Wilderness Wandering

After the Exodus from Egypt, Israel wandered in the wilderness for 40 years before entering the Promised Land. This period began at Mount Sinai where God gave the Torah to Moses, and ended with the conquest of Canaan under Joshua.

The 40-year duration was divine judgment: when Israel refused to enter Canaan after the spies’ fearful report, God decreed that the generation which left Egypt would die in the wilderness. Only their children, along with Caleb and Joshua who trusted God’s promise, would inherit the land.

During these years, God sustained Israel with daily manna, water from rock, and his visible presence in the pillar of cloud and fire. The wilderness became a crucible of faith where Israel learned dependence on God, received the covenant law, and was formed into a nation. Despite repeated rebellions—the golden calf, Korah’s uprising, grumbling over food—God remained faithful to his covenant promises. Moses led throughout but was himself barred from Canaan for striking the rock in anger, dying on Mount Nebo within sight of the Promised Land.