Introduction to the Numbers

As you come out of Leviticus and into Numbers, you may feel like you're leaving the forest only to wander into a wilderness, going from confusion to tedium. But no. Numbers is Exodus in reverse. Exodus started with story (i.e. narrative), then moved to procedures (i.e. Law). Numbers begins with procedures, then moves to story. The title comes from the Latin Vulgate Numeri (where we get numeral), which is derived from the Greek Septuagint Arithmoi (where we get arithmetic). It was probably so named because of the various numberings of the people (chs. 1-4, 26), especially the two major census, one at beginning on Mt. Sinai (Num 1) and one after their forty years of wandering in the Plains of Moab (Num 26). Notice that after forty years the total number of people has stayed the same except for one tribe (Simeon). Why? This is important.

Numbers is the fourth book in the Pentateuch (i..e, "five scrolls") and attributed to Moses. It provides the history of events from Sinai (where Israel received the Law) to the Plains of Moab (where Israel would receive the Promised Land), a period over forty years. Notice, Genesis 1-11 covered thousands of years (Creation, Flood, Babel). Genesis 12-50 a few generations (Abraham-Joseph). Exodus 1-2 one generation (Moses). Exodus 3-40 a little over a year (from leaving Egypt to setting up the tabernacle at Sinai). And all of Leviticus covers a period of about one month (the time between setting up the tabernacle at Sinai to leaving for the Promised Land). Numbers, on the other hand, covers a little over forty years (from leaving for the Promised Land to finally entering it after forty years of divine discipline). What you should notice is that the length of chronological time has almost nothing to do with the amount of textual space given in the Bible. This should give us pause and perspective on how God weighs the significance of things. Jesus' entire ministry lasted just three years. As Peter wrote, "But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day" (2 Peter 3:8).

The first ten chapters of Numbers is devoted to Israel's preparation to leave Mt. Sinai (having received the Law) and take the Promised Land (from Kadesh-Barnea), a distance of eleven days (cf. Deut 1:2). Take note that the eleven days turned into forty years because of their unbelief and rebellion. God instructs Moses to take a census of the fighting men, those over twenty years old. These would fight to take the Promised Land, but God would give them the victory. The tribes were organized around the tabernacle in military formation with focus on the Levites and priests. This was more God's battle than Israel's. Certain laws, tests, and vows for purification are detailed here. In contrast, almost nothing is said of military preparations, the forging of weapons, or the development of strategies. The emphasis is on spiritual preparedness and Israel's worship of God: (1) peace offerings from the leaders, (2) the celebration of Passover, (3) instructions regarding the Levites, (3) trumpet calls for assemblies and sacrifices, and (4) total obedience to God's leading by the cloud.

Chapters 11 through 19 detail Israel's complaints and unbelief on the way to Kadesh-Barnea (i.e. the entrance into the Promised Land). They complain about the hardship of travel, lacking meat, and tiring of their daily diet of manna. Previously, when they traveled from Egypt to Sinai, they complained about lacking water and food, and God provided for them without judging them. That was before the Law was given. Now, however, God judges their complaining with fire and plague. Their needs would be met but not their greed (cf. Numbers 11:4). Even the leaders succumbed to sin (cf. Miriam in Numbers 12). This section culminates in Numbers 13, with God commanding Moses to send twelve spies into the Promised Land to bring a report of the land they were about to take. Ten of the spies bring a discouraging report of giants and fortified cities. Only Joshua and Caleb encourage the people to trust the LORD and take the land. The people choose to follow the ten and rebel against Moses. God is angry enough to destroy the whole group but relents when Moses intercedes for the people; neverthelss, Israel would wander for forty years, a year for each day they spied out the land, until every fighting man among them died. The people repent and try to take the land, but God is not with them, and so they fail miserably. One might think that after this the people would start to fear and obey God, but no. This was the beginning of years of Israel's murmuring, complaining, and disobeying God, and He would punish them right up to the fortieth year of their wandering. Even Moses and Aaron would finally crack under pressure and dishonor God, just months before the end, so that they too would not be allowed to enter the Promised Land. Only Joshua, replacing Moses as leader, Caleb, and the children of the former generation, would enter and take the land.

While much happens from chapters 20 to the end, some key events that I would highlight are these: (1) Balak, the King of Moab, tries to get the prophet Balaam to curse Israel, but Balaam is only able to bless Israel. Later Balaam finds a way to entice Israel to sin with Midianite women, for which God would destroy thousands in Israel. God would command the near annihilation of the Midianites for instigating Israel's rebellion against God. (2) The tribes of Reuben, Gad and the half-tribe of Manasseh decide not to take their inheritance with the rest of Israel in the Promised Land, choosing instead the land across the Jordan (Trans-Jordan). While not outright rebellion, this choice would bring negative consequences upon these tribes. (3) Two additional provisions of the Law are given: (1) the inheritance of tribal land by daughters in the case where there were no sons to inherit it, and (2) the designation of cities of refuge to provide haven for those accused of unintentional manslaughter. These laws were given in preparation for the new generation to inhabit the Promised Land. These specifications were given even before the first battle was fought? The promises of God are sure!

There is so much more in Numbers, but this introduction has gone long enough. I encourage you to read thoughtfully and in appreciation of God's incomparable grace in Christ Jesus. I leave you with the priestly benediction of Numbers 6:24-26,