The Israelite's Miraculous Crossing

of the Red Sea and Where it Took Place

Article bE 2000

Following is the story of the Israelites exodus from Egypt as given in the KJV Bible with several very vital comments in italics intermingled;

(Exo 12:30-32&37-38)

"{30} And Pharaoh rose up in the night, he, and all his servants, and all the Egyptians; and there was a great cry in Egypt; for there was not a house where there was not one dead. {31} And he called for Moses and Aaron by night, and said, Rise up, and get you forth from among my people, both ye and the children of Israel; and go, serve the LORD, as ye have said. {32} Also take your flocks and your herds, as ye have said, and be gone; and bless me also. {37} And the children of Israel journeyed from Rameses to Succoth, about six hundred thousand on foot that were men, beside children. {38} And a mixed multitude went up also with them; and flocks, and herds, even very much cattle." bE-1

(Exo 13:17-22)

"{17} And it came to pass, when Pharaoh had let the people go, that God led them not through the way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near; for God said, Lest peradventure the people repent when they see war, and they return to Egypt: {18} But God led the people about, through the way of the wilderness of the Red sea: and the children of Israel went up harnessed out of the land of Egypt. [Note how the above two verses speak of the Israelites going the long way or out of the way route to the promise land] {19} And Moses took the bones of Joseph with him: for he had straitly sworn the children of Israel, saying, God will surely visit you; and ye shall carry up my bones away hence with you. {20} And they took their journey from Succoth, and encamped in Etham, in the edge of the wilderness. {21} And the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light; to go by day and night: {22} He took not away the pillar of the cloud by day, nor the pillar of fire by night, from before the people." bE-2

Note the Bible up to this point has not yet said anything about approaching the Red Sea or crossing it. Note how this Scripture indicates that numerous travels and unique things were experienced before they crossed the Red Sea. It is quite clear that the pillar of fire and cloud was already leading them in their travel when they got to the Red sea, since it at the site of crossing the sea, went from the front of them to the rear of them to divide them from the Egyptians and it became a darkness to the Egyptians and a light to the Israelites (Ex 14:19-20). Considering this Scripture and other Scriptures it is clear that significant traveling was done before the Israelites got to the Red Sea Crossing. Also note the above verses to some extent indicate that the Israelites already had started the long way around (out of the way route) to the promise land before they got to the Red Sea crossing area. bE-3

Ex 14:1-9

"{1} And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, {2} Speak unto the children of Israel, that they turn and encamp before Pihahiroth, between Migdol and the sea, over against Baalzephon: before it shall ye encamp by the sea. {3} For Pharaoh will say of the children of Israel, They are entangled in the land, the wilderness hath shut them in." [Note how they before crossing the Red Sea were at a place where they were entangled in the land and where the wilderness had shut them in. Such enclosed area should be looked for in finding the real Red Sea crossing site. Over against Baalzephon might have meant Baalzephon was on the other side of the Red Sea, similar to how the Israelites later crossed the Jordan over against Jericho ]. {4} And I will harden Pharaoh's heart, that he shall follow after them; and I will be honoured upon Pharaoh, and upon all his host; that the Egyptians may know that I am the LORD. And they did so. {5} And it was told the king of Egypt that the people fled: and the heart of Pharaoh and of his servants was turned against the people, and they said, Why have we done this, that we have let Israel go from serving us? {6} And he made ready his chariot, and took his people with him: {7} And he took six hundred chosen chariots, and all the chariots of Egypt, and captains over every one of them. {8} And the LORD hardened the heart of Pharaoh king of Egypt, and he pursued after the children of Israel: and the children of Israel went out with an high hand. {9} But the Egyptians pursued after them, all the horses and chariots of Pharaoh, and his horsemen, and his army, and overtook them encamping by the sea, beside Pihahiroth, before Baalzephon." bE-4

The Israelites now have gotten to the place where they will cross the Red Sea. Note how above verse 5 says that it was told Pharoah that the people had fled. It is quite clear that the Egyptians did not conclude that the Israelites had fled simply because they had gone a short distance into the wilderness, because Pharoah had much reason to think that even though the Israelites had departed a significant distance, that they might still remain close by in the wilderness and spend some time offering up sacrifices. Moses when he spoke to Pharoah had distinctly and always asked Pharoah permission to go three days journey into the wilderness and offer up sacrifices and never even had asked Pharoah permission to leave permanently (Ex 3:18, 5:1-3, 8:8, 8:25-28, 10:8-9, 10:24-26). It is clear that Pharoah did not conclude they had fled simply because they had taken all their cattle along, because Moses had distinctly told Pharoah that they in going into the wilderness to offer up sacrifices must take every animal along because they did not know what they would sacrifice until they got into the wilderness (Ex 10:24-26). It is quite clear that the Egyptians did not conclude that the people had fled because of them having taken so many of their belongings with them, because they quite obviously did not take many of their possessions along. The Israelites had left Egypt so suddenly after the slaying of the firstborns that they did not even have time to prepare food (victuals) for their departure (Ex 12:39). They did not even have time to leaven the bread they took along but took their dough along with them in their kneadingtroughs (Ex 12:34). Note although the Israelites according to God's commandment took along silver and gold which they got from the Egyptians, it is clear they did not take many things along (Ex 11:2&12:35-36). In considering why the Egyptians concluded the Israelites had fled, it is quite clear that they concluded they fled because the people had departed more than three days journey into the wilderness and had rapidly traveled a much greater distance away. This great distance was all covered before getting to the place where they crossed the Red Sea. Although Moses had merely asked Pharoah permission for the Israelites to go into the wilderness three days journey and offer sacrifices (Ex 3:18&5:3&8:27), it appears Pharoah now fully realized they were actually leaving permanently. Note it appears that Pharoah after the slaying of all firstborns on impulse might have allowed or told the Israelites to leave permanently (Ex 11:1, & 14:5, & 12:30-33). One should note how this Scripture speaks of Pharaoh pursuing those who he learned had fled and overtaking them which things strongly indicate their was significant distance between the Israelites place of departure and the actual Red Sea crossing. Following are two other Scriptures which reveal significant distance was traveled before getting to the Red Sea crossing; bE-5

M (Judg 11:16-17) "But when Israel came up from Egypt, and walked through the wilderness unto the Red sea, and came to Kadesh; Then Israel sent messengers unto the king of Edom..." Note how this verse says walked through the wilderness unto the Red Sea. bE-6

(Josh 24:6) "And I brought your fathers out of Egypt: and ye came unto the sea; and the Egyptians pursued after your fathers with chariots and horsemen unto the Red sea." bE-7

Considering the above Scriptures, is it not quite clear that the Israelites did significant traveling before crossing the Red Sea? Had the Israelites crossed the Red Sea some place along the Gulf of Suez (the west side of the Sinai Peninsula) or crossed some waters further north in the Bitter Lakes area, such would not correspond very well at all with the significant travels the Bible speaks of being accomplished before the crossing was made. Had the Israelites before crossing the Red Sea only got as far as the Bitter Lakes area or merely been somewhere along the western side of the Gulf of Suez, they still would have been in the mainland of Egypt and not even entered the Sinai Peninsula and why then would Pharoah have heard that they fled and then took up pursuit? Following is a map that shows vital places with regards to the where the Red Sea crossing took place; bE-8

bE-9

Following is given the main verses that pertains to the actual crossing of the Red Sea; bE-10

(Exo 14:21-22&28-30) "And Moses stretched out his hand over the sea; and the LORD caused the sea to go back by a strong east wind all that night, and made the sea dry land, and the waters were divided. {22} And the children of Israel went into the midst of the sea upon the dry ground: and the waters were a wall unto them on their right hand, and on their left. {28} And the waters returned, and covered the chariots, and the horsemen, and all the host of Pharaoh that came into the sea after them; there remained not so much as one of them. {29} But the children of Israel walked upon dry land in the midst of the sea; and the waters were a wall unto them on their right hand, and on their left. {30} Thus the LORD saved Israel that day out of the hand of the Egyptians; and Israel saw the Egyptians dead upon the sea shore". bE-11

In learning where the Israelites crossed the Red Sea one should endeavor to learn what body or bodies of water the Bible would consider to be the Red Sea. The following Scripture quite clearly counts the body of water on the west side of the Sinai Peninsula (Gulf of Suez) as a part of the Red sea; bE-12

(Exo 10:19) "And the LORD turned a mighty strong west wind, which took away the locusts, and cast them into the Red sea; there remained not one locust in all the coasts of Egypt." bE-13

The following two Scriptures also count the body of water on the east side of the Sinai Peninsula (Gulf of Aqaba) as being the Red Sea; . bE-14

(1 Ki 9:26) "And King Solomon made a navy of ships in Eziongeber, which is beside Eloth, on the shore of the Red sea, in the land of Edom." Note Eziongeber and Eloth are on the north end of the Gulf of Aqaba. bE-15

(Num 21:4) "And they journeyed from mount Hor by the way of the Red sea, to compass the land of Edom: and the soul of the people was much discouraged because of the way." Note the Israelites before being at Mount Hor had just come from Kadesh and from Mount Hor now were heading eastward toward Moab (Num 20:13-23 & 21:10-13). Yet because Edom did not allow them to go through their land they here turned south toward the Red Sea or Eziongeber area to go around Edom. bE-16

As the two bodies of water which largely enclose the triangular shaped Sinai Peninsula are both considered by the Bible as being parts of the Red Sea, it is very believable that the Bible would speak of the desolate area (Sinai Peninsula) between these bodies of water as being the wilderness of the Red Sea. Exodus 13:17-18 speaks of the Israelites traveling through the wilderness of the Red Sea reading, "And it came to pass, when Pharaoh had let the people go, that God led them not through the way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near; for God said, Lest peradventure the people repent when they see war, and they return to Egypt: {18} But God led the people about, through the way of the wilderness of the Red sea: and the children of Israel went up harnessed out of the land of Egypt." (Exo 13:17-18). bE-17

It appears that Judge Jephthah speaks of the Israelites first walking through the wilderness of the Red Sea (Sinai Peninsula) and then coming to the crossing of the Red sea where he says, "...Israel came up from Egypt, and walked through the wilderness unto the Red sea, and came to Kadesh;" (Judg 11:16). The NIV translation of this verse reads "But when they came up out of Egypt, Israel went through the desert to the Red Sea and on to Kadesh.". Note how the above Scriptures reveal that the Israelites walked through the wilderness before getting to the Red Sea crossing and also strongly indicate that this wilderness through which they walked before getting to the Red Sea was the wilderness of the Red Sea or Sinai Peninsula. bE-18

Jeremiah 2:6 speaks of the desolate and wild area through which the Israelites traveled on the way to Canaan reading, "Neither said they, Where is the LORD that brought us up out of the land of Egypt, that led us through the wilderness, through a land of deserts and of pits, through a land of drought, and of the shadow of death, through a land that no man passed through, and where no man dwelt?" bE-19

In studying the Biblical description of Egypt it is quite obvious that the Sinai Peninsula was considered as being a part of Egypt. Eleven different Scriptures in speaking of the borders and extent of the promised land speak of Israel bordering Egypt. Such Scripture texts are Gen 15:18, Num 34:5, Josh 13:3, Josh 15:4&47, 1 King 4:21 & 8:65, 1 Chron 13:5, 2 Chron 7:8 & 9:26 & 26:8. Two of these verses read as follows; bE-20

(Num 34:5) "And the border shall fetch a compass from Azmon unto the river of Egypt, and the goings out of it shall be at the sea." This verse together with verses 3&4 pertain to southern border of the promised land, going westward from the south end of the salt sea past Kadesh to the Mediterranean or great sea. bE-21

(2 Chr 7:8) "Also at the same time Solomon kept the feast seven days, and all Israel with him, a very great congregation, from the entering in of Hamath unto the river of Egypt." bE-22

The river of Egypt also is called Shihor and Sihor of Egypt. Following are three verses that reveal such; bE-23

(Jer 2:18) "And now what hast thou to do in the way of Egypt, to drink the waters of Sihor? or what hast thou to do in the way of Assyria, to drink the waters of the river?" bE-24

(1 Chr 13:5) "So David gathered all Israel together, from Shihor of Egypt even unto the entering of Hemath, to bring the ark of God from Kirjathjearim." This verse speaks of the far ends of Israel just like above 2 Chron 7:8 does (Scripture in paragraph bE-22), accept this verse speaks of Shihor of Egypt instead of the river of Egypt. (Note Hamath and Hemath both come form the same Hebrew word and are the same place, also note Shihor and Sihor come form the same Hebrew word). bE-25

(Josh 13:3) "From Sihor, which is before Egypt, even unto the borders of Ekron northward, which is counted to the Canaanite: five lords of the Philistines; the Gazathites, and the Ashdothites, the Eshkalonites, the Gittites, and the Ekronites; also the Avites:" Note this verse is speaking the land of the Philistines which land Israel was to take possession of (Josh 13:1-3). bE-26

In considering the river of Egypt, it likely is worthy to consider that it might have been named such because it carried the run off water of Egypt to the sea. Such aspect would indicate the Sinai Peninsula as a whole was counted as Egypt. The river of Egypt drains a large portion and likely most of the Sinai Peninsula. Detailed maps of the Sinai Peninsula show the river of Egypt having many little fingers reaching deep into the Sinai Peninsula reaching clear down to the southern and mountainous part of the Peninsula. Yet likely the main reason it was called the River of Egypt was because it was on the border of Egypt. bE-27

To think of Egypt in Bible times firmly extending eastward across the Sinai Peninsula clear to the southwest border of Israel was a new thought to the writer. Yet in considering Biblical land descriptions it is quite clear that the Bible does not consider any country or tract of land to be between Egypt and Israel but rather considers Egypt to extend across the Sinai Peninsula and border Israel. Thus it is quite clear that the Bible considered the Sinai Peninsula to be part of Egypt. It thus appears when Moses fled from the face of Pharoah he went further than the Sinai Peninsula to get out of the land of Egypt and jurisdiction of Pharoah, and went to the land east of the Gulf of Aqaba, which land many people today consider to be Midian and which it appears the Bible also counted to be Midian. The Bible says that Moses fled to Midian in fleeing from Pharoah (Ex 2:15). If Biblical Midian is on the east side of the Gulf of Aqaba it is clear that Mount Sinai (also called Mount Horeb) is also on the east side of the Gulf of Aqaba as Exodus chapter three clearly reveals that Mount Sinai (Horeb) was in Midian. Galatians 4:25 also speaks of the location of Mount Sinai saying that Mount Sinai is in Arabia which issue should be carefully considered. It is likely that the Bible counted both Arabia and Midian to be on the east side of the Gulf of Aqaba, with Midian being an area within Arabia, as it still is today. Note modern maps shows Midyan or Midian to be east of the Gulf of Aqaba and within Arabia. bE-28

Note although their is some possibility that the northern part of the Sinai Peninsula was considered as Egypt while the southern part was not, yet in considering the great power of Egypt and how the southern part of the Sinai Peninsula is all enclosed by the Red Sea making the whole Sinai Peninsula a distinct one land mass, it is most likely the Sinai Peninsula was all counted to be Egypt. The southern part of the Sinai Peninsula also is a very desolate and mountainous area where basically no one dwelt making quite impractical for a nation to exist there other than the nation north of it. bE-29

Exodus 3:1 describes the area of Mount Sinai reading "Now Moses kept the flock of Jethro his father in law, the priest of Midian: and he led the flock to the backside of the desert, and came to the mountain of God, even to Horeb." Would the description backside of the desert best describe a mountain in the middle of a desert such as Mount Sinai is within the Sinai Peninsula desert or would the description backside of the desert best fit a mountain such as in Arabia situated on the far west side of the desert near to the Red Sea? Although the answer seems obvious yet it is true that smaller desert areas could be within the Sinai Peninsula and thus this description in some respects also might be able to fit Mount Sinai as in the Sinai Peninsula. bE-30

Another verse to consider in studying where the true Mount Sinai (Horeb) is reads, "(There are eleven days' journey from Horeb by the way of mount Seir unto Kadeshbarnea.)" (Deu 1:2). Note Moses here in using the term Mount Seir might have been speaking of the country or land of Seir or might have been distinctly speaking of the mount of Seir which particular mount the Israelites compassed many days during their 40 years in the wilderness (Deu 2:1-4). If Mount Horab were in the Sinai Peninsula their would be no reason to travel through the country of Seir (Edom) in going from Mount Horab to Kadesh. If Moses here in speaking of Mount Seir was speaking of the actual mountain of Seir, it appears such mountain was south east of Eziongaber which mountain itself neither would not be enroute between Horab and Kadesh, that is if Horab were in the Sinai Peninsula. Although some have thought that Mount Sinai might be on the northern part of the Sinai Peninsula this verse totally disallows that possibility. bE-31

Around 50 verses pertaining to the body of water which God miraculously divided and through which the Israelites traveled, call these waters a sea, rather than a lessor body of water. Following are four Scriptures that indicate that the place of crossing the Red Sea had significant or great depths; bE-32

(Exo 15:5&8) "The depths have covered them: they sank into the bottom as a stone. {8}And with the blast of thy nostrils the waters were gathered together, the floods stood upright as an heap, and the depths were congealed in the heart of the sea." bE-33

(Neh 9:11) "And thou didst divide the sea before them, so that they went through the midst of the sea on the dry land; and their persecutors thou threwest into the deeps, as a stone into the mighty waters." bE-34

(Psa 106:9-11) "He rebuked the Red sea also, and it was dried up: so he led them through the depths, as through the wilderness. {10} And he saved them from the hand of him that hated them, and redeemed them from the hand of the enemy. {11} And the waters covered their enemies: there was not one of them left." bE-35

(Isa 51:10) "Art thou not it which hath dried the sea, the waters of the great deep; that hath made the depths of the sea a way for the ransomed to pass over?" bE-36

Following are two verses that reveal that the Red Sea Crossing was a very great and outstanding miracle and which was remembered many years later even by non Israelites; bE-37

(Josh 2:9-10) "And she said unto the men, I know that the LORD hath given you the land, and that your terror is fallen upon us, and that all the inhabitants of the land faint because of you. {10} For we have heard how the LORD dried up the water of the Red sea for you, when ye came out of Egypt;..." Note this statement was made by a woman of Jericho, around forty years after the actual crossing of the Red Sea. bE-38

(1 Sam 4:8) "Woe unto us! who shall deliver us out of the hand of these mighty Gods? these are the Gods that smote the Egyptians with all the plagues in the wilderness." Note this Scripture might not pertain so much to the Red Sea crossing as to the 10 plagues done in Egypt upon the Egyptian people. Yet one should notice this Scripture speaks of plagues in the wilderness which very much could include the Red Sea crossing. This statement was made by the Philistines around 400 years after the 10 plagues were sent upon Egypt and Pharaoh's army was drowned in the Red Sea. The miracles involved in the Israelites leaving Egypt clearly were not insignificant miracles that man can explain as almost natural happenings. Yet man has endeavored to do such. bE-39

Ex 15:22 speaks of the Israelites going into the Wilderness of Shur after that they had crossed the Red Sea, while Numbers 33:8 speaks of them going into the Wilderness of Etham after they crossed the Red Sea. To know exactly why this difference exists is difficult. Firstly we will consider the meaning of the word Shur and where the location of Shur might be. The Hebrew word underlying Shur (H7791 or H7793) can distinctly mean a wall and some times is translated into the word wall. The wilderness on the east side of the Gulf of Ababa in Arabia could quite properly be called the wilderness of a wall (Shur), since their is a significant mountain range along the west side of the wilderness in Arabia separating it from the Red Sea. Although Moses in using the term the wilderness of Shur might simply have meant the wilderness of a wall, yet it is still is very possible that the wilderness east of the Gulf of Ababa was officially named the wilderness of Shur. Yet it also is very possible that there were two areas called Shur, as it is quite clear that another particular area or city east of Egypt and south and west of Israel's mainland was called Shur. Following are several verses that speak of Shur being near Egypt as one would travel from Israel to Egypt; bE-40

(1 Sam 15:7) "And Saul smote the Amalekites from Havilah until thou comest to Shur, that is over against Egypt." bE-41

(1 Sam 27:8) "And David and his men went up, and invaded the Geshurites, and the Gezrites, and the Amalekites: for those nations were of old the inhabitants of the land, as thou goest to Shur, even unto the land of Egypt." bE-42

(Gen 25:18) "And they dwelt from Havilah unto Shur, that is before Egypt, as thou goest toward Assyria: and he died in the presence of all his brethren." bE-43

Following is a vital verse which together with other verses, very much indicates that a distinct place named Shur (city or area) was north and west of Kadesh Barnea;

(Gen 20:1) "And Abraham journeyed from thence toward the south country, and dwelled between Kadesh and Shur, and sojourned in Gerar." Note Gerar was in land or in the outskirts of the land of the Philistines. bE-44

This verse is likely speaking of Gerar being northwest of Kadesh (Kadeshbarnea waters of strife) and southeast of Shur. In taking this verse to mean such, this verse quite practically reveals the distinct place whereto Abraham journeyed as he journeyed south from his home in Hebron. This verse in placing Gerar between Kadesh and Shur as such, would place Shur slightly east of the river of Egypt and over against and before Egypt as several nigh above verses also spoke of. Please remember Biblical Egypt extended eastward across the Sinai Peninsula to Sihor the river of Egypt. See map in paragraph bE-9. It does not appear this verse is speaking of Gerar being south of Kedesh in Naphtali and being north of the wilderness of Shur (Shur as east of Gulf of Ababa) as such would be a very imprecise and quite impractical description of the location of Gerar. Note Kedesh in Naphtali also is of a slightly different name (in both the English and Hebrew) than the Kadesh of Israel's south border. bE-45

Since the Bible clearly counted Egypt to extend eastward to the border of Israel and considered much of the Sinai Peninsula to be within the border of Egypt, this Shur being before and against Egypt and being on the way as one would go from Israel to Egypt appears to have been in the eastern part of the Sinai Peninsula slightly east of Sihor the River of Egypt. Although most maps show a area called Shur in the western part of the Sinai Peninsula, it is likely and very possible that such Shur rather was in the eastern side of the Sinai Peninsula since Biblical Egypt extended so far eastward. If Shur was on the west side of the Sinai Peninsula the Biblical description of Gerar as being between Kadesh and Shur would be quite indistinct while if Shur was on the east side of the Sinai Peninsula as is very likely the Biblical description of Gerar as being between Kadesh and Shur would be much more practical and distinct. bE-46

It appears that in times past some or many have not really considered the Sinai Peninsula to be a part of Egypt and thus in placing Shur right outside of the border of Egypt have firmly positioned the wilderness of Shur in the western part of the Sinai Peninsula. It appears that some or many Bible scholars then in reading Ex 15:22 where it says the Israelites entered the wilderness of Shur after crossing the Red Sea, have concluded that the crossing of the Red Sea must have been on the western side of the Sinai Peninsula. Yet one should consider that the Biblical Shur which is against or before Egypt likely was on the eastern part of the Sinai Peninsula many miles from the Gulf of Suez or the Bitter Lakes area. bE-47

In considering where the Israelites went after crossing the Red Sea one should also remember that Numbers 33:8 speaks of the Israelites going into the wilderness of Etham after the crossing. Numbers also speaks of them being in the wilderness of Etham before crossing the sea. To know exactly how to put every different name together seems quite impossible. Yet many Scriptural issues do indicate that the Red Sea crossing site would have been on the eastern side of the Sinai Peninsula rather than on the western side. bE-47.5

V In determining whether the Red Sea crossing was on the east or west side of the Sinai Peninsula one should firstly consider how Shur could so properly be on the east side of the Sinai Peninsula rather than on the west side, secondly consider the significant travels that were done by the Israelites before the crossing was accomplished, thirdly consider how Pharoah heard the Israelites fled and likely because they rather than only going three days journey into the wilderness to offer up sacrifices truly did flee away, forthly consider how they seemed to have already started to travel the out of the way route before they got to the crossing site, fifthly one should consider if the Israelites had actually crossed on the western side of the Sinai Peninsula such as crossing one of the Bitter Lakes or crossing the Gulf of Suez, they would have been within the mainland of Egypt and still largely been at home at the place where they crossed the Red Sea, sixthly consider how the Bible clearly says Mount Sinai is in Midian and Arabia, and seventhly consider how Moses fled from Egypt and the jurisdiction of Pharoah into the land of Midian which land contained Mount Sinai and very likely was on the east side of the Gulf of Aqaba rather than in the Sinai Peninsula. Firstly considering how the Bible many times speaks of it being a sea where the Israelites crossed, secondly considering how the Bible speaks of the depths involved in the waters, thirdly considering how the Israelite's enemies even remembered this miraculous crossing for many years, it is clear that this crossing could or should have been across a part of the sea and involving a real depths rather than across a mere lake or river. bE-48

All the above issues clearly tend to place the Red Sea crossing at Nuweiba where Ron Wyatt advocates it is and where he found the two columns likely built by Solomon to commemorate the crossing. The crossing site by Nuweiba also very much matches the Biblical description concerning the Israelites being in a trapped in place before they crossed the waters (Ex 14:3). Ron both found evidence in the sea and on the other side of the Gulf of Aqaba in Arabia to prove this as the true crossing site. Considering the much Biblical evidence and the much physical and visible evidence initially seen by Ron Wyatt (and now also seen by others) why should one not believe the Red Sea Crossing site to be where Ron claimed it to be? Likely no other reason than that man by nature is stubborn and ridiculous and often chooses to remain in error rather than admit he was wrong. Man might also refuse to accept this area as being the crossing site because he is unwilling to admit the great power of God in opening the real and deep sea. It was stubborn and ridiculous people that Stephen spoke to saying, "Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye. {52} Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted? and they have slain them which showed before of the coming of the Just One; of whom ye have been now the betrayers and murderers:" (Acts 7:51-52). May we concerning all subjects and issues love the truth rather than resist it or we might be found in the dreadful situation of which Paul speaks saying, "And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. {11} And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:" (2 Th 2:10-11). bE-49

M What a great miracle God performed in opening the sea around nine miles wide and possibly 2000 feet deep! May man not underestimate God's miracles, and may man truly fear this great God! God established the yearly Passover feast to remind His people of their great deliverance from Egypt. Many Scriptures throughout the Bible refer back to this great miracle of crossing the Red Sea. May Christians today give due respect to these great things that God has done and not count them insignificant or take them lightly. Concerning all subjects, may we be open for the truth and desire the truth or else God's great power and wrath will be directed against us as it was against the Egyptians! bE-50

M It appears some who count themselves as being Christians somewhat relate to great Biblical miracles as they do to mere fascinating fiction stories and enjoy hearing of great Bible miracles in a doctrinal or unapplied way but when one promotes these miracles in a realistic way and exposes physical evidence to prove that these wonders really happened they then shrink back and really don't like it as it creates a particular fear within their hearts. Some who think themselves to be good Christians advocate that they can believe in Biblical miracles without any evidence and thus advocate they don't need any evidence and are uninterested in it. Yet what is sad is that many such Christians only believe in the greatness of God's power in a theoretical and doctrinal way, but not with a true and realistic way and not with a living faith. bE-51

Is it of little importance that God in 1948 by an earthquake brought the remains of Noah's ark out of the ground and in 1978 sent another earthquake to reveal it further? Although the evidence of it being the remains of a ship and of Noah's ark is over overwhelming yet many stubborn, proud, and ridiculous men are out to refuse the evidence and foolishly are deceiving themselves and others, and will reap the bitter consequences both of believing a lie and having God's wrath poured out upon themselves in due time. It is sad that many who count themselves to be Christians are not even interested enough in stories or claims of finding physical evidences of Biblical wonders to even search them out to see if they are true, but rather are very satisfied to eat drink and be merry and largely be in ignorance about the wonderful evidences that God is revealing in our day. bE-52

Concerning the vivid physical and visible evidence of God's past great miracles that God is revealing in our day, it appears some who count themselves Christians almost dislike such evidence of the Bible possibly thinking it might subtract from their particular faith. Although physical and visible evidence might disturb and distress a mere theoretical and self made faith it will increase and encourage a true and realistic faith. Christians who don't like making an issue out of physical and visible evidences of the Bible history, should consider how Luke and Peter in endeavoring to prove the truth of the Gospel advocated that they were eyewitnesses of these things. Peter in 2 Pet 1:16 writes "For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty.". Luke in Luke 1:2 writes "Even as they delivered them unto us, which from the beginning were eyewitnesses, and ministers of the word;". Many Scriptures advocate the aspect of being witnesses of God's workings (Acts 2:32, 3:15, 5:32, 10:39-41, 13:30-31, 26:16). Christians should rejoice that God is allowing us to be eyewitnesses of evidence of His great miracles that he had done in times past, and Christians should use such evidence in promoting the truth of the Bible rather than counting such valuable evidence of small importance. It seems to the writer that Christians should desire to be eyewitnesses of these Biblical evidences, and if such was not possible it seems Christians should want someone they personally know and trusted to go and witness these evidences for them.

God for some reason seen fit to use Ron Wyatt to discover or rediscover evidences of numerous very significant Biblical histories, such as Noah's Ark, the Red Sea crossing, Mount Sinai, Sodom and Gomorra, and it appears Christ's crucifixion site and Ark of the Covenant. Possibly God used Mr. Wyatt as He did because Ron rather than being educated by the blind was original and basic in his studies and used the Bible as a solid reference source in his searches for remaining physical evidence of Biblical happenings. God also numerous times quite miraculously helped Mr. Wyatt in his search for tangible evidence to prove Biblical history. Ron advocated that he of himself could never have found all the things that he did, but rather advocated that it was the help of God that made him so successful in his searches. Some of Mr. Wyatt's discoveries mainly involved testing particular formations that others had seen before but had not recognized their significance, and had not researched and tested them. Some of Ron's work involved searching Bible lands for possible landmarks or ancient relics that would harmonize with Biblical history. Some of Ron's worked also involved searching underwater and underground. Yet likely Ron's most important searching was done in the Bible. bE-53

It is sad that today many Christians instead of searching the Bible are busy searching for money and fame and even become jealous at another's success. Ecclesiastics 4:4 speaking of carnal man reads "Again, I considered all travail, and every right work, that for this a man is envied of his neighbour. This is also vanity and vexation of spirit." May Christians not envy one another and in jealousy bite and devour one another, but rather help one another and work together to reveal the truth to the world! If Christians bite and devour one another, onlookers who want to know the truth will have difficulty in knowing the truth because jealous and bickering Christians rather than confirming each others labors and message will likely degrade each others labors and message and stir up a mess which is harmful to all and which Satan loves and which God will punish. May we all remember that one of God's greatest commandments is that we love our neighbor as ourselves and may we remember the verses which read, "We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death." (1 John 3:14), "Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;" (Rom 12:10). May all Christians consider the unique quote which says you can't throw dirt without losing ground. May God confirm and spread abroad the truth, and bless and comfort those who love it. Farewell. bE-54

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