Why Does the Book of Numbers Matter? with Today In the Word's Dr. James Coakley

In the Old Testament book of Numbers, God’s people have been delivered from slavery in Egypt. But their trip to the promised land does not go as smoothly as they expected. Very soon they were grumbling and complaining to God. They would spend 40 years wandering in the wilderness. Jamie Janosz, managing editor of Today in the Word a daily devotional from Moody Bible Institute, discusses the book of Numbers with Dr. James Coakley, professor of Bible at Moody Bible Institute. JAMES COAKLEY has taught Bible at Moody Bible Institute for over twenty years in both the Seminary and Undergraduate school. He is married to Gayle and has two adult children and three grandchildren. He is a frequent tour leader to Bible lands and a frequent guest on several Moody Radio programs. He contributed to the Moody Bible Commentary and the Moody Handbook of Messianic Prophecy. In this conversation with Dr. Coakley, we ask: • At what time in biblical history did the book of Numbers occur? • What are some important events to note? • Why did the author include so many long lists of names? • What can we gain from the ceremonial details included in Numbers? • What lesson can we take from their spirit of complaining? • What do we learn about God from the book of Numbers? • How can we find encouragement for our own wilderness seasons? • What was the significance of a guardian-redeemer. Dr. James Coakley is also the author of the chapter on Numbers in The Moody Bible Commentary, available for purchase through Moody Publishers (https://www.moodypublishers.com ). Today in the Word is a daily devotional published by Moody Bible Institute. It is available by email or the downloadable app through Google Play or the App Store. Sign up today and join the current study at https://todayintheword.org/subscribe.