NUMBERS
2nd Timothy 3:16...”All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness...” (NASB)
Even the Book of Numbers
Even the Book of Numbers
The Title
The Hebrew title of the book is variously taken as Wayyedabber (“And He said”), the opening phrase of the book in the original text, or Bemidbar (“in the wilderness”), the 5th word of the 1st verse.
The Authorship and Date
Date written: 15th Century B.C.
Author: Moses. As with the preceding books, there is strong evidence to support the Mosaic authorship of Numbers. The book often states that its contents were given to Moses by God (1:1). Numbers 33:1 – 2 states that Moses kept a journal of the places that Israel traveled after leaving Egypt. Ancient Jewish testimony unanimously supports Mosaic authorship. The early church accepted the Mosaic authorship of the book.
Author: Moses. As with the preceding books, there is strong evidence to support the Mosaic authorship of Numbers. The book often states that its contents were given to Moses by God (1:1). Numbers 33:1 – 2 states that Moses kept a journal of the places that Israel traveled after leaving Egypt. Ancient Jewish testimony unanimously supports Mosaic authorship. The early church accepted the Mosaic authorship of the book.
Time Period Covered
About 40 years (approximately 1444 – 1405 B.C.). Numbers picks up virtually where Exodus left off.
The Purpose
On a historical level, Numbers traces the history of Israel’s wanderings from Mount Sinai to The Promised Land. However, on a theological level, the book demonstrates a couple of things –
the consequences of disobedience and unbelief
the character (especially grace, mercy, holiness, patience) and sovereignty of God.
the consequences of disobedience and unbelief
the character (especially grace, mercy, holiness, patience) and sovereignty of God.
The Key Themes
The consequences of sin – chief place among the sins in this book is the unbelief of the people in chapter 14, resulting in the elimination of a whole generation in the wilderness.
The grace of God – God did not abandon His plan for Israel.
God’s rest – Hebrew 3:7 thru 4:6 goes back to the 40 years of wilderness wandering
The grace of God – God did not abandon His plan for Israel.
God’s rest – Hebrew 3:7 thru 4:6 goes back to the 40 years of wilderness wandering
Narrative Preview
The Lord generously organized, prepared, and provided everything for his people and their short trip to the promised Canaan land. Yet Israel disbelieved, disobeyed, and complained against the Lord. As a result the Lord disciplined the people, yet kept his covenant of blessing to them, and the next generation entered the land under Joshua. This can be seen in a 4 part narrative.
Narrative 1:
Numbers begins with Moses counting the people in preparation for the march to Canaan. The 1st census was on 2nd day of the 2nd month of the 2nd year dated from the time they left Egypt — 1445 B.C. It is only 13 months after leaving Egypt (Numbers 1:1 – 4).
Narrative 2:
Twenty days later the Israelites begin the trip to Canaan (10:11). Along the way they repeatedly disbelieve and disobey God: complain about no meat; Aaron and Miriam jealous; unbelief of the spies; military defeats; Korah rebellion; Moses hits the rock; complain against Moses followed by the fiery serpents; Balak and Balaam and idolatry; As a result, God disciplines them in order to prepare them to enter Canaan.
Narrative 3:
After 39 years of wandering, God tells Moses to take a new census (26:2). They are in the Plains of Moab, near the Jordan River across from Jericho, where they would stay for about five months. The old generation had died; the new generation was ready to take their land.
Narrative 4:
Moses inaugurated Joshua as the the new leader (27:18). Moses then gave instructions for dividing the land and for living in Canaan. The events in Numbers cover 39 years.
Narrative 1:
Numbers begins with Moses counting the people in preparation for the march to Canaan. The 1st census was on 2nd day of the 2nd month of the 2nd year dated from the time they left Egypt — 1445 B.C. It is only 13 months after leaving Egypt (Numbers 1:1 – 4).
Narrative 2:
Twenty days later the Israelites begin the trip to Canaan (10:11). Along the way they repeatedly disbelieve and disobey God: complain about no meat; Aaron and Miriam jealous; unbelief of the spies; military defeats; Korah rebellion; Moses hits the rock; complain against Moses followed by the fiery serpents; Balak and Balaam and idolatry; As a result, God disciplines them in order to prepare them to enter Canaan.
Narrative 3:
After 39 years of wandering, God tells Moses to take a new census (26:2). They are in the Plains of Moab, near the Jordan River across from Jericho, where they would stay for about five months. The old generation had died; the new generation was ready to take their land.
Narrative 4:
Moses inaugurated Joshua as the the new leader (27:18). Moses then gave instructions for dividing the land and for living in Canaan. The events in Numbers cover 39 years.
Key Doctrines
Decently and in Order, 1 – 4
Nazirite vow, 6
Levites, 8
Divine Guidance, 9
Grumbling, 11
God Provides, 11
Spiritual Cowards and Spiritual Heroes, 13 – 14
Divine Attributes, 14
Divine Discipline, 12, 13, 20, 21
Authority, Service, Pride, Rebellion, 16
Moses and Failure, 20
Bronze Serpent and Faith Salvation, 21
Balaam, 22 – 24
Passing the Mantle, 27
Tribes and Land, 34
Cities of Refuge, 35
Nazirite vow, 6
Levites, 8
Divine Guidance, 9
Grumbling, 11
God Provides, 11
Spiritual Cowards and Spiritual Heroes, 13 – 14
Divine Attributes, 14
Divine Discipline, 12, 13, 20, 21
Authority, Service, Pride, Rebellion, 16
Moses and Failure, 20
Bronze Serpent and Faith Salvation, 21
Balaam, 22 – 24
Passing the Mantle, 27
Tribes and Land, 34
Cities of Refuge, 35
The Outline (Bible Knowledge Commentary on The Old Testament - Walvoord, Zuck, Cook)
Pt 1: Preparations for Travel (Num. 1 – 10:10)
A) The Order of The Tribes (1 – 2)
B) Instructions to The Levites (3 – 4)
C) Cleansing and Consecration (5 – 6)
D) Tabernacle Services (7 – 8)
E) Passover Instructions (9:1 – 14)
F) The Accompaniment of The Lord (9:15 – 10:10)
Pt 2: The Journey to Kadesh Barnea (Num. 10:11 – 14:45)
A) The Departure from Sinai (10:11 – 36)
B) The Rebellion of the people (11)
C) The Rebellion of Miriam and Aaron (12)
D) Spying out The Promised Land (13 – 14)
Pt 3: The Journey to The Plains of Moab (Num. 15 – 22:1)
A) The Rehearsal of The Covenant Statutes (15)
B) The Rebellion of Korah (16)
C) The Vindication of Aaron (17)
D) The Roles and Privileges of The Priests and Levites (18)
E) The Laws of Purification (19)
F) The Journey in The Desert of Zin (20)
G) The Journey to Moab (21 – 22:1)
Pt 4: The Moabites and Balaam (Num. 22:2 – 25:18)
A) The Plight of Moab (22:2 – 4a)
B) The Invitation to Balaam (22:4b – 20)
C) The Journey of Balaam (22:21 – 35)
D) The Oracles of Balaam (22:36 – 24:25)
E) The Idolatry of Israel (25)
Pt 5: Final Preparations for Entering Canaan (Num. 26 – 36)
A) The Provisions for Inheritance (26 – 27:11)
B) Succession to Moses (27:12 – 23)
C) Laws concerning Offerings (28 – 29)
D) Laws concerning Vows (30)
E) God’s judgment on The Midianites (31)
F) The Inheritance of The Eastern Tribes (32)
G) Resume of The Journey from Egypt (33:1 – 49)
H) Final Instructions about Conquest and Inheritance (33:50 – 36:13)
A) The Order of The Tribes (1 – 2)
B) Instructions to The Levites (3 – 4)
C) Cleansing and Consecration (5 – 6)
D) Tabernacle Services (7 – 8)
E) Passover Instructions (9:1 – 14)
F) The Accompaniment of The Lord (9:15 – 10:10)
Pt 2: The Journey to Kadesh Barnea (Num. 10:11 – 14:45)
A) The Departure from Sinai (10:11 – 36)
B) The Rebellion of the people (11)
C) The Rebellion of Miriam and Aaron (12)
D) Spying out The Promised Land (13 – 14)
Pt 3: The Journey to The Plains of Moab (Num. 15 – 22:1)
A) The Rehearsal of The Covenant Statutes (15)
B) The Rebellion of Korah (16)
C) The Vindication of Aaron (17)
D) The Roles and Privileges of The Priests and Levites (18)
E) The Laws of Purification (19)
F) The Journey in The Desert of Zin (20)
G) The Journey to Moab (21 – 22:1)
Pt 4: The Moabites and Balaam (Num. 22:2 – 25:18)
A) The Plight of Moab (22:2 – 4a)
B) The Invitation to Balaam (22:4b – 20)
C) The Journey of Balaam (22:21 – 35)
D) The Oracles of Balaam (22:36 – 24:25)
E) The Idolatry of Israel (25)
Pt 5: Final Preparations for Entering Canaan (Num. 26 – 36)
A) The Provisions for Inheritance (26 – 27:11)
B) Succession to Moses (27:12 – 23)
C) Laws concerning Offerings (28 – 29)
D) Laws concerning Vows (30)
E) God’s judgment on The Midianites (31)
F) The Inheritance of The Eastern Tribes (32)
G) Resume of The Journey from Egypt (33:1 – 49)
H) Final Instructions about Conquest and Inheritance (33:50 – 36:13)