Numbers. In the Wilderness

Transcription

1 Numbers In the Wilderness

2 Who wrote Numbers? What kind of literature is Numbers? What are the interpretative challenges in Numbers? What is the content of Numbers? How is Numbers used in the New Testament?

3 Who wrote Numbers? As with Genesis-Leviticus, we affirm an essentially Mosaic authorship of Numbers. There is a reference within the book to Moses writing (33:1-2). In addition, as with Leviticus, it is noted several times that Moses is the recipient of the divine revelation that makes up the book (1:1, 2:1, 4:1, etc).

4 Who wrote Numbers? There are some portions of the book that suggest later editorial activity: Numbers 32:34-42 describes building activity in the Transjordan region after the completion of the conquest of the Promised Land Numbers 12:3 describes Moses as very meek, more than ll people who were on the face of the earth. However, this editorial activity is not inconsistent with holding that the vast majority of the material in Numbers was written by Moses.

5 What kind of literature is Numbers? Theologically informed historical narrative: narrative (4:1-3); lampoon (22:22-35); diplomatic letter (21:14-19); census list (26:1-51); temple archive (7:10-88); itinerary (33:1-49) We recognize that Moses emphasized the patterns of sin, rebellion, and judgment along with God s continued mercy to his people There is a great deal that goes untold (e.g. what happened during the 37 years Israel wandered in the wilderness?) Poetry: poetry (21:17-18); prophecy (24:3-9); victory song (21:27-30); prayer (12:13); blessing (6:24-26) Law: civil law (27:1-11); cultic law (15:7-21); oracular decision (15:32-26)

6 What kind of literature is Numbers? The multiplicity of genres in the book, which to some feels haphazard, has created some difficulty in understanding the structure of the book Chronological Geographical Theological

7 Potential Structures for Numbers Chronological 1:1-10:11: From the first day of the 2nd month of the wilderness wandering to the nineteenth day 10:12-21:9: Undated, but falling within a forty year period of wandering 21:10-36:13: Five months during the fortieth year in the wilderness Geographical 1:1-10:11 Continuing from Exodus 19 In the wilderness near Mt. Sinai 10:12-20:13: Traveling to and remaining near Kadesh 20:14-36:13: Traveling from Kadesh to the Plains of Moab, on the edge of the Promised Land Theological 1-25: The Rebellion and Rejection of the First Generation The Readying of the Second Generation

8 What are the interpretative challenges in Numbers? How do we understanding the censuses (1, 26)? The grand total of warriors in 1:46 is 603,550; since this would only include men between 20 and 60 years old, the total population of Israel may have been around 2 million. Three problems have been suggested as a result of this:

9 What are the interpretative challenges in Numbers? How do we understanding the censuses (1, 26)? How could so many people have survived in the wilderness for 40 years? Archeological evidence suggests there were only 3 million people total in Palestine at this time; other biblical texts (Exo 23:29-30; Deut 7:6-7, 21) suggest that there were not enough Israelites to take the promised land at once. Some of the numbers in general seem to reflect mathematical oddities: most numbers are even (rounded to 100s) and the ratio between all males to firstborn males is very high (27 to 1).

10 What are the interpretative challenges in Numbers? How do we understanding the censuses (1, 26)? Some potential solutions: Take the numbers at face value. Take the numbers at face value, but assign the numbers to a later period. View the numbers as altered due to scribal misunderstanding. View the numbers as symbolic.

11 What is the content of Numbers? I think the that the two census (1, 26) serve as structure points in the book the first generation preparing to enter the Promised Land (1); the second generation doing the same (26) The overarching theme is the sin, rebellion, and judgment of the first generation and the continued covenant faithfulness of God.

12 What is the content of Numbers? I think the that the two census (1, 26) serve as structure points in the book the first generation preparing to enter the Promised Land (1); the second generation doing the same (26) The overarching theme is the sin, rebellion, and judgment of the first generation and the continued covenant faithfulness of God.

13 What is the content of Numbers? The first generation prepares to enter the promised land (1-10) Counting the people: God s faithfulness to his promise to Abraham (1, 23:10, 26) Moving from Sinai to Kadesh-barnea (10)

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15 What is the content of Numbers? The first generation prevented from entering the promised land and passes from the scene (11-25) Initial rebellion against God and his leaders (11-12) National rebellion against God and his purpose (13-14) Continued rebellion against God and his leaders (16-17) Moses own rebellion against God and his Word (20) Continued rebellion and God s merciful provision (21) Final apostasy and God s judgment (25)

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17 What is the content of Numbers? The second generation prepares to enter the Promised Land and begins the conquest (26-36) The census signals a fresh start in God s purpose and continued faithfulness to his promise (26) The succession between Moses and Joshua also is a mark of God s continued faithfulness (27) The battle with Midian and securing of the Transjordan is the beginning of the conquest (31-32)

18 How is Numbers used in the New Testament? Numbers 11:11-35, 20:2-13, 25:1:-9 and 1 Corinthians 10:2-11 Numbers and Hebrews 3:7-19 Numbers 21:4-9 and John 3:14 Numbers and 2 Peter 2:15, Jude 11, Revelation 2:14