Tue 6 Oct 2009
Reserve Reading #4 – Numbers, Deuteronomy
Posted by S.G.R. Webster under An Introduction to the Old Testament
[8] Comments
It is no strain of metaphor to say that the love of God and the wrath of God are the same thing, described from opposite points of view. How we shall experience it depends upon the way we shall come up against it: God does not change; it is man’s moral state that changes. The wrath of God is a figure of speech to denote God’s unchanging opposition to sin; it is His righteous love operating to destroy evil. It is not evil that will have the last word, but good; not sorrow, but joy; not hate, but love.
… R. J. Campbell (1867-1956), The Call of Christ [1932], London : Skeffington & Son, 1942? (see the book; see also Num. 14:11;
pg 258. “another way of looking at the Pentateuch is as a biography of moses.” Doesn’t this go against the whole thinking theologically concept we have been trying to institute?
It says that the Israelites wandered through the wilderness for 40 years. Is there any biblical significance behind the number 40 or any particular reason why God chose to keep the Israelites in the wilderness for that long?
Question>>
pg. 12
I’m a little hazy as to what the deal with the whole dating of the book of Deuteronomy is … I don’t understand the conflict of times in question i guess.
pg. 261 3. The Numbers were changed due to scribal misunderstanding.
It says how it used to be thought that the numbers were much smaller because of a misunderstanding of the word ‘elep. How would scholars come to understand that word differently today? what would cause that to happen? Alo, you said that numbers were seen as symbolic and the key to the mind of God. Is that the case of the census numbers as well, or are the numbers of elligible male warriors meant to be mathamematical terms?
it says there are similarities between Deuteronomy and the ancient treaty documents. what are the ancient treaty documents from the Hittites and the Assyrians?
Under “Purpose, Occasion, and Background” in the Deuteronomy article, the issue of transferring the covenant from Old Testament to New is discussed. That part makes sense to me. But often, when talking about tattoos or piercings or anything really, my Dad will refer to Leviticus and Deuteronomy saying that, that is God’s Word and we’re supposed to follow it. You made a comment once–but I can’t remember it–that made that subject so clear. I read in the previous articles that the OT is the Word of God for us, but not necessarily the Word of God to us. I guess my question is, what can I say? What is the truth? Your body is a temple of God–yes. But are tattoos or earrings actually sin? Or were they just back then? Or… what?
From the great people at Ball State University down in Funcie….this stuff is great! you will take this material wherever you go. I am in a bible study here, where there are many different opinions and young believers, it’s amazing to be listening, and remember something that I learned in this class so i can share it with others.
God is good!
Enjoy your day, seniors! I mean it…Enjoy your day!
And you too, Mr. Stephen Glen Roy Webster!
1. Could you please furthure explain “gematria”
2. Which theory concerning the interpretation of the numbers of Numbers do you believe is most plausible