Wilderness seasons rarely feel simple. The path ahead can seem uncertain, and the road behind us long and winding. However, over time, we begin to see how God was guiding each step.
In Numbers 22–33, the people of Israel are nearing the end of their long wilderness journey. The road from Egypt to the Promised Land had been difficult and winding, yet God had remained faithful through every step. These chapters include moments of warning, guidance, preparation, and reflection — reminders that God was shaping His people during their years in the wilderness.
As I reflected on this passage during my Through the Bible CAL, three animals came to mind: a donkey, a zebra, and a horse—each pointing to a different part of the journey of faith.
Balaam’s Donkey and the God Who Sees the Road Ahead
(Numbers 22)
One of the most unusual stories in the Bible appears in Numbers 22, when Balaam is travelling to meet the king of Moab. As he rides along the road, his donkey suddenly stops. Frustrated, Balaam strikes the animal, not realising the donkey has seen what he cannot—an angel of the Lord standing in the road.
Three times the donkey turns aside before God opens its mouth to speak. What looked like stubbornness was actually protection. Balaam had already been warned not to continue on his course, yet he chose to go anyway. The story reminds us that God’s purposes cannot be overturned by human greed or compromise and that He sometimes protects us in ways we do not understand.
Like crochet, even when we know the pattern, the design still appears one stitch at a time. In the same way, God sees what we cannot and guides us along the way.
He is:
The God who sees the road ahead and guides His people.
The Wilderness Journey and the Pattern God Was Weaving
(Numbers 22–33)
The story continues as Israel travels through the wilderness. By the time we reach Numbers 33, Scripture records each place they camped along the journey from Egypt to the plains of Moab. Throughout it all, the people moved at the Lord’s command (Numbers 9:18, 23).
At first glance, it reads like a travel record. Yet each location marks a moment in their story (wilderness journey)—times of struggle, joy, and unexpected provision. Like the stripes of a zebra or the rows of stitches in a crochet project, each step becomes part of the pattern God is weaving.
The journey was not always easy, but God remained faithful. Just as no two zebras share the same pattern, every believer’s journey unfolds differently. Some seasons move quickly, others feel slow or uncertain, yet God promises to guide every step (Psalm 32:8; 37:23).
He is:
The God who walks with us through every season.
Preparing for What Comes Next
(Numbers 31–36)
By the end of Numbers 31–36, Israel has reached the plains of Moab, standing at the edge of the Promised Land. After years of wandering, the wilderness had quietly been shaping them for what lay ahead.
These chapters mark a shift. Battles are fought, land is discussed, and instructions are given for how the people will live once they settle. The journey was preparation. Through every challenge and provision, God was forming His people and preparing them for what was to come.
Horses often symbolise strength and readiness, reflecting this moment in Israel’s story. The seasons that once felt uncertain had been building the courage and faith needed for the next step.
In much the same way, the seasons of our lives that feel slow or unclear are often the ones God uses to prepare us for what lies ahead.
He is:
The God who prepares us for the road ahead.
Carrying the Journey Forward
(Numbers 34–36)
As Numbers closes, the focus turns to the future—how the land will be divided, how justice will be practised, and how families will steward what God has given them. The story of the daughters of Zelophehad reminds the community to think about the next generation.
This idea of thinking about the next generation connects beautifully with the heart behind the Through the Bible CAL. In this project, you get to create something meaningful, and also pray for children as you crochet.
Each stitch becomes a prayer that:
- children would grow to know and love God.
- they would walk faithfully in their own journeys and in their relationships with others.
- parents and caregivers would be guided, strengthened, and filled with wisdom as they nurture and lead them.
A prayer that each life would unfold in the purpose God has lovingly prepared.
Thank you for being faithful in your encouragements! God is so faithful and so good!
Thank you so much! That truly means a lot. He really is faithful and I’m so grateful for His goodness and for the encouragement we get to share along the way.
This is a lovely post! Thank you for sharing it.
Thank you! I’m grateful I got to share it and that you enjoyed it as well.