Wandering in the Wilderness: COVID-19 and the Book of Numbers (Dave Beldman)
Episode Summary
Professors and pastors alike often hear groans when they begin to teach the book of Numbers—and who can blame them? The title makes it sound like the records of the Ancient Israelite Census Bureau. Even biblical scholars often refer to it as the “the junk room of the Pentateuch.” However, upon closer study, this book reveals itself to be profound and relevant for our modern world—including our current wandering in the wilderness during the COVID-19 pandemic and a time of political frustration.
In this episode, Dr. David Beldman, Associate Professor of Religion and Theology at Redeemer University, talks with Dr. Dru Johnson about the book of Numbers and its motif of wandering in the wilderness. They discuss the book’s original Hebrew name, literary elements, and tripartite structure. From there, they identify how wilderness-wandering applies to the stories and teachings of the New Testament. As we examine the ancient people of God in the wilderness, perhaps we can find guidance for navigating the challenges and tests for the world in 2020.
Chapters
- 0:00 Exodus, Numbers, trauma, and distorted views of the past
- 3:42 COVID-19 and the book of Numbers
- 8:24 “Wandering in the wilderness”
- 11:12 The literary structure of the book of Numbers
- 17:33 The wilderness motif in the New Testament
- 22:36 Balak, Balaam, and Revelation
- 27:04 The people of God in the Bible and now
Learn more about Dr. Beldman and his work.
His most recent book: Deserting the King: The Book of Judges
An article he wrote for The Biblical Mind: “Biblical Culture-Making: How Sacred Order Shapes Social Order”
Transcript
Share On:
Dr. David Beldman
David J. H. Beldman is a biblical scholar, author, and occasional maker of things. He holds a PhD from the University of Bristol and spent around 15 years teaching biblical studies in Canada and the US, most recently serving as Academic Dean and professor of Old Testament at Missional Training Center in Phoenix, Arizona. He is co-author (with Michael J. Rhodes) of Reading the Pentateuch as Christian Scripture (Baker Academic). A tradesman in a previous life, Dave has recently returned to his native Canada, where he's taking a detour from academia, learning yet another trade, while continuing to think, write, and talk about the Bible.
Most Recent Podcast Episodes
Join the Mission to Bridge Faith and Understanding
Your support fuels research, teaching, and resources that shape minds and hearts. Invest in the future of Hebraic Thought.