The book of Numbers
The Book of Numbers
What is the book of Numbers about?
The book of Numbers is about the nation of Israel marching to the “promised land” of Canaan. Along the way their faith wavers and they rebel many times, the greatest of which is their refusal to enter the land of Canaan. As a result, they were punished severely by God. The punishment is that the Israelites must wander the desert for about 40 years. Only their children would be allowed to enter as they were expected to understand the consequences of their parents' rebellion and lack of faith.
Also, the tabernacle service (which was covered in Exodus) becomes too big of a task for just Aaron and his two remaining sons. God ends up selecting the tribe of Levi to help Aaron with the tabernacle service and priesthood. This book also records many of the offerings given by the leaders of each tribe as part of the dedication of the tabernacle and altar.
When the construction of the tabernacle was complete, you could think of the Israelites as starting a new phase in the history of their nation. During the next 40 years or so God gives Moses many laws which cover religious dutes, hygiene and diet, civil law, the army, court system, family & estate laws and much more.
Who wrote the book of Numbers?
Numbers is the fourth of five books Moses wrote.
Who is the audience?
God’s chosen people (the Israelites).
Timeframe Numbers was written:
Around the 1400s BC. Some sources deduce that it was written between 1446 and 1406 BC
"In short" (One sentence summary):
The nation of Israel rebels against Moses and the Lord, complain about food and water, and ultimately hesitate to enter Canaan because they have no faith in the Lord’s promise that the would inherit the promised land.
Fun facts about Numbers/Did you know?
- Moses ended up sinning by not trusting the Lord.
- The name of this book in Hebrew is "In the Wilderness".
- Not including the Levites, the nation of Israel included about 603,550 men (there are different schools of thought as to the total number of Israelites).
- The theme of numbers is the gradual fulfillment of the promise to Abraham that his descendants would be the people of God and occupy the land of Canaan.
