Numbers 33:1-37 /Recounting the Journey
📖 Scripture
1 Here are the stages in the journey of the Israelites when they came out of Egypt by divisions under the leadership of Moses and Aaron.
2 At the Lord’s command Moses recorded the stages in their journey. This is their journey by stages:
3 The Israelites set out from Rameses on the fifteenth day of the first month, the day after the Passover. They marched out defiantly in full view of all the Egyptians,
4 who were burying all their firstborn, whom the Lord had struck down among them; for the Lord had brought judgment on their gods.
5 The Israelites left Rameses and camped at Sukkoth.
6 They left Sukkoth and camped at Etham, on the edge of the desert.
7 They left Etham, turned back to Pi Hahiroth, to the east of Baal Zephon, and camped near Migdol.
8 They left Pi Hahiroth and passed through the sea into the desert, and when they had traveled for three days in the Desert of Etham, they camped at Marah.
9 They left Marah and went to Elim, where there were twelve springs and seventy palm trees, and they camped there.
10 They left Elim and camped by the Red Sea.
11 They left the Red Sea and camped in the Desert of Sin.
12 They left the Desert of Sin and camped at Dophkah.
13 They left Dophkah and camped at Alush.
14 They left Alush and camped at Rephidim, where there was no water for the people to drink.
15 They left Rephidim and camped in the Desert of Sinai.
16 They left the Desert of Sinai and camped at Kibroth Hattaavah.
17 They left Kibroth Hattaavah and camped at Hazeroth.
18 They left Hazeroth and camped at Rithmah.
19 They left Rithmah and camped at Rimmon Perez.
20 They left Rimmon Perez and camped at Libnah.
21 They left Libnah and camped at Rissah.
22 They left Rissah and camped at Kehelathah.
23They left Kehelathah and camped at Mount Shepher.
24 They left Mount Shepher and camped at Haradah.
25 They left Haradah and camped at Makheloth.
26 They left Makheloth and camped at Tahath.
27 They left Tahath and camped at Terah.
28 They left Terah and camped at Mithkah.
29 They left Mithkah and camped at Hashmonah.
30 They left Hashmonah and camped at Moseroth.
31 They left Moseroth and camped at Bene Jaakan.
32 They left Bene Jaakan and camped at Hor Haggidgad.
33 They left Hor Haggidgad and camped at Jotbathah.
34 They left Jotbathah and camped at Abronah.
35 They left Abronah and camped at Ezion Geber.
36 They left Ezion Geber and camped at Kadesh, in the Desert of Zin.
37 They left Kadesh and camped at Mount Hor, on the border of Edom.
✅ Scripture Summary
✅ Memory verse
– Numbers 32:23
✅ Reflection
At Each Stage (33:1–13)
Before the Israelites enter the promised land, Moses recounts their journey, reminding them of all the places they have been. From the time God brought them out of slavery in Egypt to each place along the way to the promised land, He has been with His people. Before we move forward in our own personal journeys, it is sometimes helpful to pause and look back. We can take note of where we have been and the ways in which God has been with us at each stage along the way, caring for us and guiding us. Such reflection encourages a renewed perspective and greater appreciation for what lies ahead. We step forward confidently, knowing that God is with us and is fulfilling all that He has promised.
Pause and reflect on some of the stages of your life. How does this renew your perspective and give you greater confidence as you go forward?
When Facing Challenges (33:14–37)
As Moses goes through the list of places where the Israelites have camped, he mentions Rephidim with the reminder that this was where there was no water for the people to drink. This description will prompt the people to remember that they tested God on that occasion. When they were faced with a lack of water, they forgot all the other miracles that had already taken place. God proved Himself again, providing water despite the Israelites’ grumbling and their questioning whether God was really among them. When we face challenges, may we not be so easily tempted into questioning God’s goodness. Let us instead meditate on all the ways He has been faithful to us.
What challenge are you facing now? Ponder this challenge in light of God’s continual faithfulness to you.
“When we share our struggles in Christian community, we not only find encouragement for ourselves but also serve as an encouragement to others.”
– Betsy Kirk
✅ Prayer
✅ Essay
A Different Response
When reading the book of Numbers, some of us may feel frustrated with the Israelites. We may wonder how they could show such lack of faith when God had performed so many miracles for them. He sent plagues and divided the Red Sea when He saved them out of slavery in Egypt and He provided daily manna for them in the wilderness. Why would the Israelites ever think that God would not provide water for them? How could they believe that He would allow them to die in the wilderness and not bring them to the fertile land that He promised?
While we may be tempted to criticize the Israelites, we often fall into similar sins. Many of us have experienced the continual faithfulness of God, and yet we are quick to complain when challenges come our way. We lose confidence in the God who has saved us and loves us dearly. But we do not have to give in to discontentment. We can re-train ourselves in how we respond to challenges. Instead of reacting with complaints, we can shift our instinctual response to one of reflection. As we stop and remember all the times that God has been faithful to us, our negativity, fear, and anxiety are replaced with hope, faith, and peace. Instead of losing confidence in God, we are assured of His love and goodness. Rather than reacting to our external circumstances, we rely on our relational trust in Him. Our challenges are then no longer moments of testing God but exciting opportunities to grow in faith and see His steadfast love for us once again.
Written by Ahreum Kim