Overview of the Book
The book of Numbers provides a detailed account of the wilderness journey of the Israelites from Egypt to the Promised Land. Chronologically, the Book of Numbers is the continuation of the exodus recorded in the Book of Exodus.
The Context
Following God’s mighty deliverance of the Israelites from bondage, they departed from the land of slavery to the Promised Land. As the people of God, they crossed the borders of Egypt (the Red Sea), and camped at the Foothills of Mount Sinai. Here, God re-affirmed His covenant with them by giving them the Law and the instructions to build the tabernacle – a sanctuary for God’s dwelling among His people to lead and guide them throughout their journey to the Promised Land. The book of Exodus ends as the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle (Exodus 40:34-38), referred to as the Shekinah glory [שכינה, Shekinah (Schechinah) is a Hebrew word which means ‘dwelling of God’ or ‘visible manifestation of God’s presence and glory’ (Exodus 13:21; 40:34)].
The book of Leviticus, preceding the Book of Numbers in the Bible, is God’s manual for His people, which includes the moral and social laws for holy living in accordance with the attributes of God, based on the command “Be holy because I, the Lord your God, am Holy” (Leviticus 19:2). The pattern of worship and service towards God is instituted from this time onwards. The Israelites are no more slaves (under the bondage of sin), but people of God. God took them out of Egypt through the Exodus (an external cleansing), now He is trying to take Egypt out of them (an internal cleansing) to maintain an unbroken relationship with His people.
Hence, the book of Numbers re-counts the details of the journey taken by the Children of Israel. This journey begins at the Foothills of Mount Sinai where the Children of Israel have received the Law for holy living and ends in the plains of Moab, by the Jordan across from Jericho, where they received the final instruction to enter the Promised Land (Numbers 36:13).
Title of the Book
The title of the book in Hebrew Scripture is בְּמִדְבַּר, (Bemidbar), which means ‘In the Desert’ or ‘In the Wilderness.’ Early Church leaders and many Bible scholars believe that the title ‘Numbers ’ first appeared in the Greek (Septuagint) and Latin (Vulgate) versions of the Hebrew Bible due to the two censuses of the Israelites (Numbers 1 & 26) during their journey through the wilderness. The Greek term used is Ἀριθμοί, (Arithmoi) and the Latin word for Numbers is ‘Numeri.’
The Authorship of Numbers
Although, some deny Moses’ authorship of the Pentateuch (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy), based on available internal and external evidences, the Pentateuch is perceived to be written by Moses. One piece of evidence is God’s command to Moses to record the stages of their journey from Egypt to the Promised Land (Numbers 33:1-2; Deuteronomy 31:9; Joshua 1:7). In addition to Old Testament Scriptures, Jewish tradition, and New Testament writers (Mark 7:10; Romans 10:5), most modern day scholars agree on Moses’ authorship of Numbers. The book clearly mentions that Moses kept a record during the wilderness wanderings (Numbers 33:2).
Recipients of the Book
There is no doubt that the original recipients of the book are the twelve tribes of Israel, especially the Exodus generation of Israelites. It is also a record for future generations.
Purpose of Writing
The purposes of writing the book of Numbers are to:
- describe God’s requirements of His people – the rewards of keeping His commands and the discipline for disobedience and rebellion
- describe the reasons why the Exodus Generation of Israelites could not possess the Promised Land after leaving the Foothills of Mount Sinai
- highlight the census of all Israelite men who were eligible to go for war prior to their departure from Mount Sinai [603,550 men] (Numbers 1: 2-3)
- narrate Israel’s brief journey (19 days) from Mount Sinai to Kadesh, their murmurings, and their rebellion at Kadesh (Numbers 10-14)
- describe Israel’s 39 years of judgement in the wilderness due to their sin and rebellion against God
- highlight the second census of an entirely new generation of Israelite men who were eligible to go for war prior to the conquest of Canaan [601,730 men] (Numbers 26)
Main Divisions of the Book
The book is mainly divided into three parts:
- The first part of the book narrates Israel’s first year of camping at the Foothills of Mount Sinai (Numbers 1-10)
- The second part talks about their journey from Mount Sinai to Kadesh, their time in the Desert of Paran, the people’s rebellion, and their death (Numbers 11-25)
- The third part of the book describes the preparations of the new generation, at the plains of Moab, for the conquest of the Promised Land (Numbers 26-36).
Key Topics of interest in the Book
- Desert Wanderings: The Children of Israel did not immediately possess the Promised Land because of their unfaithfulness towards God. Instead, they aimlessly wandered the wilderness for about 40 years until all in the rebellious generation had died (Numbers 14: 26-35).
- Murmurings and Discontent: Despite the good works that God bestowed upon the Exodus generation of Israelites, they murmured and complained. They did this despite God’s faithfulness (Numbers 11), Divine protection (Exodus 14:10-12), and Heavenly provision (Exodus 16:2-3)
- Human Rebellion and Divine Discipline: God disciplined His loved ones whenever they persisted in complaints and unbelief (Numbers 13-14). Some examples are as follows:
- A large number of people complained about their hardships (Numbers 11:1-3)
- The Exodus generation rebelled against God and His servants Moses and Aaron (Numbers 14:2-4),
- Miriam and Aaron spoke against Moses (Numbers 12:1-2) and God punished them both. Later, Miriam (Numbers 20:1) and Aaron (Numbers 20:22-26) died on the way to Kadesh-Barnea.
- A group of Levites, including 250 well-known community leaders (appointed members of the council) under the leadership of Korah (Moses’ first cousin Exodus 6:18, 21), Dathan, Abiram rallied against Moses and Aaron (Numbers 16:1-3; 31-35)
- The whole Israelite community quarreled with Moses and Aaron in the Desert of Zin (Massah or Meribah = place of strife; Exodus 17:7). Consequently, Moses in fuming frustration sinned against God. As a result, he was denied entrance into the Promised Land and thus, lost the privilege of leading people into Canaan (Numbers 20:1-5; 12). (What was Moses’ sin against God? Disobedience! He did not follow the command of God – in this case, God asked him to speak to the rock before their eyes (Numbers 20:8) but he raised his arm and struck the rock twice with his staff (Numbers 20:11; Ps. 95:8-11, 106:32)
- Israel angered God by worshipping Baal (Numbers 25:1-4)
- Since the Exodus generation of Israelites sinned against God, everyone (except Joshua and Caleb) perished in the wilderness. And a new generation of Israelites under the leadership of a new leader – Joshua – entered the Promised Land (Joshua 1:6).
- Moses’ ministry of Intercession: Moses interceded for both the Exodus Generation as well as the New generation of Israelites several times.\
- Faith and Life: It is understandable throughout the book that God’s people move forward only trusting Him with unwavering faith believing his promises and leaning on Him as their source of life and hope. This points out the principle that without faith, it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6)
- Trust and Hope: The book reveals the principle that if one generation fails, God will raise another one to fulfill His promises and carry out His mission.
Major Teachings of the Book
- Trusting and obeying God unwaveringly is one of the prime teachings of the book.
- God’s constant care is revealed through the miraculous supply of water, Manna, and Quails for forty years in the wilderness
- God is loving and forgiving for His people regardless of their unbelief and rebellion
Lessons from the book of Numbers
- All the happenings mentioned in the book of Numbers regarding Israel’s murmurings and unbelief and the destruction that brought among them can be taken as a warning for us so that we can keep ourselves from angering God (1 Corinthians 10:5-11)
- The rebellious mentality of Korah and his group is one of the best examples to not rebel against God-appointed leadership (2 Peter 15-16, Revelation 2:14)
- In the way that the Israelites looked up to the bronze snake to receive healing (Numbers 21:7-9), we must look up to Jesus and be saved (John 3:14-16).
- ‘The Heavenly Manna’ that the Israelites ate and ‘The Rock’ from which they drank in the wilderness can be compared to Christ Jesus (John 6:31-33; 1 Corinthians 10:4)
- Balaam, son of Beor, is stated as the representation of false prophets and teachers who love the wages of wickedness (2 Peter 2:15, Jude 4:11). Revelation relates Balaam to idolatry and immorality (Revelation 2:6,14-15). The Israelites killed Balaam by sword (Numbers 31:8).
Most blessed incidents in the book of Numbers
- Priestly Blessings (Numbers 6: 22-27)
- v. 24 God’s blessings, His protection, and welfare in life
- v. 25 God’s favor, God’s goodwill, and God’s grace upon His people
- v. 26 God’s attention and caring nature for His people
- Leaders’ gifts of oxen and carts for God’s service (Numbers 7:1-9)
- Ending of Moses’ ministry announced (Numbers 27:12-17)
- Appointment of Joshua as Moses’ successor (Numbers 27: 18-23)
- Joshua was introduced (Exodus 17:8-16)
- Joshua was appointed and commissioned (Numbers 27:18-23)
- Joshua was given Ministry responsibilities (Deuteronomy 31:7-8)
- The Israelites under Joshua’s leadership (Joshua 1:1-9)
Elaboration
1 The Israelites left Rameses and camped at Sukkoth.
2 They left Sukkoth and camped at Etham, on the edge of the desert.
3 They left Etham, turned back to Pi Hahiroth, to the east of Baal Zephon, and camped near Migdol.
4 They left Pi Hahiroth and passed through the sea into the desert, and when they had traveled for three days in the Desert of Etham, they camped at Marah.
5 They left Marah and went to Elim, where there were twelve springs and seventy palm trees, and they camped there.
6 They left Elim and camped by the Red Sea
7 They left the Red Sea and camped in the Desert of Sin.
8 They left the Desert of Sin and camped at Dophkah.
9 They left Dophkah and camped at Alush.
10 They left Alush and camped at Rephidim, where there was no water for the people to drink.
11 They left Rephidim and camped in the Desert of Sinai.
12 They left the Desert of Sinai and camped at Kibroth Hattaavah.
13 They left Kibroth Hattaavah and camped at Hazeroth.
14 They left Hazeroth and camped at Rithmah.
15 They left Rithmah and camped at Rimmon Perez.
16 They left Rimmon Perez and camped at Libnah.
17 They left Libnah and camped at Rissah.
18 They left Rissah and camped at Kehelathah.
19 They left Kehelathah and camped at Mount Shepher.
20 They left Mount Shepher and camped at Haradah.
21 They left Haradah and camped at Makheloth.
22 They left Makheloth and camped at Tahath.
23 They left Tahath and camped at Terah.
24 They left Terah and camped at Mithkah.
25 They left Mithkah and camped at Hashmonah.
26 They left Hashmonah and camped at Moseroth.
27 They left Moseroth and camped at Bene Jaakan.
28 They left Bene Jaakan and camped at Hor Haggidgad.
29 They left Hor Haggidgad and camped at Jotbathah.
30 They left Jotbathah and camped at Abronah.
31 They left Abronah and camped at Ezion Geber.
32 They left Ezion Geber and camped at Kadesh, in the Desert of Zin.
33 They left Kadesh and camped at Mount Hor, on the border of Edom. 38 At the Lord’s command Aaron the priest went up Mount Hor, where he died on the first day of the fifth month of the fortieth year after the Israelites came out of Egypt.
34 Aaron was a hundred and twenty-three years old when he died on Mount Hor.
35 The Canaanite king of Arad, who lived in the Negev of Canaan, heard that the Israelites were coming.
36 They left Mount Hor and camped at Zalmonah.
37 They left Zalmonah and camped at Punon.
38 They left Punon and camped at Oboth.
39 They left Oboth and camped at Iye Abarim, on the border of Moab.
40 They left Iye Abarim and camped at Dibon Gad.
41 They left Dibon Gad and camped at Almon Diblathaim.
42 They left Almon Diblathaim and camped in the mountains of Abarim, near Nebo.
43 They left the mountains of Abarim and camped on the plains of Moab by the Jordan across from Jericho.
44 There on the plains of Moab they camped along the Jordan from Beth Jeshimoth to Abel Shittim.
The 12 tribes were asked to form into four camps and each camp will have a representation of the three respective tribes. Each camp had a standard and symbol.
- The tribes of Judah, Issachar, and Zebulun were to rally around the standard of Judah. There was a total of 186,400 men. The symbol represented was the Lion of the Tribe of Judah
- Reuben, Simeon and Gad together a total of 151,450 men. Their symbol represented was the Man
- Ephraim, Manasseh and Benjamin collectively numbered 108,100 men. Their symbol was the Ox
- Dan, Asher and Naphtali, together 157,600 men. Their symbol representation was the Eagle.
(These symbols represent the four faces of the cherubim around the throne of God in Isaiah 6, Ezekiel 1 & 10, and Revelation 4).