Numbers

Exodus records the beginning of Israel's journey to Canaan, the land promised to their father Abraham (Genesis);
they were led by Moses out of Egypt, past the Red Sea, and into the Sinai peninsula. The children of Israel
remained at Sinai for a year; there they were given their law and constructed the tabernacle. The events
recorded in Leviticus also took place at Mt. Sinai. Numbers continues Israel's early history, recording their
departure from Sinai, 38½ years of wandering in wilderness, and their arrival in the land of Moab east of Jordan,
where they would be poised to enter Canaan.

If you had to select a "worst book" for Israel's history, it would be hard not to select Numbers. We sometimes call
it "the book of murmuring" because Israel on numerous occasions provoked God to anger by murmuring,
complaining, and criticizing God and his appointed leaders. It is also the book of the wilderness wanderings and
the God-appointed death of an entire Israelite generation (over 600,000 men). But, perhaps the word or thought
that best sums up the book is simply "unbelief." All of the murmuring, spite, disobedience, and rebellion were the
manifestation of a lack of faith, unbelief. So, Psalm 106, which focuses on Israel's rebellion from the exodus to
the period of judges says, "they believed not God's word" (106:24). Hebrews calls the history of Numbers "the
provocation (rebellion)" and "the day of temptation in the wilderness (Heb. 3:8)," and attributes the rebellion to
"an evil heart of unbelief" (3:12), "unbelief" (3:19), "[no] faith" (4:2), and again, "unbelief" (4:6).

Truth for the World (tftw.org) offers the following overview and breakdown of the book:

This book is called "Numbers" because all the males who were old enough to serve in the army were numbered.
This was done at Mt. Sinai and later as they prepared to enter Canaan. Numbers covers the time of Israel’s
wandering in the desert from Mt. Sinai to the Plains of Moab. This was about 38 years. The book can be divided
into five sections.

The first section records the preparation to begin the journey from Mt Sinai (Numbers 1:10 - 10:10). A count was
taken which showed there were 603,550 men old enough to serve in the army. The Levites were not included.
Instructions for the health of the camp, for tabernacle worship, and for moving the camp were also given.

The second section tells of the journey from Sinai to Kadesh-Barnea (Numbers 10:11-14:45). On this journey,
several things happened. The people longed for the food in Egypt. They were sent quail by God, but were
punished for their sins of murmuring and complaining. Also Aaron and Miriam rebelled against Moses’ authority.
Miriam was stricken with leprosy as punishment. Perhaps this was because she was the leader of the rebellion;
and being a woman, it was not proper for her to claim such authority. Also twelve spies were sent out from
Kadesh-Barnea. They were gone for 40 days. They brought back a report that Canaan was a "land flowing with
milk and honey." However, ten of the twelve spies feared the people of the land. They lacked faith in God to give
them the land. Only Joshua and Caleb disagreed. The people followed the faithless spies. Because the people
lacked faith, they were sentenced to wander in the desert for forty years. Of that generation, only Joshua and
Caleb were allowed to enter the Promised Land.

The third section covers about 37 years (Numbers 15:1-21:35). It tells the events of the journey from Kadesh to
the Plains of Moab. The accounts of Korah’s rebellion, Moses’ striking the rock instead of speaking to it, and the
fiery serpents being sent among the people are among the events recorded. This section ends with the defeat of
Og, king of Bashan, and Sihon, king of the Amorites, and the possession of their land east of Jordan.

The fourth section is the account of Balaam and Balak (Numbers 22:1-25:18). Balak, king of Moab, hired Balaam
to curse Israel. Every time he tried to curse them, Balaam blessed them instead. Even though God spoke to
Balaam through his donkey, he persisted in wrong-doing. When he failed to curse Israel, he taught the Moabite
women to seduce the men of Israel to engage in idolatry and fornication. He knew this would bring God’s anger
upon Israel (cf. 2 Peter 2:15,16; Jude 11; Revelation 2:14).

The last section tells of the final preparation to enter the Promised Land (Numbers 26:1-36:13). Males of military
age were again counted. The number was 601,730. The cities of the Levites were set aside. Cities of refuge were
also chosen. One who killed another person accidentally could seek safety in such a city until his case was heard
by the elders of Israel.

The Message of Numbers

God's election (Genesis), redemption (Exodus), and provisions for communion (Leviticus) cannot and will not save
those of his own people who are unfaithful and disobedient (Numbers). Even God's elect must remain faithful to
him if they are to abide in fellowship with him and enjoy the provisions of his grace. 1 Corinthians 10:1-12 and
Hebrews 3:1-4:11 were written for the very purpose of proving that point from the book of Numbers.

Lessons and principles from Numbers

Unbelief can overtake an entire congregation and, at some point, even the strongest of God's children (Moses,
Num. 20:12).

Unbelief (lack of faith) is equated with not taking God's word seriously, and with rebellion. One need not be an
atheist or completely reject the authority of God's word to be guilty of unbelief (compare 20:12 with 27:14). It
also follows, then, that true "believers" also respect the will of God and obey it.

To challenge God's word, commands, instruction, organization, or even appointed leaders is to challenge God
himself (12:1-10; 16:1-14).

Attitude and manner of living are just as important as worship, citizenship (membership), and other works of
obedience.

God's people should not allow temporary difficulties to make them wish for "the way things were," but should
rather focus on the promises and faithfulness of God (cf. 11:4-6).