Dear 365 Bible Readers,

You made it through Leviticus, the book of the law!  Congratulations!  And now we move into Numbers.

Interestingly, the original Hebrew title for Numbers was “in the desert”, which makes sense because it covers the 40 years the nation of Israel spent wandering in the desert.  I think of it as they were numbered (census chapters 1-4) and then I imagine the numbers of bodies that fell in the desert.  

So a journey that should have taken two weeks took 40 years.  What happened?  This is not a history book full of heroic stories, but a progression of grumbling and unbelief to its tragic end.

As you read keep in mind the theme of GRUMBLING and REBELLION.  Look for examples of this and notice the cause of each rebellion, and also God’s response.  Are there parallels in your own life?

You might also look for character qualities (good and bad) in the leadership of MOSES.  How does he respond to each crisis?

Consider also reading Psalms 78, 105, and 136 which recount the stories of Numbers in poetic form.

“These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the culmination of the ages has come. So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall!” 1 Corinthians 10:11-12

Courage to you!