What Do Moses and a Rock Have to Do With Jesus? – Numbers Q+R

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Oct 26, 2022

Dive into the complexities of the Book of Numbers, exploring whether biblical numbers are literal or literary. Discover how Israel's population decline reflects rebellion against divine will. Unpack the connection between Moses and Jesus as water sources, revealing deeper theological meanings. Learn about the adaptability of God's laws over time and the challenges of interpreting past conquests. Plus, uncover the significance of recurring numeric patterns in scripture while contemplating the lasting impact of Edenic themes.

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INSIGHT

Literary Design in Scripture

The writers of the Pentateuch may have used literary creativity to convey deeper meaning.
The number seven, for example, appears repeatedly, like with the seven rebellions.

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INSIGHT

Ancient vs. Modern Historiography

Ancient Hebrew writers weren't aiming for video camera footage accuracy.
They used literary creativity to communicate historical meaning and significance.

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ADVICE

Recommended Reading

Read Joshua Berman's "Ani Maamin" to understand ancient historiography.
He compares biblical accounts to those of other ancient cultures, showing how literary creativity and truth intertwine.

Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode

The Sevenfold Rebellion: History and Narrative

01:30 • 15min

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Counting the Faithful: Israel's Wilderness Experience

16:29 • 5min

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Living Water: The Rock of Ages

21:37 • 14min

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Adapting the Law: Tradition Meets Change

35:33 • 20min

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The Biblical Pattern of 10 vs. 2

55:21 • 7min

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Eden's Influence in Biblical Narratives

01:01:54 • 4min

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Reflecting on Progress and Future Possibilities in Biblical Study

In 'Jesus and the Land', Gary M. Burge explores how Jesus and the New Testament writers viewed the concept of land, contrasting it with traditional Jewish territorial theologies. The book provides a comprehensive survey of New Testament passages addressing land and faith, helping Christians develop a theology of the land relevant to modern Middle Eastern tensions.

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A Defense of the Hyperbolic Interpretation of Large Numbers in the Old Testament

David M. Fouts

This work by David M. Fouts explores the interpretation of large numbers in the Old Testament, arguing that these numbers should be understood as hyperbolic expressions rather than literal figures. Fouts discusses the hermeneutical implications of this interpretation, distinguishing it from theological debates about inerrancy and historical accuracy. His analysis includes examples from various biblical passages, such as the population of Israel at the exodus and discrepancies in census figures.

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Adam as Israel

Seth Postel

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The Christian Imagination: Theology and the Origins of Race

Willie Jennings

In 'The Christian Imagination: Theology and the Origins of Race', Willie James Jennings explores how Christian theology has been intertwined with racial formation, particularly during the era of Western colonialism. He argues that racial concepts have theological roots, tracing back to supersessionist thinking and the distortion of Christian imagination. The book examines key figures and events that shaped this intersection of theology and race.

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Waiting for the land

the story line of the Pentateuch

Arie C. Leder

This book treats the Pentateuch as a coherent narrative, examining each book to show how the promise of the land was not realized. It then explores how this narrative should influence the hope of the contemporary church. Leder provides a comprehensive analysis, combining scholarly insight with a high view of biblical authority.

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From paradise to the promised land

an introduction to the main themes of the Pentateuch

T. Desmond Alexander

From Paradise to the Promised Land offers a thematic and theological exploration of the Pentateuch, highlighting its role as a foundational narrative for the entire Bible. The book provides an accessible overview of the historical, literary, and theological content of Genesis through Deuteronomy, demonstrating how these books form a coherent and unified composition. It also critiques modern critical approaches to the Pentateuch, offering sound responses to various scholarly positions.

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Ani Maamin

Joshua Berman

In *Ani Maamin*, Joshua Berman addresses challenges from academic biblical scholarship to traditional Jewish beliefs. He emphasizes the importance of understanding the Tanakh within its ancient Near Eastern context, defending the historicity of events like the Exodus, and critiquing source criticism. The book also explores the Thirteen Principles of Faith, tracing their development from classical rabbinic sources to modern debates.

• Mentioned in 28 episodes

Deuteronomy

introduction and commentary.

Hubert Cunliffe-Jones

This book by Hubert Cunliffe-Jones offers a comprehensive introduction and commentary on the biblical book of Deuteronomy. It is part of the Torch Bible Paperbacks series, which aims to provide scholarly yet accessible interpretations of biblical texts. The commentary delves into the historical, theological, and literary aspects of Deuteronomy, making it a valuable resource for both scholars and general readers interested in biblical studies.

Are numbers in the Hebrew Bible literal? Is it dangerous to adapt God’s laws? Does Israel’s conquest of Canaan justify other historical conquests? In this episode, Tim and Jon explore audience questions about the Numbers scroll. Thanks to our audience for your insightful questions.

View full show notes from this episode →

Timestamps

Are Repeated Numbers Literal or Literary Embellishments? (1:20)
Why Does Israel’s Population Decrease in Numbers? (16:25)
What Does Jesus’ Title “The Rock” Have to Do with Moses? (21:45)
Is it Dangerous to Adapt God’s Laws? (34:34)
Does Israel’s Conquest of Canaan Justify Other Historical Conquests? (47:35)
What’s With All the 10s and 2s? (52:22)
What Are Some Resources for Seeing Edenic Themes in the Torah? (01:01:58)

Referenced Resources

Ani Maamin: Biblical Criticism, Historical Truth, and the Thirteen Principles of Faith, Joshua Berman
A Defense of the Hyperbolic Interpretation of Numbers in the Old Testament, David M. Fouts
Deuteronomy 1-11 (The Anchor Yale Bible Commentaries), Moshe Weinfeld
Jesus and the Land: The New Testament Challenge to "Holy Land" Theology, Gary M. Burge
Unsettling Truths: The Ongoing, Dehumanizing Legacy of the Doctrine of Discovery, Mark Charles, Soong-Chan Rah
The Christian Imagination: Theology and the Origins of Race, William James Jennings
Interested in more? Check out Tim’s library here.
You can experience the literary themes and movements we’re tracing on the podcast in the BibleProject app, available for Android and iOS.

Show Music

“Defender (Instrumental)” by TENTS

Show produced by Cooper Peltz with Associate Producer Lindsey Ponder. Edited by Dan Gummel, Tyler Bailey, and Frank Garza. Podcast annotations for the BibleProject app by Hannah Woo. Audience questions compiled by Christopher Maier.

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