Bartley Christian Church
FEED 210 Mentoring Through The Old Testament
Year: 2015
Chief Facilitator: Mah Yeow Beng
FEED 210 Mentoring Through The Old Testament
Summary Sheet 6/45
NUMBERS
1. Introduction
a. Numbers is a book of divine discipline.
i. Numbers begins with the old generation (1-14),
ii. moves through a tragic transitional period (15-20),
iii. and ends with the new generation (21-36) at the doorway to the land of Canaan.
b. Numbers was written to trace the history of Israel’s wanderings from Sinai to Moab.
i. But the fact that there is almost no record of the 38 years of wandering shows that
Numbers is a very thematic history.
ii. It selects those events that are important to the development of God’s
redemptive program.
2. Theme and Purpose of the Book
a. The consequence of disbelief and disobedience to a holy God.
b. Though God disciplines his people for their disbelief and disobedience; He remained
faithful to His Covenant promises.
c. Numbers displays God’s patience, holiness, justice, mercy, and sovereignty.
d. It teaches that there are no shortcuts to his blessings.
e. God uses trials and tests for specific purposes.
3. Relationship to Other Books
a. Genesis, Exodus & Leviticus
i. In Genesis: God elected a people.
ii. In Exodus: He redeemed them.
iii. In Leviticus: He sanctified them.
iv. In Numbers: He directed them.
1. So Numbers takes up the story where Leviticus left off, on Mount Sinai.
While Leviticus describes the believer’s worship, Numbers their walk.
b. New Testament
i. In Numbers 24:17, Balaam foresaw the reign of Christ:
“ I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near; a star shall come from Jacob, and a
scepter shall rise from Israel…”
ii. 1 Cor. 10:1-13 and Hebrews 3:7-4:6 turn to the wilderness experience
1. To illustrate the importance of vigilance to handle temptations (1 Cor.
10:1-13).
2. To warn against unbelief (Hebrews 3:7-4:6).
iii. Christ points to the bronze serpent as a type of the crucifixion (John 3:14, cf.
Numbers 21:4-9)
iv. The rock that provided water was also a type of Christ (1 Cor. 10:4)
v. The daily manna also pictured the Bread of Life who came down from heaven
(John 6:31-33)
4. 2 Possible Outlines
a. NUMBERS records
i. 2 generations (1-14 and 25-36)
ii. 2 numberings (1 and 26)
iii. 2 journeys (10-14 and 21-27)
iv. 2 sets of instructions (5-9 and 28-36)
Summary 6/45: Numbers
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Bartley Christian Church
FEED 210 Mentoring Through The Old Testament
Year: 2015
Chief Facilitator: Mah Yeow Beng
GEOGRAPHY
A
At Sinai-a few weeks (1:110:10)
B
1:1-10:10 At Sinai
10:11-12:16 Journey to Kadesh
Barnea
To Moab-about 39 years
(10:11-22:1)
The Old Generation(1:1-14)
13:1-20:21 At Kadesh Barnea
20:22-22:1 Journey to Moab
At Moab-a few months (22:2 –
36:13)
GENERATIONS
22:2-36:13 At Moab
The Tragic Transition (14-25)
The New Generation (26-36)
5. THE THEOLOGY OF THE BOOK OF NUMBERS
a. The character of God
i. His dwelling presence
1. Symbolized by the fiery cloud
a. Provided direction (9:15-23)
b. Provided protection (10:33-36)
c. Provided communication (11:25; 14:10-11)
d. Provided judgment (12:5-10)
2. Requires the land and its people to be holy (35:34)
ii. His holiness
1. Judgment on the people’s sin. Ex. Man gathering wood on the Sabbath.
iii. His graciousness and faithfulness
1. Based on God’s past promises (14:16)
2. Based on God’s present actions
a. Stops judgment at the intercession of Moses (11:2; 12:13)
b. Stops judgment at the acts of atonement by priests (16:47; 25:7)
3. Based on God’s future laws
a. Given while still in the wilderness but point ahead to the time in
which they will be in the land (15:2).
b. Provides assurance of God’s fulfillment of His promise in spite of
their own unbelief.
iv. His constancy
1. His character and requirements do not change (23:19)
2. The repetitions and cycles we have recognized in the book seem to
emphasize the fact that each generation must confront the unchanging
nature and requirements of God and respond with faith.
b. The acts of God
i. The blessing
1. Aaronic Blessing (6:22-27)
2. Whom God has blessed no one can curse (22:12; 23:8; 24:9)
ii. The land
1. Promise:
a. The Lord has given it to Israel (Num. 32:7, 9)
2. Holiness:
a. The land of Canaan was to be a holy land
i. God was dwelling there (35:34)
ii. Therefore the native inhabitants and their idols were to be
driven out (33:51-53)
iii. The land was to be Israel’s permanent possession (cf. 36)
c. The Response of God’s People
i. The Sinfulness of Humanity
ii. The necessity of obedience to Yahweh
iii. The consequences and tragedy of disobedience
Summary 6/45: Numbers
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