A Number of Mistakes

O. T. #367  "A Number of Mistakes"
Sept. 18, 2014
Summary of Numbers
... not one except Caleb son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite and Joshua son of Num, for they followed the LORD wholeheartedly.  Numbers 32:12 NIV

There is so much that happened in this book of the Bible. Are we ready to learn from Israel's mistakes and sins? God had Moses write them down for our benefit. Will we heed the Word of God, His instructions, doing things His way? Or will the story of our life contain a number of mistakes, our rebellion, and sins?

Shall we review what happened in the book of Numbers before we continue into Deuteronomy?
We know that Moses wrote their goings out according to their journeys by the commandment of the LORD. (33:2a)

It was a written reminder of what God had done for his people, His intervention, and physical battles.
Falwell tells us that the Pentateuch, first five book of the Bible, was written between 1450 B.C. and 1410 B. C. Very little detail is given of the 38 years of wanderings. Emphasis is placed on the significant events, not the extent of time.

Something noteable is that the word wilderness is used 48 times in this book. The Hebrew title for this book is "in the wilderness."  (MacArthur)

The MacArthur Bible Commentary informs us of the setting:

• Encamped at Mt. Sinai, the Lord entered into the Mosaic covenant with Israel. (Ex.19-24)
• Israel traveled from Sinai to Kadesh. (Num. 10:11-12:16)
• Events took place in and around Kadesh, located in the wilderness of Paran. (Num.12:16-13:26)
• then in the wilderness of Zin (13:21-20:1)
• Israel traveled to the plains of Moab (20:14-22:1)
• All the events of 22:2-36:13 occurred while Israel was encamped in the plain to the north of Moab. This was a flat and fertile piece of land in the middle of the wasteland.

Three theological themes permeate Numbers:

1. The Lord communicate to Israel through Moses, so the words of Moses had divine authority. Israel's responses to Moses mirrored her: Obedience (chapters 1-10), disobedience (chapters 11-25), and renewed obedience (chapters 26-36).
2. The Lord is the God of judgment. His anger was aroused when Israel sinned.
3. The faithfulness of the Lord to keep His promise given to the seed of Abraham, the land of Canaan. (MacArthur)

I will try to highlight some events during this time in Israel's history:

At Mt. Sinai:

• Back in Exodus 32, Israel had committed a terrible sin, made a golden calf, bowed down and worshiped it instead of remaining faithful to worship God. After the calf was destroyed, Moses asked whoever was on the Lord's side to come stand with him. Levi and his tribe did. We see the Lord honoring the faithfulness and loyalty of Levi when He chose the Levitical tribe to be the priesthood of Israel. Aaron was appointed the first high priest and his son Eleazar replaced him. What a blessing for this tribe!
• Cleansing, consecration, and commission is called for Israel. We read about the separation when the Nazarite vow is established. Those who followed it included Samson, Samuel, John the Baptist, and Paul. (Although Christ was a citizen of Nazareth, He was not a Nazarene.) This vow involved no grapes or wine, not cutting hair, no contact with a dead body.
• We read about the purity, separation, leaders, dedication of Levites, and the Passover in chapters 10-14.

To Kadesh-Barenea:

• There were 20 stops along the way there. There was moving, murmuring, and missed opportunities.
• The major event was the 12 spies' reports-10 said they couldn't conquer the Promised Land, but Caleb and Joshua said they could. The congregation lacked faith in God and refused to go, which resulted in 40 years in the wilderness, with death of the older generation. Those age 20 and up died there, while the younger and new generation, along with Moses, Caleb, and Joshua, go to see it. (Moses did not get to enter, but died before hand.)
• We can't forget the lessons of Balaam and his talking donkey.

To the East Bank of Jordan:

• Legislation, leaders, Levites were reestablished.
• The land of Moab was conquered and the Midianites were destroyed by Israel.
• Offerings and vows to God were renewed.
• Drive out the inhabitants of the land of Canaan, destroy their idols, and divide the land by casting lots.
• Instruction on the dividing of the land of Canaan, with the tribes of Gad, Reuben, and half of Manasseh.  

A few notable verses NIV:
Numbers 14:17-18:  The LORD is slow to anger, abounding in love and forgiving sin and rebellion. Yet He does not leave the guilty unpunished; He punishes the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation.

Numbers 11:23:  Is the LORD's arm too short? You will now see whether or not what I say will come true for you.

Numbers 32:23:  But if you fail to do this, you will be sinning against the LORD; and you may be sure that your sin will find you out.


Read the key verse again. The question to ask ourself today is this, "am I following God wholeheardedly?"
Wholeheartedly in the Hebrew means to be complete or full.

Caleb's heart was  undivided and filled with faith. His report was made according to his convictions, certain that God would take the land. God could be trusted. Caleb obeyed God's instructions.

LET IT GO

Repent of my sins.

Obey God wholeheartedly.

Follow HIs leadings.