Numbers
Interpretation: A Bible Commentary for Teaching and Preaching
1st Edition
Published on 3. September 2012
210 pages
978-1-61164-258-2 (ISBN)
Description
Numbers chronicles a community faced with many competing interests, groups, and issues, endeavoring to define itself and its mission in the world. Dennis Olsen offers readers a comprehensive interpretation of this often overlooked book. He provides a thoroughly contemporary reading of Numbers that enlightens the modern church as it navigates the contemporary wilderness of pluralism, competing voices, and and shifting foundations.
More details
Other editions
Additional editions
Book
09/2012
Westminster/John Knox Press,U.S.
€29.20
Shipment within 3-4 weeks
Person
Dennis T. Olsen is Charles T. Haley Professor of Old Testament Theology at Princeton Theological Seminary in Princeton, New Jersey. His published works include Deuteronomy and the Death of Moses, A Theological Reading and Pentateuchal Narratives.
Content
- Half-title Page
- Interpretation
- Title Page
- Copyright Page
- Series Preface
- Preface
- Contents
- Introduction
- Journey through the Wilderness: A Contemporary Theme
- How Was Numbers Formed? Critical Issues in the Book of Numbers
- What Is the Structure of Numbers? The Overarching Framework for the Book of Numbers
- Why Read Numbers? Ongoing Theological Importance
- Part One: The Death of the Old Generation Numbers 1-25
- I. Obedient Beginnings: Preparation for the March of the Holy People of God in the Wilderness Numbers 1-10
- 1 Census of the Twelve Tribes: Grains of Sand, Stars of Heaven, and the Promises of God
- 2 The Ministry of Administration: The Organization and Leadership of God's People
- 3-4 The Ministry of Priests and Levites: The Interplay of Exclusion and Inclusion
- 5:1-6:21 Preserving Boundaries of Holiness in the Camp-Impurity, Suspected Adultery, and Nazirite Vows
- Excursus: Purity in the Bible
- 6:22-27 The Ultimate Word Is Peace: The Priestly Blessing of the Community
- 7-8 The Ministry of Stewardship: The Offerings of Possessions and People in Service to the Worship of God
- 9-10 A Second Passover and a New Beginning: The Inauguration of the March of the Holy Camp of Israel
- II An Abrupt Slide into Rebellion: The Death of the First Wilderness Generation Begins Numbers 11-20
- 11-12 The Spreading Rebellion against God: From the Fringes to the People to the Leaders
- 13-14 The Decisive Rebellion: The Spy Mission into the Promised Land
- 15 A Whisper of Hope: Regulations and Reassurances for Life in the Promised Land
- 16 The Rebellions Continue to Spread: From Levites to Lay Leaders to All the People
- 17-18 Aaron's Flowering Staff and the Priests' Duties and Support
- 19 Staying Clean in the Midst of Death: The Ashes of the Red Cow and the Purification of the Unclean
- 20 The Deaths of Israel's Leaders: The Ultimate Rebellion by Moses and Aaron against God
- III. Hitting Bottom: The End of the First Generation-Signs of Hope in the Midst of Death Numbers 21-25
- 21 God-Given Victories, People-Driven Rebellions
- 22-24 A Crescendo of Hope: Balak, Balaam, and the Blessing of Israel
- 25 The Final Rebellion: The Death of the Remainder of the Old Wilderness Generation
- Part Two: The Rise of A New Generation on the Edge of the Promised Land Numbers 26-36
- 26 A Second Census: The Rise of a New Generation of Hope
- 27:1-11 The Daughters of Zelophehad and the Inheritance of the Land: A Legal Dispute Resolved
- 27:12-23 The Succession of Leadership from Moses to Joshua: A New Generation of Leadership
- 28-30 Appointed Offerings and Voluntary Vows: Preserving Order and Holiness in the Promised Land for a New Generation
- 31 War against the Midianites: Judgment for Past Sin, Foretaste of a Future Conquest
- 32-33 A Crisis Averted, a Journey Remembered: Warning and Encouragement from a Generation Past
- 34-36 Law as Promise: The Division of Land, Levitical and Refuge Cities, and the Daughters of Zelophehad Revisited
- Bibliography
