Preparation
God prepared the man He choose to lead the people of Israel out of Egypt by providentially bringing him into the wilderness to live in order that he might become familiar with the land. Moses spent 40 years in the Midian desert. Exodus 2-4 

Upon leaving Egypt God hardened pharaoh's heart and brought severe plagues upon Egypt to remind the people of his power and sovereignty in leading them out. The Passover was a reminder of the fact that salvation can only take place through the shedding of blood and sacrifice.

Egypt to Sinai
Pillars
God provided pillars of cloud by day and pillars of fire by night Exodus 13:21 to serve as protection in times of danger as well as provide guidance on their journey. 1 Corinthians 10:1

Water
Israel travelled three days without finding water and then they came upon Marah where the water was bitter. Exodus 15:1 God directed Moses to throw a piece of wood into the water to make it sweet and drinkable. As the People of God move on they come to Elim where there is plenty of water, with 12 well and 70 palm trees.

Manna
Between Elim and Sinai they ran out of food. Exodus 16:1 The word manna means 'what is it?' and the name is certainly appropriate because it is still not certain what it was. It was a small round lump that looked like coriander seed, white and sweet. It lay on the ground fresh each morning except the Sabbath and it did this for 40 years. God gave instructions to gather a extra amount the night before the Sabbath and this was the only day it would last overnight. This gives new meaning to the petition in the Lord's prayer where daily bread is to be prayed for. Matthew 6:11

Quail
Here in the journey to Sinai the people of Israel complain about the manna and grumble that they had all the meat they wanted to eat back in Egypt. God provides meat in the form of quail the first morning and manna in the evening. The quail only lasted this one day and it happened again a year latter, instead they lived on manna the rest of the journey.

Rephidim
Here there was no water and so God instructed Moses to strike the rock and provide water from the rock. The place was called Massah which means testing and Meribah meaning quarreling. Genesis 17

Amalekite Battle
This band of warriors had followed Israel from the dead sea attacking any who fell behind and now they attack Israel. Joshua is given the Job of putting an army together and God gives them a miraculous victory. Moses raised his arms to God, which was the Old Testament posture of prayer and as long as his armies were raised Joshua prevailed. Aaron and Hur stood on either side of Moses to hold his hands in the air until Israel was victorious. God taught them that victory was not in their own strength or ability but in trusting God. 

At Mt. Sinai
At Mt. Sinai God revealed himself to Moses and gave the People of Israel their laws. Now that Israel were redeemed out of the bondage of Slavery they needed to know how to live as a redeemed people. The laws God gave through Moses were not given to be kept for salvation but because they were saved. God's covenant was again renewed with His people. The priesthood was established, offerings were reorganised, the law given, the tabernacle built and an organisation established at Jethro's suggestion. Before God's people began to move again a census was taken to organise the people and count the military men. Numbers 1 (603,550 military men with a total of 2,000,000 Israelites) This would take the rest of the book of Exodus and Leviticus to describe. Israel would stay here 11 months and 5 days.

Wilderness Wanderings
Having been recommissioned and reorganised by God at Sinai the people are ready to move on toward Canaan. The cloud lifts and they set out for the Promised land. As they march there are 6 tribes leading, the levites carrying the ark and then the last 6 tribes. It was only an 11 day march to Kadesh Barnea but in that time the people of God began to complain again. God once again brought quail to feed the people. Miriam and Aaron confront Moses and 70 elders were appointed to help share the leadership with Moses. This may be the origins of the Sanhedrin. 

Kadesh Barnea
Wilderness near Kadesh
At Kadesh Barnea, Israel sends in 12 spies to search out the land of Canaan. They come back and report how prosperous the land is but they disagree as to its conquest. Joshua and Caleb are the only two who say that with God's help it was possible to conquer the nations living there. Once again the people rebelled and this time God spoke of destroying the people but Moses, Aaron, Joshua and Caleb interceded on behalf of the people and God forgave the people but they would still die in the wilderness and not see the promised land. Numbers 14 Sin, even forgiven sin, has consequences. The people of Israel wandered near Kadesh for 38 years until all who were older than 20 years of age when they rebelled died in the wilderness.

Leadership Challenged
Now there is a challenge to God's leadership. Korah, Dathan and Abiram along with 250 other Israelite men claim they are holy and that Moses is misleading them. In judgment God opened up the earth and swallowed all who rebelled and their families. The only exception was Korah's family who were spared. Apparently they did not share Korah's views. Fire also came from God and consumed the 250 men. When a plague had started in the rest of Israel Aaron interceded with an offering of Incense and a sacrifice and the plague stopped. Numbers 16

Aaron's leadership is confirmed by the budding rod, and God leads Israel toward the plains of Moab in preparation to enter the Promised land. But before they enter the account of Miriam's death is given in Numbers 20. Even Moses and Aaron's family must dies before they enter the land. The only people allowed to enter of the original group are Joshua and Caleb for they believed the Lord. 

Moses Sins
As they approach the land of promise the people begin to grumble again because they had no water. In response Moses became impatient and struck the rock instead of commanding the rock to bring forth water as God had instructed. While Moses believed the Lord in entering the land he disobeyed God's instructions and for this reason was denied the right to enter the land also. Aaron died on the way to Mt. Hor at the age of 123. Here again the people began to grumble again and this time God send poisonous snakes to bit the people so they would die. Moses intercedes once again and is told to make a bronze snake place it on the pole and all who look would live. The illustration is clear that all who look to the one God placed on the cross would also live. 

As the Israelites neared Canaan they travelled around Edom and Moab and fought against the king of Sihon and Og.

Entering Canaan
Now the people were gathered near the River Jordan opposite Jericho. Here the Moabite king Balak tried to get Balaam to curse Israel but he would only bless them instead. Balaam's talking donkey reminded him to only speak God's message. Yet he did counsel Israel to worship Baal-Peor and hurt them this way.

Reuben, Gad and Manasseh were allowed to settle on the east side of the Jordan. Then another census is taken for the purpose of the conquest and now that they would be land owners they were given inheritance laws. A new leader is appointed in Joshua and closing instructions for sacrifices and offering are again set out before the people. God's people are told to destroy the idolatrous inhabitants of Canaan, the land is divided among the tribes and the cities of refuge are assigned and then the people enter the land.

Even though many of the cities were assigned they were not occupied for some time. Many of the cities were given as an inheritance for future occupation.

Copyright © 1995 David Graves & Jane Graves, Electronic Christian Media