Numbers

The Story of Numbers

1-10 Preparation to Enter the Land

God established a tribal structure among His people. The men of war age twenty and older were organized according to these tribes for their travel through the wilderness anticipating the coming conquest of Canaan. The Levites were to be different from the rest because of their responsibilities concerning the Tabernacle, in order to prevent the breaking out of the wrath of God in the camp.

The Levites, and the priests from within the tribe of Levi, had a special role of ministering to the Lord, according to His commandment. If any outsider attempted to usurp this special role, he was to be put to death. Because of the deliverance of the people as a result of the Passover, the Lord had a special claim upon the firstborn of the Israelites, a claim that was fulfilled by the Lord's special use of the tribe of Levi. These Levites were organized by their three groups of clans, each with its special duties.

The task in front of the people of God was substantial. They would need great blessing from God, and purification from sin. They would need to attend to the ceremonies and regulations that the Lord established for His nation. By the Lord's special presence among them, God was leading His people through the wilderness.

11-21 The Failure of the First Generation

But they began to complain about the Lord's great provision for them. They wept and spoke of their desire to return to Egypt. Their impatience and murmuring was a rejection of the Lord who was among them, and was extremely dangerous for Israel. It is within this story of disappointing disobedience that Moses expressed a longing for a day when the Spirit of God would be upon all the people of the Lord in a powerful way.

During this time, many brought great trouble upon themselves, and upon the whole nation. Those who are noted as disobedient include Miriam, Aaron, the spies who were sent into Canaan and who brought back a bad report, the people who listened to that faithless report, Korah, some of the Reubenites, the entire first generation, and even Moses.

Despite their many failures, and despite the fact that so many would die in the wilderness, the Lord continued to show tokens of His grace in the midst of the discipline of His people. On one occasion He gave His people forgiveness and healing through the provision of a bronze serpent raised high on a pole, so that the people might look to it and live. He fed them, gave them water, provided special laws, the prayers of His mediator, victory over oppressors from foreign lands, special signs of direction concerning the approved leaders over the people and the right way to go. But none of these people over the age of twenty would see the Promised Land except Caleb and Joshua.

22-25 A Most Unlikely Blessing

In between the very disappointing account of the faithless first generation and the second census of the new generation that the Lord would bring into Canaan, there is a very surprising account that seems to lead us out of the mire of our own sin into the treasures of God's saving grace. God shows His great power over all men and His certain determination to bless His people even through the words of an enemy that intended harm against the Lord's people.

Though it had appeared that God had cursed His people according to their horrible disobedience, through this most unlikely prophet came words of sure blessing in these four oracles. In these messages we are told that Israel is not cursed, but blessed. We are told that God is with them. Words similar to the Lord's blessing of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob are renewed. Somehow Israel will be a blessing beyond her borders. He speaks of latter days, when a star shall come out of Jacob, and one from Jacob who shall exercise amazing dominion over the nations. These wonderful words of God's intentions of great blessing upon His people are given despite the fact that the immorality and faithlessness of the people of God are all too obvious.

26-36 The Preparation for the Second Generation to Enter the Land

With a renewed awareness of the Lord's intentions to fulfill His great plan of grace, we hear of a second census, now of the new generation who have grown up in the wilderness. Their parents and some of the famous leaders of the Lord's people will not be going into the Promised Land. That former generation stands as an illustration of our sinful failure, while their children will be an illustration of the Lord's victorious decree and His glorious plans.

Life will continue. There will be questions to be answered concerning distributions of the inheritance coming to God's people. Joshua will succeed Moses. The offerings that the Lord has commanded are to be given according to the laws and calendar that He has already established. There will be solemn promises to God that must be kept, and sworn enemies of Israel that must be destroyed as an expression of the Lord's vengeance. There are details concerning the settlement of certain tribes east of the Jordan, and boundaries for the other tribes to the west of the Jordan will also be established. Cities for the Levites and cities of refuge will be set aside according to God's purposes. As after the fall of Adam, there will yet be life, because God has determined to bring life to an Israel of the nations yet to be revealed, through a descendant of Jacob, whose birth will be marked through the coming of an extraordinary star.

Numbers and the Story of the Bible

The book of Numbers tells us the familiar story of our sin and of God's glorious victory. Numbers gives us very memorable accounts within a framework of the human journey. We who were slaves in the Egypt of sin and death have been delivered by the Lord's mighty hand. We have been given a road that we must travel. This pathway takes us through the wilderness of this life to the glories of a Promised Land to come. Here we now have an opportunity to express faith in God in the midst of a challenging world full of much temptation and trouble. Along the way we must confront enemies of all kinds. Above all, we are to move ahead in faith as the Lord leads us into His Promised Land.

This book tells us the undeniable story of our own sin and of the Lord's grace. How can these two stories be reconciled? The first calls for our death in a plague of our own depravity and of God's righteous judgment. The second calls for our vindication as the beloved people of God chosen by Him for everlasting glory. The solution comes to us only in the provision of One who we are to look to, that we might live. This is the Serpent who was raised up on a pole. As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, the Son of Man, Jesus Christ, needed to be lifted up on the cross, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.