The Book of Numbers Guide Me O Thou Great Jehovah

1
The Book of NumbersGuide Me O Thou Great
Jehovah
2
Book of Numbers in the Old Testament
3
Time Period in OT History

• Creation
• The Flood
• Patriarchs
• Bondage in Egypt
• 1445-1405 B.C. Wilderness Wanderings (Num.
  Deut.)
• Conquest of Canaan
• Period of the Judges
• United Kingdom
• Divided Kingdom
• Captivity and Exile
• Return and Restoration

4
Book Background

• Title Numbers (12 LXX and Vulgate) In the
  wilderness (11 Hebrew Bible)
• Authorship Moses (Num. 331-2 Jn. 546-47)
• Date 1445 1405 B.C.
• Audience Future generations of Israelites will
  be reminded not to follow the sins of their
  ancestors.

5
Book Background
6
Outline of the Book

• Israel at Mt. Sinai (Numbers 1-10)
• The original generation is given laws
• Israel in the Wilderness (Numbers 10-21)
• The transitional generation is given punishment
• Israel on the Plains of Moab (Numbers 22-36)
• The new generation is given laws

7
Outline of the Book

• Israels Direction from God (Numbers 1-10)
• Preparation for the journey
• Order of the old generation
• Israels Disbelief in God (Numbers 10-21)
• Trials of a journey
• Disorder of the transitional generation
• Israels Discipline from God (Numbers 22-36)
• Reminders of a journey
• Reorder of the new generation

8
Time Period of Events

• Israel at Mt. Sinai (Numbers 1-10)
• 20 days (11 1011)
• Israel in the Wilderness (Numbers 10-21)
• 38 years, 3 months, 10 days (1011 3338)
• Israel on the Plains of Moab (Numbers 22-36)
• c. 6 months (3338 Deut. 13)

9
Location of Events

• Israel at Mt. Sinai (Numbers 1-10)
• Lev. 2734 Num. 11 1011
• Israel in the Wilderness (Numbers 10-21)
• 1011 2133
• Israel on the Plains of Moab (Numbers 22-36)
• 221 3613

10
Geographical Location of Events
Numbers 22-36
Numbers 10-21
Numbers 1-10
11
Order of Israels CampNumbers 22God At the
Center of Our Lives
Dan Asher Naphtali Levites
Judah Levites Issachar Zebulun
Ephraim Manasseh Levites Benjamin
Tabernacle
Levites Reuben Simeon Gad
N
W
E
S
12
Order of Israels MarchNumbers 217God At the
Center of Our Lives
Dan Asher Naphtali
Reuben Simeon Gad
Judah Issachar Zebulun
Ephraim Manasseh Benjamin
Tabernacle
Order of March
13
Numbers 1-4Lessons for Today

• Be among those numbered who are able to go forth
  to war (13,26, etc. 1 Tim. 118)
• Take the commandments of the Lord seriously
  (151 310,38 415 Heb. 1228-29)
• Do according to all that Jehovah commanded
  (154 234 Col. 317)
• God wants order by his own standard - for our
  lives as we travel through life (22 1 Cor.
  1433,40)

14
Numbers 1-4Lessons for Today

• Proceed forward with God the tent of meeting
  - at the center of your lives (22,17 Heb.
  1024-25)
• Fulfill the service of every faithful follower
  of God (44 Rom. 121-2)

15
The ConnectionBetween Numbers 1-4 and Numbers 5-9

• The physical ordering of Gods people before the
  march Canaan land(Numbers 1-4)
• The spiritual ordering of Gods people before the
  march to Canaan land (Numbers 5-9)

16
The Nazarite Vow of Numbers 6
17
The Nazarite Vow of Numbers 6
18
The Priestly Blessing of Numbers 6
19
Numbers 5-6Lessons for Today

• When the Lord speaks, we must listen (51,5,11
  61,22 Heb. 11-2)
• We must put out of the camp all uncleanness
  from our lives (52-4 2 Cor. 71)
• God will not allow uncleanness because he dwells
  in the midst of his people (53 1 Cor. 616)
• Sin is against God and makes us guilty before
  God so we must confess it to God (56-7 1 Jn.
  17-9)

20
Numbers 5-6Lessons for Today

• We sin against our spouse when we commit
  adultery with another (512-13,27 Mk. 1011-12)
• The one guilty of adultery is defiled before
  God and commits a trespass and iniquity
  (513-14,27,29,31 Heb. 134)
• A wife, being under thy husband, is bound by
  Gods law to her husband (519,20,29 Rom. 72-3)

21
Numbers 5-6Lessons for Today

• Let us separate ourselves unto the service of
  the Lord (61 Rom. 613 148 1 Cor. 619)
• When you make a vow consider it carefully and
  execute if faithfully (621 Eccl. 51-7 Jas.
  512)
• The Lord will bless his people who fear him and
  faithfully follow him (622-27 Psa. 11513)

22
What Was the Levitical Age of Service?20, 25, or
30?

• Scripture References Num. 43,23,30,35,39,43,47
  (age 30) Num. 824-25 (age 25) 1 Chron.
  233,24,27 (age 30 and age 20) 2 Chron.
  3117 (age 20) Ezra 38 (age 20)
• Suggested Possibilities
• One age (30) was for transportation (43,23) the
  other (25) for the service (824-25) different
  ages were used for different levels of work
• One age was for the wilderness (Num. 4 8) the
  other for settlement in the land (1 Chron. 2326)

23
What Was the Levitical Age of Service?20, 25, or
30?

• Suggested Possibilities continued
• The lowest age (20) was for a time when the
  Levite numbers were in short supply (Ezra 240
  38)
• One age was for apprenticeship (25) the other
  for full service (30)
• A textual variant in the ancient mss. accounts
  for the different numbers the LXX has 25 in
  both Numbers 43 and 824

24
Numbers 7-10Lessons for Today

• Let us bring our free-will offerings to the
  Lord (72 2 Cor. 85 96-7)
• We must always follow the pattern laid out by God
  (84 2 Tim. 113)
• We must remove sin from our lives before we can
  serve God acceptably and effectively (821-22
  Rom. 121-2)

25
Numbers 7-10Lessons for Today

• We must wait to get Gods answer before we act
  (98 Col. 317)
• Let us always follow God lead, guidance, and
  direction as we travel through life (918,23 Jn.
  1613 2 Tim. 316-17)
• Gods people are to assemble together, move
  together, war together and feast together
  (101-10 Heb. 1025)

26
Outline of the Book

• Israel at Mt. Sinai (Numbers 1-10)
• The original generation is given laws
• Israel in the Wilderness (Numbers 10-21)
• The transitional generation is given punishment
• Israel on the Plains of Moab (Numbers 22-36)
• The new generation is given laws

27
Outline of the Book

• Israels Direction from God (Numbers 1-10)
• Preparation for the journey
• Order of the old generation
• Israels Disbelief in God (Numbers 10-21)
• Trials of a journey
• Disorder of the transitional generation
• Israels Discipline from God (Numbers 22-36)
• Reminders of a journey
• Reorder of the new generation

28
Time Period of Events

• Israel at Mt. Sinai (Numbers 1-10)
• 20 days (11 1011)
• Israel in the Wilderness (Numbers 10-21)
• 38 years, 3 months, 10 days (1011 3338)
• Israel on the Plains of Moab (Numbers 22-36)
• c. 6 months (3338 Deut. 13)

29
Outline of Numbers 1-9

• Physical Ordering of Israel (Numbers 1-4)
• The numbering of men of war (Num. 1)
• The ordering of the camp and march (Num. 2)
• The duties of the Levites (Num. 3-4)
• Spiritual Ordering of Israel (Numbers 5-9)
• The removal of sin from the camp (Num. 5)
• The separation of Nazarites (Num. 6)
• The offerings of the tribes (Num. 7)
• The purification of the Levites (Num. 8)
• The Passover and the Lords direction (Num. 9)

30
Geographical Location of Events
Numbers 22-36
Numbers 10-21
Numbers 1-10
31
Geographical Location of Events( Numbers 10-12 )
Wilderness of Paran Num. 1012 1216
Hazeroth
Kibrothhattaavah
Mt. Sinai
32
Israels Trials and Punishmentsthe anger of
Jehovah was kindled
33
Numbers 10Lessons for Today

• Gods people are to assemble together, move
  together, war together and feast together
  (101-10 Heb. 1025)
• Let us journey to our rest-land according to the
  commandment of Jehovah (1013 Col. 317)
• Let us journey to our rest-land while inviting
  others to go with us come with us (1029 1
  Cor. 924-26)
• Let us journey while praying to the Lord and
  praising him (1035-36 Heb. 416)

34
Numbers 11Lessons for Today

• The Lord can get angry with his people
  (111,10,33 129 Rom. 118)
• The Lord is angry with his people when they
  murmur (111 1 Cor. 1010 Phil. 214 1 Pet.
  49)
• Be careful not to return in your heart to the old
  way of life after following the Lord (114-5
  Acts 739 2 Pet. 220-22)

35
Numbers 11Lessons for Today

• The burden of leadership is not placed in the
  hands of just one man (1117 1 Cor. 12-14 Phil.
  11)
• There is nothing too hard for the Lord (1123
  Mt. 1926)

36
Numbers 12Lessons for Today

• Gods people must be content to follow Gods
  leadership arrangement (122 1 Thess. 512-13)
• Speaking against Gods leaders is foolish and
  sinful (1211 Heb. 137,17)
• God hears the prayer of intercession for others
  (1213 1 Tim. 21-2)

37
Geographical Location of Events( Numbers 13-14 )
Hormah
Kadesh-barnea
Wilderness of Paran Num. 133,26
The Red Sea
38
The 12 Spies Sent Out Numbers 13
39
Israels Trials and Punishmentsthe anger of
Jehovah was kindled
40
Numbers 13Lessons for Today

• We must never forget that Gods rest-land is a
  good land given by God (132,19,27 147 Rev.
  21-22)
• Following Gods plan takes a strong courage and
  faith (1320 2 Tim. 17-8)
• Following the evil report of the majority will
  make us evil and will keep us out of our
  rest-land (1332 1427,35 1 Cor. 1533)
• Encourage Gods people to do what is right (1330)

41
Numbers 14Lessons for Today

• The Lord is angry with his people when they
  murmur (142 1 Cor. 1010 Phil. 214 1 Pet.
  49)
• Be careful not to return in your heart to the old
  way of life after following the Lord (142-4
  Acts 739 2 Pet. 220-22)
• Those who murmur will make for themselves leaders
  who will lead them in the direction they want to
  go (144,10 2 Tim. 43-4)

42
Numbers 14Lessons for Today

• Fear God and obey him, not the people of the land
  (148-9)
• Be willing to stand with the faithful minority
  than with the faithless majority (1410)
• Disbelief and disobedience will keep Gods people
  out of Gods rest-land (1411 Heb. 41-11)
• God hears the prayer of intercession for others
  (1413-19 1 Tim. 21-2)
• God may forgive a sin, but the consequences or
  punishment for that sin may still follow
  (1420-23,34)

43
Numbers 14Lessons for Today

• God is gracious and forgiving (1418 Eph. 24-8)
• God may forgive a sin but allow the consequences
  of that sin to remain (1420-35)
• Failure to believe is mans fault, not Gods
  fault (1411,22 Jn. 2030-31)
• We must have another spirit the spirit of
  Caleb who fully followed the Lord (1424 Mt.
  2236-37)

44
Numbers 14Lessons for Today

• Dont reject the good rest-land that God has
  provided for you (1431 Acts 1346)
• Those who bring and evil report against God and
  his people will be punished (1436-37)
• The sin of presumption (thinking God is on our
  side when he is not) will lead to failure
  (1439-45)

45
Outline of the Book

• Israels Direction from God (Numbers 1-10)
• Israels Disbelief in God (Numbers 10-21)
• Journey begun (10)
• Murmuring (11)
• Questioning (12)
• Disbelief (13-14)
• Laws concerning offerings (15)
• Rebellion (16-17)

46
Geographical Location of Events( Numbers 15-19 )
?
47
Israels Trials and Punishmentsthe anger of
Jehovah was kindled
48
Numbers 15Lessons for Today

• Our sacrifices are a sweet savor unto Jehovah
  (1510,13 2 Cor. 214-15)
• We have one law for everyone today the Law of
  Christ (1516,29 Gal. 62 Jas. 125)
• Sins of ignorance are still sin and can be
  forgiven (1522-29 1 Jn. 34 517 Jas. 417)
• Some sins are high-handed and willful
  (1530-31 Heb. 1026)

49
Numbers 15Lessons for Today

• Find out what God wants for us before we act
  (1524 Col. 317)
• Keep Gods word at the forefront of your mind and
  do not follow your heart or your eyes (1537-41
  1 Jn. 52)
• Remember the true meaning of Gods commands
  (1538 Mt. 235)

50
Numbers 16Lessons for Today

• Do not rebel, murmur or sin against Gods
  leadership (161-11,30 Heb. 137,20)
• Those who disobey God in one matter will often
  disobey in other matters (1612-14)
• Do not join hands with those who rebel against
  Gods leadership
• The sin of rebellion is punished by God and
  remembered (1631-39)

51
Numbers 16Lessons for Today

• Some murmur when sinners are punished and thereby
  sin themselves (1641-50)

52
Numbers 17Lessons for Today

• We need to accept divinely appointed leadership
  and not murmur or rebel (171-13 Heb. 137,20)

53
Outline of the Book

• Israels Direction from God (Numbers 1-10)
• Israels Disbelief in God (Numbers 10-21)
• Journey begun (10)
• Murmuring (11)
• Questioning (12)
• Disbelief (13-14)
• Laws concerning offerings (15)
• Rebellion (16-17)
• Priests / levities duties tithes (18)
• Purification of uncleanness (19)

54
Geographical Location of Events( Numbers 15-19 )
?
55
The Red Heifer and Jesus ChristTypology in
Numbers 19
56
Numbers 18Lessons for Today

• Our priesthood is a service of gift to the Lord
  (187 1 Pet. 25-9)
• Those who minister to God may be supported by the
  gifts from the people (188-20 1 Cor. 913-14)

57
Numbers 19Lessons for Today

• Like the red heifer without spot, Jesus is our
  blood offering (192-4 Heb. 913-14)
• Gods people cannot be in fellowship with a holy
  God with uncleanness in their life (1913 2 Cor.
  1221 Gal. 519-21 Eph. 53 Col.
  35 1 Thess. 47)
• Man must purify himself from sin before he can be
  in fellowship with a holy God (1919-20 Acts
  159 Tit. 214 Heb. 13 Jas. 48 1
  Pet. 122 1 Jn. 33)

58
Outline of the Book

• Israels Disbelief in God (Numbers 10-21)
• Journey begun (10)
• Murmuring (11)
• Questioning (12)
• Disbelief (13-14)
• Laws concerning offerings (15)
• Rebellion (16-17)
• Priests / levities duties tithes (18)
• Purification of uncleanness (19)
• Meribah, Edoms refusal, Aarons death (20)
• Fiery serpents, battles with Sihon and Og (21)

59
Geographical Location of Events( Numbers 20-21 )
Oboth (2110)
Kadesh (201,14)
Mt. Hor (2022)
Red Sea (214) (see Deut. 28)
60
Geographical Location of Events( Numbers 20-21 )
Israel moves through Bashan (2133-35) (see Deut.
31-11)
Israel moves through Amorites (2121-31) (see
Deut. 220-37)
(Kingdom of Sihon)
Israel moves through Moab (2110-20) (see Deut.
28-19)
61
Israels Trials and Punishmentsthe anger of
Jehovah was kindled
62
The Brazen Serpent and Jesus ChristTypology in
Numbers 21
63
Numbers 20Lessons for Today

• Some of Gods people will complain after being
  punished by God (202-5)
• One may partially obey God and still fully
  disobey God (209,11 1 Sam. 1522-23 Mt. 2820)
• When one disobeys God he does not sanctify (set
  apart as holy) God and he rebels (2012,24
  Num. 2712-14 Deut. 137 326 421-22
  3251-52 Psa. 106 32-33)
• Sin will not go unpunished (2012 Gal. 69)

64
Numbers 21Lessons for Today

• The Lord hears his people when they cry to him
  (213 1 Jn. 514-15)
• It is a sin to speak against the Lord (215 Mt.
  1231 Rev. 135-6 169,11,21)
• The Lord punishes sin, but he also provides a
  remedy for sin through Jesus Christ (206-9 Jn.
  314-15)
• The Lord will help us fight our spiritual battles
  (2110-35 Eph. 610ff)

65
Outline of the Book

• Israels Direction from God (Numbers 1-10)
• Israels Disbelief in God (Numbers 10-21)
• Israels Discipline from God (Numbers 22-36)
• Reminders of a journey
• Reorder of the new generation

66
Time Period of Events

• Israel at Mt. Sinai (Numbers 1-10)
• Israel in the Wilderness (Numbers 10-21)
• Israel on the Plains of Moab (Numbers 22-36)
• c. 6 months (3338 Deut. 13)

67
Location of Events

• Israel at Mt. Sinai (Numbers 1-10)
• Israel in the Wilderness (Numbers 10-21)
• Israel on the Plains of Moab (Numbers 22-36)
• 221 3613

68
Geographical Location of Events( Numbers 22-36 )
The Plains of Moab at Abel-Shittim 221 251
3348-49 351 3613
(Kingdom of Sihon)
69
Numbers 22-24Lessons for Today

• Will we speak Gods word only nothing more,
  nothing less (228,12-13,20,35,38
  235,12,15-16,26 242,13 1 Pet. 411 2 Jn.
  9-11)?
• Will we choose worldly honor or obedience to God
  (2217 Mt. 1626)?
• Will we die the death of the righteous (2310
  2 Tim. 46-8)

70
Numbers 22-24Lessons for Today

• A strong God will make a strong people (2310,24
  249,21 Eph. 610)
• Jesus is the star and sceptor (ruler) from
  Jacob (2417 Gen. 4910 Heb. 18 Rev. 2216)
• Men can be corrupted by money (227 Deut. 234
  Neh. 132 2 Pet. 215-16 Jude 11)
• Balaam had a conflict of character both godly
  and greedy (2232-34 Jas. 18)

71
Leadership For A New GenerationNumbers 2715-23
72
Numbers 25Lessons for Today

• Gods people can be easily influenced by the
  world around them (251-2 Psa. 10628-29 Hos.
  910 Rom. 121-2)
• Friendship with the world is enmity with God
  (253-5,9,18 311ff Josh. 1322 1 Cor.
  108 Jas. 44)
• Gods people can be so hardened that they commit
  sin openly (256 1 Cor. 51)
• There needs to be leaders among Gods people who
  will zealously stand for right and be rewarded
  (257-13 1 Chron. 920 Psa. 10630-31)

73
Numbers 25Lessons for Today

• The world can deceive and beguile Gods people
  into sin (2516-18 2 Cor. 113 Eph. 611)
• False teachers, like Balaam, can deceive the
  world and in turn deceive Gods people (Num.
  3116 Mic. 65 Rev. 214)
• Balak was unsuccessful in cursing Israel (Num.
  22-24), but successful in tempting Israel (Num.
  25) so the Devil will try different means to
  destroy Gods people (1 Pet. 58)

74
Numbers 26-27Lessons for Today

• Gods people are reminded of the seriousness and
  certainty of Gods punishments (269-10,61,64
  273,14 Heb. 317-19 41 1031 1229)
• Gods people must turn to Gods word for answers
  to their questions (275 Col. 317 Heb. 11-2)
• Men must be raised up to lead a new generation of
  Gods people when older leaders pass away
  (2715-23 2 Tim. 41-8 Tit. 15-9)

75
Outline of the Book

• Israels Direction from God (Numbers 1-10)
• Israels Disbelief in God (Numbers 10-21)
• Israels Discipline from God (Numbers 22-36)
• Reminders of a journey
• Reorder of the new generation

76
Time Period of Events

• Israel at Mt. Sinai (Numbers 1-10)
• Israel in the Wilderness (Numbers 10-21)
• Israel on the Plains of Moab (Numbers 22-36)
• c. 6 months (3338 Deut. 13)

77
Location of Events

• Israel at Mt. Sinai (Numbers 1-10)
• Israel in the Wilderness (Numbers 10-21)
• Israel on the Plains of Moab (Numbers 22-36)
• 221 3613

78
Geographical Location of Events( Numbers 22-36 )
The Plains of Moab at Abel-shittim 221 251
3348-49 351 3613
(Kingdom of Sihon)
79
Outline of the Book

• Israels Discipline from God (Numbers 22-36)
• Balaams curses turned to blessings (22-24)
• Israels sin at Baal-peor (25)
• The people re-numbered (26)
• Zelophehads daughters and Joshua chosen to be
  Moses successor (27)
• Laws concerning offerings and sacrifices (28-29)
• Laws concerning vows (30)

80
Feasts and Festivals of JehovahNumbers 28-29
81
Numbers 28-29Lessons for Today

• The life and service of a Christian is an
  unblemished offering and sacrifice to God
  (281-2 2939-40 Rom. 121-2 1516 Phil.
  217 418 Heb. 1315-16 2 Tim. 46 1 Pet.
  25)
• The service of a Christian is to be a day by
  day sacrifice (283 Lk. 923 Acts 246-47 1
  Cor. 1531 2 Cor. 416 Heb. 313)
• The life and service of a Christian is a sweet
  savor to God (288 2 Cor. 215)

82
Numbers 28-29Lessons for Today

• The offering of Jesus Christ was a sweet savor
  to God (288 Eph. 52)
• The sabbath rest for the Christian will be in
  heaven (289 Heb. 49-11)
• Jesus is our passover sacrifice (2817 Jn.
  129 1936 1 Cor. 57-8 1 Pet. 118-19) and
  the life of a Christian is unleavened (1 Cor.
  57-8 1124)

83
Numbers 28-29Lessons for Today

• Christians are first-fruits unto the Lord
  (2826 Rom. 823 165 1 Cor. 1520-23
  1615 Rev. 144) and the church began on
  Pentecost (Acts 21-5)
• A trumpet will call Gods people together when
  the Lord returns (291-6 Cor. 1552 1 Thess.
  416)
• Jesus is our atonement for sin (297 Heb. 9-10)
• All true Christians will tabernacle together to
  worship the Lord (2912 Zech. 1416-21)

84
Numbers 30Lessons for Today

• Take your vows seriously. When you make a vow
  keep it (302 Deut. 2321-23 Eccl. 51ff Mt.
  537 Jas. 512)

85
Request of Reuben, Gad, and ManassehNumbers 32
86
Israels Journey from Egypt to Plains of
MoabNumbers 333-49
87
Numbers 31Lessons for Today

• People in the world who live in sin and do not
  obey the gospel will be punished by the vengeance
  of God (312-3 2 Thess. 18-9)
• False teachers, like Balaam, can deceive the
  world and in turn deceive Gods people (Num.
  3116 Mic. 65 Rev. 214)

88
Numbers 32Lessons for Today

• We should not let our brethren go to war by
  themselves (326-7,17,27,31-32 1 Tim. 118
  612)
• Discouragement leads to disobedience and
  punishment by God (327-10)
• A new generation of Gods people are not immune
  from sin (3214-15 Heb. 312-13)
• We must wholly follow God or be lost (3212
  Mt. 2237)

89
Numbers 32Lessons for Today

• Our sin will be exposed eventually (3223 1 Tim.
  524)
• Let us keep every promise that proceeds out of
  our mouth (3224 Mt. 537 Jas. 512)

90
Numbers 33Lessons for Today

• We should drive out, destroy, and demolish
  worldly influence among us (3352 Eph. 512 1
  Jn. 215-17)
• Worldly influence left alone will hinder Gods
  people (3355 Rom. 121-2 1 Cor. 1533)
• God will punish the sins of the world and his
  children who are influenced by the world (3356
  Jas. 44-10)