Summary of the Book of Numbers
The English name of the book comes from the Septuagint, and is
based on the census lists found in chapters 1 and 26. The Hebrew
title of the book (bemidbar, "in the desert") is more descriptive
of its contents. The book of Numbers is largely Narrative History.
It was written by Moses about 1450-1410 B.C. Key personalities
include Moses, Aaron, Miriam, Joshua, Caleb, Eleazar, Korah, and
Balaam.
The purpose of this book is to tell about how Israel prepared to
enter the promise land, but sinned and was punished. It
describes Moses taking two population censuses, hence the name
Numbers.
Numbers tells the story of Israel's 38-year journey in the desert
from Mount Sinai to the plains of Moab on the border of Canaan.
It tells of the murmuring and rebellion of God's people and of
their following judgment. Those whom God redeemed from
slavery, and made a covenant at Mount Sinai did not respond
with faith, gratitude and obedience but with unbelief, ingratitude
and repeated acts of rebellion, the last of which was their refusal
to enter the conquest of Canaan. This generation of Israel
forfeited their part in the Promised Land. They were condemned
to live in the desert until they all died. Their children would enjoy
the fulfillment of the promise that originally was theirs.
Theological Teaching
As Numbers begins, the Lord organizes Israel into a military
camp. Leaving Sinai, they march as his conquering army, with
the Lord at the head, to establish his kingdom in the Promised
Land in the midst of the nations.
Numbers also presents the sobering wrath of God against his
disobedient people. Because of their rebellion, especially the
nation's refusal to conquer Canaan, Israel was in breach of the
covenant. This fourth book presents a sobering reality: The God
who had entered into covenant with Abraham, who delivered his
people from bondage, brought Israel into covenant, and revealed
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his holiness was also a God of wrath. His wrath extended to his
disobedient children as well as the nations of Egypt and Canaan.
Even Moses was not exempt from God's wrath when he disobeyed
God. Miriam's and Aaron's death is the passing of the old guard.
Those whom God used to establish the nation are dying before
the nation has come into its own.
In the account of Balaam, the pagan diviner, the Lord, working in
a providential and direct way, proclaims his continued faithfulness
to his people despite their unfaithfulness to him.
Balaam is Moab's answer to Moses, the man of God. He is an
internationally known prophet who shares the pagan belief that
the God of Israel is like any other deity who could be
manipulated. But when Balaam first encounters the one true God
in visions, and the journey on the donkey, he learns that dealing
with the true God is entirely different from what he has known.
When he tries to curse Israel for Balak, king of Moab, Balaam
finds his mouth unable to express the curse he wants to say.
Instead, he gave blessings on Israel and curses on its enemies
In his seven prophetic oracles, Balaam proclaims God's great
blessing for his people. Numbers reaffirms that despite his
judgment on his rebellious people, God is still determined to bring
Israel into the land of promise.
Structure and Outline
The book has three major divisions, based on Israel's
geographical locations. Each of the three divisions has two parts,
as the following breakdown demonstrates:
(1)
Israel at Sinai, preparing to depart for the land of
promise followed by the journey from Sinai to Kadesh.
(2)
Israel at Kadesh, delayed as a result of rebellion,
followed by the journey from Kadesh to the plains of Moab;
(3)
Israel on the plains of Moab, anticipating the conquest
of the land of promise, followed by appendixes dealing with
various matters.
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At the beginning of Numbers, Israel prepares to continue the
journey from Mount Sinai to Israel. God assigns one of the twelve
tribes, the Levites, to assist Aaron in the work of the priesthood,
maintaining and watching over Israel’s religious articles. After
dedicating the Tabernacle, which houses the Ark of the Covenant,
the Israelites leave Sinai, guided by the movements of a cloud
that rests over the Tabernacle. Entering the desert, the people
begin to complain about everything from the lack of interesting
food to Moses’s leadership.
From chapters 1-9 the Israelites are preparing for their journey
and entry into the promise land. Moses begins by taking a census
of all the tribes, primarily to see how many men are available and
in shape for military service. Next, Moses dedicates the Levites
and instructs the Nazarite vows and laws. During this time, the
Israelites celebrate the 2nd Passover one year after their exit
from bondage.
In chapters 10-12, the Israelites travel from the wilderness in
Sinai towards Israel. The people complain about their food, God
gives them quail, but also sends them a plague. Miriam and
Aaron learn a lesson about whom God places in leadership.
In chapters 13-19, we see severe punishment for disobedience
and unfaithfulness to God. Moses sends out 12 spies to perform
reconnaissance on Israel. The 12 spies return and only two of
them bring good news. The people fear the occupants and rebel
against taking the land. God delivers a heavy curse. He
announces that the current generation of Israelites, with the
exception of Joshua and Caleb, will not be allowed to enter the
Promised Land. For this God punishes them and sends them into
the wilderness for forty years to roam.
Another revolt occurs when three men challenge Moses’s
leadership. God plans to destroy the entire nation because of
these men, but Moses persuades God to destroy only the guilty
parties. Moses warns the people that the men will die as a result
of their own disobedience. God causes the ground to open and
swallow the men, but the Israelites blame Moses and Aaron for
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the incident. Very angry, God sends a plague through the crowd,
killing thousands. Aaron runs out into the crowd and holds up the
priest’s censer to atone for Israel’s wrongdoing, stopping the
plague in its destructive path.
The last chapters, 20-36, the new generation of Israelites again
attempt to enter the land to take it as God promised. This time
they easily destroy two nations that confront them as they are
entering. Balak uses his prophet Balaam to learn to seduce the
Israelites to worship Baal. Because of this disobedience, about
24,000 people die, including Balaam.
Following this event, Moses and Aaron themselves disobey God.
The people continue to complain about the lack of water and
wanted to go back in Egypt. God instructs Moses to speak to a
rock and command it to produce water. Moses, instead, hits the
rock angrily with his staff. The rock produces water, but God tells
Moses and Aaron that they, too, will never enter the Promised
Land because of this act. Aaron dies soon after, and the
priesthood passes on to Aaron’s son Eleazar
Before Numbers ends, Moses again conducts a census, and
Joshua assumes the leadership of Israel in place of Moses who is
banned from the promise land, due to his disobedience.
The teaching of this book has lasting significance for Israel and
for the church. God does display his wrath even against his
disobedient people, but his grace is renewed and his redemptive
purpose will not be thwarted.
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