There is an interesting similarity between the man-made-whole in John 5 and ancient Israel living in the wilderness under Moses. Both were immobile for 38 years. In fact, the Feast of Tabernacles, celebrated in the Jews’ 7th month (about our October), commemorates this period through the Jews’ living in tabernacles or tents (temporary dwellings) for seven days or from the 15th to the 21st of the seventh month. There is an eighth day attached to the feast called the Last Great Day, celebrated on the 22nd of the month. Another interesting point can be made between Israel’s immobility under Moses and the Jews’ immobility during the first century AD due to their hesitancy and ultimate rejection of Jesus as Messiah.
It seems quite odd, don’t you think, that for 38 years the man-made-whole placed himself just far enough from the pool that he was never able to enter first and be healed (John 5:5-7). So, Jesus asked if it was his desire to be healed (John 5:6). Ancient Israel lived under bondage to Egypt and like this man, feared change. What kind of life would healing bring? What new responsibilities would freedom place upon ancient Israel who suddenly had to govern and provide for themselves. For 38 years the man, whom Jesus made whole, hesitated at the pool not wishing to enter and be healed. Ancient Israel murmured against Moses and tempted the Lord ten times (Numbers 14:22), finally bringing back a bad report about the Promised Land not wanting to enter.
A close study of ancient Israel’s travels in the wilderness shows us that they kept moving toward the Promised Land throughout their first year after leaving Egypt, and then also in their 40th year. However, for 38 years they were stalled in Kadesh. Immediately after the numbering of Israel (cp. Numbers 1:1-2), the Israelites kept their first Passover, one year after leaving Egypt. (Numbers 9:1-2). Afterward, they journeyed to the wilderness of Paran (Numbers 10:11) which is Kadesh (Numbers 13:26). This is the place to which the 12 spies returned after observing the Promised Land and brought back the bad report. The whole camp wanted to rebel, kill Moses and appoint a new leader to bring them back to Egypt (Numbers 14:1-4).
At first glance one would think after reading the record of all the wanderings of Israel in Numbers 33 that most of Israel’s wandering occurred after the rebellion at Kadesh, but this isn’t so. After breaking and setting up camp several times, Israel camped at Hazeroth (Numbers 11:35). This was where Miriam sinned against Moses and was made a leper for 7 days (Numbers 12:1, 10, 14-15). Afterward, the text says they journeyed to the Wilderness of Paran or Kadesh (Numbers 12:16), but according to Numbers 33:18 their immediate journey took them to Rithmah. They didn’t arrive at Kadesh until Numbers 33:36, and it was from there that the 12 spies were sent out to the Promised Land and brought back the bad report (Numbers 12:16; 13:21-26). In Numbers 33:36 the Wilderness of Zin is called Kadesh. So, for 38 years all Israel was immobile—stalled—in one place, unable to move forward into the Promised Land of freedom and new responsibility.
In John 5:14 we are told that, prior to being made whole, the man’s condition was the result of sin (John 5:14), but what sin would that be, and why was Jesus so interested in this man’s sin, when he never admonished anyone else of their sins once he healed them? If the similarities between this man and ancient Israel are logical and true, then this man’s sin was the same as that of ancient Israel—unbelief. Paul reminded the Jewish believers of the first century AD of this lack of faith (Hebrews 3:18-19) and pleaded with them not to make the same grave error (Hebrews 4:1).
Interestingly, Jesus was in Jerusalem during the Feast of Tabernacles, 28 AD, making his public ministry about one year old at the time of John 5. As mentioned above this annual holy day season commemorated the time (40 years) Israel dwelt in the wilderness, but 38 of those years were spent in one place, where the whole nation was completely immobile, not progressing in their walk with God. During the first century AD, the nation of the Jews lived in the state of unbelief both during Jesus’ ministry and during that of the Apostles. If we account the first year of the Lord’s ministry as a year of trial, similar to the first year ancient Israel journeyed from Egypt towards the Promised Land, then we could add 38 years to this holy day season in 28 AD, and we would arrive at the beginning of the Jews’ war with Rome in 66 AD. In 66 AD, about the time of the Feast of Tabernacles,[1] the Roman governor Cestius surrounded Jerusalem and even entered part of the city. Nevertheless, for no apparent reason, according to Josephus, he retired from the city and took his armies away,[2] and at that time those who trusted in Christ left the city,[3] for the day of judgment had come upon the unbelievers (cp. Luke 21:20-22), and the judgment, which God intended to carry out in Numbers 14:11-12 upon the unbelievers, was carried out in 66 – 70 AD, and the greater (faithful) nation, which the Lord wished to create through Moses, was created through Jesus.
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[1] On the 30th day of the 7th month the Roman governor of Syria, Cestius, attacked and seized part of Jerusalem, after waiting four days for the Jews to repent of their rebellion, making the time he arrived and surrounded the city to be the 26th of the 7th month. See Josephus; Wars of the Jews 2.19.1, 4 [515 and 527-528].
[2] See Josephus; Wars of the Jews 2.19.7 [540].
[3] See Josephus; Wars of the Jews 2.20.1 [556].
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