You Can Read the Bible Guided Podcast

Leaving behind his father’s inheritance in Harran, Abram had journeyed south to the land of the Canaanites, between the Jordan and the Great Sea.  As he camped at Shechem, under the Oak of Moreh, the LORD appeared to him: “To your offspring I will give this land.” 

Over a century later, Abram’s grandson was in southern Canaan, offering sacrifices, when he received his own vision: “…Do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for there I will make you a great nation.  I myself will go down with you to Egypt, and I will bring you up again…”

You’ve heard these stories.  You’ve also seen with your own eyes the power of the LORD before Pharaoh.  You saw the locusts, the hail, the darkness; you heard the cries of the mothers; you saw the sea part and water flow from the rock and food fall from the sky.  Entire generations died in slavery, no closer to their inheritance than when they were born.  Ours is the generation that will see all the promises fulfilled. 

But you also heard the report of the spies.  A land that “flows with milk and honey…” but where “the people are strong, and the cities are fortified and very large.”  Descendants of Anak – giants, of the Nephilim – and tribes of warriors filled the land that “devours its inhabitants.”   

And you heard Caleb’s response: “Let us go up at once and occupy it, for we are well able to overcome it!” 

Remember the complaint cycles of chapters 12 and 13.  Remember the promise to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.  For 400 years you’ve heard the stories.  Why would the LORD lead us this far, only to bring us to ruin?  And what would it say about the LORD if He did?  Does He truly have the power, authority, and integrity to fulfill His promises? 

Our verse for this week is Ephesians 5:2: “And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.”

Numbers chapters 14 and 15.  Now let’s read it!

The Wilderness is not Israel’s destination, any more than the Ark was Noah’s home.  The plains around Mount Sinai must have been fruitful enough to sustain the tens of thousands of Israelites for the better part of a year, and God was still providing their daily Manna.  But they are to keep their eyes on Canaan.  As we’ve seen before, and will probably see again, rescue is just the first step toward the destination God is preparing. 

That destination comes into view today, but the text prepares us for the possibility that the future may not be all roses.  Chapters 11 and 12 recount three “complaint cycles” that begin with an Israelite complaint and end with the LORD’s response.

As you read these cycles, listen to how the LORD responds each time, and see if there is a difference between the theme or nature of each complaint that warrants the response.  The first is a quickie, where the people complain about their misfortunes.  Just three verses later, it says…“the rabble…had a strong craving…” for the meat of Egypt. 

The third complaint, in chapter 12, is a personal attack on Moses that questions not only his judgment but also his fitness to lead God’s people.  Listen to how the author pivots by boldly affirming Moses’ character, before the LORD “suddenly” responds on Moses’ behalf.  Allow yourself to dwell in the terror each of them must feel when they hear the LORD’s voice: “Come out, you three, to the tent of meeting.” 

But as we turn the page to chapter 13 it feels like a new chapter might be dawning.  “Send men to spy out the land of Canaan, which I am giving to the people of Israel…”  Listen as the spies are listed, tribe by tribe… to their instructions, even noting the season… to the inhabitants… to where the grapes of Eschol grow. 

And after forty days, they returned, with the report that would shape the future of a nation.

Our verse for this week is Ephesians 5:2: “And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.”

Numbers chapters 11 through 13.  Now let’s read it!

The suitcases are all loaded, and it’s time to turn the thermostat back, shut off the lights, pack the snacks and start the car.  Just a few more details, and Israel is ready to pull up stakes and leave the Wilderness of Sinai.

It might be helpful to go over the timeline since their journey began. 

Remember in Exodus 12, when the LORD told Moses, “This Month, for you, shall be the beginning of months.”  By their counting, the Passover occurs on Year 1, Month 1, Day 14. 

By Exodus 16, it’s Month 2, Day 15, when they head for the Wilderness of Sinai.  They are there for at least nine months, while Moses receives the law on Mount Horeb. On the first day of Year 2, in Exodus 40, they dedicate the Tabernacle. 

One month passes as Leviticus unfolds, and Numbers opens on Year 2, Month 2, Day 1.  Twenty days later, in chapter 10, they set out for Canaan. 

During these three weeks, there are just a few more chores to attend to.  At the beginning of chapter 8, listen to how the lampstand is made by “hammered work of gold.”  A product, surely, of Bezalel, Oholiab, or an apprentice, this finely personal work mirrors the directions of Exodus, and boldly contrasts the production of the golden calf. 

 After this, the Levites are cleansed and consecrated for the LORD’s service, and chapter 9 looks back one month to the first anniversary of the Passover.  We’re then reminded in detail of the cloud and fire that would lead Israel forward.  Silver trumpets “of hammered work” are procured, and the nation of Israel, finally, pulls up stakes.

Our verse for this week is Ephesians 5:2: “And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.”

Numbers chapters 8 through 10.  Now let’s read it!

The book of Numbers can sometimes feel like an attic storage space.  The Christmas decorations are in one corner; in another, old toys we’re saving for the grandkids; and in another, speakers from the stereo that I’ll never use again.  In Numbers, there’s a set of commands, followed by a short narrative, then a jump to an event from the recent past, then another command.  There is a logic here, but it can be tough to keep track of. 

What you’re watching in the first 10 chapters of Numbers is preparations for travel, like the hodgepodge of stuff that gets checked off just before a big trip.  The warriors are numbered, the Tabernacle is prepared, the “Unclean” are removed from the camp, and some final instructions are given to Moses regarding the law.  Everything is done with an eye toward their future life in the Promised Land. 

The instructions in chapter 6 concern people who decide to be set apart in a special vow to the LORD.  Like with the vows that we saw at the end of Leviticus, the Nazirite vow– which simply means “consecrated” – is voluntary, but must be taken seriously once someone commits to it.  As you read the expectations, you’re allowed to wonder what would cause someone to choose to devote themselves even more fully to the LORD.

At the end of chapter 6, you’ll trek over the familiar ground of Aaron’s blessing.  Listen to how it’s framed: “Thus you shall bless the people of Israel… so shall [you] put my name upon the people of Israel, and I will bless them.” 

Chapter 7 recounts the consecration of the Temple – just a few weeks ago – when the heads of each tribe brought their offerings to the LORD.  Remember where the Israelites got all this silver.  And remember where these tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh came from, who are not sons of Jacob. 

Our verse for this week is Ephesians 5:2: “And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.”

Numbers chapters 6 and 7.  Now let’s read it!