Numbers

Teacher: Won Huh

The Book of Numbers contains the story of the Israelites turning an 11-day journey from Mount Sinai to the Promised Land into a 39-year wandering in the wilderness.

We will focus on the stories in the Book of Numbers, so you can skip around a bit and just read chapters 11–14, 16–17 and 20–25 and think about these questions:

• The stories are filled with Israelites complaints, grumblings and rebellions. What were they complaining about? Was it legit? Can you relate or sympathize with any?
• What caused the Israelites to want to give up the Promised Land and go back into slavery or die in the wilderness?
• Why were God’s reactions so harsh? What made God so angry?
• Can you find love and grace in God’s responses or just His anger and wrath? How do you explain the apparent anger and wrath of God?
• The events in Numbers 13 & 14 are referred to as “The Rebellion” by other Biblical authors. What was so significant about that event and what can we learn from it? (See Hebrews 3)

Listen to the book of Numbers from BibleGateway: ESV, KJV, MSG, NIV, NKJV

Short Outline of Numbers from Today's English Version

• The Israelites prepare to leave Mount Sinai (1:1 – 9:23)
  • The first census (1:1 – 4:49)
  • Various laws and rules (5:1 – 8:26)
  • The second Passover (9:1 – 21:35)
• From Mount Sinai to Moab (10:1 – 21:35)
• Summary of the journey from Egypt to Moab (33:1-49)
• Instructions before crossing the Jordan (33:50 – 36:13)