Números 33
Thomas Constable · Citado em PreceptAustin
Números 33
Constable observes Moses "did not describe the march by identifying the places where Israel stopped but by citing them as places from which they set out (Nu 33:2). This emphasizes the importance of the goal of their journey: the Promised Land. They set out from these places on their trek to the land. By the command of the LORD - Moses obediently recorded their journeys. And beloved remember that what the LORD commands, He always enables! And Israel was enabled to wander in the barren, dry desert for 40 years, because it was commanded by Yahweh. If you are in a "wilderness" because God has allowed it or brought you there for a time of testing, then keep your eyes fixed on Jesus the Author and Perfecter of our faith (Heb 12:2+). Jesus is always enough! How did YAHWEH direct the nation? When the cloud of glory, the Shekinah glory cloud moved, the nation was to move. This is clearly stated in more detail in Numbers 9 Whenever the cloud was lifted from over the tent, afterward the sons of Israel would then set out; and in the place where the cloud settled down, there the sons of Israel would camp. 18 At the command of the LORD the sons of Israel would set out, and at the command of the LORD they would camp; as long as the cloud settled over the tabernacle, they remained camped. 19 Even when the cloud lingered over the tabernacle for many days, the sons of Israel would keep the LORD’S charge and not set out. 20 If sometimes the cloud remained a few days over the tabernacle, according to the command of the LORD they remained camped. Then according to the command of the LORD they set out. 21 If sometimes the cloud remained from evening until morning, when the cloud was lifted in the morning, they would move out; or if it remained in the daytime and at night, whenever the cloud was lifted, they would set out. 22 Whether it was two days or a month or a year that the cloud lingered over the tabernacle, staying above it, the sons of Israel remained camped and did not set out; but when it was lifted, they did set out. 23 At the command of the LORD they camped, and at the command of the LORD they set out; they kept the LORD’S charge, according to the command of the LORD through Moses. (Nu 9:17-23+) THOUGHT - Is there not a principle in this passage of how we are to order our steps (Ps 37:23KJV, Ps 119:133KJV)? God's Word and Will and Prayer should be our watchword and our hearts should be submissive to His command to order our starts and our stops. A good way (the only way) to enjoy walking in the center of His will, turning neither to the left nor the right is to begin the morning hours with prayer (confess you sins so the "slate is clean" - 1 Jn 1:9+, cf Pr 28:13+, remember sin grieves and quenches the Spirit - Eph 4:30+, 1 Th 5:19+), including a prayer for God's Spirit to open our eyes to His Word (Ps 119:18+, Eph 1:18-19+) to be able to discern His will. Then we arise and in the power of the Spirit (which is related to letting the Word richly dwell within us - Col 3:16ff+), we walk forth, continually careful how we walk, not as unwise but wise (Eph 5:15+). This principle always brings to mind Rich Mullins great song Step by Step. And these are their journeys according to their starting places - Starting places according to Ryrie is literally the plucking up, or breaking camp. Note that many of the following places are names of campsites, not specific towns, so that the location of most of these places is not known. Henry
Números 33
Constable - God wanted to clean up the land spiritually and to make it a “holy land.” Wiersbe -The Lord gave His people a large land and a good land, but they didn’t defeat their enemies and claim it all by faith (Josh. 15:63; 16:10; 17:11–13; Jdg. 1:21–35). you shall drive out all the inhabitants of the land from before you - Note that the parallel in Deuteronomy 7:1-2 (ABOVE) says Israel is not just to drive them out but to utterly destroy them,(charam), make no covenant with them and show them no favor. Once again we see the juxtaposition of God's sovereignty (His promise) and Man's responsibility, in this case to drive out and destroy all remnants of paganism and pagan idolatry. The Hebrew verb shall drive out (yarash) means to take possession, to inherit, to dispossess, to drive out in the sense of conquering the land. Baker adds that drive out (yarash) is "a theme of Deuteronomy in particular where God’s promise of covenantal relationship is directly related to Israelite possession (and thereby foreign dispossession) of the land of Israel. This theme continued throughout Israel’s history and prophetic message. Possession of the land was directly connected to a person’s relationship with the Lord; breaking the covenantal relationship led to dispossession. But even in exile, Israelites awaited the day when they would repossess the land (Jer. 30:3)." (WSOT) Drive out is the Hebrew verb yarash is translated here in the Septuagint with a much "stronger" verb apollumi which means to destroy, kill and bring to ruin. THOUGHT - The severity of God's instructions are based on the fact that it is a necessity because a holy people can have ABSOLUTELY NO communion or fellowship with an unholy people (see Canaanites and their religion). God issues a parallel call (including 4 commands) to believers in 2 Cor 6:14-18 Do not be bound (present imperative with a negative see our need to depend on the Holy Spirit to obey this command for holy behavior!) together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness? 15 Or what harmony has Christ with Belial, or what has a believer in common with an unbeliever? 16 Or what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For (an important term of explanation) we are the temple of the living God; just as God said, “I WILL DWELL IN THEM AND WALK AMONG THEM; AND I WILL BE THEIR GOD, AND THEY SHALL BE MY PEOPLE. 17 “Therefore, COME OUT (aorist imperative see our need to depend on the Holy Spirit to obey) FROM THEIR MIDST AND BE SEPARATE(aorist imperative see our need to depend on the Holy Spirit to obey),” says the Lord. “AND DO NOT TOUCH (present imperative with a negative see our need to depend on the Holy Spirit to obey) WHAT IS UNCLEAN; And I will welcome you. 18“And I will be a father to you, And you shall be sons and daughters to Me,” Says the Lord Almighty. Then God gives a positive injunction in 2 Cor 7:1+ Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting (present tense) holiness (aka progressive sanctification) in the fear of God. William MacDonald on drive out all the inhabitants - This may seem cruel to people today, but actually these people were among the most corrupt, immoral, depraved creatures whom the world has ever known.