Miracles in Numbers

The book of Leviticus is next in the bible, but it does not report any miracles. This book discusses the laws, rituals and instructions for the priests and Israelites.

We'll move forward to the major miracles in book of Numbers, which recounts the Israelites 40 years of wandering through the wilderness:

Cloud and Fire

• Numbers 9: 15-23
  • The Lord leads the Israelites through the wilderness via a cloud that settles on the tabernacle the day it's completed. This same cloud looks like fire at night. If the cloud-by-day-fire-by-night remains above the tabernacle, the Israelites stay put. If it lifts, they continue their journey.

Taberah

• Numbers 11: 1-3
  • The Israelites begin to complain and God is not pleased. The fire of the Lord begins to engulf some who are on the outskirts of the camp. When the people run to Moses seeking help, he prays to God who then stops consuming with his fire. This place is named Taberah, which means burning. 

Kibroth Hattaavah

• Numbers 11: 4-35
  • My, Oh, My can the Israelites complain. This time, the Israelites are tired of eating the miraculous dew-appearing manna everyday. Comparing their miracle to the variety of fruits, vegetables and meat they ate while captives in Egypt. The Lord and Moses are displeased with their complaints. At one point Moses asks the Lord to kill him if he must continue to bear the burden of minding the Israelites. The Lord responds by empowering 70 elders and by bringing quail from the sea. It's enough quail that 600,000 men gather meat for two days and through the night where each take home at least 60 bushels. As soon as anyone takes a bite of the quail, the Lord strikes them with a plague. This place is named Kibroth Hattaavah, which means Graves of Cravings.

250 Incense Offerings

• Numbers 16: 1-40
  • 250 Israelite men decide they're tired of Moses and Aaron calling all the shots and being God's chosen men. They believe they are all chosen and holy since the Lord dwells among them all. All 250 men present their incense offering at the door of the tabernacle, waiting for the Lord to show who he choses. God wants to consume the whole congregation that shows up to see his decision, but Moses intercedes on their behalf. God instead opens the earth and swallows the 250 men and the families of the ring leaders.

Almonds from the Rod

• Numbers 17: 1-11
  • Continuing to placate the Israelites complaints about who should have access to the tabernacle, the Lord asks Moses to gather a rod from the head of each of the tribes. 12 rods are placed before the Lord in the tabernacle, with one of the rods belonging to Aaron who represents the Levites. The next day, Aaron's rod has sprouted, budded, blossomed and produced ripe almonds. The rest of the rods are still just rods. This shows the rest of the tribes who God has chosen.

Water from Meribah

• Numbers 20: 1-13
  • Once again the Israelites find themselves in the midst of the wilderness without any water. They cry out and accuse the Lord of bringing them into the wilderness to dry up and die. The Lord answers their cry and instructs Moses to speak to a rock in front of the Israelites to provide them the water they need. Water pours from the rock, but Moses struck the rock two times with his rod instead of following the Lord's exact instructions. God informs Moses he will not make it to the promise land because of his disobedience. This place is named Meribah, which means contention.

The Donkey Speaks

• Numbers 22: 22-35
  • As the Israelites conquer the surrounding nations, Balak, the king of the Moabites,  is guided by fear when the Israelites camp in the plains of Moab. Balak sends his messengers to Balaam, asking him to curse God's people since the Lord speaks to him. Balaam confers with God and is first told to send the messengers back to king Balak. The king then sends his princes to beg for Balaam's assistance. The Lord tells Balaam he can leave with the princes, but he can only say what the Lord instructs him to say. On his journey to meet the king, Balaam's donkey diverts from the path 3 times. Each time, Balaam strikes the donkey to correct her. After the 3rd strike, the Lord enables the donkey to speak and she rebukes Balaam for his abusive ways. Once Balaam reaching king Balak, blessings come out of his mouth instead of curses.