Untitled Sermon

Historical Context

Moses is credited with the authorship of Numbers

The New American Commentary: Numbers (5) Mosaic Authorship: Historical Setting

The two most widely accepted dates for the Exodus are 1440 and 1290–1270 B.C., placing the parameters of the historical events in Numbers at 1440–1400 B.C. or 1290–1250 B.C.

The time period in the first 26 chapters is around 38 years and 4 months.

The time period in the first 26 chapters is around 38 years and 4 months.

Opens in the Desert of Mount Sinai on the first day of the second month of the second year after the Israelites left Egypt (1:1)

Israel Leaves Mt. Sinai on the twentieth day of the second month of the second year (10:11)

Time period between the opening of the book and leaving Mount Sinai is 20 days.

Historical places covered: Mount Sinai

The Book of Numbers brings to life the formation of the nation of Israel (Chapters 1-5)

A census is taken to form an army (1:2-4)

Chapter two highlights the arrangement of tribes around the tent of meeting

The sacred tent, portable and provisional sanctuary, where God met His people

Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary Tabernacle or Tent of Meeting

Sacred tent, portable and provisional sanctuary, where God met His people

God takes the Levites (descendants of Jacob’s son Levi) to himself (3:11-13)

The Purity of Israel (Chapters 5-10)

The Nazarite (Chapter 6): Similar to our understanding of fasting. This vow lasted for a small period of time as a way to devote oneself to God. There were three major components of this vow

The Nazarite (Chapter 6): Similar to our understanding of fasting. This vow lasted for a small period of time as a way to devote oneself to God. There were three major components of this vow

No consumption of wine or anything related to the vine (6:1-4)

No cutting of hair (6:5)

No contact with or near a dead body (6:6-8)

Israel Leaves Mt. Sinai on the twentieth day of the second month of the second year (10:11)