The Bible OverBrew - Bible in a Yearनमुना

Week 7. Day 1. Numbers 21-22.

‘The last section of Numbers (Ch 21-36) reveals that a corner has been turned. A new day in which Israel would enter the land is coming.’ Schreiner, The King in His Beauty, 76.

Num 21 The Bronze Serpent

Read Num 21:4-9 and try to answer

• What the people do
• How God responds
• How God then provides a solution

What do you think the original readers would have made of this event?

Now read John 3:14-17

Num 22 begins the account of Balaam, a pagan ‘prophet for hire’ who is employed by Israel’s enemies (Balak from Moab) to pronounce curses on Israel. This narrative is quite complex, and also full of humour, but to make a serious point.

22:1-21 Balaam speaks as if he wants to listen to God, but it seems his motive is actually money (v7, 18, c.f. 2 Pet 2:15)

22:22-35 Balaam describes himself as ‘the one who sees’ and claims to speak God’s words, but notice who is the one who actually sees and speaks God’s words in this story!

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.