{"id":3820,"date":"2011-11-02T01:00:09","date_gmt":"2011-11-02T09:00:09","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.lighthousebc.com\/beacon\/?p=3820"},"modified":"2012-11-28T04:44:52","modified_gmt":"2012-11-28T12:44:52","slug":"bob-numbers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lighthousebc.com\/beacon\/2011\/11\/02\/bob-numbers\/","title":{"rendered":"BOB – Numbers"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

by Stephen Rodgers<\/em><\/p>\n

NUMBERS IN 10 WORDS OR LESS<\/strong><\/p>\n

“Faithless Israelites wander forty years in the wilderness of Sinai.”<\/p>\n

TITLE<\/strong><\/p>\n

The English title \u201cNumbers\u201d comes from the Greek word (Arithmoi<\/em>) meaning \u201cnumbers,\u201d (referring to the census and numberings of chapters 1-4 and 26) whereas the Hebrew title is derived from the books\u2019s very first word (bemidbar<\/em>), translated \u201cin the wilderness.\u201d (Num 1:1)<\/p>\n

As previously mentioned, it is sometimes referred to as the \u201cFourth Book of Moses.\u201d<\/p>\n

AUTHOR & AUDIENCE<\/strong><\/p>\n

Both Jewish and Christian traditions attribute the five books of the Pentateuch primarily<\/em> to Moses. Like Leviticus,<\/a> Numbers makes explicit claims regarding Mosaic authorship (Num 33:2; 36:13).<\/p>\n

Furthermore, both the OT (Num 33:2; Jos 8:31; 1Ki 2:3; 2Ki 14:6; Ezr 6:18; Neh 13:1; Dan 9:11,13; Mal 4:4) and the NT (Matt 8:4;Mk 12:26; Lk 16:29; 24:27, 44; Jn 5:46; 7:22; Ac 15:1; Ro 10:19; 1Co 9:9; 2Co 3:15) credit Moses as the author of the Pentateuch.<\/p>\n

For more information, see the \u201cAuthor and Composition\u201d section of the Pentateuch article.<\/a><\/p>\n

The original audience were the Israelites who\u00a0survived\u00a0the desert wanderings, and their\u00a0descendants. Later generations would read it to remind themselves of God’s faithfulness to His people.<\/p>\n

DATE<\/strong><\/p>\n

Depending on whether one subscribes to an early (ca. 1,446\u00a0BC) or late (ca. 1,260\u00a0BC) date of the Exodus would determine the time during which Numbers was written (after the Exodus but prior to Moses\u2019 death). (It should be noted that while good arguments have been put forth in favor of both dates, the majority of scholars surveyed for this series tended to favor an early\u00a0date).<\/p>\n

Given the internal dates supplied in Numbers, we also know that Numbers was written during the final year of Moses’ life.<\/p>\n

BACKGROUND & SETTING<\/strong><\/p>\n

Most of the events of the book of Numbers are set “in the wilderness” as the name suggests. Because of their sin, complaining, and lack of trust in the LORD, God condemns them to wander in the desert until the present generation dies off. Numbers 1:1-14:45 records events that took place the year following the Exodus; Numbers 20:1 and following takes place 37-38 years later. \u00a0Numbers 15:1-19:22 are undated, but probably took place in the intervening time period.\u00a0The lack of material associate with this period (compared with the other years of the journey from Egypt to Canaan) communicates how utterly wasted these years were because of Israel’s rebellion.<\/p>\n

HISTORICAL & THEOLOGICAL THEMES<\/strong><\/p>\n

In broad terms, Numbers deals with three themes: 1) God’s mercy and faithfulness, 2) God’s justice, and 3) Hope.<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. We continually see God guiding (Num 9:17) and comforting His people as He offers them forgiveness and reconciliation. \u00a0Their rebellions and unfaithfulness are contrasted with His ever faithful love for His own (Num 14:18).<\/li>\n
  2. Complaining (Num 11:1-12:16; 21:1-22:1) and rebellion (at both Kadesh and Peor) are followed by judgment and punishment.<\/li>\n
  3. Although followed by judgment and punishment, rebellions are also followed by\u00a0repentance\u00a0and renewed hope and obedience. \u00a0Ultimately, God does not leave His people to wander in the desert, but remembers His promise and brings them to the border of the Promised Land. \u00a0Despite their disobedience, His plan and will cannot be thwarted.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    LITERARY FEATURES<\/strong><\/p>\n

    Numbers as a book falls into the overall genre of historical chronicle. \u00a0However, the specific structure of the book is divided into sections of narrative interspersed with sections of laws and regulations. \u00a0Such sections should not be viewed as an interuption to the story, but rather seen as expressing religious truths in a visual form. \u00a0Remember that as a theocracy<\/em>, one cannot entirely separate religious ritual and practice from political governance. \u00a0In that way, even those rituals serve to further illustrate the narrative portions as complementary material.<\/p>\n

    INTERPRETIVE CHALLENGES<\/strong><\/p>\n

    There are a number of challenges that are presented by the book of Numbers. \u00a0The most often cited include 1) whether Numbers is\u00a0coherent\u00a0as a part of the Pentateuch, 2) whether Numbers is\u00a0coherent\u00a0in and of itself, 2) mathematical issues posed by the reported number of fighting men in Israel, and 3) how to responsibly handle the passages that relate to the false prophet Balaam.<\/p>\n

      \n
    1. I have already briefly addressed the issue<\/a> that the Pentateuch should be considered a single collection of work by a singular author (admittedly with minor revisions and glosses that are widely recognized) rather than a collection of writings compiled at a later date. \u00a0While Numbers can seem like something of a deparature from the other books of Moses, it should be noted that the author assumes the events (and knowledge of the events) described in Genesis, Exodus, and Leviticus. \u00a0There is no additional explanation of the LORD, Moses, the Law, the tabernacle, or the Exodus from Egypt. (Furthermore, see the chart in the ESV Study Bible<\/em> labelled “Parallels between Exodus and Numbers”\u00a0for additional similarities and ties).<\/li>\n
    2. Some scholars have suggested that Numbers is not a coherrant work. \u00a0However, an examination of the book itself clearly shows that the 1st generation of Israel (Num 1:1-25:18) is contrasted with the 2nd generation of Israel (Num 26:1-36:13). Furthermore, as previously mentioned, the book has a distinct beginning, middle, and end from a chronological point of view.<\/li>\n
    3. I will address this in greater detail in the OBJECTIONS section below.<\/li>\n
    4. Numbers 22:2-24:25 records the rather strange tale of the heathen prophet Balaam. \u00a0On an initial reading, Balaam can be a confusing figure, particularly because while he claims to know the LORD (Num 22:18) and even communicates with Him (Num 22:20), God is later shown to be angry with him for going on the very trip that He seemingly gave Balaam permission to take (along the way, there’s a talking donkey, but that’s another issue)! \u00a0Balaam then goes on to deliver a true prophecy given to him by God himself…only to have Scripture identify him repeatedly as a false prophet (Deut 23:3-6; Jos 13:22; 24:9,10; Neh 13:1-3; Mic 6:5; 2 Pet 2:15,16; Jude 11: Rev 2:14). \u00a0Meinolf Mellwig once described this as an occasion where “you’re not sure how you’re supposed to feel about someone until you read later in the Bible.” \u00a0For now, suffice to say that Balaam was a false prophet who the LORD used to speak true words.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      OBJECTIONS<\/strong><\/p>\n

      The ESV Study Bible<\/em> (“The Large Numbers in the Pentateuch”) does an excellent job of treating this subject, but I want to briefly sketch an outline for you in support of a literal reading of the numbers.<\/p>\n

      When taken literally the numbers of the Israelite militia total 603,550 in the first census and 601,730 in the second census, which would seem to imply a total population of 2 to 3 million. Critical scholars have challenged this interpretation by pointing out a number of alleged external and internal problems.<\/p>\n

      External problems include the inability of the Sinai region to support that many people (explained by God’s miraculous provision), and the lack of archaelogical evidence that such a group ever occupied the region (explained by the fact that such ANE nomadic cultures typically left little to no trace to begin with).<\/p>\n

      Internal problems include the issue of the firstborn and the problem of small subsequent armies, which I will describe in more detail below:<\/p>\n