The Book of Numbers
“Guide Me O Thou Great Jehovah”
Book of Numbers in the Old Testament
Law (5)
History (12)
Wisdom (5)
Prophecy (17)
Genesis
Exodus
Leviticus
Numbers
Deuteronomy
Joshua
Judges
Ruth
1&2 Samuel
1&2 Kings
1&2 Chronicles
Ezra
Nehemiah
Esther
Job
Psalms
Proverbs
Ecclesiastes
Song of
Solomon
Major Prophets
Isaiah
Jeremiah
Lamentations
Ezekiel
Daniel
Minor Prophets
Hosea, Joel,
Amos, Obadiah,
Jonah, Micah,
Nahum,
Habakkuk,
Zephaniah,
Haggai,
Zechariah,
Malachi
2
Time Period in OT History
Creation
The Flood
Patriarchs
Bondage in Egypt
1445-1405 B.C. Wilderness Wanderings (Num. & Deut.)
Conquest of Canaan
Period of the Judges
United Kingdom
Divided Kingdom
Captivity and Exile
Return and Restoration
3
Book Background
• Title: “Numbers” (1:2; LXX and Vulgate); “In the
wilderness” (1:1; Hebrew Bible)
• Authorship: Moses (Num. 33:1-2; Jn. 5:46-47)
• Date: 1445 – 1405 B.C.
• Audience: Future generations of Israelites will
be reminded not to follow the sins of their
ancestors.
4
Book Background
Numbers Is About…
Generation 1 (chap. 1-14)
Numbering 1 (chap. 1-4)
Instructions 1 (chap. 5-9)
Journey 1 (chap. 10-14)
The Number 2
Generation 2 (chap. 15-36)
Numbering 2 (chap. 26-27)
Instructions 2 (chap. 28-36)
Journey 2 (chap. 21-27)
5
Outline of the Book
• Israel at Mt. Sinai (Numbers 1-10)
– The original generation is given laws
• Israel in the Wilderness (Numbers 10-21)
– The transitional generation is given punishment
• Israel on the Plains of Moab (Numbers 22-36)
– The new generation is given laws
6
Outline of the Book
• Israel’s Direction from God (Numbers 1-10)
– Preparation for the journey
– Order of the old generation
• Israel’s Disbelief in God (Numbers 10-21)
– Trials of a journey
– Disorder of the transitional generation
• Israel’s Discipline from God (Numbers 22-36)
– Reminders of a journey
– Reorder of the new generation
7
Time Period of Events
• Israel at Mt. Sinai (Numbers 1-10)
– 20 days (1:1; 10:11)
• Israel in the Wilderness (Numbers 10-21)
– 38 years, 3 months, 10 days (10:11; 33:38)
• Israel on the Plains of Moab (Numbers 22-36)
– c. 6 months (33:38; Deut. 1:3)
8
Location of Events
• Israel at Mt. Sinai (Numbers 1-10)
– Lev. 27:34; Num. 1:1; 10:11
• Israel in the Wilderness (Numbers 10-21)
– 10:11; 21:33
• Israel on the Plains of Moab (Numbers 22-36)
– 22:1; 36:13
9
Geographical Location of Events
Numbers 22-36
Numbers 10-21
Numbers 1-10
10
Order of Israel’s Camp
Numbers 2:2
“God At the Center of Our Lives”
Dan
Asher
Naphtali
Levites
Ephraim
Manasseh Levites Tabernacle Levites
Benjamin
Levites
N
Reuben
Simeon
W
Gad
S
Judah
Issachar
Zebulun
E
11
Order of Israel’s March
Numbers 2:17
“God At the Center of Our Lives”
Dan
Ephraim
Asher
Manasseh Tabernacle
Naphtali Benjamin
Reuben Judah
Simeon Issachar
Gad
Zebulun
Order of March
12
Numbers 1-4
Lessons for Today
• Be among those numbered who are “able to go forth
to war” (1:3,26, etc.; 1 Tim. 1:18)
• Take the commandments of the Lord seriously
(1:51; 3:10,38; 4:15; Heb. 12:28-29)
• Do “according to all that Jehovah commanded”
(1:54; 2:34; Col. 3:17)
• God wants order – “by his own standard” - for our lives
as we travel through life (2:2; 1 Cor. 14:33,40)
13
Numbers 1-4
Lessons for Today
• Proceed forward with God – “the tent of meeting” - at
the center of your lives (2:2,17; Heb. 10:24-25)
• Fulfill the “service” of every faithful follower of God
(4:4; Rom. 12:1-2)
14
The Connection
Between Numbers 1-4 and Numbers 5-9
• The physical ordering of God’s people before the
march Canaan land(Numbers 1-4)
• The spiritual ordering of God’s people before the
march to Canaan land (Numbers 5-9)
15
The Nazarite Vow of Numbers 6
The Nazarite Vow
A Special Vow (Separation)
No Strong Drink (Stimulation)
No Hair Cut (Reputation)
Touch No Unclean Thing (Consecration)
Offering For Sin (Purification)
16
The Nazarite Vow of Numbers 6
The Nazarite Vow
Samson (Judges 13:5,7; 16:17)
Samuel (1 Samuel 1:11)
Israelite men (Amos 2:11-12)
John the Baptist (Luke 1:15)
?? Paul (Acts 18:18; 21:23-24) ??
17
The Priestly Blessing of Numbers 6
The Priestly Blessing
Protection
Grace
Peace
Character
Blessing
18
Numbers 5-6
Lessons for Today
• When the Lord speaks, we must listen (5:1,5,11;
6:1,22; Heb. 1:1-2)
• We must “put out of the camp” all uncleanness from
our lives (5:2-4; 2 Cor. 7:1)
• God will not allow uncleanness because he dwells “in
the midst” of his people (5:3; 1 Cor. 6:16)
• Sin is “against” God and makes us “guilty” before God
so we must “confess” it to God (5:6-7; 1 Jn. 1:7-9)
19
Numbers 5-6
Lessons for Today
• We sin “against” our spouse when we commit adultery
with another (5:12-13,27; Mk. 10:11-12)
• The one guilty of adultery is “defiled” before God and
commits a “trespass” and “iniquity” (5:13-14,27,29,31;
Heb. 13:4)
• A wife, “being under thy husband,” is bound by God’s
law to her husband (5:19,20,29; Rom. 7:2-3)
20
Numbers 5-6
Lessons for Today
• Let us “separate” ourselves unto the service of the
Lord (6:1; Rom. 6:13; 14:8; 1 Cor. 6:19)
• When you make a vow consider it carefully and
execute if faithfully (6:21; Eccl. 5:1-7; Jas. 5:12)
• The Lord will “bless” his people who fear him and
faithfully follow him (6:22-27; Psa. 115:13)
21
What Was the Levitical Age of Service?
20, 25, or 30?
• Scripture References: Num. 4:3,23,30,35,39,43,47
(age 30); Num. 8:24-25 (age 25); 1 Chron. 23:3,24,27
(age 30 and age 20); 2 Chron. 31:17 (age 20); Ezra 3:8
(age 20)
• Suggested Possibilities:
– One age (30) was for transportation (4:3,23); the
other (25) for the service (8:24-25); different ages
were used for different levels of work
– One age was for the wilderness (Num. 4; 8); the
other for settlement in the land (1 Chron. 23:26)
22
What Was the Levitical Age of Service?
20, 25, or 30?
• Suggested Possibilities – continued:
– The lowest age (20) was for a time when the Levite
numbers were in short supply (Ezra 2:40; 3:8)
– One age was for apprenticeship (25); the other for
full service (30)
– A textual variant in the ancient mss. accounts for
the different numbers; the LXX has “25” in both
Numbers 4:3 and 8:24
23
Numbers 7-10
Lessons for Today
• Let us bring our free-will “offerings” to the Lord
(7:2; 2 Cor. 8:5; 9:6-7)
• We must always follow the pattern laid out by God
(8:4; 2 Tim. 1:13)
• We must remove sin from our lives before we can
serve God acceptably and effectively (8:21-22;
Rom. 12:1-2)
24
Numbers 7-10
Lessons for Today
• We must wait to get God’s answer before we act
(9:8; Col. 3:17)
• Let us always follow God lead, guidance, and direction
as we travel through life (9:18,23; Jn. 16:13;
2 Tim. 3:16-17)
• God’s people are to assemble together, move together,
war together and feast together (10:1-10; Heb. 10:25)
25
Outline of the Book
• Israel at Mt. Sinai (Numbers 1-10)
– The original generation is given laws
• Israel in the Wilderness (Numbers 10-21)
– The transitional generation is given punishment
• Israel on the Plains of Moab (Numbers 22-36)
– The new generation is given laws
26
Outline of the Book
• Israel’s Direction from God (Numbers 1-10)
– Preparation for the journey
– Order of the old generation
• Israel’s Disbelief in God (Numbers 10-21)
– Trials of a journey
– Disorder of the transitional generation
• Israel’s Discipline from God (Numbers 22-36)
– Reminders of a journey
– Reorder of the new generation
27
Time Period of Events
• Israel at Mt. Sinai (Numbers 1-10)
– 20 days (1:1; 10:11)
• Israel in the Wilderness (Numbers 10-21)
– 38 years, 3 months, 10 days (10:11; 33:38)
• Israel on the Plains of Moab (Numbers 22-36)
– c. 6 months (33:38; Deut. 1:3)
28
Outline of Numbers 1-9
• Physical Ordering of Israel (Numbers 1-4)
– The numbering of men of war (Num. 1)
– The ordering of the camp and march (Num. 2)
– The duties of the Levites (Num. 3-4)
• Spiritual Ordering of Israel (Numbers 5-9)
– The removal of sin from the camp (Num. 5)
– The separation of Nazarites (Num. 6)
– The offerings of the tribes (Num. 7)
– The purification of the Levites (Num. 8)
– The Passover and the Lord’s direction (Num. 9)
29
Geographical Location of Events
Numbers 22-36
Numbers 10-21
Numbers 1-10
30
Geographical Location of Events
( Numbers 10-12 )
Wilderness of Paran
Num. 10:12; 12:16
Hazeroth
Kibrothhattaavah
Mt. Sinai
31
Israel’s Trials and Punishments
“the anger of Jehovah was kindled”
Trials of Israel
Murmuring (11:1)
Lust to return (11:4ff)
Question leadership (12:2)
Punishments of God
Fire (11:1-3)
Plague (11:33-34)
Leprosy (12:10)
32
Numbers 10
Lessons for Today
• God’s people are to assemble together, move together,
war together and feast together (10:1-10; Heb. 10:25)
• Let us journey to our rest-land “according to the
commandment of Jehovah” (10:13; Col. 3:17)
• Let us journey to our rest-land while inviting others to
go with us – “come with us” (10:29; 1 Cor. 9:24-26)
• Let us journey while praying to the Lord and praising
him (10:35-36; Heb. 4:16)
33
Numbers 11
Lessons for Today
• The Lord can get angry with his people (11:1,10,33;
12:9; Rom. 1:18)
• The Lord is angry with his people when they murmur
(11:1; 1 Cor. 10:10; Phil. 2:14; 1 Pet. 4:9)
• Be careful not to return in your heart to the old way of
life after following the Lord (11:4-5; Acts 7:39;
2 Pet. 2:20-22)
34
Numbers 11
Lessons for Today
• The burden of leadership is not placed in the hands of
just one man (11:17; 1 Cor. 12-14; Phil. 1:1)
• There is nothing too hard for the Lord (11:23;
Mt. 19:26)
35
Numbers 12
Lessons for Today
• God’s people must be content to follow God’s
leadership arrangement (12:2; 1 Thess. 5:12-13)
• Speaking against God’s leaders is foolish and sinful
(12:11; Heb. 13:7,17)
• God hears the prayer of intercession for others (12:13;
1 Tim. 2:1-2)
36
Geographical Location of Events
( Numbers 13-14 )
Hormah
Kadesh-barnea
Wilderness of Paran
Num. 13:3,26
The Red Sea
37
The 12 Spies Sent Out
Numbers 13
Israel’s Trials and Punishments
“the anger of Jehovah was kindled”
Trials of Israel
Murmuring (11:1)
Lust to return (11:4ff)
Question leadership (12:2)
Murmur / Disbelief
(14:2,11,27,29)
Punishments of God
Fire (11:1-3)
Plague (11:33-34)
Leprosy (12:10)
40 years wandering, death,
rest-land denied (14:26-35)
39
Numbers 13
Lessons for Today
• We must never forget that God’s rest-land is a “good”
land given by God (13:2,19,27; 14:7; Rev. 21-22)
• Following God’s plan takes a strong courage and faith
(13:20; 2 Tim. 1:7-8)
• Following the “evil report” of the majority will make us
evil and will keep us out of our rest-land (13:32;
14:27,35; 1 Cor. 15:33)
• Encourage God’s people to do what is right (13:30)
40
Numbers 14
Lessons for Today
• The Lord is angry with his people when they murmur
(14:2; 1 Cor. 10:10; Phil. 2:14; 1 Pet. 4:9)
• Be careful not to return in your heart to the old way of
life after following the Lord (14:2-4; Acts 7:39;
2 Pet. 2:20-22)
• Those who murmur will make for themselves leaders
who will lead them in the direction they want to go
(14:4,10; 2 Tim. 4:3-4)
41
Numbers 14
Lessons for Today
• Fear God and obey him, not the people of the land
(14:8-9)
• Be willing to stand with the faithful minority than with
the faithless majority (14:10)
• Disbelief and disobedience will keep God’s people out
of God’s rest-land (14:11; Heb. 4:1-11)
• God hears the prayer of intercession for others (14:1319; 1 Tim. 2:1-2)
42
Numbers 14
Lessons for Today
• God is gracious and forgiving (14:18; Eph. 2:4-8)
• God may forgive a sin but allow the consequences of
that sin to remain (14:20-35)
• Failure to believe is man’s fault, not God’s fault
(14:11,22; Jn. 20:30-31)
• We must have “another spirit” – the spirit of Caleb
who fully followed the Lord (14:24; Mt. 22:36-37)
43
Numbers 14
Lessons for Today
• Don’t reject the good rest-land that God has provided
for you (14:31; Acts 13:46)
• Those who bring and “evil report” against God and his
people will be punished (14:36-37)
• The sin of presumption (thinking God is on our side
when he is not) will lead to failure (14:39-45)
44
Outline of the Book
• Israel’s Direction from God (Numbers 1-10)
• Israel’s Disbelief in God (Numbers 10-21)
– Journey begun (10)
– Murmuring (11)
– Questioning (12)
– Disbelief (13-14)
– Laws concerning offerings (15)
– Rebellion (16-17)
45
Geographical Location of Events
( Numbers 15-19 )
?
46
Israel’s Trials and Punishments
“the anger of Jehovah was kindled”
Trials of Israel
Murmuring (11:1)
Lust to return (11:4ff)
Question leadership (12:2)
Murmur / Disbelief
(14:2,11,27,29)
Murmur / rebellion
(16:1 -17:13)
Punishments of God
Fire (11:1-3)
Plague (11:33-34)
Leprosy (12:10)
40 years wandering, death,
rest-land denied (14:26-35)
Earth opened, fire, plague
(16:31-50)
47
Numbers 15
Lessons for Today
• Our sacrifices are a “sweet savor unto Jehovah”
(15:10,13; 2 Cor. 2:14-15)
• We have “one law” for everyone today – the Law of
Christ (15:16,29; Gal. 6:2; Jas. 1:25)
• Sins of ignorance are still sin and can be forgiven
(15:22-29; 1 Jn. 3:4; 5:17; Jas. 4:17)
• Some sins are “high-handed” and willful (15:30-31;
Heb. 10:26)
48
Numbers 15
Lessons for Today
• Find out what God wants for us before we act (15:24;
Col. 3:17)
• Keep God’s word at the forefront of your mind and do
not follow your heart or your eyes (15:37-41; 1 Jn. 5:2)
• Remember the true meaning of God’s commands
(15:38; Mt. 23:5)
49
Numbers 16
Lessons for Today
• Do not rebel, murmur or sin against God’s leadership
(16:1-11,30; Heb. 13:7,20)
• Those who disobey God in one matter will often
disobey in other matters (16:12-14)
• Do not join hands with those who rebel against God’s
leadership
• The sin of rebellion is punished by God and
remembered (16:31-39)
50
Numbers 16
Lessons for Today
• Some murmur when sinners are punished and thereby
sin themselves (16:41-50)
51
Numbers 17
Lessons for Today
• We need to accept divinely appointed leadership and
not murmur or rebel (17:1-13; Heb. 13:7,20)
52
Outline of the Book
• Israel’s Direction from God (Numbers 1-10)
• Israel’s Disbelief in God (Numbers 10-21)
– Journey begun (10)
– Murmuring (11)
– Questioning (12)
– Disbelief (13-14)
– Laws concerning offerings (15)
– Rebellion (16-17)
– Priests / levities duties & tithes (18)
– Purification of uncleanness (19)
53
Geographical Location of Events
( Numbers 15-19 )
?
54
The Red Heifer and Jesus Christ
Typology in Numbers 19
Red Heifer
Unblemished (v.2)
Killed outside the camp (v.3)
Blood shed for people (v.4)
Sprinkled & washed (v.19)
Made clean & pure (v.19)
Unclean cut off (v.20)
Jesus Christ
Hebrews 4:15; 7:26-27
Hebrews 13:11-13
Hebrews 9:13-15
Hebrews 10:22
Hebrews 9:22-23
Hebrews 10:26-31
55
Numbers 18
Lessons for Today
• Our priesthood is a “service of gift” to the Lord
(18:7; 1 Pet. 2:5-9)
• Those who minister to God may be supported by the
gifts from the people (18:8-20; 1 Cor. 9:13-14)
56
Numbers 19
Lessons for Today
• Like the red heifer without spot, Jesus is our blood
offering (19:2-4; Heb. 9:13-14)
• God’s people cannot be in fellowship with a holy God
with uncleanness in their life (19:13; 2 Cor. 12:21;
Gal. 5:19-21; Eph. 5:3; Col. 3:5; 1 Thess. 4:7)
• Man must purify himself from sin before he can be in
fellowship with a holy God (19:19-20; Acts 15:9;
Tit. 2:14; Heb. 1:3; Jas. 4:8; 1 Pet. 1:22; 1 Jn. 3:3)
57
Outline of the Book
• Israel’s Disbelief in God (Numbers 10-21)
– Journey begun (10)
– Murmuring (11)
– Questioning (12)
– Disbelief (13-14)
– Laws concerning offerings (15)
– Rebellion (16-17)
– Priests / levities duties & tithes (18)
– Purification of uncleanness (19)
– Meribah, Edom’s refusal, Aaron’s death (20)
– Fiery serpents, battles with Sihon and Og (21)
58
Geographical Location of Events
( Numbers 20-21 )
Oboth (21:10)
Kadesh (20:1,14)
Mt. Hor (20:22)
Red Sea (21:4)
(see Deut. 2:8)
59
Geographical Location of Events
( Numbers 20-21 )
Israel moves through
Bashan (21:33-35)
(see Deut. 3:1-11)
(Kingdom of Sihon)
Israel moves through
Amorites (21:21-31)
(see Deut. 2:20-37)
Israel moves through
Moab (21:10-20)
(see Deut. 2:8-19)
60
Israel’s Trials and Punishments
“the anger of Jehovah was kindled”
Trials of Israel
Murmuring (11:1)
Lust to return (11:4ff)
Question leadership (12:2)
Murmur / Disbelief
(14:2,11,27,29)
Murmur / rebellion (16:1 -17:13)
Strife at Meribah (20:2-13)
Speak against the Lord (21:4-9)
Punishments of God
Fire (11:1-3)
Plague (11:33-34)
Leprosy (12:10)
40 years wandering, death, restland denied (14:26-35)
Earth opened, fire, plague
(16:31-50)
Moses & Aaron rejected (20:12)
Fiery serpents (21:6)
61
The Brazen Serpent and Jesus Christ
Typology in Numbers 21
Brazen Serpent
Sin problem (v.5)
Sin punished (v.6)
Sin confessed (v. 7)
Serpent raised up (v.8)
Look and live (v. 8-9)
Jesus Christ
Sin problem (Jn. 3:18-20)
Sin punished (Jn. 3:18-20)
Sin confessed (Jn. 3:3,5,21)
John 3:14,36; 12:32-33
Look and live (Jn. 3:15-17)
62
Numbers 20
Lessons for Today
• Some of God’s people will complain after being
punished by God (20:2-5)
• One may partially obey God and still fully disobey God
(20:9,11; 1 Sam. 15:22-23; Mt. 28:20)
• When one disobeys God he does not sanctify (set
apart as holy) God and he rebels (20:12,24;
Num. 27:12-14; Deut. 1:37; 3:26; 4:21-22; 32:51-52;
Psa. 106: 32-33)
• Sin will not go unpunished (20:12; Gal. 6:9)
63
Numbers 21
Lessons for Today
• The Lord hears his people when they cry to him (21:3;
1 Jn. 5:14-15)
• It is a sin to speak against the Lord (21:5; Mt. 12:31;
Rev. 13:5-6; 16:9,11,21)
• The Lord punishes sin, but he also provides a remedy
for sin through Jesus Christ (20:6-9; Jn. 3:14-15)
• The Lord will help us fight our spiritual battles
(21:10-35; Eph. 6:10ff)
64
Outline of the Book
• Israel’s Direction from God (Numbers 1-10)
• Israel’s Disbelief in God (Numbers 10-21)
• Israel’s Discipline from God (Numbers 22-36)
– Reminders of a journey
– Reorder of the new generation
65
Time Period of Events
• Israel at Mt. Sinai (Numbers 1-10)
• Israel in the Wilderness (Numbers 10-21)
• Israel on the Plains of Moab (Numbers 22-36)
– c. 6 months (33:38; Deut. 1:3)
66
Location of Events
• Israel at Mt. Sinai (Numbers 1-10)
• Israel in the Wilderness (Numbers 10-21)
• Israel on the Plains of Moab (Numbers 22-36)
– 22:1; 36:13
67
Geographical Location of Events
( Numbers 22-36 )
(Kingdom of Sihon)
The Plains of Moab
at “Abel-Shittim”
22:1; 25:1; 33:48-49;
35:1; 36:13
68
Numbers 22-24
Lessons for Today
• Will we speak God’s word only – nothing more,
nothing less (22:8,12-13,20,35,38; 23:5,12,15-16,26;
24:2,13; 1 Pet. 4:11; 2 Jn. 9-11)?
• Will we choose worldly honor or obedience to God
(22:17; Mt. 16:26)?
• Will we die the death of the righteous (23:10;
2 Tim. 4:6-8)
69
Numbers 22-24
Lessons for Today
• A strong God will make a strong people (23:10,24;
24:9,21; Eph. 6:10)
• Jesus is the “star” and “sceptor” (ruler) from Jacob
(24:17; Gen. 49:10; Heb. 1:8; Rev. 22:16)
• Men can be corrupted by money (22:7; Deut. 23:4;
Neh. 13:2; 2 Pet. 2:15-16; Jude 11)
• Balaam had a conflict of character: both godly and
greedy (22:32-34; Jas. 1:8)
70
Leadership For A New Generation
Numbers 27:15-23
Joshua
27:17
27:18; Deut. 34:9
27:20
27:21
27:23
Character
Church Elders
Leadership
Spiritual
Honor / Obey
Follow God’s Word
Solemn Charge
Acts 20; 1 Pet. 5
1 Tim. 3; Tit. 1
1 Thess. 5; Heb. 13
Acts 20:32
Titus 1:5
71
Numbers 25
Lessons for Today
• God’s people can be easily influenced by the world
around them (25:1-2; Psa. 106:28-29; Hos. 9:10;
Rom. 12:1-2)
• Friendship with the world is enmity with God
(25:3-5,9,18; 31:1ff; Josh. 13:22; 1 Cor. 10:8; Jas. 4:4)
• God’s people can be so hardened that they commit sin
openly (25:6; 1 Cor. 5:1)
• There needs to be leaders among God’s people who
will zealously stand for right and be rewarded
(25:7-13; 1 Chron. 9:20; Psa. 106:30-31)
72
Numbers 25
Lessons for Today
• The world can deceive and beguile God’s people into
sin (25:16-18; 2 Cor. 11:3; Eph. 6:11)
• False teachers, like Balaam, can deceive the world and
in turn deceive God’s people (Num. 31:16; Mic. 6:5;
Rev. 2:14)
• Balak was unsuccessful in cursing Israel (Num. 22-24),
but successful in tempting Israel (Num. 25) – so the
Devil will try different means to destroy God’s people
(1 Pet. 5:8)
73
Numbers 26-27
Lessons for Today
• God’s people are reminded of the seriousness and
certainty of God’s punishments (26:9-10,61,64;
27:3,14; Heb. 3:17-19; 4:1; 10:31; 12:29)
• God’s people must turn to God’s word for answers to
their questions (27:5; Col. 3:17; Heb. 1:1-2)
• Men must be raised up to lead a new generation of
God’s people when older leaders pass away (27:15-23;
2 Tim. 4:1-8; Tit. 1:5-9)
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Outline of the Book
• Israel’s Direction from God (Numbers 1-10)
• Israel’s Disbelief in God (Numbers 10-21)
• Israel’s Discipline from God (Numbers 22-36)
– Reminders of a journey
– Reorder of the new generation
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Time Period of Events
• Israel at Mt. Sinai (Numbers 1-10)
• Israel in the Wilderness (Numbers 10-21)
• Israel on the Plains of Moab (Numbers 22-36)
– c. 6 months (33:38; Deut. 1:3)
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Location of Events
• Israel at Mt. Sinai (Numbers 1-10)
• Israel in the Wilderness (Numbers 10-21)
• Israel on the Plains of Moab (Numbers 22-36)
– 22:1; 36:13
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Geographical Location of Events
( Numbers 22-36 )
(Kingdom of Sihon)
The Plains of Moab
at “Abel-shittim”
22:1; 25:1; 33:48-49;
35:1; 36:13
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Outline of the Book
• Israel’s Discipline from God (Numbers 22-36)
– Balaam’s curses turned to blessings (22-24)
– Israel’s sin at Baal-peor (25)
– The people re-numbered (26)
– Zelophehad’s daughters and Joshua chosen to be
Moses’ successor (27)
– Laws concerning offerings and sacrifices (28-29)
– Laws concerning vows (30)
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Feasts and Festivals of Jehovah
Numbers 28-29
Exodus
Leviticus
Ex. 29:38-42
Ex. 20:8ff; 31:12
Lev. 23:3
Feast
Numbers
Daily
28:3-8
Sabbath
28:9-10
New Moon
28:11-15
Deuteronomy
Deut. 5:12-15
Ex. 12:2ff,43-49
Lev. 23:4-5
Passover
28:16
Deut. 16:1-2
Ex. 12:15ff; 13:3
Lev. 23:6-8
Unleavened B.
28:17-25
Deut. 16:3-8
Ex. 23:16; 34:22
Lev. 23:9-14
First-Fruits
28:26-31
Ex. 34:22
Lev. 23:15-21
Pentecost
Ex. 23:16
Lev. 23:23-25
Trumpets
29:1-6
Ex. 30:10
Lev. 16; 23:26ff
Atonement
29:7-11
Lev. 23:33-44
Tabernacles
29:12-38
Deut. 16:9-12
Deut. 16:13-17
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Numbers 28-29
Lessons for Today
• The life and service of a Christian is an unblemished
“offering” and “sacrifice” to God (28:1-2; 29:39-40;
Rom. 12:1-2; 15:16; Phil. 2:17; 4:18; Heb. 13:15-16;
2 Tim. 4:6; 1 Pet. 2:5)
• The service of a Christian is to be a “day by day”
sacrifice (28:3; Lk. 9:23; Acts 2:46-47; 1 Cor. 15:31;
2 Cor. 4:16; Heb. 3:13)
• The life and service of a Christian is a “sweet savor” to
God (28:8; 2 Cor. 2:15)
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Numbers 28-29
Lessons for Today
• The offering of Jesus Christ was a “sweet savor” to God
(28:8; Eph. 5:2)
• The “sabbath” rest for the Christian will be in heaven
(28:9; Heb. 4:9-11)
• Jesus is our “passover” sacrifice (28:17; Jn. 1:29;
19:36; 1 Cor. 5:7-8; 1 Pet. 1:18-19) and the life of a
Christian is “unleavened” (1 Cor. 5:7-8; 11:24)
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Numbers 28-29
Lessons for Today
• Christians are “first-fruits” unto the Lord (28:26;
Rom. 8:23; 16:5; 1 Cor. 15:20-23; 16:15; Rev. 14:4) and
the church began on “Pentecost” (Acts 2:1-5)
• A trumpet will call God’s people together when the
Lord returns (29:1-6; Cor. 15:52; 1 Thess. 4:16)
• Jesus is our atonement for sin (29:7; Heb. 9-10)
• All true Christians will “tabernacle” together to
worship the Lord (29:12; Zech. 14:16-21)
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Numbers 30
Lessons for Today
• Take your vows seriously. When you make a vow keep
it (30:2; Deut. 23:21-23; Eccl. 5:1ff; Mt. 5:37; Jas. 5:12)
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Request of Reuben, Gad, and Manasseh
Numbers 32
Israel’s Journey from Egypt to Plains of Moab
Numbers 33:3-49
Exodus 12-40
12-18
19-40
(Leviticus 1-27)
Numbers 33:3-49
Egypt to Mt. Sinai
(33:3-15)
Mt. Sinai
(33:15; see 1-10)
Mt. Sinai to Kadesh
(33:16-36; see 10-14)
Wilderness Journey
(33:37-47; see 15-21)
Plains of Moab
(33:48-49; see 22-36)
Deuteronomy 1-3
1:6-46
2:1 - 3:11; 10:6-7
1:1-5; 3:12-29
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Numbers 31
Lessons for Today
• People in the world who live in sin and do not obey
the gospel will be punished by the vengeance of God
(31:2-3; 2 Thess. 1:8-9)
• False teachers, like Balaam, can deceive the world and
in turn deceive God’s people (Num. 31:16; Mic. 6:5;
Rev. 2:14)
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Numbers 32
Lessons for Today
• We should not let our brethren go to war by
themselves (32:6-7,17,27,31-32; 1 Tim. 1:18; 6:12)
• Discouragement leads to disobedience and
punishment by God (32:7-10)
• A new generation of God’s people are not immune
from sin (32:14-15; Heb. 3:12-13)
• We must wholly follow God or be lost (32:12;
Mt. 22:37)
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Numbers 32
Lessons for Today
• Our sin will be exposed eventually (32:23; 1 Tim. 5:24)
• Let us keep every promise that proceeds out of our
mouth (32:24; Mt. 5:37; Jas. 5:12)
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Numbers 33
Lessons for Today
• We should drive out, destroy, and demolish worldly
influence among us (33:52; Eph. 5:12; 1 Jn. 2:15-17)
• Worldly influence left alone will hinder God’s people
(33:55; Rom. 12:1-2; 1 Cor. 15:33)
• God will punish the sins of the world and his children
who are influenced by the world (33:56; Jas. 4:4-10)
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