"In the wilderness"

November 5; Psalm 53, Numbers 1

(from the Introduction of my English Standard Version Bible...)

The English title "Numbers" comes from the two censuses that are a central feature of this book. However, the Hebrew title, "In the Wilderness," is a more descriptive of the book. Numbers tells how God's people traveled from Mount Sinai to the border of the Promised Land. But when they refused to take possession of the Land, God made them wander in the wilderness for nearly forty years. Throughout the book, God is seen as the holy God who cannot permit disobedience, but also as the one who faithfully keeps his covenant and patiently provides for the needs of his people. Numbers ends with a new generation preparing for the conquest of Canaan. Most Jews and Christians recognize Moses as the author, writing during the final year of his life (about 1450 B.C.).

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a couple of my thoughts as we begin Numbers:

1) It is interesting that the titles of books in the Jewish Bible usually begin with the first words, and in this case is probably a better title... (eg. Genesis is called "In the beginning").

2) Several stories of note are in this book:

(a) The beautiful Aaronic blessing: "The LORD bless you and keep you..."

(b) The story of the Holy Spirit being poured out on the elders and their prophesying, and Moses' saying "Would that the Spirit be poured out on all the people."

(c) The story of Balaam and Balak (when God spoke through an ass - hope for all of us!) which includes a prophecy of a star rising which would point to a king.

(d) The zeal of Phineas (which is the background story for the zealots of Jesus' day) is described in some (risqué) detail.