Tied Together: A One-Year Journey Through the Bible | Day 39 | February 19, 2026

 

Introduction to Numbers

The Israelites have been encamped at Mount Sinai since their dramatic escape from Egypt. They received the Ten Commandments here and built the tabernacle. Now, in the book of Numbers, they finally prepare to journey toward the Promised Land. What should have been a triumphant march becomes instead a tragic story of unbelief—yet through it all, a beautiful portrait of God's mercy and grace emerges.

Moses wrote Numbers, as he did all five Books of the Law, and he wrote it for the Israelites. The English title comes from the two censuses recorded in the book, but the Hebrew name is Bemidbar, meaning "in the wilderness"—a title that captures both the setting and the spiritual condition of God's people during these years.

The book opens with God instructing Moses to number the people. During this census, every tribe was counted except the tribe of Levi, who served as priests. This counting reveals something profound about God's character: each person matters so much to Him that He takes the time to number them one by one.

God then arranges the camp in a specific order. The tabernacle—where His presence dwells—stands at the center. The Levites surround the tabernacle, and the twelve tribes surround them, three on each side. God promises to protect, provide, and guide His people, and this arrangement illustrates a timeless truth: when God is at the center, everything else falls into proper place.

God's presence appeared as a cloud by day and fire by night. When the cloud moved, the Israelites packed up and followed. Yet despite this visible guidance, the people began to complain almost immediately. Even Moses' own siblings, Aaron and Miriam, turned against him. Consider what these people had witnessed: rescue from slavery, food falling from the sky, water flowing from rocks, the very presence of God filling the tabernacle. Still, they were unhappy.

As the Israelites approached the Promised Land, Moses sent twelve spies to scout the territory. Ten returned terrified, convinced that the God who defeated Egypt could not defeat the Canaanites. Only Joshua and Caleb urged the people forward in faith. The people panicked, refused to enter, and even demanded to return to Egypt.

God gave them what they chose—that generation would never enter the Promised Land. Yet in His lovingkindness, He did not abandon them. Rather than allowing them to return to slavery, He led them through the wilderness for forty years until that generation passed away, giving their children the opportunity to make a different choice.

The complaints continued. Some Levites grew jealous of Aaron's role and rebelled, bringing severe consequences upon themselves. Even Moses, in a moment of anger, defied God and was told he too would not enter the Promised Land.

The book draws toward its close with a new generation arriving at the edge of Canaan. When the inhabitants hired a prophet named Balaam to curse Israel, he found himself unable to speak anything negative against them—blessing them instead, in one of Scripture's more memorable scenes involving a talking donkey.

Throughout Numbers, God remains faithful as protector, provider, and guide despite His people's constant failure. This points forward to Christ, who would become the ultimate fulfillment of God's faithfulness. Just as God led Israel through the wilderness with His presence, Jesus promised never to leave or forsake His followers. And just as God provided for every physical need, Christ offers living water and bread of life that satisfies eternally.

Scripture:
Numbers 1