Print

By Tyson Thorne

July 16, 2018
 

04 Numbers Large

At the start of the book of Numbers we find Israel still at the foot of the Mountain of God, but all that soon changes. This book was written to chronicle the new nations history and their journey across the Jordan River to the nation fields of Moab at the edge of the land of Canaan. The journey is the primary story, but it also continues the story of God's covenant with Abraham all the way back in Genesis and the covenant God made with Moses and the people — even though their numbers would dwindle during this 40-year journey largely characterized by wandering.

All that wandering was completely unnecessary if not for the peoples constant complaining. When reading it can seem impossible that the Israelites, who had witnessed the plagues of Egypt and crossed the Red Sea on dry ground and who lived in the presence of God's tabernacle could ever, ever possibly complain about God and the life he was leading them to. It is easy to forget that a few chapters can mean a few years in their reality. God's promises — to Abraham, to Moses, and that of the land flowing with milk and honey — were still just that: promises.

Though the Israelites had experienced God's favor and grace, their complaining and series of rebellions assured they also experienced God's discipline. Many of them experienced their demise, and most of that generation would now die off before reaching the promised land. God's covenant with the people now belonged to their children. Even Moses did not escape discipline when he acted disobediently (chapter 20) showing that no one is above the law. Even with all wrath, God shows he himself is not above the law by extending his promise to the children of the disobedient. God will fulfill his promises and his purposes.

Author and Date of Writing

Moses wrote the book of Numbers, sometime around 1400-1406 BC. The original name of this book was "In the Desert". When the book was translated into Greek the translators changed it's title to reflect the census lists found in the first 26 chapters.

Big Idea

God has a mission to redeem his creation, a mission which involves both his presence and activity as well as the work and obedience of his people.