Introduction To the Book of Numbers
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Only a year has passed since the exodus from Egypt when the Book of Numbers opens up. Numbers which is really a book of divine discipline, shows the painful consequences of unbelief and plain old bad decisions from God’s chosen people.
Only a year has passed since the exodus from Egypt when the Book of Numbers opens up. Numbers which is really a book of divine discipline, shows the painful consequences of unbelief and plain old bad decisions from God’s chosen people.
Sound familiar? Have we made any bad decisions lately?
Sound familiar? Have we made any bad decisions lately?
Numbers begins with the old generation, (those who were in Egypt) then moves to a tragic transition period and ends with the new generation who is at the doorstep of entering God’s promised “Promise Land.”
Numbers begins with the old generation, (those who were in Egypt) then moves to a tragic transition period and ends with the new generation who is at the doorstep of entering God’s promised “Promise Land.”
So, the name of this book really represents “Numbers.” In this book we have two generations, two censuses and two sets of instructions for enjoying the land of promise. Just like today, God’s love is kind, but it can also be severe. His people needs to learn they can move forward only as they trust and depend on Him.
So, the name of this book really represents “Numbers.” In this book we have two generations, two censuses and two sets of instructions for enjoying the land of promise. Just like today, God’s love is kind, but it can also be severe. His people needs to learn they can move forward only as they trust and depend on Him.
Numbers is the book of wanderings. It gets the name also from the two numberings of the Israelites or two census. The first at Mount Sinai and the second on the plains of Moab. So, why would God want the count two times?
Numbers is the book of wanderings. It gets the name also from the two numberings of the Israelites or two census. The first at Mount Sinai and the second on the plains of Moab. So, why would God want the count two times?
As in the first three books including Numbers, the author points to Moses. This is sound history both internal and external. There are more than eighty claims that “the Lord spoke to Moses” throughout the journey from Egypt to the Promise Land.
As in the first three books including Numbers, the author points to Moses. This is sound history both internal and external. There are more than eighty claims that “the Lord spoke to Moses” throughout the journey from Egypt to the Promise Land.
Date and Setting of Leviticus covered only about one month remember? Numbers however takes place over almost thirty-nine years. 444-405 B.C. A few events were from the last twenty days at Mount Sinai, the wandering around Kadesh-barnea to finally arrive in the plains of Moab in the fortieth year.
Date and Setting of Leviticus covered only about one month remember? Numbers however takes place over almost thirty-nine years. 444-405 B.C. A few events were from the last twenty days at Mount Sinai, the wandering around Kadesh-barnea to finally arrive in the plains of Moab in the fortieth year.
“Then the people of Israel traveled to the plains of Moab and camped east of the Jordan River, across from Jericho.”
“Then the people of Israel traveled to the plains of Moab and camped east of the Jordan River, across from Jericho.”
1Then the people of Israel traveled to the plains of Moab and camped east of the Jordan River, across from Jericho.
“But forty years after the Israelites left Egypt, on the first day of the eleventh month, Moses addressed the people of Israel, telling them everything the Lord had commanded him to say.”
“But forty years after the Israelites left Egypt, on the first day of the eleventh month, Moses addressed the people of Israel, telling them everything the Lord had commanded him to say.”
Theme and Purpose of Numbers focuses on the disbelief and disobedience to the holy God. The sins of the first generation were written as a constant reminder to to the second generation. God was letting His people know, “Trust Me completely, then you can receive my Blessings.
Theme and Purpose of Numbers focuses on the disbelief and disobedience to the holy God. The sins of the first generation were written as a constant reminder to to the second generation. God was letting His people know, “Trust Me completely, then you can receive my Blessings.
What about the first generation of those who God saved from Egypt? They all experienced God’s miracles, the 10 plagues, parting of the Red Sea..........
What about the first generation of those who God saved from Egypt? They all experienced God’s miracles, the 10 plagues, parting of the Red Sea..........
tells us: 34“ ‘Because your men explored the land for forty days, you must wander in the wilderness for forty years—a year for each day, suffering the consequences of your sins. Then you will discover what it is like to have me for an enemy.”
tells us: 34“ ‘Because your men explored the land for forty days, you must wander in the wilderness for forty years—a year for each day, suffering the consequences of your sins. Then you will discover what it is like to have me for an enemy.”
Unbelief, Disbelief, doubting, little faith, God was not good with this.
Unbelief, Disbelief, doubting, little faith, God was not good with this.
34“ ‘Because your men explored the land for forty days, you must wander in the wilderness for forty years—a year for each day, suffering the consequences of your sins. Then you will discover what it is like to have me for an enemy.’
How does the book of Numbers contribute to the Bible?
How does the book of Numbers contribute to the Bible?
In Genesis God elected a people, His people.
In Genesis God elected a people, His people.
In Exodus He redeemed them, He brought them out of Egypt.
In Exodus He redeemed them, He brought them out of Egypt.
In Leviticus He sanctified them.
In Leviticus He sanctified them.
And now in Numbers He completely directed them.
And now in Numbers He completely directed them.
Numbers teaches us the important lesson that biblical faith often requires trusting God against against all odds. EX.
Numbers teaches us the important lesson that biblical faith often requires trusting God against against all odds. EX.
“1 I don’t want you to forget, dear brothers and sisters, about our ancestors in the wilderness long ago. All of them were guided by a cloud that moved ahead of them, and all of them walked through the sea on dry ground. 2 In the cloud and in the sea, all of them were baptized as followers of Moses.”
“1 I don’t want you to forget, dear brothers and sisters, about our ancestors in the wilderness long ago. All of them were guided by a cloud that moved ahead of them, and all of them walked through the sea on dry ground. 2 In the cloud and in the sea, all of them were baptized as followers of Moses.”
1 I don’t want you to forget, dear brothers and sisters, about our ancestors in the wilderness long ago. All of them were guided by a cloud that moved ahead of them, and all of them walked through the sea on dry ground.
SURVEY OF NUMBERS: God takes His people through painful processes of testing and maturation. He teaches His people the consequences of irresponsible decisions. Basically the 40 years in the wilderness takes His people from a hoard of “ex slaves” into a nation ready to take the Promised Land.
SURVEY OF NUMBERS: God takes His people through painful processes of testing and maturation. He teaches His people the consequences of irresponsible decisions. Basically the 40 years in the wilderness takes His people from a hoard of “ex slaves” into a nation ready to take the Promised Land.
2In the cloud and in the sea, all of them were baptized as followers of Moses.
Is God still teaching His people in Numbers? ABSOLUTELY........God’s instructions are very explicit. He is teaching them that He is the God of order not confusion; and this is seen in the way He organizes His people around the tabernacle and teaches constantly.
Is God still teaching His people in Numbers? ABSOLUTELY........God’s instructions are very explicit. He is teaching them that He is the God of order not confusion; and this is seen in the way He organizes His people around the tabernacle and teaches constantly.
So, is there faith and belief yet? “Soon the people began to complain about their hardship, and the Lord heard everything they said. Then the Lord’s anger blazed against them, and he sent a fire to rage among them, and he destroyed some of the people in the outskirts of the camp.” That would be an NO!!!!!
So, is there faith and belief yet? “Soon the people began to complain about their hardship, and the Lord heard everything they said. Then the Lord’s anger blazed against them, and he sent a fire to rage among them, and he destroyed some of the people in the outskirts of the camp.” That would be an NO!!!!!
1Soon the people began to complain about their hardship, and the Lord heard everything they said. Then the Lord’s anger blazed against them, and he sent a fire to rage among them, and he destroyed some of the people in the outskirts of the camp.
Let’s fast forward. God tells Moses to send out scouts. It’s time to take the land, doubt, hesitation, fear, second guessing........Sound familiar?
Let’s fast forward. God tells Moses to send out scouts. It’s time to take the land, doubt, hesitation, fear, second guessing........Sound familiar?
Remember, Numbers records two generations, tow numberings, (census) two journeyings and two sets of instructions. Numbers illustrates both the kindness and severity of God.
“Notice how God is both kind and severe. He is severe toward those who disobeyed, but kind to you if you continue to trust in his kindness. But if you stop trusting, you also will be cut off.”
Remember, Numbers records two generations, tow numberings, (census) two journeyings and two sets of instructions. Numbers illustrates both the kindness and severity of God.
“Notice how God is both kind and severe. He is severe toward those who disobeyed, but kind to you if you continue to trust in his kindness. But if you stop trusting, you also will be cut off.”
We can only move forward if we completely trust and depend on God.
We can only move forward if we completely trust and depend on God.
Recap Outline of Numbers
Recap Outline of Numbers
The Preparation of the Old Generation to Inherit the Promised Land.
The Preparation of the Old Generation to Inherit the Promised Land.
The Failure of the Old Generation to Inherit the Promised Land.
The Failure of the Old Generation to Inherit the Promised Land.
The Failure of Israel In Route to Kadesh
The Failure of Israel In Route to Kadesh
The Climactic Failure of Israel at Kadesh. Notice both, en route and at Kadesh WERE FAILURES.......
The Climactic Failure of Israel at Kadesh. Notice both, en route and at Kadesh WERE FAILURES.......
NO OR LITTLE FAITH = FAILURE. YES IN TODAY’ WORLD AS WELL.
NO OR LITTLE FAITH = FAILURE. YES IN TODAY’ WORLD AS WELL.
The Failure of Israel in the Wilderness
The Failure of Israel in the Wilderness
The Failure of Israel En Route to Moab
The Failure of Israel En Route to Moab
The Preparation of the New Generation to Inherit the Promised Land
The Preparation of the New Generation to Inherit the Promised Land
WHEW.............
WHEW.............
AMEN