The Map Of Moses In The Wilderness is a video production for the University of Texas at Austin’s Religious Studies program. It is based on my nearly 30 years of research about the Exodus, and explores the possibility that it represents an Egyptian record of the founding of Israel by one of Egypt’s Delta Princes, Aha.
The story of the 40 year wilderness journey in the Old Testament, where Moses led the children of Israel to the Promised Land, has always been a popular one: The traditional movie poster from 1956 is a great example. One of its most famous images, however, is not from this black and white promotional piece, nor is it typically biblical in any way. This image came directly from an engraving by William Blake, titled “Milton’s Paradise Lost” (1808). It depicts two large granite monoliths that were supposedly worshiped by “sun-worshipping Druids.” These structures are also believed to have been used for ritual sacrifice. This photograph and interpretation of these ancient stone structures have become known as “The Pillars of Moses”.
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Map Of Moses In The Wilderness
I am an archaeologist and a travel addict. I spent the first five years of my professional career working on a dig in Israel, but after that, I decided to explore the world. When I started traveling, I was amazed by what I learned about ancient Israel. Map Of Moses In The Wilderness Moving from place to place was a big part of ancient Israel’s story. The Israelites took 40 years to travel a journey that would now take about 11 days (although my husband and I took three weeks). As a result, even for the modern traveler, understanding their location is crucial to understanding their story. See this map of Moses in the wilderness:
The first 20 years were spent escaping Egypt and crossing the Red Sea. These two events alone were enough to mark their lives forever. Despite all this, they still had another 22 years of wilderness wandering ahead! For example, Exodus 15-17 shows how they wandered in the desert before reaching a large oasis at Elim (Exodus 15:27). This oasis was good size because it had 12 wells and 70 palm trees (Exodus 15:27). They then went on to Marah (Exodus 15:23), where the water tasted bad. God showed Moses a tree that made the water sweet (Exodus 15:25). Next came Elim and Elim had 12 wells filled with water! This is not surprising as there are many springs in this area today providing more than enough resources for travelers.”
Moving from place to place was a big part of ancient Israel’s story.
The Israelites were on the move. A big part of their story was that they were moving from place to place. We know this because of the book of Numbers in which we learn that they spent 40 years wandering through the wilderness, and then another 42 stops at different places along their journey.
In addition to having an actual map of Moses’ route drawn out for us by God himself, we can use some other clues in Scripture to figure out where those locations might have been. For example, when Moses sent spies into Canaan prior to entering it himself with all his people, he sent them “to view” (Hebrew yare’) different parts of Canaanite territory—using a verb meaning “viewing things from afar”—and they came back with reports about each area’s strengths and weaknesses (Num 13:17). The most detailed account comes from two scouts who went eastward across Canaanite territory until they reached its eastern border at Mount Seir (Num 13:22–25).
The Israelites took 40 years to travel a journey that would now take about 11 days (although my husband and I took three weeks).
The Israelites took 40 years to travel a journey that would now take about 11 days (although my husband and I took three weeks). Moses led them, and God was their guide. God led the Israelites through the wilderness by way of two miraculous phenomena: a cloud and pillar of fire.
The Israelites were just as confused about their destination as we are today when it comes to our own journeys through life—what is this all about? What does God want from me? They had no idea where they were headed or what might happen once they got there; but like us, they simply trusted in God’s leading and followed His instructions for getting there safely.*
As a result, even for the modern traveler, understanding their location is crucial to understanding their story.
Understanding the locations of where they stopped is not just important to us because it helps us to understand their story. It’s also important because it gives us a more complete picture of what happened during those 40 years in the wilderness.
When you think about events like crossing through the Red Sea or God giving manna, it’s easy to imagine that these things must have happened in some remote part of Egypt. But when we look at a map, we learn that this wasn’t true at all! In fact, many of these places are still being used today by modern-day travelers and explorers. And while they may seem pretty nondescript from our vantage point now (what with Google Maps readily available), back then these locations were absolutely integral pieces in an epic journey across the Middle East.
The first 20 years were spent escaping Egypt and crossing the Red Sea.
The first 20 years of Moses’ life were spent in bondage. After Pharaoh had commanded that all male Israelites would be killed, and his family spared (because his mother hid him), Moses was raised by her as an Egyptian prince. However, he never forgot his heritage or the plight of his people and grew up to become a leader among them.
Next came 40 years of wandering in the wilderness before arriving at Mount Sinai. This journey took roughly ten years due to their slow advance through the desert and frequent lack of food or water sources along the way (as well as fighting off predators). Another 30 years—or approximately one generation—was spent at Mount Sinai after they arrived there before finally entering into Canaan, where they were allowed to settle down permanently at last!
These two events alone were enough to mark their lives forever.
These two events alone were enough to mark their lives forever.
- The Exodus: The Israelites have been slaves in Egypt for more than 400 years, but God hears their cries and delivers them from bondage by parting the Red Sea. This event is known as the “Exodus” (which means “going out”).
- Crossing of the Red Sea: The Israelites have been freed from slavery, but now they must escape pursuing Egyptian armies chasing them across the desert. As they cross into what appears to be a dead end and no escape route, God provides an opening in a mountain range that allows them to pass through safely without being killed or captured by pharaoh’s army. This event is known as crossing through “the” Red Sea or sometimes simply “Red” Sea (since there are multiple seas on this map).
Despite all this, they still had another 22 years of wilderness wandering ahead!
There were other boundaries as well. The Israelites had to go around Edom and Moab, Ammon and Bashan (Genesis 15:18-21) as well as the Dead Sea (Numbers 21:4). They had to travel through the mountains of Seir (Deuteronomy 2:1-8), which was part of the desert of Paran (Numbers 21:4). It was a long journey!
For example, Exodus 15-17 shows how they wandered in the desert before reaching a large oasis at Elim (Exodus 15:27).
For example, Exodus 15-17 shows how they wandered in the desert before reaching a large oasis at Elim (Exodus 15:27). The Israelites were led by Moses and lived in the wilderness for 40 years. They also lived in the desert for 20 years, but there is no exact location given. In other places it says they wandered through wildernesses or deserts (Numbers 33:16; Deuteronomy 2:1). If you count all of these events together, then this amounts to 22 years wandering around! In actuality it was probably closer to 12 years due to different activities taking place during that time.
We also have some insight into their life as nomads when we look at what happened at Mount Sinai where God gave His law to Moses on tablets of stone (Exodus 19-20). This happened after they had crossed over into Canaan territory so they must have been back out in open areas somewhere near Mount Horeb where God spoke with Moses initially about his mission from God.”
This oasis was good size because it had 12 wells and 70 palm trees (Exodus 15:27).
The oasis was a good size because it had 12 wells and 70 palm trees.
It was a large oasis and lush with palm trees, which is why the Israelites called it the Well of Miracles.
They then went on to Marah (Exodus 15:23), where the water tasted bad.
Marah is located in the southwestern part of Sinai, about 40 miles southeast of Mount Sinai. It is one of several places where God told Moses to strike a rock with his staff so that water would flow out (Ex. 17:6; Nm. 20:11). The water was bitter because it contained minerals and salts, but when the people complained to Moses, he prayed and God sweetened it (Ex. 15:23).
God showed Moses a tree that made the water sweet (Exodus 15:25).
The tree was a type of fig. The Bible says it was not a fig tree. It was not a sycamore, tamarisk or willow. Nor was it a palm tree. There is no evidence that the word used for this tree in the original Hebrew text has any connection with any of these trees.
I have seen all sorts of trees growing wild in Israel and Syria but I have never seen one like this description before!
It’s important to read about Israel’s travel through the wilderness in light of their location.
When we read about Israel’s travels in the wilderness, it’s important to have a clear understanding of the geography, climate and political situation of that region. We also need to understand their religious beliefs and culture as well as their history.
what did moses do in the wilderness for 40 years
God says, “And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried” (Zechariah 13:9).
This verse reminded me of the story of Moses. Before leading the Israelites out of Egypt, Moses, after killing an Egyptian, fled to the wilderness, where he shepherded sheep for forty years; God then called him to lead the Israelites out of Egypt (See Exodus 2:11-15). In the past, I didn’t know God’s intention, thinking: Since the Israelites were living under the control and slavery of the Egyptian Pharaoh, leading a miserable life, why did God not send Moses earlier to save the Israelites from suffering, but sent him into the wilderness and refined him for forty years? What was God’s will behind this? It wasn’t until I read this verse that I understood God’s intention. Because God wanted to make Moses fit for His use, He arranged that environment to refine and purify him. Before, Moses always relied on his hot blood and temperament to do things; seeing his compatriot being oppressed, he didn’t rely on God or look unto Him, but depended on his hot blood and stoned an Egyptian to death. How could he, a man full of naturalness, be fit for God’s use, and take on the responsibility of leading the Israelites out of Egypt? Thus, to rid him of his naturalness and make him capable of the mission, God had him endure refinement in the wilderness for forty years.
After 40 years, the naturalness of Moses, which was not fit for God’s use, was ground out of him; he truly saw God’s faithfulness, almightiness and sovereignty, and that nothing is impossible for God. Moses lived in the wilderness for neither several days nor a couple of years, but for as long as 40 years. Though we don’t know how he made it through those years, there is no doubt that God had always led and helped him. Through such trials and refinements, Moses saw the hand and deeds of God, and thus developed true faith in Him, and had the courage to accept the commission of God and face the powerful army of the Pharaoh.
From the story of Moses, I gained much enlightenment, and came to know that if we want to be perfected by God and be fit for His use, we have to undergo His trials and refinements to get rid of our naturalness and corrupt disposition. Only in difficult environments will we truly look unto God and rely on Him, see His wisdom and almightiness, and have true knowledge of Him.
Knowing God’s will, I came to realize that the ridicule, insult, and slander, as well as the arrest of the atheistic government that I had suffered, were elaborately arranged by God to purify and gain me. Having experienced these, I developed true faith in God, and had a true understanding of my problems, such as notions, corruption, and lack. I truly appreciated that the sufferings and refinements set by God were all my need, which contained His kind intention. I am so small, but so lucky to follow God and experience His work in this life, which is indeed God’s exceptional exaltation and grace for me.
how many miles did the israelites walk in the wilderness
Egypt and Canaan are separated by a total of 8482 kilometres (kilometres) and 583.09 metres in straight line distance. Egypt and Canaan are separated by a distance of 5270.8 miles measured in miles.
As a result, how long should have it took the Israelites to travel from Egypt to the Promised Land?
As a result of their unbelief, he punished them with forty years of desert wandering until the unbelieving generation died out without ever setting foot in the Promise Land. A total of 11 days should have been required for the actual journey. God’s chosen people were forced to flee to Egypt as a result of a seven-year famine in their homeland.
Also, how many miles did the Israelites have to journey from Egypt to the Promised Land before they could call it home?
Having walked in a single file line with three feet between them, the length of the line itself would have been more than six times as long as the entire distance travelled, or more than 1300 miles. They would have made it to the promised land if they had travelled one mile every day for nine months, as they had planned. Instead, it took forty years for them to complete the task.
How long did it take the Israelites to journey from Egypt to Canaan, taking all of above into consideration?
God ordered that the Israelites would wander in the desert for 40 years as a consequence of their refusal to accept the country that they had explored for 40 days. This corresponded to the 40 days that the spies spent touring the land.
How many days should it have taken the Israelites to reach the promised land, according to biblical estimates?
Remember that God’s original plan for Israel was for them to conquer the Promised Land in a matter of days, not years or decades. It took Israel 40 years to reach this point. I think that if you have faith, you can move mountains (including those related to completing your objectives for this year) in only 40 days. Consider the following 40 days to be a wilderness experience.
Conclusion
In the end, it is not so important to know exactly where each of these places was. What is more important is that we learn from the Israelites’ experiences and apply them to our lives today. It may take time, but understanding the location of Israel’s journey through the wilderness can give us valuable insight into their story!