Week 10, March 2–8: Numbers 4–24; Psalms 16–22

• Sun      Mar 2   Num. 4–6        Ps. 16
• Mon     Mar 3   Num. 7–9        Ps. 17
• Tue      Mar 4   Num. 10–12    Ps. 18
• Wed     Mar 5   Num. 13–15    Ps. 19
• Thu      Mar 6   Num. 16–18    Ps. 20
• Fri        Mar 7   Num. 19–21    Ps. 21
• Sat       Mar 8   Num. 22–24    Ps. 22

After finishing Matthew’s Gospel, we have now moved back to the Pentateuch, picking up where we left off there. Numbers is the third part of the five-part book of Moses, and it continues the narrative from Genesis, Exodus, and Leviticus. At the beginning of Numbers, Moses and the Israelites are still at Mt. Sinai, and they remain there until chapter 10.

The first few chapters of Numbers include lists of names and the numbers of people in the tribes of Israel, as well as a lot of details about where and how the tribes are to be positioned in the Israelite camp. There is also quite a lot of detailed instruction for the Levites and priests who were responsible for all that went on in and around the tabernacle. Admittedly, it can be a bit tedious to read through some of this material, like it may have been in the later parts of Exodus and throughout Leviticus. And yet, a genealogy in Numbers, or detailed instructions for how to handle disease in the skin or in the home, is inspired Scripture just as much as anything else in the Old or New Testament. We can be confident that somehow this is profitable for us, it shapes us, and it helps us to grow towards maturity and to be “equipped for every good work.” (2 Tim. 3:16–17)

One of the ways this kind of passage shapes us is by cultivating an attitude of humble submission before God. By choosing to spend time reading these chapters we are saying, “Lord, I’m not exactly sure what this list of difficult-to-pronounce names has to do with me or my life, but I trust that you are good and you have given your word, all of it, to communicate with your people and make yourself known. So, because I want to know you, and because you are perfectly wise in all your ways, I am choosing to come to you and hear from you in the way you have chosen to communicate with me, even though I don’t always understand it.” He will honor that kind of humble posture. Simply obeying him and abiding in him through his word will form us into Christlikeness over time.

To use an example that may seem silly, this is kind of like Mr. Miyagi telling Daniel-san to paint the fence and wax the cars. Daniel doesn’t understand why. What’s the point? What does this have to do with learning Karate? But the repeated motion of painting and waxing forms Daniel, it trains him in ways he doesn’t realize while he’s doing it. When we repeatedly read through the Bible, even the parts that are less obviously relevant, we are taking the opportunity to be shaped in ways we may not know we need to be. We submit to our wise and kind Lord, standing under his word in order to understand the glorious mysteries he reveals to us there.

Part way through Numbers 10, the Israelites pack up the tabernacle and the rest of the camp and depart from Sinai. Chronologically, they have been there about three years (Exod. 19:1; Num. 10:11). Biblically, from a narrative perspective, they have been there since Exodus 19.

As you read these chapters after Numbers 10, think back to the reading in the first half of Exodus. Remember the repeated stories of Israel grumbling and complaining against Moses and against God in the wilderness on the way towards Mt. Sinai. Here, starting in Numbers 11 right after they leave Sinai, the stories bear a strong resemblance to the stories of Israel’s travels towards Mt. Sinai in Exodus. The grumbling continues; in fact, it increases. It seems the time at Sinai receiving the law didn’t cure them of their grumbling attitudes. Notice the consequences too. Israel’s faithless response to God’s faithful provision eventually results in severe punishment, including the delayed entrance into the Promise Land.

In numbers 13–14, the story of the Israelites in the wilderness takes a tragic turn. They’ve just departed Mt. Sinai after receiving the law there, and immediately they begin grumbling again, just as they did on their travels from Egypt to Sinai back in Exodus. Then they arrive at the edge of Canaan, the land of God’s promises going all the way back to their forefather Abraham. However, the grumbling faithlessness they’ve exhibited along the way comes to a critical juncture when they fear the people in the Land, they don’t believe God’s promises, and they long to go back to Egypt instead of trusting the Lord and entering Canaan.

Along with the golden calf disaster of Exodus 32, this is one of the lowest moments in the OT, a turning point in the Israelites’ story that would serve as a prime example of life under the old covenant. Later biblical writers look back on this as a monumental failure of faith and as a reminder not to follow in the footsteps of that unbelieving generation of Israelites (Ps. 95:7–11; 106:24–27; Heb. 3:7–19).

In chapter 20, Moses has his own heartbreaking episode of faithlessness. The story of the miraculous waters at Meribah is a bit mysterious in some ways. What exactly does Moses do wrong there at the rock? The text leaves some questions unanswered. Nevertheless, just as it always does, God’s word tells us tells us exactly what we need to know. Moses does not believe in God, to uphold him as holy in the eyes of the people of Israel (Num. 20:12). So he too, like the generation of Israelites he led out of Egypt, is prohibited from entering the Promised Land.

We will also continue to work through book one of the Psalter, and the reading includes Psalm 19. Read this one slowly and praise our kind God for making himself known. The heavens declare his glory, and by his word he shows us who he is. Let this be a reminder of the wonderful gift the Bible is to us. It revives our soul. It is true and altogether right in all it says. It makes the simple wise and makes the heart rejoice. It enlightens our eyes and is sweeter than honey, more desirable than much fine gold. It will endure forever. That is why we give time to read it and listen to the Lord, our Rock and our Redeemer.