Numbers 33 Summary - 5 Minute Bible Study
Numbers 33 Summary - A Quick Overview
WHEN:
These events occurred towards the end of the Israelites’ 40 years of wandering in the wilderness.
The Israelites were in the wilderness from approximately 1490-1450 B.C.
CHARACTERS:
Moses – God selected Moses to lead the Israelite nation from Egypt to Canaan.
Canaanites – The people who inhabited the land of Canaan, the land God promised to give to Israel.
WHERE:
Numbers 33 is a record of all the places the camp of Israel travelled during their 40 years in the wilderness.
Many of these locations cannot be identified with precision.
OUTLINE:
A RECORD OF ISRAEL’S JOURNEY (33:1-49):
God told Moses to create a record of all the places the Israelites visited when they were in the wilderness between Egypt and Canaan.
Moses led the Israelites out of Egypt on the 15th day of the 1st month, the day after the 10th plague (death of the firstborn) and the 1st Passover.
The list of locations the Israelites visited is extensive, the list spans verses 3-49.
GOD COMMANDS THE EXPULSION OF THE CANAANITES (33:50-56):
God commanded the Israelites to drive out all the inhabitants of the land of Canaan when they crossed the Jordan River.
They were not to allow any of them to remain.
They were also to destroy the pagan places of worship and the idols of the Canaanites.
God warned them, if they let any of the Canaanites remain, they would become “barbs” in their eyes and “thorns” in their sides and they would have a corrupting influence.
When the Israelites conquered Canaan, it was to be divided up by casting lots, and each tribe was to receive a portion of land proportionate to its population.
APPLICATION:
God specifically told the Israelites to expel all Canaanites from the land He was going to give them.
Why was this so important?
It was important because the people we live with and associate with have an impact on us.
If we surround ourselves with people who don’t honor God and are involved in various forms of immorality, we will be tempted to participate in their wickedness.
If we surround ourselves with godly people, it’s more likely we will be influenced in a positive way.
As we watch Israel through the upcoming centuries in the next few books of the Bible, we’ll find out (1) they didn’t cast out the Canaanites and (2) the native people had more influence on them than they ever could have imagined.
Don’t be foolish and believe the people you spend time with don’t influence you.
Make godly friends and spend time around people who respect God’s word.
In the New Testament, Paul warned the Church at Corinth with these words, “Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals” (1 Cor 15:33).
