NUMBERS LESSON 1
The book of Numbers was penned by Moses. It is the fourth book of
the Pentateuch. This book is set during the 40 years of the wilderness
wanderings. The book was named Numbers, because the Israelites were
numbered during this time period. Their unbelief stops them from
entering the promised land, until the doubters die off. In this book,
we see the miraculous feeding of the multitude. Water comes gushing
from a Rock to quench their thirst. Many other miracles take place
during this time period. We will see types of the Lord Jesus in the
smitten Rock and in the brazen serpent which was lifted up. We see an
army of people walking 40 years in the wilderness without their shoes
wearing out. Egypt symbolizes the world. God was not only trying to
get them out of the land of Egypt, but was, in fact, trying to get
their worldly ways out of them. Only the children who believed would
enter the promised land.
We will now begin in Numbers 1:1 "And the LORD spake 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, saying,"
We find that the children of Israel had already been in the
wilderness of Sinai since the third month after they left Egypt.
Exodus 19:1 "In the third month, when the children of Israel were gone
forth out of the land of Egypt, the same day came they [into] the
wilderness of Sinai." In this tabernacle of the congregation, Moses
had met with God. Exodus 25:22 "And there I will meet with thee, and I
will commune with thee from above the mercy seat, from between the two
cherubims which [are] upon the ark of the testimony, of all [things]
which I will give thee in commandment unto the children of Israel."
This message is given directly to Moses from God.
Numbers 1:2 "Take ye the sum of all the congregation of the
children of Israel, after their families, by the house of their
fathers, with the number of [their] names, every male by their polls;"
There had been a tax levied in the tabernacle of a half-shekel of
silver on each male, for the service in the tabernacle. The Jews kept
accurate records, and that is why each family would be recorded
separately. We will find they came up with the same numbers as found
during the tax. It appears, they used round numbers, and not exact
counting of each adult male. The "poll" is speaking of the tax
records.
Numbers 1:3 "From twenty years old and upward, all that are able
to go forth to war in Israel: thou and Aaron shall number them by
their armies."
Those younger than 20 years old were not required to go to war.
Females were not required to go to war at all, so they were not
numbered. The task of the numbering, and the accuracy of the count,
would be left up to Moses and Aaron.
Numbers 1:4 "And with you there shall be a man of every tribe;
every one head of the house of his fathers."
There was one man from each tribe, and the tribe was numbered
under his name. The tribes were comprised of the children of Jacob and
his two wives, and their two maids. This numbering was for a totally
different purpose, than the one that was taken by the Levites for
taxing the males. This is for military purposes. All of the men 20
years and older were soldiers in time of war.
Numbers 1:5 "And these [are] the names of the men that shall
stand with you: of [the tribe of] Reuben; Elizur the son of Shedeur."
Reuben was the firstborn son of Jacob and Leah. Reuben committed
a terrible sin when he slept with Bilhah, his father's concubine.
Reuben, of course, is dead at this time, but this is his tribe. Elizur
would be the prince of the tribe of Reuben.
Numbers 1:6 "Of Simeon; Shelumiel the son of Zurishaddai."
Simeon was the second son of Jacob by Leah. Shelumiel is the head
of Simeon's tribe.
Numbers 1:7 "Of Judah; Nahshon the son of Amminadab."
The name "Judah" means God be praised. He is the fourth son of
Jacob and Leah. His brothers, who have the same mother he does, are
Reuben, Simeon, and Levi. Nashon is the leader of this tribe at the
time of the census. Nashon was the brother-in-law of Aaron. He is,
also, ancestor of David and Jesus Christ.
Numbers 1:8 "Of Issachar; Nethaneel the son of Zuar."
The name "Issachar" means he will bring reward. Issachar is the
9th son of Jacob and the 5th of Leah. Issachar, Judah, and Zebulun,
marched on the east of the tabernacle in the wilderness wanderings.
Nethaneel was prince of this tribe at the time of the census.
Numbers 1:9 "Of Zebulun; Eliab the son of Helon."
Zebulun was the 10th son of Jacob and the 6th son of Leah. Eliab
was prince of this tribe at census time.
Numbers 1:10 "Of the children of Joseph: of Ephraim; Elishama the
son of Ammihud: of Manasseh; Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur."
The name "Joseph" means may he, or Jehovah add. Joseph was the
first son of Rachel and the eleventh son of Jacob. This is the same
Joseph that went into Egypt, and then later saved his family from the
famine. Ephraim and Manasseh were both his sons, born in Egypt.
Manasseh was the firstborn, but Ephraim got the spiritual blessing of
the right hand. Elishama, who was the prince of the tribe of Ephraim,
was the grandfather of Joshua. Gamaliel was the prince of the tribe
of Manasseh.
Numbers 1:11 "Of Benjamin; Abidan the son of Gideoni."
Benjamin was the twelfth son of Jacob and the second son of
Rachel. Even though Rachel was the second wife of Jacob, she was his
favorite. Rachel died soon after the birth of Benjamin. Abidan was the
prince of the tribe of Benjamin. We notice that in all of the sons, up
to this time, were of the wives. The following sons will be from the
maids of the two wives.
Numbers 1:12 "Of Dan; Ahiezer the son of Ammishaddai."
Dan was the first son of Bilhah and the fifth son of Jacob.
Bilhah was not a wife. She was Rachel's handmaid. Dan, along with the
other sons of the handmaids, would receive inheritance with the sons
of the wives. Ahiezer was the prince of the tribe of Dan at the time
of the numbering.
Numbers 1:13 "Of Asher; Pagiel the son of Ocran."
Asher was the eighth son of Jacob and the second son of Zilpah,
the maid of Leah. Pagiel was the prince of the tribe of Asher at the
time of the census.
Numbers 1:14 "Of Gad; Eliasaph the son of Deuel."
Gad was the first son of Zilpah and the seventh son of Jacob.
Eliasaph was the head of the tribe at the time of the census.
Numbers 1:15 "Of Naphtali; Ahira the son of Enan."
Naphtali was the sixth son of Jacob and the second son of Bilhah.
Ahira was the prince of the tribe of Naphtali at the time of the
census.
Numbers 1:16 "These [were] the renowned of the congregation,
princes of the tribes of their fathers, heads of thousands in Israel."
Jacob was the father of twelve sons, who made up the twelve
tribes of Israel. Each one of the princes were over the thousands of
members of his tribe.
Numbers 1 Questions
1. The book of Numbers was penned by __________.
2. It was the __________ book of the Pentateuch.
3. What time period does the book cover?
4. Why is it called Numbers?
5. What are some of the things revealed in this book?
6. What shows us types of the Lord Jesus in this book?
7. God was not only trying to get them out the land of Egypt, but
was, in fact, trying to do what?
8. Where was Moses, when God spoke to him?
9. When did he speak to him?
10. When had they entered Sinai?
11. Quote Exodus chapter 25 verse 22.
12. What did God tell Moses to do?
13. Who were they to count?
14. What is "polls" speaking of in verse 2?
15. Those younger than 20 years old were not required to go to
_______.
16. Who was the accuracy of the count left up to?
17. Who were the parents of these families, that had turned into
tribes?
18. Reuben was the _____________ son of Jacob and Leah.
19. What terrible sin had Reuben committed?
20. Who was the mother of Simeon?
21. What does the name "Judah" mean?
22. Who was Judah's mother?
23. Who was Nashon related to?
24. Issachar was the _______ son of Jacob and the _______ of Leah.
25. What two tribes represented Joseph?
26. What does the name "Joseph" mean?
27. Joseph was the first son of __________.
28. Who was the firstborn of Joseph?
29. Which of Joseph's sons received the right hand blessing?
30. Who was the mother of Benjamin?
31. What happened to his mother soon after his birth?
32. Bilhah was not a wife, but what?
33. Who was Asher's mother?
34. Jacob was the father of __________ sons.
35. Who were the princes over?
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