Num. covers an `in-between' space and time: between Exodus and Conquest, Egypt & Canaan, promise & fulfillment. The desert is a barren, dreadful place through which Israel must pass: cf. Dt. 8.15; "a land through which no one can pass", Jer. 2.6.

After a magnificent description of the beginnings of the Israelite movement as a great army of the Lord, whose every movement is preceded by the invincible divine presence, the reader suddenly hits an unexpected dropoff. "Now when the people complained in the hearing of the Lord about their misfortunes, the Lord heard it and his anger was kindled" (Num. 11.1).

11.1-3 gives vague details of an incident that becomes for this book a pattern of Israel's fate in the desert: the people complain (or sin), God's anger burns against them, Moses intercedes (note the role of a prophet as intercessor!), and God's wrath is withdrawn [not exactly appeased] or his care for this people once again overcomes his anger at their sin. God is portrayed much as a stern but loving father, and Israel as an ungrateful, suspicious, and stubbornly wilfull son. The Israelites have no appreciation for God's grace.

The final straw that brings God's patience with his people to an end and prevents them from receiving the fulfillment of his promise of land is the episode of the spies' report on the land, with Israel's response (Num 13-14). God calls on Israel to send men to scout the land out, announcing he is about to give it to them. Moses sends twelve spies, one from each tribe. Two come back with a hopeful, encouraging report; the other ten are persuaded that it is an impossible task to invade the land, and try to dissuade the nation from entering it. The Israelites believe the negative report, apparently thinking God has planned only evil for them: "Would that we had died in the land of Egypt! . . . Why is the Lord bringing us into this land to fall by the sword?" (Num. 14:2-3). They obviously do not want to go into the land. God responds with an interesting punishment: he gives them exactly what they want. They are doomed to never enter the promised land; all the men of age for military service will die before the nation enters. The two exceptions are Joshua & Caleb, the two spies who demonstrated faith in God.

Themes:

Israel as God's army

Centrality of Tabernacle (and worship)

Moses' leadership--and God's

Rebellion: self-determination vs. following God in faith

Trust & obedience, issues of faith.

Temptation

Death in the wilderness vs. life in the land

DEUTERONOMY

One of the most-quoted OT books in the NT (195x).

CONTENTS:

First 3 chapters of Deut. are reminder of wilderness events; or some would say, another interpretation of those events. Book contains three addresses by Moses.