OVERVIEW OF NUMBERS
Overview Of Numbers
The book of Numbers has more applicable lessons in it than perhaps any other Old Testament
book. It is called Numbers because in it is recorded the numbering of the people twice, once at
the beginning of the book and once at the end (Chapters 1 and 26).
Chapters one through 10:10 deal with the organization of Israel. Chapters 1:1- 4:49 centers on
the arrangement and the first census. Chapters 5:1- 6:21 deal with camp regulations while 6:22-
9:14 deal with religious life in Israel and chapters 9:15-10:10 deals with provisions and
guidance.
Chapters 10:11-12:26 deals with the wandering in the wilderness section particularly from Sinai
to Kadesh-Barnea. Chapter 13 and 14 deals with the crisis at Kadesh. Chapters 15 through 19
deals with the years of wandering and 20-22 deals with the nation from Kadesh to the Plains of
Moab. Chapter22-36 deals with the instructions for entering the land after the years of
wandering. This new generation has been weaned on funerals and the death of their former
generation and it has been imprinted on them the horrible cost of rebellion to God. They have
been seasoned to fight during these 40 years and have grown from farmers and slaves to soldiers.
The second numbering of the people is done in chapter 26.
The book has 36 chapters, over 7000 verses and 33000 words.
It is not without notice that the timeline for the book takes up where Exodus 40:17 left off –
“now it came to about in the first month of the second year, on the first day of the months that
the tabernacle was erected…” Please notice Numbers 1:2a “then the Lord spoke to Moses in the
wilderness…on the first of the second month in the 2 nd year after they had come out of the land
of Egypt, saying, Take a census of all the congregation…” This is a break of only one month
between erecting the tabernacle and the command to number the people with the instruction
concerning sanctification coming between the two in Leviticus.
NUMBERS COVERS THE PERIOD of Israel’s history from the second month of the second
year after the exodus (1:1) to the 10 th month of the 40 th year (Deut. 1:3).
All is ready for them to advance to take and possess the land. The promised land is in sight.
Then the breakdown. Israel begins to wavering unbelief of her commanders and rebels. Good
judgment fails and the 40 years of wandering set in. those who left Egypt with the promised land
as their hope died because of their unbelief.
In Numbers we see the great illustrations of the New Testament doctrine found in the Old
Testament story. Examples from Numbers are talked about by Paul as types that we can learn
from. Hebrews 3:16-4:1, 6,8-11 The journey of physical Israel is a type of our journey to our
Promised land in heaven. The smitten rock in chapter 20 is typical of our rock which is Christ (1
Cor. 10:4) As water flowed from that rock so today “living water” flows abundantly from the
rock of Ages.
The Brazen Serpent is referred to as typical of Christ on the cross and the cities of refuge in
chapter 36 are types of our city of refuge today in the church (Heb. 6:18).
In Numbers we see two different generations The OLD GENERATION_ 1-14 and the NEW
GENERATION- 21-36. In between there is transition period between the old generation and the
new one.
In Numbers we see the ordering of the tribes around the tabernacle. It deals with the duties of the
houses of Gershon, Merari and Kohath.
The Rebellion of Korah takes place in chapter 16. In this the priesthood is attacked. The
wandering ends in chapter 20.
NUMBERS IS THE STORY OF A NATION THAT THREW AWAY ITS OPPORTUNITY.
IT IS THE STORY OF A GENERATION THAT STOOD FACE TO FACE WITH GOD AND
OBSERVED HIS AWESOME POWER AND WHEN OFFERED THE LAND OF THEIR
DREAMS, INSTEAD OF OBEDIENTLY TAKING IT AS GOD HAD DIRECTED, THEY
SIMPLY PUT THEIR HANDS IN THEIR POCKETS TURNED THEIR BACKS AND
WALKED AWAY. WHY????
THEY LACKED FAITH AND WERE NOT WILLING TO PAY THE PRICE. THEY PLACED
MORE CONFIDENCE IN MEN THAN IN GOD.
HOW MANY CONGREGATIONS OF GOD’S PEOPLE TODAY ARE INACTIVE FOR THE
SAME REASON???
TRULY THE BOOK OF NUMBERS IS A PREACHER’S PARADISE OF SERMON
MATERIAL FOR GOD’S SPIRITUAL ISRAEL, THE CHURCH, TODAY.