NUMBERSNUMBERS

Wisdom from the Wilderness

© John Stevenson, 2008

Session ObjectivesSession Objectives

• Study the major events in the life of Israel in the wilderness.

• Observe Israel’s complaints and God’s response.

• Reflect on Israel’s murmurings.

• Begin to apply principles observed to your own life.

Session ObjectivesSession Objectives

• Reflect on the relationship of grace to obedience.

• Consider the nature of forgiveness.

Title of the BookTitle of the Book

• Greek Name: Arithmoi

• Hebrew Name:

rB;d>miB. : - “In the Wilderness”

Then the Lord spoke toMoses in the wilderness of Sinai(Numbers 1:1)

LeviticusLeviticusThe believer’s

worship

NumbersNumbersThe believer’s work

Purity Pilgrimage

Our Spiritual Position

Our Spiritual Progress

Ceremony in the Sanctuary

History in the Wilderness

Mount Sinai

Preparation for the

Journey

From Sinai to Kadesh

Kadesh to Moab

The Plains of Moab

1:1 10:10 10:11 14:45 15:1 21:41 22:1 36:13

The TestWilderness Wanderings

End of the Journey

The Old GenerationThe New

Generation

Several Weeks

Several Months

38 Years

Mount Sinai Mount NeboMount Hor

The Numbering of the PeopleThe Numbering of the PeopleNumbers 1 - 4

• A call to arms for the army of God

• A call to service

• God is a God of order

5:1

5:5

6:1

7:1

7:89

8:5

9:1

9:15

God’s presence in the voice & lampstand

Purgings for GodThe Unclean

The Immoral

Presentations to God

Nazarite Vows

Offerings from Leaders

Now when Moses went into the tent of meeting to speak with Him, he heard the voice speaking to him from above the mercy seat that was on the ark of the testimony, from between the two cherubim, so He spoke to him (Numbers 7:89).

5:1

5:5

6:1

7:1

7:89

8:5

9:1

9:15

God’s presence in the voice & lampstand

God’s presence in the cloud & trumpet

Purging

Presentation

Cleansing of Levites

Cleansing at Passover

Purgings for GodThe Unclean

The Immoral

Presentations to God

Nazarite Vows

Offerings from Leaders

Numbers 10-14Numbers 10-14

Chapter 13Mission of the spies and their complaint against the Canaanites

Chapter 12Complaint by Aaron and Miriam against Moses

Chapter 11• Cry of the People• Giving of Quail• Judgment

Why were spies sent into Canaan in the first place?

Deuteronomy 1:22-23"Then all of you approached me

and said, `Let us send men before us, that they may search out the land for us, and bring back to us

word of the way by which we should go up, and the cities which

we shall enter.'

And the thing pleased me and I took twelve of your men, one

man for each tribe."

EGYPT

KadeshBarnea

SINAI

The people who live in the land are strong, and the citiesare fortified and very large; and moreover, we saw thedescendants of Anak there.

(Numbers 13:28).

Chapter 14• Cry of the People• Judgment of God• Defeat at Kadesh

Chapter 13Mission of the spies and their complaint against the Canaanites

Chapter 12Complaint by Aaron and Miriam against Moses

Chapter 11• Cry of the People• Giving of Quail• Judgment

• Where did you go?

• What did it take to get you there in terms of cost, preparation, commitment?

• What went wrong?

• What went right?

• What emotions do you have about your experience?

Break into Groups of 2-3 and describe a significant trip you have

undertaken…

• What has been involved in your planning and preparation?

• What have been the obstacles along the way?

• What assistance have you found on your journey?

• What have been your significant milestones?

Describe your spiritual journey…

• How is this a useful model of the spiritual life?

• What insights does it lead to in terms of understanding the spiritual life & growth?

• What are the limitations of this model?

What is the value of looking at What is the value of looking at spiritual formation, growth, spiritual formation, growth, development as a journey?development as a journey?

• What problems did Israel face?

• What provisions did they have?

• What did God intend for them spiritually?

• Did they receive what God intended?

The Wilderness WanderingsThe Wilderness Wanderings

Group ExerciseGroup Exercise

• Read Numbers 14:20-25 and 1st Cor. 10:1-14

• How does the Paul shed light on the Old Testament?

Group 1• Read Numbers

21:1-9 and John 3:1-15

• How does Jesus relate His message to the Old Testament passage?

Group 2