the ruminations of aaron eberline

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. Read more

We get a look at the past and future of Israel in Numbers 33 and 34. The past 40 years of the Israelites journeying in the wilderness is chronicled by each spot where the people camped. It is amazing to think of a few million people moving from place to place. I am amazed by the thought of coordinating so many people. Why was it important for the people to remember where they had been? I can only think of my own life and walk with God. There are moments in my life when it is absolutely necessary for me to look back and remember the journey that God is leading me on. In the same way the Israelites needed to be able to look back upon their history to remember their past and the God that they served. Read more

After reading Numbers 29 and 30 today all I am left with many confusing questions. Why are the sacrifices constantly being restated? Were the people not listening? What’s the point? As I ask these questions I remember what has happened in Numbers 27 where the mantle of leadership is transfered from Moses to Joshua. I am also reminded of Numbers 26 where the census was take again after the 40 years in the wilderness and there the was no one left who was numbered in the wilderness because God said, “They shall surely die in the wilderness.” Only Caleb the son of Jephunneh and Joshua the son of Nun were left from those who disbelieved and rebelled. Read more