Numbers 33:18
They set out from Hazeroth and camped at Rithmah.
They set out
This phrase indicates a movement, a transition from one place to another. In the Hebrew context, the verb used here is "nasa," which means to pull up, especially the tent pegs, and thus to start a journey. This reflects the nomadic lifestyle of the Israelites during their wilderness wanderings. Spiritually, it signifies obedience to God's guidance, as the Israelites moved only when the cloud lifted from the tabernacle (Numbers 9:17). It is a reminder of the Christian journey, where believers are called to follow God's leading, trusting in His timing and direction.

from Hazeroth
Hazeroth, meaning "enclosures" or "settlements," was one of the stations in the wilderness where the Israelites camped. Historically, it is associated with the incident involving Miriam and Aaron speaking against Moses because of his Cushite wife (Numbers 12:1). This place serves as a backdrop for lessons on humility, leadership, and the consequences of envy and rebellion. For Christians, it is a call to respect God-appointed leadership and to guard against the sins of jealousy and pride.

and camped
The act of camping, in Hebrew "chanah," implies a temporary dwelling, a pause in the journey. It reflects the transient nature of life and the need for rest and reflection. In the wilderness, each camp was a place where the Israelites could regroup, worship, and receive further instructions from God. For believers today, it symbolizes the importance of spiritual rest and renewal, taking time to dwell in God's presence and seek His will.

at Rithmah
Rithmah, meaning "broom" or "juniper," is believed to be located in the desert region of Paran. The name itself suggests a place of sparse vegetation, indicative of the harsh conditions the Israelites faced. This location is part of the larger narrative of the Israelites' journey to the Promised Land, representing the trials and testing they endured. For Christians, Rithmah can symbolize the dry and challenging seasons of life, where faith is tested, and reliance on God is paramount. It is a reminder that even in desolate places, God provides and sustains His people.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Hazeroth
A location in the wilderness where the Israelites camped during their journey from Egypt to the Promised Land. It is notable for the events involving Miriam and Aaron speaking against Moses (Numbers 12).

2. Rithmah
Another campsite for the Israelites during their wilderness wanderings. The name "Rithmah" is derived from the Hebrew root (Rithmah), which is associated with the broom plant, indicating a desert area.

3. The Israelites
The people of God, led by Moses, who were journeying from Egypt to the Promised Land. Their journey is marked by a series of encampments, each with its own significance and lessons.

4. The Wilderness Journey
The broader context of this passage is the Israelites' 40-year journey through the wilderness, a time of testing, learning, and preparation for entering the Promised Land.

5. Moses
The leader of the Israelites, chosen by God to lead His people out of Egypt and through the wilderness. His leadership is central to the events described in Numbers.
Teaching Points
The Importance of Obedience
The Israelites' journey from Hazeroth to Rithmah reminds us of the importance of obedience to God's commands. Each step in their journey was directed by God, and their success depended on their willingness to follow His guidance.

Learning from the Past
The encampments in the wilderness serve as reminders of past lessons. As believers, we should reflect on our own spiritual journey and learn from past experiences to grow in faith and obedience.

Trusting God's Provision
The wilderness journey was a time of testing for the Israelites, teaching them to rely on God's provision. In our own lives, we are called to trust in God's faithfulness, even in challenging circumstances.

The Significance of Place
Each location in the Israelites' journey had its own significance and lessons. We should consider the places and seasons in our own lives as opportunities for growth and learning.
Bible Study Questions
1. What lessons can we learn from the Israelites' journey from Hazeroth to Rithmah about obedience and trust in God?

2. How does the account of Miriam and Aaron at Hazeroth (Numbers 12) inform our understanding of the challenges faced by the Israelites during their wilderness journey?

3. In what ways can we apply the lessons of the Israelites' wilderness journey to our own spiritual walk, particularly in times of testing and uncertainty?

4. How does the New Testament reflection on the Israelites' journey in Hebrews 3:7-19 challenge us to examine our own faith and obedience?

5. What significance do the places and seasons in our own lives hold, and how can we use them as opportunities for spiritual growth and learning?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Numbers 12
The events at Hazeroth, where Miriam and Aaron spoke against Moses, provide context for the significance of this location in the Israelites' journey.

Deuteronomy 1:19-46
This passage recounts the Israelites' journey and their rebellion at Kadesh, which is near Rithmah, highlighting the challenges and lessons learned during their wilderness wanderings.

Hebrews 3:7-19
This New Testament passage reflects on the Israelites' wilderness journey as a lesson in faith and obedience, urging believers to learn from their ancestors' mistakes.
The Journeyings of the IsraelitesD. Young Numbers 33:1-49
People
Aaron, Abel, Arad, Egyptians, Gad, Geber, Israelites, Moses, Perez, Tahath, Terah, Zephon
Places
0, Abarim, Abel-shittim, Abronah, Almon-diblathaim, Alush, Arad, Baal-zephon, Bene-jaakan, Beth-jeshimoth, Canaan, Dibon-gad, Dophkah, Edom, Egypt, Elim, Etham, Ezion-geber, Hahiroth, Haradah, Hashmonah, Hazeroth, Hor-haggidgad, Iye-abarim, Iyim, Jericho, Jordan River, Jotbathah, Kadesh-barnea, Kehelathah, Kibroth-hattaavah, Libnah, Makheloth, Marah, Migdol, Mithkah, Moab, Moseroth, Mount Hor, Mount Shepher, Nebo, Negev, Oboth, Pi-hahiroth, Punon, Rameses, Red Sea, Rephidim, Rimmon-perez, Rissah, Rithmah, Sinai, Succoth, Tahath, Terah, Zalmonah, Zin
Topics
Camped, Departed, Encamp, Encamped, Hazeroth, Haze'roth, Journey, Journeyed, Pitched, Removed, Rithmah, Tents, Traveled
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Numbers 33:3-48

     7222   exodus, events of

Library
Some Miscellaneous Matters Belonging to the Country About Jericho.
Let us begin from the last encampings of Israel beyond Jordan. Numbers 33:49: "They encamped near Jordan from Beth-jeshimoth unto Abel-shittim."--"From Beth-jeshimoth to Abel-shittim were twelve miles." It is a most received opinion among the Jews, that the tents of the Israelites in the wilderness contained a square of twelve miles. So the Targum of Jonathan, upon Number 2:2; "The encamping of Israel was twelve miles in length, and twelve miles in breadth." And the Gemarists say, "It is forbidden
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica

Arbel. Shezor. Tarnegola the Upper.
"Arbel a city of Galilee."--There is mention of it in Hosea 10:14. But there are authors which do very differently interpret that place, viz. the Chaldee paraphrast, R. Solomon, Kimchi: consult them. It was between Zippor and Tiberias. Hence Nittai the Arbelite, who was president with Josua Ben Perahiah. The valley of Arbel is mentioned by the Talmudists. So also "The Arbelite Bushel." "Near Zephath in Upper Galilee was a town named Shezor, whence was R. Simeon Shezori: there he was buried. There
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica

Christ the Water of Life.
"Jesus answered and said unto her, Every one that drinketh of this water shall thirst again: but whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall become in him a well of water springing up unto eternal life" (John iv. 13, 14). "Now on the last day, the great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink" (John vii. 37). "And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank
Frank G. Allen—Autobiography of Frank G. Allen, Minister of the Gospel

Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners:
A BRIEF AND FAITHFUL RELATION OF THE EXCEEDING MERCY OF GOD IN CHRIST TO HIS POOR SERVANT, JOHN BUNYAN; WHEREIN IS PARTICULARLY SHOWED THE MANNER OF HIS CONVERSION, HIS SIGHT AND TROUBLE FOR SIN, HIS DREADFUL TEMPTATIONS, ALSO HOW HE DESPAIRED OF GOD'S MERCY, AND HOW THE LORD AT LENGTH THROUGH CHRIST DID DELIVER HIM FROM ALL THE GUILT AND TERROR THAT LAY UPON HIM. Whereunto is added a brief relation of his call to the work of the ministry, of his temptations therein, as also what he hath met with
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

Kadesh. Rekam, and that Double. Inquiry is Made, Whether the Doubling it in the Maps is Well Done.
The readers of the eastern interpreters will observe, that Kadesh is rendered by all Rekam, or in a sound very near it. In the Chaldee, it is 'Rekam': in the Syriac, 'Rekem': in the Arabic, 'Rakim'... There are two places noted by the name Rekam in the very bounds of the land,--to wit, the southern and eastern: that is, a double Kadesh. I. Of Kadesh, or Rekam, in the south part, there is no doubt. II. Of it, in the eastern part, there is this mention: "From Rekam to the east, and Rekam is as the
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica

The Section Chap. I. -iii.
The question which here above all engages our attention, and requires to be answered, is this: Whether that which is reported in these chapters did, or did not, actually and outwardly take place. The history of the inquiries connected with this question is found most fully in Marckius's "Diatribe de uxore fornicationum," Leyden, 1696, reprinted in the Commentary on the Minor Prophets by the same author. The various views may be divided into three classes. 1. It is maintained by very many interpreters,
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament

Peaceable Principles and True: Or, a Brief Answer to Mr. D'Anver's and Mr. Paul's Books against My Confession of Faith, and Differences in Judgment About Baptism no Bar to Communion.
WHEREIN THEIR SCRIPTURELESS NOTIONS ARE OVERTHROWN, AND MY PEACEABLE PRINCIPLES STILL MAINTAINED. 'Do ye indeed speak righteousness, O congregation? do ye judge uprightly, O ye sons of men?'--Psalm 58:1 SIR, I have received and considered your short reply to my differences in judgment about water baptism no bar to communion; and observe, that you touch not the argument at all: but rather labour what you can, and beyond what you ought, to throw odiums upon your brother for reproving you for your error,
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

In Death and after Death
A sadder picture could scarcely be drawn than that of the dying Rabbi Jochanan ben Saccai, that "light of Israel" immediately before and after the destruction of the Temple, and for two years the president of the Sanhedrim. We read in the Talmud (Ber. 28 b) that, when his disciples came to see him on his death-bed, he burst into tears. To their astonished inquiry why he, "the light of Israel, the right pillar of the Temple, and its mighty hammer," betrayed such signs of fear, he replied: "If I were
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life

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

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