And when it came to rest, he would say: "Return, O LORD, to the countless thousands of Israel." And when it came to rest, he would sayThis phrase marks the conclusion of a journey, indicating a pause in the movement of the Israelites. The Hebrew word for "rest" is "nuach," which implies not just a physical cessation of movement but also a sense of peace and divine presence. In the context of the Israelites' journey through the wilderness, this rest signifies a temporary dwelling where the presence of God is tangibly felt. Historically, this reflects the nomadic lifestyle of the Israelites, who were dependent on God's guidance for their movements and rest. Return, O LORD
The invocation "Return, O LORD" is a plea for God's continued presence among His people. The Hebrew word for "return" is "shuv," which can mean to turn back or to restore. This reflects a deep desire for God's abiding presence and favor. In the broader scriptural context, it echoes the covenant relationship between God and Israel, where God's presence is both a source of guidance and protection. Theologically, it underscores the belief in God's faithfulness and the need for His constant companionship. to the countless thousands of Israel
This phrase emphasizes the vast number of the Israelites, described as "countless thousands." The Hebrew term "eleph" can mean thousand, clan, or family, indicating not just a numerical count but also a sense of community and identity. The Israelites are portrayed as a great multitude, underscoring the fulfillment of God's promise to Abraham to make his descendants as numerous as the stars. Historically, this reflects the growth of the Israelite nation and their identity as God's chosen people. Theologically, it highlights the collective nature of God's covenant, where His promises and presence are extended to the entire community of believers. Persons / Places / Events 1. MosesThe leader of the Israelites, who speaks these words as a prayer for God's presence to return to the people after their journeys. 2. The LORD (Yahweh)The covenant God of Israel, whose presence is invoked to return to His people. 3. The IsraelitesThe "countless thousands" who are the descendants of Jacob, journeying through the wilderness towards the Promised Land. 4. The Ark of the CovenantRepresents God's presence among His people, leading them during their travels. 5. The Wilderness JourneyThe context of this verse, where the Israelites are traveling from Sinai towards the Promised Land. Teaching Points The Importance of God's PresenceThe Israelites' journey was marked by the presence of God, symbolized by the Ark. In our lives, we should seek and cherish God's presence, understanding that it brings guidance and peace. Prayer as a Means of Invoking God's PresenceMoses' prayer is a model for us to invite God into our daily lives and circumstances. Regular prayer is essential for maintaining a close relationship with God. Community and God's PresenceThe phrase "countless thousands of Israel" highlights the communal aspect of God's relationship with His people. We should value and seek God's presence not only individually but also within our communities. Trust in God's FaithfulnessJust as God was faithful to return to the Israelites, we can trust in His faithfulness in our lives. He is always ready to guide and support us through our journeys. Rest in God's AssuranceThe concept of rest is tied to God's presence. In a world full of chaos, finding rest in God is crucial for spiritual and emotional well-being. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the invocation of God's presence in Numbers 10:36 reflect the Israelites' dependence on God during their journey? 2. In what ways can we invite God's presence into our daily lives, similar to Moses' prayer? 3. How does the concept of God's presence in Numbers 10:36 connect with the promise of His presence in the New Testament? 4. What role does community play in experiencing God's presence, as seen in the reference to the "countless thousands of Israel"? 5. How can we find rest in God's presence amidst the challenges and uncertainties of life today? Connections to Other Scriptures Exodus 33:14God's promise to Moses that His presence will go with the Israelites, providing rest. Psalm 68:1A similar invocation for God to arise and scatter His enemies, showing continuity in the theme of God's active presence. Deuteronomy 31:6An assurance of God's constant presence and faithfulness to His people. Joshua 1:9Encouragement to be strong and courageous because God is with His people wherever they go. Hebrews 13:5A New Testament reminder of God's promise never to leave nor forsake His people. People Aaron, Abidan, Ahiezer, Ahira, Ammihud, Amminadab, Ammishaddai, Asher, Benjamin, Dan, Deuel, Eliab, Eliasaph, Elishama, Elizur, Enan, Gad, Gamaliel, Gershon, Gershonites, Gideoni, Helon, Hobab, Issachar, Kohathites, Manasseh, Merari, Merarites, Moses, Nahshon, Naphtali, Nethaneel, Ocran, Pagiel, Pedahzur, Raguel, Reuben, Reuel, Shedeur, Shelumiel, Simeon, Zebulun, Zuar, ZurishaddaiPlaces Paran, SinaiTopics Blessing, Countless, Families, Myriad, Myriads, O, Rest, Rested, Resting, Return, Ten, Thousand, ThousandsDictionary of Bible Themes Numbers 10:36 1655 hundreds and thousands Numbers 10:33-36 7021 church, OT anticipations Numbers 10:35-36 7328 ceremonies Library November 17. "The Ark of the Covenant of the Lord Went Before Them" (Num. x. 33).
"The ark of the covenant of the Lord went before them" (Num. x. 33). God does give us impressions but not that we should act on them as impressions. If the impression be from God, He will Himself give sufficient evidence to establish it beyond the possibility of a doubt. How beautifully we read, in the story of Jeremiah, of the impression that came to him respecting the purchase of the field of Anathoth, but Jeremiah did not act upon this impression until after the following day, when his uncle's …
Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth Hobab
'And Moses said unto Hobab ... Come thou with us, and we will do thee good: for the Lord hath spoken good concerning Israel.'--NUM. x. 29. There is some doubt with regard to the identity of this Hobab. Probably he was a man of about the same age as Moses, his brother- in-law, and a son of Jethro, a wily Kenite, a Bedouin Arab. Moses begs him to join himself to his motley company, and to be to him in the wilderness 'instead of eyes.' What did Moses want a man for, when he had the cloud? What do we …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture The Hallowing of Work and of Rest
'And it came to pass, when the ark set forward, that Moses said, Rise up, Lord, and let Thine enemies be scattered; and let them that hate Thee flee before Thee. 36. And when it rested, he said, Return, O Lord, unto the many thousands of Israel.'--Num. x. 35, 36. The picture suggested by this text is a very striking and vivid one. We see the bustle of the morning's breaking up of the encampment of Israel. The pillar of cloud, which had lain diffused and motionless over the Tabernacle, gathers itself …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture The Publication of the Gospel
The Lord gave the word: great was the company of those that published it [or of the preachers] P erhaps no one Psalm has given greater exercise to the skill and patience of commentators and critics, than the sixty-eighth. I suppose the difficulties do not properly belong to the Psalm, but arise from our ignorance of various circumstances to which the Psalmist alludes; which probably were, at that time, generally known and understood. The first verse is the same with the stated form of benediction …
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 2 Letter Lv. Replies to Questions of Januarius.
Or Book II. of Replies to Questions of Januarius. (a.d. 400.) Chap. I. 1. Having read the letter in which you have put me in mind of my obligation to give answers to the remainder of those questions which you submitted to me a long time ago, I cannot bear to defer any longer the gratification of that desire for instruction which it gives me so much pleasure and comfort to see in you; and although encompassed by an accumulation of engagements, I have given the first place to the work of supplying …
St. Augustine—The Confessions and Letters of St How the Humble and the Haughty are to be Admonished.
(Admonition 18.) Differently to be admonished are the humble and the haughty. To the former it is to be insinuated how true is that excellence which they hold in hoping for it; to the latter it is to be intimated how that temporal glory is as nothing which even when embracing it they hold not. Let the humble hear how eternal are the things that they long for, how transitory the things which they despise; let the haughty hear how transitory are the things they court, how eternal the things they …
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great The Second Coming of Christ.
^A Matt. XXIV. 29-51; ^B Mark XIII. 24-37; ^C Luke XXI. 25-36. ^b 24 But in those days, ^a immediately after the { ^b that} ^a tribulation of those days. [Since the coming of Christ did not follow close upon the destruction of Jerusalem, the word "immediately" used by Matthew is somewhat puzzling. There are, however, three ways in which it may be explained: 1. That Jesus reckons the time after his own divine, and not after our human, fashion. Viewing the word in this light, the passage at II. Pet. …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel The Country of Jericho, and the Situation of the City.
Here we will borrow Josephus' pencil, "Jericho is seated in a plain, yet a certain barren mountain hangs over it, narrow, indeed, but long; for it runs out northward to the country of Scythopolis,--and southward, to the country of Sodom, and the utmost coast of the Asphaltites." Of this mountain mention is made, Joshua 2:22, where the two spies, sent by Joshua, and received by Rahab, are said to "conceal themselves." "Opposite against this, lies a mountain on the other side Jordan, beginning from …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica And thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, too little to be among the thousands of Judah
"And thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, too little to be among the thousands of Judah, out of thee shall come forth unto Me (one) [Pg 480] to be Ruler in Israel; and His goings forth are the times of old, the days of eternity." The close connection of this verse with what immediately precedes (Caspari is wrong in considering iv. 9-14 as an episode) is evident, not only from the [Hebrew: v] copulative, and from the analogy of the near relation of the announcement of salvation to the prophecy of disaster …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament Numbers
Like the last part of Exodus, and the whole of Leviticus, the first part of Numbers, i.-x. 28--so called,[1] rather inappropriately, from the census in i., iii., (iv.), xxvi.--is unmistakably priestly in its interests and language. Beginning with a census of the men of war (i.) and the order of the camp (ii.), it devotes specific attention to the Levites, their numbers and duties (iii., iv.). Then follow laws for the exclusion of the unclean, v. 1-4, for determining the manner and amount of restitution …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Numbers 10:36 NIVNumbers 10:36 NLTNumbers 10:36 ESVNumbers 10:36 NASBNumbers 10:36 KJV
Numbers 10:36 Commentaries
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