The Hebrews lived through their wilderness years between Egypt and the land of promise. We have mobility, technology and resources undreamt of in the past. For many, howver, life seems more like a meaningless maze than a purposeful journey.
Yet the message God's covenant love that gives the book of Numbers its distinctive radiance is particularly relevant to our world, believes Raymond Brown. Skilfully opening up the ancient narrative of the wilderness journey, he shows that what is essential to human life has not changed - a natural craving to be loved, to have freedom, to be clean within, and to have an anchor for one's hopes and dreams. The book of Numbers, he demonstrates, offers a portrait of a better life and an ultimately secure future. Though the journey of life is hazardous, we are accompanied on it rather than abandoned to a lonely fate.
Part of The Good Book Company'sCommentary List, this commentary has been selected because it not only deals faithfully and carefully with God's Word but is readable, practical and accessible as well.
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Contents
Contents
Part 1. Getting ready (1:1-10:10)
1. God's people prepare (1:1-2:34)
2. Community servants (3:1-4:49)
3. Keeping the camp clean (5:1-31)
4. Short-term voluntary service (6:1-21)
5. Inherited riches (6:22-27)
6. Giving and receiving the best (7:1-89)
7. Israel's role models (8:1-26)
8. Three-dimensional grace (9:1-10:10)
Part 2. Setting out (10:11-12:16)
9. Sharing good things (10:11-36)
10. Leadership issues (11:1-35)
11. Disloyal colleagues (12:1-16)
Part 3. Drawing back
12. Giants or grapes? (13:1-33)
13. Israel's sleepless night (14:1-45)
Part 4. Marking time (15:1-25:18)
14. When God speaks again (15::1-41)
15. More leadership tensions (16:1-50)
16. Kept as a sign (17:1-18:32)
17. The perils of pollution (19:1-22)
18. Coping with crises (20:1-21:3)
19. Life for a look (21:4-9)
20. The march to Moab (21:10-35)
21. Seeing with the seer (22:1-24:25)
22. A tragic sequel (25:1-18)
Pressing on (26:1-36:13)
23. Facing a different future (26:1-65)
24. Human rights and divine commands (27:1-11)
25. Leadership lifestyles (27:12-23)
26. Variations on a majestic theme (28:1-29:40)
27. Keeping promises and identifying dangers (30:1-31:54)