Numbers is both a tragic and triumphant book. It shows God as the Lord
of history. The rebellion of the people after all they had seen,
experienced and been promised of God, is incredible but sadly human;
certainly after all they did, we expect all God’s promises to be
voided. But God’s purposes for His people and through them to the
world, shall be accomplished! He is faithful to His promises to
Abraham – the children of the rebels did enter the land. Read this book
with the awe that God continues to work in the worst of circumstances.
As you read, understand the context of this book within the first five
books of the Bible:
Genesis tells of God beginning the covenant people in Abraham, Isaac
and Jacob.
Exodus shows how they multiplied in Egypt, and through their
deliverance God revealed Himself to them leading them to Sinai, giving
them the Law and setting His tabernacle among them.
Leviticus was given to Moses while still at Sinai showing the
pathway to holiness, worship, and walking with their God.
Numbers is the story of the covenant people in their failure to
enjoy all that God provided and promised them.
The time covered in the book: It begins two years and two months after
leaving Egypt and ends the fortieth year and eleventh month (Numbers
10:11; Deuteronomy 1:3).
OUTLINE OF NUMBERS
1:1-10:10 PREPARING TO LEAVE SINAI
1:1-54 THE NUMBERING OF THE PEOPLE.
There are two numberings in this book, one as they prepare to commence
their journey to Canaan, the other on the plains of Moab.
To grasp what is behind these numberings, read Exodus 30:11-16. There
could be no numbering without atonement money. Taking a census could
cause them to boast at their greatness or tremble at their smallness.
The census linked with the atonement money was to cause them to realize
that they are the Lord’s covenant people, and they are the number they
are, only because He has provided atonement for their souls. In the act
of taking census, they were saying that they are not their own. Their
eyes are taken off their greatness or smallness to understand that they
were an earthly expression of their covenant God.
It is interesting to compare II Samuel 24; I Chronicles 21. David
numbered the people for his own pride omitting the atonement money.
2:1-34 ARRANGING OF THE CAMP
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MARCHING ORDER (Left to Right):
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–
Judah – “Praise”
Isaachar – “Price Paid”
Zebulun – “Dwelling Place”
* Tent of Meeting — Courtyard and coverings
Reuben – “Behold”
Simeon – “The Lord Has Heard”
Gad – “Good Fortune”
* Tent of Meeting — Furniture
Ephraim – “Made Fruitful”
Manassah – “Forgotten Struggle”
Benjamin – “Son of My Sorrow” — “Son of My Right Hand”
Dan – “Vindicated”
Asher – “Joyful”
Napthali – “Overcome”
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3:1 – 4:49 INSTRUCTING PRIESTS AND LEVITES
Specific duties of the Levites
3:11-13 – God set apart for Himself all the firstborn of Israel.
History of the firstborn is the history of all.
3:39-49 – Firstborn is substituted by the Tribe of Levites.
5:1-31 PROTECTING FROM DEFILEMENT.
6:1-27 THE LAW OF THE NAZARITE:
The word comes from the Hebrew nazar meaning to separate. A Nazarite was
one separated from the ways of the world and sin and separated to;
wholly given to God. The Nazarite was a kind of lay priest, taking to
himself by choice a separation for a specified period of time. This in a
sense made it a higher devotion than the priest born to the office.
Samson, Samuel, and John the Baptist were lifelong Nazarites.
7:1-89 THE GIFTS OF THE PRINCES
See Chapter 7:9
8:1-4 TABERNACLE LAMPS.
8:5-26 THE CLEANSING OF THE LEVITES.
9:1-14 THE SUPPLEMENTARY PASSOVER.
9:15 – 10:10 HOW THE CAMP WAS GUIDED.
II. 10:11-12:16 THE JOURNEY FROM SINAI TO KADESH
In all their journeys, they were led by the cloud which was above the
ark. As the cloud rose to move they shouted (10:35). It seems the whole
camp echoed with the shout (I Samuel 4:5). It was a cry of triumph that
said the covenant God was leading His people to His appointed end. They
shouted when the ark stopped (10:36). It was celebrating the fact the
covenant God rested, fellowshipping with and enjoying His people.
10:11-36 LEAVING SINAI.
11:1 – 12:16 INCIDENTS THAT HAPPEN ON THE WAY TO KADESH.
III. 13:1-20:13 KADESH AND THE WILDERNESS.
13:1-33 THE SPIES AND THEIR REPORT.
14:1-45 THE REACTION OF THE PEOPLE AND GOD’S JUDGMENT:
The events at Kadesh were the turning point in Israel’s history and
serve as the background for New Testament teaching on faith and
unbelief.
Hebrews 4:2: The people heard the good news but it did them no good
because it was not mixed with faith.
15:1-41 LAWS AND REGULATIONS.
16:1-50 REBELLION.
17:1-13 AARON’S ROD.
18:1 – 19:22 DUES AND DUTIES OF PRIESTS AND LEVITES.
20:1-13 FINAL EVENTS AT KADESH:
It is significant that 40 years are summed up in five chapters. When
Israel rejected the covenant, they ceased to be the subject of God’s
history. This period is not marked by accomplishments but by graves.
During all this time Kadesh seems to be their headquarters. (Deuteronomy
1:46 – 2:1; Numbers 33:36).
IV. 20:14-22:1 The Journey to Moab.
20:14-21 ISRAEL AND EDOM.
20:22 – 22:1 DEATH OF AARON AND VICTORY OVER ENEMIES.
V. 22:2 – 32:42 THE PLAINS OF MOAB.
22:2 – 25:18 BALAK, BALAAM AND APOSTASY.
26:1-65 THE SECOND CENSUS.
27:12-23 JOSHUA APPOINTED AS MOSES’ SUCCESSOR.
28:1 – 30:16 WORSHIP AND VOWS.
32:1-42 TWO AND ONE HALF TRIBES GIVEN EAST OF JORDAN.
VI. 33:1-36:13 Final Regulations:
33:1-56 HOW THEY CAM FROM EGYPT TO MOAB.
34:1-29 ISRAEL’S BOUNDARIES.
35:1-34 THE CITIES OF THE LEVITES.
36:1-13 INHERITANCE OF WOMEN.
Chapter 14 Ten Testings
- RED SEA (EX. 14:10-14)
- MARAH – BITTER WATER – (EX. 15:22-27)
- MANNA/QUAIL – (EX. 16:1-15)
- REPHIDIM – NO WATER – WATER FROM ROCK (EX. 17:1-7)
- GOLDEN CALF – (EX. 32:1-35)
- COMPLAINTS ABOUT HARDSHIPS – FIRE (NUMB. 11:1-3)
- COMPLAINTS ABOUT MEAT – QUAIL (NUMB. 11:4-35)
- AARON & MIRIAM COMPLAIN ABOUT MOSES – LEPROSY
(NUMB. 12:1-16)
- SENDING OUT SPIES – BAD REPORT (NUMB. 13:26-33)
- PEOPLE REBEL – REFUSE TO GO (CHAPTER 14)
HEBREWS 3:7-4:10
STILL DIDN’T LEARN
KORAH REBELS AGAINST MOSES (NUMB. 16:1- )
WATER FROM ROCK (NUMB. 20:1-13)
COMPLAINING IMPATIENTLY – VENOMOUS SNAKES
(NUMB. 21:4-9)
GOD’S PROVISION BECOMES AN IDOL (I KINGS 18:3-4)