The Old Testament’s fourth book is called Numbers. Its name, “Numbers,” comes from a census that counts the number of individuals who left Egypt and the number of people who will reach the Promised Land forty years later. Additionally, it offers a synopsis of the forty years that the Israelites spent wandering in the desert.
Historical background
Numbers is a book that comes after Exodus and Leviticus. These two books tell the story of the Israelites’ journey through the wilderness to the country of Canaan after they were delivered from slavery by God. God had promised to give this country to their forefathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, as an enduring property. The majority of the episodes in the book of Exodus are from this time, while the book of Leviticus goes into detail on the various religious laws that God gave Israel at Mount Sinai. What transpired after the people left Mount Sinai and proceeded onward is chronicled in the book of Numbers.
Chapters 1-6: census and regulations
The first few chapters tell the story of how Moses, the leader of Israel, tallied every man eligible to enlist in the armed forces. They would have to engage in combat upon reaching their new homeland, after all. The Levite tribe held a unique position. They had religious obligations but were not soldiers. Each family has a specific role to play in taking care of the Holy Tent, and their families are enumerated in full.
We find more laws about religious feasts, ceremonial cleanliness, and sacrifices in addition to these lists.
Dedication of the tabernacle
The building of a holy tent (called the tabernacle) and how this tent would function as a religious center for the Israelites during their journey through the wilderness are described in great length in the books of Exodus, Leviticus, and the first portion of Numbers. Finally, the tabernacle was dedicated in Numbers 7. At the tent, the Levites and priests got to work.
Unbelief at the gates of Canaan
In Numbers 10, the story about Israel’s journey continues. After one year of camping near Mount Sinai, having received God’s laws and having built the tabernacle, they were about to enter the land of Canaan. They sent in twelve spies to assess the land. When these returned and gave a report, ten of them told the people that the land was good, but that its inhabitants were too powerful for the Israelites. Two spies tried to persuade the people that all would be well, because God was on their side. But most of the people believed the negative report and began to complain: “Why is the Lord bringing us into this land, to fall by the sword? Our wives and our little ones will become a prey. Would it not be better for us to go back to Egypt?” (Numbers 14:3).
God has consistently demonstrated His omnipotence. He had delivered the Israelites from Egyptian rule while they were in the desert, providing for everything of their needs—including food, water, shelter from the elements, locations to set up tents, and durable clothing and shoes. God now became enraged with the Israelites for their disbelief and whining, and rather than allowing them to enter the land He had promised them, God gave them the order to go back. In order to ensure that they would die in the desert as they had promised, he punished them by allowing them to roam aimlessly for an additional forty years. However, God would grant their offspring the promised country.
Forty years in the wilderness
The forty years that Israel spent in the desert are described in the second half of the book of Numbers. The scarcity of water, the monotonous food, Moses’ leadership, and other issues were among the many occasions that the Israelites grumbled and revolted. We read about God’s response to all of this whining. He punished the rebels on each of these occasions, sometimes targeting specific individuals and other times the entire populace. However, God never gave up on the Israelites.
God punished Israel’s leaders, Moses and Aaron, as well, for not honoring him. They were consequently denied entry into the promised land. We also learn about additional rules and laws that God has given us, most of them related to religion. We also read that after Israel had spent forty years in the wilderness, they once more stood before the gates of Canaan. According to the book of Joshua, they will surely conquer the land this time.
Lessons for us
Some important lessons we learn from the book of Numbers:
- God will punish those who rebel against Him, for He will not tolerate sin.
- Even in their times of disbelief, God remains dependable for His people.
- God always keeps His word and will carry it through, even when it looks unachievable.
