A U T H O R Moses is the author of Numbers. M E S S A G E K E Y The Central theme of Numbers is one of direction and guidance from the Lord God. Numbers is so named because the children of Israel were numbered twice in the book. The Old Hebrew name Numbers meant In the Wilderness. This name originates from the Greek name Arithmai which means Numeri in Latin. Numbers provides a comparative overview much like Exodus: 1. The Census is completed 2. The Children of Israel get organized 3. The Journey to Canaan is Lead by God 4. Just before entering into the Promised Land Disbelief and rebellion 5. Judgment besets the Children of Israel 40 Years of Wilderness Wandering 6. The Old Generation dies 7. The New Generation has a Census completed and enter into Canaan. M A I N T E X T Preeminent scripture Numbers 1:19 As the Lord commanded Moses, so he numbered them in the wilderness of Sinai. King James Version 1
O V E R V I E W Numbers is a Book of Movement by the people. It involves two generations of people. After a year at Mount Sinai receiving instruction about life in the Promised Land, the Israelites headed north toward their ultimate destination. The Israelites murmured and complained therefore endured God s judgment several times on this journey. An entire generation of people died in the wilderness. God proved faithful to His promise and brought the Children of Israel to the Promised Land. The structure of the book is as follows: THE OLD GENERATION THE WANDERING-TRANSITION PERIOD THE NEW GENERATION - TWOs to remember in NUMBERS; o Two Generations o Two Numberings o Two Journeyings o Two Instructions 2
THE OLD GENERATION [Numbers Chapters 1 through 14] The Numbering (Numbers 1 Numbers 4) i. All Adult Males Numbered ii. All Tribes Divided and Distributed iii. Levites men numbered as priests iv. Levite duties given The Instructing (Numbers 5 Numbers 10:10) i. On Honesty, Purity and Truth ii. Nazarite Vow instituted iii. Free-will Offering from each tribal leader iv. Levitical Consecration detailed v. Guidance of the Lord - Pillar of Cloud by Day and Fire by Night vi. Audible Guidance Two Trumpets for calling the assembly The Journeying (Numbers 10:11 - Numbers 14) i. Ready to Move ii. Pillar of Cloud Lifts and Trumpet Sounds Entire Camp Moves iii. Three Days Mumur and Complaining Begins iv. Sinful display at Kadesh-barnea v. Twelve Spies Joshua and Caleb s report (Numbers 13) vi. Disbelief yields 40 years of wandering 3
THE WANDERING-TRANSITION PERIOD [Numbers Chapters 15 through 20] Generational transition and transfer (Numbers 15: 1, 17 & 35) God provided during the wandering years (Deut 8:2-6) Aaronic priesthood attacked (Numbers 16) 15,000 die in earthquake, fire and plagues (Numbers 16) God demonstrated His approval of the office (Numbers 17) i. Rod of Aaron blossomed Duties of Priests and Levites (Numbers 18) Purification of the unclean (Numbers 19) Moses sinned and Miriam s death (Numbers 20) i. Moses disbelief prevented his entrance into the Promised Land (vs.20) ii. Death of Aaron (Numbers 20:24) 4
THE NEW GENERATION [Numbers Chapters 21 through 36] The New Journeying (Numbers 21 Numbers 25) i. The route was blocked by Edom (Numbers 20:14-11, 21:4) ii. God sends serpents & provides the plan of salvation (Numbers 21:8-9, John 3:14-15 and I Corinthians 10:9-10) iii. Balaam Confrontation (Numbers Chapters 22 through 26, II Peter 2:15, Jude 11, Revelation 2:14) The New Numbering (Numbers 26 & Numbers 27) i. Same head count (600,000) at the end of the 40years ii. Moses given insight to his death and appoints Joshua as replacement (Numbers 27:12-14) The New Instructing (Numbers 28 Numbers 36) i. The Lord s Offerings (Numbers Chapters 28 and 29) ii. Laws about Vows of men and women (Numbers Chapter 30) iii. Killing of the Midianites (Numbers 31:49) 1. No loss of Hebrew life iv. Request to settle on the east of the Jordan (Numbers 32) 1. (Reuben, Gad and Manasseh) 2. Results of their settling (I Chronicles 5:18-26) v. Chose to walk by sight versus the direction of the Lord (Numbers 32:1) vi. The Cities of Refuge (Numbers 35) 1. Their Number (verses 6-8) 2. Their Purpose (verses 9-12) 3. Their Division (verses 13 & 14) 4. Their Laws and Regulations (verses 15-34) 5