October 15, 2002, Vol.2,
No.20.
Two new articles every two weeks.
Bible Question? E-mail
us.
THIS ISSUE: "Introduction
to Numbers" (see below)
and "Introduction to Leviticus"
Overview of the Bible:
Introduction to Numbers
by Keith Sharp
Author
Moses wrote the book of Numbers (1:1).
Name
The book receives its name from the "numberings"
(censuses) of Israel recorded in the book. The first census was
of the original generation which left Egypt, who perished in
the wilderness (chapters 1 - 4). The second census was of their
children, the succeeding generation, which took Canaan (chapter
26).
Audience
Numbers was primarily written to Israel (15:1-2).
Theme
The theme of the book of Numbers is The Wilderness Wanderings
of Israel (14:26-35).
Purpose
The primary purpose of Numbers was to prepare Israel for the
conquest of Canaan (14:31). However, the events recorded therein
are a solemn warning to God's people in every generation of the
danger of falling away (cf. 1 Corinthians 10:1-13; Hebrews 3:7-19).
Of 603,550 men, "from twenty years old and above - all ...
able to go to war in Israel,"except from the tribe of Levi
(1:2-3; 2:32-33), only two men, Joshua and Caleb, were allowed
to enter Canaan (26:64-65). The overthrow of Israel in the wilderness
stands as a mute but emphatic warning of the possibility of apostasy.
Outline
1. Preparation for the Journey (at Mt. Sinai) - 1:1 - 10:10
a. The First Census - chapter 1
b. Organization for the Journey - chapters 2 - 4
c. Laws of Purity & Vows - chapters 5 - 6
d. Offerings for the Leaders - chapter 7
e. Service at the Tabernacle - chapter 8
f. The Supplementary Passover - 9:1-14
g. Cloud & Trumpets for the Journey - 9:15 - 10:10
2. Journeys (Mt. Sinai to the Plains of Moab, the Wilderness
Wanderings) - 10:11 - 21:35
a. Departure - 10:11-36
b. The Failure of a Generation - chapters 11-14
c. The Death of a Generation (38 years of wandering) - chapters
15 - 21
3. Preparation for Conquest (in the Plains of Moab) - chapters
22 - 36
a. Baalam & Balak - chapters 22 - 25
b. The Second Census - chapter 26
c. Additional Laws - chapters 27 - 30
d. Final Preparation - chapters 31 - 36
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