Introduction: In the Wilderness

by, Sue Cattau

Welcome to the summer study of Numbers!  We are so glad you have decided to take this journey with us.

We call the fourth book of the Pentateuch “Numbers” because of the census of Israel taken at the beginning and the end of the book.  That makes it sound a little boring, right?  In Hebrew, the title of this book is “In the Wilderness”.  And this is really what the book is about; Israel’s journey with God in the wilderness from Mount Sinai to the border of the Promised Land.

Let’s begin with a little context.  In Genesis, God chose a people for Himself.  Beginning with Abraham, He would build a nation.  Through this nation He would show His glory to the whole world and work out His plan of redemption for His people.

Genesis is a book about God’s creation and choice of a people for Himself.

As Exodus begins God’s people have become slaves in Egypt.  God delivered His people from slavery in Egypt and brought them to Mount Sinai.  There He gave them His commandments, revealed instructions for building the tabernacle, and entered into a covenant with them.  The tabernacle was built, erected, consecrated, and filled with the holiness of the Lord.

Exodus is a book about salvation and covenant.

Leviticus begins immediately after that. How could such a sinful people live with such a holy and terrifying God in their midst?  Even Moses and Aaron were not able to enter the tabernacle.  So the Lord gave them sacrifices, holy days, purity laws, and priests to make this possible. 

Leviticus is a book about holiness and worship.

Then Numbers begins.  The Jews were still at Mount Sinai and it was finally time to head to the Promised Land, the land promised to their father Abraham, a land dripping with milk and honey.

Numbers is a book about pilgrimage. 

Numbers tells us the story of Israel’s travels from Mount Sinai to the border of the Promised Land.  This took place in two stages: from Mount Sinai to Kadesh and from Kadesh to the plains of Moab. Israel followed the towering pillar of cloud and fire which came from the tabernacle and which was the visible manifestation of God’s presence among them.  Think about that for a minute.  The real and powerful and visible presence of God with Israel at all times.  When the cloud lifted they moved out and when it stopped they set up camp. 

But, despite the visible presence of God and His miraculous provision, the journey was anything but smooth – and a trip, which should have taken Israel one or two months at the most, ended up taking forty years.  It took so long because it was punctuated with grumbling, ingratitude, defiance, and outright rebellion against God, their Savior.  None of the generation over twenty years of age at Kadesh would ever set foot in the Promised Land.  Not even Moses and Aaron.  

Prophets and poets use this wilderness generation as a warning to Israel throughout  the Old Testament. And we have recently studied two letters in the New Testament where it is used as a warning to us.  

The preacher of Hebrews warned his audience, a church of converted Jews who are being tempted to “turn back”, not to harden their hearts in unbelief, but to enter into God’s rest (Hebrews chapters 4 and 5).

The Apostle Paul wrote to the church at Corinth, saying “Now these things took place as examples for us, that we might not desire evil as they did”.  (1 Corinthians 10:1-14)

Numbers is primarily a book about the great faithfulness of God.  Despite the continual defiant sinning of His chosen people, God did not abandon them in the wilderness.  Over and over they provoked Him.  And, although there were consequences to their actions, God did not abandon His plans for them or the promises He had made to Abraham: to give them a land, to greatly multiply them, to be in a covenant relationship with them, and to bless the world through them.

Numbers is also a book filled with types and shadows of Christ.  Manna in the wilderness, the bronze snake raised on a pole, the cities of refuge – to name just a few.  Don’t forget to look for Jesus in Numbers.

So, before we get started, I have to confess to you that when I read about God’s chosen people on their journey to the Promised Land, I am often tempted to roll my eyes and shake my head at their stupidity.  I think, “Just. DO. What. God. Says!!!  What is the matter with you???”

And then I am convicted of my prideful heart as the Holy Spirit reminds me once again to remove the log from my own eye before I try to judge or deal with the speck in someone else’s eye. 

How often do I grumble and complain about what God has given me? 

How many times do I fail to express gratitude to my God who has chosen, redeemed, blessed, sanctified, and called me to follow Him?  

How often does my fear or anxiety demonstrate my own unbelief?  

How many times do I selfishly insist on making my journey all about me?  

How often do I defy God by deliberate sin?

All too often, sisters.  More often than I want to admit.  And if you are anything like me, maybe you do the same.

But we serve a gracious and merciful God, who has forgiven and who continues to forgive our sin though the completed work of Jesus, our great High Priest.  God did not abandon Israel on their wilderness journey, and He will not abandon us on our pilgrimage through this life.  God is a faithful Father who will always keep His promises.

So let’s study Numbers this summer, together but apart, with humble hearts and teachable spirits.  We can learn a lot about a sinful people and their gracious God and His marvelous provision for their salvation!

Let’s pray together as we begin:

“Oh Father,

We are too often like that wilderness generation -  stubborn and defiant, hard to lead, difficult to teach. We deserve nothing from You.

You are a holy, holy, holy God who hates sin. 

Yet at the same time, You are a loving and merciful God.  It’s truly hard for us to imagine, and yet it’s true.  

Thank you , Lord, for all You have accomplished for our salvation, for all you have promised us in our redemption, for the blessed hope to someday dwell with you in eternity.  Thank you that You have given us Jesus to make a relationship with You not only possible, but secure, anchored within the veil.

Father, please be our teacher. Use the Word to instruct us, reprove us, correct us, and train us in righteousness so we may be competent, equipped for every good work.

We pray in Jesus’ name and for His glory.  Amen.”