Israel camped at Succoth on Nisan
14, because it took that long to evacuate Egypt
The land of Goshen or Rameses, was strategically selected because it
offered the shortest escape route towards Canaan. As a border land, it offered easy egress from
Egypt.
Ex 13:8 states that they had to get out of Egypt, which meant going
east. We know they left on Nisan 1, but the high day of the Passover is Nisan
14-15, which marks the start of the seven day period known as the feast of
unleavened bread that ran to Nisan 22.
That feast was for sanctification. Yeast is a metaphor for sin and its
fermentation in the human soul, just as fermentation is a form of decay that
intoxicates wine.
That feast is prescribed in Ex 12: 17, 42. They celebrated it at Succoth
marshaling point. Succoth means “booths” or “tabernacles”. That usage refers
to a place where Jacob camped after parting from Esau. The booths implied were
used to shelter his livestock.
We know from Genesis 1 that the “evening and morning” were the first
day, which is why the Jewish Sabbath starts on Friday at sunset and ends on
Saturday, just before sunset. So the days prescribed all started on the evening
of the previous day.
They entered the feast of unleavened bread that night as their first solemn
national consecration, in preparation for the incredible journey that lay ahead.
Take the southern route not the
short cut
There is an important pointer in Ex 13:17 about the route they took. Two
“highways” went from Egypt towards the Near East nations, the northern route
passed through Sinai and then went north along the Mediterranean, and was called
“The way of the land of the Philistines”.
They were denied the short cut north, because of a longstanding quarrel
with the Philistines, according to Ex 3:12.
Instead they followed the Southern Highway, “the way of the Wilderness
of the Red Sea”, which went due east towards Etham (13:20), at the northern end
of the gulf of Aqaba. The pillar of cloud by day and fire by night, went with
them (Ex 13:22).
Etham wasn’t a town as it is further referenced after their crossing.
However, it eliminates any area near Succoth as the point where they crossed
the Red Sea. They did not cross the Red Sea to escape Egypt, but to escape
Pharaoh.
There were ample routes around the Red Sea in those days and the Suez
was still centuries away, so they would not have gone through water that they
could avoid. That would trapped them as they emerged the other side, into the
face of the Egyptian army.
Rather they passed through the Isthmus of the Nile, which started far south
of its current point. It was probably fortified as the departure point for
Egyptian military forays.
They had to move fast, over tough terrain, strategically used to slow
down Egyptian chariots. The logistics were astonishing as they had to travel
about 200 miles.
A race against time
Genesis 50:1-3 indicates that the traditional mourning period of the Jews
was 40 days, but for Egypt, especially for royalty, which included embalming, it was nearer to 70 days.
However, God had an appointment with the Jews at 50 days from Passover, for the feast of Pentecost. That left no more than 65 days. However, to get to Mount Sinai for Pentecost, they needed travel time, so Pharaoh probably headed out after 40 days of mourning.
However, God had an appointment with the Jews at 50 days from Passover, for the feast of Pentecost. That left no more than 65 days. However, to get to Mount Sinai for Pentecost, they needed travel time, so Pharaoh probably headed out after 40 days of mourning.
Moses knew that when they came, as Laban once came for Jacob,
the pursuit would be urgent and impulsive. Thus the going was destined to be much harder for the pursuing chariots.
The great historian Josephus, concurred with these views and saw the
Jews passing across the two gulfs of the Red Sea. Their target was Pihahiroth, on the
north-west bank of the Gulf of Aqaba. It is worth noting that Israel now
reaches down to Eilat in the same area.
In 14:2-3, Pihahiroth is located between Migdol and the sea, in an
entanglement of mountains. Egyptian scouts evidently reported that back to
Pharaoh (14:5). He believed they were trapped, which bought him time. They knew
the desert better than the Jews did.
Thus it seems likely that they allowed the mourning-ritual to run its
course. Pharaoh was convinced that the Jews had walked into a trap and he let
them get cornered.
Pharaoh’s heart was hardened again and he set off with 600 chariots, a
considerable fighting force against an ill-equipped band of ex-slaves. The odds
were in his favor.
Pharaoh overtook them. The sea was to the east and mountains surrounded
them, so God had them right where he needed them and Egypt fell for it.
The angel that had slain the firstborn of Egypt stood guard to the west,
as did the pillar of cloud and fire. The people panicked and believed that for
lack of grave space in Egypt, they had been led to what would become an
infamous burial ground.
A mighty east wind drove back the sea. Strong winds do determine tides,
so the logic is reasonable, but improbable unless the topography allowed it.
At present day Nuweiba, near to ancient Pihariroth, there is an underwater land bridge that would have enable safe crossing and could have been exposed by a strong wind. The wind blew across the gulf, so would have been like a fan spreading water before it.
At present day Nuweiba, near to ancient Pihariroth, there is an underwater land bridge that would have enable safe crossing and could have been exposed by a strong wind. The wind blew across the gulf, so would have been like a fan spreading water before it.
If a seismic event was involved, then the greatest impact on the ebb
and flow of the tide, would have been felt near the north and that may well have brought a tidal wave.
Well, that’s a natural explanation that I cannot directly support, but
it may have coincided with the plagues. It is not impossible nor does it
dishonor God to contemplate that.
The Jews hastened through the parted waters, but the Egyptians were
snagged by terrain, which clogged up the chariot wheels. They were also delayed
by the avenger.
Then as Israel gathered on the east bank, Moses struck the waters with
his rod and a tidal wave roared up through the emptied gulf, to overrun the
Egyptians.
Claims that chariot wheels and skulls were found at the site have never been proved. Sadly, the reports came from a hoax site. As such, while I believe the proposed view route of Exodus satisfies scripture and the land bridge can be confirmed, that is all we have. It does not preclude the traditional view that Israel went down into the Peninsula.
(c) Peter Missing @ Bethelstone.com
References:
1. Location of crossing - http://www.biblebelievers.org.au/bb971126.htm
2. Feasts - http://www.hebrew4christians.com/Holidays/Introduction/introduction.html
3. Land bridge - http://godsrhema.j316.us/Ex/Does/landbridge_model.jpg
