God’s Holy Remnant - How Many Really Left Egypt
- Leisa Baysinger
- Sep 16
- 3 min read
Updated: Sep 30
“But God led the people about, through the way of the wilderness of the Red Sea: and the children of Israel went up “harnessed” ( חֲמֻשִׁים, chamushim) out of the land of Egypt.” Exodus 13:18 (KJV)
“Rather, God led the people by a roundabout route, through the desert by the Sea of Suf. The people of Isra'el went up from the land of Egypt “fully armed” ( חֲמֻשִׁים, chamushim) Exodus 13:18 (CJB)
The Hebrew word translated “harnessed” or “fully armed” (חֲמֻשִׁים, chamushim) has layers of meaning, one of which suggests that only one-fifth of the Israelites actually left Egypt. You read that right- only 20% of them chose to leave Egypt with Moses!
The Hebrew letters making up the word chamushim form the word for the number five in Hebrew. The number 5 denotes “grace, power, strength, alertness, going forth”. The Israelites most assuredly did not leave Egypt fully equipped in military battle array that would defeat all the armies of Egypt but they were spiritually armed and battle ready.
If what I just said is true, it would imply that only a remnant—a refined minority—was chosen to walk the path of deliverance. The others chose to stay behind in Egypt because it was familiar rather than face the unknown with Moses. They were fearful.
God consistently works through the few, not the many. The faithful remnant is not an accident—it is a divine pattern.
Two classic examples of only a remnant being saved or used by God are:
Noah and the flood - Genesis 6-8
Gideon’s Army - Judges 7
In Matthew 7:13-14, Yeshua teaches that the way to life is narrow and only the few find it. The path to salvation is not a mass movement—it’s a remnant pilgrimage.
Exodus 13:18 marks a pivotal moment in Israel’s journey—God does not lead them by the shortest route, but by the wilderness.
Why would God lead His people through the wilderness? Because the wilderness is where the remnant is refined. It is where dependence replaces pride, and where faith is forged in fire. The majority may prefer comfort or familiarity, but the remnant chooses covenant through surrender.
Just as the Hebrew word chamush may also imply “armed” or “in battle array”, those who left Egypt were not just physically ready—they were spiritually willing. The wilderness was not a detour; it was a proving ground.
God chooses a remnant because He is not swayed by numbers. Instead He seeks hearts that are committed to Him and His will. He seeks purity over popularity, surrender and obedience over those who want to still be in control. He chooses the few who will carry the torch of truth, even when the journey is tough.
He desires those who will walk the wilderness journey with purpose, for it is in the wilderness that the remnant is refined and truly made battle ready for whatever lies ahead.
God has always chosen the few to shape the future.
In this generation just as in the days of Elijah- God whispers: “I have reserved for Myself those who have not bowed…”
(I Kings 19:18)
When those around you are paddling a boat downstream- paddle yours upstream. This is what being “the remnant” will feel like (at least most of the time), but the rewards will be worth it in the end.
Blessings,
Leisa
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