1. Author and Time of Writing
The book of Leviticus as well as the book of Numbers follow immediately after the book of Exodus. The book of Numbers begins with the 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." (Compare Exodus 40:17)
The Lord Jesus includes the book of Numbers in His words when explaining to His disciples all that was written concerning Himself ("in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms." Luke 24:44).
2. Purpose of Writing
In Numbers the history of Israel during the 40 years of wandering in the wilderness from Egypt to Canaan is described. It is a sad history of continual failure. The long period of 40 years was the punishment of God for the disobedience of His people and it was not according to His counsel.
The wandering in the wilderness is depicted in the New Testament as to take warning from for the Christians (1 Corinthians 10:1-22; Hebrews 3; Hebrews 4). The wilderness is a picture of earthly circumstances wherein faith is tested.
The Levites and their service play an important role in this book. This ought to show us that the Christian also is responsible to reveal the testimony of Christ, his Lord, in the world.
After receiving the law at mount Sinai the people went through a census which was repeated after the wandering in the wilderness (chaps 1 and 26). In Chapter s 1 to 10 instructions on the service and consecration of the Levites and the Nazarite precede the description of the journeying of the camps. After a short time the people reach the boundaries of the south of Canaan and there the twelve spies are sent forth. But ten of the spies have so little faith that they discourage the people and make them rebellious. God answers by punishing them: The people have to wander another 38 years in the wilderness until all (except for Joshua and Caleb) who have come out of Egypt have died (chaps 13 to 14).
Then follow the rising up of Korah (chaps 16 and 17), the failure of Moses and Aaron (ch. 20) and renewed murmuring of the people and the plague of fiery serpents, where Moses had to erect the serpent of brass in chapter 21. The Lord Jesus mentions the serpent as a symbol of His death on the cross (John 3:14-15). Then Israel comes into contact with the enemy. First they meet Balaam, who according to the will of the Moabites ought to condemn Israel but then has to bless it instead (Chapter s 22-25). After that various people in the land of eastern Jordan were conquered until at the end of Numbers Israel finally arrives at the boundary river Jordan.
The book of Numbers finds its parallels in the New Testament in the Epistles to the Corinthians which describe the order and the conduct of the assembly of God.
3. Peculiarities
a) Very little is mentioned about the nearly 40 years of wandering in the wilderness. In chapter 10:11 the camp sets forward for the first time on the twentieth day of the second month in the second year of the exodus out of Egypt. In chapter 20:1 we read already of the fortieth year (compare Aaron's death in chap. 20:28 with 33:38).Different grave sins of individuals or of the people of Israel as a company are mentioned:
· Murmuring of the people (chap. 11:1-2)
· Murmuring of the mixed multitude because of the manna (chap. 11:4-9)
· Miriam and Aaron's speaking against Moses (chap. 12:1-16)
· The ten spies bring an evil report of the land of Canaan (chaps. 13:31-14:10).
· Rising up of Korah against Moses (chap. 16)
· Murmuring of the people at Meribah (chap. 20)
· The fiery serpent (chap. 21)
· Committing fornication with the daughters of Moab (chap. 25)
b) The instructions of the law in Numbers are in connection with the wandering in the wilderness and the failure of the people, such as:
· The law of the Nazarite (chap. 6) shows the desire of full commitment to God amidst a people who had departed from God.
· The water of cleansing (or the offering of the red heifer in chap. 19) is necessary because man is in constant danger of defilement.
4. Overview of Contents
I. Numbers 1-9; Numbers 10:1-10: The camp of the people of Israel at Sinai
Chapter 1 Census of the People of Israel Chapter 2 Order of Camping and Marching Chapter 3 Separation and Numbering of the Tribe of Levi Chapter 4 Instructions of Service for the Levites Chapter 5 Laws of Uncleanness, Trespassing and the unfaithful Wife Chapter 6 Law of the Nazarite Chapter 7 Offerings of the Twelve Princes of Israel for the Dedicating of the Altar Chapter 8 Light of the Sanctuary and Dedication of the Levites Chapter 9 Passover in the Wilderness; the Cloud as Guide of the People Chapter 10:1-10 The Two Trumpets of Silver II. Num 10:11-36; Numbers 11-20: The 38 years of Wandering in the Wilderness
Chapter 10:11-36 First Setting Forward of the Camp Chapter 11 Murmuring of Israel because of the Manna and the Punishment of God; Appointment of 70 Elders Chapter 12 Miriam's Speaking against Moses and her Leprosy Chapter 13 Sending out of the Twelve Spies Chapter 14 Murmuring of the People and God's Punishment: the Forty Years of Wandering in the Wilderness Chapter 15 Various Laws: Instructions for Offering in Canaan; Breaking of the Sabbath; Chapter 16 Rising up of Korah and his Punishment (compare Jude 1:11) Chapter 17 Aaron is confirmed as High Priest Chapter 18 Instructions for Levites and their Position in Israel Chapter 19 Law of the Red Heifer or the Water of Purification Chapter 20 Moses' Sin; the Death of Miriam and Aaron III. Numbers 21-32: The Sojourning on River Jordan
Chapter 21 The Serpent of Brass (compare John 3:14); Victory over Sihon and Og Chapter 22 Balak calls for Balaam to curse Israel Chapter 23-24 Balaam's Four Parables of Blessing over Israel Chapter 25 Fornication and Idolatry of Israel and the Zeal of Phinehas for Jehovah Chapter 26 Second Numbering of the People of Israel Chapter 27 The Daughters of Zelophehad; Joshua is Called to be Moses' Successor Chapter 28-29 Offerings at the Feasts of Jehovah Chapter 30 Laws of Vows Chapter 31 Israel's Vengeance of the Midianites Chapter 32 Two and a Half Tribes beyond Jordan (Reuben, Gad and Manasseh) IV. Numbers 33-36: Retrospect and Forecast
Chapter 33 Israel's Route of Wandering Chapter 34 Canaan's Boundaries Chapter 35 Cities of the Levites and Cities of Refuge Chapter 36 Daughters of Zelophehad and Law of Succession for Women Arend Remmers