1. Old Testament Survey I Numbers: Israel’s Wilderness Wanderings
Hebrew title is “in the wilderness”
Old Testament Survey I
Numbers:
Israel’s Wilderness Wanderings

2. Setting
The book of Numbers takes place over a period of approximately 39 years (c – 1406 BC).
It records Israel’s movement from
the last 20 days at Sinai to
the wandering around Kadesh-Barnea to
the arrival in the Plains of Moab in the 40th year.

3. Structure: Three Major Divisions
The Journey from Sinai to Kadesh-Barnea (chaps. 1-12)
Israel in the Wilderness (chaps )
The Journey from Kadesh-Barnea to Moab (chaps )
Hope in the first and third sections, at least in the largest part of them; rebellious disaster in the middle section.

4. Structure The Journey from Sinai to Kadesh-Barnea (chaps. 1-12)
Preparation for the Journey (1-9)
Numbering and organization of people (1 – 4)
Instruction on leprosy, adultery, Nazirite vow (5 – 6)
Offerings, setting apart of Levites, Passover observance (7 – 9)
The Journey itself (10-12)
Israel in the Wilderness (chaps )
Crisis at Kadesh-Barnea (13-14)
Instruction after the Crisis (15)
Rebellion of Korah (16)
Affirmation of Aaron and Sons as Priests, Levites as Helpers (17 – 19)
Initial numbering was to determine the number who could go to war and drive out the Canaanites (Num 1:3): 603,550. Levites were not counted because they were not to go to war. Guided by both the Shekinah glory and by the sounding of trumpets. Korah, a Levite, along with 250 leaders, challenged Moses’ authority.

5. Structure The Journey from Kadesh-Barnea to Moab (chaps. 20-36)
Incidents Enroute to Moab (20 – 21)
Miriam dies
Moses strikes the rock at Kadesh
Messengers sent to King of Edom
Aaron dies
Israel’s victory over King Arad and the Canaanites at Hormah
Fiery and Bronze Serpents
Victories over Sihon and Og
Incident with Prophet Balaam (22 – 25)
New Numbering of the People; Joshua Commissioned (26-27)
Renewal of Instruction for Israel (28 – 30)
Preparation for Conquest of Promised Land (31 – 36)
New numbering came to 601,730 (26:51).

6. Major Themes Numbers The Wilderness Rebellion and Its Consequences
By Israel
By Aaron and Miriam
By Korah and Company
By Moses
Character of God
His patience
His wrath and discipline
His faithfulness to His covenant and His word
The Land

7. Purpose Statement
Israel’s failure to obey Yahweh brought discipline by death, but it did not frustrate His original purpose to establish and bless the nation.

8. Camp of Israel
Numbers 10 describes the order of departure.

9. Victories
over Sihon
& Og
Fiery serpents
37.5 years of wilder-
ness wandering; revolt
of Korah & company;
Miriam dies; Moses
strikes the rock.
Aaron dies; Eleazar
becomes High Priest
4. Rebellion by
Miriam & Aaron
(12:1-15)
3 months
3. Provision of Quail (11:31-34)
2. Appointment of 70 elders
(11:4-30)
1. Complaint after 3 days travel
(11:1-3)
11 months,
5 days at Sinai

10. Reuben, Gad, and half of Manasseh settle on the east side of the Jordan

11. Next Week: Deuteronomy
Moses’ Final Exhortation
1 Cor 10:1-11 as part of close.