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Outline of the Book of Numbers “Wherefore Then Were Ye Not Afraid to Speak Against My Servant, Against Moses ?” (Numb

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Outline of the Book of Numbers “Wherefore Then Were Ye Not Afraid to Speak Against My Servant, Against Moses ?” (Numb Outline of the Book of Numbers “wherefore then were ye not afraid to speak against my servant, against Moses ?” (Numb. 12:8b). Overview of Genesis The book of Genesis covers a span of approximately 2,450 years. The word “Genesis” means “origin” (Smith’s Bible Dictionary pp. 211). Genesis gives the origins of creation, sin, and death in the first three chapters. A history of mankind is examined in the book with great emphasis being placed upon future redemption through Jesus and the development of various characters. The promised seed of Genesis 3:15 is the theme of the entire book. The promised seed is mentioned again in Genesis 12:1-4; 22:18; and 49:10. This promised seed is identified as Jesus Christ at Galatians 3:8, 16. Matthew records, “ And she shall bring forth a son; and thou shalt call his name Jesus; for it is he that shall save his people from their sins ” (Matt. 1:21). Overview of Exodus The book of Exodus covers a span of approximately 360 years from the death of Joseph (Ex. 1:6) to the erecting of the tabernacle in the wilderness of Sinai (Ex. 40:1ff). The name “ Exodus ” means “a going out, a marching out, military expedition... a way out, outlet” (LS 275). Exodus records the Hebrews (descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob) mass exit out of Egypt by the help of God. God’s mercy and care for His people appears to be the theme of the book (cf. Ex. 19:4). Overview of Leviticus Leviticus is the third book in the Bible and set at a time when man’s history had spanned approximately 2,800 years. Leviticus is simply a continuation of Exodus. The entire book covers a duration of about fifty days (cf. Ex. 40:17 and Numb. 10:11). Moses now receives more information regarding the laws and priesthood from the tabernacle instead of from Mt. Sinai (cf. Ex. 40:34-36). Leviticus sets forth the holy nature of God. Not only is God holy, but all those who would be in fellowship with him must be holy as well. The Lord states, “For I am Jehovah your God: sanctify yourselves therefore, and be ye holy; for I am holy ” (Lev. 11:44; cf. also 20:7; 21:8; 22:32). The Book of Numbers The book of Numbers gets its title from the Greek word arithmoi . This is the word assigned by the LXX (The Septuagint {a Greek translation of the OT}), due to the two numberings of the people in chapter 1 and 26. Numbers is the fourth of five books commonly called the Pentateuch (Genesis through Deuteronomy). Author and Date of Numbers Moses appears to be the author of the book due to passages such as Numbers 33:1-2 where God tells him to write. Numbers records events that take place during the first month of the second year after coming out of Egypt (Numb. 9:1). Israel had left Egypt in the beginning of their months (Ex. 12:2). Three months latter they arrive at Sinai (cf. Ex. 19:1). Israel remains at Sinai until the second year, second month, and twentieth day (Numb. 10:11-13). Approximately 12 months are spent at Sinai receiving instructions and laws. Thirty eight years latter Israel finds themselves at the plains of Moab (Numb. 33:38). Deuteronomy opens with the date given at the “ fortieth year, in the eleventh month, on the first day of the month ...” (Deut. 1:3). The book thereby covers a span of nearly 40 years (1445-1406 B.C.). 1 Theme of Numbers The book of Genesis reveals God’s promises, Exodus God’s mercy, and Leviticus God’s holiness. Numbers reveals God’s wrathful disposition toward sin. To achieve reverence and respect for Jehovah the Lord identifies sin and its consequences to Israel. Sin is identified as being “ unclean ” (Numb. 5:2; 8:21 / Lev. 16:16, 30), “defiled ” (Numb. 5:3, 27 / Lev. 18:30), guilty of “ trespassing against Jehovah ” (Numb. 5:6), and being impure (Numb. 8:21). The message of the book of Numbers is that man will not go unpunished for sin. Moses warned Israel that if they would not follow God’s instructions regarding the taking of Canaan then “ ye have sinned against Jehovah; and be sure your sin will find you out ” (Numb. 32:23). The book of Numbers records a multitude of examples of times when Israel’s sin found them out. God’s wrath consumed the wicked complainers at Numbers 11:1 by fire and plague at 11:33. Miriam was struck with leprosy at Numbers 12:9. When the ten spies came back with an evil report about Canaan God determined to kill the whole congregation as one man (Numb. 14:8ff). Numbers 14:26ff reveals God’s wrath in that He caused the wicked to wander in the wilderness for forty years until their dead bodies littered the land. During this time of wandering Korah and many of the Reubenites rebelled against God and the Lord opened the earth to swallow them up. Furthermore He caused fire to rain down from heaven to consume 250 princes that had been involved in the sin of Korah (Numb. 16:29-35). Again, Israel complained at Numbers 16:43-46 and 14,700 people died by plague. The people again complain about the manna at Numbers 21:4-6 and God killed them with snakes. Numbers 25:1-5 reveals Israel joining themselves to Baal-peor and thereby God killed 24,000 by plague (Numb. 25:9). Time and time again Israel exercised a spirit of rebellion against the sovereign will of God and they paid a high price (cf. Numb. 14:8-9; 17:10; 20:10). God continued to press them with plague, fire, and death for their error. Practical Application Each time Israel rebelled “ against Moses” or Aaron they were really turning against God’s will. When Miriam and Aaron questioned Moses’ position among the people God said, “ wherefore then were ye not afraid to speak against my servant , against Moses ?” (Numb. 12:8b). When Israel complained about the lack of water at Kadesh they blamed Moses (Numb. 20:2-5). The hard journey and loathsome manna was Moses’ fault (Numb. 21:4-6). Israel’s irritation at their hardships was not really against Moses or Aaron but rather God (cf. Numb. 17:5, 10). It took many horrid events for Israel to gain an understanding of the truth that God demands man’s respect, reverence, fear, and obedience. A turning point in the people’s spirit of rebellion seems to take place at Numbers 21. The people had sinned by complaining about the way of their journey and the manna that God gave them to eat. God caused fiery serpents to bite and kill them. The people respond by saying, “ We have sinned, because we have spoken against Jehovah, and against thee (i.e., Moses) ; pray unto Jehovah, that he take away the serpents from us ” (Numb. 21:7). Said spirit was all that God had ever required of the people (cf. Numb. 5:6-7) and all that God requires of His people today (Acts 17:30; II Cor. 7:9-10; I Jn. 1:9). You and I will learn to fear, reverence, respect, obey, and submit ourselves to God “ through many tribulations ” (Acts 14:22). We ought to be joyous over these times of difficulties (cf. James 1:1ff) and be content (Phil. 4:12ff). May we all identify our sin with a spirit of humility and learn to look to Jesus for the remedy. Jesus said, “ And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up; that whosoever believes may in him have eternal life ” (cf. John 3:14-16). 2 Overview of Numbers: Chapter 1 Men of war numbered. Chapter 2 Order of March and encampment. Chapter 3 Selection and numbering of the Levites as God’s priests. Chapter 4 Duties of the Sons of Levi. Chapter 5 The Law of Jealousy Chapter 6 The Law of the Nazirite Vow. Chapter 7 The Princes of Israel offer Dedication Sacrifices for the Altar of Burnt Offering. Chapter 8 Levites are separated and cleansed for the work God ordained for them. Chapter 9 Israel charged to keep the Passover Feast / instructions given to follow God through the wilderness by a cloud in the day time and a pillar of fire at night. Chapter 10 Israel commanded to leave Sinai on the 20th day of the 2 nd month of the 2 nd year. According to Exodus 19:1 it is apparent that Israel remained at Sinai receiving instructions for one year (twelve months). Chapter 11 God’s anger is kindled against Israel because they begin to complain about the journey and manna. Chapter 12 Miriam and Aaron question Moses’ authority and thereby sin against Jehovah. Chapter 13 12 spies sent into Canaan. Joshua and Caleb display a spirit of faith whereas the other ten spies display an unfaithful spirit of defeatism. Chapter 14 The spirit of unfaithfulness spreads to the whole congregation of God’s people and they begin to murmur against God. The Lord’s anger is kindled again and he pronounces a forty year period of wandering that all the complainers may die in the wilderness. Chapter 15 God reveals the two sided nature of mankind. First, there is the man who sins with an unwitting spirit and secondly there is the one who sins with a high handed spirit.
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