INTRODUCTION TO NUMBERS

Numbers - A Journey Through the Wilderness

(KeyVerse= 10:35,36)

The book of Numbers is the fourth book of Moses. Moses led the Israelites out of Egypt. The mighty hand of the Lord delivered them from bondage in Egypt and brought them on eagle's wings across the Red Sea, through the wilderness to Mount Sinai. There, God revealed his purpose for his people: He wanted them to be a kingdom of priests and a holy nation (Ex 19:6). So, at Sinai God gave Moses the Law, the core of which is the Ten Commandments. God also gave instructions for the construction of the sanctuary so that he might dwell in the midst of his people. Finally, the tabernacle was finished, and the glory of the Lord filled it. The book of Numbers begins here, at the foot of Mt. Sinai. God led them through the wilderness with a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night.

This journey to the promised land should have taken only two weeks, but it took forty years. They were free from bondage in Egypt, but still bound by their slave mentality. They were full of complaints and a spirit of rebellion. They needed God's training. It was hard; most of them died in the desert. But this training made them a great people. The Hebrew title for this book means 'in the wilderness.' There are two census lists (1,26)--hence the name, 'Numbers.'

Here is the general outline:

1:1-10:10--Instructions--preparing to depart

10:11-21:35--From Mount Sinai to the plains of Moab

22:1-25:18--Israel's seduction by the Moabites

26:1-36:13--How to conquer and live in the promised land

1. Number the fighting men (1-46)

Moses and the people were getting ready for the long march to the promised land. There would be enemies along the way, so they needed an army. The Lord commanded Moses to take a census of the Israelite community. He was to list every man by name, one by one. Every person is important. Those who were twenty years old or more and able to fight were all included in the army. There are many spiritual battles which we must fight as we travel through a wilderness world to the heavenly kingdom. Satan attacks within and without. We must be ready.

2. Protect the sanctuary (47-54)

The men of the tribe of Levi were omitted from the roster of fighting men. They were appointed to protect and care for the tabernacle of testimony. This was the nations' heart. It represented God himself in the midst of his people. The heart of a nation or a person should be guarded with great diligence.

Application: Lord, help me to fight the good fight of faith and keep my heart for you.
One Word: Guard your heart (Pr 4:23)