Exodus 15:22 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Then Moses made Israel set out from the Red Sea, and they went into the wilderness of Shur. They went three days in the wilderness and found no water.

NIV: Then Moses led Israel from the Red Sea and they went into the Desert of Shur. For three days they traveled in the desert without finding water.

NASB: Then Moses led Israel from the Red Sea, and they went out into the wilderness of Shur; and they went three days in the wilderness and found no water.

CSB: Then Moses led Israel on from the Red Sea, and they went out to the Wilderness of Shur. They journeyed for three days in the wilderness without finding water.

NLT: Then Moses led the people of Israel away from the Red Sea, and they moved out into the desert of Shur. They traveled in this desert for three days without finding any water.

KJV: So Moses brought Israel from the Red sea, and they went out into the wilderness of Shur; and they went three days in the wilderness, and found no water.

NKJV: So Moses brought Israel from the Red Sea; then they went out into the Wilderness of Shur. And they went three days in the wilderness and found no water.

This begins a new section, following the celebration of Israel's miraculous Red Sea crossing (Exodus 15:1). The people have come to this side of the sea by walking on dry land provided by God's supernatural power. The Egyptian army which pursued them was drowned attempting to follow (Exodus 14:21–29). Now Israel truly begins their journey through the "wilderness:" the sparsely inhabited regions of the Sinai Peninsula.

Moses directs the people to head towards Shur (Genesis 20:1; 1 Samuel 15:7). This is where Hagar, Abraham's concubine, ran away from Sarah and met an angel (Genesis 16:7). The word shuwr literally means "wall," so this was likely an area near a mountainous ridge. Here, the Israelites meet their first major challenge: finding drinkable water. Even if they had taken ample quantities when they left Egypt (Exodus 12:33–39), three days is a long time without resupply. At the very least, most of the people would have been out of water with no immediate prospects to find more.

When they do locate water, it will be polluted somehow (Exodus 15:23). This will lead to unreasonable criticism against Moses (Exodus 15:24).

Exodus 15:22–27 records the first of God's sustaining miracles during Israel's time in the wilderness. The people left slavery (Exodus 12:40–41) and their pursuers were drowned (Exodus 14:21–29). Yet now, they have trouble finding drinkable water. Moses follows the Lord's advice to change undrinkable water into something clean. God indicates that He will keep Israel free from the kinds of plagues He sent on Egypt (Exodus 7:21; 8:6, 17, 24; 9:6, 10, 24; 10:14, 23; 12:29–32) so long as they obey His commands. The people then find a lush oasis with plenty of water and shelter.

Israel celebrates the supernatural event which eliminated the Egyptian army. God's power parted the waters of the Red Sea for the Hebrews to cross, then collapsed the same waters over the pursuing soldiers (Exodus 14:21–29). Moses, his sister Miriam, and the other Israelites praise the Lord for His works. They anticipate that this event will strike fear into the hearts of the wicked Canaanite nations (Deuteronomy 9:4). Yet, when the only water they find is undrinkable, the Israelites complain and criticize Moses. God provides a means to purify the water. He then provides a clear message about obedience and leads the people to a well-watered oasis.

When the nation of Israel was freed (Exodus 12:40–41), God led them to a specific place (Exodus 13:17–18). The Egyptians sent an army in pursuit (Exodus 14:5–9). God completed Israel's salvation by leading them across the Red Sea and wiping out the Egyptian army (Exodus 14:21–28). Here, the people celebrate their freedom with singing and dancing. However, they will soon complain when water runs short. In the following chapter, they will complain about food and be given the gift of "manna" (Exodus 16).

The book of Exodus establishes God's covenant relationship with the full-fledged nation of Israel. The descendants of Abraham prosper after settling in Egypt, only to be enslaved by a fearful, hateful Egyptian Pharaoh. God appoints Moses to lead the people out of this bondage. Moses serves as God's spokesman, as the Lord brings plagues and judgments on Egypt, leading to the release of Israel.