The End of Numbers with Pastor Brandon
This week’s readings tale us on a wild journey! If you have never read the bible through like this before, you might be amazed, as I am, at all that takes place in a very short window. In Numbers 21, the story of the grumbling people about something as simple as food, stirred God to send serpents to punish the Israelites…and then just as quickly as he sends the poisonous snakes, God sends the cure! Lift up the bronze serpent and whoever looks upon this will be saved! Jesus himself would reference this story in John 3:14-15, comparing himself to this…that all who look upon him and believe may be given eternal life!
Next is the story of the pagan fortune teller, Balaam, who is called upon by the king to use his practice of divination to curse the Israelites (chapters 22-24), as they pass through his land. Balaam, although surprising to us all, is brought into a unique role of guarding the people of God by withholding curses. His own donkey gets in on it, and speaks to Balaam…and oddly, Balaam talks back, never seeming to ask any other questions. I think in his amazement of the God of the Israelites, he held to his convictions not to press against them, as their God was the true God.
We can see that the Lord, indeed, goes before his people, he is preparing a way for them, and they need only trust him. In chapter 25 though, the people begin to get a little too comfortable with the regional people and their practices, and the men of Israel begin immoral relationships with the women of Moab, and then begin to partake in the Moabite worship, sacrificing to their gods, and worship of these same gods…We see this happen again and again with Israel, so while the punishment may seem harsh, the Lord is working to preserve his people, as his own, set apart for his good will and purposes.
In chapters 26-30, we see the Passover meal set, creating an annual event to be celebrated, along with other festivals (Weeks, Trumpets, Booths, the Day of Atonement, etc.) These are important because they center the hearts of the people of God around their relationship with YHWH, the one who has liberated them from Egypt, and has sustained them in the wilderness. These festivals are not Fall Fests, or Renaissance Festivals, simply existing for fun. These festivals reoriented God’s people around what the Lord has done for them, reminding them of his love for them and where their identity rests. This helps keep the focus of the people on worship, and not falling into practice with the regional peoples and their worship of idols and false gods.
As Numbers comes to a close, I want to draw your attention to chapter 35. Moses, as you will remember is not allowed to cross the Jordan in to the Land of Promise. However, as the elder statesman, Moses still has an eat the Lord speaks into, on behalf of all of his people. When they cross the Jordan, and into the Promised Land, the land they had all been hoping for, for so so long, Moses tells them to establish cities of refuge for those who will need a fresh start, those who are accused of crimes, those who accidentally take the life of another. This is a harsh environment, yes. And accidents do happen. The Lord our God was revolutionary in his grace. Murder was condemnable, and bloodshed is tragic. However, the Lord made a provision for refuge cities to host travelers, aliens, and those who needed a fresh start. Thank the Lord for new mercies every day, for his forgiveness, and his provisions! Amen.