Numbers 33:33-48: a reflection

33They traveled from Hor Haggidgad, and encamped in Jotbathah. 34They traveled from Jotbathah, and encamped in Abronah. 35They traveled from Abronah, and encamped in Ezion Geber. 36They traveled from Ezion Geber, and encamped at Kadesh in the wilderness of Zin. 37They traveled from Kadesh, and encamped in Mount Hor, in the edge of the land of Edom. 38Aaron the priest went up into Mount Hor at the commandment of the LORD and died there, in the fortieth year after the children of Israel had come out of the land of Egypt, in the fifth month, on the first day of the month. 39Aaron was one hundred twenty-three years old when he died in Mount Hor. 40The Canaanite king of Arad, who lived in the South in the land of Canaan, heard of the coming of the children of Israel. 41They traveled from Mount Hor, and encamped in Zalmonah. 42They traveled from Zalmonah, and encamped in Punon. 43They traveled from Punon, and encamped in Oboth. 44They traveled from Oboth, and encamped in Iye Abarim, in the border of Moab. 45They traveled from Iyim, and encamped in Dibon Gad. 46They traveled from Dibon Gad, and encamped in Almon Diblathaim. 47They traveled from Almon Diblathaim, and encamped in the mountains of Abarim, before Nebo. 48They traveled from the mountains of Abarim, and encamped in the plains of Moab by the Jordan at Jericho.

This passage is a plain record of Israel's long journey through the wilderness, stage by stage: they traveled from one place and encamped at the next, then moved on again, place after place, all the way to the plains of Moab. It is an itinerary of the whole journey, each stage named, each stop recorded. Behind this simple list lies a whole history of God's leading: through every one of these stages, God led his people, guiding them from place to place across the long years, faithful through the whole journey.

Notice what the itinerary records: God's leading through every stage of the long journey. The list is dry, just place after place; but it represents the whole of Israel's long journey, and through every stage of it, God led them. He guided them from each place to the next, through all the years and all the stops, never leaving them without leading. The record of the journey is a record of God's faithful guidance, stage by stage, through the whole long way. God led them through it all, from stop to stop, faithful at every stage.

That is worth taking to heart, for God leads us too through every stage of our own long journey. Our lives are a journey with many stages, place after place, season after season; and through every stage, God leads us, as he led Israel from stop to stop through the wilderness. Looking back over the stages of your journey, you can see God's faithful leading through each, never leaving you without guidance. When you consider the long journey of your life, stage by stage, remember that God has led you through every one, as he led Israel through the wilderness stop by stop. Trust the God who leads through every stage of the journey, faithful at each, as he led Israel from place to place across the long years to the plains of Moab; your journey, like theirs, is one through which God faithfully leads, stage by stage, to the end.

Lord, this passage is a plain record of Israel's long journey through the wilderness, stage by stage: they traveled from one place and encamped at the next, then moved on again, all the way to the plains of Moab. It is an itinerary of the whole journey, each stage named. Behind this simple list lies a whole history of your leading: through every one of these stages, you led your people, guiding them from place to place across the long years. Show me what the itinerary records: your leading through every stage of the long journey. The list is dry, just place after place; but it represents the whole of Israel's long journey, and through every stage of it, you led them. You guided them from each place to the next, never leaving them without leading. The record of the journey is a record of your faithful guidance, stage by stage. Take that to my heart, for you lead me too through every stage of my own long journey. My life is a journey with many stages, season after season; and through every stage, you lead me, as you led Israel from stop to stop. Looking back over the stages of my journey, I can see your faithful leading through each. When I consider the long journey of my life, help me remember that you have led me through every stage, Lord, as you led Israel through the wilderness. Help me trust the God who leads through every stage of the journey, faithful at each, to the end.