Romans 15:4 (ESV) “For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.”

The Book of Wanderings 36 chapters 1,288 verses Census 38 years Moses Aaron Miriam Joshua Caleb Characters 70 left Egypt Num. 1 = 603,550 Num.26= 601,730 Joshua - Caleb 3,000,000

Creation - systematic logical way Ark for Noah Temple of Solomon The camp for Israel  Census  How to set up  How to march  Everything was orderly

Tabernacle Judah Issachar Zebulun ReubenSimeonGad Ephraim Benjamin Manasseh DanNaphtaliAsher N S W E

Israel’s Numbering and Encampment: M Judah 76,500 (74,600) A Issachar 64,300 (54,400) Pr Zebulun 60,500 (57,400) Ephraim 32,500 (40,500) Manasseh 52,700 (32,200) Benjamin 45,600 (35,400) Dan 64,400 (62,700) Asher 53,400 (41,500) Naphtali 45,400 (53,400) Merarites N Kohathites Reuben 43,730 (46,500) Simeon 22,200 (59,300) Gad 40,500 (45,650) Gershon Levites 23,000 (22,300) Total 601,730 (603,550) Only Caleb and Joshua in Both

Reuben Simeon Gad Judah Issachar Zebulun River Sword Lion Donkey Ship Ephraim Manasseh Benjamin Dan Asher Naphtali Unicorn Ox Wolf Serpent Corn Deer Numbers 1:52 “And the children of Israel shall pitch their tents, every man by his own camp, and every man by his own standard, throughout their hosts.” Standard = banner, flag

Standards - Flags - Banners

Order of Israel’s March Numbers 2:17 “God At the Center of Our Lives” Tabernacle Dan Asher Naphtali Reuben Simeon Gad Judah Issachar Zebulun Ephraim Manasseh Benjamin Order of March

1 Cor. 14:33 “For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.” 1 Cor. 14:40 “Let all things be done decently and in order.” 1 Timothy 3 Titus 1:5 “set in order” John 4:24 Matt. 15:9 Co-operate

Num. 11:1 asv “And the people were as murmurers”  Complained about the manna  Wanted flesh Num. 14 = 10 spies gave unfavorable report Num. 21 = wanted water, hated the manna Num. 12 = Miriam and Aaron Num. 16 = Korah, Dathan, Abiram

1 Cor. 10:10 “Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer.” ESV “nor grumble, as some of them did and were destroyed by the Destroyer.” Instead of murmuring get involved and help. Murmurers are generally shirkers !

Stumbling block Israel not allowed to enter land of Promise Wandered in wilderness What if Paul had been a murmurer ? How many people would he have converted? How many congregations would he have established?

Mob Mentality It spreads in a group “And the whole congregation --- murmured” 14:2 It is Divisive 14:4 = make a captain and return to Egypt Party spirit = Gal. 5:20 Does not preserve unity = Eph. 4:3

Purpose = to prove that God was speaking  Manna and Quail  Water from rock  Miriam’s Leprosy  Korah swallowed by earth  Aaron’s rod buds  Healed by brass serpent  Cloudy Pillar guided  Pillar of fire at night  Clothes lasted  None of these diseases

 Not explained away as natural events  Miracle is not an ordinary natural event  If it was not a miracle then the Bible is not inspired!  Age of miracles has passed – 1 Cor. 13:8

 God is the author of order  He warns about murmuring  Miracles were an important part

Numbers 1 – Moses commanded to take a census The Lord knew all of them by name 2 Tim. 2:19 “…the Lord knoweth them that are his.” Are you in that number Must be born again - John 3:3-5 Israelites headed to promised land Wandered in wilderness Why? Lack of Faith Many Christians turn back

Matthew 7: Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: 14. Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

Sermon by Arthur Pigman Evans Church of Christ 515 Gibbs Road Evans, Ga Sunday Evening November 13, 2011