All the congregation of the people of Israel moved on from the wilderness of Sin by stages, according to the commandment of the Lord, and camped at Rephidim, but there was no water for the people to drink. (Exodus 17:1 ESV)
Sin
One of the things I look forward to asking God when I get to heaven, is about the coincidences in our English Bibles. Here are the Israelites, on the way to the Promised Land, and what is the name of the region they must travel through? It is the wilderness of Sin!
According to maps, Sin was unavoidable on the way from Egypt to Canaan.
Just like in our lives.
As we wander, between our conversion and our ascension into heaven, be sure that we will struggle with sin.
But for us, it is no longer a wilderness, although it might seem like it.
But our guide has become more than a mere pillar of fire at night, and smoke during the day. Our Jesus has traveled this path, and paved the roads! Our Jesus has brought fertilization (sanctification), crops (the fruit of the Spirit), and the very city of God!
While our sin is horrid, ugly, and damning, Jesus has given us beauteous robes to wear, bound our wounds, and taught us to laugh again.
The Israelites, and we, would perish in the wilderness of Sin, but Jesus can AND DID navigate.