Brief Summary: Most of the events of the Book of Numbers take place in the wilderness, primarily

between the second and fortieth years of the wandering of the Israelites. The first 25 chapters of the
book chronicle the experiences of the first generation of Israel in the wilderness, while the rest of the
book describes the experiences of the second generation. The theme of obedience and rebellion
followed by repentance and blessing runs through the entire book, as well as the entire Old Testament.

The theme of the holiness of God is continued from the book of Leviticus into the book of Numbers,
which reveals God's instruction and preparation of His people to enter the Promised Land of Canaan.
The importance of the Book of Numbers is indicated by its being referred to in the New Testament
many times. The Holy Spirit called special attention to Numbers in 1 Corinthians 10:1-12. The words
"all these things happened to them for examples" refers to the sin of the Israelites and God’s
displeasure with them.

In Romans 11:22, Paul speaks about the "goodness and severity of God." That, in a nutshell, is the
message of Numbers. The severity of God is seen in the death of the rebellious generation in the
wilderness, those who never entered the Promised Land. The goodness of God is realized in the new
generation. God protected, preserved, and provided for these people until they possessed the land.
This reminds us of the justice and love of God, which are always in sovereign harmony.

Foreshadowings: God’s demand for holiness in His people is completely and finally satisfied in Jesus
Christ, who came to fulfill the law on our behalf (Matthew 5:17). The concept of the promised
Messiah pervades the book. The story in chapter 19 of the sacrifice of the red heifer “without defect or
blemish” prefigures Christ, the Lamb of God without spot or blemish who was sacrificed for our sins.
The image of the bronze snake lifted up on the pole to provide physical healing (chapter 21) also
prefigures the lifting up of Christ, either upon the cross, or in the ministry of the Word, that whoever
looks to Him by faith may have spiritual healing.

In chapter 24, Balaam’s fourth oracle speaks of the star and the scepter who is to rise out of Jacob.
Here is a prophecy of Christ who is called the "morning star" in Revelation 22:16 for His glory,
brightness, and splendor, and for the light that comes by Him. He may also be called a scepter, that is,
a scepter bearer, because of his royalty. He not only has the name of a king, but has a kingdom, and
rules with a scepter of grace, mercy, and righteousness.

Practical Application: A major theological theme developed in the New Testament from Numbers is
that sin and unbelief, especially rebellion, reap the judgment of God. First Corinthians specifically
says—and Hebrews 3:7-4:13 strongly implies—that these events were written as examples for
believers to observe and avoid. We are not to “set our hearts on evil things” (v. 6), or be sexually
immoral (v. 8), or put God to the test (v. 9) or gripe and complain (v. 10).

Just as the Israelites wandered in the wilderness 40 years because of their rebellion, so too does God
sometimes allow us to wander away from Him and suffer loneliness and lack of blessings when we
rebel against Him. But God is faithful and just, and just as He restored the Israelites to their rightful
place in His heart, He will always restore Christians to the place of blessing and intimate fellowship
with Him if we repent and return to Him (1 John 1:9).

The Book of Numbers

The Book of Numbers is a law book in the Old Testament section of the Bible. But the Book of
Numbers is also a history book. It is the story of the people whom Moses led through the desert. Moses
counted the people in Numbers 1 and Numbers 26.
The people did not always obey God. They complained about the food in the desert (Numbers 11
and Numbers 21). They refused to enter the land that God had promised to them (Numbers 13). They even
wanted to return to Egypt (Numbers 14). This is why they were in the desert for 40 years.
 The Book of Numbers also tells the story of Balaam. Balaam was a foreign prophet (holy man).
Balaam intended to announce an evil fate for the people. But instead, Balaam saw that God was with them.
Balaam spoke only the words that God wanted him to say. So, Balaam blessed the people (Numbers
chapters 22-24).

Summary of the Book of Numbers

I. Introduction
A. Written by Moses
B. Covers 40 years of Israel’s wandering in the wilderness
C. Preparatory to entering the promised land
II. Forty Years of Wandering (1:1 to 4:49)
A. Counting the people (1:1-54)
1. Only males over 20 were counted (1:3)
2. Levites not included in the count (1:47)
3. The total was 603,550 males over 20, not including the tribe of Levi
4. The total number of people would be about three times that number, or almost two
million people, and could have been greater
5. The problem of moving this large number of people from Goshen in Egypt to Sinai
and then into Canaan was enormous
B. Arrangement of the tribes (2:1 to 4:49)
1. The tabernacle and its attendants were in the center (2:2,17)
2. On the East side were Judah, Issachar, and Zebulun (2:3-9)
3. On the South side were Reuben, Simeon, and Gad (2:10-16)
4. On the West side were Ephraim, Manaseh, Benjamim(2:17-24)
5. On the North side were Dan, Asher, and Naphtali
6. Each tribe had its own standard and leader, or prince (1:5-16; 2:2)
7. Priestly offices and functions (3:1-39)
a. Generations of Aaron and Moses (3:1)
b. Nadab and Abihu, sons of Aaron, died before the Lord (3:4)
c. Aaron’s sons, Eleazar and Ithamar, took the priest’s office(3:4)
d. Duties of Levites (3:5-9)
e. The Levites counted and assigned their duties (3:10-39)
8. Numbering of the firstborn males from a month old, Levites exempted (3:40-45)
9. Firstborn redeemed by payment of five shekels each (3:46-51)
10. Duties assigned to Levites (4:1-49)
C. Purification of the camp (5:1 to 10:10)
1. Defiled person (ceremonially unclean) excluded from the camp (5:1-4)
2. Confession and restitution in trespass (5:5-10)
3. The trial of jealously (5:11-31)
4. Law of the Nazarites (6:1-21)
5. Priestly blessing of Israel (6:22-27)
6. Offering of tribal leaders (princes) to the Levites (7:1-89)
7. Lighting of the lamps (8:1-4)
8. Consecration of the Levites (8:5-26)
9. Passover stipulations (9:1-14)
10. The Pillar of cloud to guide the Israelites (9:15-23)
11. The silver trumpets (10:1-10)
D. Sins on the journey from Sinai to Kadesh (10:11-12:16)
1. Departure from Mount Sinai (10:11-36)
2. People complained; burning at Taberah (11:1-3)
3. Manna from Jehovah (11:4-9)
4. People long for flesh to eat (11:10-15)
5. Seventy elders established (11:6-30)
 6. The Israelites fed quails (11:31-35)
7. Sin of Miriam and Aaron in rebelling against Moses (12:1-16)
E. Failure at Kadesh (13:1 to 14:14:45)
1. Spying out the promised land (13:1-33)
2. Israel rebels (14:1-10)
3. Moses intercedes (14:11-19)
4. God condemns Israel to die in the wilderness (14:20-45)
F. Wandering in the wilderness (15:1 to 19:22)
1. Sacrifices of animals and wine (15:1-31)
2. Sabbath breaker stoned (15:32-36)
3. Fringes on garments (15:37-41)
4. Sin of Korah (16:1-50)
5. Aaron’s rod that budded (17:1-13)
6. Function and place of the priests (18:1 to 19:22)
G. Sins on the way to Moab (20:1 to 25:18)
1. Death of Miriam (20:1)
2. Sin of Moses and Aaron in striking the rock to bring water (20:2-13)
3. Edom refuses to let the Israelites pass through (20:14-21)
4. Death of Aaron (20:22-29)
5. Defeat of the king of Arad (21:1-3)
6. The burning, fiery serpents and the brazen serpent (21:4-9)
7. Journey to Moab (21:10-20)
8. Victory over Sihon (21:21-32)
9. Victory over Bashan (21:33-35)
10. Moab, Balak, and Balaam (22:1 to 24:25)
11. Sin of Baal-Peor (25:1-18)
III. Reorganization of Israel (26:1 to 27:23)
A. A second counting of the people (26:1 to 27:23)
1. Total number of males over 20 was 601,730 (26:1-51)
2. Inheritance in the land (26:52-65)
B. Inheritance of daughters (27:1-11)
C. Israel’s new leader – Joshua (27:12-23)
D. Regulations and vows (28:1 to 30:16)
1. Offerings to be observed (28:1-8)
2. Continual burnt offerings on the sabbath (28:9-10)
3. Sacrifices at new moons (28:11-25)
4. Sacrifices on the day of firstfruits (28:26-31)
5. Sacrifice at the feat of trumpets (29:1-6)
6. Sacrifice at the afflicting of souls (29:7-11)
E. Sacrifice of holy convocation at feast of tabernacles (29:12-40)
F. Regulation of vows (30:1-16)
G. Conquest and division of Canaan (31:1 to 36:13)
1. Midianites defeated (31:1-54)
2. Ruben and Gad inherit on the East side of the Jordan (32:1-42)
3. Summary of journeys from Rameses to the plain of Moab (33:1-49)
4. The Canaanites and their idols to be destroyed (33:50-56)
5. Borders of the land (34:1-16)
6. Men which shall divide the land (34:17-29)
7. Cities given to the Levites (35:1-8)
8. Avenger of wrath and cities of refuge (35:9-34)
9. Inheritance of daughters, and marrying within the tribe (36:1-13)