Author: Moses was the author of the Book of Numbers. Paul tells us we must learn from the wrong choices of God’s people in the past. Chapter 12: Miriam and Aaron were critical and disrespectful of Moses, most likely due to envy. For instance, the two silver trumpets were used to send a signal to the entire congregation. NUMBERS. As the name implies, it also documents the two censuses conducted (Numbers 1:2, 3; 26:2). Print subscriptions available in U.S., Canada and Europe, Article URL: https://lifehopeandtruth.com/bible/holy-bible/old-testament/the-pentateuch/numbers/, The Practical and Priceless Benefits of Bible Study. Lesson 2 - Chapter 1 . PLACE. Used by permission. In Greek this book is called arithmoi; the Latinized translation became numeri. Israel leaves Mt. NUMBERS. Sin brings devastating results. Just like us, they are imperfect people who sometimes say and do foolish things. Balaam tells of the coming Messiah, who is described as "a star" (v. 17). Although God hates all sin, there is a big difference between unintentionally and willfully wanting to do what is wrong. The book of Numbers was written to demonstrate that God’s covenant plan stays on track even when His people don’t. When someone wrongly criticized us, we can be as forgiving as Moses when we let God guide our hearts. The Lord quickly let Moses' brother and sister know that they were not on the same terms with him as Moses was. He mercifully forgives us again and again. God is looking for people who will intercede on behalf of others in fervent, heartfelt prayers (Isaiah 59:15-16; James 5:16). Their opponent wasn't Israel - It was the Lord of all the earth! If one understands the numbers to be literal and the men to represent about one-fourth of the population, then the number of the Israelites ranges from two to three million people 10 A literal understanding of the numbers in the census is in congruence with … They knew that disobedience and complaining would bring trouble. Most of us have experienced a similar tug-of-war. This passage shows that we should be very careful about Criticizing our spiritual leaders. The result was that the dissenters were destroyed (Numbers 16:31-33). Never miss a post! Chapters 22-25: Balak, the king of the Moabites, instructed Balaam to curse Israel, but he was unable, as God prevented him from doing it. What positive lessons have you learned through hardship that you probably couldn't have learned any other way. We cannot blame him for getting angry and frustrated. The first census was completed while the Israelites were still at Mount Sinai (chapters 1-2), and the second one came 38 years later when they arrived at the borders of Canaan at the end of their wanderings in the wilderness (chapter 26). Today, we offer gifts to God when we give our time and money to our churches. As we enter a new book of Torah, there are always some preliminaries to deal with so that we can approach things in proper perspective. He deserves the very best from us. As it does for the rest of the Pentateuch, universal Jewish and Christian tradition attributes the authorship of the book of Numbers to They had seen the results of not believing in God. There are numerous examples in the Bible of righteous individuals interceding on behalf of others. The Bible warns us not to lean on our own understanding (Proverbs 3:5-7). They both tried to convince the people of Israel that God would deliver Canaan into their … For more on this man’s conduct, see the article “Balaam.”. When we set aside a special time to spend with God, we will be amazed at how he renews us, from the inside out. As we read about the various incidents in the book of Numbers, we notice how ingratitude undermines faith and produces a chain reaction in human nature. God sees not only what we have done, but he knows why we have done it. Chapters 7-10: Final instructions and events before departing Sinai. When God's people sinned accidentally, the Lord promised to forgive them if they admitted their errors and offered sacrifices. Once again its name is derived from the Septuagint via the Vulgate. These are good lessons for God's people to remember today. While the first half of the book is plagued with complaints, there is a change in tone in the second half of the book. Most of the events of the Book of Numbers take place in the wilderness, between the second and fortieth years of the wandering of the Israelites. Aaron and Miriam resented Moses' leadership. The tribes were arranged in order around the tabernacle, where God’s presence was located, with the Levites in the middle. Duties and responsibilities of priests and Levites are outlined in chapter 18, while chapter 19 deals with ceremonial cleanliness. Always wanting more can produce bad results (James 4:1-3). Date of Writing: The Book of Numbers was written between 1440 and 1400 B.C. Notice that Moses did not hold a grudge but prayed for Miriam to be healed. However, Balaam advised the Moabite women to entice the men of Israel into adulterous pagan rites so God would punish them (Numbers 25:1-9; Revelation 2:14). The second part of chapter 10 pictures Israel departing Mount Sinai (verses 11-13), with the Ark of the Covenant leading the way (verses 33-34). Numbers Images and Notes. The Bible tells us that God is always working for our good. This attitude of ingratitude greatly displeased God, who struck the outskirts of the camp with fire to teach them—and us—an important lesson. 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