Topical Bible: Israel: March out of the Wilderness

◄ Israel: March out of the Wilderness ►

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The march of the Israelites out of the wilderness marks a pivotal moment in biblical history, signifying the transition from a nomadic existence to the establishment of a nation in the Promised Land. This event is primarily chronicled in the books of Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy, with the culmination of the journey occurring in the book of Joshua.

Background and Context

The Israelites' journey out of the wilderness follows their miraculous exodus from Egypt, where they had been enslaved for centuries. Under the leadership of Moses, they crossed the Red Sea and entered the Sinai Peninsula. The wilderness period, lasting approximately 40 years, was a time of testing, instruction, and preparation for the Israelites as they learned to rely on God and adhere to His commandments.

Key Events and Themes

1. Divine Guidance and Provision: Throughout their wilderness journey, the Israelites experienced God's direct guidance and provision. The Lord led them by a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night (Exodus 13:21-22). He provided manna from heaven and water from the rock, demonstrating His faithfulness and care (Exodus 16:4, Numbers 20:11).

2. The Giving of the Law: At Mount Sinai, God established a covenant with the Israelites, giving them the Ten Commandments and other laws to govern their community and worship (Exodus 19-20). This covenant was foundational for their identity as God's chosen people.

3. Rebellion and Consequences: The wilderness period was marked by episodes of rebellion and disobedience. The most notable was the incident of the golden calf (Exodus 32) and the refusal to enter the Promised Land due to fear of the inhabitants (Numbers 13-14). As a result, God decreed that the current generation would not enter the land, leading to 40 years of wandering (Numbers 14:29-34).

4. Leadership Transition: As the Israelites prepared to enter the Promised Land, leadership transitioned from Moses to Joshua. Moses, due to his own disobedience, was not permitted to enter the land but was allowed to view it from Mount Nebo (Deuteronomy 34:1-4). Joshua was commissioned to lead the people into Canaan (Deuteronomy 31:7-8).

5. Crossing the Jordan: The march out of the wilderness culminated in the crossing of the Jordan River. As the priests carrying the Ark of the Covenant stepped into the river, the waters parted, allowing the Israelites to cross on dry ground (Joshua 3:14-17). This miraculous event echoed the earlier crossing of the Red Sea and signified God's continued presence and power.

6. Renewal of the Covenant: Upon entering the Promised Land, the Israelites renewed their covenant with God at Mount Ebal and Mount Gerizim, reaffirming their commitment to follow His laws (Joshua 8:30-35).

Significance

The march out of the wilderness is a testament to God's faithfulness and the fulfillment of His promises. It underscores the importance of obedience, faith, and reliance on divine guidance. This period of transition laid the foundation for the establishment of Israel as a nation set apart for God's purposes, with a unique identity and mission in the world.

Nave's Topical Index

Numbers 10:11-36
And it came to pass on the twentieth day of the second month, in the second year, that the cloud was taken up from off the tabernacle of the testimony.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

Israel in Egypt
... the position of the sacramental host of God's elect; they have come out of Egypt ...
The priests, bearing the ark, march forward; the whole host of Israel follow ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 3 1857/israel in egypt.htm

Moses' Prayer to be Blotted Out of God's Book.
... thus"My wrath shall wax hot against Israel and consume ... these been the meaning of
blotting out of God's ... the reason for Moses' resuming his march and carrying ...
/.../lee/sermons on various important subjects/sermon viii moses prayer to.htm

The Census of Israel
... that fear the Lord, yet the God of Israel will not ... Those people came out of Egypt
with Moses, and were all ... would have hoped that they all would march to Canaan ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 37 1891/the census of israel.htm

Israel at the Red Sea
... Israel said within themselves, "We shall now march to Canaan ... the Lord led the children
of Israel about, through ... so with the believer: he marches out of Egypt ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 2 1856/israel at the red sea.htm

The Shepherd, the Stone of Israel
... fastnesses in the southern wilderness, a day's march from Hebron ... of God as his very
own; for 'Israel' here is ... that general idea may be followed out in various ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/the shepherd the stone of.htm

The Guiding Pillar
... of God, which was symbolised in comparatively gross external form in the pillar
that led Israel on its march, and lay stretched out and quiescent, a ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/the guiding pillar.htm

The Capture of Jericho and Ai
... Then Joshua said to the people, "March around the city ... went up, together with the
rulers of Israel, before the ... up, the rest of the Israelites came out of the ...
/.../sherman/the childrens bible/the capture of jericho and.htm

The Story of the Grapes from Canaan
... And the Lord, out of this glory, spoke to Moses ... They marched up the mountain and
tried to march at once ... the land of Canaan, the children of Israel stayed nearly ...
/.../marshall/the wonder book of bible stories/the story of the grapes.htm

Absalom the Ungrateful Son
... and all the people who followed him went out and stood ... and as my lord the ruler of
Israel lives, wherever ... servant will be!" David said to Ittai, "March on." So ...
/.../sherman/the childrens bible/absalom the ungrateful son.htm

The Siege of Jericho
... twenty hours, until they 'turned out' for the ... the purpose of that singular march
circumambulating Jericho ... its people thought about that, Israel, according to ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/the siege of jericho.htm