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Announcements Text

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 11Snow Day 1116 Feb 11Regulations of Offerings and Vows: 28:1-30: Feb 11Division of the Land: 31:1-33: Mar 11Further Division of the Land: 33:50-36:13

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

Key Points for Today’s Lesson Review the lesson from February 2 nd regarding the second census, inheritance, and Joshua’s selection to succeed Moses Review the offerings that were given daily, weekly, and yearly Review the various festivals Israel celebrated and the required sacrifices and offerings Review commands regarding vows given by Israel’s daughters, women, and wives

Last Week’s Lesson God directs Moses to take a second census of military-aged Israelite men The Levites, along with various branches, were counted A new law is introduced concerning an inheritance where no sons existed Joshua is selected to succeed Moses We learn why Moses is not allowed to enter into the Promised Land – his many sins

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

Census Overview TribesChap. 1Chap. 26IncreaseDecrease Reuben46,50043,730--2,770 Simeon59,30022, ,100 Gad45,65040,500--5,150 Judah74,60076,5001,900-- Issachar54,40064,3009,900-- Zebulun57,40060,5003,100-- Ephraim40,50032,500--8,000 Manasseh32,20052,70020,500-- Benjamin35,40045,60010,200-- Dan62,70064,4001,700-- Asher41,50053,40011,900-- Naphtali53,40045,400--8,000 Total603,550601,73059,20061,020 Total decrease1,820

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

Preparations continue for entrance into Canaan – Ch help to organize offerings and sacrifices into one central location, most had already been given – This would help ensure Israel remained in fellowship with God – These were the minimum number of sacrifices to be offered annually for the nation as a whole – Did not include individual sacrifices Lesson for Christians today – Importance of continuous fellowship with God – How do we do this today? Daily Offerings (28:1-:29:40)

But shouldn’t we sacrifice today? – Christ was THE sacrifice for our sins – Such sacrifices become redundant and even offensive Before Christ’s death, these sacrifices were the way God allowed His people to face their sins – An the need for God’s grace Frequency of Israel’s daily offerings – Daily (28:3-8) – Weekly (28:9-10) – Yearly (28:16-29:40) – Meal offerings and drink offerings included as well Daily Offerings (28:1-29:40)

Constable’s Chart

What are vows? – Specific promises to do or not do something if God would allow or now allow something to happen – Expressed thanks when God had done something special – Usually involved fasting or abstinence Refer to Leviticus 27 – How Israelites were to handle vows under the Law – Consecration of vows – Value of a vow – Cannot redeem a vow to the Lord Commands Regarding Vows (30:1-16)

Why would Moses include this section? – The coming conquest would invoke more vows – Festivals were an ideal time to act on vows Israelites were to take vows very seriously – However, four cases are illustrated where exceptions exist – Father or husband was unaware – Could be annulled when the father/husband became aware Reference Gen 3:6, Adam became culpable to Eve’s sin Commands Regarding Vows (30:1-16)

Review Review the lesson from February 2 nd regarding the second census, inheritance, and Joshua’s selection to succeed Moses Review the offerings that were given daily, weekly, and yearly Review the various festivals Israel celebrated Review commands regarding vows given by Israel’s daughters, women, and wives Next week: Division of the Land: 31:1-33:49