Topical Bible: Journey of Israel Through The Desert: Caused Universal Terror and Dismay

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The journey of the Israelites through the desert, following their miraculous exodus from Egypt, is a significant event in biblical history that caused widespread terror and dismay among the surrounding nations. This journey, which lasted forty years, is documented primarily in the books of Exodus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. The Israelites, led by Moses under God's divine guidance, experienced numerous miraculous events that demonstrated God's power and protection, instilling fear in the hearts of their enemies.

Divine Deliverance and Guidance

The journey began with the Israelites' deliverance from Egyptian bondage, marked by the ten plagues and the parting of the Red Sea. As they traveled through the desert, God provided for their needs in miraculous ways, such as manna from heaven (Exodus 16:4) and water from a rock (Exodus 17:6). The presence of God was visibly manifested in a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night, guiding and protecting them (Exodus 13:21-22).

Fear Among the Nations

The miraculous events surrounding the Israelites' journey caused great fear among the nations they encountered. The reputation of their God, Yahweh, preceded them, as news of their deliverance and victories spread. In Joshua 2:9-11, Rahab, a resident of Jericho, confesses to the Israelite spies, "I know that the LORD has given you this land and that the fear of you has fallen upon us, so that all who live in the land are melting in fear because of you. We have heard how the LORD dried up the waters of the Red Sea before you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to Sihon and Og, the two kings of the Amorites east of the Jordan, whom you completely destroyed. When we heard this, our hearts melted and everyone's courage failed because of you, for the LORD your God is God in heaven above and on the earth below."

Conquests and Divine Intervention

The Israelites' journey was marked by several significant military victories that further spread fear among the nations. The defeat of the Amalekites (Exodus 17:8-13), the conquest of the Amorite kings Sihon and Og (Numbers 21:21-35), and the eventual crossing of the Jordan River into the Promised Land (Joshua 3) demonstrated God's continued favor and power. These victories were not merely military achievements but were seen as divine interventions, reinforcing the belief that the God of Israel was a formidable force.

Prophetic Fulfillment and Divine Purpose

The journey through the desert was not only a physical journey but also a fulfillment of God's promises to the patriarchs Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. It was a period of testing and preparation for the Israelites, shaping them into a nation set apart for God's purposes. The fear and dismay experienced by the surrounding nations served to highlight the distinctiveness of Israel's relationship with God and His sovereign plan for His chosen people.

Impact on Israel and the Nations

The journey through the desert had a profound impact on both the Israelites and the nations they encountered. For Israel, it was a time of learning to trust in God's provision and faithfulness. For the surrounding nations, it was a demonstration of God's power and a warning of the consequences of opposing His will. The terror and dismay caused by Israel's journey through the desert underscored the reality of God's active presence in the world and His ability to fulfill His promises against all odds.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Exodus 15:14-16
The people shall hear, and be afraid: sorrow shall take hold on the inhabitants of Palestina.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Numbers 22:3,4
And Moab was sore afraid of the people, because they were many: and Moab was distressed because of the children of Israel.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Hearken and Look; Or, Encouragement for Believers
... and the father and the son will journey together silently ... the least fitted to be
a judge in Israel; but oh ... Jesus Christ, than it could have been through seer and ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 27 1881/hearken and look or encouragement.htm

The Seven Trumpets.
... near two months were employed in a laborious journey of a ... lay the iniquity of the
house of Israel upon it ... an ass and dragged in a procession through the streets ...
/.../bliss/a brief commentary on the apocalypse/the seven trumpets.htm

The Last Days of the Old Eastern World
... the safety of the caravans in the desert regions nearest ... effort of the nomad tribes
to break through them; and ... bridges, he set out on his return journey by the ...
/.../chapter iithe last days of 2.htm

Mr. Bunyan's Last Sermon:
... to keep him out, he cut his way through them all ... that had been his comfort so many
times in his journey. ... Thus it happened to Israel, for their sin; they were ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/mr bunyans last sermon .htm