Digital Logos Edition
Although little studied by most Christians, the book of Numbers offers a rich storehouse of material for reflection on the relationship between God and the human community. This excellent commentary highlights this theme in the context of interpreting the many strange and obscure stories and laws of Israel’s wilderness journey.
“Balaam’s specialty is seeing, divining, seeking omens, gaining contact with the world of the gods; he is regarded as the best in the world in this profession. Yet he sees no angel, blames the donkey for making his journey difficult, wants to kill the donkey … until God opens the donkey’s mouth for a conversation that prepares the way for the opening of Balaam’s eyes.” (Page 126)
“Two technical Hebrew expressions are used here: to ‘go out and come in’ before the” (Page 151)
“The story rests on the premise that there is power in the spoken word” (Page 124)
“8:43–48) challenges the church to attend to the voices of those marginalized groups and persons (‘outside” (Page 34)
“In its beginning and its ending, this benediction is about the providence of God.” (Page 45)