Bible Journey > Numbers

Last week I finished up Numbers in my journey through the Bible. Here are my thoughts and highlights:

• Looks like counting people is important when you’re living together in community with others. It seems that "numbers" are actually important to God.
• God frequently said, "I am God." When he says that, I’m thinking that’s more for my benefit than his benefit.
• The Kohathites were responsible for caring for the most holy things. The Gershonites were responsible for carrying heavy loads. The Merarites were responsible for carrying the frames of The Dwelling. Apparently God believes there’s value to organization and structure even within ministry.
• The Nazirite vow included a time of consecration where long hair was a continuing sign of holy separation to God. I think it’s pretty clear: God loves mullets.
• One offering included a silver plate, a bowl filled with flour, a gold vessel with incense, a bull, 2 oxen, 6 rams, 6 goats and 6 lambs. I wonder how our count team and accounting department would handle that?
• At one point, Moses said, "Give me some time; I’ll find out what God says in your circumstances." That’s a great reminder that sometimes we need to step back, wait and see what God says before we act.
• God gets angry when we grumble and whine about our circumstances.
• Moses sent 12 guys to scout out Canaan–the land God had promised them. Only two of those men thought it was the right thing to move into that land. Here’s a case where the "vote" didn’t reflect God’s will.
• God made a donkey talk. As far as I know, this is the only instance of a talking donkey in the Bible. That makes me think once you’ve heard one ass speak, you’ve heard them all.
• When the people gathered for worship, God asked that they not do any regular work that day.
• At times, God specifically identified people who should be in charge and hand out assignments. God calls some to be leaders.