Introduction

Welcome to this daily study the Book of the Numbers. The purpose of this study is to enhance your spiritual relationship. One method of study is to first read the section for the day. Then, by reviewing the text, answer the questions. Most of the questions may be answered by merely quoting the verse which is cited in the question. The answer to some questions is not explicit in the verse. These are marked with an asterisk (*), and may require some additional reflection on the material, or material from other books of the Bible. Finally, when you reach a question which is marked with a (§), spend some time contemplating how what you have read can enhance your spiritual life. You may find that these questions require a considerable amount of thought over a period of time. Quietly, in a relaxed state of mind, reflect on the question and find out where it seems to be leading you to consider. You are, of course, never required to share your answers unless you feel comfortable doing so. The translation used in this lesson is provided by Mitchell Dahood S. J., The Anchor Bible Psalms, Doubleday & Company, Incorporated, Garden City, New York, USA 1966. The LORD your GOD will bless your study of her word.

In the previous lesson, the Apostle to the Gentiles, Paul, explain in his letter to the Galatians the importance of faith. The dangers of basing our "righteousness" on the practice of doctrine, either by following the laws which govern our society or the customs which rule our interactions with others, is an end to itself and does not bring the LORD our GOD closer to us. In the Book of Numbers, this same theme is presented. Building a spiritual relationship requires faithing, hope in that which is unseen.

The book of Numbers derives its name from the two census which are taken in chapters 1 and 26. The stories behind the change in the populations is not told in this book. For instance, what happened to half the population of the tribe of Simeon which decreased from 59,300 to 22,200? This, while the rest of the Israelites increased to more than account for the loss.

The book of Numbers is sometimes referred to "In the desert", and this is where the Israelites are forced to remain because of their faithlessness at Kadesh in the Desert of Paran. Having received a report of the riches of the land they are about to enter, they chose, instead, to focus on the challenges ahead, and this causes them to lose their inheritance. Paul uses this lesson to teach us to respond to the opportunities that are presented to us. Otherwise, we may find that we, too, lose our inheritance.

Even Moses is prevented from entering into the promised land because he strikes the rock when told to speak to it. This is a harsh lesson, but shows the importance of responding to the LORD when we hear the call. The opportunity for growth in our spiritual relationship requires immediate faithful action.

Amid the faithlessness which leads to a breach in their spiritual relationship, the grace of the LORD their GOD is, yet, more evident. The anger from GOD is abated through the intercession of Moses. This intercession results in healing for Miriam, forgiveness to the people at Kadesh, and sparing the lives of those who did not join with Korah. Balaam is unable to subvert his spiritual insight into profit for himself because the LORD is sovereign. Even in their darkest moments, the LORD our GOD provides hope to the Israelites.

The study of Balaam will show that our spiritual relationship is more than a tool to fulfil our own needs and wants. Balaam approached GOD when it was convenient; and when it was convenient to oppose the Israelites Balaam was quick to take advantage of that situation, also.

Interspersed among the exciting adventures of the Israelites while they are in the desert, Numbers continues to explain how to live in relationship with the LORD our GOD. The tribal camps are arranged; the Levites are given their unique, priestly responsibilities; and the tabernacle in the wilderness is dedicated. A cloud is established above the tabernacle to tell the Israelites exactly when and where they were to be to have the company of the LORD their GOD. It may be of some encouragement to learn that even though the Israelites had the benefit of knowing GOD's presence on a daily basis, they still had moments of spiritual frustration and failure. When Jesus the Christ was on earth, the disciples were faced with the same dilemma. Even daily participation does not guarantee a spiritual relationship without challenge.

When you have completed this study of the book of Numbers, you will know the challenges and successes of the Israelites while they were in the desert. You will learn to apply this knowledge to your own spiritual relationship to make it stronger and more faithful. When challenges which seem to loom large in front of you, the experience at Kadesh, will strengthen your resolve. When you feel that you are hopelessly separated from the LORD your GOD's grace, look on the atoning work of the Christ Jesus, just as the Israelites were healed when they looked on the bronze snake. These lessons and many more will remind you of GOD's continuing grace in spite of your own personal doubts.

In the next lesson, the Epistle to the Ephesians taught about our role in GOD's plan of salvation. We have been selected from the beginning to share in a spiritual relationship which brings us into adoption as a child of GOD through the atoning work of the Christ Jesus. Because of the election, we are obligated to a behaviour which sets us apart from those around us, and we are given tools which we can use in faith when discouragement arises. Just as when the Israelites were introduced to their new religion, they were made aware of GOD's grace and their obligation, so too, Paul informs the Ephesians of the GOD's grace through the Christ Jesus as well as our obligation.

 

Day One Numbers 1:1-43

 Reuben Simeon Gad
Judah Issachar Zebulun
Ephraim Manasseh Benjamin
Dan Asher Naphtali

 


Day Two Numbers 1:44-2:9

 

Day Three Numbers 2:10-34

 

 

Day Four Leviticus 3:1-37

 

Day Five Leviticus 3:38-4:20

 

Day Six Leviticus 4:21-49

Day One Numbers 5

 

Day Two Numbers 6

 

Day Three Numbers 7:1-23

 

Day Four Numbers 7:24-59

v 24; v 30; v 36; v 42; v 48; v 54

 

Day Five Numbers 7:60-89

 

Day Six Numbers 8

 

Day One Numbers 9:1-14

 

 

Day Two Numbers 9:15-10:10

 

Day Three Numbers 10:11-36

 

Day Four Numbers 11:1-15

 

Day Five Numbers 11:16-35

 

Day Six Numbers 12

 

Day One Numbers 13:1-29

 

Day Two Numbers 13:30-14:25

 

Day Three Numbers 14:26-15:5

 

Day Four Numbers 15:6-36

 

Day Five Numbers 15:37-16:27

 

Day Six Numbers 16:28-50

 

Day One Numbers 17:1-13

 

Day Two Numbers 18:1-16

 

Day Three Numbers 18:17-32

 

Day Four Numbers 19:1-16

 

Day Five Numbers 19:17-20:11

 

Day Six Numbers 20:12-29

 

Day One Numbers 21:1-22

 

Day Two Numbers 21:23-22:12

 

Day Three Numbers 22:13-35

 

Day Four Numbers 22:36-23:12

 

Day Five Numbers 23:13-24:14

 

Day Six Numbers 24:15-25

 

Day One Numbers 25-26:7

 

Day Two Numbers 26: 8-34

 

Day Three Numbers 26:35-56

 

Day Four Numbers 26:57-27:7

 

Day Five Numbers 27:8 -28:10

 

Day Six Numbers 28:11-31

 

Day One Numbers 29:1-25

 

Day Two Numbers 29:26-30:9

 

Day Three Numbers 30:10-31:24

 

Day Four Numbers 31:25-54

 

Day Five Numbers 32:1-19

 

Day Six Numbers 32:20-42

 

Day One Numbers 33:1-21

 

Day Two Numbers 33:22-42

 

Day Three Numbers 33:45-56

 

Day Four Numbers 34

 

Day Five Numbers 35:1-21

 

Day Six Numbers 35:22-36:13

Summary

Recommended Reading:

 

You are entitled to a wish of joy as you complete this lesson. The Book of Numbers takes up at where the Book of Exodus leaves off. It is composed of four broad sections. The first deals with regulations promulgated at Sinai (Numbers 1:1-10:10); the second part reports highlights of the early days of the march (10:11-20:1); the "Book of Balaam' which according to some was once a separate book by that name is the third section (22:2-24:25); the final part begins with events immediately preceding the invasion of Canaan (25:1-36:13).

The major locale of the book is the desert, that is the Sinai peninsula, and especially its eastern part, the Negev. The environment is harsh, but the LORD deems it necessary for Israel's spiritual development. The desert is the place where the people's failures are punished, where its Unheilsgeschichte will prepare it for its Heilsgeschichte (German translation: unheils : mischief; heils : salvation; geschichte : history, story, tale). This is the "desert motif" that underlies the Book of Numbers, which continues from where Exodus left off.

Israel is GOD's people and is therefore subject to special obligations and laws which are designed to safeguard its holiness. The book tells us how Israel continued to fall short of its divinely appointed goals; how, because of its murmurings, rebellions, and transgressions of various kinds, the LORD was time and again disappointed in Her people. Still, though individuals were punished and a whole generation was condemned to die in the wilderness, the covenant was not abrogated: the sanctuary -- with its divine manifestations -- remained in the midst of the camp, and the LORD never ceased to guide and protect His chosen ones. The period of wanderings may be seen as a trial of faith, and at the end of the book there emerges the vision of a new nation which will take possession of the Holy Land and do so as a holy people.
--THE TORAH A M odern Commentary

The application of the Book of Numbers to our own spiritual relationship should be clear at this point. We are GOD's people, you and I are each the LORD's person. Therefore, we are subject to special obligations which safeguard our holiness. Chief of these is faith as explained in the previous lesson about Galatians. Our daily lives confess of how we continue to fall short of our divinely appointed goals; how, because of our faithlessness, addictive behaviours, murmurings, rebellions, transgressions and arrogance, each expressions of insecurities and anxieties of various kinds, we share in the disappointment of the LORD our GOD.

Still, though we are punished as our lives endure correction and a great deal of time is lost, our spiritual relationship continues as the covenant is not abrogated. Our spiritual relationship -- with its divine manifestations -- remains in our midst, and the LORD our GOD never ceases to guide and protect us, her beloved, his chosen ones.

The period of our wanderings in this life may be seen as a trial of faith. The more that we develop in our spiritual lives there emerges the vision of a new relationship. This new relationship is between a GOD and a person who is holy, that is there is complete unity of desire, fear and will with that of our LORD and GOD, our Creator, Sustainer and Lover.