Journey Through Numbers
In our journey through Scripture, we have now come to a most interesting book in the Old Testament, the Book of Numbers. Interestingly enough, of all of the books in Scripture, this book truly is the book of the journey. It covers the 40-year wanderings of the children of Israel through the wilderness. If ever there was a book that dealt with the travels of life, it is the Book of Numbers.
Listen: Journeying through Numbers
Author and Timeline of Numbers
Moses – The Author
We know that Moses is the man that God used to pen the first five books of the Bible: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. These are known as the Pentateuch. These books were likely recorded during the wilderness wanderings, which means that Moses is writing from a firsthand account. Regardless of the circumstances, we are certain of this: he was led by the Holy Spirit. He wrote them under inspiration.
The Timeline of Numbers
From the exodus out of Egypt to the time that the tabernacle was erected was about one year. Then, from the time the tabernacle was constructed through the Book of Leviticus covers the first month of the second year of their journey. When you come to Numbers 1:1, you read these words, “And the Lord spake unto Moses in the wilderness of Sinai, in the tabernacle of the congregation, on the first day of the second month, in the second year after they were come out of the land of Egypt…” We know exactly where this book fits. Numbers begins with the second month of the second year. It progressively unveils for us the history of their wilderness wanderings from that point.
Faithfulness vs. Faithlessness
In a very real sense, all of these books are historical books. I love history. There is so much to learn from it. Someone facetiously said years ago, “The one thing we learned from history is that no one learns from history.” Unfortunately, there is a great deal of truth in that. History is His story. It is the story of God dealing with man. As you read through these books of the Bible, you see specific covenants that God made. You see certain periods of time. Yet, one thing remains the same: the faithfulness of God.
In contrast to the faithfulness of God, the Book of Numbers shows us the faithlessness of his people. As we read the Book of Numbers, we can feel aggravated with the children of Israel until we realize that this story is often your story and my story. Many times the Lord has delivered me from Egypt, but instead of entering into the land of Canaan, I wander around in the wilderness of my flesh. A defeated person, not because God intended that, but because of my unbelief and my disobedience.
Overview of Numbers
The Book of Numbers gets its name from two numberings. There are two specific times when the children of Israel were numbered: The first is at the beginning, and the second is at the end of the book.
The Numberings at Mount Sinai and Moab
The first numbering took place at Mount Sinai. You can read about it in Numbers 1. At that time, there were 603,550 Jewish men numbered. That is significant. Remember that when you come to the end of the book in Numbers 26. In Moab, there is a second numbering. This time, they only numbered 601,730 Jewish men.
Consider that fact. They have gone from 603,550 to 601,730. What is going on here? Recall that when they lived in Egypt, they were multiplying exponentially. That is why the Egyptians were afraid of them. God’s favor and God’s blessing rested upon them. Now they are diminishing. They are decreasing. Why is that? I believe the Book of Numbers is a vivid object lesson that show to us the consequences of unbelief and disobedience. The New Testament tells us 1 Corinthians 10:6 that “…these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted.”
The events covered in the Book of Numbers are mentioned in many places in the New Testament, including Hebrews 3 and 1 Corinthians 10. Why does God give us this record? Not to depress us, but to warn us. To remind us that if we are not careful, our unbelief can lead to great ruin. That even people who profess to know God and say they are following God can disobey Him.
Theme of Numbers
The theme of numbers is found in the Book of Romans. Romans 11:22 says, “Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.” In its context, Romans 11:22 is about the old generation dying out and a new generation coming on during the wilderness wanderings. That is what we find in this book, the goodness and severity of God.
You see the severity of judgment on those who would not believe and obey. But praise God, you see his mercy, grace, and goodness to a new generation. In the journeys of life, we must be true to God. We must stay close to God. Are you close to Him today?
The Key Word of Numbers
The key word of this book is the word “journey” or “sojourn.” That word means “a temporary stay.” It is about an 11-day trip from Horeb to Kadesh Barnea. Can you imagine? In 11 days, they could have been in the Promised Land. Instead, they spend 40 long years, the longest death march funeral procession in history. Why? I believe God gave them one year of wilderness wandering for every day that those spies were in the land tasting of the goodness of God, but refusing to believe and obey the Lord.
The Key Verse of Numbers
The key verse is Numbers 33:1, which says “These are the journeys of the children of Israel, which went forth out of the land of Egypt with their armies under the hand of Moses and Aaron”. They were under the hand of Moses and Aaron, but they were under the watchful eye of God the whole time.
The verse begins “These are the journeys of the children of Israel…” When your life’s journey is done, what will the record say? When your children and your grandchildren talk about your Christianity and your walk with God, what will they say? I do not want the story of the Book of Numbers to be my story. I want the story of Joshua to be my story. Not of defeat, but of victory. Not of wandering, but of conquest. That is a choice that each of us must make every day
Outline of Numbers
Numbers 1-9: Sinai
As you journey through the Book of Numbers, you discover a progressive movement. There are three geographical movements in the book. In the first nine chapters, they are camped at Sinai. God is preparing them. He was getting them ready.
Numbers 10-21: Wilderness Wandering
When you come to chapter 10, there is a different setting. Instead of being at Sinai where God is speaking, they are now in the wilderness. From chapter 10 through chapter 21, that is where they are wandering around in this wilderness. They are complaining, criticizing, and dealing with one conflict after another. That is a picture of the life of flesh. When you live by faith, you live in victory. You live with the joy of the Lord on this journey. When you choose to go your own route, you wander in circles all the time.
Numbers 22-36: Moab
At the end of the book, you journey to the third geographical location (chapters 22 to 36). They are at the plains of Moab. Here God is forced to deal with them. God has to deal with their enemies, but God has to deal with their sin first. What is He doing? Getting them ready to finally arrive where He wanted them to be the entire time.
How Is Your Journey?
God does not want you in the wilderness. God does not want you wandering aimlessly through life. He wants to journey with you. He wants to give you clear direction. The Lord wants you to come into the land of Canaan. That is not heaven. That is the life of victory and power. There will still be enemies, but there you can enjoy and experience all that God has planned for you on this journey of life.
I ask you again, what will your journey say? Where are you today? The geography is not really important. The important thing is where you are spiritually. Would you determine today that you are going to make this journey with Jesus Christ? He is the only one who knows where He is going, and He is the only one who can get you there.
