Old Testament Survey IOld Testament Survey I

Numbers: Numbers:

Israel’s Wilderness Israel’s Wilderness WanderingsWanderings

SettingSetting

The book of Numbers The book of Numbers takes place over a takes place over a period of approximately period of approximately 39 years (c. 1445 – 1406 39 years (c. 1445 – 1406 BC). BC).

It records Israel’s It records Israel’s movement from movement from the last 20 days at Sinai tothe last 20 days at Sinai to the wandering around the wandering around

Kadesh-Barnea to Kadesh-Barnea to the arrival in the Plains of the arrival in the Plains of

Moab in the 40Moab in the 40thth year. year.

Structure: Three Major Structure: Three Major DivisionsDivisions

The Journey from Sinai to Kadesh-The Journey from Sinai to Kadesh-Barnea (chaps. 1-12)Barnea (chaps. 1-12)

Israel in the Wilderness (chaps. 13-Israel in the Wilderness (chaps. 13-19)19)

The Journey from Kadesh-Barnea to The Journey from Kadesh-Barnea to Moab (chaps. 20-36)Moab (chaps. 20-36)

StructureStructure The Journey from Sinai to Kadesh-Barnea The Journey from Sinai to Kadesh-Barnea

(chaps. 1-12)(chaps. 1-12) Preparation for the Journey (1-9)Preparation for the Journey (1-9)

Numbering and organization of people (1 – 4)Numbering and organization of people (1 – 4) Instruction on leprosy, adultery, Nazirite vow (5 – 6)Instruction on leprosy, adultery, Nazirite vow (5 – 6) Offerings, setting apart of Levites, Passover Offerings, setting apart of Levites, Passover

observance (7 – 9)observance (7 – 9) The Journey itself (10-12)The Journey itself (10-12)

Israel in the Wilderness (chaps. 13-19)Israel in the Wilderness (chaps. 13-19) Crisis at Kadesh-Barnea (13-14)Crisis at Kadesh-Barnea (13-14) Instruction after the Crisis (15)Instruction after the Crisis (15) Rebellion of Korah (16)Rebellion of Korah (16) Affirmation of Aaron and Sons as Priests, Affirmation of Aaron and Sons as Priests,

Levites as Helpers (17 – 19)Levites as Helpers (17 – 19)

StructureStructure The Journey from Kadesh-Barnea to Moab The Journey from Kadesh-Barnea to Moab

(chaps. 20-36)(chaps. 20-36) Incidents Enroute to Moab (20 – 21)Incidents Enroute to Moab (20 – 21)

Miriam diesMiriam dies Moses strikes the rock at KadeshMoses strikes the rock at Kadesh Messengers sent to King of EdomMessengers sent to King of Edom Aaron diesAaron dies Israel’s victory over King Arad and the Canaanites at Israel’s victory over King Arad and the Canaanites at

HormahHormah Fiery and Bronze SerpentsFiery and Bronze Serpents Victories over Sihon and OgVictories over Sihon and Og

Incident with Prophet Balaam (22 – 25)Incident with Prophet Balaam (22 – 25) New Numbering of the People; Joshua New Numbering of the People; Joshua

Commissioned (26-27)Commissioned (26-27) Renewal of Instruction for Israel (28 – 30)Renewal of Instruction for Israel (28 – 30) Preparation for Conquest of Promised Land (31 – Preparation for Conquest of Promised Land (31 –

36)36)

Major ThemesMajor Themes NumbersNumbers The WildernessThe Wilderness Rebellion and Its ConsequencesRebellion and Its Consequences

By IsraelBy Israel By Aaron and MiriamBy Aaron and Miriam By Korah and CompanyBy Korah and Company By MosesBy Moses

Character of GodCharacter of God His patienceHis patience His wrath and disciplineHis wrath and discipline His faithfulness to His covenant and His wordHis faithfulness to His covenant and His word

The LandThe Land

Purpose StatementPurpose Statement

Israel’s failure to obey Yahweh Israel’s failure to obey Yahweh brought discipline by death, but it did brought discipline by death, but it did not frustrate His original purpose to not frustrate His original purpose to establish and bless the nation.establish and bless the nation.

Camp of IsraelCamp of Israel

Numbers 10 Numbers 10 describes the describes the order of order of departure.departure.

3 months

11 months,5 days at Sinai

37.5 years of wilder-ness wandering; revoltof Korah & company;Miriam dies; Mosesstrikes the rock.

Victoriesover Sihon& Og

1. Complaint after 3 days travel(11:1-3)

2. Appointment of 70 elders(11:4-30)

3. Provision of Quail (11:31-34)

4. Rebellion byMiriam & Aaron(12:1-15)

Aaron dies; Eleazarbecomes High Priest

Fiery serpents

Next Week: DeuteronomyNext Week: Deuteronomy

Moses’ Final ExhortationMoses’ Final Exhortation