WHY ARE THESE NUMBERS SIGNIFICANT?
As they traveled on, the Israelites came to Elim, an oasis located along the Eastern side of the Red Sea near the desert of Sin. It must have been a wonderful sight for the weary travelers as they saw 12 wells of water and a grove of 70 palm trees! So of course, they made camp in this place of water and shade.
That Moses took note of the number of wells and palms seems significant. Twelve wells of water, one for each of the 12 tribes of Israel. And seventy palm trees, the same number of persons in Jacob’s house that had first moved to Egypt some 400 years earlier. Seventy was also the number of the Israelite elders appointed by Moses. I think Moses and the Israelites must have been as encouraged by these numbers as they were by the water and shade.
These numbers continue to be significant in the New Testament. Can you name the occasions when the numbers 12 and 70 are found in the NT?
PRAYER: Dear Father, we love how you met the needs of Your people in the Bible. More than that, we love how you always meet our needs too. The numbers were like Your signature on the gift card. How awesome You are, O Lord! We give You thanks and glory! In Jesus’ name, amen.