Numbers an Introduction

Numbers its like saying Math. Who wants to read a book titled Math. Mathematician and Geeks like me. Normal people would not read a math book on purpose under normal circumstances, but we have a book called numbers.

Why, because the book begins with a series of Census where the people of God are counted.

Four Census

Adult Males

The army

Levites

1st Born

I like the Hebrew name better.

Bemidbar

say it with me

In the Wilderness

And the Lord spoke To Moses in The Wilderness and the people will be in the wilderness throughout the entire book. The people of god are at mount Sinai they have been for about two years now they are preparing to go to the land of promise, which they will fail to take for 38 more years. Not because of God, but because of their lack of Faith.

If you are looking at a time line we are currently about 1444 BC

The Story

The story begins with preparations to leave mount Sinai, the mountain of God. Where the people recieved the Ten commandments at. And they do this by taking an account of the people of God and arranging them so that God is the center of the camp.

We can learn from this. God needs to be at the center of our lives. Being the temple of God. We need to be holy

As they travel the people will rebel and rebel again

Rebellion against Moses was seen as rebellion against God because Moses was the prophet of God. Not the king nor the president, But spokesman for God.

Miriam and Aaron will rebel - family

The people will rebel with lack of faith

Korah and his following will rebel trying to be the new Moses

God will see Moses the victor through it all. And through it all despite the rebellion, God will provide.

Provide with manna a food from heaven that we don't know what is.

Provide water from rock and bitter streams made clean.

Provide protection that no one could defeat.

The People will be asked to invade the Land of Canaan in Conquering and Slaying and yes even killing, Men women and child at some locations, but not all. A Hard reality of War. War is seen as punishment for the sins of the Canaanites who turned away from God, and also an act to ride the land of the Canaanite religion so that God may be worshiped alone in truth.

But the people will fail to act and in doing so they will test God's patience and God will test their endurance Because they refused to attack the land they will have to live for the next 38 years in the desert until all in that generation save two will pass away during this time they will travel around conquering but also encountering false prophets like Balaam and false worship practices like temple prostitution. a plague that will damage their relationship with god over and over again

By the time we end the journey in numbers we are getting ready for the next generation to take over its almost time to enter the land of Canaan and the whole time God has been there providing for them, guiding them with a pillar of fire by night and smoke by day

God is there in their presence with a price of holiness

Nothing more than what he ask of us just different as we are not Jews in 1444 BC, but the same in that we are followers of God and his son who is God with the HS who is God living with in us. One God

This makes the book about Salvation and the history of God's salvation that even when we rebel he is with us and leading us and speaking to us asking us to turn to the path of righteousness.

Numbers is an important book in relations to Heilsgeschichte (salvation history)

It forms an essential link in that the plan from Adam to Jesus

“…it heightens our appreciation of and response to the person of Yahweh. For Christians this book is even more rewarding; for we find ourselves confronting in new ways the meaning of our salvation in Jesus Christ. He who is the goal of all history is the goal of the Book of Numbers”

Johann Christian Konrad von Hoffman (1810-1877)

When we don't there is consequences that will plague generations to follow there is blessings when we do that will bless generations to follow

This book reviles that God does not tolerate rebellion, which is what we do when we sin, He does not tolerate grumbling. We are his chosen people and he expects us to act like it. There are consequences for these actions. But it also reveals that God does not leave his people, even when they rebel. if you are a Christian

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There is repentance if you rebel.

All this points to the main theme of the Book. That is worship. It contains important materials for the worship patterns of Israel. It shows us the grace of God it isn't a math book. It is the worship of God by Moses and those who align themselves with him. By God's grace it may become a book of worship for us as well.

May it be a book of worship as we close.

Next Steps

When two agree together the power of God will move.

Ask for for forgiveness of sins if you need to forgive others who have wronged you. Let go of bitterness, rejection, hate, anger. Let go of the things of the world and think on the the things of God

Numbers 6:24–26 LEB

24 Yahweh will bless you and keep you; 25 Yahweh will make shine his face on you and be gracious to you; 26 Yahweh will lift up his face upon you, and he will give you peace.’

-Bibliography-

Harris, W. Hall, III, Elliot Ritzema, Rick Brannan, Douglas Mangum, John Dunham, Jeffrey A. Reimer, and Micah Wierenga, eds. The Lexham English Bible. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2012.

Barry, John D., Douglas Mangum, Derek R. Brown, Michael S. Heiser, Miles Custis, Elliot Ritzema, Matthew M. Whitehead, Michael R. Grigoni, and David Bomar. Faithlife Study Bible. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2012, 2016.

Philip, James, and Lloyd J. Ogilvie. Numbers. Vol. 4. The Preacher’s Commentary Series. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Inc, 1987.

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