Numbers

Numbers


What do you see in this book that tells you about the original reader? The original readers seem to be the last remnant of the survivors of the exodus and the emerging generation that is present during the time this book was written. The children of Israel are just about ready to enter Canaan after 40 years in the wilderness. The date is around 1406 BC.

What do you see in this book that tells you about the author? SourceView, again, says it well. "He wrote [Numbers], to document their story, a story of their past to shape their future, to show God’s judgement against sin, in the context of His constant faithfulness and patience with His beloved Israel."

Main themes, repeated ideas, and main idea. "The theme of divine judgment on unbelief is prominent in Numbers . . ." God judges Israel and 40 years of wandering ensues. But the book of Numbers also "testifies to the grace and mercy of God and points forward to the divine grace to be displayed in Jesus Christ." SourceView. The main idea is preparation.

What is the primary reason this book was written? In this book, Moses recorded four areas of their wandering life for posterity. These are outlined quite well for us in Nelson’s book of maps. First are two sets of numberings, the first being at Mt. Sinai in chapter one, and the second on the plains of Moab in chapter 26. The second is the record of failure covered in chapters 10 through 25. Failure of the leaders to lead and failure of the old generation to follow. The third area was the preparation of a new generation covered in chapters 26 through 30. And the final area is the conquest and division of Israel in chapters 31 through 36.

What does this book show about the character and nature of God? Yes, God is very specific in His instructions governing the lives of His people–a people meant to be set apart from all others. He is protecting them, teaching them, revealing Himself to them through feasts that celebrate the goodness of God and life. Despite the failures of Moses, Aaron and Miriam, and the madness of the dying generation who traveled from Egypt, God cares, forgives, starts over, and over, and over again. Balaam asks: "But how can I curse those whom God has not cursed? How can I condemn those whom the Lord has not condemned? I see them from the cliff tops; I watch them from the hills. I see a people who live by themselves, set apart from other nations . . ." Numbers 23:8-9

What does this book show you about God’s redemptive plan for mankind? God’s plan of redemption which was hinted at in Geneis 3, is still going forward. The temple set up, the feasts, the sacrifices, the Nazarite vow which provides a chance for anyone to draw near to God–these all point to the Second Covenant that is yet to come. "So Moses made a snake out of bronze and attached it to a pole. Then anyone bitten by a snake could look at the bronze snake and be healed!" Numbers 21:9.

Personal application: It takes a lifetime to be thankful in all things and trust God in every situation. I can easily see myself in this rebellious generation that came out of Egypt. But I would like to see myself becoming more like Joshua, more like Caleb. As we plowed through this book, I found myself thinking in odd moments, "These details are very important to God. They reveal who He is and how He wants us to understand Him. They reveal His never changing desire; to have a people. To have friends. To have me."

Point of Passion: Sometimes I don’t know how to pray into a situation and as a result become hesitant to pray! Reading the intercession Moses had with God over the rebellion of the Israelites showed me that I shouldn’t worry about this kind of thing! Praying is what God wants us to do at all times and in all places. Even when we pray according to our finite understanding, if we have the right heart, He will know what we mean. "God is not a man, so He does not lie. He is not human, so He does not change His mind. Has He ever spoken and failed to act? Has He ever promised and not carried it through?" Numbers 23:18.