NUMBERS 1-12
THE TITLE: The Hebrew title is "In the Wilderness" (the most significant word in the opening sentences). The name Numbers comes from the number of lists that appear in the book.
DATE: Probably about 1406, before Moses' death which also took place in that year.
THEME: the most prominent theme is that of the gracious providence of the Lord in caring for all of Israel's needs—militarily, physically, nutritionally and spiritually—inspite of constant rebellions by the people, both leadership and rank and file.[1]
SUMMARY OF TEACHING:
Ø God is always close and caring. He is involved on his people's behalf in history, as shown by the cloud (9:15–23) and by more direct means (35:34). We must understand the Old Testament as Israel herself understood it, that is, as concretely rooted in real history and geography.
Ø God will always discipline. Two aspects are shown here: (a) when the people rebel, mumble against God, or just doubt him; (b) when the Lord tests his people with trials. He demands obedience to his will, and judgment for lack of this is pronounced on the whole people (11:1–3; 21:6; 25:1–5, 6–13), the leaders (14:36–37), the Levites (16), Miriam (12:10), and on Moses and Aaron too (20:12).
Ø God's purpose will always prevail. Promises made to the patriarchs (32:10–12) would be realized by God in spite of the people's unfaithfulness, the nations' hostilities, the spiritual powers' opposition. His will would be done on earth as it was in heaven.
Ø God's love, discipline and purpose are always holy. The whole fabric of the book shows this, that he must be served solely and wholly. The laws which it contains are not so much to be seen as automatic formulae for achieving man's holiness as safeguards against taking God's holiness for granted, or letting familiarity breed contempt. Time and care have to be taken to prepare oneself for approaching him in petition or confession. This too is a lesson worth the learning.[2]
It is interesting to note that the distance from Mount Sinai to Kadesh–barnea was from 150 to 200 miles—a journey, in that time, of eleven days (Deut. 1:2). The Israelites spent thirty days at Kibroth. They spent forty years on a journey that should have taken forty days because their walking was turned to wandering. Since they refused to go into the land, they did not advance an inch after Kadesh–barnea. At the end of their wanderings they came back to the same place, Kadesh–barnea. What was the reason? Unbelief. Between the census in the first chapter and the census in the twenty–sixth chapter, we find a divine history of the wanderings of the Israelites in the wilderness for about thirty–eight years and ten months, commencing with the first movement of the camp after the tabernacle was reared.[3]
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Chapter 1: The Census
Ø Why did God order a census to be taken?
Ø What number does the total of 603,550 represent?
Ø Why were the Levites not included in that count?
Chapter 2: The Arrangement of the Camp
Ø How was the camp arrayed?
Ø How were each of the tribes differentiated form each other?
Ø What does the census and the arranging of the tribes teach us about God?
Chapter 3: The Levites
Ø If Aaron and his sons were the anointed priest, why did Aaron need the tribe of Levi to assist him?
Ø From God's perspective, who did the Levites replace?
Ø What were the duties of the Levites?
Chapter 4: The Kohathites; Gershonites; Merarites
Ø What were the duties of the Kohathites?
Ø What were the duties of the Gersonites?
Ø What were the duties of the Merarites?
Ø What truths can we glean from how God appointed and directed those He ordained to care for the tabernacle?
Chapter 5: Purity in the Camp
Ø Why was God concerned about the cleanliness of the Israelite's camp?
Ø What do the laws of restitution teach us about sin?
Ø Did the priests have duties other than worship? What were they?
Ø Why did the Lord use such an elaborate method of determining the innocence or guilt of a woman accused of adultery? What about the other man if adultery took place?
Ø How did Jesus address this issue?
Chapter 6: The Nazirite Vow
Ø What was a Nazirite vow?
Ø What stipulations went with the vow? Why these particular stipulations?
Ø Where do we see this vow in the NT?
Chapters 7-8: Offerings of Dedication of the Tabernacle
Ø Why was there a special dedication of the Tabernacle after it was erected?
Ø Were the offerings individual or corporate?
Ø Who gave the methodology of setting up the tabernacle to Moses?
Ø Why did the Levites have to be consecrated to the Lord?
Ø What does this dedication teach us about God?
Chapters 9 – 10: God Leads
Ø The first Passover since leaving Egypt was celebrated twice, why?
Ø The Lord led the Israelites by a cloud at day and fire at night, how does this differ from the way He leads His church?
Chapters 11-12: Trouble in the Camp
Ø Why did the people complain? Toward whom was their complaining directed?
Ø Why were the Israelites now satisfied with God's provision? Application for us?
Ø What was God's response to the people?
Ø Why did Aaron and Miriam oppose Moses?
Ø What was God's response?
Ø What can we learn about how God views the obedience of His people?
[1]Riggans, W. (2001, c1983). Numbers. The Daily study Bible series (2). Louisville: Westminster John Knox Press.
[2]Riggans, W. (2001, c1983). Numbers. The Daily study Bible series (2). Louisville: Westminster John Knox Press.
[3]McGee, J. V. (1991). Vol. 08: Thru the Bible commentary: The Law (Numbers). Based on the Thru the Bible radio program. (electronic ed.). Thru the Bible commentary (viii). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.