“Then they came to Elim,
where there were twelve springs
and seventy palm trees,
and they camped there near the water.”
Exodus 15:27 (NIV)
In reading through the Bible chronologically in a year, I am currently in Exodus. This morning’s passage included the miraculous crossing of the Red Sea by the Israelites as they were being pursued by the Egyptians. “And I will gain glory through Pharaoh and all his army, through his chariots and his horsemen. The Egyptians will know that I am the LORD when I gain glory through Pharaoh, his chariots and his horsemen.” Then the angel of God, who had been traveling in front of Israel’s army, withdrew and went behind them. The pillar of cloud also moved from in front and stood behind them, coming between the armies of Egypt and Israel. Throughout the night the cloud brought darkness to the one side and light to the other side; so neither went near the other all night long. Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and all that night the LORD drove the sea back with a strong east wind and turned it into dry land. The waters were divided, and the Israelites went through the sea on dry ground, with a wall of water on their right and on their left. Exodus 15:17-22 (NIV)
After this amazing crossing the Sea on dry ground, God then led them through a desert. Throughout the journey from Egypt, He had provided everything they needed. He gave them guidance and light by a pillar of cloud and a pillar of fire. He provided them food to eat and water to drink. Each step, He was with them. Though the path from slavery to freedom seemed slow and was indeed difficult, God was so faithful to show them Himself through provisions and miracles.
Reading through to Exodus 15:27 this morning, I felt immediately refreshed with the thought of fresh springs and palm trees. Wow. God had brought them out of slavery. He provided everything they needed. He protected them from their pursuing enemies by a miracle of His mighty right hand. He brought them through the desert and to Elim. After being in the desert, I imagine those twelve springs and seventy palm trees at Elim were a paradise to them.
Today, we kept our children home from school for a “stay well” day for the first time. The Lord had put this on my heart yesterday morning during my quiet time. He confirmed it through my husband. Then, this morning, as I read about being camped near the water in Exodus 15:27, I thanked the Lord for His will for us for today. And I asked Him to keep our family forever camped near the Water so that we would always “stay well” in His perfect care. We want to camp near the Living Water today and every day. We need His life, sustenance and refreshment. May His twelve springs and seventy palm trees always be waiting for us, inviting us to rest and be refreshed after a journey of trust in Him.
“But blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in Him. He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.” Jeremiah 17:7-8 (NIV)