God hears cries of distress and delivers those who trust Him.
“ But when we cried out to the LORD, He heard our voice and sent an angel and brought us out from Egypt; now behold, we are at Kadesh, a town on the edge of your territory.” (v.16)
Numbers 20:16 is spoken by the Israelites as they recount their deliverance from slavery in Egypt through the power of God. They testify that when they “cried out to the LORD,” the Almighty responded by “sending an angel” to guide them, ultimately bringing them out from under the oppressive hand of Pharaoh. This angelic presence can be seen as a representation of God’s direct intervention, showing that He is never deaf to the cries of His people (Romans 10:13). The Israelites’ journey was long and fraught with challenges, yet their testimony here reminds believers that God’s deliverance involves both hearing the desperate call of the faithful and acting in powerful, sometimes supernatural ways.
The verse also notes that this took place in “Kadesh, a town on the edge of your territory.” Kadesh—often referred to as Kadesh-barnea—is a major geographical landmark situated near the border of Edom. It is about eleven days’ journey north from Mount Sinai by the route of Mount Seir (Deuteronomy 1:2). This location served as a key campsite during Israel’s wilderness wanderings and a strategic gateway into the Promised Land.In the historical timeline, Moses led the nation in the mid- to late 15th century BC (some date his era to the 13th century BC) after God delivered them from bondage. Their recollection at Kadesh highlights both their dependence on divine rescue and the ways God guided them, step by step, beyond Egypt’s borders into new territory.
This verse also points beyond itself to the greater deliverance offered in Christ. Just as the LORD answered His people’s plea by sending help in the wilderness, so Jesus offers rescue to any who call on Him (Matthew 11:28). In both cases, the Creator hears the cry of the needy, responds with mercy, and leads them toward new life.
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Numbers 20:16 meaning
“ But when we cried out to the LORD, He heard our voice and sent an angel and brought us out from Egypt; now behold, we are at Kadesh, a town on the edge of your territory.” (v.16)
Numbers 20:16 is spoken by the Israelites as they recount their deliverance from slavery in Egypt through the power of God. They testify that when they “cried out to the LORD,” the Almighty responded by “sending an angel” to guide them, ultimately bringing them out from under the oppressive hand of Pharaoh. This angelic presence can be seen as a representation of God’s direct intervention, showing that He is never deaf to the cries of His people (Romans 10:13). The Israelites’ journey was long and fraught with challenges, yet their testimony here reminds believers that God’s deliverance involves both hearing the desperate call of the faithful and acting in powerful, sometimes supernatural ways.
The verse also notes that this took place in “Kadesh, a town on the edge of your territory.” Kadesh—often referred to as Kadesh-barnea—is a major geographical landmark situated near the border of Edom. It is about eleven days’ journey north from Mount Sinai by the route of Mount Seir (Deuteronomy 1:2). This location served as a key campsite during Israel’s wilderness wanderings and a strategic gateway into the Promised Land.In the historical timeline, Moses led the nation in the mid- to late 15th century BC (some date his era to the 13th century BC) after God delivered them from bondage. Their recollection at Kadesh highlights both their dependence on divine rescue and the ways God guided them, step by step, beyond Egypt’s borders into new territory.
This verse also points beyond itself to the greater deliverance offered in Christ. Just as the LORD answered His people’s plea by sending help in the wilderness, so Jesus offers rescue to any who call on Him (Matthew 11:28). In both cases, the Creator hears the cry of the needy, responds with mercy, and leads them toward new life.