Bible Reading Group: Week 6 ~ Bread for Beggars

1. Don’t let this book’s title fool you. Numbers, so-called because it begins with a census, is more exciting than it sounds to non-philomaths (math lovers … yes, I had to look that up). In addition to laws and repetitions of laws, Numbers actually adds much story.

2. Unfortunately, much of this story is sin and rebellion. (It’s an ideal book to kick off Lent.) Numbers shows us how quickly and repeatedly God’s people fell away from his commands. Immediately after the law was given, the Israelites were botching it. They were exemplary in how far mankind has fallen in Adam’s fall. How could a people so close to God be so far away? It’s likely that many of them were unbelievers even though they had God visibly right alongside them in the cloud and fire. (See 1 Corinthians 10:1-13 for a practical commentary here.) Israel proves to be hard-hearted and stubborn. Not even Moses, the man of God, will get to enter the promised land of the OT, due to his own impatience. But God makes their sinful consequences subservient to his plan. He shows his persistent forgiveness and love by showing his gospel blessings and messianic promises after carrying out his lawful discipline.

3. A theme and three divisions of Numbers:
THEME: God’s Army Counts the Years through the Wilderness
I. The organization of God’s army (1-9)
II. The journey from Sinai and years of wandering (10-21)
III. Preparations on the Plains of Moab (22-36)

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Just punishment #1: turn around and wander the desert 40 years (pivotal point of the Pentateuch)
Just punishment #2: those 20 years or older would NOT enter the promised land

5. Don’t get frustrated with the heavy detail of the opening chapters. It is actually quite interesting to see the formation of the Israelite encampment, with the tabernacle in the middle. Note also the unique role of the Levites in the beginning of the book.

6. We may be tempted to ignore some of the victories that we see when the Israelites actually DO follow God’s commands. Remember the names of the faithful spies in chapter 13. And let us not forget the victories God displays in our lives … despite our stubborn resistance to his will. God preserve our faith in his Word!

7. Never forget to open your study with prayer. The Holy Spirit is the only one who can open our eyes and ears to God’s Word. Although there are difficult parts, recognize how specific the Word of God is. He pinpoints where and when the Israelites have moved along. Although there are difficult parts, the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man’s strength.

I will be posting at least three (3) more times to help you progress through the book of Numbers. Peace to you!