*In this book we learn nothing about heaven, hell, Angels, demons, the devil, life after death, or promise of a spiritual savior.
*We are told the Israelites wandered in the desert for forty years, but are almost told nothing about those intervening years, except the names of the camp sites. They supposedly moved an average of once a year. During that time, every adult who had been over twenty when the Israelites came out of Egypt died, except for Caleb and Joshua. Moses also hasn't died yet. Miriam and Aaron have.
*According to the numbers supposedly recorded, the number of fighting men in the group has only decreased by about a thousand over the forty years.The balance of the population of each tribe has shifted. The tribe of Levites remains small. The tribe of Judah Is the largest tribe. There are still well over a million Israelites travellling together, along with their substantial flocks and herds.
*The Levites are not required to fight. They have special duties and privileges that pretty much guarantee they are the wealthiest and best fed tribe in the group.
*There were a couple of protests and departures from absolute obedience to Yahweh that were dealt with swiftly and violently, usually by Yahweh or a priest.
*Speaking of herds of animals, apparently they were able to have enough water and food to maintain large flocks, in spite of claims that they themselves were starving and thirsty.
*Not one single event or individual mentioned in the Book of Numbers is corroborated in the current archaeological record. Many place names can be found, many more can not. To convict someone of murder you need the testimony of at least two eyewitnesses. To accept that the book of Numbers is the "word of God" you only need faith. The book does not say it was written by Moses or that it is the word of God.
We will move on to Deuteronomy after the 1st of January. Until then we will take a look at the birth of Jesus.
Edited.
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