Numbers 33:1-3 - These are the stages

33:1,2

We now come to the record that Moses kept of their long journey through and around the wilderness. Moses kept this record at the Lord’s command. This does tell us something important about Numbers and the journey. First, it tells us that Moses played a significant part in composing the book of Numbers. Secondly, it tells us that the journey through the desert was real. The places in Numbers and elsewhere where we get accounts of various incidents are bunched towards the beginning and end of the journey, with little if anything about the inbetween part.

33:3

The account starts from the departure from Egypt, and says they marched out “defiantly” (NIV) or “triumphantly” (ESV), and that God had brought judgement upon the gods of Egypt, and this led to judgement upon the people of Egypt. This is very relevant when we come to the end of this chapter.