The Book of Numbers - In the Wilderness

By Kenneth B. Alexander JD and Sherrie Mobley

Introduction to Numbers

The fourth book of the Hebrew Torah (The Law) called the "Pentateuch" in Greek, is the Book we know as "Numbers". In the Hebrew Bible it is called "be-midbar" meaning "in the wilderness." In the Greek Septuagint version of the Bible (LXX) it is called "Numbers," and this name is now the usual title of the book. It is so called because it contains a record of the numbering of the people in the wilderness of Sinai (Chs. 1â 4), and of their numbering afterwards on the plain of Moab (Ch. 26). The Book takes up where Exodus left off in the saga of Israel in the wilderness.

The Hebrew name for the Book "in the wilderness" is a better title for the Book. Although the book is noted for its two censuses, important events took place in the wilderness which relate to the present time. We will go through the book with the historical developments discussed first. The priestly elements and the censuses will be discussed at the later portion of the study.

The Book explains why Israel had to stay in the wilderness for forty years. It was an 11 Day journey from Egypt to the Promised Land of Canaan. But spies sent in to access the land brought back a bad report and God in His anger punished all of Israel.

The whole of Israel's stay in the wilderness generally portrays an unhappy people blaming Moses for their unhappiness. Time and time again Moses had to defend himself against unwarranted accusations. Ultimately it was God who had to stand up for him calling him "the humblest man to ever walk the earth". Time and time again God purposed to destroy the people for their grumbling and accusations. Each time Moses had to implore the Lord not to do that. Nevertheless God would send judgments among them in the form of plagues, fiery serpents and other expressions of His wrath. Thousands were killed. Moses had to stave off the extent of the destruction by bargaining with God not to completely destroy the people. This clearly shows that, even in this day, we should not grumble against God as He deals with our hearts. His chastenings are just. They are designed to get us into our Promised Land the Kingdom of God.

We should follow New Testament quotations that relate to difficulties in our walks with God. For instance, as James said of the Christians of his day, which should have applied to Israel in the wilderness: "Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance [steadfastness]. And let endurance [steadfastness] have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing" (James 1:2-4).

And Peter said: "In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ;" (1 Peter 1:6-7). And it was said of Christ Himself: "Although He was a Son, He learned obedience from the things which He suffered" (Hebrews 5:8). The people of Israel had such great promises from the Lord but they, like us, sometimes could not endure with joy the hardship that is the Lord testing our faith.

The complaining began in Exodus. They complained that the Egyptians came after them. They complained until Moses parted the Red (Reed) Sea. They complained on the other side because they had no water or food. In short their faith in God was at "zero" despite what God had done in delivering them from slavery and protecting them from the Plagues he brought against Egypt. Nevertheless the next generation made it to the banks of the Jordon River poised, after forty years, to possess the Land.

OUTLINE OF CONTENTS
The Book of Numbers
I. Preparations for the journey to Canaan (1:1-9:23)
A. Israelites numbered (1:1-4:49)
1.

• Language: English
• Publisher: eBookIt.com
• Release date: Apr 26, 2016
• ISBN: 9781456618131

Book preview

The Book of Numbers

In the Wilderness

By: Kenneth B. Alexander J.D.

Book Four-Bible Book By Book Series

Table of Contents

Title Page - The Book of Numbers - In the Wilderness; By: Kenneth B. Alexander J.D.

Table of Contents

Preface

Introduction to Series - Bible Book By Book

Introduction to Numbers

Outline of Contents – the Book of Numbers

Israel Sets Out

Spies

Complaints and Judgment

The Almond Branch

Moses’ Sin

Disagreements and Conquests

Balek and Balaam

Census Taken

Duties of the Levitical Priests

Further Events and Laws

Journey Through the Wilderness

Instructions

Bibliography – End Notes

Preface

Thanks to John Robert Stevens, Pastor and My Mentor, deceased; Pastors Gary and Marilyn Hargrave; The Living Word, a World Wide Fellowship of Churches (thelivingword.org); Logos Bible Study System 5; Fellow Believers

©Author: Kenneth B. Alexander, JD

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Web: www.christianfreelance. vpweb.com

Scripture references: The New American Standard, 95 ed; The New American Standard, 1977 ed.; King James Authorized Version; Unless Otherwise Noted

Scripture References In Italics and quotation marks

Bold Emphasis Author’s Discretion

CAPS USED FROM  BIBLE SCRIPTURES or PER AUTHOR’S DISCRETION

Man or Men when used alone is gender negative and is meant to include: men, women, mankind, humanity etc.

Introduction to Series -

Bible Book By Book

This Series of Books will treat the scriptures and the Bible as the full and complete Word of God compiled by God through the pens of men inspired by the Holy Spirit. The Bible says this about itself: "All Scripture is inspired [God breathed] by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work" (2 Timothy 3:16-17). God left for us a record of all that is needed to be known to enable His people full access to His salvation and entrance to His glorious Kingdom. Each scripture, group of scriptures, each Book as a whole has a point; it is saying something from God that we can take away with us just as if God Himself descended and spoke to us in person. It speaks both to the beginner in Christ and to the most mature. Its meaning is ever expanding according to the spiritual growth of the individual.

Christ Himself quoted scripture on many occasions. In his very first public appearance He spoke scripture. "THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD IS UPON ME, BECAUSE HE ANOINTED ME TO PREACH THE GOSPEL TO THE POOR. HE HAS SENT ME TO PROCLAIM RELEASE TO THE CAPTIVES,  AND RECOVERY OF SIGHT TO THE BLIND,  TO SET FREE THOSE WHO ARE DOWNTRODDEN, TO PROCLAIM THE FAVORABLE YEAR OF THE LORD" (Lk 4:18–19). He quoted Old Testament scripture written down by Isaiah from the Book of Isaiah 61:1-2. Christ went on to say: Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing. Amazingly enough Isaiah spoke this scripture a millennium before Christ and a millennium before Christ fulfilled the words. Many, many times you will read in the scriptures of Christ fulfilling a prophecy that was spoken millenniums before His birth.

The authenticity of the Bible is the subject of great dispute among men, mainly Biblical scholars and scientists. Many see the Bible as a book of myths or moralistic stories. Many hold that the named authors of the Books of the Bible were not their true authors. Others notice inconsistencies in the Bible and criticize the text of those grounds (for a full history of the Bible with criticisms see The Bible and history - From Wikipedia).

The scriptures, Old Testament and New, speak exclusively of Christ. He said to the Pharisees: "You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; it is  these that testify about Me; (John 5:39). They had been deceived into thinking that life, peace and happiness could be found by following rigid rules and traditions, such as rituals of washings and Sabbath day rests. They studied the Torah endlessly trying to find its secrets when the real secret was its revealing of the Messiah to come. The purpose of the Scriptures was to point mankind to Christ wherein dwells life, but they were not willing to come to Jesus so that they might have this life. The direct topological references to Christ in the Old Testament are much too many to enumerate here (see References to Christ In the Old Testament Scriptures by this author at lulu.com). 

The first thing to learn about the Bible is that it is incapable of human mental interpretation. It is unique in that respect out of all books written. John 1:1 makes that clear: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being.  The Word is just not a collection of literary works; it is and conveys the Spirit of God - it IS God.

The Word of God is recorded in the Bible. The operative Greek word is "Logos meaning The Word. Vine’s Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words partially defines Logos as: …the phrase The word of God i.e. the revealed Word of God is used as a direct revelation of Christ (1 Thessalonians 4:15) of the gospel…(citations)… in this respect it is the message from the Lord, delivered with His authority and made effective by His power…The personal word is a title of the Son of God…His distinct super-finite personality…His relation to the Godhead, His creative power… (Vine’s Page 1241-1242).

So the Word is God Himself as revealed by