Numbers

Numbers

Numbers is often overlooked in readings. Fascinatingly, in Hebrew, this book is titled “Wilderness.” That’s exactly what happens when we choose to not follow God, be set in our ways, and complain against Him over and over. We end up in the wilderness.

I know a lot of people in the wilderness. They’ve traveled with Jesus so far and then a crisis hit or something took place that they not only settle, they camp out. They lose their passion, which is a sheer sign of a problem and eventually turn their thoughts against the Savior who has given them life. It’s a terrible place to be and for most if not recognized where they have landed, could stay there for years.

The reality for the Israelite’s was the wilderness was never meant to be the final destination. The Promised Land was what was before them. This place in the wilderness was only intended to be temporary but for whatever reason, as human nature and hateful antics happened over and over they ended up living there.

Fair warning – you turn yourself away from God and following His Son – you will not only find yourself in the wilderness, you may stay for quite some time. And God will let you stay there.

And so the book of Numbers opens with some ‘taking care of business.’ The nation was at the foot of Mount Sinai where God’s law had been given and they were in the process of moving forward. A census was taken in particular for their military. From there the people would be set apart for God as His own. God was preparing His people for what He had in store for them. Sadly, that would not be the case for quite awhile.

For it was then the complaining began. And boy the complaining reverberated to the heavens. The people complained about food, then it was about Moses as their leader. After God finally dealt with this lot of complainers, they arrived at the border and sent spies to the land. The people then complained about this, living in fear. Like a flood, negativity swept through the camp. So angry, God stated that the current generation would not see the Promised Land. They would never step foot in it due to their unbelief.