Numbers 33:1-9, “These are the stages of
the people of Israel, when they went out of the land of Egypt by their
companies under the leadership of Moses and Aaron. (2)
Moses wrote down their starting places, stage by stage, by command of
the LORD, and these are their stages according to their starting places. (3)
They set out from Rameses in the first month, on the fifteenth day of
the first month. On the day after the Passover, the people of Israel went out
triumphantly in the sight of all the Egyptians,
(4) while the Egyptians were
burying all their firstborn, whom the LORD had struck down among them. On their
gods also the LORD executed judgments. (5) So the people of Israel set out from Rameses
and camped at Succoth. (6) And they set out from Succoth and camped at
Etham, which is on the edge of the wilderness.
(7) And they set out from Etham
and turned back to Pi-hahiroth, which is east of Baal-zephon, and they camped
before Migdol. (8) And they set out from before Hahiroth and
passed through the midst of the sea into the wilderness, and they went a three
days' journey in the wilderness of Etham and camped at Marah. (9)
And they set out from Marah and came to Elim; at Elim there were twelve
springs of water and seventy palm trees, and they camped there.”
This chapter records for us the route taken by the Israelites on their
journey to the Promised Land. But this record is more than just a list of
places and events, it is a stunning testimony of God’s faithfulness towards the
Israelites.
For forty years God sustained, provided for and protected a nation of
well over a million people. What makes this all the more remarkable is that for
the vast majority of this time, the people were living in the wilderness, in hostile,
barren and dry lands. Yet God kept and even prospered the nation. Now that they
are about to reach the end of their journey, Moses reminds them of the journey
they have been on. Why take the time to do this? When we reach the end of a
long journey, or come through the other side of a great trial, and the
destination, the relief is in sight, we can quickly forget all that which took
place during the journey or trial. We can forget God’s unfailing faithfulness,
we can forget the many ways in which God provided for and protected us, we
forget the way in which God lead and guided us through it all. We also forget
that during the journey or trial, God was with us every step of the way, we had
the comfort of His constant presence, He heard our prayers and He answered them
in wisdom and love.
Moses is eager for the nation to remember God’s faithfulness,
especially as they enter into an unknown future in the Promised Land. The
journey and the trials are by no means over for the people of Israel, for they
still need to enter and take possession of the land. This will not be an easy
or quick task, and it will require them to continually trust in God and
faithfully follow after Him. Should the Israelites keep God before them, and
depend, trust in Him, it will stand them in good stead as they enter the land.
Today’s reading is shorter than normal, as I think it is important for
us to take time to recount the journey of our lives and to reflect on God’s
faithfulness towards us. I would encourage you to spend time now thinking over
your life, if you are able, write down a list of the ways in which God has been
faithful, what He has brought you through and the many blessings He has
bestowed upon you.
Once you have done this, spend time in prayer, thanking God for all
that He is and all that He has done! Doing this will not only be of great
encouragement to us and lead us to give thanks and praise to God, it will also
strengthen our faith and trust in God for the future. Every one of our lives is
like this chapter, a record of our lives, the journey we have taken through
life, and it is a stunning testimony of God’s faithfulness.
Our faithful, unfailing, Father, we
worship You today for You have been with us from the moment of our conception.
You have never left or abandoned us, and we have known your faithfulness from
our very first breath. Forgive us for so quickly forgetting all that which You
have brought us through and blessed us with. Help us today as we reflect on
what You have done over the years for us, may it lead us to worship You, and to
trust You all the more for the future. Amen.
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