"Beware of A Heart of Unbelief:" Numbers

Introduction:

Faithlife Study Bible Introduction to Numbers

The book of Numbers is about Israel’s 40-year journey through the wilderness toward Canaan, the promised land—a place God had long ago promised to their forefather Abraham (Gen 12:1–3). Numbers begins in the Sinai Desert, shortly after Yahweh gave His law to Moses, the man who led the Israelites out of slavery (see Exodus). Numbers ends with the Israelites on the Plains of Moab, across the Jordan River from the promised land. The book contains narratives, laws, poetry, and census lists. The various genres create a holistic picture of the Israelites’ journey and their developing relationship with God.

The book of Numbers is about Israel’s 40-year journey through the wilderness toward Canaan, the promised land—a place God had long ago promised to their forefather Abraham ().

The book of Numbers is about Israel’s 40-year journey through the wilderness toward Canaan, the promised land—a place God had long ago promised to their forefather Abraham (). Numbers begins in the Sinai Desert, shortly after Yahweh gave His law to Moses, the man who led the Israelites out of slavery (see Exodus). Numbers ends with the Israelites on the Plains of Moab, across the Jordan River from the promised land. The book contains narratives, laws, poetry, and census lists. The various genres create a holistic picture of the Israelites’ journey and their developing relationship with God.

Numbers begins in the Sinai Desert, shortly after Yahweh gave His law to Moses, the man who led the Israelites out of slavery.

Numbers ends with the Israelites on the Plains of Moab, across the Jordan River from the promised land.

Barry, J. D., Mangum, D., Brown, D. R., Heiser, M. S., Custis, M., Ritzema, E., … Bomar, D. (2012, 2016). Faithlife Study Bible. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.

The book contains narratives, laws, poetry, and census lists.

The various genres create a holistic picture of the Israelites’ journey and their developing relationship with God.

Discussion:

The Purpose of the Book:

The Central Thought- Obedience and Orderly Service:

This book shows clearly the necessity of obedience and the results of disobedience.

In this book, God shows clearly the necessity of obedience and the results of disobedience.

God gave them the law, the tabernacle, the priesthood, and His abiding presence in order to bring them into the promised land, where if they obeyed His commandments, all would be well them and they would live long in the land.

God gave them the law, the tabernacle, the priesthood, and His abiding presence in order to bring them into the promised land, where if they obeyed His commandments, all would be well with them and they would live long in the land.

The Tabernacle Typified Service and Order: ; ; ; .

Faithful Obedience:

The book itself shows God’s love and demand for order. * Just as the tabernacle was at the center of the camp, so service to God was the center of their lives. * Each tribe and family had its allotted position, and every man had his work assigned him in the camp or on the march. * From this truth, we learn God’s people are saved to serve. * In matter of fact, in the Christian dispensation, we are admonished, “Let all things be done decently and in order” (). * The New Testament provides the diving order for salvation, acceptable worship, Christian living, work, service, organization of the church, and “all things that pertain to life and godliness” (). * God demands that we make things according to the pattern that He has given us in the inspired scriptures (; ). * The Tragic Results of Disobedience: * In no other book are the consequence of obedience and disobedience brought into focuse more clearly or sharper than in numbers. * Three instances include the rebellion of the people at Kaddish, when they refused to enter Canaan (Chapters 13-14). * Koran’s rebellion, when he led 250 princes of the congregation against Moses (Chapter 16). * And the disobedience of Moses and Aaron at Meribah (Chapter 20). * For their rebellion at Kadesh, the people were barred from Canaan and made to wander forty years and perish in wilderness. * God caused the earth to open up and swallow Korah and his group and their households, and “16:32-33.... * The disobedience of Moses and Aaron cost them the ability to enter the promised land. * Faith and Obedience: * In these examples, unbelief and disobedience are interchangeable. * According to , the people “could not enter because of unbelief.” * Then in , the word of God reveals, “they were an example of disobedience.” * In , Moses disobeyed God, and God said, “Because you did not believer Me...” * There is no difference between belief and obedience, or of faith and works, in the sight of God. * A saving faith is always an obedience faith. * In , we are warned to beware of unbelief, and in , we are told faithwithout works is dead. * .. Understanding the Book: Christ Revealed in Numbers: * Christ is the smitten rock (20:7-11; see ). * Christ is the bronze serpent (21:6-9; see ). * Christ gives the city of refuge (Chapter 35; ). * Christ is the animal sacrfice outside the camp (19:3; see ). Application: * The Main Message: The two-fold message of Numbers is that God’s people are saved to serve and that they must be aware of unbelief (). * * The Story- The story of Israel in the wilderness can be written in three words: Discontent, Disaster, and Discipline. * Discontent: The Israelites marched from Sinai to the brink of the promise land, only to become afraid, murmur, and complain. * Disaster: Because of their rebellion against God, He turned them back and would not permit them to enter Canaan. Delivered from slavery in Egypt, they were not slaves to their own sins. * Discipline: For 38 years, God caused them to wander in the wilderness before they finally returned to Canaan to enter the promise land. * Their examples are “written for our learning,” so that we may not make the same tragic mistakes in our lives and be denied the blessing of heaven.

The book itself shows God’s love and demand for order.

When Moses and Aaron disobeyed God in smiting the rock, God said, “because you did not believe Me, to hallow Me in the eyes of the children of Israel, therefore you shall not bring this assembly into the land which I have given them.” ().

Just as the tabernacle was at the center of the camp, so service to God was the center of their lives.

Each tribe and family had its own position, and every man had his work assigned to him in the camp or on the march.

From this truth, we learn God’s people are saved to serve.

In matter of fact, in the Christian dispensation, we are admonished, “Let all things be done decently and in order” ().

The New Testament provides the diving order for salvation, acceptable worship, Christian living, work, service, organization of the church, and “all things that pertain to life and godliness” ().

God demands that we make things according to the pattern that He has given us in the inspired scriptures (; ).

The Tragic Results of Disobedience:

Faith and obedience are inseparable. Faith without works is dead (James 2:26).

In no other book are the consequence of obedience and disobedience brought into focus more clearly or sharper than in numbers.

Three instances include the rebellion of the people at Kaddish, when they refused to enter Canaan (Chapters 13-14).

Korah’s rebellion, when he led 250 princes of the congregation against Moses (Chapter 16).

And the disobedience of Moses and Aaron at Meribah (Chapter 20).

For their rebellion at Kadesh, the people were restricted from Canaan and made to wander forty years and perish in wilderness.

God caused the earth to open up and swallow Korah and his group and their households, and “ the men with Korah, with all their goods. So they and all those with them went down alive into the pit; the earth closed over them, and they perished from among the assembly” ().

The New King James Version. (1982). (). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

The disobedience of Moses and Aaron cost them the ability to enter the promised land.

Faith and Obedience: , , , , .

In these examples, unbelief and disobedience are interchangeable.

According to , the people “could not enter because of unbelief.”

Then in , the word of God reveals, “they were an example of disobedience.”

In , Moses disobeyed God, and God said, “Because you did not believe Me...”

There is no difference between belief and obedience, or of faith and works, in the sight of God.

A saving faith is always an obedience faith.

In , we are warned to beware of unbelief, and in , we are told faith without works is dead.

In , James wrote, “You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only.”

Understanding the Book:

The New King James Version. (1982). (). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

Understanding the Book: Christ Revealed in Numbers: * Christ is the smitten rock (20:7-11; see ). * Christ is the bronze serpent (21:6-9; see ). * Christ gives the city of refuge (Chapter 35; ). * Christ is the animal sacrfice outside the camp (19:3; see ). Application: * The Main Message: The two-fold message of Numbers is that God’s people are saved to serve and that they must be aware of unbelief (). * * The Story- The story of Israel in the wilderness can be written in three words: Discontent, Disaster, and Discipline. * Discontent: The Israelites marched from Sinai to the brink of the promise land, only to become afraid, murmur, and complain. * Disaster: Because of their rebellion against God, He turned them back and would not permit them to enter Canaan. Delivered from slavery in Egypt, they were not slaves to their own sins. * Discipline: For 38 years, God caused them to wander in the wilderness before they finally returned to Canaan to enter the promise land. * Their examples are “written for our learning,” so that we may not make the same tragic mistakes in our lives and be denied the blessing of heaven.

Key Word: Wandering or Sojourning.

Key Verses: , , , .

, “because all these men who have seen My glory and the signs which I did in Egypt and in the wilderness, and have put Me to the test now these ten times, and have not heeded My voice, they certainly shall not see the land of which I swore to their fathers, nor shall any of those who rejected Me see it.”

The New King James Version Chapter 16

the men with Korah, with all their goods. 33 So they and all those with them went down alive into the pit; the earth closed over them, and they perished from among the assembly

The point is that Israel has a habit of testing Yahweh, and this is a habit he does not appreciate.

The point is that Israel has a habit of testing Yahweh, and this is a habit he does not appreciate.

Barry, J. D., Mangum, D., Brown, D. R., Heiser, M. S., Custis, M., Ritzema, E., … Bomar, D. (2012, 2016). Faithlife Study Bible (). Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.

, “Then the Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron, “Because you did not believe Me, to hallow Me in the eyes of the children of Israel, therefore you shall not bring this assembly into the land which I have given them.”

The fact that Moses did not do exactly what God had commanded revealed a lack of belief in God.

Which, resulted in the restriction of going into the promise land.

But not only that, a lack of leadership, “to hallow Me in the eyes of the children of Israel.”

, “Then Balaam answered and said to the servants of Balak, “Though Balak were to give me his house full of silver and gold, I could not go beyond the word of the Lord my God, to do less or more

, “But if you do not do so, then take note, you have sinned against the Lord; and be sure your sin will find you out.”

In case Gad and Reuben have second thoughts and go back on their promise, Moses informs them that this decision will have consequences (see v. 30).

32:23 behold, you have sinned against Yahweh In case Gad and Reuben have second thoughts and go back on their promise, Moses informs them that this decision will have consequences (see v. 30).

Barry, J. D., Mangum, D., Brown, D. R., Heiser, M. S., Custis, M., Ritzema, E., … Bomar, D. (2012, 2016). Faithlife Study Bible (). Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.

Key Chapter: Chapter 14- The Critical Turning Point.

The critical turning point in Israel’s journey from bondage to the promised land is seen here, when the people through fear and to go up and conquer the land.

Therefore, God condemned all “from twenty years old and upward” that “murmured against” God, to perish in the wilderness, except Caleb and Joshua.

In Chapter 14:31-35, these are key words of the chapter, “But your little ones, whom you said would be victims, I will bring in, and they shall know the land which you have despised. But as for you, your carcasses shall fall in this wilderness. And your sons shall be shepherds in the wilderness forty years, and bear the brunt of your infidelity, until your carcasses are consumed in the wilderness. According to the number of the days in which you spied out the land, forty days, for each day you shall bear your guilt one year, namely forty years, and you shall know My rejection. I the Lord have spoken this. I will surely do so to all this evil congregation who are gathered together against Me. In this wilderness they shall be consumed, and there they shall die.’”

Christ Revealed in Numbers:

Christ is the smitten rock: ;

Turn to , “Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, “Take the rod; you and your brother Aaron gather the congregation together. Speak to the rock before their eyes, and it will yield its water; thus you shall bring water for them out of the rock, and give drink to the congregation and their animals.” So Moses took the rod from before the Lord as He commanded him. And Moses and Aaron gathered the assembly together before the rock; and he said to them, “Hear now, you rebels! Must we bring water for you out of this rock?” Then Moses lifted his hand and struck the rock twice with his rod; and water came out abundantly, and the congregation and their animals drank.”

In connection with this verse, consider , “and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them, and that Rock was Christ.”

In connection with this verse, consider , “and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them, and that Rock was Christ.”

Christ is the bronze serpent: ;

, “So the Lord sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people; and many of the people of Israel died. Therefore the people came to Moses, and said, “We have sinned, for we have spoken against the Lord and against you; pray to the Lord that He take away the serpents from us.” So Moses prayed for the people. Then the Lord said to Moses, “Make a fiery serpent, and set it on a pole; and it shall be that everyone who is bitten, when he looks at it, shall live.” So Moses made a bronze serpent, and put it on a pole; and so it was, if a serpent had bitten anyone, when he looked at the bronze serpent, he lived.”

When the people murmured against God because of the way, He sent fiery serpent among them, “and they bit the people; and many of the people of Israel died.”

When they repented and Moses prayed for them, God instructed Moses to erect a serpent of bronze on a pole, which, when they people looked at it they lived.

In , Jesus said, “And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up...”

Christ gives the city of refuge ;

Just like the Israelites were required to look on the serpent, so all men today are required to look to the cross.

Christ was lifted up on the cross for the sins of all men.

Christ is the animal sacrifice outside the camp: ;

, “ You shall give it to Eleazar the priest, that he may take it outside the camp, and it shall be slaughtered before him.”

The Pulpit Commentary: Numbers Chapter 19

The bodies of those animals which were offered for the sin of the congregation were always burnt outside the camp, the law thus testifying that sin and death had no proper place within the city of God.

The bodies of the animals which were offered for the sin of the congregation were always burnt outside the camp. Therefore, the law testified that sin and death had no proper place within the city of God.

This served a representation of the sacrifice of Christ outside the camp.

In , the text states, “Therefore Jesus also, that He might sanctify the people with His own blood, suffered outside the gate.”

, “Therefore Jesus also, that He might sanctify the people with His own blood, suffered outside the gate.”

Application:

The Main Message: The two-fold message of Numbers is that God’s people are saved to serve and that they must be aware of unbelief ().

The Story- The story of Israel in the wilderness can be written in three words: Discontent, Disaster, and Discipline.

Discontent: The Israelites marched from Sinai to the brink of the promise land, only to become afraid, murmur, and complain.

Disaster: Because of their rebellion against God, He turned them back and would not permit them to enter Canaan. Delivered from slavery in Egypt, they were not slaves to their own sins.

Discipline: For 38 years, God caused them to wander in the wilderness before they finally returned to Canaan to enter the promise land.

Their examples are “written for our learning,” so that we may not make the same tragic mistakes in our lives and be denied the blessing of heaven.

Conclusion: