Author Archives: Maryann Spikes

Numbers 23-25 Bible Narrative Project If the scuffle with the donkey wasn’t funny enough, check out the frustration of Balak in response to Balaam’s repeated prophecies. First, Balaam blesses Israel instead of cursing them, so Balak says, hey, if we … Continue reading →

Numbers 20-22 Bible Narrative Project There is a lot going on in these chapters. Miriam dies, more rebellion due to lack of water (“if only we had died!”–how quickly we forget), Moses disobeys God when he strikes the rock rather … Continue reading →

Numbers 16-17 Bible Narrative Project Forgot to include chapter fifteen in the last one. Hmm. There are some laws, perhaps to reestablish Moses’ authority and restore order to the people. A people cannot survive wilderness wandering if they are all … Continue reading →

Numbers 14-15, Psalm 90 Bible Narrative Project Forgot to include chapter 13 in the last one. The spies of the Promised Land (Canaan) are out for forty days (setting the pattern for their wanderings–one day for every year), and all but … Continue reading →

Numbers 11:16-13 Bible Narrative Project Pretty awesome that Moses is not threatened by what the Spirit was doing through Eldad and Medad, in great contrast to grumbling of Miriam and Aaron. God knew what he was doing putting Moses in … Continue reading →

Numbers 10:11-11:15 Bible Narrative Project Hobab, Moses’ brother-in-law, wants to go his own way, but Moses asks him to stay and be their eyes in the wilderness, and he does (see Judges 1:16). “So if You are going to deal … Continue reading →

Numbers 9-10:10 Bible Narrative Project So, if we were reading this strictly chronologically, the passover celebration would have come before the census in chapter one. Interestingly, it is only their second (the first one celebrated while still in Egypt) and … Continue reading →

Numbers 6:22-8:26 Bible Narrative Project The idea that Levites had tabernacle duties starting from the age of 25 and ending at the age of 50, just because they were born in the tribe of Levi, sort of reminds me of … Continue reading →

Numbers 3-4 Bible Narrative Project The Levites encamped around the tabernacle–sons of Gershon to the west, sons of Kohath (to whom were given the care of the most holy things) to the south, sons of Merari to the north, sons … Continue reading →

Numbers 1-2 Bible Narrative Project Before setting out for the Promised Land they draw up a military roster which excludes the Levites, who have tabernacle duty. By the way, Numbers is this book’s Greek title, but the Hebrew title is … Continue reading →