A Journey through Torah

INTRODUCTION

Welcome to HaSefer B’Midbar, the book of Numbers. In the following pages, you will be introduced to an overview of the forty years of wandering of Israel and the mixed multitude as they traveled toward the promised land.

This was not an easy journey, as you know. Have you read HaSefer Shemot, the book of Exodus? Within this book, it appears the travelers, Israel and the mixed multitude consisting of fellow slaves from much of the neighborhood, and Egyptians, had difficulty trusting in either Moshe or Adonai, the Lord God. As we read within the pages of Numbers, we discover they challenged both all through their time in the wilderness. The deaths of the first generation of Israelites and the mixed multitude were as a consequence of their constant complaining. Adonai’s judgment of their complaining and their betrayals is well documented in the book. Only the second generation was allowed to complete the journey and enter the promised land. As you will read, they were to enter Cana’an just after their second year of wandering; however, their lack of trust resulted in their having to wander another thirty-eight years. However, as you read through the thirty-six chapters of the book, please also focus on Adonai’s love for His children. This may be difficult to discern, as the Hebrew scriptures are not as emotionally charged as are the apostolic scriptures. Thus, a good deal of reading between the lines is required to gain a full grasp of what is written in these pages. I wish you a joyous journey.