Sometimes, the name of the Bible translation is also included. The sacrifices (hardly according to the Leviticus law) prepare the way for the oracles that will follow. It could even be seen as a template for how to wage holy war (though that technical term is not used here). 48For the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, 49Only the tribe of Levi you shall not list, and you shall not take a census of them among the people of Israel. Once the priest has made the jealousy offering, she takes the drink. Variations are not surprising. Eleazar the priest (note the way theological direction has transitioned from Moses) gives instructions for how the plunder is to be purified alongside the soldiers themselves who have come into contact with death (31:2124). The purpose of the bookcombined with the appropriate focus on the differences between the two generationsis captured in the LORDs response to the rebellion of chapter 14. 4:2933 The expanded work of the Merarites is listed. 8:513 The previous chapter has detailed how each tribe (excluding Levi) brings its sin offering to the LORD. We return to the story of the five daughters of Zelophehad (see 27:111) and a further problem that arises from them having no brothers. For instance, 7,482 is read as seven thousand, four hundred, eighty-two. There the LORD was not consulted. Now we are into the story of the righteous second generation, an appropriate place to summarize these requirements. For example, the distinction between places is not nearly so clear cutespecially in chapter 11 where the action seems to take place in another location altogether (Kibroth-hattaavah, see 11:34) before the camp moves on to Hazerath. There are two possible options. Its difficult to go a da, The coronavirus pandemic has upended and, in some cases, suspended life as we know it. The wedding, however, took place some 40 years previously, and so it seems a bit late to be raising an objection. The Story of the First Generation: Dying in the Wilderness (1:125:18), II. 16 This happened three times, and immediately the sheet was taken back to heaven. 28:910 The weekly Sabbath offering reminds the people of Gods creation, linked as the Sabbath is to the LORDs creating pattern (see Exod 20:11). Contact with a dead body makes a person unclean (5:2), so how practically will the nation be able to move, march and fight? The offering of jealousy that he bringsalso called a grain offering of remembrance (5:15)is unknown elsewhere but might serve two complementary purposes. There are 7,500 males over 1 month old, and they have responsibility for the parts of the tabernacle made of cloth: the tent, the hangings, the screen, and so on. In fact, verse numbers are so integral to the way we talk about Scripture that it's hard to imagine the Bible without them. At first glance, it seems a rather minor sin, but the LORD makes clear in 20:12 what Moses has done: he has not only been disobedient (see 20:24) or spoken rashly (Psalm 106:33), he has acted with unbelieflike the Israelites in 20:29, he has demonstrated a lack of faith. We believe that faithful proclamation of the gospel is what our hostile and disoriented world needs. 5:610 A general provision is offered: sin should be followed by confession and restitution. 15:3741 The section ends curiously. 26:2837 The two half tribes of Manasseh and Ephraim are reversed in this second census (compare 1:3235). 15:2231 This section deals with two categories of sinunintentional and with a high hand. These are considered corporately (15:2226) and then individually (15:2731). Yet we are not to think that the influence of the first generation has fully gone. It was always possible to become part of the people of God without being born into it. The story of Balaam contained in this section is so unusual in Scripture that it warrants a brief introduction. When he summons them (16:12) they will not come. Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, we may earn commissions from qualifying purchases on Amazon.com. If you wish to include Bible quotations with the translated work, you will need to obtain permission from a publisher of a Bible translation in the same language. They have been rescued from Egypt (as the verse identifies) but have not yet entered in what the LORD has promised (see introduction for explanation of this theme). Is. In Bible terms, marriage is held in very high honor, reflecting the relationship between the LORD and his people. Rather the focus will be on their two main uses: summoning the congregation and breaking camp. Numbers 31:2531 then describes how the plunder is to be shared out in a rather complicated formula. Read Scripture: Numbers - Churchpress 31:112 The initial battle begins, initiated by the LORD as retribution for both the offence they have committed against Israel (31:2) and the offence against the LORD (31:3). APA Bible Citation. APA Format, 16 Dec. 2013, apaformat.org/apa-bible-citation/, Learn how and when to remove this template message, "HOW TO CITE THE BIBLE*. The book itself can read something like a travel guide (see especially Num 33), but this is not the best basis on which to interpret its message (see the section on difficult questions, below) and risks making the book into little more than a geography lesson. What are Israelites doing settling there? For example, (Eph. 35:934 The function of cities of refuge is described. The phrase often joins apparently separate sections together (see, for example, Num 67). How does this whole section reconcile with Exodus 40:3435, which tells of Mosess inability to enter the tent at its dedication? 11:435 The second and third rebellions are described. In striking language, this identifies the Levites as living sacrifices (8:13, compare Rom 12:1). 28:2631 Details are provided regarding offerings made on the day of the firstfruits (a title only here), part of the feast of weeks: the celebration reminds Israel of the LORDs provision. They are all exactly right in their assessment of the situationthe people of the land may be mighty, but this is nothing compared to the presence of the LORD. All rights reserved. Neither the ark, nor Moses accompany this rash attempt, and the people are defeated. The LORD repeats his threat of 16:21 in 16:45 (also echoing the language of 16:35). 32:2832 Moses now passes on this agreement to Eleazar and Joshua who will have to ensure its fulfillment. 2. The overall point of the passage is not to describe what he or she might do, but the importance of remaining holy to the LORD (6:8) throughout service (all the days 6:5, 6, 8). Mosess counteroffer is to pay for any natural resources consumed (perhaps because he realizes the first request seems a little unrealistic). 23:710 Each of the seven oracles is identified with the same phrase took up his discourse. The first oracle is a beautiful piece of poetry made up of seven couplets (two in 23:7, one in 23:8, and two each in 23:9 and 23:10). The uniqueness is not, as often supposed, in the presence of a talking animal (22:28). The first of these is to do with the general structure of the book; the second is a more specific question about how to deal with very large numbers, an issue that arises throughout the text. 4:3449 The census results are now revealed: there are 8,580 Levites of the right age, distributed fairly evenly across the three clans. Whether Asshur is an early name for Assyria or a different place altogether (both are possible), they themselves will be overcome by ships from Kittim (Crete). This verse deals with a very specific circumstance, that of the husband voiding a wifes pledges later on. Throughout the passage, two words are used to describe the promises individuals make. The mystery man will rule over a great kingdom (24:19). It may be a generic name for middle eastern gods: there is no certainty that this is the same Baal as in the 1 Kings 18 story, for example. The book also has two different titles in the Jewish Scriptures, both of which come from 1:1 and both of which are instructive. Without doubt, there are some difficult passages in the book of Numbers, for example 5:1131 or 31:120. Moses is previously described as having married a Midianite (see Exod 2:1122), but Cush can be a broad geographic term, so their complaint is probably factually correct. The book names must also be spelled out. Once again, if her husband hears about such a promise, he can cancel it on the day he hears. [1] You may also find it useful to listen to audio recordings of Bible verses. Third, the practicalities of leading such a group through the wildernessorganizing and feeding themare deemed too significant for such a large group. The accused must remain in the city until the High Priest dies (35:25), which seems a rather arbitrary marker. Who will the land to pass to then? These offerings are a pleasing aroma to the LORD (a phrase repeated three times here, 15:3, 7, 10, then again in 15:13, 14). The key difference is that in Numbers 20, the Israelites were simply threatened with a show of force; here the army of King Sihon actually attacks (21:23). Why the change of heart? As such, they never inherit land. 15 The voice spoke to him a second time, "Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.". How Should We Apply the Book of Numbers Today? From now on, all the action takes place at the plains of Moab, right beside the River Jordanfrom which point the people will finally enter the land (see Josh 3). Though the people are rescued at the LORDs gracious initiative (see Exod 20:12, reflected in Num 1:1), the blessings of the Old Covenant are dependent upon their continued obedience (see Exod 19:56 and Deut 28:114). What is the point of the reducing number of bulls offered? toFixed(): This method will stable the number to the right of the decimal with a specific number of digits. Despite being on the mountain, this handover is done in full view of the nation (20:27): everyone must know that Eleazar is now the priest so there is no repetition of chapter 16. 10:2528 The northern camps departure is described with the added information that the three tribes of Dan, Asher, and Naphtali act as rear guard.. Sihon, and Og are often grouped together in later Bible historysee, for example, Joshua 13:1012 or Nehemiah 9:22. This then is different from the trials by ordeal common in many cultures throughout the ages (and in Canaanite culture at the time). By far the greatest problem with this approach, however, is that it fails to take account of the spiritual state of the nation and the framing of the book around the two generations and the two respective censuses (chapters 1 and 26). These will be addressed as the commentary progresses. The issue of Mosess wife is probably an attempt to dress up their personal anger in religious terms. 29:711 This section details the offerings for one special day, the day of atonementan opportunity for the nation to remember the LORDs mercy. Nevertheless, the LORD still has something in mind for this wretched man to do, so he allows him to continue on his way. Notice in 23:21 that how outsiders are to view Israel (without misfortune or trouble) is not the same as the internal view that has been presented in Numbers. The qualification for mercy (have not known man) does not make them necessarily sexual slaves; instead, the qualification functions as a way of separating these women out from those who have been guilty of the sins in Numbers 25. Now we're ready to start. Teaching Numbers: From Text to Message. Book of Numbers Summary: A Complete Animated Overview Wheaton: Crossway, 2006. In the first two chapters the challenge is addressed including a remarkable confirmation of Aaron as priest (Num 1617). Now is the time to hear about their children, a wholly new generation, who do not follow in the sins of their parents. The Amalekites have already fought the Israelites (Exod 17:813); for this reason, they are considered firstthat is, the first to oppose the Israelites coming up out of Egypt. When multiple consecutive citations reference the same book, the name of the book is omitted from the second and subsequent citations. 21:49 This is one of the better-known stories in Numbers due to its reference in John 3. 20The people of Reuben, Israels firstborn, their generations, by their clans, by their fathers houses, according to the number of names, head by head, every male from twenty years old and upward, all who were able to go to war: 21those listed of the tribe of Reuben were 46,500. To this they add the sin of lying because there is no evidence so far that the land devours its inhabitants. The husbands jealousy is thus a reflection of the high place marriage and its exclusivity holds in the nation. Their situation is complicated because the tribe is not united within itself in what it wants to do. Otherwise, the vow is established, that is, it will stand. The sections are connected by the phrase The LORD spoke to Moses (5:1, 4, 5, 11; 6:1, 22). In each case, holiness is required because the LORD dwells in the midst of his people (5:3). Readers ask: How Do You Read The Bible Numbers?
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