The Wilderness Wanderings

~ The Wilderness Wanderings ~ 


In Hebrew, rBdmB B'midbar means "in the wilderness," which is actually the real name of this book called Numbers. The Greek translators called it avriqmo Arithmoi, and in Latin it was Numeri, because the translators focused on the two census takings at the beginning and the end of the wanderings.

But it's basically "the wilderness wanderings."

Numbers picks up where Exodus left off. And it's a book about arrested progress. It took only 40 hours to get Israel out of Egypt - the Passover. But it took 40 years to get Egypt out of Israel.

At Kadesh-Barnea, Moses sent out twelve spies to check out the new land. Ten of them came back terrified, and for good reason. They said they saw the Nephilim, the giant "fallen ones." 

Numbers 13:33 records, "and we were in our own sight as grasshoppers, and so we were in their sight." Goliath was also one of those. He was nine feet tall. They had reason to be scared. But mostly it was also a lack of faith.

Two of the twelve spies, Joshua and Caleb, had a different attitude and brought the "minority report." They said, "This land is rich, it's full, it's marvelous. Let us go up at once and possess it for we are well able to overcome it." By their own strength? Of course not. By faith! God said, "Go take it." When God's on our side, our enemy is outnumbered.

Unfortunately, the people rallied around the ten spies with their bad report.

Numbers 14:2
"And all the children of Israel murmured against Moses and against Aaron: and the whole congregation said to them, Would God that we had died in the land of Egypt, or, Would God that we had died in this wilderness"

That was a big mistake. God was listening and heard their murmuring and gave them their desires. God threatened to wipe them out, but Moses interceded, If you wipe them out, what will the Egyptians think? They survived all the plagues, and now you're going to wipe them out? Of course I am paraphrasing here but you can read the full account for yourself. His arguments are fascinating.

God knows what He is going to do, and says to the nation in Numbers 14:29, "Your carcasses shall fall in this wilderness and all that were numbered of you, according to your whole number, from 20 years old and upward, which have murmured against me".

In other words, You guys said you wished you'd die; you're going to die. Your kids are going to grow up and go in. Moses was gone for 40 days; you're going to be in the wilderness for 40 years, until this unfaithful generation dies off! Now there is a classic example of the importance of keeping your mouth shut.

Only two in the entire group, Joshua and Caleb, survived to actually enjoy the Promised Land. Joshua was the military leader who took over after Moses. Caleb was his sidekick. Joshua goes on to take out Goliath and from there his life goes off into a whole nother spin. 


The Serpent on the Cross

Paul makes a point in 1 Corinthians 10:11 that everything written THEN is for us NOW. Every one of the events in Exodus and Numbers has a lesson for us. Let's look at a couple.

1. Manna
God provided a daily provision of manna. There were several million people wandering in the desert. Have you ever thought about how to feed them? God provided manna, a miracle bread from Heaven. It was provided only on six days, with a double portion on the sixth to prevent it from having to be gathered on the Sabbath Day.


2. The Brazen Serpent
Moses had to put up with the Israelites' gripes and complaints throughout those 40 years. And it's funny to hear him talk to God: "I didn't ask for this job; you gave it to me!" In response to their murmuring, God sent fiery serpents that killed anyone they bit. Moses prayed and God agreed to provide a remedy, but notice the remedy He chose: Moses was instructed to place a brass serpent on a cross-shaped pole and put it up on a high hill. Everyone who looked at the cross would be spared.

Why this remedy? Jesus explained it in John 3, "As Moses lifted the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up on a cross. And everyone who looks to it will be spared."

At first I thought now this is a strange symbol, the brass serpent. Brass means "judged." Serpent means "sin." So then how is Jesus symbolized by a brass serpent? Scripture says He was made sin for us (the serpent). Sin was judged on that cross (the brass). See how all things in the Bible from Beginning to End seem to flow together?


3. The Waters at Mirabah
At Rephidim, the Israelites needed water. God told Moses to take the staff and STRIKE the rock and the rock would bring forth water (Exodus 17). Many years later, at Mirabah, again they needed water. This time God told Moses to SPEAK to the rock and it would give water. But Moses was frustrated and upset with his people, and instead of speaking, he struck the rock.

And now I will explain WHY Moses never got to live in the Promised Land:

Water came, but Moses had misrepresented God because he let the people think that God was angry with them (by striking the stone when he was suppose to speak to it). Moses' penalty for disobedience was that he could not enter the Promised Land.

Moses spent 40 years in Egypt in preparation for this leadership position, then 40 years on the backside of the desert being prepared spiritually. He experienced the incredible drama of the Passover and the Red Sea crossing. Then he shepherded this complaining, grouchy, grumpy bunch through 40 years of hardship in the wilderness. Then God told him that he would see the land from the top of the mountain when they entered, but he would not be able to go in.

What had he done that was so bad?

Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 10:4 that the rock was Christ. There were two episodes with the rock: in the first one, the rock Was smitten and they benefited with living water; the second rock Was Not supposed to be smitten.

If Moses had done what God told him, the rocks would have been the perfect model for the First and Second comings of Jesus Christ. But because he blew it, he blew the model.

But honestly I don't believe that God is finished with Moses yet. He was denied entry into the Promised Land, but I think it is entirely possible that we'll see him again. Though I really have nothing to support this I honestly believe that Moses could very well be the second of the two Witnesses who shows up in Revelation 11. Just a hunch mind you.

The Book of Exodus and Numbers is a fascinating study in many ways. Each one of us is in our own "wilderness" and every day is our "Kadesh-Barnea" - will we trust God and "conquer the land"?

Will we try to conquer the obstacles that lie in our way with the help of God or will we draw back from the difficulties and remain wandering in the desert?

Our Hope and Joy is to do as God instructs us to do and continue on to the Promised Lands.