Mt Everest; Numbers Chapter One
Mt Everest is the tallest mountain in the world, standing at 29,028. feet high. Out of the 4000 people
that have attempted to climb it's frozen heights, only 660 have achieved it. As Mt Everest borders Nepal it recently was the location of several tragic deaths during the earthquake that shook the city, several on the mountain were lost. The earthquake was so devastating that the entire mountain actually shrank a small amount. The awe of this mountain, reminds be of the story of Moses on Mt Sinai receiving the 10 commandments. The people were warned not to go near the mountain, for fear of dying; there was lightening and fire as the prescience of God descended to meet with Moses.
The God that we see in the book of Numbers seems foreign to us today. We read as earthquakes swallow people, and plagues are inflicted on them. God speaking through Moses warns them of His judgment and tells them to turn to Him. There is a healthy respect and fear for this powerful God. On the other hand we also read how He provides for them in the wilderness as their sandals don't wear out, He feeds them and leads them to the promised land. There is a healthy dependence on this God they fear.
We now live in a time when we rarely see either of these attitudes. God is still the same God, but we view Him through the lens of the grace we have received. We are so far removed from the life of the Israelites and the daily sacrifices, rituals and dietary restriction that consumed their lives. Through faith we have redemption, the forgiveness of our sins forever. I wonder though if we have forgotten the awe inspiring works of God, his intense anger at sin, His incredible provision for our redemption because of His unmeasurable love for us. I personally will never attempt to climb Mt Everest, I have a healthy fear of that mountain. I can however draw near to God through the blood of Jesus.
Read what is written in Hebrews.
Hebrews 12:18-24New International Version (NIV)
22 But you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem. You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly, 23 to the church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God, the Judge of all, to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, 24 to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.
The God that we see in the book of Numbers seems foreign to us today. We read as earthquakes swallow people, and plagues are inflicted on them. God speaking through Moses warns them of His judgment and tells them to turn to Him. There is a healthy respect and fear for this powerful God. On the other hand we also read how He provides for them in the wilderness as their sandals don't wear out, He feeds them and leads them to the promised land. There is a healthy dependence on this God they fear.
We now live in a time when we rarely see either of these attitudes. God is still the same God, but we view Him through the lens of the grace we have received. We are so far removed from the life of the Israelites and the daily sacrifices, rituals and dietary restriction that consumed their lives. Through faith we have redemption, the forgiveness of our sins forever. I wonder though if we have forgotten the awe inspiring works of God, his intense anger at sin, His incredible provision for our redemption because of His unmeasurable love for us. I personally will never attempt to climb Mt Everest, I have a healthy fear of that mountain. I can however draw near to God through the blood of Jesus.
Read what is written in Hebrews.
Hebrews 12:18-24New International Version (NIV)
The Mountain of Fear and the Mountain of Joy
18 You have not come to a mountain that can be touched and that is burning with fire; to darkness, gloom and storm; 19 to a trumpet blast or to such a voice speaking words that those who heard it begged that no further word be spoken to them, 20 because they could not bear what was commanded: “If even an animal touches the mountain, it must be stoned to death.”[a] 21 The sight was so terrifying that Moses said, “I am trembling with fear.”[b]22 But you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem. You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly, 23 to the church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God, the Judge of all, to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, 24 to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.
TIDBTS ON THE BOOK OF NUMBERS
- The Twelve tribes are organized socially as they descended in the family line as the sons of Jacob
- A Nazirite is a person designated to God for a period of time
- The Levites are the clan responsible for priestly duties and to care for the tabernacle
- The Israelites are in the wilderness at this time, probably more rocky than sandy
- They are traveling from slavery in Egypt to the land that God has promised them in Canaan.
- Things we learn about God in Number is that God is patient but takes disobedience seriously, He is faithful to keep His promises and He provides for His people.
- The time period for Numbers is about 1440 BC
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