Numbers

Numbers

The Israelites begin their journey through the wilderness, after spending one year at the foot of Mt. Sini. They eventually go through Moab into the promised land of Cannan, after numerous rebellions, which brings Gods Judgement and still he remains faithful… Israels Rebellion vs God’s Faithfulness.

1-4 – Opens with a Census, with laws of how the tribes were to be organized in relationship with the Tabernacle. God’s Holy presence is at the center of the camp.

5-9 – Laws about ritual purity – further development of the laws established in Leviticus.

10-12 – The cloud of God’s presence lifts from the tabernacle and leads the people out into the desert away from Sini. The people follow and eventually grumble and complain saying they want to go back to Egypt. Aaron & Miriam begin to oppose Moses.

13-19 – The Israelites arrive in the desert outside the promised land and send 12 spies to evaluate the land. They see Giants and bountiful land, and they bring back a cluster of grapes that it takes two men to carry. But they are afraid of the Canaanites, and only Joshuah and Caleb want to go take the land. The people rebel and want to appoint a new leader and go back to Egypt. God is angry, but Moses intercedes on their behalf for God to remember his promise to his people. God sentences the generation to wander the desert for 40 years.

16-20 – A group of Levites (Sons of Korah) rebel against God and are ultimately swallowed up in the earth. The people continue to complain about thirst. God tells Moses to speak to a rock to receive water. He disobeys out of anger against the people and Moses strikes the rock, which does yield water. God says that because of his disobedience and putting himself in gods place, Moses will not enter the promised land.

21 – The people grumble and complain again. God curses them with venomous snakes, and many die. God tells Moses to make a Bronze Snake and put it on a pole, lifting it up above the people. Anyone who looks on it will be cured, and they are. God has the right to bring justice on his people, but even that justice can be transformed to a source of life for the people.

22-25 – The king of Moab is worried about the Israelites invading the land. He calls for a sorcerer, Balaam, to curse the Israelites. On the way, God puts an angel in Balaam’s path. Balaam’s Donkey sees it and is given the ability to talk to Balaam who then changes his plans and does not curse the Israelites, but rather, blesses them.

26-36 – Stories of the beginning of the conquest of the promised land. There are many battles and Victories. Moses gives the people a final Blessing. There is another census, and a few tribes settle east of the Jordan, in the Promised Land.