Numbers

Pour le français cliquez ici https://carilnousaimelepremier.wordpress.com/?p=218

The book of numbers in Hebrew is called “בְּמִדְבַּר” (Bəmiḏbar), which means “in the wilderness” or “in the desert.” This title reflects the setting of much of the book’s narrative, as it primarily deals with the Israelites’ journey through the wilderness after leaving Egypt. The Israelites move from Sinai to the wilderness of Paran and finally the plains of Moab (on the edge of the Promised Land).

We can also compare this book to our own lives, where deliverance from Egypt is like our salvation and belief in Jesus and the Promised Land is heaven. We are living in a period of waiting for the Promised Land in the wilderness of our lives.

God’s presence with the Israelites and his holiness is still very important throughout the book of Numbers. The Levites were responsible as guardians of God’s holiness and worked in the Tabernacle. They also transported the Tabernacle and it’s furniture. The many laws given by the Lord were to ensure the purity of the camp.

Numbers narrates the transition of the old generation who left Egypt, who sinned due to their lack of faith to the new generation who was allowed to enter the Promised Land. Numbers revealing the new generation therefore gives us hope.

The generation of people who were saved from slavery in Egypt were forbidden to enter the Promised Land because they rebelled against the Lord. The Lord said that only those 20 years old and younger would be eligible. The Israelites spent 40 years in the wilderness and the older generation died before they entered the land God promised. They were constantly grumbling against the Lord’s provision for them. They were tired of eating the same food all the time and having no water at times.

Moses sent twelve men, (Numbers 13) one from each tribe of Israel, to spy out the land of Canaan, which God had promised to give to the Israelites. These spies spent forty days exploring the land, returning with a report about its inhabitants, its fertility, and the challenges it presented. Only two of the spies, Joshua and Caleb had faith, the other 10 spies were afraid of the inhabitants and demonstrated a lack of faith in spite of what the Lord had already done for them. The Lord was angry and this is when he said that only those 20 years old or less would enter the Promised Land.

Then there was Korah (Numbers 16) who led a rebellion against Moses and Aaron, challenging their authority. He, along with Dathan, Abiram, and 250 other prominent Israelites, confronted Moses and Aaron, questioning why they should have exclusive leadership roles. They accused Moses and Aaron of exalting themselves above the rest of the congregation. This rebellion ultimately resulted in a dramatic showdown where God intervened, affirming Moses and Aaron’s leadership by causing the ground to swallow Korah and his followers. In spite of this rebellion, the Lord continued to provide for his people.

Even Moses was excluded from entering the Promised Land in Numbers chapter 20. The reason is that he disobeyed God’s command when he struck the rock at Meribah instead of speaking to it, as God had instructed. This act of disobedience demonstrated a lack of faith and reverence for God’s authority, leading to the consequence of Moses being unable to enter the land he had led the Israelites toward for forty years.

In Numbers 21:4-9, the Israelites, frustrated with their journey in the wilderness, spoke against God and Moses. As a consequence, God sent fiery serpents among them, which bit the people, causing many to die. Upon realizing their sin and the consequence it brought, the people repented and asked Moses to intercede on their behalf. In response, God instructed Moses to make a bronze serpent and set it on a pole. Anyone who was bitten and looked at the bronze serpent would live. This event served as both a punishment for the Israelites’ disobedience and a lesson about the importance of repentance and faith in God’s provision for salvation.

We can see a link with Jesus in this plague of fiery serpents. To be saved from death, the people just had to look at the serpent. This required an act of faith, but it was just looking and nothing more. We need only have faith in Jesus, looking upon him to be saved. Saved by faith!

John 3:14-17 NLT
[14] And as Moses lifted up the bronze snake on a pole in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, [15] so that everyone who believes in him will have eternal life. [16] “For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. [17] God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him.

The Lord ultimately did not abandon his people, even though they rebelled against him, he honoured his covenant with them. Each generation of Christians is like the new generation of the book of Numbers. The Lord redeems his people and therefore brings hope and gives our lives meaning.

The book of Numbers ends with the Israelites encamped on the plains of Moab, across the Jordan River from the land of Canaan, which is the Promised Land. They are on the verge of entering and conquering it under the leadership of Joshua, who succeeded Moses.

Despite the shortcomings of the Israelites, God remains faithful to His promises, ensuring that they eventually reach the outskirts of the Promised Land.

The importance of leadership and obedience to God’s commands is emphasized through the examples of Moses, Aaron, Joshua, and Caleb. Obedience leads to blessings, while disobedience results in consequences.

Overall, the book of Numbers underscores the enduring relationship between the Lord and His people, highlighting His faithfulness, guidance, judgment, and the importance of obedience.

The Lord is relational and loves his people: ‭Numbers 6:22-27 NLT‬
Then the Lord said to Moses, “Tell Aaron and his sons to bless the people of Israel with this special blessing:  ‘May the Lord bless you and protect you. May the Lord smile on you and be gracious to you.  May the Lord show you his favor and give you his peace.’ Whenever Aaron and his sons bless the people of Israel in my name, I myself will bless them.”

Prayer: Lord Jesus help is to be like Joshua and Caleb whose faith did not waiver even though they saw that the Promised Land had many giants and walled cities. They still believed they would have the victory in battle against these people. Thank you for your faithfulness Lord Jesus and for the new covenant we have where we have access to speak with you at any time. Thank you that we have your Holy Spirit who dwells within us, making our bodies the Tabernacle. Because you are holy Lord, I pray that we would repent of our sins as soon as you bring them to our attention, so that we can well maintain our relationship with you. Amen.

References:

1) An Introduction to the Old Testament:1995 by Raymond B. Dillard and Tremper Longman III, Apollos, Leicester, p83-90.

2) Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.