Yes, the Israelites left Egypt quickly, but not by natural means alone—God supernaturally moved them along. They walked, but God accelerated their journey.
Les Feldick teaches that although the Israelites walked (they didn't fly or sprout wings), God must have miraculously hastened their movement over the large distance from Goshen to the Red Sea. This supernatural movement was necessary for millions of people plus livestock to cover such ground in a short time. He draws a parallel to the future flight of the Jewish remnant during the Tribulation, who will also be supernaturally protected and moved.
Exodus 19:4 — God reminds Israel that He bore them on eagles' wings, indicating a supernatural, swift delivery from Egypt.
The Bible records that God led the children of Israel out of Egypt through the wilderness, and they went up 'harnessed' (Exodus 13:18, implied). In Exodus 19:4, God says, 'Ye have seen what I did unto the Egyptians, and how I bare you on eagles' wings, and brought you unto myself.' This poetic language suggests a swift, supernatural carrying, even though the Israelites physically walked. The Scripture does not detail the mechanics, but it affirms that God was directly involved in their exodus and their safe arrival at Sinai.
Les Feldick is troubled by the practical impossibility of millions of Israelites moving from Goshen to the Red Sea in such a short time. He concludes that God must have supernaturally moved them along, speeding their journey without their conscious awareness. He emphasizes that they walked—no flying or wings—but that God hastened their steps. He also sees this as a pattern for the Tribulation remnant, who will flee from Jerusalem into the wilderness, and for the 144,000, who will travel with supernatural speed. He believes this was a miraculous event, consistent with God's constant miraculous working in Israel's history.
Les points out the sheer scale: three to seven million people, moving with their flocks and herds, from Egypt to the Red Sea in a short period. He notes that herds of cattle and sheep move slowly, so natural walking would have taken too long. Therefore, he argues, God must have intervened to 'hasten their move' supernaturally, perhaps moving them 'on eagles' wings' spiritually, as mentioned in Exodus 19:4.
Les draws a direct parallel between the Exodus and the future flight of the Jewish remnant during the Tribulation. Just as God moved Israel quickly and supernaturally, He will providentially move and protect the remnant as they flee to the wilderness. They will walk, not be transported by trucks or helicopters, but God will ensure they can escape swiftly and be cared for.
Jesus, in Matthew 24, instructed the people to flee without going back to their homes, and to pray that their flight would not be in winter or on the Sabbath. Les explains that the Sabbath restriction would limit how far they could walk, and winter would bring difficult conditions, such as the Jordan River flooding. This indicates that the remnant will indeed flee on foot, and the timing is crucial for their survival.
The Abomination of Desolation: Why Israel Must Flee (Matthew 24)
You've got all kinds of groups of people that Jesus is referring to. Now you go into the Middle East economy, and you'll find that most of the better homes have their patio not outside the back door, but where? On the housetop. And so here you've no doubt got people who are, I like to look at them, as retired, they've got time to spend up on their housetop patio.
Scale of the Exodus
Les questions how millions of Israelites with livestock could move from Egypt to the Red Sea so quickly, suggesting God's miraculous intervention.
Supernatural Movement on Eagles' Wings
Les emphasizes that while the Israelites walked, God supernaturally moved them speedily, and the 144,000 will experience similar supernatural travel during the Tribulation.
Supernatural Exodus and Tribulation Remnant
Les reiterates that God supernaturally moved the millions of Israelites, and He will supernaturally sovereignly take the Tribulation remnant into the wilderness for 3.5 years.
Flight of the Remnant and Walking
Les explains that the future remnant will walk, not use vehicles, and Jesus' warning about the Sabbath and winter reflects practical travel concerns.
Why Israel Rejected the Promised Land — Kadesh-Barnea Explained
Here in the last 13 months of time, they have experienced the miraculous exodus out of Egypt. The taskmasters thrown off their backs. They walked through the Red Sea on dry ground. They've seen the appearance of the cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night. They saw all of the thunder and the lightning and the fire on Mount Sinai.
Biblical Basis for Miracle
Les points to Exodus 19:4 where God says He bore Israel on eagles' wings, indicating a miraculous, speedy deliverance.
Miracle at the Red Sea
Les notes that God must have opened the Red Sea wider to allow the multitude to cross quickly, reinforcing the miraculous nature of the exodus.
Exodus 19:4: Ye have seen what I did unto the Egyptians, and how I bare you on eagles' wings, and brought you unto myself.
God reminds Israel of His miraculous deliverance from Egypt, suggesting swift and supernatural care.
Les Feldick clarifies that they walked; they did not sprout wings or fly. However, he believes God supernaturally moved them along, hastening their journey far beyond normal walking speed.
Les argues that the sheer number of people (millions) and livestock moving from Goshen to the Red Sea in a short time was humanly impossible. Therefore, God had to intervene miraculously to enable such a rapid departure.
Les sees the Exodus as a pattern for the future flight of the Jewish remnant during the Tribulation. Just as God moved Israel quickly and protected them, He will supernaturally protect and provide for the remnant as they flee to the wilderness.
Watch the Teaching: The Abomination of Desolation: Why Israel Must Flee (Matthew 24)