They set out this first time according to the LORD's command through Moses. They set outThis phrase marks a significant moment in the journey of the Israelites. The Hebrew root for "set out" is "nasa," which means to pull up, especially the tent pegs, and thus to start on a journey. This action signifies a transition from a period of rest and preparation to active movement towards the Promised Land. It reflects the obedience and readiness of the Israelites to follow God's leading, a theme that resonates throughout the Pentateuch. The act of setting out is not just physical but spiritual, symbolizing a step of faith and trust in God's promises. this first time
The phrase "this first time" indicates the inaugural journey of the Israelites after the establishment of the Tabernacle and the giving of the Law at Sinai. Historically, this marks the beginning of their organized march towards Canaan, following the divine order. It underscores the importance of beginnings in the biblical narrative, where first steps often set the tone for what follows. This initial movement is a testament to the new phase in the life of the Israelites, moving from slavery in Egypt to becoming a nation under God’s covenant. at the command of the LORD
The phrase emphasizes the divine authority and guidance behind the Israelites' journey. The Hebrew word for "command" is "peh," which literally means "mouth," indicating that the instructions came directly from the mouth of God. This highlights the theocratic nature of Israel's leadership, where God is the ultimate authority. The command of the LORD is central to the narrative, reminding readers of the importance of divine guidance and obedience in the life of faith. It is a call to trust in God's wisdom and timing. through Moses
Moses serves as the intermediary between God and the people, a role that is crucial throughout the Exodus narrative. The Hebrew name "Moshe" is derived from the root "mashah," meaning "to draw out," reflecting his own account of being drawn out of the Nile and his role in drawing the Israelites out of Egypt. Moses' leadership is characterized by humility and faithfulness, making him a model for spiritual leadership. His role as a mediator foreshadows the ultimate mediation of Christ, who leads His people to the ultimate Promised Land. Moses' obedience to God's command is a powerful example of faithful service and dedication to God's will. Persons / Places / Events 1. The IsraelitesThe chosen people of God, who are on their journey from Mount Sinai to the Promised Land. 2. MosesThe leader of the Israelites, through whom God communicates His commands. 3. The LORD (Yahweh)The covenant God of Israel, who guides and directs His people. 4. Mount SinaiThe place where the Israelites received the Law and where they are departing from in this passage. 5. The Promised LandThe destination of the Israelites, a land promised by God to Abraham and his descendants. Teaching Points Obedience to God's CommandThe Israelites set out at the LORD's command, illustrating the importance of obedience in our walk with God. Just as they followed God's direction, we are called to heed His Word and guidance in our lives. Leadership and MediationMoses serves as a mediator between God and the people, pointing to the ultimate mediator, Jesus Christ. In our spiritual journey, we rely on Christ's leadership and intercession. Trust in God's TimingThe Israelites moved at God's timing, not their own. This teaches us to trust in God's perfect timing for the events in our lives, even when we do not fully understand His plans. Journey of FaithThe departure from Sinai marks a significant step in the Israelites' journey of faith. Similarly, our Christian walk is a journey that requires faith, perseverance, and reliance on God's promises. Community in MovementThe entire community of Israel moved together, highlighting the importance of unity and collective obedience in the body of Christ. We are called to support and encourage one another in our spiritual journeys. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the obedience of the Israelites in Numbers 10:13 challenge us in our personal walk with God today? 2. In what ways can we see Jesus as our mediator, similar to Moses' role for the Israelites? 3. Reflect on a time when you had to trust in God's timing. How did that experience strengthen your faith? 4. How can we foster unity and collective obedience within our church community, as seen in the Israelites' journey? 5. What steps can you take to ensure you are attentive to God's guidance and direction in your life, similar to the Israelites following the LORD's command? Connections to Other Scriptures Exodus 13:21-22This passage describes how the LORD led the Israelites with a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night, showing His constant guidance. Deuteronomy 1:6-8Here, God commands the Israelites to leave Mount Sinai and take possession of the land He promised to their ancestors, emphasizing His faithfulness to His promises. Hebrews 11:8-10This New Testament passage highlights the faith of Abraham, who obeyed God's call to go to a place he would later receive as an inheritance, paralleling the Israelites' journey. People Aaron, Abidan, Ahiezer, Ahira, Ammihud, Amminadab, Ammishaddai, Asher, Benjamin, Dan, Deuel, Eliab, Eliasaph, Elishama, Elizur, Enan, Gad, Gamaliel, Gershon, Gershonites, Gideoni, Helon, Hobab, Issachar, Kohathites, Manasseh, Merari, Merarites, Moses, Nahshon, Naphtali, Nethaneel, Ocran, Pagiel, Pedahzur, Raguel, Reuben, Reuel, Shedeur, Shelumiel, Simeon, Zebulun, Zuar, ZurishaddaiPlaces Paran, SinaiTopics Command, Commandment, Forward, Journey, Moved, OrdersDictionary of Bible Themes Numbers 10:11-13 4269 Sinai, Mount Numbers 10:11-14 7266 tribes of Israel Library November 17. "The Ark of the Covenant of the Lord Went Before Them" (Num. x. 33).
"The ark of the covenant of the Lord went before them" (Num. x. 33). God does give us impressions but not that we should act on them as impressions. If the impression be from God, He will Himself give sufficient evidence to establish it beyond the possibility of a doubt. How beautifully we read, in the story of Jeremiah, of the impression that came to him respecting the purchase of the field of Anathoth, but Jeremiah did not act upon this impression until after the following day, when his uncle's …
Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth Hobab
'And Moses said unto Hobab ... Come thou with us, and we will do thee good: for the Lord hath spoken good concerning Israel.'--NUM. x. 29. There is some doubt with regard to the identity of this Hobab. Probably he was a man of about the same age as Moses, his brother- in-law, and a son of Jethro, a wily Kenite, a Bedouin Arab. Moses begs him to join himself to his motley company, and to be to him in the wilderness 'instead of eyes.' What did Moses want a man for, when he had the cloud? What do we …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture The Hallowing of Work and of Rest
'And it came to pass, when the ark set forward, that Moses said, Rise up, Lord, and let Thine enemies be scattered; and let them that hate Thee flee before Thee. 36. And when it rested, he said, Return, O Lord, unto the many thousands of Israel.'--Num. x. 35, 36. The picture suggested by this text is a very striking and vivid one. We see the bustle of the morning's breaking up of the encampment of Israel. The pillar of cloud, which had lain diffused and motionless over the Tabernacle, gathers itself …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture The Publication of the Gospel
The Lord gave the word: great was the company of those that published it [or of the preachers] P erhaps no one Psalm has given greater exercise to the skill and patience of commentators and critics, than the sixty-eighth. I suppose the difficulties do not properly belong to the Psalm, but arise from our ignorance of various circumstances to which the Psalmist alludes; which probably were, at that time, generally known and understood. The first verse is the same with the stated form of benediction …
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 2 Letter Lv. Replies to Questions of Januarius.
Or Book II. of Replies to Questions of Januarius. (a.d. 400.) Chap. I. 1. Having read the letter in which you have put me in mind of my obligation to give answers to the remainder of those questions which you submitted to me a long time ago, I cannot bear to defer any longer the gratification of that desire for instruction which it gives me so much pleasure and comfort to see in you; and although encompassed by an accumulation of engagements, I have given the first place to the work of supplying …
St. Augustine—The Confessions and Letters of St How the Humble and the Haughty are to be Admonished.
(Admonition 18.) Differently to be admonished are the humble and the haughty. To the former it is to be insinuated how true is that excellence which they hold in hoping for it; to the latter it is to be intimated how that temporal glory is as nothing which even when embracing it they hold not. Let the humble hear how eternal are the things that they long for, how transitory the things which they despise; let the haughty hear how transitory are the things they court, how eternal the things they …
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great The Second Coming of Christ.
^A Matt. XXIV. 29-51; ^B Mark XIII. 24-37; ^C Luke XXI. 25-36. ^b 24 But in those days, ^a immediately after the { ^b that} ^a tribulation of those days. [Since the coming of Christ did not follow close upon the destruction of Jerusalem, the word "immediately" used by Matthew is somewhat puzzling. There are, however, three ways in which it may be explained: 1. That Jesus reckons the time after his own divine, and not after our human, fashion. Viewing the word in this light, the passage at II. Pet. …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel The Country of Jericho, and the Situation of the City.
Here we will borrow Josephus' pencil, "Jericho is seated in a plain, yet a certain barren mountain hangs over it, narrow, indeed, but long; for it runs out northward to the country of Scythopolis,--and southward, to the country of Sodom, and the utmost coast of the Asphaltites." Of this mountain mention is made, Joshua 2:22, where the two spies, sent by Joshua, and received by Rahab, are said to "conceal themselves." "Opposite against this, lies a mountain on the other side Jordan, beginning from …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica And thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, too little to be among the thousands of Judah
"And thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, too little to be among the thousands of Judah, out of thee shall come forth unto Me (one) [Pg 480] to be Ruler in Israel; and His goings forth are the times of old, the days of eternity." The close connection of this verse with what immediately precedes (Caspari is wrong in considering iv. 9-14 as an episode) is evident, not only from the [Hebrew: v] copulative, and from the analogy of the near relation of the announcement of salvation to the prophecy of disaster …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament Numbers
Like the last part of Exodus, and the whole of Leviticus, the first part of Numbers, i.-x. 28--so called,[1] rather inappropriately, from the census in i., iii., (iv.), xxvi.--is unmistakably priestly in its interests and language. Beginning with a census of the men of war (i.) and the order of the camp (ii.), it devotes specific attention to the Levites, their numbers and duties (iii., iv.). Then follow laws for the exclusion of the unclean, v. 1-4, for determining the manner and amount of restitution …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Numbers 10:13 NIVNumbers 10:13 NLTNumbers 10:13 ESVNumbers 10:13 NASBNumbers 10:13 KJV
Numbers 10:13 Commentaries
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