I am having a wonderful time "rediscovering" some of my favorite stories in the Bible as I continue our yearlong read through the Bible. I am one of those people who reads really fast and a lot of things at the same time. Often I can’t quite remember where I read something or to whom I should give credit. All the information and the stories can get jumbled together. While it is fun being able to remember lots of details, some of my students over the years will also remember me having to confess that "I am making some of this up!" as I pass on Biblical and theological information.
This week I rediscovered three of my favorite stories – I just couldn’t have told you they were all in Numbers! One of the favorite "stump the teacher" Bible questions is why God refuses to allow Moses to enter the Promised Land after all that work leading the Hebrew people through the desert. I discovered the answer again in Numbers 20:1-13. Trusting and obeying God continue as important Biblical themes – for Moses – and for me!
Did you catch the story of the poisonous snakes in Chapter 21:4–8? I read that story twice this week. Once in Numbers, and then I was reminded of it in the Gospel of John. In John 3:14, Jesus talks about being "lifted up" as he references this story of Moses lifting a bronze snake so that those who could see it might be healed. Jesus is "lifted up" onto the cross and if we will look to the cross, we will be healed from sin, just as the Israelites were healed from snakebites.
And who doesn’t love a talking donkey, especially one who can see and recognize the angel of God?
Numbers is an important chapter in the bible for those of us "wandering" in the 21st Century. It reminds us of God’s rich blessings, healing powers, continuing sustenance, and the birth and hope of each new generation of God’s people. Keep reading! God has more in store for us as God is revealed through the biblical story. - Debby Fox, pastor of Christian Education and Discipleship
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