March 27 A Long Road to Hoe or a Difficult and Challenging Task Lays Ahead
Exodus 12-15
This past Christmas, I received a book from my son entitled (Archaeological) Evidence for the Bible. I am a firm believer in the unerring truth of the Bible, so I am not in need of archaeological proof, but rather, I enjoy history and wanted to place events in the Bible in some context for historical sake. I have aways been intrigued by the Book of Exodus, which is the liberation of the people of Israel from slavery in Egypt in the 13th century BCE, under the leadership of Moses, and their safe passage through the Sea of Reeds (traditionally mislocated as the Red Sea). There is no agreement on the date of the Exodus. An early date is 1446 B.C. or a later date of 1220 B.C., and even knowing what pharaoh was in power at the time is in doubt, since such negative information of an “Exodus” would never be included in ruins to disfavor the Pharoh. Likewise, the exact numbers of Israelites to leave Egypt is in doubt, but the authors explain that the problem is not one of accuracy of the text, but of translation. So we leave the numbers aside.
So, what of the difficult and challenging task that lay ahead for the Israelite’s, i e. forty years in the wilderness? Well, the Sinai Desert is described as “24,000 sq. miles of nothing.” And archaeologists have not yet discovered evidence of the Israelites there, as nomadic people are described as “archaeologically invisible.” Even the exact route they took to escape from the Egyptians is unknown. But recently (2025) archaeologists uncovered a 3,000 yr. old Egyptian fortress along the route tied to the Exodus. The shorter route which led from Egypt to Canaan was the Horus Military Road where the fortress was found. But God did not lead them on the road through the Phillistine country, though that was shorter, for God said if they faced war, they might change their minds and return to Egypt. So, God led His people around by the desert route toward the Red. (Exodus 13:17)
So, what of modern-day pilgrims and their search for a pathway on earth? Perhaps you or someone you know walked the route in northern Spain leading to Santiago de Compostela. Roughly 500,000 pilgrims make the journey annually. Or maybe you choose the less traveled route in Ithaca, firmly believing in God to walk in faith rather than sight. Regardless, it is a long road to hoe, but God is with us, every step of the way.
Prayer: Lord, we thank You for Your Word, our lighted path on our journey of faith.
Bless us with discernment as we examine what the world offers as evidence of Your deliverance.
We praise You for knowing the risks that lay ahead as we walk by faith.
Continue to sustain our faith as the good fight of faith is waged,
until our final rest and victory is won in Christ. Amen.
Tom, I always appreciate your balance of seeking through truths, or near-truths of what history/science offer to connect with Scripture. As a scientist, you know the science and results change with new information and testing sensitivity. But your devotion makes me recall “The Word of the Lord endures forever.” Thanks for that perspective!