At the LORD's command, Moses recorded the stages of their journey. These are the stages listed by their starting points: At the LORD’s commandThis phrase underscores the divine authority and guidance that directed the Israelites' journey. The Hebrew word for "command" is "peh," which literally means "mouth." This suggests that the instructions came directly from the mouth of God, emphasizing the personal and direct communication between God and Moses. In a broader theological context, this highlights the importance of obedience to divine instruction, a recurring theme throughout the Bible. It reminds believers of the necessity to heed God's word in their own lives, trusting in His perfect wisdom and timing. Moses recorded
The act of recording signifies the importance of preserving history and God's dealings with His people. The Hebrew root "kathab" means to write or inscribe, indicating a deliberate and careful process. Moses, as a faithful servant and leader, ensured that the journey's details were documented for future generations. This act of recording serves as a testament to the faithfulness of God and the importance of remembering His works. It encourages believers to document and reflect on their own spiritual journeys, recognizing God's hand in their lives. the stages of their journey
The term "stages" comes from the Hebrew word "mase'ah," which refers to a journey or a march. This word implies a process, a series of steps or phases, rather than a single event. The Israelites' journey was not just a physical relocation but a spiritual pilgrimage, marked by growth, challenges, and divine encounters. This concept resonates with the Christian life, which is often described as a journey of faith, where believers are continually moving towards spiritual maturity and deeper relationship with God. These are the stages
Repetition of the word "stages" emphasizes the structured and purposeful nature of the journey. Each stage had significance and was part of God's divine plan. This reminds believers that every phase of their life, whether joyful or challenging, is under God's sovereign control and has a purpose in His grand design. It encourages trust in God's plan, even when the path seems unclear. listed by their starting points
The phrase "starting points" highlights the beginning of each stage of the journey. The Hebrew word "motza" refers to a place of departure or origin. This suggests that each new phase began with a clear point of departure, a fresh start ordained by God. In the Christian walk, this can symbolize the new beginnings that God provides, offering opportunities for growth and transformation. It serves as a reminder that God is the author of new beginnings, and His mercies are new every morning, providing hope and renewal for His people. Persons / Places / Events 1. MosesThe leader of the Israelites, chosen by God to lead His people out of Egypt and through the wilderness. He is the one who records the stages of the journey as commanded by God. 2. The LORD (Yahweh)The covenant God of Israel, who commands Moses to record the stages of the Israelites' journey. His guidance and presence are central throughout the journey. 3. Stages of the JourneyRefers to the various encampments and movements of the Israelites from Egypt to the Promised Land. Each stage represents a significant part of their journey and spiritual growth. 4. Starting PointsThe specific locations from which the Israelites set out on each leg of their journey. These starting points are significant as they mark the progress and transitions in their journey. 5. The IsraelitesThe people of God, who are on a journey from slavery in Egypt to freedom in the Promised Land. Their journey is both physical and spiritual, involving growth, challenges, and reliance on God. Teaching Points The Importance of ObedienceMoses' obedience in recording the journey stages highlights the importance of following God's commands, even in tasks that may seem mundane. The Value of RemembranceRecording the stages of the journey serves as a reminder of God's faithfulness and guidance. It encourages believers to remember and recount God's works in their own lives. Spiritual Growth through JourneysJust as the Israelites' journey had stages, our spiritual journey involves various stages of growth, challenges, and reliance on God. God's Sovereignty in Our JourneysThe starting points and stages are determined by God, reminding us that He is sovereign over the paths we take in life. The Role of Leadership in FaithMoses' role in recording the journey underscores the responsibility of leaders to document and teach God's works and instructions. Bible Study Questions 1. How does Moses' obedience in recording the stages of the journey challenge us in our daily walk with God? 2. In what ways can we ensure that we remember and recount God's faithfulness in our own lives? 3. How do the stages of the Israelites' journey reflect the stages of spiritual growth in a believer's life? 4. What does the concept of "starting points" teach us about God's sovereignty and timing in our personal journeys? 5. How can leaders today follow Moses' example in documenting and teaching God's works and instructions to others? Connections to Other Scriptures Exodus 17:14This verse highlights another instance where God commands Moses to write down events, emphasizing the importance of recording God's works and instructions for future generations. Deuteronomy 1:2-3These verses provide context for the journey, mentioning the time it took and the significance of the journey's stages in the Israelites' history. Psalm 78:5-7This passage underscores the importance of remembering and teaching the works of God to future generations, which aligns with the purpose of recording the journey's stages. People Aaron, Abel, Arad, Egyptians, Gad, Geber, Israelites, Moses, Perez, Tahath, Terah, ZephonPlaces 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, ZinTopics Command, Commandment, Forth, Goings, Journey, Journeys, Order, Outgoings, Places, Recorded, Stage, Stages, Starting, Writeth, Writing, WroteDictionary of Bible Themes Numbers 33:2 1443 revelation, OT Numbers 33:1-2 5357 journey 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 HebraicaArbel. 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 Links Numbers 33:2 NIVNumbers 33:2 NLTNumbers 33:2 ESVNumbers 33:2 NASBNumbers 33:2 KJV
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