembered the days of old, of Moses. Where 
is He who brought them up out of the sea with the shepherds of His 
flock? Where is He who put His Holy Spirit in the midst of them, Who 
caused His glorious arm to go at the right hand of Moses, Who divided 
the waters before them to make for Himself an everlasting name, Who 
led them through the depths? Like the horse in the wilderness, they 
did not stumble; As the cattle which go down into the valley, The 
Spirit of the Lord gave them rest. So You led Your people, To make 
for Yourself a glorious name." Isaiah 63:11-14
4.      "Then He brought them out with silver and gold, And among His 
tribes there was not one who stumbled. " Psalm 105:37
5.      On the other side of the Red Sea they grew weary: "Remember 
what Amalek did to you along the way when you came out from Egypt, 
how he met you along the way and attacked among you all the 
stragglers at your rear when you were faint and weary; and he did not 
fear God." Deuteronomy 25:17-18
G. God gave them supernatural food and drink:
1.      "So the people took their dough before it was leavened, with 
their kneading bowls bound up in the clothes on their shoulders. " 
... "They baked the dough which they had brought out of Egypt into 
cakes of unleavened bread. For it had not become leavened, since they 
were driven out of Egypt and could not delay, nor had they prepared 
any provisions for themselves. " Exodus 12:34,39
2.      "The angel of the Lord came again a second time and touched 
Elijah and said, "Arise, eat, because the journey is too great for 
you." So he arose and ate and drank, and went in the strength of that 
food forty days and forty nights to Horeb, the mountain of God." 1 Kings 19:7-8
3.      "So the king of Israel went with the king of Judah and the 
king of Edom; and they made a circuit of seven days' journey, and 
there was no water for the army or for the cattle that followed them. 
... He said, "Thus says the Lord, 'Make this valley full of 
trenches.' "For thus says the Lord, 'You shall not see wind nor shall 
you see rain; yet that valley shall be filled with water, so that you 
shall drink, both you and your cattle and your beasts. 'This is but a 
slight thing in the sight of the Lord; He will also give the Moabites 
into your hand. 'Then you shall strike every fortified city and every 
choice city, and fell every good tree and stop all springs of water, 
and mar every good piece of land with stones.' " It happened in the 
morning about the time of offering the sacrifice, that behold, water 
came by the way of Edom, and the country was filled with water. " 2 
Kings 3:9,16-20
H. Christ, the cloud and pillar of fire, went led them like a 
shepherd who guided, fed and protected them.
1.      "The Lord was going before them in a pillar of cloud by day 
to lead them on the way, and in a pillar of fire by night to give 
them light, that they might travel by day and by night. He did not 
take away the pillar of cloud by day, nor the pillar of fire by 
night, from before the people." Exodus 13:21-22
2.      "and all ate the same spiritual food; and all drank the same 
spiritual drink, for they were drinking from a spiritual rock which 
followed them; and the rock was Christ. " 1 Corinthians 10:3-4
3.      "He spread a cloud for a covering [from heat of sun], And 
fire to illumine by night. " Psalm 105:39
4.      "The angel of God, who had been going before the camp of 
Israel, moved and went behind them; and the pillar of cloud moved 
from before them and stood behind them. " Exodus 14:19
5.      "At the morning watch, the Lord looked down on the army of 
the Egyptians through the pillar of fire and cloud and brought the 
army of the Egyptians into confusion. " Exodus 14:24
6.      "and they will tell it to the inhabitants of this land. They 
have heard that You, O Lord, are in the midst of this people, for 
You, O Lord, are seen eye to eye, while Your cloud stands over them; 
and You go before them in a pillar of cloud by day and in a pillar of 
fire by night. " Numbers 14:14
7.      "When the Lord has washed away the filth of the daughters of 
Zion and purged the bloodshed of Jerusalem from her midst, by the 
spirit of judgment and the spirit of burning, then the Lord will 
create over the whole area of Mount Zion and over her assemblies a 
cloud by day, even smoke, and the brightness of a flaming fire by 
night; for over all the glory will be a canopy. There will be a 
shelter to give shade from the heat by day, and refuge and protection 
from the storm and the rain." Isaiah 4:4-6
8.      "Then He brought them out with silver and gold, And among His 
tribes there was not one who stumbled. Egypt was glad when they 
departed, For the dread of them had fallen upon them. He spread a 
cloud for a covering, And fire to illumine by night. They asked, and 
He brought quail, And satisfied them with the bread of heaven. He 
opened the rock and water flowed out; It ran in the dry places like a 
river. " Psalm 105:37-41
I. The Red Sea crossing was the actual point of deliverance from Egypt:
1.      It is our conclusion, that the Bible describes Israel as 
being "out of Egypt" in three senses: 1. The day they departed. 
(civil residential sense) 2. The day they crossed the Red Sea. 
(theological and practical sense) 3. The day they crossed the Jordan 
and entered the promised land 40 years later. (final sense)
2.      Just before crossing the Jordan, Rahab came to Joshua and 
stated the general opinion of the gentile world: "For we have heard 
how the Lord dried up the water of the Red Sea before you when you 
came out of Egypt." Joshua 2:10. In other words, the Gentiles saw the 
Red Sea as when Israel left Egypt and was totally free. Even the 
Gentiles viewed that from the "practical" human perspective, the Red 
Sea was the specific point at which Israel formally escaped Egypt's control.
3.      In the "final" sense, Joshua confirms they hadn't fully made 
the transition out of Egypt until after they crossed the Jordan. 
Joshua 5:5 says "but all the people who were born in the wilderness 
along the way as they came out of Egypt had not been circumcised." 
This verse proves that even those born after the crossing of the Red 
Sea were still coming out of Egypt because they had not yet entered 
the promised land.
4.      From a "theological" point of view, the Bible clearly states 
that it was precisely at the crossing of the Red Sea that God 
delivered Israel from Egypt.  Ask a Hebrew when they were free from 
Egypt and they will say after crossing the Red Sea.
5.      "Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, 'I brought Israel up 
from Egypt, and I delivered you from the hand of the Egyptians and 
from the power of all the kingdoms that were oppressing you.' " 1 Samuel 10:18
6.      "'I brought your fathers out of Egypt, and you came to the 
sea; and Egypt pursued your fathers with chariots and horsemen to the 
Red Sea. 'But when they cried out to the Lord, He put darkness 
between you and the Egyptians, and brought the sea upon them and 
covered them; and your own eyes saw what I did in Egypt. And you 
lived in the wilderness for a long time. " Joshua 24:6-7.
7.      "Thus the Lord saved Israel that day from the hand of the 
Egyptians, and Israel saw the Egyptians dead on the seashore. When 
Israel saw the great power which the Lord had used against the 
Egyptians, the people feared the Lord, and they believed in the Lord 
and in His servant Moses." Exodus 14:30-31
8.      "So Jethro said, "Blessed be the Lord who delivered you from 
the hand of the Egyptians and from the hand of Pharaoh, and who 
delivered the people from under the hand of the Egyptians. " Exodus 18:10
9.      "but because the Lord loved you and kept the oath which He 
swore to your forefathers, the Lord brought you out by a mighty hand 
and redeemed you from the house of slavery, from the hand of Pharaoh 
king of Egypt. " Deuteronomy 7:8
10.     "Now this came about because the sons of Israel had sinned 
against the Lord their God, who had brought them up from the land of 
Egypt from under the hand of Pharaoh, king of Egypt, and they had 
feared other gods " 2 Kings 17:7
11.     "For I do not want you to be unaware, brethren, that our 
fathers were all under the cloud and all passed through the sea; and 
all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea; and all ate 
the same spiritual food; and all drank the same spiritual drink, for 
they were drinking from a spiritual rock which followed them; and the 
rock was Christ. " 1 Corinthians 10:1-4
12.     So theologically, the Red Sea was their deliverance from the 
bondage of Egypt. This is reinforced by Paul's statement in 1 Cor 
10:1-4 that the Hebrews were "baptized into Moses" at the sea, which 
was a figure of the Christian's full immersion water "baptism into 
Christ" (Gal 3:27). The Jews were saved from the slavery of Egypt 
when they were immersed in the Red Sea. Christians are saved from the 
slavery of sin when they are immersed in water in the name of Jesus: 
Mk 16:16; Acts 2:38; 22:16; 1 Pet 3:21.
Conclusion:
1.      It is possible, but unlikely that this verse says they were 
still in Egypt at the Red Sea. More likely it says that while in 
Egypt proper (Goshen), then later after they left the suburbs of 
Egypt at the Red Sea, they did not believe. "Our fathers in Egypt did 
not understand Your wonders; They did not remember Your abundant 
kindnesses, But rebelled by the sea, at the Red Sea. Nevertheless He 
saved them for the sake of His name, That He might make His power 
known. " Psalm 106:7-8
2.      "Nevertheless, with most of them God was not well-pleased; 
for they were laid low in the wilderness. Now these things happened 
as examples for us, so that we would not crave evil things as they 
also craved. Do not be idolaters, as some of them were; as it is 
written, "The people sat down to eat and drink, and stood up to 
play." Nor let us act immorally, as some of them did, and 
twenty-three thousand fell in one day. Nor let us try the Lord, as 
some of them did, and were destroyed by the serpents. Nor grumble, as 
some of them did, and were destroyed by the destroyer. Now these 
things happened to them as an example, and they were written for our 
instruction, upon whom the ends of the ages have come. Therefore let 
him who thinks he stands take heed that he does not fall. No 
temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is 
faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are 
able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so 
that you will be able to endure it. " 1 Corinthians 10:5-13
3.      "He divided the sea and caused them to pass through, And He 
made the waters stand up like a heap. Then He led them with the cloud 
by day And all the night with a light of fire. He split the rocks in 
the wilderness And gave them abundant drink like the ocean depths. He 
brought forth streams also from the rock And caused waters to run 
down like rivers. Yet they still continued to sin against Him, To 
rebel against the Most High in the desert. And in their heart they 
put God to the test By asking food according to their desire. Then 
they spoke against God; They said, "Can God prepare a table in the 
wilderness? "Behold, He struck the rock so that waters gushed out, 
And streams were overflowing; Can He give bread also? Will He provide 
meat for His people?" Therefore the Lord heard and was full of wrath; 
And a fire was kindled against Jacob And anger also mounted against 
Israel, Because they did not believe in God And did not trust in His 
salvation. Yet He commanded the clouds above And opened the doors of 
heaven; He rained down manna upon them to eat And gave them food from 
heaven. Man did eat the bread of angels; He sent them food in 
abundance. He caused the east wind to blow in the heavens And by His 
power He directed the south wind. When He rained meat upon them like 
the dust, Even winged fowl like the sand of the seas, Then He let 
them fall in the midst of their camp, Round about their dwellings. So 
they ate and were well filled, And their desire He gave to them. 
Before they had satisfied their desire, While their food was in their 
mouths, The anger of God rose against them And killed some of their 
stoutest ones, And subdued the choice men of Israel. In spite of all 
this they still sinned And did not believe in His wonderful works. So 
He brought their days to an end in futility And their years in sudden 
terror. When He killed them, then they sought Him, And returned and 
searched diligently for God; And they remembered that God was their 
rock, And the Most High God their Redeemer. But they deceived Him 
with their mouth And lied to Him with their tongue. For their heart 
was not steadfast toward Him, Nor were they faithful in His covenant. 
But He, being compassionate, forgave their iniquity and did not 
destroy them; And often He restrained His anger And did not arouse 
all His wrath. Thus He remembered that they were but flesh, A wind 
that passes and does not return. How often they rebelled against Him 
in the wilderness And grieved Him in the desert! Again and again they 
tempted God, And pained the Holy One of Israel. They did not remember 
His power, The day when He redeemed them from the adversary, When He 
performed His signs in Egypt And His marvels in the field of Zoan, 
And turned their rivers to blood, And their streams, they could not 
drink. He sent among them swarms of flies which devoured them, And 
frogs which destroyed them. He gave also their crops to the 
grasshopper And the product of their labor to the locust. He 
destroyed their vines with hailstones And their sycamore trees with 
frost. He gave over their cattle also to the hailstones And their 
herds to bolts of lightning. He sent upon them His burning anger, 
Fury and indignation and trouble, A band of destroying angels. He 
leveled a path for His anger; He did not spare their soul from death, 
But gave over their life to the plague, And smote all the firstborn 
in Egypt, The first issue of their virility in the tents of Ham. But 
He led forth His own people like sheep And guided them in the 
wilderness like a flock; He led them safely, so that they did not 
fear; But the sea engulfed their enemies. So He brought them to His 
holy land, To this hill country which His right hand had gained. He 
also drove out the nations before them And apportioned them for an 
inheritance by measurement, And made the tribes of Israel dwell in 
their tents. Yet they tempted and rebelled against the Most High God 
And did not keep His testimonies, " Psalm 78:13-56
Can God prepare a table in the wilderness? Ps 78:19
1.      When you reach your "Ethan" (boxed in with nowhere to go) and 
are under the devil's Migdol (military watchtower) fear not. God will 
provide the way of escape.
2.      We escape the slavery to sin when we are baptized. Now, as 
the church we are in the wilderness. We await the time when we will 
cross the Jordan.

Steve Rudd, Feb 3, 2007
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