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Session 15: Desert Wanderings

Book of Numbers


After leaving Egypt, the Israelites spent about a year a Mount Sinai, where God gave them his laws and taught them how to live and build a relationship with him. These laws are written in detail in the Book of Leviticus.


After a year, God instructs Moses to lead them towards the promised land. He asks Moses to first take a census (count) of all men in the 12 tribes above 20 years old who are able to serve in the army. Remember the 12 tribes who were descended from Jacob? The 12 tribes are: Reuben, Simeon, Judah, Issachar, Zebulun, Ephraim, Manasseh, Benjamin, Dan, Asher, Gad and Naphtali. (Joseph's descendents form two tribes, that of Ephraim and Manasseh).

There is actually another tribe, the tribe of Levi, who was not counted because they are designated as priests who would look after the tabernacle. They set out in a march towards Canaan, the promised land. As they traveled, God went ahead of them in a column of cloud by day and fire by night. He continued to be with them and provided them with manna daily.


When the Israelites reach Canaan, God asked Moses to send twelve spies, one from each tribe, to check out the place. Read Numbers 13-14 and/or watch the following video on the Spies in the Promised Land:


Video 1: Spies in the Promised Land

Source: Faith Kids on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XzkOqj-RWAc


Discussion


What did the spies report when they came back? What happened as a result?

The spies reported that the land was flowing with milk and honey, just as God had promised. However, 10 of the spies said that the people who were living in Canaan were too big to defeat. This led the Israelites to rebel, and they started talking about going back to Egypt. The other 2 spies, Caleb and Joshua urged the Israelites not to rebel against God, and not to fear the people of the land, for the Lord would be with the Israelites.


Their lack of faith and disobedience angered God, and he told Moses he would destroy them and make of Moses' descendants a nation greater than them. Moses pleaded with God to forgive them and he did. However, none of the Israelites would enter the promised land. Only their descendants, Caleb and Joshua (who trusted in the Lord) would enter the promised land. They would wander in the desert for 40 more years.


Can you imagine walking around the desert for 40 years? Let's take a look at what happens to the Israelis during their 40 years of desert wanderings (Numbers


Videos 2 & 3: 40 years of Wandering in the Desert



How did the Israelites fare in the desert? What did God do in response?


It was hard living in the desert for 40 years. The Israelites complained about lack of food, water, lack of meats and all sorts of hardships. They often lamented that they should not have left Egypt. The bible also talks about how they were rebellious and unfaithful - there were uprisings against Moses and the Levi priests (Numbers 16), they also worshiped other gods (Numbers 25).


God took care of them - he sent them manna everyday, provided water, gave them meat when they complained about not having food. There were also consequences to their actions - he sent them plagues, and struck down those who were unfaithful. However, he always forgave Israel and never left their side, and was always faithful to them.


Why did God punish Moses and Aaron (Numbers 20)?


Moses and Aaron disobeyed God.

When the Israelites ran out of water, the people complained again. God told Moses and Aaron to take the staff, gather the people in front of a rock, speak to the rock and command water to flow from it.

However, when Moses and Aaron gathered the people in front of the rock, Moses said to the people "Hear now, you rebels; shall we bring forth water for you out of this rock", and struck the rock with the rod twice instead of speaking to the rock.

Moses did not show faith in God - he should believe God would provide with a word, as he had promised. He did not honor God as holy before the Israelites, but appeared though he (Moses) was the 'magician' who could make water come out of the rock.

God told him that "Because you did not believe in me, to sanctify me in the eyes of the sons of Israel, therefore you shall not bring this assembly into the land which I have given them".

Moses and Aaron would therefore not live long enough to bring the into the holy land.

During their forty years in the desert, a new generation grew up to enter the promised land. Aaron passed away. Before Moses died, God brought him up to Mount Nebo so that he could see the promised land. He also told Moses to appoint Joshua to be the new leader of the Israelites. To prepare the people for life in the promised land, Moses delivered his farewell address, which is recorded in the book of Deuteronomy.


In the next session, we will see how Joshua leads the Israelites into the promised land.

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