Journeying Towards Our Promised Land
"And they removed from Libnah, and pitched at Rissah." - Numbers 33:21

Numbers 33:21 - "And they removed from Libnah, and pitched at Rissah."
The journey of the Israelites during their exodus from Egypt is not merely a historical narrative but a profound spiritual journey that resonates with our own journeys of faith. In Numbers 33:21, we read, "And they removed from Libnah, and pitched at Rissah" (KJV). This simple statement encapsulates the dynamic nature of life in the wilderness—journeying, removing, and pitching camp, all of which symbolize the constant transitions we experience in our spiritual lives.
To fully appreciate the depth of this verse, we must first consider the context of Libnah and Rissah. Libnah, a Levitical city, signifies a place where the Israelites could rest and find sustenance. It represents a time of preparation and spiritual nourishment. However, the Israelites could not remain there indefinitely. Just as the Israelites removed from Libnah, we too must recognize that every season in our lives, even those that seem peaceful and fulfilling, is temporary. God often calls us to move on, whether towards new challenges or deeper revelations of His purpose for our lives.
Rissah, the next stop in the Israelites' journey, translates to ‘the resting place’ or possibly ‘the secret.’ It invites us to reflect on what it means to seek God in our own resting places. The transitions from Libnah to Rissah may have been marked by confusion, uncertainty, or even discontent. Yet it is in such moments that God often nudges us toward growth. He calls us out of our comfort zones, urging us to abandon places that have served their purpose for what lies ahead.
In life, we might find ourselves in a Libnah, where we are content and complacent. We sometimes build our nests in comfort, lulled into a sense of security. However, God’s Kingdom is not static. It is alive and active, and we are called to move—barefoot over hot sand—towards deeper experiences of His presence, much like the Israelites did. It is essential to recognize when God is asking us to pack our belongings, shake off the dust of stagnation, and step forward into the unknown that He has planned for us.
As we ponder the deeper significance of moving from Libnah to Rissah, we are compelled to think about our personal journeys. Are there areas where God is nudging us to leave behind? Perhaps it’s a toxic relationship, a job that stifles our spiritual growth, or an unresolved sin that ties us to the past. During these moments of transition, we must pray for wisdom and discernment. Are we listening to His voice, urging us to pack up our tents and forge ahead?
Moreover, the act of pitching camp at Rissah instead of remaining immobile challenges us to cultivate space for God in our current physical and spiritual surroundings. How do we create a resting place for God amidst our busyness? Creating a sanctuary within ourselves through prayer, meditation, and scripture reading fosters a 'Rissah' wherever we may be. Here we find the peace and reassurance that even as we face uncertainties, God is with us, guiding us and providing comfort.
In reflection, we should also consider that there is always a deeper lesson in our moves in life. The Israelites were learning to trust in God's provision. Each shift in their journey was an opportunity to see God’s faithfulness in action. Likewise, when we face our exodus from Libnah, we too must anchor our faith in the God who leads us. When we feel lost in transition, asking ourselves, ‘What is God teaching me in this moment?’ can redirect our uncertainty into opportunity for growth.
Therefore, let the journey from Libnah to Rissah remind us that life is about continual movement, growth, and progressing towards the promised land. Let us trust the process, embracing each transition with an open heart, knowing that each step taken in faith leads us closer to His ultimate promise.
Numbers 33:21 Artwork

Numbers 33:21 - "And they removed from Libnah, and pitched at Rissah."

Numbers 33:33 - "And they went from Hor-hagidgad, and pitched in Jotbathah."

Numbers 21:33 - "¶ And they turned and went up by the way of Bashan: and Og the king of Bashan went out against them, he, and all his people, to the battle at Edrei."

Genesis 21-33

Numbers 31:33 - "And threescore and twelve thousand beeves,"

Numbers 33:22 - "And they journeyed from Rissah, and pitched in Kehelathah."

Numbers 33:18 - "And they departed from Hazeroth, and pitched in Rithmah."

Numbers 33:42 - "And they departed from Zalmonah, and pitched in Punon."

Numbers 33:27 - "And they departed from Tahath, and pitched at Tarah."

Numbers 33:34 - "And they removed from Jotbathah, and encamped at Ebronah."

Numbers 33:28 - "And they removed from Tarah, and pitched in Mithcah."

Numbers 33:26 - "And they removed from Makheloth, and encamped at Tahath."

Numbers 33:13 - "And they departed from Dophkah, and encamped in Alush."

Numbers 33:43 - "And they departed from Punon, and pitched in Oboth."

Numbers 33:30 - "And they departed from Hashmonah, and encamped at Moseroth."

Numbers 33:29 - "And they went from Mithcah, and pitched in Hashmonah."

Numbers 33:25 - "And they removed from Haradah, and pitched in Makheloth."

Numbers 33:19 - "And they departed from Rithmah, and pitched at Rimmon-parez."

Numbers 33:31 - "And they departed from Moseroth, and pitched in Bene-jaakan."

Numbers 33:35 - "And they departed from Ebronah, and encamped at Ezion-gaber."

Numbers 33:17 - "And they departed from Kibroth-hattaavah, and encamped at Hazeroth."

Numbers 33:24 - "And they removed from mount Shapher, and encamped in Haradah."

Numbers 33:41 - "And they departed from mount Hor, and pitched in Zalmonah."

Numbers 33:10 - "And they removed from Elim, and encamped by the Red sea."

Numbers 33:45 - "And they departed from Iim, and pitched in Dibon-gad."

Numbers 33:23 - "And they went from Kehelathah, and pitched in mount Shapher."

Numbers 33:20 - "And they departed from Rimmon-parez, and pitched in Libnah."

Numbers 33:15 - "And they departed from Rephidim, and pitched in the wilderness of Sinai."

Numbers 33:16 - "And they removed from the desert of Sinai, and pitched at Kibroth-hattaavah."

Numbers 33:5 - "And the children of Israel removed from Rameses, and pitched in Succoth."