Consider what Israel has experienced leading up to this moment. A rich human history in Adam (Genesis 1-11). A new understanding of what it means to honor God through suffering (Job). A new nation birthed through Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph. A supernatural deliverance from bondage in Egypt (Exodus). A new way of living explained through the sacrifices, priests, and ceremonies in Leviticus.
Now we turn to the things Israel will learn from their wanderings. A journey that was meant to take about 40 days (to the promised land) ended up taking closer to 40 years.
This is the nature of our spiritual journey. We are empowered to leave our own Egypt and trust our Father. We are invited to grow deeply during our journey and to learn things we would never be able to find without following God’s design for the path of faith.
Numbers is loaded with journey principles that can help us as we leave our own Egypt and head for the promised land. Yes!
“All these died in faith, without receiving the promises, but having seen them and having welcomed them from a distance, and having confessed that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. For those who say such things make it clear that they are seeking a country of their own.
And indeed if they had been thinking of that country from which they went out, they would have had opportunity to return. But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God; for He has prepared a city for them.” – Hebrews 11:13-16