Professors and pastors alike often hear groans when they begin to teach the book of Numbers—and who can blame them? The title makes it sound like the records of the Ancient Israelite Census Bureau. Even biblical scholars often refer to it as the "the junk room of the Pentateuch." However, upon closer study, this book reveals itself to be profound and relevant for our modern world—including our current wandering in the wilderness during the COVID-19 pandemic and a time of political frustration.
In this episode, Dr. David Beldman, Associate Professor of Religion and Theology at Redeemer University, talks with Dr. Dru Johnson about the book of Numbers and its motif of wandering in the wilderness. They discuss the book's original Hebrew name, literary elements, and tripartite structure. From there, they identify how wilderness-wandering applies to the stories and teachings of the New Testament. As we examine the ancient people of God in the wilderness, perhaps we can find guidance for navigating the challenges and tests for the world in 2020.
Show notes:
Learn more about Dr. Beldman and his work.
His most recent book: Deserting the King: The Book of Judges
An article he wrote for The Biblical Mind: "Biblical Culture-Making: How Sacred Order Shapes Social Order"
Show notes by Micah Long.
Credits for the music used on TBM podcast can be found at: hebraicthought.org/credits.
Revelation 101: Leaving Behind Left Behind (Jason Staples)
Would Moses Forgive Student Debt? (Michael Rhodes)
A Jewish View of the Afterlife in the Hebrew Bible (Jeremiah Unterman)
Thinking Biblically about Institutions (Ari Lamm)
The Bonhoeffer of Ethiopia (Abeneazer Urga)
ICYMI: What Is the Point of Prayer? Does It Change God’s Mind? (John C. Peckham)
The Dangers of Celebrity in the Church (Katelyn Beaty)
Forming Trauma-Safe Churches (Scott Harrower and Joshua Cockayne)
Repentance in Deed and Word (Shalom Carmy)
Q&A Series: Is There Marriage in Heaven? (Dru Johnson)
Discussing the New CHT Book on Gender in the Bible (Feat. 3 of the Contributors)
ICYMI: How the Translation of ’Faith’ in the Bible Falls Short (Matt Bates)
How the Early Church Engaged with Scripture (Brian J. Wright)
Entering the Hell and Heartbreak of the Grotesque Book of Judges (Daniel Stulac)
True Sabbath Isn’t Narcissism Disguised as Self-Care (Kelsey Osgood)
African Perspectives on Multiculturalism and Economic Justice (Gift Mtukwa)
Reissue: What Does Reconciliation Mean for Sexual Abuse Survivors? (Rachael and Jacob Denhollander)
Who Is the ’Foreigner’ We’re Supposed to Love? (M. Daniel Carroll R.)
Knowing God through Welcoming the Stranger (Mark Glanville)
Reissue: Violence in the Bible Isn’t What You Think It Is (Matt Lynch)
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free
The Modern West
강유원의 책담화冊談話
The Art of Manliness
Conversations With Coleman
Dear Hank & John
Alan Watts Being in the Way