Some of these passages leave us feeling a little yucky today, but thousands of years ago, fighting and dying for god and community was just a way of life. Numbers brazos theological commentary on the bible. The hebrew title of the book bemidbar, in the desert is more descriptive of its contents. When jesus tells us the truth, he means that he has access to a spiritual reality that is ordered by god and that is unknowable by the ordinary world. Numbers presents an account of the 38year period of israels wandering in the desert following the establishment of the covenant of sinai compare 1. Dividing the text of numbers into five major sections, ashleys commentary elucidates the theological themes of obedience and disobedience that run throughout the books narrative. Each section begins with the same command given by the lord to jonah and each ends with a statement about the lords. The first census was completed while the israelites were still at mount sinai chapters 12, and the second one came 38 years later when they arrived at the borders of canaan at the end. The occasion was the covenant renewal in moab just before gods people were to enter. Numbers, theology of bakers evangelical dictionary of.
First, the lord himself communicated to israel through moses 1. This ninth volume in the brazos theological commentary on the bible offers a theological exegesis of numbers. The bible is filled with countless stories that inspire and challenge. Themes in the book of james scripture confident living. Numbers is the fourth book in a collection of five books, the pentateuch. At least three theological strains run through the book of numbers. Israel prepares for the journey to the promised land numbers 1. Here are some of the key themes that luke highlights for us. The book of numbers was written between 1440 and 1400 b.
Israels response to moses mirrored her obedience or disobedience to the lord. The thrust of the book is the wilderness wonderings becuase. Clines, in his influential the themes of the pentateuch 1978, identified the overarching theme of the five books as the partial fulfilment of a promise made by god to the patriarchs, abraham, isaac and jacob. He shows us how god is working and speaking in this story and our own stories. The latin vulgate picked up on the greek title and named the book numeri from which the english acquires the name numbers. The new testament develops this theme from the old testament explicitly. Summary doctoral dissertation theological themes in the. In spite of the difficulties imposed by numbers on todays readers, the main point of the book is of immense importance for gods people in any age. Named for its two numberings, or censuses, of israel. And in this latest volume of the new american commentary, dennis cole leads readers on an exploration of major one testament themes.
Unbelief hinders what god wants to do in our lives it was because of unbelief that the children of israel could not enter into the promised land. This smaller section emerges as a theological micro cosm of the book as a whole. Theological seminary in pittsburg, pennsylvania in 1864. If you accept the thought that theology is a systematic inquiry about the nature of god and actions, then i would nominate the following themes in genesis. In addition to the themes other educators have provided, these are two others which emerge in the old testament book of exodus. And when mark refers to the exodus themes he does so repeatedly using isaiahs words.
Seven theological themes in hebrews gordon college. The wilderness may be trackless, but the journeying people are not without. Numbers, theology of bakers evangelical dictionary of biblical. Numbers is a book of practical theology and emphasizes the int numbers shows the peoples dependence upon god for daily guida numbers portrays god as a god of order. In readable, nontechnical language raymond brown considers the books main theological themes and offers helpful interpretive insights that bring this ancient text to. It reminds believers of the spiritual warfare in which they are engaged, for numbers is the book of the service and walk of gods people.
It links with genesis on the subject of promises clines and curses. The message of the book of numbers is universal and timeless. The theme of descendants marks the first event in numbers, the census of israels fighting men. The total population would have been over two million if these numbers are taken literally. Ashleys the book of numbers in the new international commentary on the old testament series, published by eerdmans publishing, contains a helpful section on the theological themes of numbers. Tracing theological themes through the whole bible story. A guide to key events, characters and themes of the bible. Hodge left western theological seminary to return to princeton theological seminary to succeed his father as the chair of systematic theology. Truth as its used in the gospel of john isnt only about listing off facts and figures.
A major theological theme developed in the new testament from numbers is. Summary doctoral dissertation theological themes in the book of esther ganea vasile romulus introduction compared with the other canonical books of the old testament, the book of esther, in the hebrew version, has a peculiar theological profile, which involves the. Because israel were counted twice in chapter 1 and 26. What are the theological themes of the book of exodus. The major theological theme developed in the new testament from numbers is that sin and unbelief, especially rebellion, reap the judgment of god. This book was written to call the second generation to move forward into the conquest as gods holy army. Leviticus, theology of bakers evangelical dictionary of. The main theme of james is that of faith and actions, but there are also other themes and key topics addressed in this book. Biblical literature major themes and characteristics britannica.
God can be depended on when moses was born, pharoah had issued a. Further, brown highlights the rich theological themes of numbers. Basically, the book of jonah is a unified narrative. The passages listed below include some of the most familiar stories and passages from the old and new testaments. Introduction to the book of numbers learn religions. A guide to key events, characters, and themes of the bible. Book of numbers overview insight for living ministries. One of the most controversial matters that arise when interpreting this book is the large numbers of soldiers listed see num. Numbers reiterates the value of faith and obedience. The israelites are on the hunt for the promised land and theyre not afraid to attack some foreigners to get it. Explore the message of numbers and discover its enduring witness to gods faithful provision. Free online bible classes theological themes part 1.
The greek title in the translation of the ot lxx was arithmoi ariqmoi emphasizing the lists of numbers recorded in the book 14. What are the theological themes in the book of genesis. Numbers bmidbar gives us instructions pertaining to our spiritual walk and warfare in the wilderness of life. The book of numbers is about faithfulness, notes dr. The book is called numbers in english because it records a series of censuses that moses took of the tribes of israel. Deuteronomy dvarim gives instructions to the younger generation preparing them to enter the promised land. Numbers is so named because a census of israel is taken twice in the book. The first creation story introduces the very novel concept of god creating from nothingn.
I have chosen to summarize what i consider the main message of the book and to select the most important themes for further study. Censuses were taken to quantify the human and natural resources available for the economic and governmental affairs, including military service num. Structuring the book according to its geographical indicators yields three. The book of numbers is the fourth book of the hebrew bible, and the fourth of five books of the. His detailed versebyverse comments are intended primarily to explain the hebrew text of numbers as we have it rather than to speculate on how the book came to be. In short, the book of numbers is about life with god during the journey to the. It is this aspect of gods character, considered by some to be the central theme of the book, which provides the reason for many of the requirements and commands found in numbers. The book of numbers tells a story that has two main characters god and israel. Theological themes genesis is the perfect book to start the bible with. This comprehensive and erudite commentary resulting from.
In an effort to drive home his main point act on your faith, james gives. Dale brueggemann examines the history of israels wilderness wanderings from egypt to the promised land, as recounted in the book of numbers. Contained within is a recapitulation of the main tenets of the torah, as well as the addition of some new laws. Numbers and work bible commentary theology of work. Historical and theological themes the main theme of jeremiah is judgment upon judah chaps.
Overview of the book of numbers reformed answers to. Every book of the bible has a theme and a purpose, and that is true of the book of james as well. And what that suggests, then, is that, borne along by the spirit of god, mark in writing scripture is thinking profoundly he is thinking in a way that we would call biblicaltheological. Neglected by many, the fourth book of the pentateuch provides a fascinating account of pilgrim israel learning to trust their god. He covers iconic events such as the spies report of canaan, moses striking the rock, balaams blessing israel, and the bronze serpent in detail and also reflects on the major theological themes behind such events. Numbers contains three distinct divisions based on israels response to the word of the lord. We need to know how each book fits with the unfolding of the story, which books are really mainline in the story, and which are commentary on the main story. By examining the relationship of literary form to theological argument in the book of hebrews, seven theological themes occurring throughout hebrews are elucidated, each of which is especially preva lent in 11. The laws in this book carry deep theological impact for the old testament as well for the new testament e. Leviticus stresses the role of sacrifice in creating and maintaining right relations between god and man, whereas numbers accentuates the indispensability of the priesthood for preserving the nations spiritual health. This commentary, like each in the series, is designed to serve the churchthrough aid in preaching, teaching, study groups, and so forthand demonstrate the continuing intellectual and practical viability of theological interpretation of the bible. You will find a wealth of information in these that focus on the theological themes of numbers.
View chuck swindolls chart of numbers, which divides the book into major sections and highlights themes and key verses. The thrust of the book is the wilderness wonderings becuase of unbelief. By examining these themes, we can understand pauls theology more clearly, and get a glimpse of what it was like to be a christian in the first century. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. It gives us a little glimpse into the before the beginning and then leads us into gods creative, and master plan of the most amazing events in history so far. Introduction to numbers bible commentary theology of work. The great biblical themes are about god, his revealed works of creation. The 5 major theological themes in pauls letters are based on pastoral issues that emerged in congregations of believers to whom paul was writing. The way the story is told sounds odd and often harsh to readers today. This fourth book of the pentateuch continues many of the themes of the previous three books and anticipates the promised land that becomes so prevalent in the. Some theological concepts in the book of deuteronomy. Any discussion of the theological concepts of the book of deuteronomy will necessarily be limited by the nature of the material in the book, by the space available, and by the subjective selection of the writer. Overview of the books of the torah main themes hoshana.
A major theological theme developed in the new testament from numbers is that sin and unbelief, especially rebellion, reap the judgment of god. The book of numbers has no issue at all with bloody battles and warfare. Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to. The people complain, miriam and aaron oppose moses, and the people refuse to enter canaan because of the reports of the unfaithful spies numbers 10. While acts is a record of history, luke weaves many theological themes into these stories to teach us about god and his mission. It follows leviticus, and like it contains cultic regulations given at sinai. Numbers is one of the lost books of the biblelost because it is.
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