Gordon Matthew Thomas Sumner, better known as STING wrote these lyrics. He wrote them based on the book of Numbers, the fourth book of the Pentateuch. As you read this article think about the Israelites in the desert wandering 40 years. Also consider the multitude of individuals who go through life wondering about life.
THE HOLY BOOK OF NUMBERS
Bring me a glass of water to wash the dirt from my throat
I’ve been wandering my whole life out there help me out of my coat.
This water’s as clear as crystal we should thank the Lord for that
Sit you down and hear my story find somewhere for my hat.
A barkeep takes a stranger’s hat and finds a vacant hook
Turns back towards the traveler his right hand on an old black book
THE HOLY BOOK OF NUMBERS
I take it’s something you’ve read?
The long search in the wilderness for a place to lay my head
So many parables in the scriptures but this one I’m doomed to tell
For I stormed the gates of heaven to find myself in hell
This is my lonely mission to wake the world up to its fade
To dismantle my own invention for the hour is getting late
THE HOLY BOOK OF NUMBERS
As we walk through the shadow of death
Tell me, are you listening, boy
Or am I just wasting my breath?
There are fools in the courts of power while I’ve walked through this vale of bitter tears
At the mercy of recording angels for three score and twenty five years
The barkeep gets up from the table to fill up another glass
He turns around to find an empty chair all that’s left is the name in his hat
The book of Numbers and this song is a reality lesson of the countless number of souls who waste their lives away because they refuse to follow the Lord into the promise land. It is a sad commentary of those who refuse to drink the living water and eat the bread of life. Don’t let this be your fate let the good shepherd lead you out of the desert into the promise land.
About the author:
Don and his wife Brenda have been married 48 years. They have two married sons Jason/Crista and Nicholas/Heather and four grandsons Luke, Ryker, Blake and Drew. Don is a graduate of the Gateway School of Preaching, Fairview Heights, IL, the Bristol Roads School of Biblical Studies, Flint, MI and he has a bachelor’s degree in religious education from Michigan Christian College. He has been preaching since 1979. He has preached at Pacific, MO; Howell, MI; Arnold, MO; Festus, MO; Dexter, MO; and De Soto, MO where he has served since 2007. He also serves the congregation as one of the elders. Don has done campaigns and meetings in several states and mission work in Cuba, India, and Jamaica. Don refers to himself as a “Minister” because he loves ministering to others and helping them learn about Jesus and growing in their relationship with Him.
De Soto church of Christ 