Israel's journey from their exodus from Egypt to entering the Promised Land.
The timeline features the seven major complaints that the people had against God and Moses along with God's response.
This timeline was created using Grok.com
Timeline of Israel in the Wilderness
Year 1 (c. 1446 BC): Exodus from Egypt and Early Wanderings
Month 1–2: Israel departs Egypt after the Passover (Exodus 12). God leads
them through the Red Sea, which parts to allow their escape from Pharaoh’s
army (Exodus 14).
Complaint 1: Bitter Water at Marah (Exodus 15:22–25)
- Location: Marah, shortly after crossing the Red Sea.
- God's Response: God instructs Moses to throw a piece of wood into the water, making it sweet. God promises to protect them from diseases if they obey.
Complaint 2: Lack of Food in the Wilderness of Sin (Exodus 16:1–3)
- Location: Wilderness of Sin, between Elim and Sinai (15th day, 2nd month after leaving Egypt).
- God's Response: God provides manna from heaven and quail in the evening, establishing daily provision and Sabbath rest.
Month 3: Israel arrives at the Desert of Sinai and camps at Mount Sinai
(Exodus 19:1). God gives the Ten Commandments and the Law through Moses
(Exodus 20–24).
Months 4–12: Israel constructs the Tabernacle, receives further laws, and
organizes as a nation under God’s covenant (Exodus 25–40; Leviticus).
Year 2 (c. 1445 BC): Departure from Sinai and Rebellion
Month 1: The Tabernacle is set up, and priestly duties begin (Exodus 40:17;
Leviticus 8–9).
Month 2: First census of Israel’s fighting men (Numbers 1). Israel departs
Mount Sinai, led by the cloud of God’s presence (Numbers 10:11–13).
Mid-Year: Israel complains about hardships and food (Numbers 11). God
provides quail but sends a plague for their grumbling.
Complaint 3: General Grumbling at Taberah (Numbers 11:1–3)
- Location: Taberah, shortly after leaving Sinai.
- God's Response: God sends fire to consume some outlying parts of the camp. Moses prays, and the fire stops.
Complaint 4: Craving Meat at Kibroth Hattaavah (Numbers 11:4–35)
- Location: Kibroth Hattaavah, near Taberah.
- God's Response: God sends quail in abundance, but in anger, strikes the people with a plague for their greed, and many die.
Complaint 5: Miriam and Aaron’s Rebellion (Numbers 12:1–16)
- Location: Hazeroth, after Kibroth Hattaavah.
- God's Response: God defends Moses, strikes Miriam with leprosy, and she is healed after seven days outside the camp following Moses’ intercession.
Complaint 6: Refusal to Enter Canaan (Numbers 13–14)
- Location: Kadesh-Barnea
- God's Response: God decrees 40 years of wandering as punishment—one year for each day the spies scouted (Numbers 14:34).
Total Time Summary So Far:
- From Egypt to Mount Sinai: 2 months.
- Stay at Mount Sinai: 11 months.
- Sinai to Kadesh-Barnea: 1–2 months.
- Total: Approximately 13–15 months (from spring of Year 1 to summer of Year 2).
Years 3–39 (c. 1444–1407 BC): Wilderness Wanderings
The Bible provides fewer details for this period, as it focuses on Israel’s
disobedience and wandering in the Desert of Paran and surrounding regions.
Key Events
Korah’s rebellion against Moses’ leadership; God judges the rebels (Numbers
16).
Complaint 7: Lack of Water at Kadesh (Numbers 20:1–13)
- Location: Kadesh, in the Desert of Zin.
- God's Response: God instructs Moses to speak to a rock to bring water, but Moses strikes it twice in anger. Water flows, but Moses and Aaron are barred from entering Canaan for disobedience.
Aaron dies on Mount Hor (Numbers 20:22–29).
Israel defeats early Canaanite and Amorite kings, including Sihon and Og, east
of the Jordan (Numbers 21:21–35).
The generation that rebelled at Kadesh-Barnea gradually dies out, fulfilling
God’s judgment (Numbers 14:29–30).
Year 40 (c. 1406 BC): Preparation to Enter Canaan
Month 1: Israel camps on the plains of Moab, east of the Jordan River,
opposite Jericho (Numbers 22:1).
Balaam’s Oracles: King Balak of Moab hires Balaam to curse Israel, but God
turns the curses into blessings (Numbers 22–24).
Second Census: A new generation is counted, preparing to enter Canaan
(Numbers 26).
Moses’ Final Instructions: Moses delivers the book of Deuteronomy,
summarizing the Law and renewing the covenant. He appoints Joshua as his
successor (Deuteronomy 31).
Moses’ Death: Moses views the Promised Land from Mount Nebo and dies at age
120 (Deuteronomy 34).
Entry into Canaan: Under Joshua’s leadership, Israel crosses the Jordan
River into the Promised Land, beginning the conquest (Joshua 3–4).
