SEARCH THE SCRIPTURE by F. D. Starr

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · May 11, 1904

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 30, No. 19.

SEARCH THE SCRIPTURE

By F. D. Starr

NUMBERS.

THIS book is called "Numbers" because it contains the record of the numbering of the people. The name was given it by the Greek translators of the Old Testament, in producing the Septuagint, about B. C. 300. The Greek name is Arithmoi, from which word comes our term "arithmetic," and, indeed, in this book we have considerable inspired arithmetic. The census of the people was twice taken, once soon after coming out of Egypt, and again just before entering Canaan. The thirty-six chapters of this book very nearly cover the thirty-eight years between these enumerations. It is interesting to compare the two numberings of Israel. The number of adult males in the entire nation had not changed much during the interval, but the numbers of the several tribes had changed considerably, as will be seen by the following table:—

Number	Soon after	Number Nearly	Increase.	Decrease.
	Leaving Egypt.	40 Years Later.
Reuben,	46,500	43,730		2,770
Simeon,	59,300	22,200		37,100
Gad,	45,650	40,500		5,150
Judah,	74,600	76,500	1,900
Issachar,	54,400	64,300	9,900
Zebulun,	57,400	60,500	3,100
Ephraim,	40,500	32,500		8,000
Manasseh,	32,200	52,700	20,500
Benjamin,	35,400	45,600	10,200
Dan,	62,700	64,400	1,700
Asher,	41,500	53,400	11,900
Naphtali,	53,400	45,400		8,000
Totals	603,550	601,730	59,200	61,020

Many items of interest may be gleaned from a study of this table. The most remarkable decrease is seen in the tribe of Simeon, which shrank almost two-thirds in size. The most pronounced growth is in the tribe of Manasseh, which increased almost two-thirds its former size. If we should look for some explanation of this, we might find it in the words of the patriarch Jacob, in his dying blessing upon his children. Concerning Simeon and Levi, he said they should be divided in Jacob, and scattered in Israel. This was fulfilled in withholding from Levi any tribal division of the territory of the promised land, and scattering the Levites in all the tribes of Israel to perform priestly duties, and we see the fulfilment also in the notable decrease in the tribe of Simeon. The enumerations are found in chapters 1 and 26.

The vital importance of becoming acquainted with the lessons of the book of Numbers, is shown us in 1 Cor. 10:1-11. We see from this that God is not pleased to have us ignorant of this ancient history. Events are mentioned here that the apostle says were written for our admonition upon whom the ends of the world are come, "to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted." Five different historical items are given in verses 6-10, in which the people committed serious and gross errors. Of these five, four are recorded in the book of Numbers. If we fail to read and study this book, the consequence will be that we will be liable to commit the same mistakes that Israel did, against which we are warned, and thus be guilty of fatal errors. Let us not risk so much.

Among the topics of deep interest to be found in this book we may mention a few, such as the arrangement of the camp with such regularity (By this we see that God is indeed a God of order, and does not take pleasure in confusion.); the appointment of the seventy elders to assist Moses; the jealousy of Aaron and Miriam toward Moses; the searching of the land of promise by the twelve spies; the evil report of the majority and the good report of Caleb and Joshua; the rebellion of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram; Moses' sin in speaking unadvisably when he smote the rock, and the serious consequences of that mistake, etc. But we must not fail to notice the remarkable history of Balaam, as given in chapters 22-24. Here we have an instance of that condition mentioned by Paul in 1 Cor. 13:2, of a person having the gift of prophecy, and yet not having love. To prove that Balaam gave true predictions, we have only to examine such passages as Num. 23:9, 10; 24:17. To show what his character was, we turn to 2 Peter 2:15, 16; Jude 11; Rev. 2:14. There is an important lesson for us in his history. God is the Author of numbers, the Author of arithmetic.

In Dan. 8:13 (margin) Christ is called "the Numberer of secrets, or, the Wonderful Numberer." And, indeed, what a wonderful numberer He is! "The very hairs of your head are all numbered." Matt. 10:30. "He telleth the number of the stars." Ps. 147:4. "For now Thou numberest my steps." Job 14:16. We need to learn from Him the science of numbering. "So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom." Ps. 90:12. "Lord, make me to know mine end, and the measure of my days, what it is; that I may know how frail I am." Before long it will be said of us, as of the Babylonian monarch, "God hath numbered thy kingdom [or life history], and finished it." Dan. 5:26. But before that decree shall pass, may we learn from God's Word, as a whole, and from the book of Numbers, in particular, what conditions are necessary in order for us to be numbered with the host of Israel when the final census or enumeration is made. "The Lord shall count, when He writeth up the people, that this man was born there. Selah." Ps. 87:6.

"As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up." John 3:14. These words may be considered as furnishing the key-note of the book of Numbers, the central theme around which its other topics cluster, for it is this book that presents to us the interesting account concerning the brazen serpent. The serpent on the pole—Christ on the cross. Wherein lies the analogy? Of the one it was said, "Every one that is bitten, when he looketh upon it, shall live" (Num. 21:8); the Other says, "Look unto Me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth" (Isa. 45:22). We can understand why Christ should be represented by the innocent lamb and animals of like nature, but how can He be fitly represented by the serpent, the beast that is the symbol of Satan? We see in this to what degree our Lord descended in order to rescue us. He was "made a curse for us; . . . cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree." Gal. 3:13. "He that is hanged is accursed of God." Deut. 21:23. "He hath made Him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him." 2 Cor. 5:21. Jesus experienced that which Paul said he could wish for himself; accursed for his brethren. Rom. 9:3. Made a curse for us, made sin for us! What a thought! What condescension! How aptly prefigured by the serpent on the pole! But in this, as in many other cases, so many saw only the material representation, and not the real

spiritual truth designed of God for them to consider. Centuries later we find the pious king Hezekiah abolishing the worship of this piece of brass. He "brake in pieces the brazen serpent that Moses had made; for unto those days the children of Israel did burn incense to it." 2 Kings 18:4. A very important lesson for us not to put material types and forms in the place of the real divine presence.