Numbers - Chapters 1-9

The host, Julie Talley, begins by explaining that the book of Numbers is the fourth book of the Pentateuch and focuses on the wanderings of the children of Israel. She reminds us that all five books of the Pentateuch are connected and tell the story of redemption. She briefly summarizes the key events in Genesis and Exodus, including the creation, the fall of humanity, the promise of a savior, the patriarchs, the slavery in Egypt, and the Exodus. She explains that Leviticus emphasizes the holiness of God and the role of the priests. Numbers starts with a census and provides information on why the Israelites did not enter the promised land right away. It also details the organization of the camp and the duties of the Levites and priests. The chapter concludes with the ordinances for the Passover and the importance of obeying the Lord's commands. The host encourages listeners to reflect on whether the Lord is the center of their lives, to seek His guidance before committing I am Julie Talley, your host, and thanks so much for taking time out of your busy schedules to tune in with me today. If by chance you want to contact me, you can do that at dab.bc.pc at gmail.com. Today we are starting the fourth book of the Pentateuch, or five scrolls, which is the book of numbers. It gets its name because the book begins with a census, and then after the forty years of wandering in the wilderness, it ends with a census. The Hebrew Bible usually takes the name of the book from the first line of the book, and so for the Hebrews, the book is called In the Wilderness, and the key word for numbers is wanderings. As I shared with the book of Leviticus, each book is an individual book with an individual purpose. For numbers, it provides us with information as to why the children of Israel did not go straight into the promised land. Yet all five books are connected, as well as with the entire Bible, which tells one complete story of redemption, and we are a part of that story. Genesis tells of God who created the world, including humanity, then the fall of humanity, with the promise of one coming from the seed of the woman that will crush the serpent's head, Genesis 3.15. Also in Genesis, we meet the three main patriarchs of the Jewish and Christian faith, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Jacob's name was changed to Israel, and he had twelve sons, which became the twelve tribes of Israel. One of those sons, Joseph, was sent to Egypt in the guise of slavery, but the Lord sent him ahead to save the people from a severe famine. The Jews came to Egypt for food, and were blessed there, until a Pharaoh arose that did not know Joseph, and he enslaved the Israelites. They cried out to God, which brings us to book number two, Exodus, and the Lord called Moses to save his people out of Egypt and out of bondage. In Exodus, we have the parting of the Red Sea, the saving of the Jews, and the wipeout of the Egyptians. The Lord guided them to the mountain where Moses received his calling, and there the Lord gave Moses the Ten Commandments, as well as other laws and directions. They were to build a tabernacle, a tent dwelling, where the Lord would meet with them. In this tabernacle was the Ark of the Covenant, the altar of incense, the golden lampstand, the table of showbread, then outside in the courtyard was the altar for burnt offerings, and a basin for the priests to wash themselves before entering the holy place. The Lord called Aaron, Moses' brother, to be the high priest, and his sons and descendants would serve as priests. Exodus chapter 40 verse 17 reads, And it came to pass in the first month of the second year, on the first day of the month, that the tabernacle was reared up. Numbers chapter 1 verse 1 says, And the Lord spoke unto Moses in the wilderness of Sinai, in the tabernacle of the congregation, on the first day of the second month, in the second year after they were come out of the land of Egypt. Numbers starts one month later than when Exodus ended. Now with Leviticus, I used to think of it as laws because many laws are given, but the main point is the teaching of the priests who were Levites. The book shows us the holiness of God, and the priests' role were to be mediators between humanity and God. The priests were to give sacrifices of animals as a substitution for humanity's sin. Leviticus is a call for God's people to be a holy nation. Leviticus started, And the Lord called unto Moses, and spoke unto him out of the tabernacle of the congregation. So the tabernacle had been finished. Leviticus ends with, These are the commandments which the Lord commanded Moses for the children of Israel in Mount Sinai. This shows us that they had not started their journey toward the promised land yet, which is where Numbers begins. The Lord told Moses to take a census of all the people. In that census they were also to record all men who were 20 years old or older who were able to serve in the army. Chapter 1 verse 3. They counted by the various clans and families. In chapter 1 verse 46 their total number was 603,550. Now in Exodus chapter 1 verse 5 we learn that there were 70 family members of Jacob that entered Egypt. So we see how much the Lord increased the Israelites. One other thing to note is since the tribe of Levi was given the job of taking care of the tabernacle, the Lord was their portion so they did not receive land. They were not called to fight but they were called to protect the tabernacle. Also at the end of Genesis before Jacob died he blessed Joseph's two sons which he had while he was in Egypt and Jacob took them as his sons. Chapter 1 verse 32 starts, From the sons of Joseph were descendants of Ephraim and Manasseh. So not including Levi and Joseph but including Ephraim and Manasseh now we are back to twelve tribes of Israel. Chapter 2 of Numbers. The Lord tells Moses and Aaron how to set up the camp and the tabernacle was the center of it all. Surrounding the tabernacle would be the Levites which was Moses and Aaron's tribe and they were to take care of the tabernacle and then Aaron and his descendants were the priests with specific duties. Surrounding the Levites there were three of the twelve tribes on each side. Chapters 3 and 4 give a breakdown of the clans of the Levites and their responsibilities with Moses and Aaron's clan placed at the east edge at the entrance to the tabernacle. Only the priests were allowed to touch the holy items. That is why there were poles attached to those things so that the Levites could help carry them to the next destination. Chapter 5 gives some holiness laws that are similar to Leviticus. Anyone who was ceremonially unclean was to be placed outside the camp. If there was sin against anyone they were to make restitution which began with confession of sin, restore what was taken and then add 20% to the one who was wronged. If that person is not available to receive the restitution then it was given to the Lord. If there was doubt about faithfulness in marriage they were to come before the priest and he would do a test to see if she was faithful or not. Chapter 6 explains what a Nazarite vow was. A man or woman could take a vow which declared themselves separate to the Lord. There were eating restrictions. They were not to cut their hair. They could not go near a dead body even if it was a family member. It was a limited time and when it was completed they would bring sacrifices unto the Lord. One of those items which was to be burned was their hair. In the end of chapter 6 verses 22-27 say the Lord said to Moses tell Aaron and his sons this is how you are to bless the Israelites. Say to them the Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you. The Lord turn his face towards you and give you peace. So they will put my name on the Israelites and I will bless them. Ladies this is a great verse to memorize to pray for our family and our friends. Chapter 7 starts after Moses has anointed and consecrated the tabernacle and the leaders from each tribe presented offerings to the Lord. Verse 89 says when Moses entered the tent of meeting to speak with the Lord he heard the voice speaking to him from between the two cherubim above the atonement cover on the ark of the testimony and he spoke to him. Chapter 8 the Lord told Moses who told Aaron to set up the lamps in the holy place and then the Levites were set apart for service to the Lord and given guidelines on how to serve. Chapter 9 begins the Lord spoke to Moses in the desert of Sinai in the first month of the second year after they came out of Egypt. So the story goes back to the first month so it's not chronological. Here Moses explained Passover again and verses 4 and 5 say so Moses told the Israelites to celebrate the Passover and they did so in the desert of Sinai at twilight on the fourteenth day of the first month. The Israelites did everything just as the Lord commanded Moses. This last phrase is repeated throughout these chapters. The Israelites did everything just as the Lord commanded Moses. Chapter 1 verse 54, chapter 2 verse 34, chapter 4 verse 49, chapter 5 verse 4 and then chapter 8 verse 3, 20 and then 22. Now some of the people were ceremonially unclean during the appointed time for the Passover and they asked Moses if they could take it at a different time and I need to follow Moses example he didn't just say sure why not he said in verse 8 wait until I find out what the Lord commands concerning you. I wonder how our lives would be different if instead of just saying sure we would pause and ask the Lord first before committing to anything. The Lord did allow them to participate in the second month. Chapter 9 ends like the end of Exodus with the cloud covering the tabernacle and during the night it looked like a pillar of fire. When it lifted the Israelites would pack up and move and when the pillars settled on the tabernacle the people would stay put. Verse 23 says at the Lord's command they encamped and at the Lord's command they set out. They obeyed the Lord's order in accordance with the command through Moses. What are some takeaways from this lesson? First is the Lord the center of your life like the tabernacle was the center of the Israelites? Second, are you quick to volunteer or work before asking the Lord if that is what he wants you to do? Third, are you where the Lord wants you to be? In the beginning of Numbers we find the Israelites obeying the Lord's commands but just like in Genesis it does not take long for that not to be the case. If you have heard his voice today, let's not harden our hearts, instead let's be women who hear and obey like the Israelites did in this section. I'd like to end with the blessing that the Lord taught Aaron and his sons in order to bless his people. The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you. The Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace. Until next time and thanks so much for listening.