Numbers

Introduction

The title Numbers was attached to this fourth book of the Pentateuch to signify the numbering (census) that occurred at the beginning and near the close of the Israelites’ long desert journey (; ). Those first counted were intended to enter the land of Canaan but proved themselves unworthy. The second census represents a whole new generation; they would be victorious in fulfilling the will of God as they triumphantly conquered the land.

The difference between the two groups of people was not in their numbers. There were slightly more than 600,000 men in both counts. The second generation differed from the first in one key and vital aspect—they feared God. One group fell in the desert, the second was blessed as they entered the promised land.

The author of Hebrews, recognizing that each successive generation and each individual Christian can learn vital truths from this account, exhorts us, “Therefore, since the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us be careful that none of you be found to have fallen short of it” ().

The Fear of God

When the Israelites stood at the base of Mount Sinai, the dreadful fear of God came upon them. The lightning flashes, followed by resounding thunder and blaring trumpet blasts, seemed to set the whole mountain into a blaze of smoke-laden splendor. The people drew back, and Moses first told them to “fear not.” He then explained that “God has come to test you, so that the fear of God will be with you to keep you from sinning” ().

Unfortunately, the fear of God did not remain a constant factor for the Israelites, who seemed to sin against God in attitude and action with almost every new step and every next stop. The book of Numbers is the sad story of lives wasted through the wiles of sin and hearts diverted from the ways of God. Contrast this with the Biblical concept of the fear of God, which is based on love. Such godly fear does not cause us to draw back from God but rather to draw back from sin.

In the days of Moses, there was a greater emphasis on fear than on love. From the time of Jesus until now, the emphasis has been more on God’s love than on fearing Him. Nevertheless, just as clearly as fear of God during the age of the Old Testament was based on love, so our love for God should be mixed with healthy dose of respect, awe, and fear.

The Failure of the Israelites

When the people of God, the Israelites, arrived at the southern entry point to the Promised Land of Canaan, they sent out spies to investigate this new territory. The spies came home with stories of giants in the land, who would devour them (). Two of the spies, Joshua and Caleb, argued that God would grant them victory over any foe. The other 10 spies and the people, however, melted with anxiety. The Israelites had a true fear of God, but they had a terrible fear of their enemies.

When the people of God, the Israelites, arrived at the southern entry point to the Promised Land of Canaan, they sent out spies to investigate this new territory. The spies came home with stories of giants in the land, who would devour them (). Two of the spies, Josh- ua and Caleb, argued that God would grant them victory over any foe. The other 10 spies and the people, however, melted with anxiety. The Israelites had a true fear of God, but they had a terrible fear of their enemies.

Once we forget the greatness of our awesome God, lesser things seem to grow in size. Even a pesky fly, held near the eye, can appear larger than a mountain. However, a dim view of the grandeur of God is enough to bring our anxieties and fears into healthy perspective. God’s peo- ple lacked a respect for God and trust in God from the very day they were miraculously deliv- ered from Egypt. If they failed to believe in the midst of signs and wonders, how could God now send them into battle against the enemy? God would not force them to step foot in the place they refused to enter or to fight against the giants they refused to meet.

In human terms, God was fed up. The Lord declared His people would not be given another opportunity to approach the Promised Land. He would allow the next generation to enter but not this half-hearted, complaining, and faithless lot, for this was not the first time they had provoked God to anger with their selfish and rebellious ways. God recalled 10 demonstrations of outright disobedience ().

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“Diamonds in the Desert”

While we cannot be sure which of the previous incidents were in the mind of God, the list was likely close to the following:

likely close to the following:

• (At the Red Sea)

When the people of God, the Israelites, arrived at the southern entry point to the Promised Land of Canaan, they sent out spies to investigate this new territory. The spies came home with stories of giants in the land, who would devour them (). Two of the spies, Josh- ua and Caleb, argued that God would grant them victory over any foe. The other 10 spies and the people, however, melted with anxiety. The Israelites had a true fear of God, but they had a terrible fear of their enemies.

• (At the waters of Marah)

• (Three times en route to the wilderness of Sin)

• (Keeping manna overnight)

• (Not collecting manna for the Sabbath)

• (At Rephidim)

• (At Sinai)

• (Twice in en route to Kadesh)

• (People demanded meat to eat)

• (At Kadesh)

The Faithfulness of God

In Paul’s letter to Timothy, he penned words that run like a golden thread binding together God’s people, with all of our failures, to the covenant promises of God: “If we are faithless, he will remain faithful, for he cannot disown himself” ().

God would discipline His people but not disown them. He would make them wait but not make them wait forever. The same God, who delivered His people from Egypt, would indeed bring them into the land of promise, even if it required a whole generation of desert wandering to appreciate God’s goodness. We have not understood the book of Numbers if we have seen the detailed black marks of the people’s sins without noticing the brightly colored backdrop of God’s faithfulness.

The book of Numbers can be divided into three main sections (showing the progression of God’s loving discipline and mercy) leading to the ultimate fulfillment of His promises:

The Old Generation Failed God ()

A Transition Between Generations ()

A New Generation, A New Opportunity ()

ends with the death of Aaron, the High Priest. Moses’ death was soon to follow. Then a completely new generation, including faithful Joshua and Caleb, would be commanded to enter the land.

God’s hand of blessing was on this new generation. He would bless them and prevent others from cursing them. The protection of God was shown dramatically when Balak, the king of the Moabites, summoned a local prophet, Balaam, to curse the Jews. Try as he might, Balaam could not pronounce the curse. Nevertheless, if Balaam could not remove God’s blessings from the people, he would find a way to turn the people from their God. We learn in that Balaam “…taught Balak to entice the Israelites to sin by eating food sacrificed to idols and by committing sexual immorality.”

The sad and devastating consequences can be seen in , where some 24,000 Isra- elites died for their gross sin and compromise (). Moses’ last directive from God was to bring judgment on the Midianites, who were instigators in this debauchery (). The people of God had failed God again. Yet, God would give them another chance— and another, and another, and another—right up to the present day. When we are faithless and forget the fear of God, we suffer for our sin. And our God remains faithful.

Final Thought

Whom does God bless? Wise King Solomon gives us the answer, simple and clear: “Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man” ().

Devotion (Personal Study)

1. Read the commentary portion of this study guide. Write down one insight that was especially challenging or encouraging for you

2. Read and skim the rest of the chapter. Notice that God “spoke to Moses” (). This truth is stated over 150 times in the book of Numbers, in over 20 ways, and became the book’s title in some of the original Hebrew texts. Why was it so important that God spoke to Moses?

3. Notice in the details provided: place, date, and mission. How do such details help us know this was an actual event?

Why do you think God wanted Moses to take a census? (This numbering or census is the basis for the title given to the Greek version of book, Numbers.)

4. Read and skim the rest of the chapter. Notice the orderliness of God’s plan regarding the tribe’s place of encampment and their lines for marching. Give examples of some ways that God prescribes orderliness for Christians today (see .)

5. Read and skim through the end of chapter 4. The Levites were set apart by God for specific purposes. Read all of , and prayerfully record some of the reasons for which you believe you have been set apart by God. Thank God for calling you to be a blessing to others, and pray for His grace to obey.

Discussion (Small Group Study)

6. Read . Can you think of any Biblical character who was a Nazarite or who took the Nazaritic vow (, ; )?

Do you think it is a good thing for Christians to take vows to- day? Why or why not?

7. Read .

a. What was the sin of the people? Do you ever commit this sin?

b. Why do you think it was so grievous to God at the time? Why is it grievous to God today ()?

8. Skim and take note of how the rest of deal with the same problem. See chapters 14 and 16 as well. How is complaining a close partner to rebelliousness?

Why is rebelliousness so serious an offense in God’s book?

9. See . For what reason would God’s people be required to wander the desert for an entire generation?

10. Read . How does this Old Testament ac- count give meaning to the words of Christ in ?

11. See .These details, seemingly monotonous to the modern reader, were historical markers for a full generation of desert wanderings in the life of God’s people. Read aloud . Recall the Israelite’s earlier failure to obey God (see and question 8). It is human nature to learn slowly; sometimes the really important things in life are learned over time. Can you give an example of a lesson or teaching God has been trying to help you live out for a long time? What is it? Pray for one another, asking God’s help to- ward spiritual growth and blessing.

Digging Deeper (Further Study)

12. Recall the story of Balaam (). Who was Balaam?

Why did his donkey rebuke him ().

What were the sins of Balaam? (See also Revelations 2:14.)

13. How can a church of today and/or a Christian today easily fall into the sins of Balaam?

See to it, brothers, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.

How can we guard ourselves from the same? Pray together for God’s forgiveness for our sins and grace to become the kind of people He can fully bless.

What were the sins of Balaam? (See also Revelations 2:14.)