Numbers: In the Wilderness

1:1-46, 14:22, 20:12 (Pastor Heo)

The Census

1 The LORD spoke to Moses in the Tent of Meeting in the Desert of Sinai on the first day of the second month of the second year after the Israelites came out of Egypt. He said: 2 “Take a census of the whole Israelite community by their clans and families, listing every man by name, one by one. 3 You and Aaron are to number by their divisions all the men in Israel twenty years old or more who are able to serve in the army. 4 One man from each tribe, each the head of his family, is to help you.

5 These are the names of the men who are to assist you: from Reuben, Elizur son of Shedeur; 6 from Simeon, Shelumiel son of Zurishaddai; 7 from Judah, Nahshon son of Amminadab; 8 from Issachar, Nethanel son of Zuar; 9 from Zebulun, Eliab son of Helon; 10 from the sons of Joseph: from Ephraim, Elishama son of Ammihud; from Manasseh,Gamaliel son of Pedahzur; 11 from Benjamin, Abidan son of Gideoni; 12 from Dan, Ahiezer son of Ammishaddai; 13 from Asher, Pagiel son of Ocran; 14 from Gad, Eliasaph son of Deuel; 15 from Naphtali, Ahira son of Enan.” 16 These were the men appointed from the community, the leaders of their ancestral tribes. They were the heads of the clans of Israel.

17 Moses and Aaron took these men whose names had been given, 18 and they called the whole community together on the first day of the second month. The people indicated their ancestry by their clans and families, and the men twenty years old or more were listed by name, one by one, 19 as the LORD commanded Moses. And so he counted them in the Desert of Sinai:

20 From the descendants of Reuben the firstborn son of Israel: All the men twenty years old or more who were able to serve in the army were listed by name, one by one, according to the records of their clans and families. 21 The number from the tribe of Reuben was 46,500.

22 From the descendants of Simeon: All the men twenty years old or more who were able to serve in the army were counted and listed by name, one by one, according to the records of their clans and families. 23 The number from the tribe of Simeon was 59,300.

24 From the descendants of Gad: All the men twenty years old or more who were able to serve in the army were listed by name, according to the records of their clans and families. 25 The number from the tribe of Gad was 45,650.

26 From the descendants of Judah: All the men twenty years old or more who were able to serve in the army were listed by name, according to the records of their clans and families. 27 The number from the tribe of Judah was 74,600.

28 From the descendants of Issachar: All the men twenty years old or more who were able to serve in the army were listed by name, according to the records of their clans and families. 29 The number from the tribe of Issachar was 54,400.

30From the descendants of Zebulun: All the men twenty years old or more who were able to serve in the army were listed by name, according to the records of their clans and families. 31 The number from the tribe of Zebulun was 57,400.

32 From the sons of Joseph: From the descendants of Ephraim: All the men twenty years old or more who were able to serve in the army were listed by name, according to the records of their clans and families. 33 The number from the tribe of Ephraim was 40,500.

34 From the descendants of Manasseh:All the men twenty years old or more who were able to serve in the army were listed by name, according to the records of their clans and families. 35 The number from the tribe of Manasseh was 32,200.

36 From the descendants of Benjamin: All the men twenty years old or more who were able to serve in the army were listed by name, according to the records of their clans and families.37 The number from the tribe of Benjamin was 35,400.

38 From the descendants of Dan: All the men twenty years old or more who were able to serve in the army were listed by name, according to the records of their clans and families. 39 The number from the tribe of Dan was 62,700.

40 From the descendants of Asher: All the men twenty years old or more who were able to serve in the army were listed by name, according to the records of their clans and families. 41 The number from the tribe of Asher was 41,500.

42 From the descendants of Naphtali: All the men twenty years old or more who were able to serve in the army were listed by name, according to the records of their clans and families. 43 The number from the tribe of Naphtali was 53,400.

44These were the men counted by Moses and Aaron and the twelve leaders of Israel, each one representing his family. 45 All the Israelites twenty years old or more who were able to serve in Israel’s army were counted according to their families. 46 The total number was 603,550.

47 The families of the tribe of Levi, however, were not counted along with the others. 48 The LORD had said to Moses: 49 “You must not count the tribe of Levi or include them in the census of the other Israelites. 50 Instead, appoint the Levites to be in charge of the tabernacle of the Testimony–over all its furnishings and everything belonging to it. They are to carry the tabernacle and all its furnishings; they are to take care of it and encamp around it. 51 Whenever the tabernacle is to move, the Levites are to take it down, and whenever the tabernacle is to be set up, the Levites shall do it. Anyone else who goes near it shall be put to death.52 The Israelites are to set up their tents by divisions, each man in his own camp under his own standard. 53 The Levites, however, are to set up their tents around the tabernacle of the Testimony so that wrath will not fall on the Israelite community. The Levites are to be responsible for the care of the tabernacle of the Testimony.” 54 The Israelites did all this just as the LORD commanded Moses.

…

14:22 not one of the men who saw my glory and the miraculous signs I performed in Egypt and in the desert but who disobeyed me and tested me ten times– 23 not one of them will ever see the land I promised on oath to their forefathers. No one who has treated me with contempt will ever see it.

…

20:12 But the LORD said to Moses and Aaron, “Because you did not trust in me enough to honor me as holy in the sight of the Israelites, you will not bring this community into the land I give them.”

(Actually, Numbers doesn’t contain ONLY numbers… there’s a lot of story about Moses… interesting… you should read it…)

When did the Exodus happen? 1446 BC?

1. In the book of Exodus, after coming out of Egypt, they journeyed for two months through the wilderness to meet Mt. Sinai. – Then they stayed for 10 months to receive the Word of God – the 10 commandments – and to build the Tabernacle (this is the end of the book of Exodus).
2. Leviticus – They stayed at Mt. Sinai only one month – receiving instruction from God – how to worship him, how to have a relationship with him, etc. There was no geographical movement. They only stayed.
3. Numbers – Begins at Mt. Sinai – counts everybody (i.e. “Numbers”) – (on the first day of the second month of the year they came out of Egypt).

They stayed at Mt. Sinai for 20 days to prepare for the march – arranging and organizing the camp. After 20 days, they started for Canaan. Imagine, IF they had fully obeyed God as they had just learned in Leviticus, they could have entered Canaan very soon. So, they wandered the wilderness 38 years 3 months and 10 days.

Almost ALL the old generation died.

The new generation (born and bred in the wilderness) almost entered Moach? and stayed there for 5 months in preparation to enter Canaan.

So…. how many years is Numbers totally? Almost 39 years. (38 years 9 months).

• Original Hebrew Bible calls this book “ba-mid-bar” – “in the desert”.
• The oldest Greek version = “septusion” = “seventy”. “arithmoi” = “numbers”.
• So, that’s why we call it “Numbers” – we follow the Greek, not the Hebrew.

Yes, there ARE many numberings and countings (two censuses – 1: the OLD generation; 27: the NEW generation who grew up in the desert and conquered Canaan – in a census, only the men over 20 were counted (they should fight in the army)).

We can say the book =

1. “a book of numbers, counting” and ALSO =
2. “a book of journeys and wanderings” – and ALSO
3. “complaining” (yes, the interesting part). – we read 10 times already about this. – and ALSO
4. “discipline”

They wandered far, their tents occupied many square miles – they were 2 million + people and had many animals – and God faithfully sustained them and preserved their clothes and shoes – until arriving at Moa?

At the outset of this book, it is only 14 months after the Exodus from Egypt. So, it became necessary for this nation to pass through the painful process of maturation – God must teach his people the consequences of sin and bad decisions.

This book begins with the journey of the old generation, a painful growing transition, and the success of the new generation.

There are 3 parts:

1. Numbers 1-10:10 – the OLD generation’s story
2. Numbers 10:11-25 – the wandering
3. Numbers 26-36 – the NEW generation’s story

Part 1: 1-10:10 (the OLD generation)

Located in Mt. Sinai – 20 days –

In this part, before departure, they need time to prepare for departure – they need order and arrangement – numbering of the people and animals, etc.

This first part, God commands them to “get organized” like the illustration:

The tabernacle is ALWAYS at the center.

• Joseph – received a double portion
• Levi – dealt with the tabernacle and received no portion – only the Levites carried and put together the tabernacle – if anyone else touched it, they would be put to death.
• The Levites and Moses and Aaron camped at the gate of the tabernacle.

Part 2: 10:11-25

The wandering (in the desert) – transition (tragic) from OLD to NEW generation

• 1:1 “… on the first day of the second month of the second year …”
• 10:11 (turning point – from OLD to NEW generation) “… on the twentieth day of the second month of the second year …”

The cloud lifted and the Israelites set out from place to place until the cloud came to rest at the desert of Param. (very near Canaan – they arrived at the ALMOST final destination very quickly)

From Param – Canaan is merely a stone’s throw away – they could see it with their own eyes… but, at the CRUCIAL moment, they failed. They drew back in unbelief – in faithlessness – in rebellion against God.

Key verse “they rebelled against me” – at least 10 times! They grumbled, murmured, complained against God and against Moses.

This is the CRUCIAL moment – ALMOST at Canaan (only cross the Jordan) – and then, chapter 13 “send some men (12) to explore the land” – these men were elders, leaders, pastors – he chose them from each tribe and sent them to Canaan to explore.

He gave 6 assignments to investigate:

1. land (good or bad),
2. people (strong or weak),
3. towns (fortified or not),
4. soil (fertile or not),
5. trees (trees or not),
6. fruit (bring the fruit to see the kinds).

They stayed for 40 days to explore – they came back and said, “Yes, the land is good and fertile… BUT we saw the descendants of Anoch!!! (Goliath-like giant-man)”

• Joshua and Caleb said, “We can!”
• The people listened to the “bad report” (NIV) “evil report” (KJV).
• Joshua and Caleb said, “We will SWALLOW them up! Only do not rebel against God – do not fear them.”
• But, the people ignored these faithful men. They rather listened to the voice of the 10 other men – the cowards.

God was SO angry at this point and they raised their voices ALLLLLLLLLL night and COMPLAINED to the highest heavens! “HOLY COW! If only we had ALREADY died! How HORRIBLE our lives!! Why would God bring us here to die by the sword? Let’s choose a NEW leader and go BACK to Egypt! This STINKS!”

God said, “Whaaaaa? Geez, how long will these people ignore me and complain against me? Fine! I’ll give you what you want! Die in the desert? OK.”

So, they wandered 40 years (one year for every day they explored the land). God ANSWERED their prayer request – from godly anticipation to aimless wandering.

This was the FIRST sin.

There are MANY more.

In Numbers 21, they were impatient on the way and complained against God and Moses again. “There’s no food! There’s no bread! There’s no water! Why do we always eat the same manna (plain like rice)?” Can you eat the same food for 40 years? If you are a man of Jesus, HE is the BREAD OF LIFE – we should eat his bread all the time. If you are tired of his bread, you are not a man of Jesus.

God was angry again – so God sent a snake – a poisonous snake. The snake bit many people and they died. They said, “Oh no! We’ve sinned – please pray for us!” God said to Moses, “Make a bronze snake and put it on a high pole and anyone who sees it will be healed – this will remind you of your sin.” (This is a foreshadowing of Jesus).

Sin #2: (of many) Men indulged in sexual immorality with Moabite women – they allowed themselves to be seduced and worshiped the idol Baal. Because of this sin – 24,000 were killed in ONE day.

Through the period of 38 years, 3 months, 10 days, almost ALL the older generation died. Miriam died, Aaron also died. Only except Joshua and Caleb – died. ALL others died – only Joshua and Caleb were allowed to enter Canaan.

This is a very sad story, but it gives us a very important lesson (later).

Part 3: 26-36 – the NEW generation

From the second census of the new generation.

The old generation is GONE – the transition is complete – they arrived at Moab (very near Canaan). They should wait now until everything is ready – 5 months. They received new instructions and a new leader was chosen: Joshua.

This is the story of Numbers.

From this story, what lessons can we get?

This word is written, not for them, but for us – because the Word of God is “alive” all the time.

1 Corinthians 10:1-12

Warnings From Israel’s History (Remembering the story of Numbers)

1 For I do not want you to be ignorant of the fact, brothers, that our forefathers were all under the cloud and that they all passed through the sea. 2 They were all baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea. 3 They all ate the same spiritual food 4 and drank the same spiritual drink; for they drank from the spiritual rock that accompanied them, and that rock was Christ. 5 Nevertheless, God was not pleased with most of them; their bodies were scattered over the desert. 6 Now these things occurred as examples to keep us from setting our hearts on evil things as they did. 

7 Do not be idolaters, as some of them were; as it is written: “The people sat down to eat and drink and got up to indulge in pagan revelry.” 8 We should not commit sexual immorality, as some of them did–and in one day twenty-three thousand of them died. 9We should not test the Lord, as some of them did–and were killed by snakes.10 And do not grumble, as some of them did–and were killed by the destroying angel. 11 These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the fulfillment of the ages has come. 12 So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall!

In this passage – even 4 times “as some of them did/were”.

Through this story, there are MANY lessons, but here are 4 points:

#1: Like them, we are strangers in this world on a journey

Even though our bodies are in this world, we are not of this world – we are on a journey – our final citizenship is in heaven.

• But, on this journey, if we worship God, journey with him faithfully – then our journey is a meaningful, purposeful pilgrimage.
• But if we do NOT, we are aimlessly, meaninglessly wandering…

#2: We are reporters

“I’m a reporter.” – if you can speak with your mouth, you are a reporter – officially or unofficially, publicly or privately, consciously, willingly or unwillingly, our words are a REPORT.

Your words are a kind of report – before God, your words are VERY important. God HATES evil/bad/sinful reports. DO NOT SPREAD / SCATTER evil reports about God, church, vision, church leaders, his Word, sisters and brothers in Christ. DO NOT GOSSIP / SLANDER – this is the body of Christ, the house of God.

#3: Do not complain

Complaining destroys our lives, our character, personality, health. Complaining vs. thanksgiving is NOT a matter of circumstances but a matter of HABIT. He who complains, ALWAYS complains. Complain because of this? You’ll complain because of THAT. “Be thankful in ALL circumstances.”

#4 Jesus is the one we look at to receive life

John 14:15 “Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert on a pole, so the Son of Man was raised up so that whoever looks at him will have life.”

Just if you look up and see Jesus and accept him as your personal Savior and Lord, you’ll enjoy abundant, eternal life.

“Fix your eyes on Jesus, the author and perfector of our faith.”

Let’s pray.