The BOOK – On to Canaan

The Ultimate aim for what God rescued Israel from Egypt was to send them to Canaan. After all the wanderings, from Numbers 20 to 36, the scene is they are near to Canaan. Now we find that all the Israelites who left Egypt had died except Moses, Aaron, Joshua, Caleb, Miriam and the Children who were under 20 years of age when the spies entered the land. Now they camped in Kadesh and Miriam, Moses sister died and Aaron, Moses brother also died. 

When they started from Egypt, the promise God gave was for their best. But because of their murmurings and sin, now God gave them the second best. God is kind and he sets before us another way, a second best, or it may even be a third, for his mercy is wonderful. He forgives us seventy times seven. Even if we are not faithful, he is faithful.

Even after almost reaching the Promised Land the chosen people were complaining. In Numbers 20 and 21 we see people grumbling and God sending venomous snakes among the people, which caused them suffering and death. Once they confessed their sin, Moses prayed for them for deliverance, but God did not take away the snakes. God told Moses to make a bronze snake and fasten it to a pole so that all could see it. As soon as they looked they lived (Numbers 21: 6-9).

The Bible reveals us that whole human family has felt the ancient serpent’s sting of sin, which means death. The only way people can live is by looking to the one who took upon himself the likeness of a human and was lifted up on the cross to take the sting of death upon him. 

The bottom line is the world is full of sin and the penalty of sin is death, Spiritual death along with physical death. But if we look on him, Christ, our saviour, we shall live, even after physical death. 

“Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the son pf man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him” – John 3: 14, 15.

The BOOK – Preparation for Journey

The book of Numbers opens with the chosen ones in the wilderness. In the previous book we saw the Law given and the tabernacle being built and the priests being assigned for their service. The teachings of this book are very applicable to every Christian life.

In the initial chapters we see God numbering and arranging the tribes, choosing and assigning duties to the priests and Levites. The 12 tribes guarded the Tabernacle of the Lord. The Levities encamped directly around the court, and Moses and Aaron and the priests guarded the entrance whereby God was approached. 

Their shoes and their clothes did not wear out. Think of 600000 men, 20 years old and upward, and about 3000000 men, women and children in this great camp. But the most glorious thing was that God was in their midst. If you are going through the wilderness, the most glorious thing you need is God with you. Even though God knows everyone by name and their hairs in head are numbered, Moses is commanded to take a census. (2 timothy 2:19, Philippians 4:3). For Christians too, there is a census, for Christ numbers his jewels and knows them who are his. 

God was there for them to feed in the sterile desert, very little grass, very little water and no visible means of support. God was there with them in the wilderness where there was no path. If there is no way for you to go forward in life, ask God to be with you as he will create new way and opportunities for you. No one had gone before to blaze a trail for the children of Israel. There was not a footprint, or a landmark. Still God took them to the destination. We might not know our future, but if we walk according to the word (“I am the way” John 14:6), he will guide us step by step. Our family or relatives will come against us, but when God leads us to go with the holiness we have through him, we will reach the destination and we can faithfully proclaim that we ran the race. “Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” – John 8:12.  They did not know where to go, but the Ark of Covenant went before and the pillar of cloud lead them always. (Num 10:33)

But when asks you to go and if you don’t obey, the Sunday school lesson of Jonah can be considered as a clear example for what will happen. Yes, God wanted them to be holy and faithful. But they murmured against him and sin crept into the camp. They complained about the food. God made provision for the food, but since they did sin, anger of God aroused and he sent Judgement of fire (Num 11:1-3) and plague (Num 11:33) and struck them. Even we see Moses siblings came against Moses with jealousy. They wanted more honour, but God gave punishment for them (Num 12:1-16). This shows us not to be jealous of the people whom God uses more than us. Understand your role and be faithful to it. 

The theological importance of this portion is that:

• ·         The Ark of Covenant is the word of God
• ·         The Tabernacle and ordinances are for worship of God
• ·         High Priest and Apostle is Jesus Christ
• ·         Pillar of Cloud and Fire is the comfort and guidance of the Holy Spirit
• ·         Sound of trumpet is the witness of a faithful prophet.

We are humans and makes mistakes. But when we decide to follow Christ, He leads us and comfort us by his Spirit. And it is our duty to tell this comfortless and joy to others in the midst of struggles and wilderness and help them to receive this gift of salvation. I pray that we faithfully follow Christ and lead others also into salvation through our life testimony. Amen.

The BOOK – Murmurings

The children of Israel were saved to serve. So is every Child of God today. Numbers can be called as Wilderness Wandering from Sinai to the border of Canaan, covering about 40 years. In this book we can see, from the beginning till the end it is filled with the Spirit of rebellion against God. This shows the failure of Israel at Kadesh-barnea and the consequent wanderings in the wilderness. Starting of this book shows the failure of the nation and the closing chapters of the book records Israel’s return to Jehovah’s favour and final victory, even in the wilderness.

While the annals of many powerful nations of the same time are lost to the world, Israel was preserved. God was patient with them because the Messiah was to come from this people. In the present age also the nation and people of Israel are being restored after a long gap because God is having plans for them and the world. Even in our life there are certain times God shows patience for us to come back to him and do his will.

When you see in-depth, the book covers order and discipline. Only someone who is saved can serve and worship God. If you are a Christian, if you are saved, then you are saved to serve. We are not saved by good works, but we are saved to do good works. Moses brought the people to the Promised Land, but it was Joshua who got them in the land. Same way in Galatians 3:24 Paul tells, so the law was our guardian until Christ came that we might be justified by faith. 

5 names which are mentioned and detailed in this book are

• ·         Moses – the great leader
• ·         Aaron – the high priest, Moses brother
• ·         Miriam – Moses and Aaron's sister
• ·         Joshua and Caleb – 2 spies who dared to believe God, the only men of their generation who lived to enter Canaan

Here the book takes us to a journey from Sinai to Kadesh, Kadesh around back to Kadesh and from Kadesh straight to the border of Canaan. It was God’s plan that the children of Israel should go straight into the land he promised, but the people would not. At Kadesh, God told, except Joshua and Caleb everyone else will die. Even God did not allow Moses to enter. Even though Moses was close with God, he also got the punishment. We remember because of being irritated by people, Moses hit the rock for water whereas God told him to speak to the rock. In worldly sight, it might be a small mistake. But God considers it big as Moses was not a normal Israelite; he was walking close with God. So it makes us understand, if you are walking close with God, and if you do the same mistake or blunder as any other worldly person does, the punishment for you will be greater compared to the other worldly person. 

In this book Israel learned and teaches us that:

• ·         They must trust God, not people, in the day of crisis (Numb 13:26 – 14:25)
• ·         God will supply all their need according to his riches (Philip 4:19)
• God gave them food (Num 11:6-9), meat (11:31-33), water (20:8), leaders (1:1, 3) and finally the Promised Land (Num 14:7-8).
• ·         And they must worship God according to his instructions.

I pray that this book will touch your heart and reorder your life, organize it and helps to live to serve the one who saved you. Amen.