Numbers 33:5-49

I connect into one and the same point of view, the whole forty-two stages of Israel, because that one and the same general observations meet us through everyone of them. Let the Reader, however, remark with me the shortness of their stages; their continual movements; their still removing, however, wherever they went, in a wilderness-state; their retrograde motions backward and forward; and yet all the while under the direction of the pillar of cloud, and protected by the pillar of fire: and when the Reader hath made his own observations on the history of Israel, let him beg grace from the LORD to discover how much the stages of Israel resemble the present stages of the LORD'S Israel, in all their spiritual journeyings. Are not the movements of the faithful continually in this present life, from one state to another; and sweet the streams of that river they meet with by the way, which makes glad the city of our GOD? And yet whenever they move, is it not like Israel of old, from one part of the wilderness to another? The best is but a wilderness state, and full of wilderness dispensations. But, blessed be a covenant GOD in JESUS, amidst all the ups and downs, the backward and forward goings of his people, GOD the HOLY GHOST is still, as the pillar of cloud, guiding them on; and the LORD JESUS, as the pillar of fire, protecting and surrounding them with his love. Yes, dearest LORD, wherever, or however, the path of thy people may be, in the way thou leadest them, it is still the right way to the city of habitation. Psalms 107:7.