The Exodus Route

Israel departed from Rameses, the city they had built as slaves. About 600,000 men on foot, besides women and children, left on the night of Passover.

The first stopping point after leaving Rameses. A large mixed multitude traveled with Israel.

Israel camped on the edge of the wilderness. God led them by a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night.

God directed Israel to turn back and camp here, between Migdol and the sea. Pharaoh's army overtook them. The crossing of the Red Sea / Sea of Reeds followed.

Three days into the wilderness of Shur, Israel found water but it was bitter. Moses threw a piece of wood into it and the water became sweet.

A refreshing oasis with twelve springs of water and seventy palm trees where Israel camped.

Israel grumbled about lack of food. God sent quail in the evening and manna in the morning - bread from heaven that Israel would eat for forty years.

No water here - Moses struck the rock at Horeb and water came out. Amalek attacked Israel; Joshua fought while Moses held up the staff of God.

Israel arrived in the third month after leaving Egypt. God descended on the mountain in fire, smoke, and thunder. Moses received the Ten Commandments and the Law. Israel remained here for nearly a year.

The people complained and fire from the LORD burned at the outskirts of the camp. Moses prayed and the fire died down.

Israel craved meat. God sent an abundance of quail, but while they were eating, a severe plague struck. They buried those who craved meat here.

Miriam and Aaron criticized Moses for his Cushite wife. God struck Miriam with leprosy. After seven days of exclusion she was healed and brought back in.

Twelve spies returned from Canaan. Ten brought a bad report; the people rebelled. God sentenced Israel to forty years in the wilderness, one year for each day of the scouting. Kadesh became the base for most of the wilderness years.

Moses requested passage through Edom on the King's Highway, promising not to touch their fields. Edom refused and came out with a large army. Israel turned away.

At God's command, Moses, Aaron, and Eleazar climbed Mount Hor. Moses stripped Aaron's garments and put them on Eleazar. Aaron died on the mountain.

Near here the people grumbled against God and Moses. God sent poisonous snakes. Moses made a bronze serpent and mounted it on a pole - all who looked at it lived.

Israel camped on the plains of Moab beside the Jordan opposite Jericho. Balak king of Moab hired Balaam to curse Israel. The rest of the law was delivered here.

Moses climbed Nebo to the top of Pisgah and saw all the Promised Land spread out before him. He died there at age 120 and was buried by God in a valley in Moab.

Under Joshua, Israel crossed the Jordan on dry ground as the waters were cut off. Twelve stones were taken from the riverbed as a memorial.

Israel marched around Jericho for seven days. The walls fell and the city was given over to God. The Exodus journey was complete.