Numbers 20:16
And when wee cryed vnto the Lord, he heard our voyce, and sent an Angel, and hath brought vs foorth out of Egypt: and behold, wee are in Kadesh, a citie in the vttermost of thy border. Numbers 20:16 (KJV)
The book of Numbers records the Israelites’ journey from Mount Sinai toward the Promised Land. In the passage that includes Numbers 20:14‑16, Moses sends a message to the king of Edom on behalf of the people who are encamped at Kadesh. The quoted verse captures the Israelites’ own recollection of God’s past faithfulness: they cried to the LORD, He heard them, sent an angel, and brought them out of Egypt, and now they find themselves in Kadesh, a city at the far edge of the promised territory.
Their cry to the LORD echoes the earlier scene in Exodus when, after the oppression in Egypt, God “heard their groaning” and remembered His covenant (Exodus 2:23‑25). That divine response was manifested through Moses, the plagues, the parting of the Red Sea, and continual guidance. The reference to “an angel” fits the biblical pattern of the Angel of the LORD appearing as a visible expression of God’s presence (see Exodus 3:2; 14:19).
Kadesh, situated near the border of the land that God promised, marks a significant waypoint in the wilderness of Zin. It represents both a geographical milestone and a spiritual reminder that the journey from slavery to inheritance is sustained by God’s hearing and intervention. Throughout Numbers the people repeatedly turn to God in moments of danger or difficulty, demonstrating their dependence on Him and their confidence that He will rescue them.
The themes that emerge are clear: believers are encouraged to cry out to God in trouble, trusting that He listens; God’s faithfulness is shown in His willingness to send help, often through angelic messengers; and the remembrance of deliverance from Egypt underscores the steadfastness of God’s promises. By reflecting on this passage, readers can deepen their understanding of God’s character, His continual interaction with His people, and the importance of seeking Him earnestly in every stage of life.
