The Book of Numbers is filled with a variety of events. After reading Leviticus, which is a very "specialized" book (being exclusively concerned with the Levitical Law), the Book of Numbers seemed to meander and give a little "taste" of several different issues facing the Israelites during their journey. There is a unifying theme, of course. During the entire length of Numbers one thing remains clear: the people of Israel are wandering in a vast wilderness. Exodus gives us the beginnings of this wandering, and after a brief digression in Leviticus, Numbers resumes the journey for us, taking us all the way to the very border of the Promised Land. Numbers also reemphasizes for us the ultimate meaning of this epic wandering. The people of Israel have sinned, they have been ungrateful, and they have blatantly turned their backs on the covenantal law established on Sinai; and thus they have been resigned to a life of desolation as they have proven themselves unworthy of entering the Promised Land. God makes it clear that these wandering people will not enter Canaan, which shouldn't surprise us after we see example after example of their decadence in Numbers.
But of course it needed to be so. We would have no example to turn to for our sinful behavior if the Israelites had been perfect angels on their march to Canaan and allowed to enter right away. Instead, they exhibit all the same weaknesses we suffer from today. And we can learn from their experiences. God does eventually allow the subsequent generations of Israelites to enter the Promised Land; He does show us His Mercy by giving the people numerous chances to correct their behavior; and He does, ultimately, open up the Promised Land of heaven to each and every one of His children through His Son's sacrifice. So the account of the Exodus is not a tale of despair, but rather a solemn example of human frailty and the ultimate necessity of God's Mercy.
Of the several events relayed in Numbers, a few of the most profound were the failings of Aaron and Mary, Moses's siblings, the account of Balaam, and Joshua's appointment as Moses's heir. Aaron and Mary, questioning Moses as they did, showed that even from on high humans can fail. Overcome by the poison of pride, Aaron and Mary began to wonder why it was that Moses seemed to be getting special treatment. This is a profound example for all of us, as the feeling of prideful "deservingness" is something that plagues most of us. Numbers also captures the death of Aaron and Mary, as they significantly (and just as with Moses) are not allowed to enter into the Promised Land.
Balaam's story is fascinating and one of the highlights for me in Numbers. The idea of a pagan prophet being overcome by God's Power is a poignant illustration of the utter ineptitude of polytheistic paganism. The account also helps us see God's ultimate plan laid out for the Israelites concerning the Promised Land.
And Joshua's ascension previews for us his upcoming role as the great leader of the people and the one to actually break open the gates of Canaan, just as Jesus (whom Joshua prefigures) breaks open the gates of heaven! In many ways, Numbers in general is a "prequel." It points forward to the great events to come, but stops just short of getting to them. We even read of the beginning of the distribution of land among the twelve tribes, as Ruben, Gad, and half of the tribe of Manasses are given land just east and outside of the designated Promised Land.
And thus as Numbers concluded, all I could think of was "what's next?!" And next is Deuteronomy. I now begin the final book of the Pentateuch! The Law will be proclaimed one last time as definitively as possible. And after that, the people will enter their land and the history of the Jews will officially begin. I anticipate (and pray for) a wealth of illumination to come my way as I travel through the dense precepts captured in the great Book of Deuteronomy.
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