Numbers

Overview – April 2014 – Grace & Truth Magazine

Numbers

“According to the commandment of the Lord they were numbered by the hand of Moses, each according to his service and according to his task; thus were they numbered by him, as the Lord commanded Moses.” —Numbers 4:49 NKJV

This book gives the numbering and ordering of Israel on their march through the wilderness. God gave directions for their service and warfare as they were on their way to the land of Canaan. All of the twelve tribes were given their own particular place by God. Some were chosen as soldiers. The Kohathites, Gershonites and Merarites, the families of the tribe of Levi, were appointed to serve the priests in caring for the tabernacle and its service. In these details we see a picture of God's great wisdom and care in directing all the affairs of the lives of His saints throughout their history in this world, a world which in experience we find to be a wilderness.

Their history as given in Numbers is one of almost 40 years of general weakness, failure, complaining and disobedience. These things have been sadly repeated in the Church today. Yet God's unfailing care and faithfulness shine beautifully above their failure. This is prominent in the history of Balaam (Num. 22-24) in which God is seen defending His people against every effort of the enemy to put them down.

Joshua and Caleb (Num. 14:6-9) are refreshing examples of unswerving devotedness in contrast to the general disobedience. They strongly remind us that we need not be failures. A true sense that God places us where He sees fit in whatever service pleases Him and directs our lives will give us steadfast endurance, whatever others may do.

By Leslie M. Grant

This column is taken from the book: The Bible, Its 66 Books In Brief.
It is available from the publisher:Believer’s Bookshelf USA.