“History of movements in the wilderness”

 

Num 33:1-5  These are the stages of the people of Israel, when they went out of the land of Egypt by their companies under the leadership of Moses and Aaron. Moses wrote down their starting places, stage by stage, by command of the LORD, and these are their stages according to their starting places. They set out from Rameses in the first month, on the fifteenth day of the first month. On the day after the Passover, the people of Israel went out triumphantly in the sight of all the Egyptians, while the Egyptians were burying all their firstborn, whom the LORD had struck down among them. On their gods also the LORD executed judgments. So the people of Israel set out from Rameses and camped at Succoth.

Numbers 33:6-49 summarized: From Succoth to Ethan to Pi-hahiroth to March to Elim to Sin to Dophkah to Alush to Rephidim to Sinai to Kigroth-hattaavah to Rithmah to Libnah to Rissah to Kehelathah to Mount Shepher to Haradah, to Makheloth to Tahath to Terah to Mithkah to Hashmonah to Moseroth to Bene-jaakan to Hor-haggidgad to Jotbathah to Abronah, to Ezion-geber to Kadesh to Mount Hor (Aaron died here) to Zalmonah to Punon to Oboth to lye-abarim to Dibon-gad to Almon-diblathaim to mountains of Alarim to the plains by the Jordan at Jericho. 

Moses recorded every time God led them to another location over the forty years in the wilderness. During the first two years the 10 commandments, temple worship of God, Priestly service, and sacrifices for sin were given. During the forty years many miracles were performed starting with the parting of the Red Sea, death to all of the Egyptian army, God was a pillar of smoke by day and pillar of fire by night, water from a rock, mana from heaven, quail, plagues, serpents, and the earth opening up and swallowing those who defied God, all in judgment of sin, the budding of Aaron’s staff, clothes and sandals that did not wear out over the forty years, invading armies defeated, and much more. 

There is much in Numbers that is given to us as examples of both what is right in the eyes of God and what is wrong in His sight. We do well to take time to let them sink in and be remembered because they show God’s love, grace, and mercy, as well as His wrath, anger, and judgment.

Which Way

“All that you have commanded us we will do, and wherever you send us we will go

Joshua 3:3
“As soon  as you see the ark of the covenant of the Lord your God being carried by the Levitical priests, then you shall set out from your place and follow it. Yet there shall be a distance between you and it, about 2,000 cubits in length. Do not come near it, in order that you may know the way you shall go, for you have not passed this way before.

Numbers 10:29
“We are setting out for the place of which the Lord said, ‘I will give it to you. ’ Come with us, and we will do good to you, for the Lord has promised good to Israel.” But he said to him, “I will not go. I will depart to my own land and to my kindred.” And he said, “Please do not leave us, for you know where we should camp in the wilderness, and you will serve as eyes for us. And if you do go with us, whatever good the Lord will do to us, the same will we do to you

We ask others to walk with us but are we giving any reason for it?  Paul said “as I am following the Lord, follow me”.  Joshua said “Follow the Ark of the Covenant in order that you may know the way shall go, for you have not passed this way before”.  What are we using to guide us through each day?  There are times we hit a day where we have no clue the path to take to get us through it.  Being prepared is a very good way to start.  Stay in God’s word, desire in your heart to know Him deeper, start the day with worship to Him, think about His word, Pray, ask God to open your eyes to those around you and how you might serve them in some way, listen to that quiet still voice of God, Obey His leading…… These are not Do’s and Don’ts but rather heart choices made with one single purpose: to honor and glorify God.