1. January 14, 2018

2. Numbers

3. An Overview of the Book of Pentateuch
Our Approach Feb.18 – Numbers Feb. - Deuteronomy

4. Numbers
The name Numbers comes from the Greek arithmoi (numbers), which refers to the lists of fighting men.
The Hebrew title comes from the fifth word meaning “in the wilderness” (b’midbar).

5. Moses
Like the previous books of the Pentateuch, the book of Numbers was written by Moses.
Num. 33:1-2 refers directly to Moses writing at the Lord’s command.

6. Post-Mosaica
There are passages that are understood as being added after Moses.
12:3
21:14-15
32:34-42
11:16 (Material that Moses dictated)

7. Did Moses use sources?

8. Sources Pentateuch Sources/ Oral tradition MOSES + Inspiration
= Written text
Preservation
Inspired Editing
Post-Mosaica
Pentateuch
Witness/
Experience

9. Moses’ Sources
Like the other books of the Pentateuch Moses (probably) used sources to gather background material for Numbers.
Num. 1
Num. 26

10. Meaning - Purpose Purpose
“To call the second generation of Israel to arms as the holy army of God.”
God had magnificently formed the first generation into an army
That generation failed and was chastised
God mercifully reorganized the second generation
He Gave Us Stories, Richard L. Pratt

11. Genesis The Garden and the Land Covenant Loyalty
One of Moses’ central concerns was identifying Eden with Canaan.
Covenant Loyalty
Eden was a place of blessing, but it was holy and required the to be holy
Leaving Egypt is God’s plan

12. Structure Preparation of the First Generation Army (1:1-10:10)
Failed March of the First Generation Army (10:11-25:18)
Preparation of the Second Generation Army (26:1-36:13

13. Structure Preparation of the First Generation Army (1:1-10:10)
Census & military arrangement (1-4)
Consecration for holy war (5-8)
Divine acceptance and assurance (9-10:10)
 Failed March of the First Generation Army (10:11-25:18)
Early travels (10:11-12)
Wilderness Wandering (13-21)
Balaam and Balak (22-25)
 Preparation of the Second Generation Army (26:1-36:13)
Census and continuity (26-27)
The Tabernacle Reaffirmed (28-31)
Preparation for conquest (32-36)

14. The First Census The geography shows the unity of the Pentateuch
While at Sinai God orders a census. Exodus ends at Sinai, Leviticus takes place at Sinai, and numbers follows Israel from Sinai to the plains of Moab.
The census shows God’s grace on the nation
The number of fighting men shows God’s blessing in growing Israel into a mighty army to be feared.
The Levites were set apart for temple service and were not counted.

15. Arrangement of the Camp
The Lord demonstrated His kingship by ordering the camp and placing the Tabernacle at the center
This was a visible reminder of Israel’s dependence on Yahweh
God was present with His people

16. Encampment of the Tribes of Israel
Naphtali
Asher
Dan*
Gershonites
Moses & Priests
Ephraim*
Merarites
Judah*
Manasseh
Issachar
Tabernacle
Benjamin
Kohathites
Zebulun
Gad
Simeon
Reuben*

17. The Levites Aaron is mentioned first as the head of the Levites
He and sons anointed as priests
Levites consecrated as the first-born (3:11-13)
Duties
Gershonites - tent
Kohathites - ark and furniture
Merarites - frame
Aaron’s family - ministry to the Lord

18. Consecration for holy war (5-8)
Cleansing of the camp (5:1-4)
Israel would not achieve victory if there was sin in the camp
Joshua 7
Acts 5

19. Divine Assurance
The first generation began their march with God’s assurance
They celebrated a second Passover
They heard the sound of the trumpets
The Glory Cloud lead them

20. Failed March of First Generation (10:11-25:18)
Early travels (10:11-12)
The people are tested early, and they follow the Lord (10:11-36)
They begin to complain 11:1-3
The Lord responds
Miriam and Aaron (12) – ethnic prejudice and jealousy
Some scholars call this the foreshadowing of the first generation’s failure

21. Wilderness Wandering (13-21)
In this section we see rebellion and its consequences, unbelief, and the failure of Moses as mediator
Failure of the spies, 13:1-33
The sin of unbelief (13:31)
Rebellion and unbelief, 14:1-4, 10-12
Ps. 95:7-11
1 Cor 10:5 

22. Moses’ intercession for the People
God’s power (14:13-17)
God‘s love (14:18-19)
God’s curse (14:22-23; 28-29)
Promise of a remnant (14:31)

23. The Danger of Presumption (14:39-45)
Israel tries to right a wrong
Their presumption leads to death (14:44-45)
Those who disobey Christ will suffer the same fate

24. Balaam and Balak (22-25)
Yahweh keeps His promise in the face of a false prophet
Summoning of Balaam (22:1-40)
Israel strikes fear in the heart of the king of Moab
Balaam’s Prophecies (22:41-24:24)
The Sequel or Aftermath (24:25-25:18)
2 Peter 2:14-16

25. Other Notable Episodes
Sabbath-breaker stoned (15:32-36)
Korah’s rebellion (16:1-40)
Grumbling against Moses and Aaron (16:41-50)
Yahweh Confirms Aaron’s authority (17:1-13)
Contention over water (20:2-13)
Complaint & the bronze serpent (21:4-9)

26. Preparation of the Second Generation Army (26:1-36:13)
Census and continuity (26-27)
The Tabernacle Reaffirmed (28-31)
Preparation for conquest (32-36)

27. The Second Census A new Count (26:1-51)
Rules for Land allotment (26:52-56)
Count of the Levites (26:57-65)
Tribal Continuity (27:1-11)
Moses’ Successor (27:12-23)

28. The Second Census 603,550 vs. 601,730 Decreased numbers
The census and land allotment
Covenantal Significance: What does this say about our sin?

29. The Tabernacle Reaffirmed (28-31)
The centrality of the Tabernacle (28:1-2)
Daily Offerings
Weekly Offerings
Monthly Offerings
Annual Offerings
Holy Vows (30:1-16)
Defeat of Midian and the Spoils

30. Preparation for conquest (32-36)
Request of the Transjordan tribes (32)
Israel’s Travel and Call to Conquest (33)
Boundaries of the Land (34:1-15)
Distributors of the Land (34:16-29)

31. Key Themes in Numbers
God prepared the people with everything they needed to succeed in the Promised Land
The first generation failed because they were thank-less and faith-less
God raised up a second generation who would succeed only if they remained faithful to the covenant

32. Covenantal Significance
God prepared the people with everything they needed to succeed in the Promised Land
The first generation failed because they were thank-less and faith-less
God raised up a second generation who would succeed only if they remained faithful to the covenant

33. References
An Introduction to the Old Testament: Second Edition, Tremper Longman III,‎ Raymond B. Dillard
Spirit of the Reformation Study Bible, Richard Pratt Jr. General Editor
An Old Testament Theology: An Exegetical, Canonical, and Thematic Approach, Bruce K. Waltke and Charles Yu
He Gave Us Stories: The Bible Student's Guide to Interpreting Old Testament, Richard L. Pratt Jr.
Numbers–Ruth (The Expositor's Bible Commentary), Tremper Longman III & David E. Garland (Editors)
Numbers (Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries), Gordon J. Wenham
Lectures on the Pentateuch, Rev. Michael J. Glodo