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BOOK OF NUMBERS – LESSON ONE

(Chapters 1-4)

One month after the tabernacle was constructed according to the God imposed pattern in Exodus, a generation of Israelites in Numbers are preparing for their journey from the wilderness in Sinai to the promised land in Canaan (Exodus 40:17, Numbers 1:1).  In this Numbers’ study, we are focused on Isarael  in the second year of their departing from Egypt.  Moses, in Numbers, gives us important details of an approximate 38-year time period from 1444 B.C. – 1406 B.C. (Numbers 33:2).  The Book of Leviticus bridges a one-month period for establishing a holy people between the “exodus” in Exodus,  and the “journeying” in Numbers.  

I. THE OLD GENERATION: SINAI TO KADESH (Chapters 1-14)

A. The Numbering (Chapters 1-4)

B. The Instructing  (5:1-10:10)

C. The Journeying (10:11-14:45)

II. THE NUMBERING... THE COUNTING AND ARRANGEMNENT OF THE PEOPLE

A. Chapter 1- Numbering of the adult males from 20-years of age and upward.

1. Census taken for a military -preparedness purpose (v. 1-3).

2. Only true Israelites determined by “pedigree” could serve in military (1:18).

3. Levites are not included – they are reserved for special service pertaining to the Tabernacle (1:49-51).

4. The number: 603,550 (1:46)

B. Chapter 2 – Distribution of Tribes for orderly departure

1. Distinctive tribal banner standards to group under (2:2,3,10,18,25).

2. Judah, Reuben, Ephraim, and Dan are appointed as head tribes for the east, south, west, and north sides surrounding the Tabernacle (2:3,10,18,25).

3. Tribe of Levi (not numbered) set forward in place in the midst of Israel (2:17).

4. The number: 603,550 (2:32)

C. Chapter 3 – Numbering of the Levite males

1. Generations of Aaron and Moses (3:1-4)

2. God commands Moses to bring the Levites near to serve Aaron and the priesthood (3:5-10).

3. Levites to be God’s special possession, instead of the firstborn from all the other tribes (3:11-13).

4. Numbering of the Levite males from one month old and upward in determining the difference between all of the first-born males of the rest of Israel – the payment of the half-shekel of the sanctuary to redeem the number above the census of the Levites.  (3:15-43; 44-51)

5. The number of first-born males one month old and above: 22,000 (3:39)

D. Chapter 4 – Distribution of duties among the Levites  – Distinguished from the ministry of the priests.

1. Specific duties divided among the sons of Kohath (4:1-20)

2. Specific duties divided among the sons of Gershon  (4:21-38)

3. Specific duties divided among the sons of Merari (4:42-49)

4. The number: 8,580 (4:48)

QUESTIONS

1. What was the purpose of numbering the males from 20 years of age and upward ?

2. What important  event is about to occur in this generation of Israelites?

3. Why were the Levites not numbered in chapter one?

4. How do we have 12 tribes enumerated and the tribe of Levi is not numbered?  

5. In their encampment, why were the Levites to surround the Tabernacle?

6. Why do you think Judah, Reuben, Ephraim and Dan were heading the eight other tribes in their encampment ?

7. What is the implication from the fact that the census number given in Numbers 2:32 is the number of Israelite males from twenty years old and above in Numbers chapter one?

8. When did God hallow all the first-born of Israel unto Him?  

9. How many Levites, one month and older, were numbered?

10. Why is the “shekel of the sanctuary” “redemption money” among the Israelites?  

11. Why is a census taken of the Levites among the males who were 30 years of age up to 50 years of age?

12. How were the Levites of the family of Kohath to “bear the sanctuary” without dying as they approached the “holy things”?

13. How do you distinguish the responsibilities of the Levities among the sons of Gershon from the sons of Merari?  

14. How many male Levites 30 years old to 50 years old were counted who could serve Aaron and the priesthood in the service of the Tabernacle?