A Jet Tour Thru Numbers
I. The NAME of the Book - Number
A. Gr. - ARITHMOI - numbers; because of the census taken in the beginning of the book (ch. 1 - 3) and at the end (ch. 26)
B. Heb. - BE-MIDBAR - in the wilderness [desert] (1:1)
II. The AUTHOR of the Book - Moses
A. Stated clearly in 33:2: & 36:13
B. Repeatedly claimed to be what the Lord said to Moses (1:1; 2:1; 3:11: 4:1)
C. Its’ content equated with Moses by Jesus (John 3:14-15)
III. The RECIPIENTS of the Book
A. Generally - the children of Israel (6:2; 15:2); given to record for their posterity the events of the wilderness journey.
B. Specifically — Aaron (8:2); to instruct him in his activity as High Priest.
IV. The DATE of the Book
A. Approximately B.C. 1401
B. Covers about 39 years of wilderness experience (1:1; 36:13)
V. The KEYS to the Book
A. Key verses: 14:28-34
B. Key Words: wilderness - 45 times
VI. The PURPOSE of the Book
A. To resume the narrative of events involving Israel’s journey from Egypt to Canaan (Ex. 40:17; Num. 1:1)
B. To record the two censuses taken while in the wilderness (ch. 1 & 3; 26)
C. To emphasize the most significant events of Israel’s wilderness wanderings.
D. To illustrate the “severity” and “goodness” of God. (Rom. 11:22)
E. To warn against the sin of presumption (1 Cor. 10:1-12).
F. To warn against the sin of unbelief (Heb. 3:7-19).
VII. The OUTLINE of the Book (Adapted from J Sidlow Baxter’s Explore The Book)
A .The Old Generation (ch. 1-14)
1. The Numbering (ch. 1-4)
Ch 1 – 1st Census
Ch 2 – Tribes Arranged
Ch 3 – Census & Duties of the Levites
Ch 4 – Levitical Service
2. The Instructing (ch. 5-10)
Ch 5 – Separation from Things that Defile
Ch 6 – Nazarite Vow
Ch 7 – Offerings
Ch 8 – Consecration of the Levites
Ch 9 – Passover Observance
Ch 10 – Silver Trumpets
3. The Journeying (ch. 10-14)
Ch 10 – Marching to The Promised Land
Ch 11 – Complaining about Food
Ch 12 – Miriam’s Leprosy
Ch 13 – Spy Report
Ch 14 – Discouraged People
B. The Transition (ch. 15-20)
Ch 15 – Laws for Living
Ch 16 – Rebellion against Moses & Aaron
Ch 17 – Aaron’s Rod
Ch 18 – Responsibility, Accountability & Provisions for Levites
Ch 19 – The Red Heifer
Ch 20 – Moses Strikes the Rock (2nd Time)
C. The New Generation (ch. 21-36)
1. The Journeying (ch. 21-25)
Ch 21 – Brazen Serpent
Ch 22 – Balak & Balaam
Ch 23 – Balaam’s Prophecy
Ch 24 – Balaam Blesses Israel
Ch 25 – Balaam’s Secrete Plan
2. The Numbering (ch. 26-27)
Ch 26 – 2nd Census
Ch 27 – Joshua, Moses Successor
3. The Instructing (ch. 28-36)
Ch 28 – Instruction for the New Generation (Offerings)
Ch 29 – Instruction for the New Generation (Continued)
Ch 30 – Vows
Ch 31 – Defeat of the Midianites
Ch 32 – Reuben & Gad – East of the Jordan
Ch 33 – Review of the Journey
Ch 34 – Borders
Ch 35 – Cities of Refuge
Ch 36 – Equal Rights for Daughters
VIII. The PRESENTATION of Christ in Numbers
A. The Redemptive Silver (3:44-SI)
B. The Red Heifer (ch. 19)
C. The Brazen Serpent (ch. 21)
D. The Star out of Jacob (24:17)
E. The Cities of Refuge (ch. 35)
IX. Practical Lessons from Numbers
A. Complaining is Contagious
1. The people complained about food (ch. 11)
2. Aaron & Miriam complained about Moses’ authority (ch. 12)
3. Korah & company complained about Moses and Aaron (ch. 16)
B. Doubting leads to Discouragement (13:32-14:1)
1. Those discouraged look back (14:2)
2. Those discouraged ask why (14:3)
3. Those discouraged force relief (14:4)
C. Disobedience is Disastrous (14:22,23; 20:12; 25:1-9)
D. Wandering is Humbling (Deut. 8:2)
