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Colleyville Presbyterian Church - Adult Sunday School

Overview of the Old Testament: Numbers


February 14, 2016

Summary: Numbers is the book of rebellion (Key verses are 11:1-2). In it the seed of Abraham rebels
time after time against the Lord and by consequence wanders in the wilderness for forty years.
Despite the lack of faith, fear and rebellion of Israel, the Lord is faithful to maintain his covenant to
Abraham as he promises to continue to bless Israel and give the promised land to the children of the
Exodus generation.

Note: To understand Numbers rightly, we must read it in context of the larger story of the Pentateuch
and the Old Testament.

! I. Israel prepares to leave Sinai and conquer the promised land (1-10)!
! ! Key chapters: 1 (Census), 2 (Camp), 3 (Levites), 6 (Blessing), 9 (Passover & Cloud)
!
! II. Israel rebels against the Lord & perishes in the wilderness, but is also blessed (11-25)
! ! Key chapters: 11 (Rebellion due to hunger), 12 (Miriam & Aarons rebellion), 13 & 14
! ! (Spies enter Canaan, people rebel due to fear), 16 (Korahs rebellion), 20 (Moses
! ! rebellion), 21 (Bronze serpent), 22-24 (God blesses Israel through Balaam), 25 (Phinehas)
!
! III. Israel prepares to conquer the promised land again (26-36)
! ! Key chapters: 26 (Census), 27 (Daughters of Zelophehad, Joshua), 31 (Defeat of Midian),
! ! 33 (Death of Aaron)

! !
Numbers Key Theme: God punishes Israel for her lack of faith and rebellion, but continues to be faithful by
blessing their children and preparing them to receive his promises.

a) Just as the Exodus becomes paradigmatic for Gods deliverance of his people, their rebellion
in the wilderness becomes paradigmatic for the sin of Gods people (Psalms 78, 95, 105, 106,
135)

! b) Numbers shows us that often the root of rebellion is a lack of faith in Gods goodness and
! ! power (i.e. fear; or, misdirected fear).

c) Numbers is a fulfillment of Gods description of his character to Moses in Exodus 34:6-7;


that is, that he is just but also loving -- and his blessing outweighs his punishments.

d) The New Testament is careful to show that Jesus is faithful where Israel failed in the
! wilderness (Matt 4, Luke 4), that he offers provision in the wilderness (John 3, 6), but
! that those who put their trust in him must be careful not to follow in Israels sin (1 Cor
! 10:6-10, 13; Heb. 3:7-19).
!

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