Numbers Introduction
Synopsis:
The Israelites have picked up their encampment and being their journey to enter into the Promise Land of Canaan. The book cycles from preparation to postponement and back to preparation to enter in Canaan. Because of the Israelites complaining and not trusting God that they will success in taking the land, God makes them wander for nearly 40 years and the current generation is prevented from entering. The next generation will learn from their parents' disobedience and fully realize that their holy God will not ignore rebellion or unbelief.
Book Titles:
- Hebrew - bemidbar “in the wilderness”
- Greek - Arithmoi “numbers”
- Latin - Liber Numeri “Book of Numbers”
Authorship: Moses
See Exod 17:14; Deut 31:24; 1 Kgs 2:3; Ezra 6:18; Neh 13:1; Dan 9:11-13; Mal 4:4; Mark 12:26; Luke 16:29; John 1:17; 5:44-47; 7:19, 23; Acts 26:22; Rom 10:5; 2 Cor 3:15, etc.
Dates for the Wilderness: 1446-1406 BC
Based upon the Thiele's Chronology with Solomon's Temple construction starting in 966 BC and using the 1 Kings 6:1 declaring that it was in the 480th year from the time of the Exodus plus the 40 years described in the book.
Simple Outline:
1. Preparation & Order (Numbers 1-9)
A. Organization of Israel (Ch 1-4)
B. Sanctification of Israel (Ch 5-9)
B. Sanctification of Israel (Ch 5-9)
2. Postponement & Disorder (Numbers 10-25)
A. To Kadesh (Ch 10-12)
B. At Kadesh (Ch 13-14)
C. In Wilderness (Ch 15-19)
D. To Moab (Ch 20-25)
3. Preparation & Order (Numbers 26-36)
A. Reorgnization of Israel (Ch 26-27)
B. Regulations for Worship (Ch 28-30)
C. Conquest and Division of Israel (Ch 31-36)
Israel's Complaints:
- Num 11:1 Their Hardships
- Num 11:4 Lack of Meat
- Num 11:1-4 Stuck in the Wilderness, facing giants, wishing to return
- Num 16:3 Moses’ & Aaron’s authority
- Num 16:41 Moses & Aaron causing Korah’s death
- Num 20:2-3 Lack of water
- Num 21:5 God & Moses brought them into the wilderness
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