Project Description
2013/09
A Look at the Book: Numbers
In the spiritual arithmetic of the Bible ‘four’ is the number of the world. Not surprisingly, therefore, the theme of the fourth book of the Pentateuch is the earthly pilgrimage of the people of God. Numbers takes its title from the Septuagint (LXX), obviously on account of the twofold census of the people, one at the beginning, and the other near the end of the book.
The first numbering relates to the marching and battle order of the people, while the last has to do with their inheritance of the land. The history commences the 2nd year after the exodus, and concludes in the 40th year. Again the numbers appear to be significant, ‘2’ often indicating division, and ‘40’, testing. Division and testing are pronounced features of this book. If God’s people are reflected as heavenly pilgrims on the way to Zion in its pages, then they must also contend against the flesh. The lessons learned here call for the abandonment of self will and resignation to the Divine will, for the renunciation of the carnal mind and obedient submission to the mind of God are made known in His Word. Several N.T. passages such as Romans 7:18; 8:13; 13:11-14; and Gal. 3:3, 5:24 spring to mind to reinforce these vital lessons.
“And the Lord spake”, the opening words, form substantially the Hebrew title of the book.
STRUCTURE
A geographical outline of Numbers focuses attention on three areas of activity.
1. Chapters 1-10. THE ENCAMPMENT AT SINAI. NUMBERING and PROGRESS.
The necessity of thorough preparation for the long trek in the hostile wilderness. The law of worship and fellowship.
2. Chapters 11-21. JOURNEY FROM SINAI TO MOAB. REMOVAL and BACKSLIDING.
Wilderness wanderings and trials: murmuring, rebellion and unbelief.
3. Chapters 22-36. ARRIVAL IN THE PLAINS OF MOAB. NUMBERING and PROGRESS.
Preparation this time for entering and occupying the land of promise. The law of inheritance.
In section one, priority is given to the organization and order of the Lord’s host. Whether as warrior, worker, or worshipper, every man knows his place and occupies it. There is no room for the choices of self will, the expression of apostasy. All is as God appoints. The 12 tribes fall into four equal groups. When the tent of the Lord was pitched, the ordered place for it was in the midst of the camp. The four groups, three tribes to a side, form a perfect square around God’s dwelling place.
Further, each group had its own standard and each tribe its own ensign, with a reserved allotment to every family. Read from 1:52 through to 2:2 – there is clearly an order to be observed in the worship of the Lord’s family. This order has a gradual development in the Pentateuch:
i. Genesis depicts the PATH to worship. Approach to God possible via the altar.
ii. Exodus reveals the special PLACE of worship, the tabernacle.
iii. Leviticus concentrates on the PRIESTHOOD in worship, the work of the mediator.
iv. Numbers focuses on the PEOPLE who worship, in particular the labour of the Levite in the service of God.
v. Deuteronomy gives the PRECEPTS for worship, and teaches a prepared place for a prepared people.
Section two is the most eventful, a decided turning point in history being reached in chapters 13 and 14. Israel turned back – for the space of a generation – from the borders of the Promised Land, just a step away from their inheritance. Page by page the book becomes a chronicle of murmuring, envy, rebellion and conspiracy. Severe judgments fall upon the camp. Prominent figures
are stricken. Miriam herself is smitten with leprosy, and Aaron again shows his weakness. Sadly, Moses too becomes a casualty of the wilderness and is excluded from Canaan.
FALSE PROPHET
The last battle is fought out on the plains of Moab. Section three begins by noting the malevolence of Moab. Balaam the false prophet strides across the stage of history as the ‘anti-Moses’, working on behalf of Israel’s enemy. Mentioned in three places in the N.T., Balaam is the exemplar of those who have forsaken the right way and who have gone astray, having loved the wages of unrighteousness. Scripture records how he ran greedily after error and was rebuked for his madness, how he determined to ensnare the saints, hoping by the enticements of idolatry to corrupt their way. (2 Peter 2:15,16; Jude 11; Revelation 2:14). But this man, his prayers unanswered, died among the enemies of God, slain by the sword of the people he was paid to curse.
TRUE PROPHET
Throughout Numbers precious portraits of Christ, the greatest of all prophets, appear. While He was not a Nazarite, but a Nazarene, yet He is (in chapter 6) foreshadowed as the One truly separate from sinners. He is in the manna – the Bread of life who has come down from Heaven. He is the risen and ascended Saviour, pictured in Aaron’s rod that budded. Cleansing from defilement, which only He can provide, is proclaimed in the sacrifice of the red heifer. Moreover, He is the giver of life by His Spirit, beautifully typified in the waters of the Rock. It is the work of that selfsame Spirit to direct our eyes to Him, lifted up as the brazen serpent. His coming again is foretold in the star appearing out of Jacob. The cities of refuge mark Him as the hiding place from wrath. So look again at the book of Numbers, and search for these wonderful pictures of Christ! And may the Lord open to us all “the things concerning Himself”! (Luke 24:27,32).
Dr. John Douglas
