Numbers 33
A Review of the Places the Children of Israel Camped in Their Journey from Egypt to Canaan and Further Instructions from the Lord Concerning the Conquest of the Land

Lesson 37

background notes

doctrinal points

1. God led His people to specific locations when they traveled in the wilderness.
2. God gave His people specific instructions when they entered into the Land.

practical application

Thank the Lord that even your wanderings are all under God’s control.

questions

1. Can the route of the children of Israel be traced on a map?
2. Where did the children of Israel cross the Red Sea? Discuss this debate.
3. Who decided where the Israelites would camp during their journey in the wilderness?
4. What did God command the Israelites to do when they entered the Land?
5. Why did God order the Israelites to kill so many Canaanites?
6. What would happen if the Israelites did not follow God’s instructions when they entered the Land?

answers

1. Their route can be partially traced. Some of the locations mentioned have not yet been identified by archeologists.
2. Some Christians have said that since “Red Sea” could be translated “Reed Sea” the “miracle” was only the Israelites crossing a marshy area. Where exactly on the Red Sea the Israelites crossed has not been confirmed.
3. God did. He led the Israelites with a cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night.
4. They were to drive out all the inhabitants of the land, destroy all of the idolatrous images, and demolish all the idolatrous shrines on the high places.
5. Because He did not want His people polluted by the idolatrous influence of these pagan peoples.
6. They would be continually harassed and haunted by the Canaanites they did not drive out. Later in Israel’s history we see that the Canaanites did influence them toward idolatry.

discuss consider

1. Does God still specifically lead and guide His people today? Yes! Read Psalm 32:8 and Proverbs 3:5-6. Discuss the way we as Christians should approach decision-making if we know that God desires to lead us. Remember that God has given us our common sense and His word. God leads specifically. Are you willing to follow?
2. God commanded the Israelites to take drastic measures to clear the Land of evil, so they would not be influenced by the pagan inhabitants. Read Matthew 5:13-14 and 2 Corinthians 6:17. We as believers are also to be separate from evil in this world. Discuss the difficult balance between being separate from evil and being salt in this world.

challenge

Even though the Israelites were “wandering” in the wilderness, God was leading every move they made. Are you wandering in the wilderness of this life? Thank the Lord that your wanderings and testing in this life are used by Him to bring you blessing. Thank Him that He can cause all things to work together for good.

memorize

• “You shall dispossess the inhabitants of the land and dwell in it, for I have given you the land to possess.” Numbers 33:53
• “But if you do not drive out the inhabitants of the land… they shall harass you in the land where you dwell.” Numbers 33:55