The Book of Numbers
The long wilderness — Israel's wanderings, and the faithfulness of God through them.
Overview
Numbers follows Israel through nearly forty years in the wilderness — a story of grumbling, failure, and delay, but also of God's patient faithfulness to an unfaithful people. It shows what happens when fear wins over trust, and how God keeps his promises anyway.
It is a sobering, honest book about the wilderness seasons of faith, and the God who provides and guides even when we wander.
Key themes
God's faithfulness
Despite constant grumbling, God provides for and guides his people.
The cost of unbelief
Israel's fear at the border shows how unbelief keeps us from God's promises.
God's presence and blessing
God dwells among his people and blesses them, even in the desert.
Key verses from Numbers
The LORD bless thee, and keep thee: The LORD make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.
The priestly blessing, still spoken today.
God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?
be sure your sin will find you out.
How to read Numbers
Read it as an honest picture of the wilderness seasons of faith.
Notice God's patience with a grumbling, fearful people.
Let Israel's failure at the border warn against letting fear beat trust.