Year 1, Week 19, Day 4 Bible Reading Observations

Year 1, Week 19, Day 4

I have a brief observation for today’s reading of Numbers 33.

Today’s reading is a reflective journal of Israel’s travels from Egypt to Moab. The main thrust of Numbers 33 is an account covering about forty years referencing forty-two stops: “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.” (Numbers 33:1). This travel journal is an extensive listing of encampments, but not comprehensive. There are some places not mentioned in today’s reading that are mentioned elsewhere, but there are some places mentioned here in Numbers 33 that are not mentioned elsewhere. Overall, the historical parallel of Numbers 33 is found in Exodus 12 through Numbers 12, and then again from. Numbers 20-22. There seems to be careful structure to the locations mentioned. The selectivity of the encampments mentioned help to support the main concerns most pertinent to the chapter. Numbers 33 comes to a conclusion with instructions concerning Israel’s settlement in the Promised Land.

One of the things that struck me from today’s reading is the LORD’s purpose for retelling history: “to him who struck down the firstborn of Egypt, for his steadfast love endures forever; and brought Israel out from among them, for his steadfast love endures forever…to him who led his people through the wilderness, for his steadfast love endures forever…and gave their land as a heritage, for his steadfast love endures forever…Give thanks to the God of heaven, for his steadfast love endures forever” (Psalm 136:10-11;16,21,26). The LORD’s purpose for the retelling of history is to first of all remind His people of His faithfulness. Reflection upon the LORD’s past faithfulness is for the intended purpose of instilling hope in the hearts of His people at present: “For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.” (Romans 15:4). Moses’ recounting of the past four decades reminded Israel of the challenges that they have faced, but it also served to remind Israel that the LORD was with them throughout. The new generation of Israelites were to consider how the LORD worked to get the first generation through the wilderness, so that they would trust in the LORD to do for them today, what He had done in the past. Recounting the history of the LORD’s faithfulness is to instill faith and hope in His people.

But another thing that the retelling of their history served to accomplish is to remind them of their unfaithfulness. It did not need to take forty years and forty-two encampments to reach their current location on the edge of the Promised Land. They were on the verge of entering the Promised Land some thirty-eight years earlier, but failed to enter. It took as long as it did because of Israel’s rebellion: “For forty years I loathed that generation and said, “They are a people who go astray in their heart, and they have not known my ways.” Therefore I swore in my wrath, “They shall not enter my rest.” (Psalm 95:10-11). Moses, Joshua, and Caleb were all that was left who actually experienced the delay. Recounting the history of His people’s unfaithfulness is a means that the LORD uses to stir obedience in His people.

As the LORD has retold Israel’s history with the intent of instilling trust and obedience, today’s reading concludes with a new opportunity to believe and obey: “When you pass over the Jordan into the land of Canaan, then you shall drive out all the inhabitants of the land from before you and destroy all their figured stones and destroy all their metal images and demolish all their high places.” (Numbers 33:51-52). Lessons from forty years of wandering were provided so that the new generation would know what to do as they would no longer be camping, but settling: “And you shall take possession of the land and settle in it, for I have given the land to you to possess it.” (Numbers 33:53). If Israel would reply upon the LORD to accomplish what He has instructed for them to do with the inhabitants and their ways, then they would truly experience a land of milk and honey. However, if they did not heed the LORD’s instructions, the LORD made it clear what the consequence would be for them: “But if you do not drive out the inhabitants of the land from before you, then those of them whom you let remain shall be as barbs in your eyes and thorns in your sides, and they shall trouble you in the land where you dwell.” (Numbers 33:55). Obedience would bring blessing; disobedience would bring trouble. These options, which were an essential feature of the Old Covenant, would be revisited again and again in Israel’s life. Such warnings, in addition to the recounting of history, was meant to drive Israel to the LORD.

What struck you in today’s reading? What questions were prompted from today’s reading?

Pastor Joe