Did the Israelites Take the Safer Route or Face Perilous Paths?
In this article, you will learn how Exodus 13:18 contradicts Exodus 14:22, Numbers 33:8, Deuteronomy 8:2, Judges 2:23 and Psalm 77:19. Find the translations at the bottom of the page..
The story of the Israelites' exodus from Egypt offers a rich tapestry of divine guidance, human experiences, and intriguing contradictions. According to Exodus 13:18, God led the Israelites on a safer yet longer route through the desert by the Red Sea to ensure their protection. This depiction suggests a careful, deliberate journey, prioritizing safety over speed. However, other biblical passages paint a different picture.
Exodus 14:22 provides a dramatic scene of the Israelites walking through the Red Sea on dry land, with towering walls of water on each side. This miraculous but perilous path hardly aligns with the seemingly safer desert route of Exodus 13:18. Imagine being guided on a peaceful countryside walk and then suddenly finding yourself crossing a stormy sea.
Similarly, Numbers 33:8 recounts the Israelites traveling a long and complicated journey, passing through various locations, making the path anything but straightforward. This is more akin to a complex maze than a simple, direct journey.
Deuteronomy 8:2 further complicates the narrative by mentioning their forty years of wandering in the wilderness, contrary to the idea of a swift and protective transit suggested earlier. It's reminiscent of setting out for a day trip and finding yourself on an odyssey lasting decades.
Moreover, Judges 2:23 speaks of other nations still residing in the land, raising questions about the efficacy and protection associated with the journey. Finally, Psalm 77:19 describes the divine path as being through the sea, using watery imagery contrary to a serene desert passage.
These disparities invite readers to ponder the nature of the Israelites' journey. Were the paths they took truly focused on safety, or were they fraught with unexpected challenges and divine interventions? Exploring these contradictions reveals layers of complexity and a deeper understanding of faith and history.
| # | Verse | Translation |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Exodus 13:18 | But God led the people about, [through] the way of the wilderness of the Red sea: and the children of Israel went up harnessed out of the land of Egypt. [harnessed: or, by five in a rank] |
| 2. | Exodus 14:22 | And the children of Israel went into the midst of the sea upon the dry [ground]: and the waters [were] a wall unto them on their right hand, and on their left. |
| 3. | Numbers 33:8 | And they departed from before Pihahiroth, and passed through the midst of the sea into the wilderness, and went three days' journey in the wilderness of Etham, and pitched in Marah. |
| 4. | Deuteronomy 8:2 | And thou shalt remember all the way which the LORD thy God led thee these forty years in the wilderness, to humble thee, [and] to prove thee, to know what [was] in thine heart, whether thou wouldest keep his commandments, or no. |
| 5. | Judges 2:23 | Therefore the LORD left those nations, without driving them out hastily; neither delivered he them into the hand of Joshua. [left: or, suffered] |
| 6. | Psalm 77:19 | Thy way [is] in the sea, and thy path in the great waters, and thy footsteps are not known. |