Numbers

Numbers was a bit of a tough read. More sacrifices, more laws and a few interesting stories. But, I got through it in two sittings, which was my goal - try to see the whole thing as, well, a whole.

Of course the title of the book is a dead giveaway as to what happens - Moses counts the Israelites. Then, after some laws and instructions on sacrifices, and some stories, counts them again. Between counts, God killed a bunch of them for disobedience.

The Israelites got a bit more agressive in Numbers with their sins. Before, they would grumble and complain about the lack of food or water and say they wanted to go back to Egypt. Now, they're starting revolts and rebellions trying to take over leadership from Moses. Even Aaron got upset at one point, with his sister, but Moses and God straightened them out. He's one of the few that didn't get killed for it.

God was creative in the punishment as well. He didn't just kill them with disease, but had them swallowed by the ground at one point. Now that's a cool effect to put in a movie. A couple times Moses had to beg God not to kill off the works of them.

The odd part for me was about Balaam. He refused to curse the Israelites, as requested by a king, and instead spoke blessing over them four times. It's odd because he was not an Israelite, yet he is presented as serving the same God. Second, when the Israelites conquered Midian, Moses makes it a point to say they killed Balaam, son of Peor. Odd.

Either way, the Israelites are still messed up in Numbers, if not worse, but more organized about it and in the end, still favoured and protected by God. This is good. My wife and I just made public a decision we believe God wanted us to make. It's good to know he has our backs.