Text: Exodus 15:27
Theme: Elim
INTRODUCTION to ELIM
Elim was the next stage for Marah. ‘Elim’ means ‘large trees.’ According to Exodus 15:23, 16:1, and Numbers 33:9-11, Elim is described as being between Marah and the Wilderness of Sin, near the eastern shore of the Red Sea. It was possibly south of the Israelites' crossing point and to the west of the Sin Wilderness. There were twelve wells of water and threescore and ten palm trees presently identified with the Wady Ghurundel, an oasis 100 km southeast of Suez.
It has thick grass, acacias, and tamarisks that are plentiful, and in which, notwithstanding the ruthless denudation of the country by the Arabs, there are still a certain number of palm trees (Ellicott). With a plentiful supply of good water, and the luxuriance of palms, tamarisks, acacias, and tall grass, it is selected even now as one of the principal halting places between Suez and Sinai (Keil and Deltizsch).
According to Aben Ezra, the Israelites reached Marah on the twenty-fifth of Nisan and stayed there for a day. It is just eight miles from Marah. It was a very convenient, commodious, and comfortable place to stay for a while. It had plenty of water for themselves and cattle. (John Gill). The distance between Elim and Mara is just two hours of travel (Barnes Notes). Palm trees were both pleasant for their shade, and refreshing for their sweet fruit (Matthew Poole). According to Exodus 16:1, the Israelites stayed in Elim for twenty days then on the fifteenth day of the second month they came to the wilderness of Sin.
Enduring Word comments that ‘After the time of testing God had a time of refreshing for the people of Israel. He knew exactly what they needed, and He knew when to test them and when to rest them.’
Austin comments that God brings testing but is temporary and will pass. After testing, God brings us to a place of spiritual refreshing where we can grow strong in the Word, prayer, and fellowship. Spurgeon says that they did not have any new revelation at Elim unlike in Marah, where he revealed him as Jehovah Rapha.
SPIRITUAL LESSONS:
The springs of waters to the fullness of the Holy Spirit and Truth in all abundance. Truth sets free and gives knowledge and wisdom. Here the Israelites had a state of joy, a state of enlightenment and of affection, and consolation, after temptation. The pleasantness from enlightenment through truth, and delight from the affection of good. Shade, pasture, and clear, freshwater reminds the experience of King David (Psalm 23).
This early journey of the Israelites was quite a "waterlogged" journey for Israel – walked through much water (Red Sea), gone to no water, reached bitter water, but now to 12 springs of water! (Austin Precept). God mixes up the cups. Joy and sorrow are often close companions. It is true as Psalmist says “For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime! Weeping may last through the night, but joy comes with the morning.” (Psalms 30:5).
That Palm-trees signify a holy festivity and joyous moment through the following bible references we could understand it. Jesus was welcomed with boughs of Palm Trees and shouted Hosanna (John 12:12-13). The heavenly crowd had Palm trees in their hands (Revelation 7:9). The prosperity of the righteous compared to the Palm-trees (Psalm 92:12).
The twelve and the seventy are both Hebrew images of perfection. Some Bible teachers saw the twelve disciples and the seventy missionaries Jesus sent out two by two for the mission to bring life to the people of Israel (Matthew 10:5, Luke 10:1, 12:1). The twelve springs of waters have some resemblance to the twelve tribes of Israel. The seventy date palms trees refer to the 70 children who went down to Egypt. God is reminding the nation of Israel of the promise He made with their ancestors and how He is faithful to the promise. (Genesis 46:27, Exodus 1:5). There is a light at the end of every tunnel of life’s struggles.
According to Andre Piet, seventy is the number of the world of nations in Scripture, according to the table of nations in Genesis 10. At Elim, seventy palm trees were grouped around twelve water sources. That refers to the nations of the world arranged around Israel. The palm trees are fed from water sources. Water sources in Scripture always speak of the living words of God. Words of God entrusted to the people of Israel, as Paul says (Romans 3: 2).
Discussion:
1. How do you react to your harder life situations?
2. Remember and explain a few occasions of ELIM in your life journey?
(For further studies on Exodus Themes, kindly refer this site)
