Sing
Numbers
© Carolyn Randall
Can be sung to the tune:
Onward Christian Soldiers
Numbers numbers the nation of Israel
on their way to the promised land.
Moses counts them and instructs them
When at Kadesh Barnea they stand.
Joshua and Caleb say, “Let’s go!”
Ten other spies say, “Giants, oh no!”
In unbelief the people cry,
So they must wander till they die,
Numbers numbers the new generation
On the edge of the promised land.
Moses counts them and instructs them
When near the Jordon River they stand.
Sing with Kazoo and Grandma Carolyn!
click to enlarge
Teach
Numbers numbers people of Israel: Why does it say Numbers numbers?
Two times in the book of Numbers, at the beginning and at near the end of the book a census or numbering of the men who are eligible to be warriors is taken. (Numbers 1:2-3 and Numbers 26:2)
Joshua and Caleb say “let’s go”: Why did Joshua and Caleb say, “let’s go.”
God told a leader from each of the twelve tribes of Israel to including Joshua and Caleb to spy out the land of Canaan, the promised land God was going to give them. When Joshua and Caleb came back, even though they saw the giants in Canaan, they knew God was stronger and they trusted God, and they said,” yes, let’s go! “
Ten other spies said “Giants, oh no! “ Why did the ten spies say, “Giants, oh no!” ?
They saw the giants and were afraid and did not believe God would help them.
In unbelief the people cry: Who did the people listen to?
The ten spies. They were afraid too. They did not believe God would help them like Joshua and Caleb did.
So they must wander till they die: What happened because the people listened to the ten and cried that they did not want to go?
God did not force them because they demonstrated they were not ready to trust Him, but He prepared a new generation by allowing these people to wander and see God’s power and care for them. The generation that cried in fear and did not trust God did not get to go into the promised land. The new generation and Joshua and Caleb were the ones that were able to actually go into the promised land.
Preparing: Numbers show us our need to rely on God for our direction and provision. The Savior came to provide this for us.
Pictures: The bronze serpent lifted up on a pole for the people to look to and be saved from the snake bites is a picture of Jesus being being lifted up on a cross for us to look to in faith to be healed from sin that separates us from God. (see resources for more)
More to Talk About:
When God asks you to do something He will be there to help you do it. This is a good place to talk about things that children may be afraid of and parents too, and to look up promises of God that would speak to that fear. Here is a command and promise from God that applies to any fear or anxiety. Philippians 4:6-7
A vivid picture of Jesus in Numbers: What the Bible is All About Bible Handbook for Kids, p. 46 What the Bible is All About for Young Explorers. p. 49, tells about the vivid picture of the coming Savior, the bronze snake, in Numbers 21:5-9.