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Explore the miraculous events experienced by the Israelites as they fled to the desert. Delve into the symbolism of pillars of cloud and fire, the "rain" of quail and manna, and the water from a rock. Were these events truly miraculous, ordinary occurrences, or simply symbolic stories? Uncover various interpretations and insights into the Israelites' journey.
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Israelites experienced three amazing events as they fled into the desert. • Pillars of cloud & fire (Exodus 13:21)
This is the third time in the Old Testament narrative when fire is used as a symbol of God’s presence. • What are these?????
Amazing events – continued: • “Rain” of quail in time of hunger – Appeared in evening – (Numbers 11: 31 – 32)
Manna – appeared in the morning (Exodus 16: 14, 31) IV. Water from a rock
Were these (pillars, quail, manna) • Miraculous? • Ordinary? • Literary (symbolic stories)?
Interpretations: • Miraculous events – Worked by God to aid Israel? • Ordinary events – Used by God to aid Israel? • Symbolic stories – Used to express Israel’s faith than God aided them?
The Answer…. Most biblical scholars agree that number two is the most likely.
Ordinary events: • Pillars – volcanic activity • Quail – migration victims • Manna – Insect secretions