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The Bible Teaching Commentary on Genesis: The Book of Foundations
Commentaries that specialize on training the teacher!
Preparing for the Lord's Battle
Introduction and Overview of Numbers 1-36
The Bible Teaching Commentary
Paul J. Bucknell
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A. MOBILIZING HIS PEOPLE
Numbers 1-9
At Mt. Sinai - MOVE OUT!
Packing your duffle bag
Although God called the Israelites to meet with Him at Mount Sinai to establish His covenant with them, we instead see another emphasis of how God readied the people for possessing the land of Canaan. The Lord authoritatively organized His people. Total submission was critical for success. Their trust and submission meant more than their physical preparedness, caliber of weapons, stockhold of ammunition and well thought–out strategy.
A Time of mobilizing the people and clarifying the law.
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B. DISPLEASED WITH HIS PEOPLE
Numbers 10-19 - Testing
In the Wilderness - You Are Disqualified!
Giving up the mission
Numbers is a book of tests, and unfortunately, this one group failed to pass them. In an opportunistic way, God tested and proved His people that they were ready for the demanding job. In a very negative sense, the people tested and proved God. The Lord is not asking us to see whether we have enough faith for a certain action, but simply to obey Him. Obedience always precedes true success.
Numbers could have been a much shorter book! Disobedience puts off the accomplishment of certain tasks which would have made everything much easier.
A Test of Their Faithfulness to their Lord’s Commands
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C. READYING A NEW GENERATION
Numbers 20-36 -> Enduring
By the Jordan - ON WITH THE SHOW!
Passing the Entrance Exam
Although some might get lost sympathizing with the generation that died in the desert, we must be eternally grateful that God rose up a new generation which brought God’s great promises to fulfillment. This is the second chance for His people established by pure grace.
The Lord again readies them as in the first section and also again tries their hearts. He brings them through smaller battles and testings to see if there is any sign of faith. Most of this time was spent in Moab next to the Jordan River (see Deuteronomy).Numbers focuses on the preparations and the display of faith among the people unlike their parents' generation. We do not see a perfect people. God still hates and judges their sin. But we do see a God with perfect patience and wisdom equipping them for a task that would be scoffed at as impossible by the world. They were weak and frail, but considered ready. They passed the test.
A Readying of the Second Generation to Accomplish the Mission their Parents Refused to Fulfill.
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THE CHALLENGE
The younger generation often criticizes
the older ones for lack of sincerity and boldness.
The accusation is too often true.
But what about the younger generation?
Will you be more faithful and true
to what the Lord has set before you?This is your turn!