The Book of Numbers
The book of Numbers gets its name from the two numberings or countings of the Israelites during their 38 years of wandering in the wilderness. Numbers presents an account of that wandering in the wilderness following the establishment of the covenant of Sinai. Numbers was written by Moses shortly before his death in about 1406 B.C. Numbers relates the story of Israel's journey from Mount Sinai to the plains of Moab on the border of Canaan. It tells of the murmuring and rebellion of God's people and of their subsequent judgement. They were condemned to live out their lives in the wilderness; only their children would enjoy the fulfillment of the promise that had originally been theirs. Throughout the years in the wilderness, one thing became clear to Israel-God's constant care for them. Not only did He meet their needs, but He also loved and forgave His people continually.
I. Israel at Sinai, Preparing to go to Canaan (1:1-10:10)
II. From Sinai to Kadesh-barnea (10:11-12:16)
III. Israel at Kadesh, the delay resulting from rebellion (13:1-20:13)
IV. From Kadesh to the Plains of Moab (20:14-22:1)
V. Israel on the Plains of Moab, anticipating the taking of Canaan (22:2-32:42)
VI. Supplements Dealing with Various Matters (33:1-36:13)
From chapters 1-9 the Israelites are preparing for their journey and entry
into the promise land. Moses begins by taking a census of all the tribes,
primarily to see how many men are available and in shape for military service. Next, Moses dedicates the Levites and instructs the Nazirite vows and laws. During this time, the Israelites celebrate the 2nd Passover one year after their exit from bondage.
In chapters 10-12, the Israelites travel from the wilderness in Sinai to
approach the promise land. The people complain about their food, God gives them quail, and because of their greed, He also sends them a plague. Miriam and Aaron learn a lesson about whom God places in leadership.
In chapters 13-19, we see severe punishment for disobedience and
unfaithfulness to God. Moses sends out 12 spies to perform reconnaissance on the promise land. The 12 spies return and only two of them bring good news. The people fear the occupants and rebel against taking the land. For this God punishes them and sends them into the wilderness for forty years to roam.
The last chapters of Numbers, from 20-36, the new generation of Israelites again attempt to enter the land to take it as God promised. This time they easily destroy two nations that confront them as they are entering. Balak uses his prophet Balaam to learn to seduce the Israelites to worship Baal. Because of this disobedience, about 24,000 people die, including Balaam. Before the book of Numbers ends, Moses again conducts a census, and Joshua assumes the leadership of Israel in place of Moses who is banned from the promise land, due to his disobedience.
The Foreshadowing of Jesus
The Bronze Serpent
After the children of Israel left Egypt and were wandering in the wilderness, Numbers 21:4-6 sets the scene, "Then they set out from Mount Hor by the way of the Red sea, to go around the land of Edom; and the people became impatient becasue of the journey. The people spoke against God and Moses, 'Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? For there is no food and water and we loathe this miserable food.' (the manna that God gave them daily). The Lord sent fiery serpents among the people and they bit the people, so that many people of Israel died."
Verses 7-9 describes how this dire situation was remedied. "So the people came to Moses and said, 'We have sinned, because we have spoken against the Lord and you; intercede with the Lord, that He may remove the serpents from us.' And Moses interceded for the people. Then the LORD said to Moses, 'Make a fiery serpent, and set it on a standard: and it shall come about, that everyone who is bitten, when he looks at it, he will live.'
The snake represents sin, and the snake bitten person is a lost person who is dead in their sins. Those bitten by the serpents needed a Savior.
Jesus Christ became sin for us when all our sin was placed upon Him
on the cross. The bronze serpant was a shadow of things to come.
In 2 Corinthians 5:21, Paul says, "He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him."
Jesus said in John 3:14-16, "As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up; so that whoever believes will in Him have eternal life. For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life."
Just as the snake was lifted up on a pole in the wilderness, Christ was
lifted up on the cross. All who believe that He gave His life for their sin and rose from the dead, will be forgiven of all sins and have eternal life in Him. Amen!! :-)
continue to Deuteronomy.....
I. Israel at Sinai, Preparing to go to Canaan (1:1-10:10)
II. From Sinai to Kadesh-barnea (10:11-12:16)
III. Israel at Kadesh, the delay resulting from rebellion (13:1-20:13)
IV. From Kadesh to the Plains of Moab (20:14-22:1)
V. Israel on the Plains of Moab, anticipating the taking of Canaan (22:2-32:42)
VI. Supplements Dealing with Various Matters (33:1-36:13)
From chapters 1-9 the Israelites are preparing for their journey and entry
into the promise land. Moses begins by taking a census of all the tribes,
primarily to see how many men are available and in shape for military service. Next, Moses dedicates the Levites and instructs the Nazirite vows and laws. During this time, the Israelites celebrate the 2nd Passover one year after their exit from bondage.
In chapters 10-12, the Israelites travel from the wilderness in Sinai to
approach the promise land. The people complain about their food, God gives them quail, and because of their greed, He also sends them a plague. Miriam and Aaron learn a lesson about whom God places in leadership.
In chapters 13-19, we see severe punishment for disobedience and
unfaithfulness to God. Moses sends out 12 spies to perform reconnaissance on the promise land. The 12 spies return and only two of them bring good news. The people fear the occupants and rebel against taking the land. For this God punishes them and sends them into the wilderness for forty years to roam.
The last chapters of Numbers, from 20-36, the new generation of Israelites again attempt to enter the land to take it as God promised. This time they easily destroy two nations that confront them as they are entering. Balak uses his prophet Balaam to learn to seduce the Israelites to worship Baal. Because of this disobedience, about 24,000 people die, including Balaam. Before the book of Numbers ends, Moses again conducts a census, and Joshua assumes the leadership of Israel in place of Moses who is banned from the promise land, due to his disobedience.
The Foreshadowing of Jesus
The Bronze Serpent
After the children of Israel left Egypt and were wandering in the wilderness, Numbers 21:4-6 sets the scene, "Then they set out from Mount Hor by the way of the Red sea, to go around the land of Edom; and the people became impatient becasue of the journey. The people spoke against God and Moses, 'Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? For there is no food and water and we loathe this miserable food.' (the manna that God gave them daily). The Lord sent fiery serpents among the people and they bit the people, so that many people of Israel died."
Verses 7-9 describes how this dire situation was remedied. "So the people came to Moses and said, 'We have sinned, because we have spoken against the Lord and you; intercede with the Lord, that He may remove the serpents from us.' And Moses interceded for the people. Then the LORD said to Moses, 'Make a fiery serpent, and set it on a standard: and it shall come about, that everyone who is bitten, when he looks at it, he will live.'
The snake represents sin, and the snake bitten person is a lost person who is dead in their sins. Those bitten by the serpents needed a Savior.
Jesus Christ became sin for us when all our sin was placed upon Him
on the cross. The bronze serpant was a shadow of things to come.
In 2 Corinthians 5:21, Paul says, "He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him."
Jesus said in John 3:14-16, "As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up; so that whoever believes will in Him have eternal life. For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life."
Just as the snake was lifted up on a pole in the wilderness, Christ was
lifted up on the cross. All who believe that He gave His life for their sin and rose from the dead, will be forgiven of all sins and have eternal life in Him. Amen!! :-)
continue to Deuteronomy.....
