40 Weeks of Your Life: Numbers
04-20-2006
by Vicky Beeching

In Hebrew, this book is named "Bar-Midbar" ("in the desert"). The Septuagint version calls it "Arithmoi" translated as "numbers"; the name we use today. It's given that title because the people of Israel were counted or 'numbered' in the desert of Sinai, and then later re-counted in Moab.

It is often divided into three sections, which helps us as we look back over the book together:

- The counting/numbering of Israel at Mount Sinai and getting ready to continue their desert-march
- The journey from Sinai to Moab, spies going out to survey the land, and the Israelites complaining about the sufferings of their situation
- Laws and directions given to the People in Moab before they went across the River Jordan.

This book covers a time span of about 38 years of wandering in the wilderness. In that sense, it has a feeling of sadness and weariness to it. It is a tough picture of what happens when we disobey God and are kept in a 'holding pattern' until we learn the lessons of love, and He can move us forwards into His promised future. It makes my heart want to say a quick "yes!" to the lessons and requests God brings to me, as I want to be obedient and able to walk into all the good He has in store for me!

Numbers also reminds me of the father heart of God, who disciplines His children because He loves them and wants them to be wise and mature. It reminds me that if God is disciplining me in certain areas of my life, it is from a motive of love and fatherly care.

One of my favourite passages here is Chapter 14. God tells Moses He wants to destroy Israel because of their sinfulness and complaining hearts. Moses stands on behalf of Israel and asks God to reconsider and spare His people. This is a great picture of what we call "intercession" - where we stand on behalf of a person or people, and bring them to God requesting that He would intervene.

For us, that might be interceding for an unsaved family member, or a sick friend, or for peace in a war torn nation. It is a powerful picture of how we really do stand before God when we pray, and that He hears and truly changes things. In the place of prayerful intercession, lives are literally altered from death to life, like we see here from Moses' prayers.

My other highlight from Numbers is, when the spies ventured into the 'Promised Land' to check it out. Most of them came back afraid and freaked out as they saw it's giant inhabitants and feared for their lives. It reminds my heart that even if the future looks overwhelming, I can trust God to fulfil His promises. Even if the land on the horizon is filled with various 'giants' I can trust the same God who enabled David to overcome Goliath with one small stone. He will accomplish what He has promised and will lead us into the land and destiny He has laid out for us!

As you came to the end of Numbers, you'll have read Chapter 35 about the "Cities of Refuge". It's awesome that within His plans for society, God included special cities set apart where people who had mistakenly committed crimes could go to find safety and a dwelling place. He is a God who gives rest to the troubled and weary hearted. He provides a home and a safe place for every heart.

The whole book of Numbers is set in the scene of wilderness-wanderings, so it is very fitting that one of the final chapters mentions "cities of refuge" and rest. If you feel like you are wandering in the desert wasteland, remember that the God of love and rest invites you into His arms today. In His embrace we find the warm welcome our weary hearts have longed for, and the much needed place of peace, safety and refuge.

Learn about Vicky Beeching in our Artist Database: http://www.cmcentral.com/artists/1078.html