ELIM - A Place of Refreshing

This summer I have had many opportunities to explain to visiting guests how Elim Lodge got its name.

The children of Israel wandered aimlessly back and forth through the desert en route to the promised land. In Exodus 15:27 we read, "Then they came to Elim, where there were twelve springs and seventy palm trees, and they camped there near the water."

This morning I read Exodus 15, the entire chapter, and was thrilled with the references to our sovereign God. Phrases like, "majestic in holiness", "awesome in glory", "the greatness of your majesty" and "highly exalted".

Here are some gems I mined from that passage:

Then Moses and the Israelites sang this song to the LORD:

"I will sing to the LORD, for he is highly exalted.
The horse and its rider he has hurled into the sea.

The LORD is my strength and my song;
he has become my salvation.
He is my God, and I will praise him,
my father's God, and I will exalt him.

The LORD is a warrior; the LORD is his name.

"Your right hand, O LORD, was majestic in power.
Your right hand, O LORD, shattered the enemy.

In the greatness of your majesty you threw down those who opposed you. You unleashed your burning anger; it consumed them like stubble.

"Who among the gods is like you, O LORD ? Who is like you—
majestic in holiness, awesome in glory, working wonders?

"In your unfailing love you will lead the people you have redeemed. In your strength you will guide them to your holy dwelling.

The LORD will reign for ever and ever."

"Sing to the LORD, for he is highly exalted. The horse and its rider he has hurled into the sea."

He said:

"If you listen carefully to the voice of the LORD your God and do what is right in his eyes, if you pay attention to his commands and keep all his decrees, I will not bring on you any of the diseases I brought on the Egyptians, for I am the LORD, who heals you."

Then they came to Elim, where there were twelve springs and seventy palm trees, and they camped there near the water.