The Journey Begins
God prepares the Israelites for traveling to the Promised Land, leading them as a cloud by day and fire at night over the Tent.
 
Promised Land Scouted
Israel reaches Canaan and sends out twelve spies. Ten are overwhelmed by the inhabitants, but Joshua and Caleb see the land's abundance and believe God.
 
Unbelief and Rebellion
Believing the spies' bad report, the Israelites rebel against Moses and Aaron and face the consequences. Only their children, Joshua, and Caleb inherit the Promised Land.
 
Moses Strikes the Rock
God tells Moses to speak to a rock for water. Frustrated with complaining Israelites, Moses strikes it and disobeys. He is prevented to enter The Promised Land.
 
Balak & Balaam
The King of Moab orders sorcerer Balaam to curse Israel, but he can only pronounce blessings instead and prophesies. Israel is spared from harm.

►Numbers / Chapters 1-36

OT/NT (a): Old Testament (1)
 
SECTION (a): The Law (2)
 
PLACEMENT (a): Numbers is the fourth book of the Holy Bible (3), the fourth book of the Old Testament and the fourth of five books of the Law.
 
TRADITIONAL AUTHOR: Moses (4).
 
TIMELINE: The book of Numbers covers events taking place from 1445 BC (5) through 1407 BC (5). See our Bible Timeline (6) for more info.
 
KEY FIGURES: Aaron (7), Abihu (8), Balaam (9), Caleb (10), Joshua (11), Korah (12), Miriam (13) and Moses.
 
SUMMARY (b): The message of the Book of Numbers is universal and timeless. It reminds believers of the spiritual warfare (14) in which they are engaged, for Numbers is the book of the service and walk of God's (15) people. The Book of Numbers essentially bridges the gap between the Israelites (16) receiving the Law - as recorded in Exodus (17) and Leviticus (18)- and preparing them to enter the Promised Land (19) - as recorded in Deuteronomy (20) and Joshua (21).
 
Most of the events of the Book of Numbers take place in the wilderness, primarily between the second and fortieth years of the wandering (22) of the Israelites. The first 25 chapters of the book chronicle the experiences of the first generation of Israel in the wilderness, while the rest of the book describes the experiences of the second generation. The theme of obedience (23) and rebellion (24) followed by repentance and blessing runs through the entire book, as well as the entire Old Testament.
 
The theme of the holiness (25) of God is continued from the book of Leviticus into the book of Numbers, which reveals God’s instruction and preparation of His people to enter the Promised Land of Canaan (26). The importance of the Book of Numbers is indicated by its being referred to in the New Testament (27) many times. The Holy Spirit (28) called special attention to Numbers in 1 Corinthians 10:1-12. The words "all these things happened to them for examples" refers to the sin of the Israelites and God’s displeasure with them.
 
In Romans 11:22, Paul (29) speaks about the "goodness and severity of God." That, in a nutshell, is the message of Numbers. The severity of God is seen in the death of the rebellious generation in the wilderness, those who never entered the Promised Land. The goodness of God is realized in the new generation. God protected, preserved, and provided for these people until they possessed the land. This reminds us of the justice (30) and love (31) of God, which are always in sovereign harmony.
 
APPLYING NUMBERS INTO MY LIFE (b): Just as the Israelites wandered in the wilderness 40 (32) years because of their rebellion, so too does God sometimes allow us to wander away from Him and suffer loneliness and lack of blessings when we rebel against Him. But God is faithful and just, and just as He restored the Israelites to their rightful place in His heart, He will always restore Christians to the place of blessing and intimate fellowship with Him - if we repent and return to Him (1 John 1:9).

CHAPTER SUMMARIES: Explore (33) chapter by chapter summaries!
 
COMING UP:  Next up is the Book of Deuteronomy (34)!

+  +  +  +  +  +  +  +  +
 

All Bible verse references linked herein are courtesy of Bible Gateway (a). The narrative (b) offered herein has been published with permission (c) and no monetary gain is being sought. Any footnotes within the narrative have been inserted by The Marion County Manna Project and re-direct to our webpages (unless otherwise noted) for additional spiritual insight and discernment.

 
+  +  +  +  +  +  +  +  +
 

The Invitation: If you're seeking additional info about Christianity on a more personal level, consider visiting a Christian Church here in Marion County (35). Introduce yourself to members and ask to speak with someone to learn more about Jesus. Surrendering your life to Christ (36) (e) is the most rewarding, everlasting decision you'll ever make, and it's comforting to have someone guide you as you begin your new life as a child of the Most High! May God shower you with great favor in this endeavor!

 
+  +  +  +  +  +  +  +  +
 

Footnotes, Page Credits and External Resources appear below. Consider printing and sharing the offered PDF narrative and other listed resources with family, friends and strangers alike for use in Bible Studies (37), Home/Church Faith Sharing Groups (38), Discipleship Encounters (39) and/or Personal Faith Enrichment!
 
Modifications are welcome at [email protected].

 
+  +  +  +  +  +  +  +  +

FOOTNOTES:
  (1) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/old-testament
  (2) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/the-law
  (3) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/the-good-news
  (4) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/Moses
  (5) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/1500-bc
  (6) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/bible-timeline
  (7) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/aaron
  (8) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/abihu
  (9) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/balaam
(10) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/caleb
(11) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/joshua-son-of-nun
(12) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/korah
(13) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/miriam
(14) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/spiritual-warfare
(15) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/god-of-the-bible
(16) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/twelve-tribes-of-israel
(17) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/exodus
(18) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/leviticus
(19) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/promised-land
(20) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/deuteronomy
(21) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/joshua
(22) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/wilderness-wandering
(23) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/obedience
(24) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/disobedience
(25) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/holiness
(26) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/canaan
(27) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/new-testament
(28) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/the-holy-spirit
(29) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/ambassador-in-chains
(30) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/justice
(31) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/love
(32) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/40-in-the-bible
(33) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/numbers-1-36-chapter-summaries
(34) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/deuteronomy
(35) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/listing-by-city
(36) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/the-gracious-visitor
(37) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/bible-studies
(38) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/christian-education
(39) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/discipleship
 
PAGE CREDITS:
(a) Bible Gateway, New International Version (NIV) Bible, accessed September 18, 2020, https://www.biblegateway.com/

(b) Summary of the Book of Numbers, Got Questions Ministries, accessed October 2, 2020, https://www.gotquestions.org/Book-of-Numbers.html
 
(c) Copyright Policy, Got Questions Ministries, accessed January 11, 2020,
https://www.gotquestions.org/about.html
 
(d) Videos, Milestones, Blogs & Poster, BibleProject, accessed September 29, 2020, https://www.bibleproject.com/terms/#use
 
EXTERNAL RESOURCES:
(e)  How Do I Convert to Christianity?, Got Questions Ministries, accessed January 12, 2020, https://www.gotquestions.org/convert-to-Christianity.html

Information offered herein has been generated for non-profit use.
 
Feel free to re-produce and distribute without monetary gain.
 
SPREAD JESUS.
 
Admin Data:
The most recent modification of this webpage and PDF
took place on Saturday, October 2, 2021.