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Lesson 5: The

Numbers covers about 38 years of desert wandering by the . It is called Numbers because it includes two numberings of the men of war, in chapters 1-4 and 26-27. The first numbering was made the second year after the Israelites left Egypt. Then, with Judah leading the way, each tribe was given a position in the march to . From this point on, Numbers is a wilderness book. It describes the failure of Israel at -Barnea and their wilderness wanderings until the unbelieving generation died, after which the second numbering took place. This book has been described as the "longest funeral march in history." An interesting fact to note is the nation of Israel did not grow during its wilderness wanderings. In fact, they declined in number by almost 2,000 men of war. Thus, they wasted 38 years, suffered unnecessary afflictions, and did not grow numerically. This is what unbelief does to the Christian; it produces wasted time, wasted effort, and spiritual stalemate. Numbers has many spiritual lessons for us today, as explained in Hebrews 3-4 and 1 Corinthians 10:6-10. Read the passage in 1 Corinthians, and explain what it says the book of Numbers should teach us today:

Brief Outline of the Book:

I. Preparations for the Wilderness (1:1-10:10) II. Wanderings (10:11-21:35) III. The Incident (chps. 22-25) IV. Preparations To Enter Canaan (chps. 26-36)

I. Preparations for the Wilderness

Numbers 1:1-10:10

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The events in this book begin about one month after the completion of the , and about two years after . It opens with a command from God to to take a census (1:2). The Levites are excluded from the census (1:47) and from the regulations laid down for the other tribes. There is no reason given why this tribe is singled out for special service. It may have been because Levi was the tribe to which Moses and Aaron belonged or because this tribe was quick to take a stand for God at the golden calf incident (Ex. 32:26). Chapters 2 and 3 deal with the location of the tribes in the camp. Look at the chart on page 23 and answer the following: What has the central position in the camp? ______Which direction does the tabernacle face? ______Who are the Kohathites, Gershonites, and Merarites, and what are they to do (Numbers 3:17; 3:23-29; 4:1-33)?

The only place in the Pentateuch that mentions the Nazarites is Numbers 6:1- 21. Nazarite means "one consecrated to God." A Nazarite vowed to abstain from wine or strong drink, to refrain from cutting his hair, and to never come in contact with the dead. Following the law of the Nazarites, the Aaronic blessing is given (6:24-26). This is probably the best-loved passage of this book.

II. Wanderings

Numbers 10:11-21:35

After being at Sinai about eleven months and after taking the census the Israelites break camp and head for Kadesh-Barnea (10:11-12:16). What an impressive picture it must have been when more than one million people march out from Mount Sinai, led by the Ark of the Covenant! Numbers 13-14 deals with the twelve spies sent out from Kadesh-Barnea into Canaan to determine the condition of the land and the strength of the people (13:1-20). When they return, they bring back ripe fruit and reports of a fruitful land. However, ten of the spies also bring back a report that discourages the hearts of the Israelites (13:31-33).

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Which two of the spies want to go ahead and take the land (14:6-9)? 1. ______2. ______When these two spies plead with the nation to march on and take Canaan, what do the people threaten to do (14:10)?

This desire of the people so angers God He would have destroyed the people had it not been Moses' intercession (14:11-19). Though God pardons them, the people are forbidden to enter the . Only Caleb, Joshua, and the new generation are allowed to enter (14:20-38). In 16:1 -3 many leaders in the other tribes come to Moses complaining the priesthood should be opened to other tribes besides Aaron and his sons. Therefore, God gives them an unquestionable sign Aaron and his sons are His choice for the priesthood. What is this sign (17:1-10)?

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Chapters 20-21 deal with the serpents. The people have sinned in two ways: they have spoken against God and against Moses (21:5). Therefore, God sends poisonous serpents among the people, and many people die. What does God instruct Moses to do so the people may be saved (21:8-9)?

Each person bitten is saved only by repentance and by faith, expressed by looking upward toward the serpent. How is the bronze serpent a type of Christ (John 3:14-15)?

III. The Balaam Incident

Numbers 22-25

Very few people in the Bible are as confusing and contradicting as Balaam. He is apparently of a pagan nation, yet God seems to use him as a prophet. He is faithful to the Lord's command by refusing under the pressure of , the king of the Moabites, to curse the nation of Israel. Instead, he blesses Israel (23:17- 24). However, in Numbers 31:16, we find he gives counsel to the children of Israel that results in abominations and idolatry. Balaam perishes in the judgment of the Moabites (31:8).

IV. Preparations To Enter Canaan

Numbers 26-36

After 38 years, the delay is now over. The old generation who refused to enter the land are gone, except for Caleb and Joshua. A new generation has arisen, so the fighting men are numbered again (chps. 26-27). In Numbers 32:1-8, the tribes of Reuben and Gad ask Moses to permit them to settle on the east side of Jordan, and let the other ten tribes possess the Promised Land. It was God's intention all the tribes be in the Promised Land, but because of the desires of their hearts, Moses tells them if they will go and help their brothers take the land, then they can return to the east side to live. What does Moses tell them will happen if they do not go and help fight (32:20-23)?

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God offers them His best, but they think their judgment is better, so they return to the east side to live. What happens years later to the tribes of Reuben and Gad and one-half of the tribe of Manasseh because they are isolated from the other tribes (1 Chronicles 5:25-26)?

Notice in Numbers 32:23, Moses does not say, "Be sure your sin will be found out." Rather, he says, Be sure your sin will find YOU out (emphasis mine). All of us need to remember our sins will catch up with us, not just in the life to come but in this life, also. The rest of Numbers deals with the assigning of the inheritance, the cities of the Levites, and various laws.

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Plan of Israel's Camp (Numbers 2, 3)

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