Numbers: Preparing A People To Conquer (XXXI)

The Highlight Reel Of Forty Years (33:1-56)

Neal Pollard

Israel has come to the point that the wandering is nearly completed. Aaron has died and Moses will soon follow. So, the inspired Moses looks back at the “stages” (NAS, “journeys”) of this arduous journey. It began so “triumphantly” with their departure from Egypt (1-4). As they were exiting that land, they were heading toward the land of promise. 

In Numbers 33:5-50, we get the entire scope of the forty year journey. This is more than a long list of camp sites, identified by villages and places. It marked the site of the highlights (and lowlights) of this period which saw the demise of a faithless generation (14:27-31). The miracle at the Red Sea is only implied (8). Marah is the place, three days beyond the Red Sea, where Israel murmured for water (8-9; Ex. 15:25-27). Rephidim is mentioned (14), where Moses struck the rock for water as God commanded him (Ex. 17:1ff). Sinai is mentioned (15-16), where Moses receives the Law and the area where the Golden Calf was made (Ex. 19:1ff). Kibroth-hattaavah (16) is the place God struck down the greedy who wanted meat to eat (11:30-35). He marks the death of his brother, Aaron (38-39). Finally, he lists Abel-Shittim (49), where Balaam successfully enticed Israel into immorality with the Moabite women (25:1ff).

So much is condensed into the travelogue that we read for roughly 40 verses. Afterward, the Lord speaks with Moses at the strategic point of the Jordan where they looked across and saw Jericho. God repeats instructions about what will come for the next generation. What this generation had rejected, Moses was to challenge the next one to do. Notice how the actions stack one on the other, instructions to follow: pass over Jordan (51), drive out the inhabitants (52), destroy their places of idolatrous worship (52), take possession of the land (53), possess the land by lot (54), or suffer the consequences of disobedience (55-56). This is a pretty good outline of the book of Joshua!

I am thankful that God communicates clearly and perfectly with us today. As we mark our journey through the wilderness of this world, there will be a succession of highlights and lowlights. Yet, He holds out for us a “promised land” to inherit and gives us clear instructions about how to succeed!