Rabbi Stein writes about the request of the tribes of Reuben and Gad to stay on the east side of the river instead of crossing over into the Land. She observes that the Hebrew word for their cattle is mikneh, whose root means to acquire. In other words, they put a higher value on the well-being of their cattle and wealth than the well-being of their people.
Rabbi Silverstein writes about journeys – physical and spiritual. This parashah names 40 years of journeying by listing 42 different sites, but without much narrative. It is up to the reader to provide the story and the message. For instance, she cites the Kedushat Levi, who wrote that the Israelites stayed longer in some places because it took longer to find the holiness of the site
Rabbi Sacks writes that the prophets were not powerful individuals, they had no authoritative roles, and were deeply unpopular. He further writes that when prophecy is fulfilled then it has failed, since the words of the prophets were to warn the people away from potential danger. If Israel was unfaithful to its covenant then it would fail.