Numbers

Numbers

Finding the Context:

1.     What do you see in this book that tells about the Original Reader?

Numbers was written for the people who were about to enter into the Promised Land. From 13:22 we can discern that most likely the original readers were people who would have been familiar with the Egyptian city that was named Zoar.

2.     What do you see in this book that tells you about the author?

Moses is the author of Numbers and you can induce from studying this book that it was written from the perspective of a leader. This book provides direction to leaders and focuses on the good of the community.

3.     What are the main themes, and repeated ideas in this book, and what is a one-sentence summary of the “main idea”?

Numbers is all about God disciplining and refining His people getting them ready to enter the promised land and spend the rest of their lives as His people. Aspects of leadership are written throughout Numbers. You have the people complaining about Moses’ leadership frequently and you see how he responds. There are also instructions given to the Levites in this book. You also see Joshua, one of Israel’s future leaders, commissioned and beginning to step into his future leadership role. 12; 16; 4; 8; 16:36-38; 18; 19; 26; 31:26-30; 27:18-22

Death and complaining are also common themes throughout Numbers. Several times you see acts of rebellion and complaining. You also see God discipline his people throughout the book. Several people are killed because of their rebellious acts.

Intercession is also mentioned several times throughout Numbers. Moses is constantly interceding for His people and going to God asking for instructions on what to do. 3:1-4; 11:1-10; 12; 13:25-14:4; 14:36-44; 16; 20:1-12; 21:4-9

4.     What is the primary reason this book was written?

Numbers was written to provide the Israelite people with a healthy fear of the Lord. This book would reveal to them that their God was not a God that could be messed with or controlled. At the same time it also reveals to them that their God is a God who is faithful to them despite their failings.

Theme Tracing:

1.     What does this book show about the character and nature of God?

Numbers reveals a God who is holy, zealous and powerful. He shows His power to His people several times. God is also seen as a God who rewards people who are faithful to Him. 11:18-24; 14:20-25; 20:12; 25:1-13

2.     What does this book show about God’s redemptive plan for mankind?

In Numbers you can see that God is unhindered by sin when it comes to accomplishing his will and plans. Despite the fact that He had to work with a people who constantly needed disciplined, He still accomplished what He promised. He did destroy people and he also punished the people making them wander in the wilderness for forty years instead of entering the Promised Land the first time. Yet, despite all the sin and disciplining of His people, He was still in control and able to accomplish what He intended to do all along. 

Application Questions:

1.     Personal Application

I feel like I gained a healthy dose of the fear of the Lord reading through Numbers. Reading about how the Israelites doubted God’s power to take them into the promised land and seeing how God punished them by not allowing them to enter but rather wander in the wilderness for forty more years revealed to me the importance of taking God at His word and believing what He says. Even if a situation seems too big or too difficult to me, if God has told me that I can overcome it, it is crucial that I believe Him and that my actions demonstrate that I believe Him. (13)