Overview
Travel in biblical times was often dangerous and unpredictable, involving long distances, uncertain conditions, and potential encounters with hostile forces. The Old Testament records numerous journeys of God's people, from Abraham's migrations to Israel's wilderness wanderings. New Testament believers also traveled extensively to spread the gospel, facing hardships that tested their faith and dependence on God.
Key Scriptures
"The highway shall be called the Way of Holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it" (Isaiah 35:8, ESV). "Jacob heard that the sons of Laban had said, 'Jacob has taken all that was our father's, and from what was our father's he has gained all this wealth'" (Genesis 31:23, ESV). "So they set out from Bethel. When they were still some distance from Ephrath, Rachel went into labor" (Genesis 35:16, ESV).
Application
Consider how your own spiritual journey mirrors the biblical traveler's dependence on God's protection and provision, and extend genuine hospitality to those passing through your community as a reflection of Christ's love.
✦ Scripture References 40 references
✦ Topical Scripture Breakdown 122 verses
After a long journey, described
Before setting out gave employment, &c to their servants
Called way-faring men
Ceasing of, threatened as a calamity
Estimated the length of their journey by the number of days which it occupied
For security often left the highways
Frequently commended them to protection of God
Frequently extorted provisions by the way
Frequently took leave of them with sorrow
Generally attended by running footmen
Generally commenced their journey early in the morning
Generally halted at wells or streams
Generally performed their journey in great state
Generally rested at noon
Generally treated with great hospitality
Halted at even
Often collected together and formed caravans
Often engaged persons acquainted with the country as guides
Often preceded by heralds, &c to have the roads prepared
Often sent them away with music
Often supplied them with provision
Often travelled on foot
On foot, how attired
Preparations made by, alluded to
Presents for those who entertained them
Protected by those who entertained them
Provender for their beasts of burden
Provisions for the way
Rode in chariots
Rode on asses, camels, &c
Saluted no man by the way
Skins filled with water, wine, &c
Sometimes accompanied them a short way
Strangers civil to
Tesserae hospitales or pledges of hospitality, alluded to
The caravanserai or public inn for noticed
The Jews prohibited from taking long journeys on the Sabbath
Went with great speed
Were frequently asked whence they came and whither they went