Final answer:
Visible signs of God's presence with the Israelites in the desert included the miraculous provision of water when Moses struck the rock, the delivery of the Ten Commandments on Mount Sinai, divine guidance via a pillar of cloud and fire, and support during their conquests in Canaan.
Step-by-step explanation:
The presence of God was manifest to the Israelites in the desert through various signs that reinforced their faith and helped guide their journey. One of the most significant signs was Moses striking the rock to provide water, indicating divine provision for their needs. Another clear sign was Moses receiving the Ten Commandments on Mount Sinai, which not only provided a moral and legal code but also a tangible representation of God's covenant with the Israelites.
The evidence of divine support continued when Moses confronted the worship of the golden calf. Upon seeing this idolatry, Moses smashed the tablets inscribed with God's laws, denouncing the Israelites' betrayal to the commandment against creating graven images. These accounts from the Book of Exodus describe an enduring narrative in which the Israelites experienced both direct punishment and guidance from God.
Visible signs of God’s relentless support include the miraculous crossing of the Red Sea, the pillar of cloud by day, and the pillar of fire by night that led them through the desert. Moreover, during moments of despair or disobedience, such as the plague in Egypt or their time of thirst in the desert, interventions like Moses finding water following a herd of wild asses, were regarded as divine aid. The conquests under Moses's successor, Joshua, in the Promised Land of Canaan, were also seen as proof of God's continued presence with the Israelites.