2018, September 30 ~ Numbers 11:4-6,10-16, 24-29 and James 5:13-20

Numbers 11:4-6, 10-16, 24-29

Numbers is the fourth book of the Torah (Hebrew meaning “teaching” or “Law”), also known by Christians as the Pentateuch (Greek meaning “Five Books”). Numbers (like the last half of Exodus, and all of Leviticus and Deuteronomy) is set in the time the Israelites were in the Wilderness before entering the Promised Land. If the time in the Wilderness is historical (no archaeological evidence has ever been found to support it), this would have been around 1250 BCE.

Most of the book of Numbers was written by the “Priestly Source” during the Babylonian Exile (587-539 BCE) and in the 100 years after the Exile. Today’s reading is one of four stories in the Torah in which the Israelites complained about their food or water or both. (The other three are in Exodus 16, and Numbers 20 and 21.)

In today’s reading, the Israelites complained about the lack of water, vegetables and meat. YHWH became very angry with the people, and Moses lamented to YHWH that his burden in dealing with the Israelites was too great. After Moses’ lament to YHWH, YHWH directed that 70 elders be gathered and YHWH took some of Moses’ “spirit” so this group of 70 could “prophesy” (speak for God). The reading concludes with two other men having prophetic powers – a story reflecting some ambivalence in the Bible about who can speak for God.

In the verses that follow today’s reading, YHWH caused large numbers of quail to fall on the camp of the Israelites to a depth of three feet. The Israelites gorged themselves on the meat and suffered a great plague that killed many of them. (Lesson: Be careful what you ask for; you just might get it!)

James 5:13-20

The authorship of this Epistle is not known, but it has traditionally been attributed to James, the brother of Jesus and leader of the Jesus Follower community in Jerusalem.

This James (sometimes called “James the Just”) is to be distinguished from “James the Great” (the apostle, brother of John, and son of Zebedee) and “James the Less” (apostle and son of Alphaeus).

The letter is addressed to Jewish Jesus Followers and emphasizes the importance of good works and ethical behavior. This emphasis has been understood by some (including Luther) as being opposed to Paul’s position (particularly in Romans) that one is saved by Faith alone.

Today’s reading concludes the letter. It urges Jesus Followers to pray and to sing songs of praise. The author cites the example of Elijah to show the power of prayer – a reference to the story in the Book of Kings in which Elijah defeated the priests of Baal who were the agents of the evil King of Israel, Ahab. The Epistle concludes with an exhortation to bring back sinners from their wanderings.