Numbers WeekDateTopic 108 Dec10Numbers: An Introduction 215 Dec10Census and Organization: 1:1-4: Dec10Purity of the Camp: 5:1-6: Dec10Dedication of the Tabernacle: 7:1-10: Jan 11Failure of Israel: 10:11-12: Jan 11Pinnacle of Failure at Kadesh: 13:1-14: Jan 11Failure of Israel in the Wilderness: 15:1-19: Jan 11Failure of Israel enroot 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 Review the impact of the first three books of the Bible upon the Book of Numbers Understand the overarching purpose of the Book of Numbers Learn about the historical and geographical background in which the book was written Briefly review each section of the book in relation to the theme Review the timeline of the Book of Numbers

Last Week’s Lesson Reviewed the November 17 th lesson concerning God’s increasingly severe punishment and conditions of restoring the divine blessing Learned about vows concerning people and their relative cost in silver – favored males Similarly, learned about the vows concerning animals and property Learned about the redemption of tithes

Overview Name – Greek work Arithmoi meaning “numbers” – Hebrew title was Bemidbar meaning “in the desert” Fourth of five books of the Torah or Pentateuch Moses is the author – Numbers 1:1 “ The Lord spoke to Moses…” – Numbers 33:2 “ At the Lord’s command, Moses recorded the journey by stages….” – Numerous references to Moses as the author of the law in the New Testament

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

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

Overview of Chapters Chapters 1-4 – Numbering of the people Chapter 5:1-10:10 – Preparation for resuming the march Chapter 10:11-21:20 – Account of the journey from Sinai to Moab – Sending spies and their report back – People complain of the hardships they endure – People are exiled Chapter 21:21-36:13 – Events on the Plain of Moab before crossing the Jordan River

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

Main Theme God has brought a people to Himself by covenant grace He expects them to be unconditionally devoted to him Israel had accepted the terms of the Covenant given in Sinai; therefore, placing herself under obligation to obey them This obedience was to begin immediately, not later on down the road

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

Review Reviewed the impact of the first three books of the Bible upon the Book of Numbers Learned about the overarching purpose of the Book of Numbers Learned about the historical and geographical background in which the book was written Briefly reviewed each section of the book in relation to the theme Reviewed the detailed timeline of the Book of Numbers