Topical Bible: The Jews in the Desert Forty Years

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The period of the Jews' wandering in the desert for forty years is a significant epoch in biblical history, marking a time of testing, divine provision, and preparation for entering the Promised Land. This era is primarily chronicled in the books of Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy.

Background and Cause

The journey began after the Israelites' miraculous exodus from Egypt, where they had been enslaved for over four centuries. God, through Moses, led them out with a mighty hand, parting the Red Sea and destroying Pharaoh's pursuing army (Exodus 14). The initial plan was to lead the Israelites directly to Canaan, the land promised to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. However, due to their lack of faith and disobedience, the journey was extended to forty years.

The pivotal moment leading to the extended wandering occurred when the Israelites reached Kadesh-barnea. Moses sent twelve spies to scout the land of Canaan. Upon their return, ten of the spies gave a discouraging report, causing the people to rebel against God’s command to take possession of the land (Numbers 13-14). In response to their unbelief and rebellion, God declared that the current generation would not enter the Promised Land, except for Caleb and Joshua, who had remained faithful. Instead, the Israelites would wander in the wilderness for forty years, corresponding to the forty days the spies spent exploring Canaan (Numbers 14:34).

Life in the Wilderness

During these forty years, the Israelites experienced both divine judgment and provision. God provided manna from heaven (Exodus 16:4-5), quail (Numbers 11:31-32), and water from a rock (Exodus 17:6; Numbers 20:11). Despite their frequent complaints and rebellions, God remained faithful to His covenant, guiding them with a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night (Exodus 13:21-22).

The wilderness period was also a time of receiving the Law. At Mount Sinai, God gave Moses the Ten Commandments and detailed instructions for worship and community life (Exodus 19-31). The construction of the Tabernacle, a portable sanctuary, allowed the Israelites to maintain a central place of worship and experience God’s presence among them (Exodus 25-40).

Challenges and Rebellions

The Israelites faced numerous challenges and rebellions during their desert sojourn. Notable incidents include the rebellion of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram, who challenged Moses’ leadership and were subsequently judged by God (Numbers 16). The people also faced external threats, such as the attack by the Amalekites (Exodus 17:8-16) and the seduction by Moabite women, which led to idolatry and a plague (Numbers 25).

Lessons and Preparations

The forty years in the desert served as a period of discipline and preparation. God used this time to teach the Israelites reliance on Him and to purify the nation from the influences of Egypt. The older generation, characterized by unbelief, gradually passed away, making way for a new generation that would enter Canaan under Joshua’s leadership.

Moses, who faithfully led the people, was also prepared for the transition of leadership. Before his death, he delivered a series of speeches, recorded in Deuteronomy, reiterating the Law and urging the Israelites to remain faithful to God. Moses’ final act was to view the Promised Land from Mount Nebo, as he was not permitted to enter due to his own disobedience at Meribah (Deuteronomy 34:1-5).

Significance

The forty years in the desert are a profound testament to God’s faithfulness, justice, and mercy. This period is frequently referenced throughout Scripture as a reminder of the consequences of unbelief and the importance of trusting in God’s promises. The lessons learned in the wilderness continue to resonate, emphasizing the need for faith, obedience, and reliance on God’s provision.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Numbers 14:33
And your children shall wander in the wilderness forty years, and bear your prostitutions, until your carcasses be wasted in the wilderness.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Joshua 5:6
For the children of Israel walked forty years in the wilderness, till all the people that were men of war, which came out of Egypt, were consumed, because they obeyed not the voice of the LORD: to whom the LORD swore that he would not show them the land, which the LORD swore to their fathers that he would give us, a land that flows with milk and honey.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Whether the Old Law Should have Been Given to the Jews Alone?
... assigned as a reason for the Law being given to the Jews rather than ... 26: "Did you
offer victims and sacrifices to Me in the desert for forty years, O house ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether the old law should.htm

Jesus Comes to Capernaum. Statements of the Four Evangelists
... The Jews therefore answered, Forty-six years was this ... of heaven is at hand." Mark
has the following: [4992] "And He was in the desert forty days and forty ...
/.../origen/origens commentary on the gospel of john/1 jesus comes to capernaum.htm

Moses
... When the time was ready; when the Jews were ready ... ready; when Moses himself, trained
by forty years' patient thought ... flock to the back of the desert, and came to ...
/.../kingsley/the gospel of the pentateuch/sermon ix moses.htm

The Rock of Ages
... followed the Jews through all their forty years' wanderings, and ... as he himself declared,
when the Jews talked to ... Our fathers did eat manna in the desert, as it ...
/.../kingsley/town and country sermons/sermon xiv the rock of.htm

On the Holy Ghost and his Descent Upon the Apostles
... to remind us of"some great event; and the Jews celebrated this feast to ... But you will
ask: Was the desert so large that it took forty years to cross it? ...
/.../kinkead/baltimore catechism no 4/lesson 9 on the holy.htm

Psalm XCV.
... in Christ, both to the people of the Jews, and the ... blessings of His mercy; ought
they to desert their own ... "Forty years long was I very near unto this generation ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm xcv.htm

The Aforesaid Unity is Proved Hereby, that as the Father is Said ...
... They grieved the Most High in the desert, and tempted ... sent serpents on the people
of the Jews, it is ... Forty years was I near to this generation and said: They ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/chapter viii the aforesaid unity.htm

Knox -- the First Temptation of Christ
... they had learned by the appearance of a star that the King of the Jews was born ... He
fed His people Israel in the desert forty years without the provision of man. ...
/.../various/the worlds great sermons volume i/knox the first temptation.htm

How, Upon Antiochus's Prohibition to the Jews to Make Use of the ...
... had in the citadel at Jerusalem, and pursued the Jews into the desert; and when ... him
the administration of public affairs, in the hundred forty and sixth ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 6 how upon antiochuss.htm

The Early Training of a Race.
... How far have the Jews throughout all their history allied ... Desert dwellers take little
account of the lapse of ... Ordinarily the forty years represent a generation ...
/.../kent/the making of a nation/study xi the early training.htm