Eden to Eternity Vol. 1, Numbers 10-18

Mar 20, 20247 min read

Come along with me as I complete The Daily Grace Co.’s Eden to Eternity study!

This chronological Bible study requires us to dive into the 66 books of God’s Word while encouraging self-reflection and application. In the following posts, I intend to discuss the content, existing themes, and perceived messages throughout the Bible so we may dwell in scripture together.

I hope we can approach God's word with an open heart and fall more in love with Christ, who had our eternal salvation in mind all along!

4/66 | Author: Moses | Old Testament | Pentateuch/Torah | 1445-1406 B.C. (estimated)

10. Two Silver Trumpets and Sinai to Paran

Trumpets were utilized during sacrifices, battles, or celebrations. Trumpets were also used to communicate. For example, when two trumpets were blown, everyone was to assemble outside of the tent of meeting. When there was only one trumpet, then the leaders were to approach.

The cloud led the Israelites from the wilderness in Sinai to Paran’s wilderness. Hobab, a relative of Moses, did not want to continue and preferred to stay behind with his family. Moses pleaded and offered to bless him with the blessings received by God.

11. Complaints about Hardship and Food, Seventy Elders Anointed, and Quail in the Camp

The Israelites moaned and groaned. They boldly complained to God about their discomfort. This made God angry, resulting in fire striking the camp. Moses prayed and cried out to the Lord, and the fire ceased.

The Israelites reminisced about the food they ate in slavery when they were in Egypt. They said that the manna was not enough for them. The same manna that the Lord provided. Both God and Moses were livid. Out of a moment of weakness, Moses commanded God to strike him so he wouldn’t have to deal with the Israelites and their growing dissatisfaction any longer.

To lessen the load, God requests seventy elders. The Lord speaks in 11:17, saying, "Then I will come down and speak with you there. I will take some of the Spirit who is on you and put the Spirit on them. They will help you bear the burden of the people, so that you do not have to bear it by yourself."

The Lord tells the people that He will provide so much of the food they are desperate for that it will make them physically ill (11:20). Moses questioned how God could feed hundreds of thousands for over a month. God responded in 11:23.

"Is the Lord's arm weak? Now you will see whether or not what I promised will happen to you."

For the days following, the campsite was struck by an abundance of quail for the people.

12. Miriam and Aaron Rebel

Miriam and Aaron did not approve of Moses’ wife. They also questioned what made Moses so special to hear from God. It was said in 12:3 that Moses was a "very humble man, more so than anyone on the face of the earth."

God overheard and entered the tent of meeting while Moses, Aaron, and Miriam stood outside. The difference between Moses and prophets was that prophets interpreted visions and dreams from the Lord, but Moses had direct communication (12:4–8). Afterward, Miriam experienced temporary isolation from the camp due to a skin disease.

13. Scouting Out Canaan and the Report about Canaan

Twelve spies assessed the land of Canaan. They returned and said the land was prosperous and appeasing, but the men were strong and intimidating. One man of the bunch, Caleb, expressed confidence and suggested conquering the land. The negative report overruled the hope and vision upheld by Caleb.

14. Israel's Refusal to Enter Canaan, God's Judgement of Israel's Rebellion, and Israel Routed

The Israelites, full of fear and doubt, wept at this report. They questioned the intentions and credibility of the Lord. Then, the ten unbelieving spies convinced the crowd to assign a leader to take them back to Egypt.

In 14:6–9, a disappointed Joshua and Caleb declared, "The land we passed through and explored is an extremely good land. If the Lord is pleased with us, He will bring us into this land, a land flowing with milk and honey, and give it to us."

The people were on the verge of stoning Caleb and Joshua, but the glory of God appeared. The Lord was angry about the Israelites's disbelief. To prevent this crowd from destruction, Moses told the Lord,

"The Egyptians will hear about it, for by your strength you brought this people from them. They will tell it to the inhabitants of this land. They have heard that you, Lord, are among these people, how you, Lord, are seen face to face, how your cloud stands over them, and how you go before them in a pillar of cloud by day and in a pillar of fire by night. If you kill this people as one man, the nations that have heard of your fame will declare, 'Since the Lord wasn't able to bring this people into the land He swore to give them, He has slaughtered them in the wilderness.' So now, may my Lord's power be magnified just as you have spoken: The Lord is slow to anger and abounding in faithful love, forgiving inquity and rebellion. But He will not leave the guilty unpunished, bringing the consequences of the fathers' iniquity on the children to the third and fourth generation. Please pardon the iniquity of this people, in keeping with the greatness of your faithful love, just as you have forgiven them from Egypt until now" (14:13-19).

The Lord forgave the crowd on account of Moses but said that those who were disobedient would not see the promised land He swore to their fathers. Only Caleb and Joshua were authorized since they had "a different spirit" and "remained loyal to the Lord" (14:24). The other ten scouts were “struck down” (14:37).

Some of the crowd chose to do as they saw fit, abandoning the Tabernacle and heading towards their promised land without guidance from the Lord. They were attacked by the people God had not yet equipped them for.

"The Lord won't be with you, since you have turned from following Him" (14:43).

15. Laws about Offerings, Sabbath Violation, and the Tassels of Remembrance

The laws about offerings were reinstated, reminding the Israelites and Levitical priests of their responsibilities to God. There is no justification for blasphemy.

16. Korah Incites Rebellion

Korah, a son of the Levites, led a rebellion against Moses, questioning his status compared to the rest of the community. Moses told the Lord to reject their offerings. The Lord told Moses and Aaron to warn the people to remove themselves from Korah and his co-conspirators. Then, the earth opened up and consumed them. Some of the Israelites remained indifferent toward Moses. Moses, however, atoned for their hardened hearts so they would not lose their lives either.

17. Aaron's Staff Chosen

To appoint a leader, God called for each tribe to present a staff. It was to have their name on it and be placed in front of the tent of meeting. The chosen staff would produce vegetation, like Aaron's, whose staff "sprouted, formed buds, blossomed, and produced almonds" (17:8). It was a divine calling that no one could refute.

Reminded of their Lord's holiness, the people worried about their fate.

18. Provision for the Priesthood and Support for the Priests and Levites

The Levites were reminded that people outside God’s priesthood would not survive should they trespass.

The things belonging to Aaron due to his position were also acknowledged as “everything in Israel that is permanently dedicated to the Lord" (18:14).

Reflection Question crafted by the Daily Grace (pg. 137):

What similarities do you see between yourself and the spies sent to Canaan who came back with a bad report?

The Israelites were reportedly just a few feet from entering the location they had been traveling to for all those years. But this report made them forget everything God did for them along the way. Then, upon learning that their actions had revoked access to their awaited promise, they threw a tantrum, expressed entitlement, and became self-destructive. The horrors of the report paled in comparison to the revelation that they would no longer receive the Lord's blessing. For the next forty years, this generation of Israelites was desolate.

I identify with both sides of the spy predicament.

Understandably, the ten spies succumbed to fear. Giants and advanced infrastructure spooked them, making the Israelites question their perceived strength and abilities. Life can do that when you aren't clutching onto the power and grace of God!

Potential hardship deterred the pessimistic ten, causing everyone else to quiver in insecurity. It wasn't the spies' responsibility to decide if the Israelites were to seize the land or flee back to Egypt—that was a decision under God's scope. Without knowing it, they were fighting against God's efforts to usher them into a land of abundant prosperity.

God asked the Israelites to make tassels from their clothing to "remember all the Lord's commands and obey them and not prostitute [them]self by following [their] own heart and eyes" (15:39). It is almost as if the Lord knows we will stumble off course when we lose sight of Him!

In contrast to the ten, I relate to Caleb and Joshua as I grow in faith. I eagerly anticipate God's intervention when confronted with formidable challenges and "giants." I enjoy enacting the demeanor of the two out of the twelve who remind others that God has promises and ways that surpass our understanding. A circumstance might look impossible, but God has already signed, sealed, and delivered a resolution. Our flesh is deceitful; God is not. He is present and active, only requiring us to move forward in faith.

Our promise is on the other side of that bad report!

Gratitude List:

Good seafood
Bread and butter (possibly the best combination?)
The first sip of a perfectly crafted coffee
Maroon 5's Songs About Jane album (Hello, 2002!)
Being cozy and comfy at home—no traveling, no commuting, no overstimulating social gatherings—there is nothing like your own home!
Neverending cuddles with the biggest "puppies"
Finally making a dent in the Harry Potter books