Read Numbers 10:11-36.

Introduction⤒🔗

A long time ago, in the 4th century B.C., there was a promising young artist named Timanthes. This young man was placed under the instruction of a famous tutor.

After several years of developing his talent under the direction of a master artist, Timanthes created an exquisite painting. Timanthes was so pleased and thrilled with what he had accomplished that he sat for hours day after day gazing on this beautiful work of art.

One morning when he came to the studio, he was horrified to discover that his teacher had deliberately ruined his painting. In anger and in tears, Timanthes demanded to know why he had done such a thing.

Was it done out of jealousy? No. On the contrary, the wise master painter explained to Timanthes that he had done it for Timanthes’ own good. “That painting,” explained the master painter, “was retarding your progress. It was a great piece of art, but it did not reach the heights of your artistic ability. Keep pressing on to even greater and better works.” Though he was distraught at the time, young Timanthes accepted his tutor’s instruction and eventually went on to produce what is considered to be one of the greatest paintings of antiquity.¹

Just as that young painter became complacent with his work and had to be urged on to achieve the heights of his artistic ability; so, too, we need to be urged on to the heights of our Christian calling. Employing his own life as an example, the Apostle Paul testifies to the Philippians,

Brothers, I do not regard myself as having [already] taken hold of these things; rather, I do this one thing: forgetting the things that are behind and reaching for the things that lie ahead, ¹⁴I press on to the goal for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Phil. 3:13-14

In the passage of Scripture before us, we find the people of Israel encamped in the wilderness at the foot of Mt. Sinai, the mountain of God, where they had to be commanded to break camp and press on to their final divinely appointed destination. Here is the lesson for each of us: We cannot remain encamped in a static, complacent “Christian” life, because the LORD calls us to press on towards our divinely appointed destination.

Press on in Your Christian Life, Towards Spiritual Maturity←⤒🔗

When we come to the tenth chapter of Numbers we find the people of Israel encamped in the wilderness of Sinai at the foot of Mt. Sinai.

Their present situation had become a semi-permanent settlement. They had been encamped here for about a year, from the third month after the Exodus, (as Exodus 19:1 informs us, “In the third month after the children of Israel came out of Egypt, on that very day, they came into the wilderness of Sinai”), until the second month of the next year: “On the twentieth day of the second month of the second year, the cloud lifted from above the tabernacle of the Testimony” (Num. 10:11).

They were encamped at the base of the mount of God. It was here that they saw the glory of the LORD, and it was here that they had become His covenant people. But now comes the commandment of the LORD to break camp and press on to their final destination: The Promised Land of Canaan.

Let us compare ourselves with the people of Israel. We must not view our conversion or our public profession of faith as the climax and culmination of our Christian experience; rather, we must recognize that it is the beginning of our Christian life. We, too, are called to press on to our divinely appointed destination, that being ultimately a mature Christian life in the kingdom of heaven, with each step of obedience and each increment of spiritual growth making a significant, though seemingly undetectable, contribution to that final outcome.

Press on in your Christian life, towards spiritual maturity. Develop a greater awareness of your transient relationship to this present world. Recognize that this world is not your home. The Apostle Peter addresses the church of Jesus Christ in these terms: “Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to those who have been chosen [by God] and who are refugees of the dispersion” (1 Pet. 1:1). Or, again, later in that same epistle, Peter writes, “Beloved, I exhort you as aliens and refugees, to abstain from the fleshly lusts that wage war against the soul” (1 Pet. 2:11).

Rather than finding your identity and security in your present place of earthly residence, recognize that the LORD God Himself is your portion: “The LORD is the portion of my inheritance and of my cup” (Psl. 16:5). Make the kingdom of God your top priority; let us heed our Lord’s exhortation when He instructs us as His disciples, “seek first [God’s] kingdom and his righteousness” (Matt. 6:33). Invest in the kingdom of God by offering yourself in service to Christ and using your God-given gifts and talents for Him; again, heeding the command of our Lord Jesus Christ,

Do not store up for yourselves treasures on the earth, where moth and rust consume, and where thieves break in and steal; ²⁰rather, store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consume, and where thieves do not break in and steal; ²¹for wherever your treasure is, there will your heart be also. Matt. 6:19-21

Develop your relationship with Christ. May we be like the Psalmist who testifies,

As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God. ²My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can Igo and meet with God? Psl. 42:1-2

Let us make the Psalmist’s prayer our prayer:

Send forth your light and your truth, let them guide me; let them bring me to your holy mountain, to the place where you dwell; ⁴then will Igo to the altar of God, to God, my joy and my delight. Psl. 43:3-4

Develop more into the character of Christ. This is the purpose of your calling, as the Apostle Paul informs the church at Rome, “those whom God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, so that he might be the firstborn among many brethren” (Rom. 8:29). How do we develop the character of Christ? By heeding the Apostle Paul’s exhortation to the Ephesian church: “by practicing the truth in love, with regard to all things let us grow up in him, the one who is the head, that is, Christ” (Eph. 4:15). Development of the character of Christ is your God-given task: “let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity” (Heb. 6:1). Note, too, Philippians 2:12-13,

Therefore, my beloved ones, just as you have always obeyed, so now—not only in my presence, but much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, ¹³for it is God who is working in you both to create the desire and to produce the work for the sake of his good purpose.

Develop to a greater degree a spiritual perspective:

...we do not look at the things that are seen, but at the things that are not seen; for the things that are seen are temporal, but the things that are not seen are eternal. 2 Cor. 4:18

The Greek word translated, “look at,” (σκοπεω) has the deeper meaning, “pay attention to,” or, “keep one’s attention focused on.”

of our spiritual father, Abraham, we read:

He was willing to [live in tents] because he was looking for the city that has foundations, the city whose architect and builder is God.Heb. 11:10

Show me your ways, O LORD; teach me your paths. ⁵Guide me in your truth and teach me; for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all the day. Psl. 25:4-5

Press on in Your Christian Life, Even in the Face of Adversity←⤒🔗

The people of Israel will make their journey from Mt. Sinai through the wilderness of the Sinai Peninsula to the Promised Land of Canaan.

At times there will be a scarcity of food: shortly after they set out on their journey, they encounter such a situation: “the children of Israel wept again and said, ‘Who will give us meat to eat? ⁵We remember the fish we ate in Egypt at no cost—also the cucumbers, the melons, the leeks, the onions, and the garlic’” (Num. 11:4-5). We should note, however, that in this present instance, although the people lacked the variety of foods they remember eating in Egypt, the LORD was faithfully providing the manna for them in ample quantity.

At times there will be a scarcity of water:

In the first month the children of Israel, the whole congregation, arrived at the wilderness of Zin, and they camped at Kadesh. ²Now there was no water for the congregation, so they assembled themselves together against Moses and against Aaron.Num. 20:1-2

The people of Israel will journey through a wilderness inhabited by poisonous creatures: “He led you through the vast and dreadful wilderness, that thirsty and waterless land, with its venomous snakes and scorpions” (Deut. 8:15).

The children of Israel will also face fierce encounters with the enemies of the LORD:

• They will be rejected by Edom: “Edom answered, You may not pass through my country. If you attempt to do so, I will come out against you with the sword... ²¹So it was that Edom refused to allow Israel to pass through his territory; therefore, Israel turned away from them” (Num. 20:18, 21)
   
• They will be attacked by the king of Arad: “When the Canaanite king of Arad, who lived in the Negev, heard that Israel was coming along the road to Atharim, he attacked them and took some of them captive” (Num. 21:1)
   
• They will face resistance and opposition from the Amorites and Bashan: “Sihon would not allow Israel to pass through his territory. He mustered his entire army and marched out into the wilderness against Israel. When he reached Jahaz, he attacked Israel... ³³Then they turned and went up along the road toward Bashan, and Og king of Bashan and his whole army marched out to meet them in battle at Edrei” (Num. 21:23,33)
   
• They will be subjected to the diabolical intrigue by Barak and Balaam: Now Balak the son of Zippor was king of Moab at that time. ⁵So he sent messengers to summon Balaam the son of Beor, who was at Pethor, which is near the Euphrates River, in his native land. He said, A people have come out of Egypt; they cover the face of the land and are encamped next to me. ⁶Now, therefore, please come and curse these people for me, because they are too powerful for me. [If you curse them], I might then succeed in defeating them and driving them out of the land” (Num. 22:4b-6a).

Besides all these encounters with adversity, Israel would face rebellion from within their own ranks:

¹Korah son of Izhar, the son of Kohath, the son of Levi, together with several of the sons of Reuben, namely, Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab, and On, the son of Peleth, became insolent ²and rebelled against Moses. With them were some of the children of Israel, two hundred and fifty men, well-known leaders of the congregation, who had been chosen by the assembly. ³They came as a group to oppose Moses and Aaron.Num. 16:1-3a

But despite the fact that their journey took them through the wilderness and was plagued by countless incidents of opposition and peril, the LORD commanded them to press on to the Promised Land of Canaan.

Press on in your Christian life, even in the face of adversity. Adversity is to be expected. Our Lord testified to His disciples and to His church: “In the world you have tribulation. But have courage; I have conquered the world” (An. 16:33b). Note, too, Peter’s word to the church (1 Peter 4:12-13), as well as the ministry of Paul and Barnabas (Acts 14:21-22),

¹²Beloved, do not be surprised by the fiery trials among you (that have come for the purpose of testing you), as though a strange thing has happened to you. ¹³On the contrary, since you are participating in the sufferings of Christ, rejoice, so that at the revelation of his glory you may indeed rejoice with exultation. 1 Pet. 4:12-13

...they returned to Lystra, and to Iconium, and to Antioch, ²²strengthening the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and [teaching] that we must enter into the kingdom of God through many tribulations. Acts 14:21-22

Adversity is to be met with courage, confidence in God, and perseverance:

²⁷Live your life only in a way that is worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that if I come and see you­ or if I remain absent what I will hear about you is that you are standing firm in one spirit, and with one soul are contending for the faith of the gospel, ^28aand that you are in no way being intimidated by those who oppose you. Phil. 1:27-28a

¹⁰Do not be afraid, for I am with you. Do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; surely, I will help you; surely, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. ¹¹Listen! All those who rage against you will be brought to shame and disgrace; those who oppose you will be as nothing and will perish. Isa. 41:10-11

Press on in Your Christian Life, with God-Given Assurance←⤒🔗

Verse twelve informs us that the people of Israel set out on their journey from Mt. Sinai, and “the cloud came to rest in the wilderness of Paran.” Paran was not the next point on their journey, it was the last point; it was the final stop on the southern edge of Canaan.² The point being made is that the LORD faithfully brought them through the wilderness to their final destination. Even as the Apostle Paul testifies, “Of this I am sure, namely, that he who began a good work in you will carry it out to completion until the day of Jesus Christ” (Phil. 1:6).

Verse thirty-three informs us that the Ark of the Covenant “went before them three days’ journey to seek out a resting place for them.” Verse thirty-four tells us that the divine cloud “was over them day by day.” In light of Israel’s Old Testament experience, consider the promise of Jesus recorded in John 14:1-3,16-18, (the promise of the Lord’s watchful care over His people and the assurance of their entrance into glory, the very things experienced by Israel in the Old Testament dispensation):

Do not let your heart be troubled; trust in God, trust in me also. ²In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I am going to prepare a place for you. ³And if Igo and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me; so that where I am, you may be also... ¹⁶I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever, ¹⁷the Spirit of truth. The world cannot receive him, because it does not see him, nor does it know him. But you know him; because he abides with you and will be in you. ¹⁸I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. Jn. 14:1-3, 16-18

In verses 35-36 there is recorded for us Moses’ prayer of intercession. It is the prayer that the LORD would scatter His enemies, (thereby protecting His people), and abide with His people, (thereby providing for them His own divine presence). The same blessings are assured to the New Testament church as well: “I do not pray that you would take them out of the world, but that you would guard them from the evil one” (Jn. 17:15). This is part of Jesus’ intercessory prayer for His church.

Moses is confident of the LORD’s goodness and faithfulness, as seen by his words to his father-in-law, Hobab: “We are traveling to the country of which the LORD has said, ‘I will give it to you.’ Come with us and we will treat you well; for the LORD has promised good things for Israel” (vs. 29). Through the Prophet Jeremiah, the LORD assures us, “’I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the LORD, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future’” (Jer. 29:11).

Press on in your Christian life, with God-given assurance. When you trust the LORD as your Shepherd, you can be confident of a safe arrival at a blessed destination:

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall lack nothing... ⁶Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever. Psl. 23:1,6

Conclusion←⤒🔗

In this tenth chapter of the Book of Numbers, we find Israel encamped in a semi-permanent settlement at the foot of Mt. Sinai. But the divine commandment comes for them to break camp and press on to the final destination appointed for them.

Likewise, we must never view the Christian life as an “encampment” in this present world, but rather we must rightly view it as a journey to our divinely appointed destination.

Here, then, is the lesson for each of us: We cannot remain encamped in a static, complacent “Christian” life, because the LORD calls us to press on towards our divinely appointed destination of spiritual maturity to ultimately be lived in the kingdom of God.

Discussion Questions←⤒🔗

1. What had the people of Israel experienced at the foot of Mt. Sinai? See Ex. 24:9-11 Would they have been tempted to remain where they were, instead of journeying on through the wilderness? Are you ever tempted to remain static in your Christian life, rather than pressing on in spiritual growth and service to Christ? What exhortations are given to you as a Christian? See Phil. 3:12­ 14; 2 Pet. 3:18,

⁹Then Moses and Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, and seventy elders of Israel went up [the mountain], ¹⁰and they saw the God of Israel. Under his feet there was something like a pavement made of sapphire stones, as clear as the sky. ¹¹He did not lay his hand upon the leaders of the children of Israel; they saw God, and they ate and drank [before him]. Ex. 24:9-11

¹²[It is] not that I have already obtained this or have already been made perfect; rather, I press on so that I may take hold of that for which also I have been taken hold of by Christ...¹³... forgetting the things that are behind and reaching for the things that lie ahead, ¹⁴I press on to the goal for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.Phil. 3:12-14

...grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 2 Pet. 3:18a

2. When the Israelites depart from the wilderness of Sinai, at what place did they finally arrive? See Num. 10:12 What is significant about the mention of Paran, which was the culmination of their journey, bringing them to border of the land of Canaan? What assurance does the LORD give to you as a Christian? See 1 Cor. 1:4, 8-9; Phil. 1:6,

Then the children of Israel set out from the wilderness of Sinai and traveled from place to place until the cloud came to rest in the wilderness of Paran. Num. 10:12

⁴I always thank my God for you, because of the grace of God that was given to you in Christ Jesus... ⁸[God] will also confirm you to the end, so that you may be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. ⁹God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.1 Cor. 1:4, 8-9

Of this I am sure, that he who began a good work in you will carry it out to completion until the day of Jesus Christ. Phil. 1:6

3. How does Numbers 10:33 describe the Israelites’ journey upon leaving Sinai? What are we told about the ark of the covenant of the LORD? As a Christian, what assurance and what promise does the Lord Jesus Christ make to you? See Jn. 14:2-3,

So they set out from the mountain of the LORD and traveled for three days. The ark of the covenant of the LORD went ahead of them during the three-day journey to find a resting place for them. Num. 10:33

In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I am going to prepare a place for you. ³And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me; so that where I am, you may be also.Jn. 14:2-3

4. As the Israelites journey through the wilderness on their way to Paran and the Promised Land of Canaan, what did they encounter? See Deut. 8:15 What does the LORD teach us about our spiritual journey through this present world? See Acts 14:22 Are you prepared for this; or do trials and opposition take you by surprise? What exhortation is given to us in Hebrews 6:11-12,

[He] led you through that great and terrible wilderness, [in which] were fiery serpents and scorpions and thirsty land where there was no water... Deut. 8:15

Paul and Barnabas strengthened the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and [saying], 'Through many tribulations we must enter into the kingdom of God.'Acts 14:21-22

And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence unto the fullness of hope unto the end; ¹²that you be not sluggish, but imitators of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises. Heb. 6:11-12

5. How did the LORD show His caring presence for His people as they journeyed through the wilderness to the Promised Land of Canaan? See Num. 10:34 As you face trial and adversity in your Christian life, what encouragement is given to you? See Heb. 13:5b; Jn. 14:16-18,

...the cloud of the LORD was over them by day when they set out from their camp. Num. 10:34

He himself has said, 'I will never leave you nor forsake you.'Heb. 13:5b

I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever, ¹⁷the Spirit of truth. The world cannot receive him; because it does not see him, nor does it know him. [But] you know him; because he abides with you and will be in you. ¹⁸I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. Jn. 14:16-18