The book of Numbers is the fourth book of the Bible. It is part of the Pentateuch, the first five books of the Old Testament, also known as the Torah. We believe the book of Numbers gets its name from the two censuses or numberings of the Israelites that take place at the beginning and end of the Israelites’ journey. Moses is traditionally considered the author of Numbers, but it is believed to have been written by scribes after the Babylonia exile. The primary audience for the Book of Numbers is the Israelites themselves.  

The narrative provides a historical account of their experiences, focusing on God’s guidance, the consequences of disobedience, and the fulfillment of divine promises. Numbers is part of a larger narrative that covers the Exodus in Deuteronomy, detailing the Israelites’ liberation from Egypt, their covenant with God at Mount Sinai, and their preparation to enter the land promised to Abraham. Reading the books before Numbers gives one a better overview of what’s happening. The book covers a wide range of themes, including the organization of the Israelite camp, the responsibilities of the Levites, the sending of spies into the Promised Land, and various laws and regulations. It highlights both moments of faithfulness and disobedience among the Israelites and emphasizes God’s faithfulness in fulfilling the promises despite the people’s shortcomings.  

God’s word isn’t just a history book, although there are historical accounts; it is the living word of God for us today. Reading the book of Numbers reminds us of how often we, just like the Israelites, tend to ask God to lead us, and during the journey, we get off track and begin to complain against God, perhaps even blaming God for the things we don’t like. Numbers reminds us that God is faithful; His steadfast love endures forever. For that good news, we can be thankful.

The book of Deuteronomy is traditionally ascribed to Moses. It may be best understood as a description of the laws and the exposition of the laws given to Moses for the people. It is an important message emphasizing the monotheistic nature of God. “The Lord our God is one…” That might seem like an unnecessary message since we live in a time and place where the monotheism of the Abrahamic faiths (Judaism, Christianity, and Islam) covers the vast majority of the world. However, in the time that it was written, it was a major struggle for the Hebrew people. Throughout the ancient world, polytheism was the norm. It certainly was far more visible because there were idols, statues, and temples dedicated to the numerous gods. God commanded the Hebrew people that they were not to create any graven images; they were to trust the “unseen” presence of the God of their fathers who had brought them out of slavery. 

While it might seem that the scripture does not apply to people today, it is helpful to consider what the “gods” of today look like. The people of the ancient near east would often put their trust in different gods to bring blessing and protection to their lives. What are some of the things that we trust to provide for us? Perhaps we put too much faith in having money in the bank (but how much is enough?), or our health (who could have imagined a global pandemic?), or having a nice home (in Oklahoma we understand the unpredictable nature of tornados, wildfires, and ice storms). Making sure that we have these things is not a bad thing by any means, the problem occurs when our identity is found in anything except for God.

The Book of Joshua marks the end of the Torah and the beginning of a new chapter in the history of the Israelites.  Deuteronomy left off with Moses passing away and the people on the eastern side of the Jordan River waiting to enter the Promised Land.  Now, with Moses gone, Joshua takes over the mantle of leadership to bring God’s promises to fruition for the people.

Reading through Joshua can sometimes challenge readers today as we read stories of death and destruction as they begin to take over the Promised Land by destroying the tribes and cities that were already living there.  It is important to note that there is no archaeological evidence to support the complete destruction of cities and populations during that time period.  Rather than reading this book as a historical account of what happened and how God wants us to treat our neighbors, read this book as a reminder of a God who fulfills promises, leads His people, and calls the people to live in a covenant relationship.

The second half of the book details how the land was to be distributed to the various tribes.  You will notice themes of justice continually appearing as they make sure to look out for one another, care for the weak and the outcasts, and live peaceably with one another.  The book ends with Joshua saying goodbye to the people and offering final instructions.  In the end, what God desires more than anything is for us to love God and love one another.

The date and authorship of the book of Judges are not known, though it is believed to be connected to the time of the monarchy – perhaps the author was writing to remind the people that the troubles they were experiencing with kings (taxation, wars, etc.) came about because their ancestors had not fully trusted God to rule them. 

The book of Judges begins with the Hebrew people in the Promised Land. They were governed by judges appointed to rule and settle matters between them. Time and again, the people of God went against Him. Instead of tearing down the pagan altars and idols of the previous inhabitants, they joined in on the worship of the local gods. In addition to wanting to be like the people around them in their faith practices, they also wanted to be governed like the people around them – to have kings. Clamoring to be like the world around them came at a great cost. 

The book of Judges recounts the moral and social decline of the Hebrew people. One example of the downward spiral is the representation of women in Judges. At the beginning of the book, you have two women, Deborah and Jael, who were named for their leadership, bravery, and wisdom. Interestingly, both are Yahwistic names, paying tribute to the holy name of God within the name. By the end of the book of Judges, there is an unnamed woman who is either a wife or concubine of someone from the Levite tribe; she ends up being brutalized and discarded. Perhaps it shows the overall lesson in the book of Judges: in the beginning, people were paying tribute to God, but by the end, they wanted to pay tribute to a king – and turning away from God led them away from being the people they were created to be. 

We encourage you to begin your Bible reading time by reciting the month’s memory verse and then the daily Bible reading. Reflect on the reading – did it raise questions or confusion; did it inspire you or warm your heart? Then, to live in a spirit of gratitude, write down three things for which you’re grateful. Finally, close your devotional time in prayer. While you might not feel the same way each day, the ongoing discipline of having a daily devotional time will have lasting impact on your life and certainly deepen your relationship with God.