Numbers

Numbers 33: God leads Israel to His gift

Begin in prayer

Before tracing the road from Egypt to the Jordan, let us thank God for His patient care. Ask Him for hearts that remember His mercy and leave sin behind as we come to Jesus.

He led them safely, so that they weren’t afraid, but the sea overwhelmed their enemies.

Psalm 78:53

Father in heaven, please open our eyes as we read Your Word. Help us remember Your care and heed Your warnings, and show us Jesus, who brings His people home to You. Make us more like Jesus. And please bless our family as we worship You together. In Jesus' name, Amen.

See where we're going

Moses records the stages of Israel’s journey from Egypt at the Lord’s command. They leave after the Passover while Egypt buries the firstborn God struck in judgment on them and their gods. The route passes through the sea and onward through the wilderness, including places of water and places of thirst. Aaron dies at Mount Hor in the fortieth year, and Israel continues to the plains of Moab beside the Jordan. God then commands them to drive out Canaan’s inhabitants and destroy their idols and high places. He gives the land to their families by lot, warning that compromise will bring trouble and the judgment intended for those nations.

As you read Numbers 33, look for the answers:

Reflect together

Key truth

God leads His people to His promised gift and commands them to leave idols behind.

Moses records Israel’s journey at God’s command, from the rescue in Egypt to the banks of the Jordan. The places recall a people carried onward through sea, thirst, wandering and the death of their priest. Aaron dies in the fortieth year, yet Israel still reaches the place from which they will enter Canaan. The long road displays the Lord’s continuing care for a people who often failed Him. Now the gift of the land calls for obedience, because its idols must be destroyed and its inhabitants driven out. Leaving them in place will bring lasting trouble and God’s judgment on Israel itself. Please help your children remember His care while taking His warning seriously.

How does Numbers 33 show us that God leads His people to His promised gift and commands them to leave idols behind?

God’s care has carried His people along the whole road.

They leave Egypt after God strikes its firstborn and judges its gods. The road goes through the sea and onward to camps with water or with thirst. The Lord brings them at last to the Jordan, where His promised land lies before them.

God’s gift calls His people to reject the idols He condemns.

Israel must drive out the inhabitants and destroy their stone idols, molten images and high places. God is giving them the land to possess and live in. His gift must never become a place to serve the gods He judges.

God warns that compromise will bring trouble and judgment.

Those left in the land will harass Israel like thorns in their sides. God then warns that He will do to Israel what He intended for those nations. Belonging outwardly to His people gives no permission to reject His word.

Memorise

You shall take possession of the land, and dwell therein; for I have given the land to you to possess it.

Numbers 33:53

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, what sin do I keep beside me instead of turning to Jesus for mercy?

God says, “I have given the land to you to possess it.” The journey has brought Israel to His gift, and the gift comes with a command to leave idols behind. The Lord’s care calls for a faithful heart.

We have loved things God forbids and deserve His judgment. Jesus bore the sin of His people on the cross and suffered the punishment that was theirs. He rose to life, having finished the rescue that fully brings them back to God. His saving work is enough for their whole journey home.

So turn from your sin and put your trust in Jesus. He grants forgiveness to those who receive His mercy by faith. Please bring Him the idols you have kept close, and ask for a heart that loves Him. The Savior who has paid for sin will not abandon the people He has rescued.

Parent's note

Tell your children that God’s care calls them to turn from idols, and Jesus alone rescues sinners from the judgment they deserve. Please do not tell them they are saved just because they grew up in a Christian home. Call each child to turn from sin and trust Jesus, and pray that God would give them a new heart.

Pray together

Now please close your time together in prayer. Thank God for leading His people and warning them to leave idols behind, and bring the heart question to Him. Every child can pray, so let each one say a short prayer if they want to.

He said to all, “If anyone desires to come after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me.

Luke 9:23

Father, thank You for Your patient care along Israel’s journey. Please forgive the idols we keep in our hearts and turn each of us to trust Jesus. Teach us to remember Your mercy, obey Your Word and leave the sin You condemn. Keep our hope in the Savior who brings His people home. Amen.