Numbers 1
As we begin the book of Numbers Bruce Wilkinson & Kenneth Boa have this to say, “Numbers, the book of divine discipline, shows the painful consequences of unbelief and irresponsible decisions on the part of God’s chosen people. Numbers begins with the old generation (chs. 1–12), moves through a tragic transition period (chs. 13–20), and ends with the new generation (chs. 21–36) poised at the doorstep to the land of Canaan. The book contains the records of two generations, two censuses, and two sets of instructions for enjoying the land of promise. God’s love is kind, but it can also be severe. His people must learn they can move forward only as they trust and depend on Him.” – Talk through the Bible
Warren Wiersbe, “Numbers is the book of wanderings. It takes its name from the two numberings of the Israelites—the first at Mount Sinai and the second on the plains of Moab. Most of the book, however, describes Israel’s experiences as they wander in the wilderness. The lesson of Numbers is clear. While it may be necessary to pass through wilderness experiences, one does not have to live there. For Israel, an eleven-day journey became a forty-year agony.”
We have the total number of soldiers 20 years old and above given to us in Numbers 1:46 = 603, 550
This total didn’t include the Tribe of Levi who were excluded from the military due to their responsibility of service in the Tabernacle. With 603,550 men of military age, what must the total population have been, when you include women, children, and elderly? There easily could have been 3 million Jews by this time!
Numbers 2:1-3:51
God is definitely a God of complete order. We even see this in the way He details how the tribes are to camp while in the wilderness, and the order of procession whenever they moved.
On the east side of the Tabernacle would be the tribe of Judah, next to them would be Issachar, next to them would be Zebulun – these would be the first to break camp.
On the south side of the Tabernacle would be the tribe of Reuben, next to them would be the tribe of Simeon, next to them would be Gad – these would be the second to break camp.
On the east side of the Tabernacle would be the tribe of Ephraim, next to them would be Manasseh, next to them would be Benjamin – these would be the third to break camp.
One the north side of the Tabernacle would be the tribe of Dan – next to them would be Asher, next to them would be Naphtali – these would be the last to break camp.
In between the tribes and the Tabernacle would be Moses, Aaron and their sons in order to listen to God, serve God, and meet the needs of the people. We read in:
Numbers 3:38 (NKJV) “Moreover those who were to camp before the tabernacle on the east, before the tabernacle of meeting, were Moses, Aaron, and his sons, keeping charge of the sanctuary, to meet the needs of the children of Israel; but the outsider who came near was to be put to death.”
Many Bible teaches believers that an aerial footage of Israel’s camp would depict a cross.
Chuck Missler, “It would appear to us that it is a cross! Isn’t that remarkable? And this is from the Torah, not the New Testament!”
History tells us that the banners or flags for Judah’s tribal standard was, of course, the lion. Reuben’s ensign was a man; Ephraim’s the ox; Dan’s, ultimately, the eagle. It is interesting to note that these four primary tribal standards–the lion, the man, the ox, and the eagle–are the same as the four faces of the cherubim in Ezekiel and Revelation (Ezekiel 1:10; 10:14; Revelation 4:7). Each time we encounter a view of the throne of God, we notice these holy living creatures. Some even see a resemblance of Jesus (Lion = King; Man = Humanity; Ox = Servant; Eagle = Deity).
Numbers 3 lists the sons of Aaron and the selection of the Tribe of Levi. Keep in mind that from the sons of Aaron would come the High Priests of Israel, and the sons of Levi would be their helpers as priests. We read this about the Levites:
Numbers 3:7 (NKJV) “And they shall attend to his needs and the needs of the whole congregation before the tabernacle of meeting, to do the work of the tabernacle.”
The children of Israel, in one sense, owed God their firstborn son, so rather than taking him from each family, God “took them” from Israel as a whole, by setting apart the entire Tribe of Levi to be priests. When Moses numbered the Levites one month old and above, the total was 22,000 (Numbers 3:39). When God numbered the firstborn among Israel one month and above, the total was 22,273. God then allowed the children of Israel to pay 5 shekels each for the redemption of the extra 273 firstborn males who were not accounted for among the descendants of Levi.
As we continue our journey through the Bible, we will see these 3 sons of Aaron – Gershon, Kohath, and Merrari and the different responsibilities they have in helping with the tabernacle.
Numbers delineates where each of these families would camp and what their duties would be.
Gershon on the west:
Numbers 3:25 (NKJV) “The duties of the children of Gershon in the tabernacle of meeting included the tabernacle, the tent with its covering, the screen for the door of the tabernacle of meeting.”
The family of Kohath would camp on the south of the Tabernacle:
Numbers 3:31 (NKJV) “Their duty included the ark, the table, the lampstand, the altars, the utensils of the sanctuary with which they ministered, the screen, and all the work relating to them.”
The family of Merrari would camp on the north of the Tabernacle:
Numbers 3:36–37 (NKJV) “And the appointed duty of the children of Merari included the boards of the tabernacle, its bars, its pillars, its sockets, its utensils, all the work relating to them, 37 and the pillars of the court all around, with their sockets, their pegs, and their cords.”
Yes, He is a God of order, in order to get things done efficiently and effectively reach the world. It’s a blessing to see how throughout the ages, God has given duties and assignments for all of His people. May we be faithful wherever He’s called us to camp and to whatever it is that has been entrusted to our care (1 Corinthians 4:1; 1 Peter 4:10).
Numbers 4-5
More numberings take place – this time Moses numbers the Levitical sons of Kohath, Gershon, and Merrari, those who were between the ages of thirty and fifty years old, “…all who enter the service to do the work in the tabernacle of meeting.” (Numbers 4:3)
We get to read about the specific responsibilities of each family, and even some of the details on how they were to take down and transport the tabernacle.
When it comes to the Holy Place and Most Holy Place, the sons of Aaron were to cover the Ark of the Testimony with badger skins and a blue cloth, and insert it’s poles for the sons of Kohath to carry. They were to do the same with the Table of Showbread, covering it with a scarlet cloth, the Lampstand was to be covered with a blue cloth, the Golden Altar with a blue cloth, and the ashes were to be carried away in a purple cloth.
The LORD is very meticulous with details – perhaps the scarlet points to the blood, the blue to heaven, and the purple a mixture of both? We even see glimpses of our Redeemer (Matthew 27:28; Mark 15:17).
The poles were provided so that the Kohathites were able to carry the items without touching them, for if they touched them, they would die; we read the warning in:
Numbers 4:15 (NKJV) “And when Aaron and his sons have finished covering the sanctuary and all the furnishings of the sanctuary, when the camp is set to go, then the sons of Kohath shall come to carry them; but they shall not touch any holy thing, lest they die. These are the things in the tabernacle of meeting which the sons of Kohath are to carry.”
Later in the Bible we’ll read the account of Uzzah touching the Ark of the Covenant because he didn’t want it to fall to the ground. He thought that he was holier than the dirt, apparently he wasn’t (none of us are), and he died for touching it (2 Samuel 6:6-7). Another time the children of Israel looked into the Ark and it resulted in a great slaughter – the children of Israel should have known better; only the sons of Aaron were allowed to see and touch these holy items, and even they had to approach these symbols of God’s presence in the prescribed way.
Everyone had their duty – the son of Aaron (Numbers 4:16), the sons of Kohath, the sons of Gershon, and the sons of Merari – we all do, in the vast Kingdom of God (Matthew 25:14-30; 1 Peter 4:10).
Numbers 5 covers what we might consider to be a bizarre law/ceremony to be conducted when a husband suspects his wife has been unfaithful to him. Considering the context of Theocracy (a nation directly governed by God), it’s not unreasonable to expect supernatural revelation woven into the law. One time I was contacted by a friend who suspected their spouse was being unfaithful – they were having a very difficult time with this. I had to tell him that God would make it clear, He would bring it to light. He always does (Numbers 32:23).
Warren Wiersbe, “This unusual law protected the woman as well as sanctified the marriage relationship. Husbands and wives must be faithful to each other. Marriage is an intimate relationship, and even hidden unfaithfulness can create a spirit of jealousy and doubt. If the wife was guilty, the truth would come out; if not, the husband could trust her, and they could live together and have a family. We have no such laws today, but we have an all-seeing God to whom we will answer one day.”
Numbers 6-7
Numbers 6 gives us the details on the Nazirite Vow. Our English word Nazirite comes to us from the Hebrew word Nazar, and it simply means to consecrate. Anyone who wanted to consecrate themselves to God above and beyond what was required of them, could do so for a set period time (as God would lead), for any reason. Have you ever sensed that call to draw even closer to God?
- There was to be no wine during this time (not even grapes).
- There was to be no haircuts during this time (for that reason some men shaved their heads at the commencement of this vow) (this is what we see in Acts 21:23-24).
- There was to be no touching of a dead body, not even if one’s immediate family died during this time. The person under the Nazirite vow was to be exclusively given to God, as we read in:
Numbers 6:8 (NKJV) “All the days of his separation he shall be holy to the LORD.”
If the person was unable to follow through with their vow, or somehow violated it, there was a prescribed series of sacrifices that needed to be made in order to be clean, and resume their vow (Numbers 6:9-12).
When the Nazirite vow was fulfilled, there were more sacrifices to be offered (Numbers 6:13-21).
Samson was unique in that he was to be a Nazirite – from his mother’s womb (Judges 13:4-5). Tragically, Samson violated every aspect of this vow and calling, and he paid a heavy price (Judges 16:21, 30).
I’ve always loved the priestly blessing in:
Numbers 6:24–26 (NKJV) “The LORD bless you and keep you; 25 The LORD make His face shine upon you, and be gracious to you; 26 The LORD lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace.”
This was how the priests were to bless the people, they were to prayerfully speak God’s blessings and protection over them – His favor, smiling face, and grace over their lives…that the Lord would give them peace. What a beautiful prayer to pray for one another; a good passage to commit to memory.
Numbers 7 details the offerings the leaders of each of the twelve tribes of Israel gave to the priests, beginning with six covered carts and twelve oxen. Two carts and four oxen were given to the sons Gershon to transport the items they were responsible for in the Tabernacle. Four carts and eight oxen were given to the sons of Merrari, since they were responsible for the transportation of more items than Gershon, and no carts or oxen were given to the sons of Kohath since they carried their items on their shoulders.
After that there was the offerings given from the representative leaders of each tribe on twelve successive days.
• One silver platter weighing 3.25 pounds, and one silver bowl weighing 1.75 pounds, both full of fine flour and oil.
• One gold pan weighing 4 ounces, full of incense.
• One young bull, one ram, and one male lamb in its first year as a burnt offering
• One kid of the goats as a sin offering
• Two oxen, five rams, five male goats, five male lambs in their first year as a peace offering
The tally is given in Numbers 7:84-88.
The twelve tribes did not include Levi or Joseph for Joseph was represented by his two sons Ephraim and Mannasseh, and Levi was the tribe of priests receiving the offerings.
Chapter 7 concludes with another beautiful passage:
Numbers 7:89 (NKJV) “Now when Moses went into the tabernacle of meeting to speak with Him, he heard the voice of One speaking to him from above the mercy seat that was on the ark of the Testimony, from between the two cherubim; thus He spoke to him.”
God met with Moses and spoke to Moses, audibly, from above the Mercy Seat (see also Exodus 25:22). This would be the lid of the Ark of the Covenant, symbolic of God’s throne; and it was there, on that very spot, where the High Priest would sprinkle the blood of the sacrifice on the Day of Atonement. It is there where we also are able to meet with God, at His throne of Grace, and He will speak to our hearts.
Numbers 8-9
From the lamps to the Levites, God is involved in all the details.
The law was given in order to cleanse the Levites for the work of the ministry – the grain offering, the sin offering, the wave offering, and the burnt offering.
Numbers 8:14 (NKJV) “Thus you shall separate the Levites from among the children of Israel, and the Levites shall be Mine.”
A couple of things came to heart on this.
In one sense, all Christians are now part of a holy priesthood (1 Peter 2:9; Revelation 1:6; 5:10; 20:6), but there are some, who have a deeper calling, and are completely set apart to the work of the ministry (Pastors and Deacons).
As ministers, although we are called and commissioned by grace (1 Corinthians 15:10), we are not to abuse that grace. We are to keep our hearts clean in order to be usable in His hands.
2 Timothy 2:20-21 (NKJV) “But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, some for honor and some for dishonor. Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work.”
I’ve always loved the way the Levites are listed as a gift to Aaron (Numbers 8:19). Who are you a gift to?
In the second year the people were called to celebrate the Passover, and they did. Whenever new issues or questions would arise, it is commendable how Moses prayed about such things – taking it to the Lord.
Numbers 9:8 (NKJV) “And Moses said to them, ‘Stand still, that I may hear what the LORD will command concerning you.’”
Once the Tabernacle was completed, God’s presence was manifested in a cloud that came near. The Jews were led intimately and personally by God in the form of that cloud.
Nehemiah 9:12 (NKJV) “Moreover You led them by day with a cloudy pillar, and by night with a pillar of fire, to give them light on the road Which they should travel.”
God is willing to lead us intimately and personally as well…we must simply have that heart to follow Him.
Numbers 10:1-11:23
Moses was commanded by the LORD to make two silver trumpets in order to provide direction to the people – for directing the movement of the camps, to call an assembly as an entire congregation, to assemble as leaders, in times of war, in days of gladness, on the first of the month, as well as other times of special sacrifices.
It was now time to blow those trumpets. It had been two years and two months since their redemption from Egypt and they finally head out to the Promised Land – in orderly fashion.
Moses recruited his brother-in-law, Hobab, to join them on the journey. Not only would Hobab benefit from the blessings given to Israel, but the Israelites could benefit from his knowledge of the land and desert routes (Numbers 10:31-32). Although it isn’t clear in our text whether or not Hobab joined them, it appears from Judges 1:16; 4:11 that he did – but he is not mentioned again in the Pentateuch.
The people began to complain about their food. They were tired of the Manna (angels’ food – Psalm 78:25). This complaining seems to have started with the mixed multitude (the non-Israelites) among them (be careful who you journey with). This led to the judgment of God (people died) and the weeping of the people (Numbers 11:8). The burden was getting heavier on Moses, so he does the right thing and gets honest with God – he casts his burden on the Lord.
I’m reminded of:
1 Peter 5:7 (NKJV) “…casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.”
It’s always too heavy for us, especially leaders who are called to serve God and His people the way Moses was. We need to constantly pray and give Him our burdens.
I’m also reminded of:
Philippians 2:14 (NKJV) “Do all things without complaining and disputing.”
No matter what your lot in life may be, you can always find something to complain about. The children of Israel should have looked on the bright side, they were now free from the bondage of slavery, they had entered into a covenant with God as His special people, they were alive and well on their way to the promised land – they should have been grateful they for the food they had (1 Timothy 6:8).
Erwin Luther said, “Complaining about our lot in life might seem quite innocent in itself, but God takes it personally.”
God was not pleased; He was angry.
All this led Moses to cry out to God (a good thing) and the Lord provided a plan to ease the burden by anointing seventy men to help carry the load. God would even provide so much meat for Israel that it would be coming out of their nostrils. Moses questioned it – how could God possibly do that – they couldn’t slaughter their flocks and herds flippantly? God responded:
Numbers 11:23 (NKJV) “And the LORD said to Moses, ‘Has the LORD’s arm been shortened? Now you shall see whether what I say will happen to you or not.’”
Nothing is too hard for God. If He wanted them to have meat He would have provided it for them, but they were now entering into God’s “Permissive Will.” Be careful what you ask for, you might just “get it.”
Numbers 11:24-13:33
When Moses was having a hard time bearing the burden of the people, God commanded him to gather seventy men who would help him (Numbers 11:16). God would anoint them for the work of the ministry with same Spirit Moses had. We now see that come to pass – when the Spirit fell on the seventy, they prophesied – this was most likely to display God’s approval and selection of these seventy men to all the children of Israel.
The Bible Knowledge Commentary had this to say about their prophesying: “Prophesying here does not refer to prediction or even to proclamation but to giving (in song or speech) praise and similar expressions without prior training (see the comparable experience of Saul in 1 Samuel 10:9–11). This prophesying could be done only in response to the special visitation of the Spirit.”
There were two men of the seventy who remained in the camp – but they also prophesied. When Joshua found out, he was inclined to forbid them. I love Moses’ response:
Numbers 11:29 (NKJV) “Then Moses said to him, ‘Are you zealous for my sake? Oh, that all the LORD’s people were prophets and that the LORD would put His Spirit upon them!’”
Exclusivity, envy, or jealousy have no part in the kingdom of God. We should all want everyone to excel Spiritually, even beyond ourselves.
God then fulfilled His promise – the people would eat meat in the wilderness – but their carnality had its consequences. While the meat was still stuck between their teeth, God’s wrath was aroused – their gluttony led to “Graves of Craving,” (Kibroth Hattaavah). How we need to keep our appetites under control!
The account of Aaron and Miriam speaking against Moses has always brought a healthy fear to my heart. I thoroughly HATE slander, backbiting, and gossip – against anyone, but I’m especially careful never to speak against my spiritual leaders.
They may have been jealous of their brother – how he was getting all the “attention,” so when the opportunity came (a potential flaw) they started to “talk.” God called them both to the carpet and rebuked them for their foolishness, why weren’t they afraid to speak against God’s anointed? Clearly he had been chosen by God, the man of God was led by God – who even spoke to Moses intimately – “face to face!”
Why were they not afraid?
Moses’ humility is highlighted (no doubt later inserted by Joshua), that he didn’t retaliate for the slander against him – but God did. After the verbal correction, Miriam suffered physical correction, and the LORD struck her with leprosy. We’re not sure why Aaron wasn’t struck, it may have been because Miriam was the primary instigator, or because of Aaron’s position as High Priest. Immediately Aaron pleaded with Moses to intercede for her, which he did, and God showed her grace, with a lenient but humiliating sentence, as if He had spit in her face…seven days outside the camp.
Our hearts break to see what happened after the 12 spies returned from scouting out the promised-land for forty days. Ten gave a bad report, but two knew it had nothing to do with them – if God is for us, who can be against us? (Romans 8:31) If only they would have listened to Caleb (one of my favorite Bible characters).
Numbers 13:30 (NKJV) “Then Caleb quieted the people before Moses, and said, ‘Let us go up at once and take possession, for we are well able to overcome it.’”
Caleb had no hesitation, no reservation – he knew that if you take time to think it through – looking only to human logic, it’ll never happen. The ten men with a bad report took God OUT of the equation…never a good thing to do.
I still have my lapses of faith, but I do remember the early days of Calvary Chapel El Monte. God spoke to my heart…to start a church in the city of El Monte. I went street witnessing hoping someone would get saved, so we could start a church in their home. I had nothing, no one, I was out there all alone (but I wasn’t alone). I don’t know what I was thinking – how would God provide for my family? Why risk it all when things were so comfortable where I was? I look back sometimes and I shake my head. How did it happen? All I can say, is it was God’s grace leading me, calling me, moving me. If I would have sat down and thought through the logic of it all (the giants against the grasshopper), I would have never done it. Somehow that same “spirit” of Caleb had found a home in my heart…thank You Jesus.
And I still wonder, what “land” the Lord may lead us to next.
Numbers 14:1-15:16
What an absolute tragedy this is! The nation of Israel made it to the brink of the Promised Land, but this generation wouldn’t enter in, due to their foolish lack of faith. Their words were self-fulfilling, self-condemning:
Numbers 14:2–3 (NKJV) “And all the children of Israel complained against Moses and Aaron, and the whole congregation said to them, ‘If only we had died in the land of Egypt! Or if only we had died in this wilderness! 3 Why has the LORD brought us to this land to fall by the sword, that our wives and children should become victims? Would it not be better for us to return to Egypt?’”
The people began a movement to have Moses impeached, the plan was then to return to Egypt. Imagine that!
Moses and Aaron fell on their faces to pray (a great place for servant-leaders).
Joshua and Caleb tore their clothes, pleading with the people to believe – that just as the LORD had brought them out of the bad-land, He could easily bring them into the good-land; God would protect them, there was no need to fear.
But the congregation was poisoned by doubt, filled and flooded with fear, they only spoke of stoning the believers.
At that point, God makes His presence visible and speaks to Moses along the lines of wiping out Israel, of starting a new nation through him. I wonder how many men would have bought into the glory of such a thought. If Moses would have agreed, we could call them the “Mosaics.”
But Moses was not interested in himself, he was only interested in the glory of God. Moses teaches us how to pray, to plead, to intercede, reasoning with God for the glory of God. What would the nations think of the LORD if He wiped them all out and started over? They might mistakenly think that God was bigger than the gods of Egypt, but not the gods of Canaan.
Moses prayed and pleaded for the glory of God – he also prayed for the grace of God. He remembered how the Lord had revealed Himself as a God who was willing to pardon the people – Moses prayed for that pardon. (Exodus 34:5-7)
We read God’s response in:
Numbers 14:20 (NKJV) “Then the LORD said: ‘I have pardoned, according to your word.’”
God would forgive them, but there would be consequences:
Numbers 14:29 (NKJV) “The carcasses of you who have complained against Me shall fall in this wilderness, all of you who were numbered, according to your entire number, from twenty years old and above.”
At one time these soldiers must have been proud to have been numbered, but now it was their death sentence. The children that they were worried about would make it in, along with Joshua and Caleb, but not those who were Numbered, they were sentenced a year in the wilderness for every day they had spied out the land – it would be a total of forty years of wandering!
What an absolute tragedy this is!
May we lean from their mistakes!
Paul the Apostle warned us “New Testament people” about this. Allow me to quote a long but applicable passage, that we should read carefully:
1 Corinthians 10:1–5 (NKJV) “Moreover, brethren, I do not want you to be unaware that all our fathers were under the cloud, all passed through the sea, 2 all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, 3 all ate the same spiritual food, 4 and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them, and that Rock was Christ. 5 But with most of them God was not well pleased, for their bodies were scattered in the wilderness.”
Paul simply says, that if it happened to most of them in that congregation, it can happen to us; we need to take heed (1 Corinthians 10:12).
The writer to the Hebrews says something similar in his letter. He highlights the fact that the Jews did not enter-in due to unbelief – may it not happen to anyone reading these words. There’s much to say on this, but let me generalize by encouraging whoever you are, to believe – no matter what. No matter how big those trials are, those giants are, those mountains are! Don’t crumble, cower, capitulate, or complain about how big your mountains are – you go to those mountains and tell them how big your God is! Our faith will be tested – we must never lose heart.
After Moses communicated God’s sentence, the people changed their minds – they tried to go in on their own strength, but it was too late, they were doomed to defeat. Again, we learn from the writer to the Hebrews:
Hebrews 3:15 (NKJV) “Today, if you will hear His voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion.”
To get the complete context you can also visit Psalm 95:7-11. We must believe and receive today – tomorrow may be too late.
The next chapter, Numbers 15, begins with a word of encouragement for the nation of Israel – “When you have come into the land..” Not “if,” but “when.” It WOULD happen, just not now.
Warren Wiersbe, “God gave the people a word of assurance when He said, “When you have come into the land.” In spite of the nation’s sins, the new generation would make it to Canaan and possess the land. (See 2 Timothy 2:11–13) When they did, they were expected to take time to thank God and worship Him.”
Numbers 15:17-16:40
Numbers 15 is directed towards the new generation and in one sense, begins with three categories of offerings:
1. Freewill offerings (Numbers 15:1-16)
2. Firstfruit offerings (Numbers 15:17-21)
3. Sin offerings (Numbers 15:22-29)
Concerning the sin offerings, the Bible Knowledge commentary offers these words, “These were made in atonement for the failure to keep any of the Lord’s commandments unwittingly; that is, by unintentional neglect or omission.”
Eight times in Numbers 15:22-29 we have the words unintended, unintentional, or unintentionally. This gives us specifics on what to do if the congregation or an individual sinned unintentionally.
Technically, there was no offering for anyone who sinned presumptuously. Other translations use the words brazenly, defiantly, willfully, openly, deliberately – it’s one thing to stumble into sin (we all do) but it’s something different to go against God with eyes wide open – premeditated rebellion.
Numbers 15:30–31 (NKJV) “But the person who does anything presumptuously, whether he is native-born or a stranger, that one brings reproach on the LORD, and he shall be cut off from among his people. 31 Because he has despised the word of the LORD, and has broken His commandment, that person shall be completely cut off; his guilt shall be upon him.”
This was probably the case of the man who worked on the Sabbath Day, openly, defiantly, publicly. God would make an example of him. He was stoned to death.
Some might criticize or find fault in this type of punishment for a man who just up sticks, but the heart of the matter is not necessarily what he did to sin, but who he sinned against. God was the one who told him not to work on that day, but he chose to do so defiantly.
This doesn’t mean that forgiveness is not possible if we sin presumptuously, it simply means that we should never presume on God’s grace – we use it, but may we never abuse it. We should always appreciate and remember our Redeemer.
Numbers 15:41 (NKJV) “I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, to be your God: I am the LORD your God.”
Numbers 16 is another one of those tragic chapters, when the people rebel against the Lord’s chosen leaders and in doing so, rebel against God. In Numbers 12 it was only Aaron and Miriam speaking against Moses, but here it began with one man, and then three, who incite 250 men of renown (Numbers 16:2), and eventually the entire congregation against Moses and Aaron (Numbers 16:19)
Korah was of the tribe of Levi who served as priests, but they were jealous of the positions the sons of Aaron had as the family of High Priests. We read in:
Numbers 16:3 (NKJV) “They gathered together against Moses and Aaron, and said to them, ‘You take too much upon yourselves, for all the congregation is holy, every one of them, and the LORD is among them. Why then do you exalt yourselves above the assembly of the LORD?’”
Korah spoke of equality. Yes, the entire congregation is holy, we’re all equal, but we have different places, varying roles and responsibilities given to us by God – none more important than the other. The Levites should have been blessed that they were allowed to serve God in any way (we all should be) (Numbers 16:10).
The rebels blamed Moses for not leading them into the Promised-Land when in all reality, it wasn’t Moses’ fault! It was their lack of faith that brought about their failure to enter in, but it’s so much easier to blame others, to seek a scapegoat. On the contrary, if they would have simply followed Moses’ lead, they would have enjoyed the land of milk and honey.
God – once again – was ready to wipe Israel out. But Moses and Aaron fell on their faces and interceded. They knew that Korah was the one primarily responsible for all this, and they brought it before God. Sure enough, they were right; God warned the people to depart from the tents of the wicked and the earth opened up like pac-man, and swallowed Korah and his immediate household alive. Later fire fell from heaven and consumed the other 250 who had joined in the rebellion, and then 14,700 died in the plague.
Truly, our God is a holy God. He chooses whom He uses; He raises up, and He sets down (Psalm 75:6-7).
Numbers 16:41-18:32
After the judgment of Korah and those in alignment with them, the congregation continued to complain, blaming Moses and Aaron for their deaths. It’s amazing how fake news is so easily believed. It’s been said that, “A lie can circle the world, before the truth can even lace up their shoes.”
AGAIN, God was ready to wipe out Israel, but the ones they said were responsible for death, stood in the gap, Moses and Aaron actually fell on their faces – for life. Moses told Aaron to put fire in his censor from the altar of incense (symbolic of prayer) he did so with urgency, and the plague stopped, but not before 14,700 people died.
Saints should not be guilty of complaints. May there be a healthy fear of God in our hearts.
Hebrews 10:31 (NKJV) “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.”
At the heart of their rebellion, was God’s selection of Aaron, they were envious of the fact that his family had been chosen as High Priests. So the LORD commanded Moses to obtain a rod (branch) from each of the Tribes with their leader’s name on each rod. They were to put the rod in the presence of God, and the chosen tribe would bear fruit. We read the results:
Numbers 17:8 (NKJV) “Now it came to pass on the next day that Moses went into the tabernacle of witness, and behold, the rod of Aaron, of the house of Levi, had sprouted and put forth buds, had produced blossoms and yielded ripe almonds.”
It was clearly confirmed. God had chosen the Tribe of Levi and specifically the family of Aaron – the rod was to be kept in the Ark of the Covenant in case anyone questioned their calling ever again.
Warren Wiersbe, “Korah, a Levite, was not satisfied to serve in the tabernacle according to God’s will; he wanted a “promotion” so he could enjoy all the privileges of the priests. It is good to desire spiritual growth and progress, but we must beware selfish ambition that glorifies the servant and not the Master (Philippians 2:3–4). “Selfish ambition” is one of the works of the flesh (Galatians 5:20), and it brings destruction.”
I wonder why people get jealous in ministry. The Pharisees were jealous of Jesus; Simon the sorcerer was jealous of Peter (Acts 8:18-19); there was that type of tension and contention going on between Syntyche and Euodia (Philippians 4:2). We should never be jealous or envious of others, we should actually esteem others better than ourselves (Philippians 2:3) and be faithful where God has called us. Perhaps people like Korah and his crowd looked at Aaron and his family and considered themselves to be “better” – and maybe they were. But God chooses the weak things of the world (1 Corinthians 1:27) – God chooses whom He uses and we trust Him on this. He anoints whom He appoints and if He ever wants to raise you up – He will – but be careful not to exalt yourself. Wait on the Lord, and trust His timing and will (Psalm 75:6-7).
Numbers 18 speaks of the divine duty the sons of Aaron and the sons of Levi had. They were responsible for the work of the tabernacle. They were to bear the responsibility for offenses connected with the sanctuary. It was a heavy calling.
The Levites were a gift to Aaron, to assist him in the ministry (Numbers 18:6).
The priesthood wasn’t something they earned, this service was a holy gift from God;
Numbers 18:7 (NKJV) “Therefore you and your sons with you shall attend to your priesthood for everything at the altar and behind the veil; and you shall serve. I give your priesthood to you as a gift for service, but the outsider who comes near shall be put to death.”
The rest of the chapter deals with the support for the priests from the offerings of Israel, and closes with the Levites tithing of the tithes given to them, in order to support the sons of Aaron.
It’s wonderful to see the flow of this chapter, how God gives us gifts; He gives us helpers (Numbers 18:6), He gives us work to do (Numbers 18:7), He gives us our food and finances (Numbers 18:8 ff), and He even gives us Himself (Numbers 18:20).”
Numbers 18:20 (NKJV) “Then the LORD said to Aaron: ‘You shall have no inheritance in their land, nor shall you have any portion among them; I am your portion and your inheritance among the children of Israel.’”
Warren Wiersbe, “The priests and Levites were assigned places to live in Israel, but they did not have property from which they could get income (Josh. 13:14). They had to trust God to meet their needs. But when God is your inheritance, what more do you need? (See Psalm 16:5–6.)”
Numbers 19-20
Got Questions explains the significance of the red heifer, “To meet the requirements of the Old Testament law, a red heifer was needed to help accomplish the purification from sin—specifically, the ashes of a red heifer were needed. The red heifer was a reddish-brown cow, probably at least two years old. It was to be “without defect or blemish” and to have never borne a yoke. The sacrifice of the red heifer was unique in the law in that it used a female animal, it was sacrificed away from the entrance to the tabernacle, and it was the only sacrifice in which the color of the animal was specified.” (full article – https://www.gotquestions.org/red-heifer.html)
The ashes of an unblemished red heifer were needed for the purification of the tabernacle and anyone who had become unclean due to a dead body (Numbers 19:4, 11-20). According to Rabbinic tradition there have been nine red heifers sacrificed since Moses’ time, but since the destruction of the Temple in 70 AD, there have been none to sacrifice. However, recently the Temple Institute, a group advocating the construction of a third temple, a flawless red heifer was born in August 2018 in Israel (see articles)
Many believe the birth of the red heifer, the first in two thousand years as a sign of the times.
In Numbers 20 Moses experiences the passing of his two siblings, first it was his sister Miriam (Numbers 20:1).
Not to make excuses for Moses in any way, but often there are “reasons” that may, in some way, explain our behavior, this may be the case as we see this tragedy unfold.
Once again the children of Israel contended against Moses and Aaron, and once again Moses and Aaron fell on their faces to pray and seek God. The LORD spoke to Moses:
Numbers 20:8 (NKJV) “Take the rod; you and your brother Aaron gather the congregation together. Speak to the rock before their eyes, and it will yield its water; thus you shall bring water for them out of the rock, and give drink to the congregation and their animals.”
The commandment was clear, it was simple. Moses was to simply SPEAK to the rock in order to bring forth water for the people. But Moses not only rebuked the people, but he struck the rock, and did so twice. It seems to me that Moses was extremely angry and frustrated. In spite of Moses’ emotional outburst, God proceed to provide water for the people, but then the LORD broke the bad news to the brothers:
Numbers 20:12 (NKJV) “Then the LORD spoke to Moses and Aaron, ‘Because you did not believe Me, to hallow Me in the eyes of the children of Israel, therefore you shall not bring this assembly into the land which I have given them.’”
Moses misrepresented God, and in a moment of rage (we’ve probably all been there), he forfeited his right to lead the people into the Promised Land. The NLT captures the essence of his error, “Because you did not trust Me enough to demonstrate My holiness to the people of Israel, you will not lead them into the land I am giving them!” How I need to remember anger is only 1-letter short of danger.
Besides the obvious and mentioned reasons, Bible teachers also point out two truths as to why Moses was not allowed entrance.
1. Moses represented the Law. The Law can never lead anyone into that place of Grace. We read in:
John 1:17 (NKJV) “For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.”
2. Moses marred God’s typology. The Rock was Christ (1 Corinthians 10:4). When Moses struck the Rock the first time (Exodus 17:6), in order to bring forth water, it was a perfect picture of Jesus who was “struck” in order to grant us the Holy Spirit (John 7:37-39). Now, as Christians, Jesus doesn’t need to be “struck” again in order for us to receive the Holy Spirit. We simply need to speak to Him, to pray, and God will grant us the baptism and fresh filling of the Holy Spirit. Moses marred the typology.
The people of Edom were the descendants of Esau, the brother of Jacob. They should have helped their brethren, but they were obstinate and didn’t allow Israel to pass through their land. They would later pay for that decision.
Numbers 20 closes with the death of Aaron and the passing on of the High Priesthood to his son Eleazar.
In this section Moses lost his sister, his temper, his lifelong goal, and finally his brother…and yet, he still had God to keep him. Sometimes you won’t realize that God is all you need, until He’s all you have.
Numbers 21:1-22:20
In this section we begin to see Israel fight her battles and wage her wars. The king of Arad the Canaanite had taken some of the Israelites as prisoners – so Israel prays to God, vowing to utterly destroy their cities, to take none of the spoil for themselves, as a type of tithe, or first fruits offering.
God agrees, for at this stage of history, Israel was God’s instrument of judgment upon a people that were completely perverse – they were ripe for judgment.
It seems to be in their DNA – the children of Jacob once again speak against God and against Moses. It mattered not that they were free, they preferred their bondage in Egypt, bound even by food. They loathed God’s supernatural provision of Manna. They forgot that all those years of wandering in the wilderness was due to their own disobedience.
So the LORD sent fiery serpents, and again, people began to die (Romans 6:23). They then confessed their sin and asked Moses to pray for them, at which point the LORD gave Moses further instruction.
Numbers 21:8 (NKJV) “Then the LORD said to Moses, ‘Make a fiery serpent, and set it on a pole; and it shall be that everyone who is bitten, when he looks at it, shall live.’”
Jesus would later point to this incident as a picture of how He would save His people. We read His words in:
John 3:14–15 (NKJV) “And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15 that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.”
You see, the world has been “bitten” by the sin of the serpent. Jesus bore our sins (in that sense He “became sin for us” 2 Corinthians 5:21), and was lifted-up on the cross of Calvary. Bronze is symbolic of judgment, and Jesus suffered the judgment we deserved. Now, all we have to do is to look to Him by faith, just look up and believe, we will be healed from the venomous poison of sin. I’m reminded of the passage in:
Isaiah 45:22 (NKJV) “Look to Me, and be saved, all you ends of the earth! For I am God, and there is no other.”
Have you “looked?” Can you see Jesus nailed to that cross for you and me? They put Him in a grave but He rose from the dead. Can you see? Do you believe? It’s there we find salvation.
The Jews continued their journey toward the Promised Land and there were many adventures along the way.
Below are some maps from the website: https://www.thebiblejourney.org/
The defeat of Sihon, King of the Amorites, and Og King of Bashan, on the east side of the Jordan would be spoken of frequently, for these nations consisted of giants (Deuteronomy 3:11) (see more of Deut. 3)
As you can see, Moab lies at the brink of the Promised-Land, and as the mass of millions of Jew draw near Moab, fears that their very existence is in jeopardy, so they send men and money to this mysterious prophet named Balaam who is known throughout the land. When the men initially come, Balaam checks with the LORD who says, “No, do not go with these men.” But the enemy doesn’t give up that easily and he sends more prominent men with even more money. The enemy had discovered Balaam’s weakness. I believe Balaam should never have entertained the thought or given these men the time of day, but he reconsiders and takes it to the LORD again. Balaam would now enter in to the permissive will of God who would accomplish His purposes, including Balaam’s ultimate judgment.
Balaam was a true prophet, but deep down inside, a prophet for profit. Eventually this would be discovered…and it would be his doom. He was not firm in his obedience.
(See New Testament comments on Balaam 2 Peter 2:15; Jude 11; Revelation 2:4)
Numbers 22:21-23:30
The LORD was angry with Balaam for going (Numbers 22:22). Some say that God gave Balaam permission to go, but was angry with Balaam’s underlying motives. Others say that Balaam disobeyed God’s condition given in:
Numbers 22:20a (NKJV) “And God came to Balaam at night and said to him, ‘If the men come to call you, rise and go with them…”
The word “IF” is a big word. We don’t read of the men coming to call Balaam, but only what appears to be Balaam eagerly rising and going with them.
So the LORD sent His Angel with a drawn sword in His hand. God allowed the donkey to see the Angel, which made for a bumpy ride. Balaam beat the donkey down; he would have killed it if he could, but the LORD opened the mouth of the donkey and the donkey reasoned with Balaam.
As a quick side-note, this is fascinating to me. Will animals be able to talk in heaven? I’m not sure but I think of the Chronicles of Narnia.
The LORD eventually opens the eyes of Balaam who sees the Angel with His drawn sword – and Balaam falls flat on his face. Balaam acknowledges his sin, and is willing to go back, but he’d already gone too far. The LORD allowed Balaam to go under certain conditions. We read in:
Numbers 22:35 (NKJV) “Then the Angel of the LORD said to Balaam, ‘Go with the men, but only the word that I speak to you, that you shall speak.’ So Balaam went with the princes of Balak.”
God is able to use seriously marred men, in sinful situations to send His message and accomplish His purposes. But woe to those men! Jesus said in:
Matthew 7:22-23 (NKJV) “Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’”
Balak, the King of Moab had hired Balaam with a hefty honorarium (Numbers 22:37) to curse the people of Israel. Balaam lets the king know that he can only say what God puts in his mouth.
In spite of the man (not in light of the man), the prophecies Balaam speaks over the people of God are beautiful. Balaam gets Word from the LORD and reveals the fact that he cannot curse the people whom God has blessed – and – you can’t reverse the curse (Numbers 23:8, 20). Balaam reveals that God is not like us, He doesn’t lie or change His mind (Numbers 23:19).
One of my favorite passages in the Bible is:
Numbers 23:21 (NKJV) “He has not observed iniquity in Jacob, nor has He seen wickedness in Israel. The LORD his God is with him, and the shout of a King is among them.”
These words are amazing to me. God has not seen iniquity in Jacob? Wait a minute, time out, we’ve been studying the carnal activities of this disobedient nation ever since their exit from Egypt and wandering in the wilderness, how can God not see their sin? The answer? They’re a forgiven people, their sin has been taken away! The same is true for us as Christians. When God views positionally, He sees no sin, we’re covered with the righteousness of Christ.
Wow!
Balaam is an enigma, a mysterious Old Testament figure mentioned also in the New Testament (2 Peter 2:15; Jude 11; Revelation 2:14), as having loved the wages of unrighteousness, and who put a stumbling block before the nation of Israel. He was a prophet for profit, even though his prophecies came true. God knows the motives of every minister and even though they might be used and have their moments of spiritual ecstasy, one day we will all stand before God and give an account.
There may have been a part of Balaam that wanted to die the death of the righteous (Numbers 23:10). But there was another part of his heart that loved money more. In the end, Balaam died by the edge of God’s sword (Numbers 31:8).
Numbers 24:1-25:18
This mysterious prophet Balaam, now prophecies for the third time, but it’s different this time. He uses no worldly ways (we’re not sure what the “sorcery” of this seer exactly was, Numbers 24:1), but apparently Balaam’s eyes were opened to the fact that God had great plans for Israel.
To summarize – God was about to give Israel the immediate victory, and the LORD through their Messiah would bring about the ultimate victory.
“His King shall be higher than Agag” (the title of the Amalek king) (Numbers 24:7b).
“He shall consume the nations” (Numbers 24:8).
And then the reiteration of Genesis 12:3:
Numbers 24:9b (NKJV) “Blessed is he who blesses you, and cursed is he who curses you.”
The king of Moab hired a prophet to curse Israel but the prophet reveals to him that God’s people cannot be cursed, and as a matter of fact, if you even attempt to curse God’s people, you will be cursed! By now the king of Moab should have realized that his best bet at this point, would have been to bless Israel, but he didn’t.
King Balak’s anger was aroused and he informs Balaam, that because he didn’t curse Israel, he wasn’t going to get the money after all (Numbers 24:11). Balaam says the right things but has the wrong heart. He can’t but prophecy the words the LORD puts in his mouth, but we will see later, how Balaam gets his money another way.
Balaam’s fourth prophecy was one of “Him” – the Christ:
Numbers 24:17 (NKJV) “I see Him, but not now; I behold Him, but not near; a Star shall come out of Jacob; a scepter shall rise out of Israel, and batter the brow of Moab, and destroy all the sons of tumult.”
Numbers 24:19a (NKJV) “Out of Jacob One shall have dominion…”
It’s sad to hear the world call fallen men and women – stars, when in all reality Jesus is the “Star,” the only Superstar; we read in Revelation 22:16 that Jesus is the Morning Star in reference to the One who brings about the rising of a new dawn. The scepter, which is a symbol of sovereignty would rise out of Israel, the ONE who would have dominion and defeat ALL the sons of tumult (the loud and rebellious crowd). Another one of hundreds of prophecies regarding the coming of Christ.
Balaam then prophecies concerning the Amalekites and the Kenites, a more prominent people back then. After which, Balaam goes home, but not before teaching Balaak how Israel can curse themselves. We gain insight from Jesus’ words to the compromising church of Pergamos:
Revelation 2:14 (NKJV) “But I have a few things against you, because you have there those who hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit sexual immorality.”
In Numbers 31:8 and Joshua 13:22 we see that Balaam was killed by Israel in the midst of the Midianites but it’s not until New Testament light, do we get the full picture.
In Numbers 25 the Moabites send women to seduce the men of Israel; it would be sexual sin woven into the worship of their gods. According to Numbers 25:9 twenty-four thousand died in the plague because of this, and if it weren’t for the intervention of Phinehas, more would have died. You see, the children of Israel couldn’t be cursed by others, but in this way, they could curse themselves. Balaam taught Balaak this sexual weapon of spiritual warfare, and was therefore able to receive his money after all – but it cost him his life, and his soul (Mark 8:36).
Satan’s tactics haven’t changed much, he takes down many men and women of God through sexual sin, every single day!
How we need to beware of the idolatry of sexual immorality!
Phinehas becomes an example to us, in his zeal for God and holiness. Zimri and Cozbi were a couple that didn’t just fall into sin, they flaunted their sin, right in front of Moses’ face. Not that we are to spear people in the middle of the act, for we are not the theocracy that Israel was, but that we would have such an absolute hatred for sexual immorality that we ourselves would stay pure, that we would do everything we can to prevent others from falling, and help others to get up and out of this sin.
Numbers 26:1-51
It’s only been twelve chapters in the book of Numbers, but it’s been close to thirty-eight years the children of Israel have been serving their sentence – one generation dying and the rest of the people wandering…all those years (Deuteronomy 2:14). When we add up the time traveling and the time spent at Mt. Sinai it’s now nearing forty years and it’s time to Number the people once again.
Numbers 26:2 (NKJV) “Take a census of all the congregation of the children of Israel from twenty years old and above, by their fathers’ houses, all who are able to go to war in Israel.”
Amazingly the children of Israel’s numbers haven’t changed too much – God has sustained them in the wilderness all these years!
| Tribe | First Numbering | Second Numbering |
| Reuben | 46,500 | 43,700 |
| Simeon | 49,300 | 22,200 |
| Gad | 45,650 | 40,500 |
| Judah | 74,600 | 76,500 |
| Issachar | 54,400 | 64,300 |
| Zebulun | 57,400 | 60,500 |
| Ephraim | 40,500 | 32,500 |
| Manasseh | 32,200 | 52,700 |
| Benjamin | 35,400 | 45,600 |
| Dan | 62,700 | 64,400 |
| Asher | 41,500 | 53,400 |
| Naphtali | 53,400 | 45,400 |
| Total | 603,550 | 601,730 |
Keep in mind, this number doesn’t include the ladies, all the children below twenty years of age, the elderly who were not able to go to war and the entire tribe of Levi who totaled 23,000 in the second census. For that reason I believe it’s safe to assume that the total population of Israel was anywhere from two to three million people.
Warren Wiersbe, “The taking of the second census was a sign that the nation’s wanderings were soon to end. Note the people in this list who are given special attention: Dathan and Abiram, who rebelled against the Lord (Numbers 26:9–11); Nadab and Abihu, who defied the Lord (Numbers 26:61); and Joshua and Caleb, who believed the Lord (Numbers 26:65).”
Halley’s Bible Handbook, “Wilderness life must have been hard. Of the more than 600,000 males above the age of 20 that were included in the first census (chap. 1), only two survived. The younger generation, hardened by the desert, were a different class of men from what their fathers had been as slaves freshly freed from a hard but predictable life, from the “flesh pots” (kjv; niv “pots of meat,” Exodus 16:3) of Egypt.”
Numbers 26:52-28:15
The day would eventually come when the children of Israel would inherit the promised land. The land was a gift from God, so in that sense the soldiers would fight – not FOR victory, but FROM victory. At that point the land would be divided to each tribe and family by lot, the LORD would be the one to decide who received what. We read in:
Proverbs 16:33 (NKJV) “The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD.”
In the midst of listing the number of Levites, who totaled 23,000, we have the family of Moses mentioned – his parents Amram and Jochebed, as well as Moses’ siblings Aaron and Miriam. We also have woven in, the incident of Nadab and Abihu who died for offering profane fire before God. The Lord has His gracious way of repeating His warnings to us (Leviticus 10:1-2; Numbers 3:4; 1 Chronicles 24:2). Repeated so we won’t be defeated. We’re warned because we’re in a war!
Something that hadn’t been covered in the inheritance laws, was what to do if there was no son born into a family. The daughters of Zelophehad were in that predicament, a family with five daughters and no sons – so they approached Moses with the matter. We read Moses’ reaction in:
Numbers 27:5 (NKJV) “So Moses brought their case before the LORD.”
Pastor Chuck Smith, “Whenever an issue came up where God had not given a specific command, Moses wouldn’t decide things on his own. He wanted the mind of the LORD. Good leaders will always seek the LORD and encourage the people to do the same.”
The LORD revealed to Moses that in such cases where there was no son, the inheritance would be given to the man’s daughter, if there was no daughter, it was to be given to his brother, if there was no brother, it would be given to his uncle, if there was no uncle it would be given to the closest relative. It was extremely important in the laws of Israel that property stayed within the family, it was God’s way of protecting His people.
As things get closer and closer to that time of transition, Moses’ departure (death) was at hand. God lets Moses know that it’s time. Moses asks God to select a leader for the people, so that they would not be as sheep without a shepherd. God chose Joshua as Moses’s successor. It’s not a coincidence that his name is Joshua. Jesus is the Greek version of the Hebrew name Joshua and both mean, “Jehovah is Salvation.” Literally, Yeshua = “Yahweh is Salvation.” The law (represented by Moses) can never lead us into the Promised Land, only Jesus can.
Numbers 28:1-15 deals with the various sacrifices the priests would offer on behalf of the people, twice daily, on the Sabbath, and on the first day of each month. Today we are not required to offer such sacrifices, for Jesus has paid it all in order for us to be saved, and in that single sacrifice has made a way for us to be in right relationship with God. But, Christians are called to present our bodies as living sacrifices all day, everyday, not to BE saved, but because we ARE saved (Romans 12:1). It’s our reasonable response, our appropriate act of worship.
Numbers 28:16-29:40
The new generation was reminded of the religious calendar of Israel and given enhanced details on the offerings that would accompany them. These offerings were to be expressions of their devotion to God.
The burnt offering symbolized absolute surrender.
The grain offering symbolized service to God.
The sin offering was necessary for the covering of sins.
These are all areas of our life that often need to be refreshed. These offerings were also provisions for the priests and his family, as well as times of fellowship, as they broke bread and dined together in these special celebrations.
Numbers 28:16-25 – Offerings at Passover and Unleavened Bread
Numbers 28:26-31 – Offerings at the Feast of Weeks (First-fruits)
Numbers 29:1-6 – Offerings at the Feast of Trumpets
Numbers 29:7-11 – Offerings on the Day of Atonement
Numbers 29:12-38 – Offerings on the Feast of Tabernacles
With each offering the LORD made sure to mention and emphasize the fact that the offerings had to be “without blemish” (Numbers 28:19, 31; 29:2, 8, 13, 17, 20, 23, 26, 29, 32, 36). I believe we need those reminders as well, that we are not to give God our leftovers; we are to offer Him the best we have to give – these offerings also pictured the Perfect One, the Lord Jesus Christ.
1 Peter 1:18-19 (NKJV) “…knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.”
Whenever we read the Bible it’s good to look for words that are repeated. Did you notice the word “regular” over and over again in this section of special days?
Warren Wiersbe comments, “The special annual feasts could not take the place of the regular offerings. The way to become more spiritual is to strengthen the regular worship day after day, and then the special times of worship will do us more good. Never neglect the “regular burnt offering” (28:3). The word regular is used seventeen times in Numbers 28–29, a reminder that the daily routine is important to God and to us.”
Some might read these passages and grieve the fact that so many animals had to die, especially during the Feast of Tabernacles when multiple animals were slaughtered eight days in a row, 71 young bulls and 105 innocent lambs. I can almost hear the animal lovers up in arms, but keep in mind, again, that these were all pictures of how one day God would be slaughtered, that He Himself died for the sins of the world! (John 1:29; Revelation 5:6). I’m always fascinated by the fact that 27 times in the Book of Revelation, Jesus is referred to as the Lamb!
What a good example Moses was, as a faithful messenger of God (see also Hebrews 3:5).
Numbers 29:40 (NKJV) “So Moses told the children of Israel everything, just as the LORD commanded Moses.
Numbers 30-31
Numbers 30 deals with vows that are made to the LORD. It’s very straightforward.
Numbers 30:2 (NKJV) “If a man makes a vow to the LORD, or swears an oath to bind himself by some agreement, he shall not break his word; he shall do according to all that proceeds out of his mouth.”
ESV Notes, “In a crisis people often make a vow: “If God delivers me from X, I promise to do Y.” There are many examples in the Bible (e.g. Genesis 28:20–22; 1 Samuel 1:11). The danger is that, when the crisis is over, the vow may not be fulfilled. Stern warnings about failing to fulfill a vow are found in Deuteronomy 23:21–23 and Ecclesiastes 5:4–6.”
If a woman made a vow to the LORD she was also bound to keep it. But if she made a vow in the presence of her father or her husband, there was a provision of protection. It’s very possible for any one of us to say something rashly, without thinking things through, therefore, if her father or husband judged the vow unwise, they were empowered to overrule the vow.
One of the responsibilities of fathers and husbands is to protect our daughters and wives, and that’s seen so clearly here. It’s also important to listen to our wives. I’m a bit saddened by what we read in:
Numbers 30:14 (NKJV) “Now if her husband makes no response whatever to her from day to day…”
Here’s a man who’s not listening, who’s not talking, and in essence not caring or protecting. Many husbands are like that. Oh the power of words, the power of authority, and the power of silence.
This chapter calls me to be a better husband, and father, and to be a man of my word. We read more on the importance of keeping our vows in:
Ecclesiastes 5:4-5 (NKJV) “When you make a vow to God, do not delay to pay it; For He has no pleasure in fools. Pay what you have vowed–better not to vow than to vow and not pay.”
For those of us who are married, may we never forget the vows we made to God, and may we always have that heart to keep those vows!
It’s also important that we keep the chapter in context. As Israel is about to enter into war, men may be rash in making vows to God with a view to secure victory (see Judges 11). Simultaneously God was fulfilling His vow to grant Israel the land.
Numbers 31 is God’s vengeance upon the Midianites. Keep in mind this was the nation that had a heart to curse God’s people and seduced Israel into idolatry and immorality.
Warren Wiersbe, “Balaam did not have long to enjoy whatever rewards Balak gave him because he was killed in the battle (v. 8). Alas, he did not “die the death of the righteous” (Numbers 23:10)! As Mark wrote, “For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?” (Mark 8:36). Israel won the war but almost lost the victory, for the leaders brought some Midianite women into the camp along with the spoils. Incomplete obedience always leads to further temptation. (See 1 Sam. 15.) If we do not defeat the enemy, the enemy will defeat us.”
The soldiers of Israel noticed that not one man died on their side (Numbers 31:49). For that reason they went above and beyond their obligated giving, they gave to God sacrificially – the adoration of appreciation.
Numbers 32:1-33:39
The children of Reuben, and the children of Gad were a people with great livestock. When they saw that the land was green, rich, and lush on the east side of the Jordan, they approached Moses and Eleazar the High Priest and requested that this be their inheritance.
Moses initially assumed that these men wouldn’t cross over the Jordan to help their brothers fight for their inheritance, but later found out that their intention was indeed to cross over and fight – and when the “battles” were over, afterwards, they would return to their homes on the east side of the Jordan.
Moses eventually agreed to their plan which would also include half the tribe of Manasseh, but I don’t think their good idea was truly the will of the Lord.
Warren Weirsbe, “Some people choose to live on the border of God’s blessing. They make their decisions on the basis of material gain and not spiritual blessing. The two and a half tribes did not claim their inheritance in Canaan, though they were very close to it. They assured Moses that they would help conquer the land, but the tribes still brought division to Israel.”
Years down the road, when Israel began to be conquered by her enemies, these three groups, Reuben, Gad and the half-tribe of Manasseh were the first to be swept away (1 Kings 10:32-33). There’s something about those words, “Do not take us over the Jordan,” (Numbers 33:5) that just don’t sound right.
In Numbers 33 Moses chronicled the departure from Egypt and wanderings of the children of Israel in the wilderness.
Dr. A. T. Pierson said, “History is His story.”
Moses makes sure to connect the Passover with their departure and redemption from slavery (Numbers 33:3). The Egyptians were still burying their firstborn when Israel was departing – the Jews did not leave as insignificant slaves, they left as a favored people who believed in the LORD who executed judgment on all the so-called-gods of Egypt (Numbers 33:4).
Warren Wiersbe, “It is good to review the past and discern the hand of the Lord at work. God delivered them from Egypt and brought them to Sinai, where they entered into a covenant with Him (Numbers 33:1–15). Then He brought them to the border of the Promised Land, where they refused to go in (Numbers 33:16–36). They wandered for forty years and then ended up on the plains of Moab (Number 33:37–49). Unbelief means wasted time, wasted lives, and wasted opportunities, but God is gracious and long-suffering with His people.”
Numbers 33:40-35:34
Moses finishes up the journeys of Israel – now at the brink of the Promised Land, with an exhortation to be sure to drive out the inhabitants they are to dispossess from Canaan; to destroy their engraved stones, the molded images, and their pagan altars. God clearly warned them:
Numbers 33:55 (NKJV) “But if you do not drive out the inhabitants of the land from before you, then it shall be that those whom you let remain shall be irritants in your eyes and thorns in your sides, and they shall harass you in the land where you dwell.”
This was to be taken literally back in their day, but over the years I’ve heard many Bible teachers compare this impending entrance into the Promised Land and the conquering of its inhabitants as our personal entrance into a life of Victorious Christian Living. As we cross through the Jordan we are baptized with the Holy Spirit and we are to “conquer” our flesh – we are not to allow any sin to thrive or settle within. If we let sin live, it will be irritants to us, thorns to our sides, and those sins will “harass” us.
In Numbers 34:1-12 God gives Israel her borders, in detail, from the south, to the west, to the north, and to the east (Reuben, Gad, and the half tribe of Manasseh would have their inheritance east of the Jordan).
In Numbers 34:16-29 the leaders who were to divide the land are named. We’ve all been called by name to different places in the body of Christ; to divide the land would be a heavy responsibility.
In Numbers 35 God commands the children of Israel to appoint forty two cities for the Levites and six cities of refuge. I’ve always been amazed at God’s wisdom in appointing cities of refuge. If anyone was killed intentionally or accidentally the person who killed was able to flee to the closest city of refuge. A trial would take place and if that person was convicted of murder, they would be put to death by the avenger of blood, someone somehow related to the murder vicim. But if the death was accidental, it would be considered manslaughter, not murder, and the person was allowed to live in the city of refuge until the death of the High Priest. If that person stepped outside the city of refuge, there was a heavy warning:
Numbers 35:26–28 (NKJV) “But if the manslayer at any time goes outside the limits of the city of refuge where he fled, 27 and the avenger of blood finds him outside the limits of his city of refuge, and the avenger of blood kills the manslayer, he shall not be guilty of blood, 28 because he should have remained in his city of refuge until the death of the high priest. But after the death of the high priest the manslayer may return to the land of his possession.”
God considered any innocent blood not accounted for as “pollution” of the land (see Numbers 35:33; 2 Samuel 21:1-14)
In the New Testament, the writer to the Hebrews reveals Jesus to be our city of refuge. May we all flee to Jesus – and stay there, where we belong (Hebrews 6:18).
Numbers 36
As we’ve seen repeatedly in the civil law of Israel, God’s desire was that the nation not only possess the land, but that it would remain in each family, generation after generation; this would foster security and a culture of economic equality among the people.
The daughters of Zelophehad previously brought a case before Moses, seeking God’s guidance when there were no sons in the family. The LORD determined at that time that if there were no sons, the inheritance would go to the daughters (Numbers 27). They now bring another case before Moses, but this time for a different reason – what would happen if they married someone from a different tribe, would that land then transfer from tribe to tribe?
Moses received the Word of God on this matter:
Numbers 36:6–7 (NKJV) “This is what the LORD commands concerning the daughters of Zelophehad, saying, ‘Let them marry whom they think best, but they may marry only within the family of their father’s tribe. 7 So the inheritance of the children of Israel shall not change hands from tribe to tribe, for every one of the children of Israel shall keep the inheritance of the tribe of his fathers.’”
The Word of God definitely affects every area of our lives, including the choice of who we’ll marry. Today, God’s Word says something similar to all Christians, “Let them marry whom they think best, but they may marry only within the family of God,” only Christians (2 Corinthians 6:14).
The daughters of Zelophehad didn’t complain:
Numbers 36:10 (NKJV) “Just as the LORD commanded Moses, so did the daughters of Zelophehad.”
That’s a great way to end the book of Numbers – a book where the people of God wandered due to disobedience ends on a note of obedience. Had they learned their lesson?