Numbers 10:11

ISRAEL ORDERED TO LEAVE SINAI

"And it came to pass in the second year, in the second month, on the twentieth day of the month, that the cloud was taken up from over the tabernacle of the testimony. And the children of Israel set forward according to their journeys out of the wilderness of Sinai; and the cloud abode in the wilderness of Paran. And they first took their journey according to the commandment of Jehovah by Moses. And in the first place the standard of the camp of the children of Judah set forward according to their hosts: and over his host was Nahshon the son of Amminadab. And over the host of the tribe of the children of Issachar was Nethanel the son of Zuar. And over the host of the tribe of the children of Zebulun was Eliab the son of Helon."

This is the beginning of the second major division of Numbers, ending in Numbers 20. It was a significant moment indeed in the history of Israel. The deliverance from Egypt has been accomplished, the Decalogue Covenant has been ratified, the rebellion in the matter of the golden calf was behind them, the tabernacle had been constructed, set up, and staffed with the appointed priesthood, the numbering of the tribes, the instructions for their march, the clarification of certain laws with added instructions had been given, the tribal leaders appointed, and even the silver trumpets made ready. The cloud lifted, the trumpets sounded. "They went forth to go into the land of Canaan; and into the land of Canaan they came" (Genesis 12:5). However, it was not to be with this generation of Israel, exactly as it had been with their distinguished ancestor.

"According to their journeys ..." (Numbers 10:12). This means according to the plans and instructions already given them in Numbers 1 and Numbers 2.

"The cloud abode in the wilderness of Paran ..." (Numbers 10:12). At first glance it might appear that Paran would be their first stop, but this was anticipatory of the eventual destination which they would not reach at once. "Typical of Hebrew writings, the general content is given in brief form at the beginning of a passage (Numbers 10:11,12); and after this brief introduction, a large account with many details is given (Numbers 10:13-12:16)."[15] In the last reference (Numbers 12:16) is recorded their eventual entry into the desert (wilderness) of Paran. We should remember the purpose of this book and not be too overly concerned about the exact movements of Israel in Numbers. True, a list of all the stations is given in Numbers 33, but that does not appear at all to be the order in which Israel made those encampments. "Time has changed the desert's face in many ways, and obliterated old names for new."[16] Scholars still dispute about the actual locations of places even like Sinai and Paran. The time elapsed between the mention of Paran here, and Israel's actual arrival time was "at least a number of months."[17] The spies were sent out during this period. "The actual location of Paran is uncertain."[18] However, we may infer from certain references that it lay north of Sinai and south of Kadesh.