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Numbers

Monday, 31 October, 2005

The narrative is not perfectly chronological

Numbers is broadly chronological. In places, however, the historical order is not followed. This is true particularly of chs. 1-10 which record the events of the first two months of the second year after the Exodus. If we rearranged the text, the chronological order would be as follows: on the first day, the tabernacle was set up (9:15-23); for twelve days the tribes brought their offerings for its consecration (7:1-8:26); on the fourteenth day the Passover was kept (9:1-14); two weeks later, on the first day of the second month, the census was taken and the camp was purified (1:1-6:27); on the twentieth day Israel set out for Canaan (10:1-36). Numbers is not the only book in the Bible where the chronological order has been set aside for another arrangement. It seems to be the case in some of the gospels, for example. In some cases, there is a reason why the historical order has not been followed. If we can discover the reason, it will shed light on the author's purpose.

In chs. 1-10 the author seems to follow the plan of the camp. The camp was arranged in two circles: in the outer circle were the tribes and in the inner circle were the priests with the tabernacle in the centre (see on 2:1-34). This layout taught Israel that God should be the centre of their thoughts and lives. Above all else, Israel needed God to dwell among them (Ex. 33:3-16). They were to desire his presence more than anything (Ps. 42:1-3). By following the order, tribal camp (outer circle), priests' camp and tabernacle (inner circle centre), the author leads the reader into the centre. He does this three times. First, with the numbering of the tribes (chs. 1-2) and then the Levites (chs. 3-4) and secondly, with the consecration of the camp (chs. 5-6)and then the tabernacle and priesthood (chs. 7-8). Finally, approaching the time of setting out, first Israel keeps the Passover throughout the camp (9:1-14), then the cloud appears over the tabernacle (9:15-23) and then Israel sets out. The most important event, the manifestation of God's presence which actually took place before all the other events, is thus reserved till last. This delay creates a sense of climax and points out what is most important. Israel's desire is withheld until the last moment then, at last, the cloud descends and God's abiding presence is displayed to his people (9:15-23). Only then can they go up into Canaan (ch. 10).

It is interesting to compare Exodus and Numbers (Ex. 40 is parallel to Nu. 9:15-23). Exodus takes us from slavery in Egypt to Sinai and the glory of God's presence in the tabernacle and the cloud (Ex. 40). The climax is God's dwelling among his people as he promised to Abraham (Gn. 17:7). Numbers goes beyond that point to a new focus of interest, the inheritance in the land of Canaan. God leads Israel to the land promised in the covenant with Abraham (Nu. 10:29). The rest of Numbers is concerned with the inheritance lost by one generation but preserved for the next.

The narrative leaves much out

Numbers covers a period of about forty years. However, it does not record everything that happened in those forty years. There is a thirty-eight year gap between chs. 19 and 20 (Dt. 2:14; Nu. 21:12). The record concentrates on a few months of the second year and the fortieth year at the end; in between is an almost total silence.

Moses made a list of the camp sites (ch. 33). The narrative mentions only a few places on the journey (e.g. 1:1; 9:1; 12:16; 20:1, 22-23; 33:50; 36:13). Comparison with Moses' list confirms the gap in the narrative. Two episodes might have occurred in the intervening desert years: the stoning of the Sabbath-breaker (15:32-36) and Korah's rebellion (16:1-50). The former occurred “in the desert”, but this seems to mean the desert of Paran (15:32). The latter is not dated but it appears to result from the failure to possess the land (16:14), and we may reasonably conclude that this followed fairly swiftly (note 16:41 for instance). Israel remained at Kadesh for many days, enough time for these things to take place (Dt. 1:46). Even if they did occur later in on the journey, the author is not concerned to tell us; on the contrary, he attaches them to the rebellion. Thus there is no record of the journey from Rithmah to Kadesh (33:19, 36).

The point is that the author focuses on three crucial phases: the preparation (chs. 1-10); the rebellion (chs. 13-19); and the end of the journey and new preparation (chs. 20-25, 26-36). Furthermore, his silence about the period spent in the desert is eloquent testimony that these were wasted years. Clearly the author has been highly selective, choosing carefully what to include. He wants us to attend to what he has recorded and ignore all else.

P.J. Naylor. “Numbers”. New Bible Commentary. 21st century edition. Edited by D.A. Carson, et. al. Leicester: IVP (1994): 160-162.

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