Bible Study - The Journey to the Land of Promise - Various - April 5, 2026

 

Bible Study – The Journey to the Land of Promise – April 5, 2026

First OF ALL – HAPPY EASTER – Rejoice for JESUS has risen and the tomb is empty.

In last week’s study, the Israelites prepared to leave Egypt to travel to the Promised Land. The Israelites were in bondage and GOD choose Moses to be HIS spokesperson to Pharoah to “Let the Israelites GO!!!”

The Israelites had been in Egypt for 430 years: (Bible Hub)

The primary biblical reference regarding the duration of the Israelites' stay in Egypt is found in Exodus 12:40-41: "Now the duration of the Israelites’ stay in Egypt was 430 years. At the end of the 430 years, to the very day, all the LORD’s divisions went out of the land of Egypt”. This passage clearly states that the Israelites were in Egypt for 430 years, marking the period from their arrival to the Exodus.

Additionally, Genesis 15:13 records God's words to Abram: "Then the LORD said to Abram, 'Know for certain that your descendants will be strangers in a land that is not theirs, and they will be enslaved and mistreated four hundred years.'" This prophecy indicates a period of 400 years of affliction, which is often understood to overlap with the 430 years mentioned in Exodus.
Interpretation and Harmonization
The apparent discrepancy between the 400 years of affliction and the 430 years of stay has been a subject of interpretation. One common understanding is that the 400 years refer specifically to the period of enslavement and mistreatment, while the 430 years encompass the entire duration of the Israelites' presence in Egypt, including the time before they were enslaved.

Galatians 3:17 provides additional insight, stating, "What I mean is this: The law, introduced 430 years later, does not set aside the covenant previously established by God and thus cancel the promise." This New Testament reference aligns with the 430-year period, suggesting that it includes the time from God's covenant with Abraham to the giving of the Law at Sinai.

Historical Context

The Israelites' sojourn in Egypt began with the migration of Jacob and his family during a severe famine, as recorded in Genesis 46. Joseph, who had risen to a position of power in Egypt, facilitated their settlement in the land of Goshen. Initially, the Israelites were welcomed and prospered, but over time, a new Pharaoh who did not know Joseph arose and subjected them to harsh slavery (Exodus 1:8-14).

Most know the Biblical account of Joseph being sold into slavery. GOD had a plan for Joseph’s life and HIS chosen people the Israelites.

So, from Joseph to the Exodus was a period of 430 years.

GOD worked in the events, that not only revealed the superiority of THE ONE TRUE GOD OF THE ISRAELITES over the false gods of the Egyptians, but led Pharoah to release the Israelites to go to the land GOD had promised them.

Every human is on a journey to eternal life to Hell or Heaven and the road of life helps each person to choose to travel toward one of these two choices.

But THE GOOD NEWS is GOD sent JESUS, HIS only SON, to earth to deliver all who will place their faith in JESUS to Heaven or to the Promised Eternal LAND for all “Born Again” Christians. There are no short cuts!!!

The Egyptians provided the Israelites with things of material value when they were preparing to leave Egypt, however the most valuable gift was GOD revealing HIMSELF to both the Israelites and the Egyptians.

GOD saw the plight of the Israelites and chose Moses to deliver them.

GOD saw the plight of the world and sent HIS ONLY SON JESUS to earth. JESUS willingly came to earth, lived a sinless life, fulfilled THE LAW, and gave HIS sinless to pay the penalty for all sin, in full, by the shedding of HIS sinless blood and dying in the place for all who will accept JESUS as their Savior. Recognizing our need for a Savior is step one and making JESUS the LORD of our lives can happen when a person accepts JESUS as his/her Savior or that can come later in our journey.

The Route of the Exodus

¹⁷ When Pharaoh let the people go, God did not lead them along the road to the land of the Philistines, even though it was nearby; for God said, “The people will change their minds and return to Egypt if they face war.” ¹⁸ So he led the people around toward the Red Sea along the road of the wilderness. And the Israelites left the land of Egypt in battle formation.

¹⁹ Moses took the bones of Joseph with him, because Joseph had made the Israelites swear a solemn oath, saying, “God will certainly come to your aid; then you must take my bones with you from this place.”

²⁰ They set out from Succoth and camped at Etham on the edge of the wilderness. ²¹ The Lord went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to lead them on their way during the day and in a pillar of fire to give them light at night, so that they could travel day or night. ²² The pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night never left its place in front of the people.

When a person accepts JESUS as their Savior, THE HOLY SPIRIT leads and guides him/her as he/she journeys through life. Since the life, death, resurrection, ascension of JESUS and the coming of THE HOLY SPIRIT, THE HOLY SPIRIT, dwells within every “Spirit Born” believer and is their guide through life 24/7.

In Hebrews 13:5, we read:

Keep your life free from the love of money. Be satisfied with what you have, for he himself has said, I will never leave you or abandon you.

The indwelling Holy Spirit is the guarantee, guide, teacher, assurance and so much more as those who are Born of THE HOLY SPIRIT journey with GOD and JESUS toward their eternal Promised Land, Heaven.

So, the Israelites are on the road to their earthy Land of Promise.

We who have accepted JESUS as our Savior are on a journey to Heaven through faith in JESUS. The Holy Spirit is the light and guide of all who have been “born again.”

As a side note:

Our church in Virginia, Southern Baptist, asked a Messianic Jew to help us experience the Passover meal or Seder meal:

(A former work colleague in DC was a Messianic Jew, and we attended the Messianic Jewish Church once in Virginia with her. They have great music and celebrate life. Wonderful brothers and sisters in CHRIST.)

The Seder meal is a ritual Jewish dinner held during Passover,

Featuring: symbolic foods, readings, and traditional dishes that commemorate     the Exodus from Egypt.

Overview of the Seder Meal

The word Seder means “order” in Hebrew, reflecting the structured sequence of rituals, readings, songs, and prayers that make up the meal. It is traditionally held on the first night of Passover, though some families celebrate on both the first night of Passover, though some families celebrate on both the first and second nights. The Seder is both a ceremonial experience and educational experience, designed to retell the story of the Israelites’ liberation from slavery in Egypt.

The Seder Plate is a central part of the Seder. It holds six symbolic foods along with matzah (unleavened bread) Marro (Bitter Herbs): Usually horseradish or romaine lettuce,                  symbolizing the bitterness of slavery. 

• Chazeret (Second Bitter Herb): Often another bitter green to          reinforce the symbolism. 
• Charoset: A sweet mixture of apples, nuts, wine, and spices representing the mortar used by the Israelites.

·       Karpas: A vegetable, typically parsley, dipped in salt water to          symbolize tears. 

• Zeroa: A roasted shank bone representing the Passover sacrifice. 
• Beitzah: A hard-boiled egg symbolizing mourning and renewal. 
• Matzah: Unleavened bread representing the haste of the Exodus. 

The meal often begins with ceremonial foods and progresses to a            festive dinner. 

Exodus 12:37-42:

The Bible records that about 600,000 men, not including women and children, left Egypt, which suggests a total population of roughly two million people.

Biblical Account Exodus

³⁷ The Israelites traveled from Rameses to Succoth, about six hundred thousand (600,000) able-bodied men on foot, besides their families. ³⁸ A mixed crowd also went up with them, along with a huge number of livestock, both flocks and herds. ³⁹ The people baked the dough they had brought out of Egypt into unleavened loaves, since it had no yeast; for when they were driven out of Egypt, they could not delay and had not prepared provisions for themselves.

⁴⁰ The time that the Israelites lived in Egypt^[d] was 430 years. ⁴¹ At the end of 430 years, on that same day, all the Lord’s military divisions went out from the land of Egypt. ⁴² It was a night of vigil in honor of the Lord, because he (GOD) would bring them out of the land of Egypt. This same night is in honor of the Lord, a night vigil for all the Israelites throughout their generations.

When GOD tells us to go, there is only one thing for us to do – GO!!!

Trust and obey for there is (is, is correct because trust and obey are one) no other way to be happy in JESUS, except to trust and obey – Words of a gospel song.

GOD demonstrated HIS power to the Israelites over the Egyptians gods to build their faith in the ONE TRUE GOD OF THE ISRALEITES.

This is true today. When a person is Spirit Born, his or her journey begins. As the “born again” person journeys thru life he/she experiences GOD through faith in JESUS.

Let’s journey along with the Israelites.                                                                                                

Let’s read - Exodus 14:1-31:

14:1 Then the Lord spoke to Moses: ² “Tell the Israelites to turn back and camp in front of Pi-hahiroth, between Migdol and the sea; you must camp in front of Baal-zephon, facing it by the sea. ³ Pharaoh will say of the Israelites: They are wandering around the land in confusion; the wilderness has boxed them in. ⁴ I will harden Pharaoh’s heart so that he will pursue them. Then I will receive glory by means of Pharaoh and all his army, and the Egyptians will know that I am the Lord.” So, the Israelites did this.

The Egyptian Pursuit

⁵ When the king of Egypt was told that the people had fled, Pharaoh and his officials changed their minds about the people and said, “What have we done? We have released Israel from serving us.” ⁶ So he got his chariot ready and took his troops^[a] with him; ⁷ he took six hundred of the best chariots and all the rest of the chariots of Egypt, with officers in each one. ⁸ The Lord hardened the heart of Pharaoh king of Egypt, and he pursued the Israelites, who were going out defiantly.^[b] 9 The Egyptians—all Pharaoh’s horses and chariots, his horsemen,^[c] and his army—chased after them and caught up with them as they camped by the sea beside Pi-hahiroth, in front of Baal-zephon.

¹⁰ As Pharaoh approached, the Israelites looked up and there were the Egyptians coming after them! The Israelites were terrified and cried out to the Lord for help. ¹¹ They said to Moses, “Is it because there are no graves in Egypt that you have taken us away to die in the wilderness? What have you done to us by bringing us out of Egypt? ¹² Isn’t this what we told you in Egypt: Leave us alone so that we may serve the Egyptians? It would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the wilderness.”

My, my GOD often let’s us experience potential terrifying moments for HIM to reveal HIS power. It is no fun at the moment but what a relief it is when THE LORD comes to our rescue. Never give up hope – “trust in the dark what you learn in the light” (Dr. Vance Havner)  

¹³ But Moses said to the people, “Don’t be afraid. Stand firm and see the Lord’s salvation that he will accomplish for you today; for the Egyptians you see today, you will never see again. ¹⁴ The Lord will fight for you, and you must be quiet.”

Escape through the Red Sea

¹⁵ The Lord said to Moses, “Why are you crying out to me? Tell the Israelites to break camp. ¹⁶ As for you, (Moses) lift up your staff, stretch out your hand over the sea, and divide it so that the Israelites can go through the sea on dry ground. ¹⁷ As for me, I am going to harden the hearts of the Egyptians so that they will go in after them, and I will receive glory by means of Pharaoh, all his army, and his chariots and horsemen. ¹⁸ The Egyptians will know that I am the Lord when I receive glory through Pharaoh, his chariots, and his horsemen.” Trust and obey!!!

¹⁹ Then the angel of God, who was going in front of the Israelite forces, moved and went behind them. The pillar of cloud moved from in front of them and stood behind them. ²⁰ It came between the Egyptian and Israelite forces. There was cloud and darkness, it lit up the night, and neither group came near the other all night long.

²¹ Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea. The Lord drove the sea back with a powerful east wind all that night and turned the sea into dry land. So, the waters were divided, ²² and the Israelites went through the sea on dry ground, with the waters like a wall to them on their right and their left.

In its rendering of 14:22, it notes that there were (like) solid walls to the right and to the left three hundred miles high. In 15:8, it changes it to not one or two, but “many heaps; they stood up firmly like containers made from skin.” [The water heaped up at the blast from your nostrils; the currents stood firm like a dam.]

²³ The Egyptians set out in pursuit—all Pharaoh’s horses, his chariots, and his horsemen—and went into the sea after them. ²⁴ During the morning watch, the Lord looked down at the Egyptian forces from the pillar of fire and cloud and threw the Egyptian forces into confusion. ²⁵ He caused their chariot wheels to swerve^[d][e] and made them drive^[f] with difficulty. “Let’s get away from Israel,” the Egyptians said, “because the Lord is fighting for them against Egypt!”

When GOD fights on our behalf others know it!!!

²⁶ Then the Lord said to Moses, “Stretch out your hand over the sea so that the water may come back on the Egyptians, on their chariots and horsemen.” ²⁷ So Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and at daybreak the sea returned to its normal depth. While the Egyptians were trying to escape from it, the Lord threw them into the sea. ²⁸ The water came back and covered the chariots and horsemen, plus the entire army of Pharaoh that had gone after them into the sea. Not even one of them survived.

²⁹ But the Israelites had walked through the sea on dry ground, with the waters like a wall to them on their right and their left. ³⁰ That day the Lord saved Israel from the power of the Egyptians, and Israel saw the Egyptians dead on the seashore. ³¹ When Israel saw the great power that the Lord used against the Egyptians, the people feared the Lord and believed in him and in his servant Moses.

GOD reveals HIMSELF through Miracles.

You likely recall the story I used in a previous lesson of a man falling off a cliff and crying our “LORD, SAVE ME!” When all of a sudden, a large root protruding out from the cliff caught his pants and stopped him, to which the man cried out, “It’s okay LORD, this root caught me.”

So often, we discount what we can explain as not coming from GOD.

GOD was revealing HIMSELF to the Israelites and teaching them to trust HIM.

The same is true for us today. It is vital in today’s world that we walk with GOD and JESUS as we do life upon earth. Satan is the evil that is in hot pursuit of all people. When he does, to whom do we look and place our faith.

Keep in mind JESUS conquered and defeated death and in doing so, JESUS offers to ALL people that same hope. Place your faith in JESUS by asking JESUS to forgive you for all your sins and ask JESUS to come into your heart. When you do, the miracle of Spiritual birth takes place quicker than the twinkle of the eye. The person of faith is Spiritually born into GOD’S eternal family, never to be unborn. Their eternal destination and home are Heaven.

And guess what we read in Philippians 3:20 Christian Standard Bible

²⁰ Our citizenship is in heaven, and we eagerly wait for a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ.

Once a citizen, the Spirit born person is eternally a citizen of Heaven. However, rewards are available to all who obediently follower JESUS, as led by the Holy Spirit.

As GOD’S chosen, through faith in JESUS, HE directs our path by going before us and after us, as we journey through life upon earth.

As we journey, we are building the right relationship with GOD.

Blessings!!!