The Bible OverBrew - Bible in a Yearنموونە

Week 6. Day 1. Numbers 1-4.

Introduction to Numbers.

After the pause in the narrative for the book of Leviticus, Numbers picks up the story from Exodus. The first 10 chapters are quite similar to Leviticus, giving regulations for how the people can live with a holy God in their midst. Then the stage is set for the people to be led from Sinai into the promised land.

But—as we used to say at family Bible time—Numbers is full of grumblers. The people fail to trust and obey God, which leads to an entire generation dying the in the wilderness (chapters 11-25).

There are a few repeated phrases and ideas that point us to some of the central message of Numbers. As you read through the book, you might wish to note all references to:

●‘The LORD said’

●‘Tabernacle’ (used 32 times)

●‘tent of meeting’ (used 54 times)

●‘As the Lord commanded’ / ‘according to the command of the Lord’

●Fire (symbolising the presence of God)

Numbers 1-4.

After the censusin ch1, Numbers 2-10 describe the organisation of the camp. You may wish to skim some sections, as the detail can be overwhelming, but there are some key verses not to miss along the way:

1:53 The Levites are to camp around the ark of the covenant, separating it from the rest of the people. Why?

Num 3 The word ‘guard’ (ESV) is used 10 times in this chapter (NIV translates variously as ‘be responsible for’, ‘take care of’). The Levites are to guard the tent of meeting so that nothing unclean enters it, much as Adam was to guard the garden of Eden (same Hebrew word is used in Gen 3:15) but failed. [cut this bit?]

Num 4. How did God command that the ark of the covenant be carried and moved? (This will become significant when we reach Read 2 Sam 6:1-15)

Why do you think so long is taken to explain how the camp is to be organised?

God (the ark of the covenant)is in the centre, surrounded by the priests, with the rest of the people around the edge.

Just like the laws of Leviticus about cleanness and holiness, the purpose of this arrangement is to protect the people – to prevent an unclean people being consumed by coming into the presence of a holy God.

NOTE: Days 1-5 of each week contain the scripture reading for that week. Day 6 has just the 'key chapters'. If you want a briefer version of this plan that still takes you through the whole Bible, you could just read the key chapters featured on day 6. Day 7 has the podcast video where we discuss the week's reading.