Introduction to Numbers

Numbers. The very name of the book strikes fear in the hearts of Christians everywhere (and Jews too, I expect, although I don’t know that many). For those of us who have read it, we have a painful memory of lists and lists of people, counted and organized. Those of us who haven’t read it are probably in the majority.

To tell the truth, I approach this project in fear and trepidation myself, because once previously (as a younger man) I waded through this book. I can remember wondering if there was any way a person who was not an Israelite from several thousand years ago could be interested in the book.

Well, I’m older now. One thing I know of God is that he seldom does things for LOLz. If he allowed the book to be in the Bible, it’s there for a reason. So let’s dive in.

Before I start, there’s an important thing to note – I am a well-read amateur, but no professional. I have no theological training, and I’m not a particularly great writer. What you’re going to read is presumably going to sometimes press the wrong buttons for you, and you’re going to disagree. Perhaps passionately. That’s okay, because I long ago learned that I am not able to speak Ex-Cathedra! But if what I have written DOES strike some kind of a chord, be it positive or negative, I’d like to hear about it, okay?

One other thing: There are 36 chapters in Numbers. When I have finished this (hopefully, if I maintain my once-a-day schedule, that should be on the 5th of February, but it is possible that I might fall behind), I aim to start on a second book. This book will be from the New Testament, and I’d like to be challenged, so think about what YOU’D like me to go through. Since there are a few people reading this, there’s no guarantee that it will be the one you choose, but I’d like ideas.

By the way, just to keep the text fresh, I am reading from Eugene Peterson’s “The Message”.