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Numbers WeekDateTopic 108 Dec10Numbers: An Introduction 215 Dec10Census and Organization: 1:1-4: Dec10Purity of the Camp: 5:1-6: Dec10Dedication of the Tabernacle: 7:1-9: Jan 11Failure of Israel: 10:1-12: Jan 11Pinnacle of Failure at Kadesh: 13:1-14: Jan 11Failure of Israel in the Wilderness: 15:1-19: Jan 11Failure of Israel on the way to Moab: 20:1-25: Feb 11Reorganization of Israel: 26:1-27: Feb 11Regulations of Offerings and Vows: 28:1-30: Feb 11Division of the Land: 31:1-33: Feb 11Further Division of the Land: 33:50-36: Mar 11Review

References Constable Notes - Primary Halley’s Bible Handbook JFB Bible Commentary ISBE (Encyclopedia)

Key Points for Today’s Lesson God provides for the Israelites in the Desert of Zin Edom’s refuses to let Israel pass as they travel to the promise land, causing further division Aaron’s dies before reaching the Promise Land Israel’s succeeds in multiple battles enroot to Moab Balaam provided seven oracles glorifying God and His people Moab seduces Israel and God’s punishes Israel

Last Week’s Lesson Reviewed the supplementary laws of sacrifice Read about how those that actively defy God were destroyed Learned about Korah and those that followed him in his defiance of God Learned about the punishment of Korah Learned about the selection and confirmation of Aaron as the leader of Israel Learned about the water of cleansing

Historical Background The book opens as the Israelites were in the second month of the second year after they departed Egypt (1:1) Chapters 7:1-10:10 occurred before the timeline of the events of the book of Numbers – Events occurred as Moses finished setting up the tabernacle – Tabernacle was set up on the 1 st day of the 1 st month of the 2 nd year; Numbers started on the 1 st day, 2 nd month, 2 nd year – Read Numbers 7:1, then Numbers 7:84, then Exodus 40:17, then Numbers 1:1 to better understand the timeline

Historical Background Continued Scholars determined the book had been written close to Moses’ death, around 1406 BC – Exodus happened around 1446 BC (1 Ki 6:1) – Israelites were in the wilderness 40 years (Num 32:13) – Moses died shortly before they entered the Promised Land (Deut 34:5) Numbers closes out when the Israelites were in the 10 th month of the 40 th year (see Deut 1:3) – The book of Numbers covers about 39 years

Hebrew Calendar

Timeline EventYearHebrewDayMonth Departure from Egypt1446Nisan15April Quail and Manna provided1446Iyyar15May Ten Commandments in the Sinai1446Sivan?Jun Tabernacle Built1445Iyyar1April Depart from Sinai1445Iyyar20May At Kadesh-Barnea – second time1406Nisan1March At Mt. Hor – Aaron Dies1406Ab1Jul Moses Death1406Shebat1Jan Cross Jordan1405Nisan10Apr Keep Passover and Manna ceases1405Nisan14Apr

Geographical Background Israelites traveled from Mt. Sinai to the plains of Moab – East of Jericho and the Jordan River However, not a direct route – Proceeded from Sinai to Kadesh Barnea – On Canaan’s southern border Failed to proceed to the Promised Land from Kadesh Barnea because of unbelief – Wondered 38 more years in the wilderness God finally brings them back to Kadesh, then led them to the Plains of Moab on Canaan’s eastern border

Key Lessons Of Numbers Show how God dealt with the Israelites as they anticipate entrance into the Promised Land Events that led to the destruction of the older generations of Israelites in the wilderness Preparation of the new generation for entrance into the Promised Land Provided a warning to younger members of the community of Israel about the wrath of God on their parents because of their failure to obey the covenant

The Tribes of Israel

Background on Fourth part of the Israelite journey from Egypt to the Promised Land, about BC – Egypt to Sinai (Ex 21-19) – Sinai to Kadesh (Num 11-12) – Kadesh to various locations back to Kadesh (Num 15-19) – Kadesh to Transjordan (Num 20-21) First two journeys began with triumph but end tragically Third and fourth journey began with tragedy but end in triumph

Rebellion at Kadesh (20:1-13) At the end of 37 years, the Israelites return to the wilderness of Zin and Kadesh – God previously judged older generations of Israelites for not believing in Him – Now he judges Moses for the same thing (vs ) Miriam and Aaron die in the wilderness for their sin of unbelief – Aaron dies in the first day of the fifth month of the 40 th year Moses draws water from the rock after the people complain

Moses strikes the rock

Moses’ Sins Harshly rebukes the people (vs. 10) Took credit for what God had done (vs. 10) Resented the Israelites (vs. 10) Lost his temper (vs. 11) Disobeyed God (vs. 11) Did not trust God’s power (vs. 12) Failed to glorify God (vs. 12) Rebelled against God (vs. 24) God still provided for the people

Edomite Resistance (20:14-21) Israel’s path leads them to the territory of Edom – Moses sends messengers to the King of Edom requesting the right to pass through – Edomites were decedents of Esau (remember Jacob and Esau story, Gen 25 – an angel names Jacob “Israel”) and were historically an agitator of Israel's – They would have traveled along the King’s Highway, a major trade route from Aqabah to Syria Edomites refuse to allow the Israelites passage

Death of Aaron (20:22-29) Aaron dies in the 40 th year (Num 33:37-38) – 123 years old (Num 33:39) – Moses removes his priestly garments and puts them on Eleazer – Eleazer was Aaron’s son – Israel now has a new high priest – Compare to Joshua replacing Moses (Deut 34:9) God does not reveal how Aaron died – He died prematurely partly due to disobedience at Meribah near Kadesh

Journey Toward Moab (21:1-20) Destruction of Arad (vs. 1-3) – In the northern Negeb, Canaanite country – Earlier defeat of Israelites near Arad – Israel’s first victory over Canaanites Bronze snake (vs. 4-9) – Israelites travel to southern border of Edom – God sends serpents to discipline the rebellious Israelites – Israel confesses their sins – Copper serpent provided deliverance from the plague of snakes – read John 3:14

Moses and the bronze snake

Israelite route – Around Edom in a counterclockwise direction – To Wadi Zered (vs. 12) – “Way of the Wilderness” generally running parallel but east of the Kings Highway (vs. 17, 19) – Crossed through Moab, to the east side of the Dead Sea, bordering the Moabite and Amorite territory (vs. 13) Israelites receive direction from God to make war with the Sihon Defeat Sihon and then Og Journey Toward Moab (21:12-35)

Balak and Balaam (22:1-20) Moab had not yet attacked Israel as they moved along Moab’s eastern border – Even sold them goods (Deut 2:28-29) – Balak hoped that others would dispose of them – With Israel’s defeat over the Amorite kings filled Balak with fear (vs 5-6) – Decides to seek help from Balaam, a famous magician, to curse the Israelites Balaam was thought to be an idol-worshipping false prophet whom God uses to help Israel; however, his character is incidental to the story

Balaam submitted to God and received revelations from him (Ch 22-24) – Similar to Jewish exorcists of Jesus’ day who cast out demons (Mark 9:38-39) God announces through Balaam blessings for Israel – Israel would receive a the land of Canaan west of the Jordan river – Weakens the will of Israel’s Moabite enemies Balak’s plan had backfired Balak and Balaam (22:1-20)

Balaam’s Seven Oracles (23-24) Balaam offered seven burnt offerings to God on seven altars (23:1-12) – Balak becomes angry because he thought Balaam could control the gods – Balaam acknowledged that God controlled him – Balak wants the ceremony at a new site A new site provides a better view of Israel (23:13- 26) – Balak repeats the same ritual of sacrifice Balaam continues to prophesy – Again saw Israel as blessed and God as King (vs 21-24)

Balaam’s Seven Oracles (23-24) Balak, still hopeful, took Balam to a 3 rd site from which he could view the entire Israelite camp – Offers sacrifice as before – Balaam sees again that God would bless Israel – He simply proclaims the message of the Holy Spirit revealed in him (vs. 24:2) Blessing of God on all who bless Israel (vs. 24:9) – Original promise of God to Abram Balaam gives four more revelations dealing with the future of Israel, Moab, and Israel’s other neighbors (24:15-25)

Final Rebellion (Ch 25) Israel’s greatest failure followed by their greatest blessing Israel was in Shittim – Last encampment before crossing the Jordan – Joshua launched spies into the Promised Land from here Fell into the trap set for them by the Moabites – Sacrificed to the Moabite gods and bowed before them – Set themselves in bondage to Baal of Peor (similar to Chemosh or the god of Moab)

God becomes very angry with the Israelites (vs. 3) – Orders the leaders of the Baal worshipers to be executed – A Simeonite leader even brought a Midianite women into the camp passing by the Tabernacle – Phinehas kills the Israelite man and the Moabite – God’s anger ceases, but not after 24,000 more Israelites lay dead from a plague God provides a lasting covenant of peace and as lasting priesthood for Phinehas God orders the Midianites to be killed Final Rebellion (Ch 25)

Review God miraculously provided water for the Israelites in the Desert of Zin Edom’s refused to let Israel pass, further dividing these distantly related nations Aaron dies before reaching the promised land Israel had success in battle on multiple occasions Despite Balak’s wishes Balaam’s seven oracles glorified God and the people of Israel Moab seduced Israel into sin and God’s caused 24,000 more Israelites to die as a result Next week: Israel to Moab: Numbers 26:1-27:23