Wilderness Wandering

It was God’s plan that the children of Israel should go straight into the land he had promised them, the land of Canaan, but the people would not. God said that all those at Kadesh over 20 years old, except Joshua and Caleb, would have to die. A new generation arose during a 40 year wandering, but at the end the nation was about as strong in numbers as the day they left Egypt.

At the start of this book we see the children of Israel in the wilderness of Sinai. The law had been given, the Tabernacle had been built and the priests had been assigned to their service. Now God was going to prepare the nation for its work. In chapter 1 and 2, God numbered and arranged the tribes, choosing and assigning duties to the priests and Levites (Chapter 3, 4). Moses was commanded to take a census.

God gave his children a cloud to guide them by day and a pillar of fire by night. They were guided a step at a time. They did not know when they were to go and when to stop, but the Ark of the Covenant (signifying God’s presence) went on before, the pillar of cloud always leading (Numbers 10:33). Sin came into this camp life as well. The people began to murmur against God. God sent judgement of fire (Numbers 11:1-3). Then they complained about their food (Numbers 11:4). As a result of their complaining, God sent them quails for 30 days. Then we see the sin of Aaron and Miriam, the brother and sister of Moses. God had chosen Moses to be the leader of this great people and Aaron and Miriam were only his assistants. Jealousy crept into their hearts. They wanted more honor and Miriam got the punishment as she was smitten with leprosy for 7 days (Numbers 12:1-16).

After one year at Mount Sinai, the Israelites journeyed to Kadesh. This is at the southern border of the Promised Land.  Afraid to enter, they turned back and wandered in the wilderness to the south and east till that generation died. After 2 years in the wilderness, people could have gone into the land of promise immediately had it not been for the sin of unbelief. They listened to the discouraging words of most of the spies. When the spies came back and told them about the giants in the lands and the high-walled cities, their hearts failed them. They would not listen to Joshua and Caleb who agreed with all that was told, but added, “We should go up and take possession of the land, for we can certainly do it” (Numbers 13:30). When they refused to enter Canaan, the door was closed to them. It meant wandering in the wilderness for 40 years. God said that he would not allow any of those who were over 20 years old to enter Canaan, except Joshua and Caleb. 11 days from the land of promise. But they turned back. They could have made 11 days of progress, but they chose 40 years of wandering. God opens doors that no human can close, and he closes doors that no human can open (Isaiah 22:22; Revelation 3:8). Their fear disqualified them to take over the land of promise. Oftentimes our fear keeps us from enjoying all that God wants to give us. We fear what others will say. We fear what might happen if we put our trust completely in Christ.

Chapter 20 describes how the people complained bitterly to Moses and Aaron and said they wished they had never been brought out of Egypt. Moses patience was at an end. The people had complained about everything. In a fit of anger he called the people rebels and instead of speaking to the rock he struck it. The water gushed out. Even though Moses disobeyed, God was faithful and kept his promise. Moses put himself up as God – “Listen, you rebels, must we bring you water out of this rock?” (Numbers 20:10). This dishonoured Jehovah God. Because Moses smote the rock a second time (Exodus 17:5,6) instead of speaking to it, he was not permitted to enter the Promise Land.

In Numbers 17, Aaron’s priesthood got questioned, so God himself was to confirm it. Moses gathered 12 staffs, one from the leader of each tribe, and placed them overnight in the tent of meeting. God put life into Aaron’s alone, causing it to sprout and bud. All authors of the religions of the world have died, even Christ died. But only Christ was raised from the dead and exalted to be our rich high priest (Hebrews 4:14; 6:4-10).

While the people camped in Kadesh, Miriam, Moses sister died and Aaron, his brother also died. Israelites battled with the Canaanites and became discouraged. Then they grumbled because they had to march around the land of Edom instead through it. They growled again against God and against Moses because they loathed the manna (Numbers 21:5). This time God sent venomous snakes’ among the people, which caused suffering and death. After they confessed their sin, Moses prayed for deliverance of his people. God did not take away the venomous snakes, but 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 would live (Numbers 21:6-9).

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 himself (Philippians 2:7-8). If we look on him, our saviour, we shall live (John 3:14, 15). Even though God chosed the people of Israel to be his chosen one, through the death and resurrection of Christ, the entire world got saved and become chosen, if they accept Christ Jesus.

“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” – Romans 6:23

May God help you to know Christ and be the chosen one.

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 – Wilderness Wanderings

From the Mount Sinai, Israelites journeyed to Kadesh which is the southern border of the Promised Land Canaan. Since the people did not believe in God, the Promised Land which they could have gone in 2 years took 40 years. Sometimes this happens to the current children of God. We will be told to do a certain things and we will not and will lose years and finally will end up in doing the same thing. 

One problem which occurred to them were that they got discouraging words from the spies who told them that since giants are there it is impossible to overcome these giants. They did not listen to Joshua and Caleb who were confident that God will give victory to them. Instead they were telling to choose a leader and go back to Egypt (Numbers 14:4). I have seen people who are Christians, are forced to listen and do things which are against the will of God because of doubt in faith. When you go and convince them that it is not the way God wants, they may come against you, same way Israel went against Moses and Joshua.

When the people of Israel tried to take things in their own hand instead of seeing how powerful their God was, God decided that anyone who is over 20 years will not enter the land of Canaan, except Joshua and Caleb. Eleven days from the land of Promise! But they turn back. They could have made 11 days of progress, but they chose 40 years of wanderings. Miracle might be there in front of you. But because of your unfaithfulness, it is getting dragged away. God opens doors that no human can close and he closes doors that no human can open. God took Israel from Egypt to bring them to the promise land, might in in some weeks. But because of their fear disqualified them to take over the land promised. There is a saying that if you have never faced any difficulties or challenges in life, you have not done any good thing. When you decide to do well, which is against the worldly life, difficulties will come. You need to come out from your comfort zone and walk along with God who called you without any doubt. Often we fear what others say and this fear keeps us from enjoying all God wants to give us. Like the 10, we can be pessimists, or like the 2, we can be optimists. Like the 10 we can put difficulties between us and God and say we are not able, or like the 2, we can put God between the difficulties and ourselves and say we are able.

We also find people questioning Aaron’s priest hood. Moses gathers 12 staffs, one from the leader of each tribe, and placed them overnight in the tent of meeting. God put life into Aaron’s alone, causing it to sprout and bud. All the religious authors in the world died, even Christ died – but only Christ was raised from the dead and exalted to be our High Priest. “Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess”

We find even though Moses disobeyed God by striking the rock, God was faithful and kept his promise. But since Moses smote the rock instead of speaking, he was not permitted to enter the Promised Land. 

Jesus Christ is the rock and was to be smitten once for our sins. 1 Corinthians 10:3, 4 – “They all ate the same spiritual food and drank the same spiritual drink; for they drank from the spiritual rock that accompanied them, and that rock was Christ”. Christ need not be smitten again. 

I pray that you repent your sins, believe and confess Christ as your saviour and be faithful to him and him alone.

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.