Commentary on "A New Order"

COLLEEN TINKER

 

Day 1: Sabbath Afternoon, September 26, 2009

 

Today’s lesson introduces the quarter’s focus on Numbers. The text of the lesson emphasizes the notion of “design”, beginning with creation and concluding with this paragraph:

But God’s order doesn’t end merely with nature. It it seen also in His dealing with His covenant people, the Israelites, even as they wandered in the wilderness. This week we’ll look, firsthand, at how God organized His people for their sacred calling, and we’ll draw some lessons for ourselves today.

The memory text for the week is 1 Corinthians 10:11: “Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.”

 

Problems

By focusing on “design”, comparing creation to the organizing of the tribes into geographic locations, the taking of a census, and the assigning of responsibilities to the Levites who ransomed the first-born among Israel, the author misses the central purpose of the book of Numbers.

Numbers is not primarily a record of Israel’s organization, nor is it a “play book” showing the church how it should be organized and how it functions. Primarily, Numbers is a book of history. It tells the story of God’s direction and fulfillment of His promises for His people during the 40 years they camped in the wilderness before entering the Promised Land.

Numbers demonstrates how God began to fulfill His promise that Abraham’s descendants would inherit Canaan. The Israelite men are being counted and prepared to fight for the land. When the spies return with discouraging accounts of giants, God sentences them to wander for 40 more years because of their lack of trust. The second half of Numbers, however, shows Israel moving again toward Canaan and reaching the Jordan River—the eastern border of Canaan.

Further, Numbers shows how God has already begun fulfilling His promise for descendants as numerous as the stars. The numbering of Israel reveals surprisingly large numbers of men. In addition, Numbers shows how God remains faithful to His promise to be their God and to have them as His people. Even when they are unfaithful—even when Moses himself is unfaithful—God remains faithful. While He does punish them, He doesn’t reject them or withdraw His power as He moves them toward taking the land.

Finally, God’s promise to Abraham declared that his descendants would be a blessing to the nations. This aspect of God’s covenant promise is least realized in Numbers. Nevertheless, Numbers Balaam’s reluctant prophecy stressed that God would bless those who were generous with Israel, and He would curse those who cursed Israel (Numbers 24:9).

Numbers is a historical account of God’s faithfulness and care of His people. It is not primarily an “example” for the church. The aspects of this history that are relevant for the church are those of God’s faithfulness to Himself, His word, and His people. The story of Israel’s desert organization is not an example for how the church should function. This book cannot be read with full understanding of its purpose apart from the rest of the Pentateuch. Its position is chronological, and Numbers explains God’s fulfillment of His promises made to Abraham during the specific period of the nation’s 40 years of desert wandering.

 

Summary

1. Numbers is primarily a history of God’s faithfulness to His own promises to Abraham and his seed.
2. Numbers is not intended to be an example for the church in terms of organization.
3. It is God’s faithfulness, not “order”, that is the central message of Numbers.
4. Numbers cannot be fully understood apart from the rest of the Pentateuch. This book’s position in the first five books is chronological and is a specific record of the desert wandering.

 

For extra insight into the structure and purpose of Numbers, see the Introduction to Numbers in the ESV Study Bible published by Crossway.

For a deeper look at the theology of Numbers and of the entire Pentateuch, see “A Theology of the Pentateuch” in A Biblical Theology of the Old Testament edited by Roy B. Zuck, published by Moody Press.

 

GO TO DAY 2

 

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