Numbers

SLAVERY IN EGYPT

EVERY parent knows the shrill whine of a

young child—a slow, high-pitched complaint

that grates on the eardrums and aggravates

the soul, The tone of voice is difficult to bear,

but the real irritation is the underlying cause—

discontentment and disobedience. As the

“children” of |srael journeyed from the foot of

Mount Sinai to the land of Canaan, they

grumbled, whined, and complained at every

turn. They focused on their present discomforts. Faith had fled, and they added an extra 40 years to their trip. Numbers, which records the tragic story of Israel's unbelief, should serve as a dramatic lesson for all of God’s people. God loves us and wants the very best for us. He can and should be trusted. Numbers also gives a clear portrayal of God’s patience. Again and again he withholds judgment and preserves the nation. But his patience must not be taken for granted. His judgment will come. We must obey. As Numbers begins, the nation of Israel wascamped at the foot of Mount Sinai. The people had received God’slaws and were preparing to move. A census was taken to determine the number of men fit for military service. Next, the people were set apart for God. God was making the people, both spiritually and physically, ready to receive their inheritance.

But then the complaining began. First, the people complained about the food. Next, it was over Moses’ authority. God punished some people but spared the nation because of Moses’ prayers. The nation then arrived at Kadesh, and spies were sent into Canaan to assess its strength. Ten returned with fearful stories of giants. Only Caleb and Joshua encouraged the nation to “go at once to take the land” (13:30). The minority report fell on deaf ears full of the ominous message of the majority. Because of their unbelief, God declared that the present generation would not live to see the Promised Land. Thus the “wanderings” began. These wilderness wanderings featured a continuous pattern of grumbling, defiance, discipline, and death. How much better it would have been to have trusted God and entered his land! Then the terrible waiting began—waiting for the old generation to die off and waiting to see if the new generation could faithfully obey God.

Numbers ends as it begins, with preparation. This new generation of Israelites was numbered and sanctified. After defeating numerous armies, they settled on the east side of the Jordan River. Then they faced their greatest test: to cross the river and possess the beautiful land God had promised to them.

The lesson is clear. God’s people must trust him, moving ahead by faith if they are to claim his promised land.

- IO ss eee

As part of their preparations, the LORD gave strict guidelines to the Israelites regarding purity in the camp. He wanted them to have a life-style distinct from the nations around them. He wanted them to be a holy people. Similarly, we should concern ourselves with purity in the church.

The Israelites were prevented from entering the Promised Land because of their unbelief. Throughout history, God’s people have continued to struggle with lack of faith. We must prevent unbelief from gaining a foothold in cur lives, for it will keep us from enjoying the blessings that God has promised.

When the people complained against God and criticized Moses, they were severely punished. Over 14,000 people died as a result of rebellion against Moses. As a result of Korah’s rebellion, Korah, Dathan, and Abiram and their households died, along with 250 false priests. Dissatisfaction and discontent, if allowed to remain in our lives, can easily lead to disaster. We should refrain from complaining and criticizing our leaders.

The Moabites and Midianites could not get Balaam to curse Israel, but they did get him to give advice on how to draw the Israelites to idol worship. Balaam knew what was right, but he gave in to the temptation of material rewards and sinned. Knowing what is right alone is never enough. We must also do what is right.

🖼 Map, chart or picture (see the original page image) — text in this graphic: eee

Rebeltion

Wandering

IMPORTANCE

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Although God's punishment for sin is often severe,

he offers reconciliation and hope— his love is truly

amazing. Just as God's love and law led Israel to the

Promised Land, God desires to give purpose and

destiny to our lives. Canaan Canaan is the Promised Land. It was the land

God had promised to Abraham, Isaac, and

Jacob—the land of the covenant. Canaan was

to be the dwelling place of God’s people, those

set apart for true spiritual worship.

A. PREPARING FOR THE JOURNEY (i:1—10:10) At Mount Sinai, the Israelites received specific directions for their life-style in the new land God would give to them. A census was taken and the second Passover was celebrated, marking one year of freedom from slavery in Egypt. The people were now prepared to continue their journey to the Promised Land. Just as the LORD prepared the Israelites, he prepares us for our journey through life. 1. The first census of the nation 1 A year after Israel’s departure from Egypt, the LORD spoke to Moses in the Taber- By 4o.0. 17

nacle* in the wilderness of Sinai. On the first day of the second month* of that year he, said, 2“From the whole community of Israel, record the names of all the warriors by their i 2 38-25-26 clans and families. List all the men Stwenty years old or older who are able to go fo wal. Num 26:2

4and you will be assisted by one family leader 1:4 You and Aaron must register the troops, from each tribe. Nom aa A

5These are the tribes and the names of the leaders who will assist you: 45

Tribe Leader Rev ie

REUDEN. occ. cece cece ee eee eect eee e estes nnn e sits Elizur son of Shedeur RST 111210) cocoa Shelumiel son of Zurishaddai TJudah... 6... cece cece ener eee eee e eens Nahshon son of Amminadab ue 4:20 8 Issachar........0-2 e220 Nethanel son of Zuar 1 Chr 2:40 9 Zebulun........ cee eee eect eee eee e tere nett es Eliab son of Helon 10 Ephraim son of Joseph Elishama son of Ammihud

Manasseh son of Joseph Gamaliel son of Pedahzur Tt Benjamin........... 0c eee erent eee eee nett ees Abidan son of Gideoni TZ DAN oo ccc cence cece eee e cence eee ee een eee eee ner ness Ahiezer son of Ammishaddai SECs =) a Pagiel son of Ocran 114 14 Gad ooo. cccccccae ese ee centers e eee eeerssen ee eeee ss Eliasaph son of Devel Num 2:14 18 Naphtali..........00e scenes erent ners eee ee eres Ahira son of Enan 16These are the chosen leaders of the community, the leaders of their ancestral tribes, the hide, 7:2; 16:2: heads of the clans of Israel.” 26:9

1789 Moses and Aaron called together these chosen leaders, 18and they assembled the {18,., whole community of Israel on that very day.* All the people were registered according to Ezra 2:59 their ancestry by their clans and families. The men of Israel who were twenty years old or older were listed one by one, *9just as the LORD had commanded Moses. So Moses recorded their names in the wilderness of Sinai.

20-21This is the number of men twenty years old or older who were able to go to war, as Nee o6:5-14 their names were listed in the records of their clans and families*: 4:4a Hebrew the Tent of Meeting. 1:1b This day in the ancient Hebrew lunar calendar occurred in April or May. 4:18 Hebrew on the first day of the second month; see 1:1. 1:20-21a In the Hebrew text, this phrase (This is the number of men twenty years old or older who were able to go to war, as their names were listed in the records of their clans and families) is repeated in 1:22, 24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42.

constructed. Many believe that the Tent of Meeting in Exodus 4:1 As the book of Numbers opens, the Israelites had been

served the same function as the Tabernacle described here. camped near Mount Sinai for more than a year. There they had received all the laws and regulations recorded in the book of 1:2-15 Taking a census was long and tedious, but it was an Leviticus. They had been transformed into a new nation and important task. The fighting men had to be counted to determine

id. In equipped for their task. At this time, they were ready to move out —_|srael’s military strength before entering the Promised Lan and receive their land. In preparation, Moses and Aaron were told addition, the tribes had to be organized to determine the amount to number all the men who were able to serve in the army. This of land each would need, as well as to provide genealogical book is named for this census, or numbering, of the people. records. Without such a census, the task of conquering and

4:1 The Tabernacle contained the sanctuary (or Holy Place) in organizing the Promised Land would have been more difficult.

Whenever we are at a crossroads, it is important to take inventory

one part, and the Most Holy Place with the Ark in another part. r

These two parts were separated by a curtain. God revealed of our resources. We will serve more effectively if, before plung-

himself to Moses in the Most Holy Place. ing in, we set aside time to take a “census” of all we have—

possessions, relationships, spiritual condition, time, goals.

Exodus 33:7 mentions the “Tent of Meeting” as the place

where Moses met with God before the Tabernacle was 4:20-46. If there were 603,550 men, not counting the Levites