A Perfect Itinerary
Parashat Mattot-Masei, Numbers 30:2–36:13
Dr. Vered Hillel, Netanya, Israel
Life is a journey! Much like a train ride, life’s journey has stops along the way, but when the whistle blows, we move forward toward our destination. The Tanakh records many journeys. For example, Abraham journeyed to a land Adonai showed him, and B’nei Israel, the people of Israel, journeyed from Egypt to the land of promise. Like all of us, both Abraham and B’nei Israel made important stops along the way. However, they did not dwell at the stops, but continued forward to their final destination. Parashat Masei records the itinerary of Israel’s journey from Egypt to the plains of Moab (33:1–49), enumerating forty-two encampments, during the forty-year period of wandering in the wilderness in accordance with the number of days they spied out the land (Num 14: 34–40).
On the Jewish calendar, Masei is read together with Mattot, Numbers 30–32, except in a leap year. Together the two portions portray the final months of B’nei Israel's journey from Egypt to the land of Canaan. The itinerary in Numbers 33 ends with B’nei Israel in the plains of Moab near the Jordan river. With the exception of a few digressions that recall an incident that befell B’nei Israel in the course of their journey, the itinerary lists only the place names. Why did Adonai include all these names of places? What is their significance?
To begin with, the itinerary anchors Israel in history. It points out that Israel was on a real, historical, flesh-and-blood journey. Additionally, the structure and presentation of the itinerary reveal things about B’nei Israel’s spiritual journey, about their relationship with Adonai and the calling they would embody once in the Promised Land.
Each stage of Israel’s journey was determined by the “commandment of Adonai,” who planned and directed every move. When it was time to relocate, the cloud that hovered over the encampment moved, and the entire camp would pack up their belongings and move on, following the pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night. Whenever the cloud was stationary, B’nei Israel stayed put, and when the cloud moved again, they moved on. This process demonstrates the sovereignty of Adonai.
The forty-two stages or encampments also declare the mercies and compassion of Adonai. Rashi, citing Rabbi Moshe HaDarshan, points out that fourteen of the encampments were in the first year of Israel’s wanderings and eight were in the last year. This means that B’nei Israel only moved twenty times during the intervening thirty-eight years. Although Adonai decreed that they would wander for forty years, he enabled them to rest and settle down for extended periods of time. This demonstrates the great love Adonai has for his people.
Additionally, the itinerary functions as a reminder of all that happened to B’nei Israel during their forty-year journey, thus enabling them to appreciate both the love and fear of Adonai and the security he provides. Midrash Tanhuma relates a parable to explain this point. Once there was a king whose son was ill. The king took his son to a distant place seeking a cure. When they returned home, the father began to enumerate to his son all the stages along the way, saying “here we slept, here we caught cold, here you had a headache,” and so on. Midrash Tanhuma explains that the itinerary in Numbers 33 was written to remind B’nei Israel of both favorable and unfavorable events of their journey. After they settled in the land of their inheritance, the itinerary would serve as a reminder of Adonai’s lovingkindness, as well as the sufferings they endured as a result of their disobedience. In turn, Israel would be prodded to act rightly and not sin. The itinerary contains a message of historical continuity that evokes memories of Israel’s physical and spiritual journey and encourages all of us to continue our journey in the love and fear of Adonai.
Just as B’nei Israel did not settle in one place on their journey to the Promised Land until they reached their destination, we too press on toward the goal, which is the heavenly call of God in Messiah Yeshua (Phil 3:14 ), without settling in any one stop along the way. We may encamp for a season at specific place where we experience Adonai’s rest as well as favorable and unfavorable events. Through each of these stages we grow and change and in the process learn more about the character of Adonai and ourselves. God created each of us for a purpose. Our journeys help us discern that purpose and become the men and women of God we were created to be. The different stages and seasons of our lives prepare us for the next step along the way and the new opportunities awaiting us. Our specific encounters along the way, both favorable and unfavorable, work together to make us who we are and to prepare us for the rest of the journey.
Remember, we cannot take our goals and achievements with us to our final destination; they are temporal achievements measured by temporal standards. This world is not our home; we are simply passing through, pressing on to a higher calling (Heb 11:1–16, 13:14–21; 1 Pet 2:11; 1 John 2:15–17). As we move from place to place on our journey through life, let us not become distracted by fleeting temptations and desires that can damage us spiritually and physically. Let’s be on guard against desires that lead us astray from Adonai and his word and from desires that cause us to sin and be exiled from him. Remember we are not alone in this journey. Adonai walks with us and guides us.
At each point of the wilderness wanderings, B’nei Israel encamped and moved forward by the word of Adonai. May Israel continue to do so! May we, as individuals journeying through the stages of our lives, also remember that Adonai directs our steps. May we all walk in the places Adonai directs us, because that is the perfect place to be.
Chazak, chazak, v’nitchazek! Be strong, be strong, and let us be strengthened!