Week 7: Numbers 17-Deuteronomy 3

 

Reflection: When the people of Israel leave Egypt, they number around 600,000 (Ex 12:37). At the opening of the book of Numbers, we read of the first census (Num 1). The total numbered 603,550. A second census is conducted after the rebellious first had passed away and that total was fewer than the first, 601,730. It is interesting that between the Exodus and the second census, we read of rebellion and the death of many Israelites. However, after the second census, there are no records of any Israelites dying. The people even go to war against the five kings of Midian with only 12,000 and, yet, when they "counted the men of war...not a man [was] missing" (Num 31:49). What a beautiful picture of how God will bring all of His people to the promised land of rest, not one will be lost.

Numbers 17-20: Buds, Provision, and Breaking Rocks. The Lord demonstrates His ability to provide despite the grumbling of the people. The people realize their predicament and anxiously cry "are we all to perish" (17:13)? But those who would trust in the Lord have hope. Even the Levites who would "have no inheritance in [the] land" had hope because God was their portion and inheritance (18:20). They needed to trust in the Lord, but they complain again at the waters of Meribah. Moses sins in that he "did not believe in [God]" and is no longer permitted to enter into the promised land. The good news is that, like the Levites, those who have fiath in Jesus Christ are God's children and "a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession". They have Him, as their portion and provision, like the levites. What glorious grace and mercy!

Numbers 21-24: Bad serpents...and one good one. Todd Friel, a former pastor and evangelists. gives an analogy of how a judge who lets criminals go free without justice is not a just judge. And though we read of the justice of God, we are see that atonement of sins is possible. In ch 21, the people sin...yet again. And God's justice is poured out on the people. But, Moses is instructed to set up a bronze serpent so that those who would look to it would live. This event, though brief, points us to Christ who, like the serpent, was lifted up on a tree and all who look to him find life. Sin has consequences, but God has made a way by His Son! Praise God!

Numbers 25-28: Preparation for Promise. Here, we read of the second census and the appointment of Joshua to suceed Moses. Why is this important? It demonstrates God's intention and hand in preparing the people to enter into the land. They are not left to figure it out on their own, God provides a way. Likewise, we should recognize that God is working in his people as well to prepare us to enter into the heavenly places. He does so through the process of sanctification and through the means of grace.

Numbers 29-31: Male Headship. Being a husband and a father, I continue to learn the great responsibility it is to train up my children and to sanctify my wife. Chapter 30 of Numbers can be controversial to some, but it should not be. This is the divinely ordered pattern that God setup since creation. This chapter follows chapters which describe the pattern for religious worship and chapter 30 proceeds in the same vein. In serving the Lord, we should not seek to subvert His design, but find comfort knowing that we are not free agents, independent of all authority. What's more, we can rejoice because though we have all broken our vows, Christ paid the penalty for our redemption.

Numbers 32-35: Secret Sins. Numbers 32:23 ends with a warning to the tribes who desire to stay on the east side of the Jordan, "...be sure your sin will find you out". Though God allows them to reside outside of the land, it does not mean that this was not a rebellious act. God knows all and sees all and He still knows all and sees all. Are there any unconfessed sins that need to be addressed? Are we playing with a little sin that we think we can control (Prov 6:27)?

Numbers 36-Deuteronomy 3: Remember, Remember. As Deuteronomy opens up, Moses delivers his first sermon to the people. In it he recalls their wilderness journey and their act of rebellion against the Lord. The Lord promises that He would go "before [them]...and fight for [them]", but they "did not believe the Lord" (Deut 1:30,32). This was meant to encourage the people to recall His goodness and to beleive in Him. If you are tempted to doubt God, recall His past goodness, His present provision, and His future promise and believe Him.

Family Discussion Questions

• Do you sing hymns as part of your family worship? Perhaps consider singing one this week, we will be singing "The head that once was crowned with thorns". What will you be singing this week?
• Why do you think God chose a fiery serpent to be put up on the pole? Why a symbol of their sin? How does that relate to Christ?