Numbers

In the book of Numbers we see that the original readers were the Israelites'. The book was written as an account of Israel’s forty years of dessert wandering, therefore these stories would have been for future generations of Israelites'. The whole community of Israel was present in this book.(Numbers 1:18) Also, it lists the tribes who made it to the promise land and so there descendants would have been the original readers as well.(Numbers 34:14-28)

Keeping with the theme of the Pentateuch being authored by Moses, both the SourceView insights section and Nelson’s complete book of maps and charts both agree Moses wrote Numbers. I also agree Moses authored Numbers because it says within the text that at “…the Lord’s discretion, Moses kept a written record of their progress.”(Numbers 33:2) There are also more than eighty claims (Nelson’s complete book of bible maps and charts) that “the Lord said to Moses.”(Numbers 7:11)

The main theme of Numbers is that God judges His people, but also goes to great lengths to restore them and show them mercy and hope. One chapter after the people leave Mt. Sinai and start the journey towards the promise land, they start “…to complain about their hardships, and the Lord heard everything they said.”(Numbers 11:1) They complained about the provisions of the Lord in regards to food and he responds and says I “…will give you meat…”(Numbers 11:18) He gives them what they want, but they continue to complain. God does not allow that generation of complainers to enter the promise land, and punishes them by sending them to the dessert to wander for 40 years.(Numbers 14:29) But keeping in the perfect goodness and mercy of God, the promise remains that the younger generation will be brought “…safely into the land, and they will enjoy what you have despised.”(Numbers 14:31)

I think this book was written to remind the Israelites' forever that obeying and trusting in God is the key to life. “…Will they never believe me?...” asks the Lord in response to Israel’s sin of disbelief.(Numbers 14:11) A great imagery that I believe captures this idea of the Lords disciplining heart is found in the story of the spies. They set out to scope out the land and came back focusing fully on their own disability to take the land,(Numbers 13:32) not focusing on Gods ability to take the land. They disobey God by not trusting and spread this disbelief; causing fear and distrust among the Israelites.  In response to Israel rejecting Gods plan the lord judges Israel “…according to the number of the days in which you spied out the land, forty days, for each day you shall bear your guilt one year, namely forty years, and you shall know My rejection.”(Numbers 14:34)  The end of this story would also speak to the future Israelites’ that God uses the sin of His people to create a beautiful ending. God commands to the next generation to “Take possession of the land and settle in it, because I have given it to you to occupy.”(Numbers 33:53)

Numbers gives us a beautiful imagery that within the Character of God He desires to be highly exalted about everything and remain in the center of our lives. In the middle of the camp is where the Tabernacle would always be, just like in everything we do and everything we are God desires to be the center.(Numbers 2:1-31) God is full of patients, is loving, forgiving and merciful.(Numbers 14:18) God is also the provider of everything we need.(Numbers 20:11) Also, in the way God lifts the cloud from the Tabernacle when the people are to move shows that God is a good shepherd and leader and we are to also look to Him in everything we set out to do.(Numbers 9:17)

Numbers points to Gods redemptive plan in 5:7 “They must confess their sins and make full restitution for what they have done…” This points to our need for a Savior and the NT confirms this in James 5:16. Another example of foreshadowing is seen in the prophet Balaam’s oracle when he refers to Jesus. He says (referring to Jesus) “I see him, but not here and now. I perceive him, but far in the distant future. A star will rise from Jacob; a scepter will emerge from Israel.”(Numbers 24:17) A scepter (or ruler) rising from the Israelites’ would be Jesus. He will be the prophet, deliverer, and king that Israel will be looking for.

In Numbers I feel like God has been speaking to me about not letting my circumstances determine what I believe about the character of God. When the Israelites start looking at their circumstances instead of the promises of the Lord, they start disbelieving God and become irrational in making false claims about the character of the Lord.(Numbers 14) I really feel that is a huge reason the Lord has me here doing DBS. To build a firm foundation of truth, remembering the faithfulness of God always. So when hard times come my trust in the Lord and His character is preserved. God, give me a steadfast heart to pursue your truth. When the storms of life come help me be a daughter who fixes my eyes on you. The ultimate truth and perfector of my faith. I will not fear the raging storm, but believe in your victory over it!”

Oppressed women around the world would connect with Gods heart to protect us from danger and the enemies’ schemes. We see a beautiful example of the Lord protecting Israel from Balaam’s attempt to curse them in Numbers 23 and 24. Four times Balaam tries to curse the people of Israel, and four times the Lord takes Balaam’s words and turns them into a rich blessing over the people of Israel. God is active in protecting us and shielding us from our enemies and can be trusted to take care of us. There is a rest and peace that this truth can activate within our hearts if we can fully believe that God is fighting on our behalf!