The book of Exodus recounts the great epic of our faith. From bondage to freedom, orphans to redeemed, the people of God experience the mighty work of God, who delivers them from oppression and sets them free to live a full and faithful life.

The book of Exodus is connected to the first five books of the Bible, often known as the Pentateuch or the Books of Moses. Although they appear as separate books in our Bible, the story is interwoven throughout these first five books of our Bible. Exodus recounts God’s mighty act of salvation as first He calls Moses to service, an act of redemption itself. God then uses Moses to lead the Hebrew people out of slavery and into the wilderness, where God will work to form them into His “treasured possession” a “priestly kingdom and a holy nation.” (Exodus 19:5-6) They receive the law, the foundational teaching that shapes God’s community. (Exodus 20)

Exodus not only recounts the great story of deliverance from slavery in Egypt, but it also reveals much about God. In this powerful story God reveals His name, “I Am.” (Exodus 3:14) God reveals His gracious character as His compassion and strength frees the slaves and leads the people to new life in a promised land where God will dwell among the people. Exodus ends with the building of a Holy Tabernacle. Exodus is the story of God’s mercy. Those who were once captives now live a new life where God’s love is law and God Himself dwells among the people.

Rules are important in life.  Without them life begins to crumble and chaos reigns.  Leviticus is, in a sense, a rule book of how the ancient Hebrews were to worship God and to interact with one another.  The laws laid out in Leviticus and other books of the Torah (the first five books of our Bible) are what will become known as the Mosaic Code.  These are hundreds of laws that not only made the people of ancient Israel a distinct people but called them to strict obedience to God.  The laws and the rituals for making sacrificial offerings to God gave the Hebrews their identity as the chosen people.  

When we read Leviticus, we may think many of the laws are trivial and outdated. Indeed, Jesus would later say that all the law could be summed up simply by loving God and loving your neighbor.  What is important as you read Leviticus is to understand the Hebrews had been led out of Egypt into the wilderness and were struggling to understand who they were as a people.  God’s laws gave them structure and identity.  Pay close attention to the description of the Day of Atonement in chapter 16.  This was a ritual that allowed the Hebrews to cast off their sins and be reconciled to God.  We will revisit this idea of atonement again in the Gospels when Jesus becomes our atonement for sin.

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.

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.