The fourth book of Moses begins at the base of Mount Sinai in the second year after the LORD delivered His people from slavery in Egypt. There, the LORD continues to speak to Moses so that His people will listen to His Word. He names and numbers His army one tribe at a time in preparation for their conquest of the Promised Land. As the book of Numbers progresses, this first generation of Israelites will fall into idolatry and impatience and so fail to receive the Promised Land. However, the LORD will raise up a new generation who will receive His faithfulness with thanksgiving. From this history, the LORD teaches us how to hear and believe His Word today in this time between the salvation that is ours now by faith in Christ and the resurrection that will be ours on the Last Day when Christ returns.

Rev. Dr. Reed Lessing serves at Concordia University in St. Paul, MN as the Edwin F. and Esther L. Laatsch Chair of Old Testament Studies, the Director of the Center for Biblical Studies, and the Director of the Pre-Seminary Program. He also serves as associate pastor at Cross View Lutheran Church in Edina, MN. He joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Numbers 1:1-54.

"Wilderness Wanderings” is a series on Sharper Iron that goes through the book of Numbers. After the LORD delivers His people from slavery in Egypt, He leads them toward the Promised Land. Although the first generation of Israelites proves faithless, the LORD remains faithful to His people and brings a new generation of Israelites to the plains of Moab. This strengthens us to listen to God’s promises today and stay faithful to Him as He guides us toward resurrection life.