Overflow Daily...ish: In the Desert

The Lord spoke to Moses in the tent of meeting in the Wilderness of Sinai, 
Numbers 1:1a 

As we are move into Numbers probably one of the first things that you noticed was the mini genealogy of the twelve tribes of Israel followed by the first of several census’ in the book of Numbers. Contextually, the story line follows the book of Exodus. From a Literary perspective, you may want to reread that it does not say literally, it could be read sort of as a diary of the Israelites with census lists. Theologically, it follows the promises given to the patriarchs back in Genesis. Ultimately this book is all about how God is faithful in fulfilling His promises.

In the Hebrew Bible, this book goes by the name bemidbar, meaning in the desert. And that is a very appropriate title because we read about how God directs His people to organize themselves, worship Him, and does bring the people from Egypt to the land of Promise. But in chapter 13, the scouts bring a bad report and the people of God display a lack of faith and are to left wander in the desert until an entire generation passes away. But where the story begins is where it ends. Even though the people are faithless, God is always faithful and He leads them back to the land of promise.

I like how the Holman Concise Bible Commentary put it,
“The wilderness became a proving ground, an arena in which Israel had opportunity to display their commitment to the God who had called and commissioned them.”
As you read through Numbers, reflect on the faithfulness of God in your own life and rejoice in knowing that God never fails to keep His word. Even when we lack faith, God remains true. Even in the midst of internal threats (Worship of Baal in ch 25), and external threats (Balaam’s curses in ch 22), God overcomes these obstacles and remains true to his word. The people eventually prove, in the desert, that they will commit themselves to God’s sovereignty and will. We too are sojourners awaiting our Promise of redemption. Commit yourself to God who has called, commanded, and commissioned us for His glory and our good.

Grace and Peace,
Pastor Alex

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