The Book of Numbers

The Book of Numbers

The children of Israel wandered in the wilderness for 40 years. The book of Numbers tells that story.

Numbers follows Israel’s journey from the foot of Mount Sinai (which is where Leviticus ends), to the edge of the promised land… of Canaan. 

If this were a regular road trip of the time, the journey would only take about two weeks.

So why does it take 40 years? 

Well, it’s the ongoing story of the disobedience of the Israelites, their lack of faith in the Lord. 

When the people get about halfway there, Moses sends a few spies into the promised land, to scout it out for the upcoming invasion. 

Most of the spies come back in a panic, claiming that the Canaanites are far too powerful for Israel to overcome. 

This leads to a revolt, with the people refusing to take the land. 

God gives them their wish, decreeing that the whole generation, who revolted, will die in the wilderness, and the land will be taken by their children.

It’s a vital part of the Torah, Israel’s five-part origin story and the foundation of the Bible.

The Christian Bible…

Praise be to God!


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

1427- Isaiah 42 part 2

Isaiah Chapter 42 part 2 Sing a new song to the Lord! Sing his praises, from the ends of the earth! Sing, all you who sail the seas, all you who live in distant coastlands. Join in the chorus, you desert towns; let the villages of Kedar rejoice! Let the people of Sela sing for joy; shout praises from the mountaintops! Let the whole world glorify the Lord; let it sing his praise. The Lord will march forth like a mighty hero; he will come out like a warrior, full of fury. He will shout his battle cry; and He crush all his enemies. He will say, “I have long been silent; yes, I have restrained myself. But now, like a woman in labor, I will cry and groan and pant. I will level the mountains and hills and blight all their greenery. I will turn the rivers into dry land and will dry up all the pools. I will lead blind Israel down a new path, guiding them along an unfamiliar way. I will brighten the darkness before them and smooth out the road ahead of them. Yes, I will indeed do these things; ...
Read more

1426 - Isaiah 42 part 1

Isaiah Chapter 42 part 1  “Look at my servant, whom I strengthen. He is my chosen one, who pleases me. I have put my Spirit upon him. He will bring justice to the nations. He will not shout, or raise his voice in public. He will not crush the weakest reed, or put out a flickering candle. He will bring justice to all, who have been wronged. He will not falter or lose heart, until justice prevails, throughout the earth. Even distant lands, beyond the sea will wait for his instruction.*” God, the Lord, created the heavens, and stretched them out. He created the earth and everything in it. He gives breath to everyone, life to everyone who walks the earth. And it is he who says, “I, the Lord, have called you to demonstrate my righteousness. I will take you by the hand and guard you, and I will give you to my people, Israel, as a symbol of my covenant with them. And you will be a light to guide the nations. You will open the eyes of the blind. You will free the captives from prison, rele...
Read more

1251 - Psalm 102 (part-1)

Psalm 102 (part-1) A prayer of one overwhelmed with trouble, pouring out problems before the Lord. Lord, hear my prayer! Listen to my plea! Don’t turn away from me, in my time of distress. Bend down to listen, and answer me quickly when I call to you. For my days disappear like smoke, and my bones burn like red-hot coals. My heart is sick, withered like grass, and I have lost my appetite. Because of my groaning, I am reduced to skin and bones. I am like an owl in the desert, like a little owl in a far-off wilderness. I lie awake, lonely as a solitary bird on the roof. My enemies taunt me day after day. They mock and curse me. I eat ashes for food. My tears run down into my drink, because of your anger and wrath. For you have picked me up and thrown me out. My life passes as swiftly as the evening shadows. I am withering away like grass. But you, O Lord, will sit on your throne forever. Your fame will endure to every generation. You will arise and have mercy on Jerusalem*—and now is the...
Read more