[A ‘Tuesday Challenge‘ originally prepared for the congregation of Horley Baptist Church during June 2026]
Here are the stages in the journey of the Israelites when they came out of Egypt by divisions under the leadership of Moses and Aaron. At the Lord’s command Moses recorded the stages in their journey.
Numbers 33 v1-2 [NIVUK]
The 33rd chapter of the book of Numbers is, at first glance, one of those passages where we might wonder why it is included in the Bible. Of the 56 verses in the chapter no less than 41 are simply statements describing the Israelites leaving one place and arriving in another. So what can we learn from a travelogue from the 14th century BC?
Perhaps we should follow the advice from the King of Hearts and begin at the beginning.[1] Verse 1 gives us the context, that of Moses and Aaron leading the Children of Israel in their escape from slavery in Egypt, and verse 2 confirms that the journey was recorded at God’s instruction.
Are there occasions when we are tempted to dismiss early Biblical accounts as no longer relevant to us?
Is it easier to look for gems elsewhere in Scripture?
The record starts with the Children of Israel leaving Rameses in Egypt and ends with their arrival by the Jordan river opposite Jericho, a journey which should have taken less than a month but which took them rather longer.
The Lord’s anger burned against Israel and he made them wander in the wilderness for forty years, until the whole generation of those who had done evil in his sight was gone.
Numbers 32 v13 [NIVUK]
For those who are cartographically inclined, this list of locations allows us to follow the journey in the wilderness.[2] For those who prefer the historical perspective this chapter provides reminders of how God intervened in the people’s progress towards the Promised Land. Rather like an album of postcards, these verses act as souvenirs of the events at each location. Here are some examples:
- Marah: the water was too bitter to drink. (Exodus 15:25)
- Elim: an oasis with 12 springs and 70 palms trees. (Exodus 15:27)
- Desert of Sin: manna and quails. (Exodus 13:16)
- Rephidim: the battle with the Alemekites. (Exodus 17:11)
- Desert of Sinai: the ten commandments. (Exodus 19:20)
- Kibroth Hattaavah: the people craved other food. (Numbers 11:34)
- Kadesh: there Miriam died and was buried. (Numbers 20:1)
- Mount Hor: the death of Aaron (Numbers 11:24)
- Nebo: the death of Moses (Deuteronomy 34:5)
Some of the events recorded in this chapter could well deserve a reflection of their own. Suffice to say that even seemingly obscure passages of scripture can offer us encouragement.
For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.
Romans 15 v4 [NIVUK]
Can you look back to those times when God intervened in your earthly journey?
Can you count your blessings – not just good things that you have received but also bad situations from which you have been saved?
These lines, written more than 160 years ago, remind us that the Word of God still has its power to guide and preserve his people:
Lord, thy word abideth, and our footsteps guideth,
who its truth believeth, light and joy receiveth.
When the storms are o’er us and dark clouds before us,
then its light directeth and our way protecteth.
Sir Henry Williams Baker (1861)
References:
[1] “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland”, Lewis Carroll, 1865
[2] Map of wilderness journey
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Contributed by Steve Humphreys; © Steve Humphreys