Questions For Numbers

Dear Fellow Readers,

Most of our readers are approaching or in Numbers somewhere. I want to offer you some questions to encourage reflection on the significance of this book. As you think about these questions and read the text, please feel free to share your thoughts/insights with your fellow readers. As always, please feel free to ask questions, too. Although some of these chapters can be difficult and dry, keep reading. This is God's Word—our life!

• Numbers 5:11-30 describes a ceremony used when a jealous husband suspected his wife of being unfaithful. Why is that story included in God's Word? What's the purpose of the story?
• What was so important about celebrating Passover that anyone who did not celebrate it was cut off from the people of God (Num 9)?
• God took "grumbling" very seriously. What is grumbling and what is the modern-day equivalent? Does God take it any less seriously (Num 11 & 12)?
• Why were Moses and Aaron punished so severely for striking the rock rather than speaking to it (Num 20)?
• Why does the Lord tell Moses to send a small group of Israelite to take revenge on the Midianites (Num 31)?

Enjoy your reading!

Rounding The Corners Of Your Head?

Pastor Jared,

I'm so glad that you are doing the questions & answers. I am using the Chronological Order guide (KJV) and am reading ahead to rush madly to get through Leviticus. I have one dumb question (actually a good one). In Leviticus 19:27, what does it mean to not "round the corners of your heads" Thanks, Joan Henry

It was fairly common in Ancient Nearestern Religions for adherents to cut off their hair and devote it to their gods. Not only did the Egyptians make this a practice, but it was also mentioned by writers such as Homer and Plutarch. God did not want his people to participate in idolatrous worship.

Orthodox Jews point to this verse as the reason they don't shave the locks of hair on the side of their heads or trim their beards. The attached picture shows the curly locks of hair hanging down from the temple and the untrimmed beard.

Hope this helps!

Questions & Comments From Fellow Readers

Hello, all,

I trust you are enjoying reading through the Bible. Here are some questions and comments we received from some of you. I left a comment or two below the questions. I pray that you will stay strong in your reading and that God will use your time in His Word to strengthen and guide you. Keep it up, you’re doing great!

I have a question from Genesis/Exodus...I noticed a couple of scenarios where an oath was made...the one making the oath was asked to put their hand under the other person's thigh. Why is that? I found that quite strange—Krista Smith

• Actually, by our standards that is quite strange, but it’s found consistently in the story of the Patriarchs. Not surprisingly, scholars disagree on the significance of one putting their hand under the thigh of another. Let’s just say some of the interpretations are rather “earthy.”

Well I just started yesterday and did the first 3 days worth. Having trouble fitting it in today – slept too late! Thanks for your support. Thought you might use this to encourage people who are behind—Carolyn Thompson

• Hang in there, Carolyn!

Some days are easier than others—Pat Bowden

I am enjoying this—Dawn Hammack

Nate and I are doing well with our reading! I haven't missed a day yet! We are doing the chronological reading, and I find that by reading more per day than I used to do, I am actually learning more because I'm reading more of a story, rather than just a few pieces of the stories:) I am reading from the New Living Translation Bible. I don't really have anything that's keeping me consistent except that I really don't want to miss a day! I don't think I have any questions about what I read, I just commented to Nate the other night that people in Bible times sure whined a lot☺—Kristen Bowden

• Nice work. I think the bigger chunks that we read the better we get a feel for what’s going on. BTW, Keri’s dad translated Numbers for the New Living Translation. I’m using that one this year as well, and I really enjoy it!

I’m using the guide in chorological order, which I have never used before and am really enjoying. I read a book many years ago that suggested taking the attitude “No Bible, no breakfast”. Well, I am a breakfast person and can’t make it through the day without my morning meal, so I took up that dictum, although I have changed it to “Bible WITH breakfast”, at least on work days when I am up in the early mornings before the rest of the family. It continues to work for me.

I am reading through the instructions that God gave to Moses right now about the construction of the tabernacle. What I would really like is a visual representation of what I am reading. It’s difficult for me to “see” the words – I begin just reading and not thinking about it. I also have such a difficult time relating to the rituals and the idea of animal sacrifices. Maybe visuals or sermons discussing such would help— Deborah Dempsey

• “Bible with breakfast,” is a great slogan. I actually enjoy doing that myself. Good idea on the visuals. I don’t have any with me (still in Kenya), but I can find some when I get home. If you have a study Bible it might also have some pictures.

I'm loving the daily "washing in the Word." I'm using NIV, and am just finishing Numbers. In this last section of Numbers, I'm amazed at how patient Moses was with his people, and WOW- what an intercessor! Thanks for motivating us along—Marilyn Knoepfel

• It’s lucky for the Israelites that Moses was such a great intercessor, because otherwise they would have been toast (quite literally being “consumed”)!

I have found that I am able to stay on track if I try to keep to a regular schedule in the morning. I am using "The Message" and find it to be a very easy read. I finished last year reading through the NIV. I am enjoying the Message as it is more like reading a news article or book. Thanks for the encouragement—Doris Haley

Thanks for the message. We sure miss you on Sundays. Hearing your message in person is so rewarding and such a blessing—Sue Jacobsmeyer

• Can’t wait to be back!

QUESTION 1: Exodus 4:24 The Lord was about to kill Moses? What’s that all about? God just summoned Moses to Egypt, then he’s going to kill him? Confusing.

• Unfortunately, Moses was “sloppy” in his walk with God and had not yet circumcised his son, which nearly led to his destruction. In this case, his wife was the intercessor for Moses; she circumcised their son and fulfilled God’s command.

QUESTION 2:Sort of perplexing for me: When Moses went up the mountain and the Israelites turned to worshipping a golden idol, God was ready to wipe them ALL out. Moses had to talk with God and asked God to rethink his punishment & remind God of his covenant with Abraham, Isaac & Jacob.

Would God have really wiped them all out and broken His covenant with Abraham? God get’s VERY ANGRY!!!—Lynne Aldridge

• I think God would have wiped them out if Moses had not interceded. But even if God had wiped them out he would not have broken his covenant with Abraham because God only promised to bless all the nations of the world through him, and Moses was part of Abraham’s seed (offspring). So God proposed that he wipe out the rest of Abraham’s seed and just start over with Moses. Yikes!
• I think the sobering part of your insightful questions is that God takes worship and obedience very seriously. Even though we are in Christ, He still takes our worship seriously.

Reading the Bible in the Message version makes reading the Bible more like a novel, easier to understand.

I’m reading the Message Bible. I always heard in the past that the Message Bible wasn’t a good version to study from because it’s a looser translation, so I’ve not used the Message Bible very much. However, when simply reading the Bible for a general understanding, it’s wonderful.

• “Better” and “worse” versions are in the eye of the beholder. When most people say better they mean more literal and the Message is not a translation, it’s a paraphrase (they don’t translate word for word, but try to capture the thought). However, given the number of translations we enjoy, it’s nice to be able to read more than one.

That’s it for now. I’ll see you Sunday!

Pastor Jared

Questions/Comments

Hello Fellow Readers,

I trust you are doing well in your reading, whatever program you've chosen. We'd like to hear from you regarding your progress. Please let us know:

• questions you have about things you've read
• comments about what's helped you be consistent in your reading
• what we might provide that would help you in your reading

Also, please fill out the poll regarding which translation you're using.

Happy Reading,

Pastor Jared

Thoughts From Pastor Tina

It is amazing to look at the beginning portions of the Old Testament (Genesis and Exodus)—how those who went before us didn’t quite grasp that God would actually do what he said he would do! When reading the story of Abraham and Sarah, we find a couple that God had chosen and blessed. He made many promises to Abraham:

• Genesis 11:2-3, “I will make you into a nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing, I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse, and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.”
• Genesis 15:1, “Do not be afraid, Abram, I am your shield, your very great reward.”
• Genesis 15:4, “Then the word of the Lord came to him: “This man will not be your heir, but a son coming from your own body will be your heir.” He took him outside and said, ‘Look up at the heavens and count the stars – if indeed you can count them.’ Then he said to him, ‘So shall your offspring be.’”
  

Abraham questioned God many times, each step of the way, regarding His promises of deliverance, provision and faithfulness. Each time God proved His word and His promises to Abraham and showed that He could be trusted. What a patient God we serve! However, even after showing His faithfulness to Abraham time and time again, Abraham still didn’t trust God enough to deliver on His promise of a son. Abraham and Sarah took that into their own hands! Doubting God, Sarah encouraged Abraham to sleep with a servant and bear a child in that way. God must have been up in Heaven shaking His head. Time and time again he proved His faithfulness to Abraham and Sarah and they still doubted His ability.

The same goes for Moses. God told Moses he was going to use Him to deliver the Israelites from the hands of the Egyptians (Exodus 6:1). Boom…it happened in some amazing ways – the ten plagues – the passover –the parting of the Red Sea! Then the journey was set before them. God provided manna for them to eat each morning and evening and enough for the Sabbath (after their grumbling and complaints mind you). He even told Moses to keep a piece to show future generations of His faithfulness. But still when times got tough, the Israelites questioned God’s abilities and His faithfulness – even to the point of creating a golden calf to worship. Hello!!! They ignored what the voice and hand of God said and did. Those of little faith!

While reading these passages, it just reminded me that we are sometimes just like Abraham, Sarah, Moses, Aaron and the Israelites. We see God’s hand in our lives and have heard His promises in our heart and yet we seem to forget it very easily when the next trial comes along or when the deepest desires in our heart have not been fulfilled. Where is our faith? Do we not believe God can do the incredible, the impossible, the supernatural? Do we not believe that God knows each of us by name and the number of hair on our head? Do we not believe that God loves us more than the birds of the air or the flowers of the field? Do we not believe our Father cares about us?

So, today, just an encouragement…remember that God knows who you are, He knows exactly what you are facing, He knows the deepest desires of your heart…trust Him! His ways are much greater than our ways! His plans are to prosper us, not harm us (Jeremiah 29:11)! Don’t lean on your own understanding, don’t try to figure it all out, just trust God! (Proverbs 3:5-6). He is a good God! His love for us is a love that we never will experience on earth! Rest in Him and in His love today!

Pastor Tina