Numbers 33:17-32: a reflection

17They traveled from Kibroth Hattaavah, and encamped in Hazeroth. 18They traveled from Hazeroth, and encamped in Rithmah. 19They traveled from Rithmah, and encamped in Rimmon Perez. 20They traveled from Rimmon Perez, and encamped in Libnah. 21They traveled from Libnah, and encamped in Rissah. 22They traveled from Rissah, and encamped in Kehelathah. 23They traveled from Kehelathah, and encamped in Mount Shepher. 24They traveled from Mount Shepher, and encamped in Haradah. 25They traveled from Haradah, and encamped in Makheloth. 26They traveled from Makheloth, and encamped in Tahath. 27They traveled from Tahath, and encamped in Terah. 28They traveled from Terah, and encamped in Mithkah. 29They traveled from Mithkah, and encamped in Hashmonah. 30They traveled from Hashmonah, and encamped in Moseroth. 31They traveled from Moseroth, and encamped in Bene Jaakan. 32They traveled from Bene Jaakan, and encamped in Hor Haggidgad.

In a long record of Israel's wilderness journey, the account traces their route stage by stage: they traveled from one place and encamped in the next, and from there traveled and encamped again, place after place, throughout the years of their wandering. It is a plain list of stages, each leg of the journey named: from here to there, and from there to the next. The record shows a journey made not in one leap but in many stages, step by step, over a long time, each stage a leg of the way. God led his people through the wilderness stage by stage, and each stage of the journey was noted and remembered.

Notice how the journey was made and recorded: stage by stage, each leg named. Israel did not reach the promised land in one bound; they went from place to place, encamping and traveling, over many stages and many years. And each stage was recorded, remembered, named in the account. The journey was long, made up of many legs, and God led them through it stage by stage. No stage was too small to be noted; each leg of the way was part of the journey God led them on, and each was remembered. The long journey to the promised land was made not in a leap but in stages, and God was with them, leading, through every one, each stage known and recorded.

That is worth taking to heart, for God leads us through life stage by stage, each leg of the journey known to him. We can wish to reach our destination in one leap, impatient with the long journey, the many stages, the step-by-step way; but Israel's journey was made in many stages, each leg named and remembered, God leading them through every one. Our journey too is made stage by stage, and God leads us through each leg of it, none too small to be known to him. Do not despise the stage-by-step nature of your journey, wishing to leap to the end; God leads through each stage, and every leg of the way is known to him. Trust that God leads you through life stage by stage, each leg of your journey known to him, as he led Israel through the wilderness from place to place, each stage recorded and remembered; for our journey is made not in a leap but in stages, and God is with us leading through each one, so that no stage of the way is too small to be known and used by him.

Lord, in a long record of Israel's wilderness journey, the account traces their route stage by stage: they traveled from one place and encamped in the next, and from there traveled and encamped again, place after place, throughout the years of their wandering. It is a plain list of stages, each leg of the journey named. The record shows a journey made not in one leap but in many stages, step by step, over a long time. You led your people through the wilderness stage by stage, and each stage of the journey was noted and remembered. Show me how the journey was made and recorded: stage by stage, each leg named. Israel did not reach the promised land in one bound; they went from place to place, over many stages and many years. And each stage was recorded, named in the account. The journey was long, made up of many legs, and you led them through it stage by stage. No stage was too small to be noted; each leg was part of the journey you led them on. Take that to my heart, for you lead me through life stage by stage, each leg of the journey known to you. I can wish to reach my destination in one leap, impatient with the long journey, the many stages; but Israel's journey was made in many stages, you leading them through every one. My journey too is made stage by stage, and you lead me through each leg of it, none too small to be known to you. Keep me from despising the stage-by-step nature of my journey, wishing to leap to the end; you lead through each stage, Lord. Help me trust that you lead me through life stage by stage, each leg of my journey known to you, as you led Israel through the wilderness from place to place.