Numbers

Numbers Homework

1. What do you see in this book that tells you about the Original Reader?

Once again, this book is written to the Israelites who have just been taken out of Egypt. It is likely that this was actually written with next generation in mind, those who are able to enter into the Promised Land. It was another history intended to show the people many important truths about who they were as well as the God they serve.

2. What do you see in this book that tells you about the author?

The extreme detail throughout the book of numbers shows that this information was not only first hand, but very important to Moses. We actually get a chance to see his personality a little more in this book. He is much more confident than the Moses that we met before the burning bush. 

Through Moses, we get a picture of what true leadership looks like. He is quick to vent his anger to the Lord (11:10-15), who never speaks against this practice, and the Lord is there to defend him, even claiming him as the most humble man on earth(12:3). Moses learned quickly to not respond to the people in the same way that they approach him, but to let God be his defender. And the Lord never lets him down, even among his own family (12:9-15).

However, it is in Numbers that we are reminded of Moses humanity. When Moses strikes the rock instead of speaking to it (using a mere shepherds trick that he knew would work, instead of proclaiming the power of God) he is punished by not being allowed to enter the Promised Land (20:8-12). While the Lord could not let this sin pass, he is still quick to give favor to this man that he has chosen. 

3. What are the main themes and repeated ideas in this book, and what is a one sentence summary of the main idea?

Now that the people have learned who they are, God is continuing to show that while He is always faithful, there is still punishment that comes when they are disobedient and  through this process, He is teaching them to walk in the identity that they have been given. 

Through Number’s God is showing his people that He must be the center of the lives. We see a perfect picture of this in the way the Tabernacle is in the center of the camp. In the same way, the people either stay or move depending on when the Lord moves. If he sets out and they follow, the Lord goes before and fights their battles (10:35). They trusted the Lord fully as he moved. 

Yet the turning point in the story comes when the people arrive at Kadesh-Barnea. They begin to doubt the Character of God, which he had been revealing to them. They do not believe that they will be able to take the Promised Land and enter into a long winded time of murmuring against God and his chosen leaders. This is where we see the Lord’s judgment and discipline on his people (14:24-35). Like a loving Father, discipline is essential in the lives of His chosen. They had lost sight of who was with them, became insecure, and began to fear man over their God. 

4. What is the primary reason this book was written?

Moses was showing the people that God is faithful, even through their complaining and rebellion. Through complaints and listening to the wrong voices around them, the people began to lose sight of who God is. And to fix this, the Lord had to discipline. Yes, He is just in his judgement, but more than that, it is in love and mercy that He disciplines. 

This was a moment of history in the life of the Israelites. Moses wanted them to remember it in order to not repeat the same mistake, as well as to remind them of the character of the God that they serve.

5. What does this book show about the Character and Nature of God?

We’ve learned that God, while disciplining his people, does so in faithfulness to draw them closer to himself. He’s merciful in his discipline and patient with his people. 

But perhaps one of the most memorable characteristics of God seen in Numbers is how He defends those in his favor. He is happy to fight their fights for them and not only on a grand scale. When the people were murmuring against Moses, even his own family, it was God who defended and stood up for him (12:9-15). Balaam was not a man of God by any means, but even through what was intended to be a curse, the Lord turned around as a blessing (Chapters 22-24). He will defend his people with a might and righteous hand. 

6.What does this book show you about God’s redemptive plan for mankind?

In reading the book of Numbers, I am immediately brought back to the blood covenant that the Lord made with Abraham in Genesis. Even in a wavering, complaining people who seem ungrateful of every blessing, the Lord will honor his side of the covenant. He longs for that atonement to be made and will do whatever it takes to see it through. More and more, through following the Israelites through their history, it is becoming clear that redemption and atonement comes through God alone and never by anything from the people. 

7. Personal Application

In lectures, Jo said “ When we complain, we are losing sight of God’s plan for us.”

I’m in a place right now where it’s hard not to complain. Complain might be too strong a word, but it’s hard for me to not be content where I am. I kind of feel like the Israelites sometimes. It’s easy to look at them and think that their lack of faith in God is ridiculous. But I have the same God fighting for me, and not only in physical battles. He’s fighting for my finances, for my marriage, and for my future. He’s fighting for my heart. And I tend to look at the 20% that I don’t have at the moment way more than the 80% that I need to be thankful for. So today I’m praying that the Lord would increase my faith. That I would be content where I am instead of longing of other places to be. I’m so thankful for this school more than anything right now. I’m loving getting to know his character. And I can only pray that the Lord would help me remember and be at peace with this.