• after the serpent/pole account of 21:4-9
• record of the final trek through difficult terrain in route to the Promised Land
• no more accounts of murmuring

• marching to Moab
• significant repetition: set out…camped
• involvement of travelers and writers
• poetic picture of Yahweh poised as a warrior/advocate for His people

• recurring water issues
• refreshment and choral response
• involvement of singers and diggers
• from Pisgah’s “lofty height”

• defeat of Sihon and the Amorites
• involvement of soldiers and singers
• defeat of Og and Bashan
• involvement of spies and soldiers

• Because the LORD always sustains His people, let dependence mark every step of your journey.
• Remember the LORD’S omnipresence, omniscience and omnipotence.
• Spend more energy anticipating your gains than itemizing your losses.
• Connection to Christ: John 4:13-14; Rev. 22:17 (B. Brown “All Who Are Thirsty”)

• preceded by reversal of outcomes at Hormah (14:39-45 and 21:1-3)

• people become impatient on the way
• fault-finding recital resumes
• loathing the LORD’S provision

• blowing away the haze of triviality
• the LORD’S deployment of lethal snakes
• snakes bite, many people die, the people confess their sin
• the assaulted leader as an effective intercessor

• significance of a snake on a pole: look and live (isa. 45:22)
• unique and totally undeserved provision
• indicators of the LORD’S mercy, power and wisdom
• widely available and immediately effective

• Because undeserving rebels may receive salvation based on the LORD’S miraculous mercy, look to Jesus and live.
• distinct connection to Christ and the NT: John 3:14-15
• Stop itemizing grievances and start counting blessings!
• this narrative: a stunning rebuke to the doctrine of self-salvation
• “His word shall not fail you He promised…” (H. Lemmel “Turn Your Eyes upon Jesus”)

• third and final travel narrative begins
• leading woman dies outside the Promised Land

• fierce opposition
• connection to Exodus 17: strike/speak contrast

• intense frustration
• sin of Moses and its consequence

• most direct route to Canaan
• relationship to Israel (Gen. 12:3)

• glimmer of hope
• from Aaron to Eleazar

• Knowing that crisis is inevitable and the LORD is infallible, declare His glory and depend on His resources.
• The LORD’s people are “not let off but not let go.” (R. Brown)
• Note the rock/Christ connection: Isa. 48:21, 1 Cor. 10:4, John 4:11-15
• The guarantee of a greater than Moses…
• “Rock of Ages” (A. Toplady)

• narrative with five distinct elements that follows the lousy scouting report of Numbers 13

• grumbling about leaders and about the LORD

• face-down and torn clothes
• reminder of generosity and presentation of options
• threat of stoning

• plague threat
• jealousy for the LORD’S glory, commitment to the LORD’S word, awareness of the LORD’s love

• not let off but not let go
• what the people saw and spoke

• the terrified ten and the presumptuous soldiers

• Because rebellion against the LORD invites ruin, stop grumbling and start obeying.
• NT connection: Heb. 3:6-4:11
• “Other refuge have I none, Hangs my helpless soul on Thee; Leave, ah! Leave me not alone, Still support and comfort me. All my trust is on Thee stayed, All my help from Thee I bring; Cover my defenseless head with the shadow of Thy wing.” (C. Wesley, “Jesus, Lover of My Soul”)

• leaving Sinai for the wilderness on the way to the Promised Land
• after the complaints of Numbers 11 and opposition of Numbers 12
• lament of biblical authors regarding Numbers 13

• the LORD’S command and confirmation
• spies selected and identified

• assessment of land, people and cities
• act courageously
• acquire fruit
• compliance and a cluster of grapes

• return of spies after 40 days
• fruitful land, fearsome people and fortified cities
• minority and majority reports

• Because the LORD’S promises are true, dismiss fearful distortions and depend on His faithfulness.
• Act on the LORD’S promises (Gen. 13:16-17, 22:17-18)
• Reflect on the LORD’S faithfulness (Gen. 12:9)
• Remember the LORD’S generosity (Ex. 3:8)
• Rely on the LORD’S resources (John 15:1-8)
• “The Sands of Time Are Sinking” (A. Cousins)
• “We all need a promised land.” (C. King)

• transition from Sinai to Wilderness: a massive movement of people
• preceded by reminders of the LORD’S provision (ark/cloud) (10:33-36)

• irony: three days into the journey
• basis of complaint and its frequency: what they were dealt and denied
• the LORD’S response: burning displeasure

• identity and infection of the rabble
• a case of selective memory and a seven-course meal
• perceived menu malfunction

• overlooked and undervalued provision
• dissatisfied preoccupation with circumstances

• a “hissy fit” in the wilderness
• inaccurate perception and inappropriate death wish
• contrasting connection to Christ: Heb. 3:1-6, 9:28

• Knowing the assault and impact of complaining, confirm the LORD’S character and praise His provision.
• Guard against spiritual amnesia (1 Cor. 10:1-13)
• “Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah” (W. Williams)

• conclusion of one-year stay at Sinai and beginning of journey through wilderness to promised land
• first and second Passover observances (Ex. 12 and Num. 9:1)
• new beginnings: Law, priesthood/sacrificial system, tabernacle

• tabernacle: God’s presence with and among His people-constantly
• pillar of cloud by day
• pillar of fire by night

• cloud moves/people move
• cloud stops/people camp

• constant uncertainty of departure, duration and immediate destination
• the principle of dependence
• keeping the charge: adherence to divine command

• Because the Lord demonstrates a historical pattern of going before His people, depend on Him to go before you.
• how this text both encourages and exposes:
• “Israel in the wilderness had nothing which we do not possess.” (Maclaren)
• “There is no time lost, while we are waiting on God’s time.” (Henry)
• connection to Christ: Heb. 11:39-40 and John 1:14
• “A charge to keep I have, a God to glorify, a never-dying soul to save, and fit it for the sky. Arm me with watchful care as in Thy sight to live, and now Thy servant, Lord, prepare, a strict account to give!” (Wesley, “A Charge to Keep I Have”)

• The LORD portrayed as teacher of the afflicted and guide for the erring

• deliverance from enemies, divine instruction and dismissal of sin

• director of directions
• personal testimony of the LORD and His pattern of steadfast love

• emphatic nature of source and intimacy of communication
• the matter of alignment

• crescendo of vulnerability and experience of solitude
• a heart enlarged by magnified troubles (Lev. 16:21-22)

• stress on the person of the redeemer
• connection to NT and Christ: Rev. 21:27

• Because of who the LORD is and who you are, delight in Him and depend on His directions.
• Pursue formation more than information.
• Trust the LORD’S capacity to manage the map of your life.
• “All the Way My Savior Leads Me” (F. Crosby)

• liturgy “at the gate” and connection to Psalm 24
• question/answer format

• tent and hill: worship and sacrifice
• sojourn and dwell: hospitality and homecoming

• consistent character
• restrained speech
• specified allegiance
• transactional integrity

• a place assured
• shall not be moved, ever
• important clarifications: source of confidence and significance of confession

• Because the LORD’S presence demands perfection, rely on the qualifying person and power of Jesus Christ.
• connection to Christ: Matt. 5:48, Heb. 12:14, 2 Cor. 5:21
• What should my life look like as an “insider?”
• “Lord, remember me when You come into Your Kingdom…” (“Remember Me”, Shive/Peterson)

• lament psalm with a distinct arrangement that employs key repetitions

• perception of divine remoteness
• experience of personal uncertainty
• existence of human opposition (1 Sam. 27:1)

• awareness of God and of the enemy
• lousy logic but legitimate faith
• request for a fresh surge of strength (1 Sam. 14:24-29)

• an affirmation about God’s “committed love”
• two exultations
• the ultimate “trip” to bountiful

• Because crisis is inevitable, constantly consider the nature of God’s committed love.
• connection to Christ: Heb. 5:7
• Exult in the superior object and certain outcome of your faith.
• “O, Love That Will Not Let Me Go” (G. Matheson)