Numbers 33 Devotional
by Pastor Mark Hudson

Chapter 33 is an unusual chapter, yet this chapter reminds us of the various aspects of Moses’ calling.  Moses was a leader, lawgiver, judge, teacher, and an author.  During the time of the Exodus, Moses was constantly writing about the events that were happening.  He was adjudicating cases, responsible for listening to God and obeying His word.  Somehow Moses found time to write about the travels, problems, sins, conflicts in such a way to bring glory to God.

Here Moses is writing down the places they stopped when they left Egypt until they were on the cusp of entering the promised land.  Why the places are listed is not entirely clear.  “The central section (18-36) simply lists the camp sites and finds no parallel in Numbers, though verses 31-33 do appear to find an echo in Deuteronomy 10:6-7”  (Wenham p. 241).

Trying to establish a theological purpose for this is difficult.  “Since Moses’ great achievements took place at the stations mentioned, this list serves as a sort of obituary for him. . . .”  Wenham p. 242.  “It reminds the reader of the great obstacles that the nation has overcome in escaping from Egypt and crossing the Sinai desert.  If God has helped Israel thus far, then He will surely enable them to reach their goal, the land of Canaan” (Ibid.).  Also, “this last glance back at history is, therefore, a fitting prelude to the last group of laws in the book (33:50-36:13) which deal explicitly with the land” (Ibid.).

For most of us, Bible maps in the back of our Bible, seem to give us an accurate idea of where the exodus and wilderness wanderings occurred. “But in fact, the problems of the place of the exodus, the location of Sinai and the subsequent wanderings are some of the most intractable that are faced by biblical scholars” (Wenham p. 246).

There are two reasons for this. First, a place only survives if there is a continuity of settlement.  And even if people do reside there, place names change due to political, social, or religious reasons.  The second reason comes from critical scholars who claim that four different writers wrote the first five books (not one author: Moses).  They all do not share the same route for the exodus.   Leaving aside the larger discussion of the four different authors, the first is true for almost all places.

I will make a few comments on each section.  First, 3-8 is Goshen to the Red Sea.  This initial section of the entire journey probably took only a few months.  This is relatively well documented in the book of Exodus.  Yet this section prompts me to think about why this is here but also what this section and chapter reveals about the spirituality we should model.

First, it reminds us of all that God has done up to this point as we already mentioned.  I wonder what your story would reveal about God in your life.  You might see some of your failures and sins and the way God overcame that obstacle.  You would, hopefully, reflect on how losses, sorrows, and rebellion have been used by God to form you into a spiritual person.

I also can’t help but compare how organized, detailed, and written down everything was.  It takes time to write down decisions, procedures, and plans.  But if you look at this chapter as well as the entire Bible that is exactly what is happening.  Some of us think that spirituality is letting the Spirit speak through us without study, without preparation or planning.  In fact, that is the preferred way to some.  It is not the Bible’s way.  Studying, writing, organizing, reflecting are critical foundations for our sanctification.

There is also salvation in the midst of judgment in these verses.  There is no salvation without judgment.  God always makes a distinction between those who are His and those who are not.  This is a sober and serious truth, but we must maintain that tension, even if we are thinking about family members or friends.  God judged the Egyptians and their gods.  God is a mighty warrior, and His victory is both assured and terrible.  No one will escape His wrath who do not believe His Word.  There is a side to this that is so very difficult to accept and an aspect of this that is glorious.  In heaven we will no longer have  any issue  with God’s wrath but will beg Him to judge unbelievers (Rev 6:10).

While we know Israel’s sin is the reason they wandered for 40 years.  But what other things was God doing?  He was preparing them as well.  They were being formed into a nation with new laws and a prescribed way to worship.  That takes time, reflection, and revision.  They were perfecting their military prowess.  They came from slavery and soon they would be fighting enemies, protecting borders, and defending one another.  This shared history, we would assume, was passed down to their children.  All of those going through the Red Sea perished, save two.  Is it safe to say they told their children the story but some of the children were born after the exodus?  So, this new generation needed a review of the events from Egypt to the current day since it was all of one story of God’s grace.

The second section, verses 8-11, narrates from the Red Sea to Sinai.  What makes it difficult to determine the route in this section is our inability to locate Sinai.  In vs. 16-36, from Sinai to Kadesh this chapter mentions 22 stages compared to Numbers 10:33-13:25 mentions only three stopping places: Paran, Taberah, Kibroth-hattaavah and Hazeroth.  Verses 37-49 begins at Kadesh to Moab.  This is portion of the journey takes almost 40 years according to Num. 33:38.  God’s grace is evident during these stages from Egypt to and soon to be seen, entering the land.

Lord, thank You that this story has become our story because we hold to the faith Moses and Abraham had.  We carry on this story and incorporate that story into our life.  You saved us by a sinless Lamb, by THE sinless Lamb.  You brought us out of bondage and now we are free to serve You.  We are unworthy to receive such grace, but Your blood has purchased us a place in heaven.  Yet we know that not everyone will receive Your Son as the Substitute for their sins.  Use us to tell others of how great the Lord Jesus is and how He died and why.  In Christ’s name.  Amen.