Journey through the Desert of Sin: “The Wilderness Can Be Difficult to Survive.”

Ezrae lowered his hands, and the fire died down with it, burning down to just embers. He looked around at the Israelite children; some with their parents, some sleeping, and some still completely enraptured by his stories.

He had gone too long again… The large, pale, almost full moon hanging high in the sky over them all. "It's time for bed, Talitha Yah. Go on. Luckily we didn't get yelled at by Grandpa Moses, again!" The children laughed with Ezrae and rubbed their eyes.

As had become usual, the children grumbled their way off to bed and Ezrae chuckled lightly, shaking his head. He lazily waved his staff at one of the springs, and a small tendril of water gently hovered from the spring, through the air, and onto the fire, dousing it.

The weariness in his bones was still present; the battle with Behemoth, still fresh in his heart. The longing to see Shelomith's face again had begun to rear its head, but Ezrae had been too tired while recuperating.

While walking back to his tent, he briefly considered diving into his memories again, but that idea was nixed almost as soon as he sat down. His weariness overtook him, and he fell asleep almost immediately.

*tap tap tap*

"Papa Ezrae, Grampa Moses said it's time to get up, we have to head out."

Ezrae opened one eye, having been woken up by 3 rapid pokes to his forehead. Standing before him was little Shebuel, looking shy and nervous.

Ezrae stretched, exaggeratedly, and quickly snatched Shebuel up, tickling him and laughing with him. "Papa Ezrae, stop!!! Hahaha stop it!!" Shebuel pleaded with Ezrae, and the two of them sat back, laughing together.

"Alright, Shebs. Go get a couple of your friends and help me pack up." Ezrae responded, ruffling Shebuel's hair and standing up to get ready to head out. Shebuel took off out of the tent to get some friends to help Ezrae pack.

Just a couple of hours later, the Israelites bid farewell to the oasis of Elim, their much-needed respite from the harsh desert. For 24 days, they had found solace and refreshment in its cool waters and abundant palm trees.

Now, with their hearts heavy, dreading the wilderness; they set out into the arid landscape of the Desert of Sin, guided by their leaders; Moses, Aaron, and Ezrae. Aaron had recently stepped up under Moses' instructions, and had become a high priest of the Israelites, blessed by Yahweh.

He was Moses' older brother, and his love for God almost rivaled his younger brother's. He had always been a part of Ezrae's life, since that would make him his Adopted uncle, and the two of them were very close.

As the Israelites traversed the unforgiving desert, Ezrae walked among them, his eyes filled with compassion. Ezrae acted as a sort of intermediary for the Israelites and their leaders, carrying messages and feelings to both sides.

He listened attentively to their concerns and fears; whether it was a weary mother worried about her child's hunger, or a father anxious about their uncertain future.

In turn, Ezrae took their messages to Moses and Aaron, ensuring that their voices were heard.

In a way, too, he acted as their therapist; being a pillar for them to speak to, and to unburden themselves, their hearts, and their minds.

On the fifteenth day of the second month since their liberation from Egypt; the heat of the sun bore down upon the Israelites, intensifying their fatigue and hunger.

A chorus of discontentment began to rise within the community, and their complaints reached a crescendo.

They directed their frustration towards Moses, Aaron, and Ezrae, their trusted leaders. "We can't go on like this!" one Israelite cried out, his voice filled with desperation.

"We left Egypt, dreaming of a promised land, flowing with milk and honey! But instead, we find ourselves wandering in this desolate wilderness, with nothing but hunger and thirst!

Have you been working with the Pharaoh all along? Have you brought us to the desert to die?!"

Ezrae stood before the assembly, his voice calm and soothing. "I hear your concerns, my friends," he said, addressing the multitude.

"I understand your weariness, the thirst that plagues your tongues, and the hunger that gnaws at your stomachs. But we must remember the journey we have undertaken."

He paused for a second, looking around at the crowd of Israelites, seeing their sadness, worry, and hunger, before continuing.

"We were slaves in Egypt, and Yahweh, in His great mercy, led us out of that bondage. He has NOT forsaken us. Let us trust in Him, even in the midst of our challenges.

I will bring your complaints to Moses and Aaron, and I will ask that they be laid at Yahweh's feet. So please, wait here and be calm."

Moses went out into the wilderness alone, after hearing the complaints of the Israelites, to find isolation and pray to God.

Ezrae stepped forward, his voice filled with unwavering conviction. "My friends, I have spoken with Moses and Aaron, and I bring you good tidings.

Yahweh will hear our cries; and He knows the depths of our hunger. He will provide for us, even in this barren wilderness. Have faith and trust in His plan."

A murmur of hope spread through the crowd as they listened to Ezrae's words. The children, sensing the change in the atmosphere, gathered around him, chattering excitedly and laughing again.

With the children gathered around him, Ezrae turned to the adults and said, "You see, brothers and sisters… The children remind us of the resilience and unwavering faith we must hold onto.

Let us not forget the miracles we have witnessed thus far, and the promises Yahweh has made to us, The Chosen Children of God! Together, we will face this challenge, and emerge stronger."

The Israelites cheered, whooped and hollered, singing and dancing and praising Yahweh again. Their hearts were still burdened, but the flame of hope burned brighter within them.

The heat of the desert seemed less oppressive, and their hunger pangs became reminders of their dependence on Yahweh's provision.

That evening, as the sun began its descent, casting a golden hue across the landscape, Moses returned from his Isolation.

He gathered Aaron and Ezrae, for he was tired and weary. He told them what was going to happen, and they, in turn, relayed his messages to the Israelites.

Aaron gathered them all around a massive, central campfire, after helping to set up a place for Moses to rest while they addressed the israelites. Their voices rang out in the arid environment, carrying a message of divine trust, and a chatter of excitement for what Yahweh would bring next.