Ver. 27.-Elim. "And they came to Elim, where were twelve wells of water,~ •tc. (Ex. xv. 27). Describe locality, and point out the great change from Marah, ar1'1 the miserable preceding three days in the desert. And then note the following sugges- tions as to the pilgrim path of a human wul. I. OUR PILGRIMAGE LIEB THROUGH EVER-VARIED SCENERY. The changes here are so great that they cannot fail to sug~est the corresponding truth, e.g., fear on the west r,f the Red Sea, deliverance, triumph, three days' march, disappointment and healing at Marah, Elim. 11. THE SCENERY WILL INCLUDE" ELIMS." In dark days we believe no bright will dawn, and vice versa. So the sorrowful must be reminded of Elirns to come. Many oases for Israel; so to-day even in Sahara. Our Elims.-1. Lift el,e mind to their Giver. 2. Are earnests of the Better Land. III. "ELIMB" ARE THE CREATIONS OF TRUTH. Imagine all the beauty of Elim, ancl ask, what made it? It was the water that made the Paradise. Now, note the place of water in the economy of nature; as a constituent of the human body, in vegetation; as the chief element in all food, medicine, drink; as the universal solvent and purifier; as an a.gent in all dyes, gorgeous and homely; as "the eye" in every landscape, etc. It is :no woniler then that water in Scripture is so often the emblem of truth, for which the soul thirsts, which is given as "water of life" from the throne of God and the Lamb. Doctrine "distils as the dew." God "pours clean water upon us that we may be clean." Note the analogy between truth and water implied in Matt. xxviii. 19. (See illustra- tions further in Ba.yley's "Egypt to Cana.an." pp. 110-112). And is it not new dis- covery of truth at crises in our lives, that make our "Elims"? Not at all anything external to the soul; but internal uncoverings of the goodness, grace and glory of our Heavenly Father, etc., etc. [Develop and illustrate.] Will it be considered fanciful to add, that:- IV. OUR " ELIMB" HA VE AN INDIVIDUAL IMPRESS. " Twelve wells," as many as tribes of Israel. "Seventy palms," for the tent of each elder a palm. There is any way a speciality in our Father's mercies, which marks them as for us, and reveals to us his personal love. V. THE "ELIMB" OF OUR PILGRIMAGE ABE NOT FAR FROM OUR "MARAHS." Only some eight or ten miles is that journey of Israel. Then :-1. At Marah let us hope/or Elim. 2. From Marah push on/or Elim. Never good to lie down and nurse sorrows and disappointments. Push "forward" a.long the pilgrim path of duty. 3. Mar.ih prepares/or the delight of Elim. VI. "ELnt:" IS ONLY FOR ENCAMPMENT, "They encamped there by the waters;" did not dwell, or build a city there. VII. THE CHANGING SCENERY LEADS TO CANAAN. All the succeeding transformations of life are intended to prepare for the heavenly stability and rest.-R.
EXPOSITION. day as the Debbet-er-Re.mleh It is difficult CHAPTER XVI to decide between these two views. In favour Vers. 1-3.-Tm: FlB8T MUBMUBING FOB of El Markha are: I. The fact that the J'OOD. From Elim, or the fertile tract extend- Egyptian settlements in the Si.naitic penin- ing from Wady Ghwundel to Wady Tayibeh, sula would thus be avoided, a.s they seem to the Israelites, after a time, removed, and en- have been, since no contest with Egyptia.as camped (es we learn from Nnm. xxxiii 10) by is recorded; 2. The descent of the quails, who, the Red Sea, probably along the narrow coast wearied with a long flight over the Red Sea, tract extending from the mouth of Tayibeh would natorally settle a.s soon a.s they reached to the entrance upon the broad plain of El the shore; 3. The greater openness e.nd facility Me.rkha. Hence they entered upon " the of the El Me.rkha and Wady Feiran route, wilderness of Sin, which is between Elim and which is admitted by all ; and 4. The suita- Sinai "-a tract identified by some with the bility of the latter to the particulars of the coast plain, El Me.rkha, by others with the narrative in eh. xviii. In favour of the route inland undulating region known at the present by the Debbet-er-Ramleh are, 1 The fact tb.\s 30 THE IlOOK OF EXODUS. [on. XVI. 1--3.