The Goodness of God: The book of Numbers
Why is understanding the goodness of God essential to us?
Praying for the salvation of others is probably one of the most noble prayers any disciple of Jesus could pray. But often, we pray, and pray, and pray, and we don't see any movement towards God for those we lift in prayer.
My husband, Michael, and I have been praying for our children's salvation since birth. God blessed us with three marvelous and unforgettable sons but never a biological daughter. In the naming of our sons, Michael and I could never agree on what their names were. Still, we immediately landed on our daughter's name before our firstborn was even born: Alice Elizabeth. After having three sons in synchrony, I was told that we could no longer have any more biological children. I was okay with that, as the last pregnancy was complicated for me, but I was saddened by the thought of never having a daughter with my high left cheek dimple.
Three years after the birth of our third son, we began fostering, and when he was five, a six-month-old baby girl was placed in our care. It was soon recognized by all that this would be moving towards adoption. We had fallen in LOVE with her, so we adopted and named her Alice Elizabeth when given the chance. However, my mommy instincts took over within months of having her in our care, and I knew something wasn't right. Even though God had told me over and over that this was our daughter (her pre-adoption initials matched her new name; she had a high, left-cheek dimple just like me; and her adoption was considered the most straightforward anyone had seen), she didn't seem to fully attach to us. At six years of age, several counselors and psychiatrists confirmed that she had Reactive Attachment Disorder, along with several other disorders. Even now, knowing her diagnosis, it's hard when she constantly pushes us away whenever she is triggered. She flies into rages, destroys property, hurts others physically, and becomes, in her words, "like a zombie." It breaks our hearts, and we are constantly on our knees for her. We know we serve a God of miracles who can heal, but the data isn't reassuring. We know He has a fantastic plan for her life, but we may not see it on this side of heaven.
Is God Good When We Don't See Answered Prayers?
George Müller was a 19th-century Christian evangelist who was an ardent prayer warrior and faithful follower of Christ. During his lifetime, he established the Ashley Down orphanage in Bristol, England, while praying for God to provide all of their needs, never asking for donations or publicizing them. (Check out that astounding story here: Bread for 10,000 Orphans- The Prayer Life of George Müller). If that answered prayer doesn't wow you, then I'm unsure what will.
But starting in 1844, he began to pray for five specific friends to come to Christ. He prayed every day, never missing, whether sick or traveling. He kept track of these prayers and waited for God to answer. The first of these men came to Christ five years after Müller started to pray. The second came to faith and was saved 10 years later. The third came to Christ 25 years after Müller began, and the fourth came to the LORD after 40 years. But the final man, Müller's best friend, remained unmoved towards God, even though Muller prayed for him faithfully for 52 years. George Müller died before seeing his best friend come to faith. In those final moments of George's life, we wonder, "Did he doubt God's goodness and faithfulness? Did he wonder, 'What did I pray wrong? Was I too selfish in wanting my best friend to come to faith?" But I'm inclined to think that Muller never doubted God's faithfulness and goodness. His faith was so immense that he prayed for bread, and GOD SENT IT. Indeed, Muller could not have doubted… could he?
I know that I've had doubts about God's goodness several times in my life. I've often wondered if my own incompetence has slowed down the answering of prayer from God. But when we think about those things, we realize that we're making the asking about us.
God's Goodness Demonstrated
The book of Numbers opens with the proclamation that Moses could hear God from INSIDE the tent of meeting. This tells us as the reader that the rituals and sacrifices outlined by God in the book of Leviticus were successful.[1](Yay!) Moses was now able to be back in the presence of God. Also, because the book of Numbers has several censuses of the people (hence the name, Numbers), the theme of God's faithfulness drips off the pages, showing that the people are flourishing even in their wandering.
Over and over, however, we can read about a pattern of God's People rebelling and sinning against their God, even desiring several times to go back to Egypt! Each time, God's anger is looming (I mean, wouldn't you be mad at your children if, after removing them from a place of slavery to give them freedom, they wanted to go back?) But Moses intercedes for them each time, walking the people away from death and destruction. This pattern, however, does not mean that the people do not receive punishment and consequences for their actions. Sometimes, the LORD gives them precisely what they want (like dying in the desert in Numbers 14). Other times, He strikes them with plagues, bringing death and sometimes repentance from the people. There was even an uprising among the people, demanding new leadership. As a parent, I know it can become grueling when your children do everything they can to push you away or grasp for control.
Between the chapters on rebellion and plagues, intentional rituals, sacrifices, and offerings are put in place to guide the people toward a holier life. Archer states, "The spiritual lesson enforced throughout the book (of Numbers) is that God's people can move forward only so far as they trust His Promises and lean upon His strength." [2]At the end of Numbers, it’s clear: God allows His people to choose either obedience or disobedience, leading to consequences. And even though His people suffer, this allowance on the part of God shows us His goodness and, essentially, His love.
Underneath the Translation
The promises of God continue to ring true through the book of Numbers, even though the Israelites distrusted God through their complaining. God had given them the land (Numbers 32:7,9) through His promise to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Gen. 17:8; 26:3; 28:13). These promises should have acted as a guarantee to God's people that they would be able to conquer the land at the right time. The fact that the spies could infiltrate the exact land where Abraham had first received the covenant should have bolstered their faith in God's goodness and faithfulness. But their unbelief showed through.
There is a strange reprieve from the main storyline in chapters 22-24, where the narrative switches to a guy named "…Balaam [who] was noted for possessing unusual powers, and his reputation must have been widely known." [3] Balaam's father's name, Beor, means "to burn up," which indicates that Balaam came from a robust line of wizards, which would explain why the king of Moab, Balak, was in such a hurry to hire him to protect his own nation.[4] In a series of strange moments, including a talking female donkey, the angel of the LORD in a Behold Moment says, "Behold (Hinneh), I have come out to oppose you because your way is perverse before me." He proceeds to tell Balaam that he would have killed him and let the donkey live. After Balaam repents his sin, the angel of the LORD tells him to go but only to speak the words He gives him. It happens just like that- just as the people are complaining and rebelling (prostituting their daughters to the Moabites) down in the wilderness, Balaam stands on three different hillsides and speaks four blessings, not curses, over the people. In the final blessing, he prophecies about the coming Messiah (24:15-19). Once again, God's promises of blessings, not curses, are fulfilled to the people of Israel.
How Can We Trust God's Goodness?
God still gives blessings to His people even after their continued rebellion. He stays true to who He is: Good. Could we, like the Israelites, be comfortable in our own wandering? If, after waiting for God to fulfill the promises He has made to us, could we think that He has changed his mind? Our impatience as humans returns to the dawn of time (Gen 1-6). We expect things NOW rather than later. Nevertheless, throughout the Bible, we see narratives of people waiting for God's promises, not a week or three months, but DECADES. We must hold to the promises of God and act as an example to others that we must wait on God as long as it takes.
There is a strange similarity between Balaam (Numbers 22-24) and Judas Iscariot (John 12:6); both tried to unite the service of God and the love of money- and met with failure. Balaam acknowledged the true God and even professed to serve Him. Many believe Judas believed in Jesus as the Messiah but did not unite with His followers. On top of this, both men hoped to connect with YHWH and the Messiah to secure wealth and promotion in the worldly kingdom. The failure of their hopes drove them both to ruin. Balaam and Judas had received great light and inspiration, but a single cherished sin poisoned their characters and caused destruction. It is heartbreaking to see that Balaam, right before he heads home, quotes God one last time,
"I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near. A star shall come out of Jacob; a scepter will rise out of Israel. He will crush the heads of Moab, the skulls of all the sons of Sheth. Edom will be conquered; Seir, his enemy, will be conquered, but Israel will grow strong. A ruler will come out of Jacob and destroy the survivors of the city…" Numbers 24:17-19, ESV.
Balaam sees the future of Israel and yet still chooses to go home. Some scholars believe that by referring to the star and the scepter that would come out of Israel, Balaam signifies King David, or possibly even further to the nearing Christ.[5] Balaam was from Mesopotamia, supposedly the same area as the Magi, who honored Christ at His birth. Perhaps Balaam's oracle alerted these wise men from the East, which helped them recognize and follow the star.
How Trust is Crucial
Several months after Muller's death, his best friend, who he had prayed for 52 years, gave his life to Christ. Muller, no doubt, knew God's goodness COMPLETELY when he got to greet and welcome his best friend into heaven. Can you just picture that reunion? It moves me to tears!
What Can We Do?
Trust that God is good, even when you can't see it.
Keep praying, even when you are not immediately answered.
Keep track of His goodness. Share the news with your friends and family.
Muller's and Balamm's stories remind us that God's promises and answers to prayer may not come in our lifetime, but His faithfulness and goodness are steadfast. Muller's persistence in continued prayer until his death demonstrates that even through our wandering and not seeing answers, God is good and will answer in His time.
It's hard to believe that God may answer our prayers when my daughter pushes us away after we continue to show her love, provide for her, and accept her completely. But I choose to believe that He is faithful. That He is good. And I take the small wins as tiny, little answers to God's ultimate answer to come.
Trusting God's goodness is a constant choice—daily, hourly, and sometimes even by the minute. But if Muller could do it when he had 10,000 hungry orphans, so can you.
[1] Tim Mackie, "BL501 Genesis to Song of Songs" Class at Western Seminary. Lecture and Notes: "Numbers Notes." Fall 2021.
[2] Gleason L. Archer, Jr., A Survey of Old Testament Introduction, (Chicago: Moody, 1994), pg. 265.
[3] J. Hoftijzer and G. Van der Kooij, Aramaic Texts from Deir ‘Alla, (Leiden, 1976) pg. 207. (Brackets mine).
[4] David H. Roper, Balaam: The Light that was Darkness, (Peninsula: Discovery Printing 1995) pg. 17.
[5] Wilbur Fields, Old Testament History: An Overview of Sacred History & Truth (Joplin, MO: College Press Publishing Company, 1996), 228.
