An Introduction to the Book of Numbers From the Bible

Here is an introduction to the Book of Numbers and part of the purpose for which this book was written.

Numbers

The Book of Numbers is all about…numbers!  Really, it is much more than that.  It begins at Mount Sinai where the nation of Israel received the Law of God which included the Old Covenant.  The author is widely held to be Moses but some scholars believe that Jewish scribes may have added some additional material.  Even so, it is completely accurate and a reliable, historical account of the nation.  The Hebrew name for the book is “bemidbar” which means “in the desert.”  This book gives an account of Israel’s 38 years of their wandering in the desert after their disbelief and God’s not allowing them to cross over into the Promised Land.  It contains the record of Israel’s constant murmuring, disobedience, discontentment, and rebellion against Moses, which essentially is against God Himself.  Only their children would survive and enter the Promised Land.   It closes a gap from between the Exodus up to the time that they would enter the Promised Land.  This book emphasizes God’s holiness and faithfulness, despite continual complaints by the nation of Israel.  Sadly, even Moses was not allowed into the Promised Land because of his own disobedience to what God had told him when God commanded Moses to speak to the rock but instead, out of anger with the nation of Israel, he struck the rock twice (20:8-13).

Numbering the Nation

Numbering of the people seems to be a major theme of this book as the number of each of the tribes and the Levites are recorded in chapters 1 through 4.  One census is intended for military service while another is for the nation in general.

The Book of Number’s Purpose

This book has more meaning to believers today than we might think because it is an example of how God feels when we grumble against Him (Ex 14).   Grumbling and complaining are really a lack of trust in God to be content with what one has.  There is a pattern of discontentment, grumbling, God’s chastening, and then repentance.  This patter would show up throughout the nation’s history when time after time they would disobey God and God would send them into captivity and then they would repent and God would again bring them back to their homeland.  This book was written as an example for all believers today (1 Cor 10:1-12).  This book reflects the goodness of God, His holiness, and His righteous indignation against grumbling or murmuring.  It shows God’s demand for His people to live holy lives.  The warning against a hardening of our hearts reveals that the day of salvation is today but if one refuses to humble themselves before God, the deceitfulness of sin takes root and thereby they are not able to enter into His rest (Heb 3:7-19; 2 Cor 6:2).

Priesthood Duties

Today, Christians are considered as future kings and priests (Rev 1:5-6, 5:10, 13; Isaiah 61:6; Ex 19:6).  In the Book of Numbers, the duties of the priesthood are given in minute detail (3:5-9; 4:1-49; 18) including the requirements of service at the tabernacle (7).  The precision of such duties is of extreme importance to God (3:10).  There is great symbolism between the cleansing of the Levites and how believers are cleansed (8) and how the Passover observance relates to Jesus Christ, to which the Passover ultimately pointed toward (9).   Moses also recaps the nation’s journey beginning with the Exodus from Egypt and their deliverance from slavery up to the time just before they enter the Promised Land.  This journey is like that of a believer who was once enslaved by sin in Egypt, which is representative of the world and that believers are told to come out of sin and leave the world to enter into the ultimate Promised Land of the Kingdom of Heaven.

Conclusion

The Book of Numbers has more symbolic meaning than we might first imagine.  Yes, it is an historical account but there are many things that Christians should learn from this book. It was written for us as an example of how we should be content with what we have; that complaint against God is disobedience; that our life and coming out of sin was made possible only because of the strong arm of the Lord; that we are made His people by the Passover Lamb of God, Jesus Christ; and like God is holy, we should strive to live holy lives.  If you have never repented and trusted in Christ, you cannot ever be holy.   The only way one can enter into heaven is if they are perfect.  Since this is humanly impossible, we must have Jesus’ own righteousness imputed toward us and accounted to us so that when God sees us, He doesn’t see a wicked, rebellious sinner but He sees the same righteousness as Jesus Christ Himself has (2 Cor 5:21).  There is no other way to the Father (John 6:44) except by the name of Jesus Christ (Acts 4:12; 16:30-31).

Another Reading on Patheos to Check Out: What Did Jesus Really Look Like: A Look at the Bible Facts

Article by Jack Wellman

Jack Wellman is Pastor of the Mulvane Brethren church in Mulvane Kansas. Jack is also the Senior Writer at What Christians Want To Know whose mission is to equip, encourage, and energize Christians and to address questions about the believer’s daily walk with God and the Bible. You can follow Jack on Google Plus or check out his book  Blind Chance or Intelligent Design available on Amazon