Module 8: The Wilderness Sojourn (Numbers)
1. The People Ready (Numbers 1-10: Sinai)
In the Text
“Numbers”
Organization of the camp
Levites (Num 3-4, 8)
Identity (3:11-13)
Service
God’s wrath (Num 1:53; 4:17-20)
Purity of the camp (Num 5; esp v 5)
Nazirites (Num 6)
Passover (Num 9)
Cloud above tabernacle (Num 9)
Trumpets (Num 10)
Behind the Text
Tribal encampments
At rest
At war
In Front of the Text
Biblical accounting
2. The People NOT Ready (Numbers 11-20: Paran to Zin)
In the Text
Chronic faithlessness
Complaining (Num 11)
*Divine judgment (fire)…and its limits
*Divine provision (70 elders and quail) and judgment (plague)
Opposition from Miriam/Aaron (Num 12)
*Divine judgment (leprosy) and vindication…and restoration
Report about Canaan and rebellion (Num 13-14)
*Divine judgment (plague/40 yrs)…and remnant
Case law: Sabbath breaker (Num 15)
*Divine judgment
Korah, Dathan & Abiram (Num 16)
*Divine judgment (earthquake/fire) and vindication
Water from the rock (Num 20; esp v 12)
*Divine judgment (Moses & Aaron) and vindication
[Regulations and case law in Num 15, 18, 19]
Behind the Text
Geography
Report about Canaan
Striking the rock
©BPG, 2014
In Front of the Text
Judgment is inevitable, but not God’s final response
God’s patience and “wrath” (16:46)
Some judgment threatens a complete restart (Num 14:12ff; 16:20-23)
Discipline “purges” the community
Lost and second chances (Num 14:40-45)
3. Opposition from “relatives” (Num 20-24)
In the Text
External threats
Edom blocks passage (Num 20)
Defeat of Arad, Sihon & Og (Num 21)
Moab, Midian and Balaam’s oracles (Num 22-24)
Behind the Text
Edom’s refusal
Balaam: sorcery, divination and prophecy
In Front of the Text
Anatomy of temptation
Stomachs (craving substance)
Censors (craving authority)
Sorcery (craving power)
Sex (craving pleasure)
God’s response to temptation
It’s not easy!
©BPG, 2014
4. A NEW People Ready? (Numbers 21-36: Moab)
In the Text
The pattern continues
The bronze snake (Num 21)
*Divine judgment (snake plague)… and reprieve
Moab/Midian seduces Israel (Num 25) honor restored
*Divine judgment (plague)… honor restored (Phinehas)
*Divine judgment on Midianites (Num 31)
Case law: Zelophehad’s daughters (Num 27, 36)
Review: Holy Days/Vows (Num 28-30)
The Divine Warrior, his holy army and “holy war”
Military census
(Num 1)
Order of encampment
(Num 2)
No defilement in the camp (Num 5:1-4)
Trumpet signals
(Num 10:1-10)
Order of march
(Num 10:11-28)
Military census
(Num 26)
Joshua named successor
(Num 27)
Priests accompany in battle (Num 31:6)
Purification after the battle (Num 31:19-24)
Holy spoils of war
(Num 31: 28-31)
Stages in the journey
(Num 33)
Boundaries of Canaan
(Num 34)
Levitical and refuge cities
(Num 35)
Special inheritance case
(Num 36)
Behind the Text
Geography: Levitical and refuge cities
Numbers (‘alluf)
Ethnicity
In Front of the Text
Mobilizing for war
5. Case study in leadership: Moses (Numbers)
In the Text
Characterization
Intercession
(Num 12:13; 14:15-24; 16:22; 16:46ff; 21:7; 27:15)
Trust
Delegation/Succession
(Num 11; 27:15-17)
Tragic Mistake
(Num 20)
Divine Vindication
(Num 12, 16, 17)
Relationship
Reproach
Restoration+
+
In Front of the Text
Death and succession of a leader
Reversal
HONOR GRANTED>CHALLENGED>VINDICATED>ENHANCED
Divine
Choice
Object Threat Descent
of Favor
Lament
Reversal &
Vindication
Prosperity
& Order
Job
1:8; 2:3
1:2-3
1:13-19 1:20-21
2:7
2:8,11-13
38:1-41:9
42:10-17
Moses
(Ex.)
2:1,2
2:5-10
2:11-15a
12:29-36
14:19-31
(12:24-27)
Joseph
(Gen.)
37:5-9
37:3
39:2 39:2-6;21-2
I Sam. 312 Sam. 4
2 Sam 7-8
3:24-27
6:24
3:29-30
6:25-28
6:15,16
8:10-12
(chps. 10-13)
David
16:12,13 16:18-23
(I Sam.)
18:2,3
Daniel
1:9,17
Nehemiah
Susanna
vv.2,3
Esther/ 2:5-7*
Mordecai
37:18-24
39:7-18
2:15b
37:4
18:8-11ff 22:1ff
1:9ff
6:3
3:12-15
6:6-9
2:8,18
1:3
1:4
(2:19; 4:1-14;
6:1-14)
v.4
2:9,15-18
3:21-23
6:16
vv.20,21vv.35,42-43 vv.61-62
3:1-15
4:1-17 6:1-12; 7:10;
9:1-2ff
v.64
10:1-3