Cult and Culture: Life in the Land, Part 1 (Num. 15)

Curious.

God has just told them that they will wander in the wilderness for 40 years. God has just told them that because of the unbelief, they may not enter the Promised Land. Indeed, when they disregarded God’s word, and tried to enter the land anyway, they were defeated and routed by the Canaanites and Amalekites.

And here are the first words that God says to Israel after this: “When you come into the land you are to inhabit, which I am giving you…”

Over the last few weeks we have looked at the “grumblings” in the wilderness. These central chapters of the book of Numbers contrast Israel’s grumbling in the wilderness (what is) with God’s prescriptions for life in the land (what should be). After all, the book of Numbers was not written for Israel in the wilderness. The book of Numbers was written for Israel in the land.

As Israel recounts the history of the rebellion in the wilderness, Israel should reflect on what is the proper response to the word of God.

And the result is a book that provides both a warning to Israel against grumbling, together with the proper response – faithful obedience to the LORD.

So, if you would avoid the rebellion and grumbling of Numbers 13-14, then pay attention to Numbers 15 – because here God shows us the way of life.

And Numbers 15 provides us with a glimpse at the connection between “cult” and culture – between worship and the day-to-day ideas, practices – “webs of meaning” – that we construct.