What is the book of Numbers all about. It starts with details on how the Israelite camp was arranged and it ends with laws about cities of refuge and inheritance. The journey which started in Exodus with the Israelites leaving captivity in Egypt and then learning to love and worship God in Leviticus heads into growing pains in Numbers. The people of Israel constantly grumbled against God even as he proves Himself faithful time and time again to them. The people consistently looked back to their old life in captivity and longed for what they saw as a better existence. I wonder if this existence was easier because in Egypt they were not constantly reminded of their dependance on God. It is always easier to complain about a problem or circumstance but once deliverance comes it can be more painful to be free than you would have ever realized. I think of drug addicts that may wish to be free from their dependancy on drugs but the road to overcome the addiction is blocked by an insurmountable wall. I think there was an insurmountable wall in the Israelites way.
I love the foreshadowing that we see in Number that points to the need of Jesus Christ, the better sacrifice. The people had God dwelling among them in the Tabernacle in a cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. God loved the Israelites so much that he blessed them with his law. Yet the obstinate and headstrong people continued to complain. Their disbelief culminated in their wandering in the wilderness for 40 years. During the years in the wilderness God imparted structure to the people of Israel. I wonder at how it would have been for the surrounding nations to see a people coming out of the wilderness as a cohesive entity. The people constantly had to learn to depend on God and they needed to learn who they were in light of who God is. Still the people complained, grumbled, and disbelieved God and consistently challenged His authority in their lives. As time progressed leaders developed like Joshua and Eleazar who desired to stand for God and remind the people to constantly look to God. The constant failure of the Israelites to follow God’s commands points to the greatest insurmountable wall. The wall was only able to be overcome when Jesus Christ came and died on the cross for the sins of the world.
Do you believe that God is sovereign and that His will is better for your life? I know that my life parallels the journey of the Israelites because I constantly finding myself prone to wander away form God. I am thankful that I am completely helpless in this struggle. I know that God has given me a hope that is greater than anything I could hope to attain to in my own strength. The Hope that is Jesus Christ is the only way that I will find true satisfaction in my life. The story in Numbers is a signpost pointing to the only way to find true satisfaction. I know that disbelief will cloud the way at times but God is faithful and he will bring me through any valley that seems greater than what I may be able to overcome.
