The detailed list of the journeys was designed to remind the Israelites of all the kindness God bestowed on them and all the miracles He performed on their behalf during all their years in the wilderness. The list was also intended to remind them of their conduct that angered God time after time.

The Holy One, Blessed be He, said to Israel: My children, be cautious concerning My commandments and observe the Torah, as how many miracles and wonders have I performed for you since the day that you emerged from Egypt? I caused the downfall of your enemies, I took you across the sea, I brought fear and trembling on your enemies, I destroyed the Emorites, Sihon, and Og. All forty years that you were in the wilderness I did not abandon you for even one hour, and how many serpents and scorpions did I kill before you…. Therefore, the Holy One, Blessed be He, said to Moses: Write of the journeys that the Israelites traveled in the wilderness so that they will know how many miracles I performed on their behalf on each and every journey…. “These are the journeys of the children of Israel” (Numbers 33:1). This can be explained by means of a parable of a king whose son was ill, and he took him to another place to cure him. When they were returning, his father began counting the difficulties they had on the journey on their way to their destination: Here we slept, here we cooled ourselves, here your head ached. So, too, the Holy One, Blessed be He, said to Moses: Enumerate for them all the places where they angered Me. Therefore, it is stated: “These are the journeys.” (Tanĥuma [Buber], Masei)