Berean Bible Study
“Now these were more nobleminded, for they received the
Word with great eagerness,
examining the Scriptures daily, to
see whether these things were so.”
Acts 17:11
A Tour Through the Old Testament
Lesson 9
Numbers, & Deuteronomy: Direction & Instruction
I. Numbers
A. Introduction
Spiritual lesson
Theme – direction by God
Author
When Written
Audience
2 groups
1)
2)
Where
Purpose
1) Historical
2) Doctrinal
a)
b)
c)
3) Christological
a) 1 Corinthians 10:4
b) John 3:18
c) John 6:32
d) Omnipresence of Christ
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B. Direction from the Lord – Numbers 1-10
1. The Position of the People – Numbers 1-4
West
108,100
Benjamin
Ephraim
Manasseh
South
151,400
Simeon
Reuben
Gad
North
Levites
157,600
Naphtali
Dan
Asher
East
186,400
Issachar
Judah
Zebulon
D
a
n
If you were flying in a helicopter over the camp,
What would this symbol look like???
2. The Precepts from God – Numbers 5-6
3. The Provision of Cleansing – Numbers 7-9a
4. The Pilgrimage Toward the Promised Land – Numbers 9b-10
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C. Disbelief in the Lord – Numbers 11-14
1. Discontent with the Provisions of God – Numbers 11-12
2. Disbelief of God’s Promise – Numbers 13-14
D. Discipline from the Lord – Numbers 15-36
1. Passing of the Old Generation – Numbers 15-26
a. God: remember My commands and be holy – Numbers 15
b. Korah’s revolt against Moses – Numbers 16
c. God vindicates Moses – Aaron’s rod buds – Numbers 17
d. Regulations – Numbers 18-19
e. More disobedience, more retribution – Numbers 20-21
f. Balaam tries to curse God’s people, but God pronounces them righteous – Numbers 22-24
g. The old generation dies, the new generation is numbered – Numbers 25-26
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2. Preparation of the New Generation – Numbers 27-36
a. Instructions from Moses on the rights to the land – Numbers 27
b. Rituals to live by – Numbers 28-30
c. Revenge on the Midianites – Numbers 31
d. The Tribes of Reuben and Gad request to live east of Jordan – Numbers 32
e. Moses reviews the wanderings – Numbers 33
f. Boundaries of the Promised Land – Numbers 34
g. Cities of refuge for Levites and those committing involuntary manslaughter –
Numbers 35-36
All that’s left are Moses’ final farewell instructions
II. Deuteronomy
A. Introduction
Deuteronomy = “second law”
Role of each book:
Book
Genesis
Exodus
Leviticus
Numbers
Deuteronomy
Role
God’s sovereignty
God’s charity
God’s sanctity
God’s severity
God’s solemnity
Aspect
The plan of God
The redemptive power of God
The person of God
The providence of God
The principles of God
Author
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When Written
To Whom was it Written?
Where were the Israelites?
Purpose
Historical
Doctrinal
Christological
B. Past Deeds: Historical, Retrospective – Deuteronomy 1-4
1. Moses Reminds Israel of Their Past
a. Murmurings at Kadesh-Barnea – Deuteronomy 1
b. Sin causing wilderness wandering – Deuteronomy 2-3
2. Moses Warns Israel Before Entering Canaan
a. Obedience – “Give heed to the statutes and the ordinances which I teach you, and do
them, that you may live” – Deuteronomy 4:1
b. Take Possession – “And go in and take possession of the land which the Lord, the God of
your fathers, gives you” – Deuteronomy 4:1
C. Present Duties: Legislative, Introspective – Deuteronomy 5-11
1. Restatement of the Sinai Laws
a. Ten Commandments restated – Deuteronomy 5a
b. Ten Commandments reinterpreted to meet new conditions of the new generation –
Deuteronomy 5b-11
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2. Restatement of Special Laws
a. Ceremonial Duties – Deuteronomy 12-16a
b. Civic Duties – Deuteronomy 16b-20
c. Social Duties – Deuteronomy 21-26
Crime
Premeditated Murder
Kidnapping
Striking or Cursing Parents
Magic and Divination
Bestiality
Sacrificing to False Gods
Profaning the Sabbath
Offering Human Sacrifice
Adultery
Incest
Homosexuality
Blasphemy
False Prophecy
Incorrigible Rebelliousness
Fornication
Rape of Betrothed Virgin
The Death Penalty
Scripture Reference
Genesis 9:6; Exodus 21:12-14, 22-23
Exodus 21:16; Deuteronomy 24:7
Exodus 21:15; Leviticus 20:9; Proverbs 20:20;
Matthew 15:4; Mark 7:10
Exodus 22:18
Exodus 22:19; Leviticus 20:15-16
Exodus 22:20
Exodus 35:2; Numbers 15:32-36
Leviticus 20:2
Leviticus 20:10-21; Deuteronomy 22:22
Leviticus 20:11-12, 14
Leviticus 20:13
Leviticus 24:11-14, 16, 23
Deuteronomy 13:1-10
Deuteronomy 17:12; 21:18-21
Deuteronomy 22:20-21
Deuteronomy 22:23-27
D. Future Promise: Prophetic, Prospective – Deuteronomy 27-34
1. Israel’s Near Future
a. Disobedience brings cursing – Deuteronomy 27
b. Obedience brings blessing – Deuteronomy 28a
2. Israel’s Distant Future
a. Moses predicts Israel’s captivity & dispersion – Deuteronomy 28b-29
Fulfilled – 586 BC – Babylonian captivity
70 AD – to the world
b. Moses promises Israel’s ultimate return – Deuteronomy 30
Fulfilled partially in 1948 and fully at the Second Coming of the Messiah
3. Farewell – Deuteronomy 31-34
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E. The Shema – Deuteronomy 6:4-9
1. v.4 – “Hear O Israel”
2. v.4 – “The Lord our God, the Lord is One”
3. v.5 – “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your
strength”
4. v.6 – “These words which I command you shall be in your heart”
5. v.7 – “You shall teach them diligently to your children”
6. v.7 – “And talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk in by the way, when you
lie down, and when you rise up”
7. v.8 – “You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your
eyes”
8. v.9 – “You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates”
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Lesson 9
Questions
1. The size of Israel’s population provokes questions about the accuracy of the numbers in Numbers.
Did that many people wander in the wilderness? How did they survive? How did they manage
themselves?
2. Why were the people led back into the wilderness for forty years?
3. Read Deuteronomy 6:4-9. Meditate on each phrase of God’s commands, one at a time. How can
you apply God’s commands here to your own life?
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Berean Bible Study
“Now these were more nobleminded, for they received the
Word with great eagerness,
examining the Scriptures daily, to
see whether these things were so.”
Acts 17:11
A Tour Through the Old Testament
Lesson 9
Numbers, & Deuteronomy: Direction & Instruction
I. Numbers
A. Introduction
Book of census taking (numbering) and wandering
Spiritual lesson
God’s people cannot get into the promised land of His blessing without going
Through His wilderness of testing
Theme – direction by God
Pillar of cloud, illuminated by night
Numbers 9:15-23
Walk with God – a pilgrimage, call to faithfulness
Author
Numbers 1:1 – Moses
Acts 7 – Moses
When Written
Covers 38 years
Probably 1405 BC – at the end of the wandering
Audience
2 groups
1) Disobedient older generation
Who die in the wilderness
2) Under 20 years old
Who enter the promised land
Not included in the numbering
Message – don’t imitate your parents
Go to the land and possess it
Where
Wandering
Most of the time – Kadesh-Barnea
Also – at the Plains of Moab near Jericho
Purpose
1) Historical
Israel’s wanderings from Mt. Sinai to Mt. Nebo
Redemption to Faithlessness
2) Doctrinal
a) God’s providence is clear
b) God’s perseverance is clear
c) God’s demands are clear
3) Christological
a) Rock from which came water – 1 Corinthians 10:4
b) Serpent on the stake – John 3:18
c) Daily manna – bread of life – John 6:32
d) Pillar of cloud – omnipresence of Christ
B. Direction from the Lord – Numbers 1-10
1. The Position of the People – Numbers 1-4
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Numbers 2 – God gives camping instructions
The Israelites have left Egypt for the Promised Land
They are wandering in the wilderness for 40 years God gives Moses & Aaron
instructions for how to position the tribes when they camp each night
West
108,100
Benjamin
Ephraim
Manasseh
South
151,400
Simeon
Reuben
Gad
North
Levites
157,600
Naphtali
Dan
Asher
East
186,400
Issachar
Judah
Zebulon
D
a
n
If you were flying in a helicopter over the camp,
What would this symbol look like???
2. The Precepts from God – Numbers 5-6
How to handle uncleanness and sin in the camp
3. The Provision of Cleansing – Numbers 7-9a
Cleansing for each tribe through offerings
Culminating in the celebration of the Passover
4. The Pilgrimage Toward the Promised Land – Numbers 9b-10
God preparing His people to move forward
C. Disbelief in the Lord – Numbers 11-14
1. Discontent with the Provisions of God – Numbers 11-12
With the food – manna
With the leadership – Miriam & Aaron with Moses
People: let us go back to Egypt
Result: God speaks in angry vindication of Moses
God asks Moses to set up 70 elders to help with conflicts
2. Disbelief of God’s Promise – Numbers 13-14
At Kadesh-Barnea
Story of the Spies
God tells Moses to send spies to Canaan, one spy a leader from each tribe
To provide valuable information to Moses for the conquest of the land
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To determine the nature of the land, and of the strengths and weaknesses of the
people
Gone 40 days
Report (from 10 spies):
The land is truly flowing with milk and honey
Nevertheless the cities are fortified and the people strong – we saw giants
Exaggeration, faithless
Other spies – “We are not able to overcome”
“And they gave the children of Israel a bad report”
Report (from Caleb & Joshua):
Caleb: “Let us go up and take possession, for we are well able to overcome it”
Joshua” “If the Lord delights in us, then He will bring us in the land and give it
to us”
Response (from the people):
Crying and complaining
To Moses: “If only we had died in the land of Egypt”
“Why has the Lord brought us to this land to die by the sword”
“Let us select a leader and return to Egypt”
“All the congregation said to stone them (Joshua & Caleb) with stones”
Response (from God):
The glory of the Lord appeared in the Tabernacle
“How long will these people reject Me?”
Numbers 14:22 – “These ten times” – over and over again
“Except for Caleb and Joshua, you shall be no means enter the land”
“As for you, your carcasses shall fall in this wilderness”
“According the number of days in which you spied out the land, forty days, for
each day you shall bear your guilt one year, namely 40 years, and you shall
know my rejection.”
D. Discipline from the Lord – Numbers 15-36
1. Passing of the Old Generation – Numbers 15-26
a. God: remember My commands and be holy – Numbers 15
b. Korah’s revolt against Moses – Numbers 16
c. God vindicates Moses – Aaron’s rod buds – Numbers 17
d. Regulations – Numbers 18-19
e. More disobedience, more retribution – Numbers 20-21
Incident at Kadesh-Barnea
Once again, the people complain (no water) – “If only we have died”
God tells Moses to take his rod, speak to the rock, and water will come from the rock
Moses instead speaks to the people, calls them rebels
Water is delivered – called the “Water of Meribah” (Meribah = “contention”)
But God is not pleased with Moses
Numbers 20:12 – God to Moses: “Because you did not believe Me, to hallow Me in
the eyes of the children of Israel, therefore you shall not bring this assembly in the
land which I have given them”
f. Balaam tries to curse God’s people, but God pronounces them righteous – Numbers 22-24
g. The old generation dies, the new generation is numbered – Numbers 25-26
2. Preparation of the New Generation – Numbers 27-36
a. Instructions from Moses on the rights to the land – Numbers 27
b. Rituals to live by – Numbers 28-30
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c. Revenge on the Midianites – Numbers 31
d. The Tribes of Reuben and Gad request to live east of Jordan – Numbers 32
Granted, provided they help other tribes settle in the west
e. Moses reviews the wanderings – Numbers 33
f. Boundaries of the Promised Land – Numbers 34
g. Cities of refuge for Levites and those committing involuntary manslaughter –
Numbers 35-36
All that’s left are Moses’ final farewell instructions
II. Deuteronomy
A. Introduction
Deuteronomy = “second law”
Or “second giving of the law” (not a different law)
st
1 giving - at Mt. Sinai to older generation
2nd giving – on Plains of Moab to new generation
Just prior to entering the Promised Land
A series of farewell speeches by Moses
Final book of Pentateuch
Role of each book:
Book
Genesis
Exodus
Leviticus
Numbers
Deuteronomy
Role
God’s sovereignty
God’s charity
God’s sanctity
God’s severity
God’s solemnity
Aspect
The plan of God
The redemptive power of God
The person of God
The providence of God
The principles of God
Author
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Deuteronomy 1:1; 4:44 – Moses claims to have written it
Deuteronomy is the most quoted OT book - >80 times
Jesus used words of Deuteronomy to resist Satan
Jesus attributed words of Deuteronomy to Moses – Matt. 19:7
Joshua attributed Deuteronomy to Moses – Joshua 1:7
Rest of OT attributed Deuteronomy to Moses – Judg. 3:4; Ez 3:2; Dan 9:31
Details display firsthand acquaintance
Final chapter – death of Moses – probably written by Joshua
When Written
At end of 40 years wandering
1405 BC – just before Israel enters Promised Land
To Whom was it Written?
To new generation - <20 years old at Exodus
Renewal of covenants and the Law
Charge to inherit God’s blessings
Where were the Israelites?
East of Jordan River on Plains of Moab
East of the city of Jericho
Deuteronomy 1:1; 29:1
Joshua 1:2
Purpose
Historical
Review Israel’s history as a nation
Renew God’s covenant concerning the land of Canaan
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Doctrinal
Restatement and reinterpretation of Israel’s national laws and ordinances
How to live a victorious life in the land of blessing
Lesson – obedience to God’s law is required for blessing
Christological
Deuteronomy 18:15 – God will raise up a Prophet
Deuteronomy 30 – Prophecies concerning the scattering and restoration of Israel
B. Past Deeds: Historical, Retrospective – Deuteronomy 1-4
1. Moses Reminds Israel of Their Past
a. Murmurings at Kadesh-Barnea – Deuteronomy 1
b. Sin causing wilderness wandering – Deuteronomy 2-3
2. Moses Warns Israel Before Entering Canaan
c. Obedience – “Give heed to the statutes and the ordinances which I teach you, and do
them, that you may live” – Deuteronomy 4:1
d. Take Possession – “And go in and take possession of the land which the Lord, the God of
your fathers, gives you” – Deuteronomy 4:1
C. Present Duties: Legislative, Introspective – Deuteronomy 5-11
1. Restatement of the Sinai Laws
a. Ten Commandments restated – Deuteronomy 5a
b. Ten Commandments reinterpreted to meet new conditions of the new generation –
Deuteronomy 5b-11
1) Moses as the law’s mediator
2) The meaning for the people
3) Reminds Israel of God’s grace despite disobedience
2. Restatement of Special Laws
a. Ceremonial Duties – Deuteronomy 12-16a
Statutes, ordinances related to sacrifices, tithes, feasts
b. Civic Duties & Leaders – Deuteronomy 16b-20
Judges, strangers, landowners, soldiers
And the Ultimate Leader – Deuteronomy 18:15
c. Social Duties – Deuteronomy 21-26
Family, friends, brotherhood of Israel
Crime
Premeditated Murder
Kidnapping
Striking or Cursing Parents
Magic and Divination
Bestiality
Sacrificing to False Gods
Profaning the Sabbath
Offering Human Sacrifice
Adultery
Incest
Homosexuality
Blasphemy
False Prophecy
Incorrigible Rebelliousness
Fornication
Rape of Betrothed Virgin
The Death Penalty
Scripture Reference
Genesis 9:6; Exodus 21:12-14, 22-23
Exodus 21:16; Deuteronomy 24:7
Exodus 21:15; Leviticus 20:9; Proverbs 20:20;
Matthew 15:4; Mark 7:10
Exodus 22:18
Exodus 22:19; Leviticus 20:15-16
Exodus 22:20
Exodus 35:2; Numbers 15:32-36
Leviticus 20:2
Leviticus 20:10-21; Deuteronomy 22:22
Leviticus 20:11-12, 14
Leviticus 20:13
Leviticus 24:11-14, 16, 23
Deuteronomy 13:1-10
Deuteronomy 17:12; 21:18-21
Deuteronomy 22:20-21
Deuteronomy 22:23-27
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D. Future Promise: Prophetic, Prospective – Deuteronomy 27-34
1. Israel’s Near Future
a. Disobedience brings cursing – Deuteronomy 27
b. Obedience brings blessing – Deuteronomy 28a
These promises to be repeated at Mt. Ebal and Mt. Gerizon on entering Promised Land
2. Israel’s Distant Future
a. Moses predicts Israel’s captivity & dispersion – Deuteronomy 28b-29
Fulfilled – 586 BC – Babylonian captivity
70 AD – to the world
Deuteronomy 29:29
Ryrie: “This important verse sets the limits and purpose of God’s revelation: some things He chooses to
keep to Himself, but what He has revealed (through the Law, in this instance) is the business of His
children to obey.”
b. Moses promises Israel’s ultimate return – Deuteronomy 30
Deuteronomy 30:1-10
Regathering of Israel
Fulfilled partially in 1948 and fully at the Second Coming of the Messiah at the
Second Coming of the Messiah
1. v.5 – Restoration of the land of Palestine to the Israelites – Jeremiah 29:14
2. v.6 – A work of grace in the hearts of the Israelite people – Jeremiah 31:31-34
3. v.7 – Judgment of Israel’s enemies – Joel 3:1-2
4. v.9 – Prosperity in the land – Amos 9:11-15
3. Farewell – Deuteronomy 31-34
Moses now 120 years old
Because of sin – Moses will not enter the Promised Land (Numbers 20:1-12)
Farewell given on east banks of Jordan River
Pronounces Joshua as his successor – Deuteronomy 31
Composes a song about the Lord’s dealings with Israel – Deuteronomy 32
Gives a final sermon to the people – Deuteronomy 33
Moses is taken by God to Mt. Nebo
Dies and is buried by God in an unknown location
Moses next appearance
In the Promised Land
Matthew 17:3 – at the Mount of Transfiguration – with Jesus and Elijah
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E. The Shema – Deuteronomy 6:4-9
“Shema” = Hebrew word for “hear”
Has become the Jewish confession of faith, recited twice daily by orthodox Jews, along with
Deuteronomy 11:13-21 and Numbers 15:37-41
1. v.4 – “Hear O Israel”
Pay attention!!!
2. v.4 – “The Lord our God, the Lord is One”
It must start here – with a recognition that God is one and only, and He only is
worshiped
Also translated “The Lord is our God, the Lord alone”
“One” does not mean “singleness”, but “unity” (same word in Gen 2:24 – “one flesh”
So, although is a clear statement of monotheism, it does not exclude the concept
of a Trinity
3. v.5 – “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your
strength”
This is where it must go next – take care of our own spiritual condition before helping
others with theirs and serving them
Unreserved, wholehearted commitment expressed in love to God
4. v.6 – “These words which I command you shall be in your heart”
And this is how God wants our love to be demonstrated – through obedience
“In your heart” – think on these commandments and meditate on them so that obedience
would not be a matter of formal legalism but a response based on understanding
Jer. 31:31 – and essential part of the New Covenant
Not through some material representation
“To obey is better than sacrifice” – 1 Samuel 15:22 READ
5. v.7 – “You shall teach them diligently to your children”
Our first priority outside of our own spiritual condition
6. v.7 – “And talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk in by the way, when you
lie down, and when you rise up”
Part of the fabric of our being – inside and outside the house, from the beginning of the
day to the end
7. v.8 – “You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your
eyes”
Later in Jewish history, this phrase was taken literally and the people tied phylacteries
(boxes containing these verses) to their hands and foreheads with thongs of leather
8. v.9 – “You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates”
For all to see – so that all would know you belonged to God
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Lesson 9
Questions
1. The size of Israel’s population provokes questions about the accuracy of the numbers in Numbers.
Did that many people wander in the wilderness? How did they survive? How did they manage
themselves?
Twice during the wilderness wanderings a census of the people of Israel was taken (1:46; 26:51).
Each time the resulting total count of fighting men exceeded 600,000. These numbers indicate a
population for Israel in the wilderness of around 2.5 million people at any time. Viewed naturally,
this total appears too high to sustain wilderness conditions.
Before concluding that Moses inflated the numbers, several factors must be considered. First, the
Lord supernaturally took care of Israel for forty years (Deuteronomy 8:1-5). Second, God also
spelled out sanitary practices that prevented the kind of health crises that might have occurred
under those conditions. Third, while Israel wandered in the wilderness for forty years, they only
moved camp about forty times. Spending about a year in each campsite preserved some grazing
for the herds while keeping the people’s pollution to a manageable amount. Each census was meant
to be an accurate accounting of God’s people. They ought to be taken at face value.
- MacArthur
2. Why were the people led back into the wilderness for forty years?
Simply for disobedience, some quite serious, such as pagan idolatry and lack of faith. Many time,s
the Israelites distrusted God and His provision and protection. In Numbers 14:22, God says He has
heard their complaining “ten times.” So, back to the wilderness He would send them until they
learned the lessons of trust God had to teach them.
3. Read Deuteronomy 6:4-9. Meditate on each phrase of God’s commands, one at a time. How can
you apply God’s commands here to your own life?
I have a great responsibility as a parent to model and teach God and His commandments to my
children.
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