NUMBERS, DEUTERONOMY:
LIFE ON THE EDGE
Unit 1: Warning! Watch Out for Pitfalls
December 4
Numbers 1:1–8:26
Numbers 6:1-15
Stay True to Your Commitments
December 11
Numbers 9:1–10:10
Numbers 9:1-11a,15-19
Stay on Track with God's GPS
December 18
Numbers 10:11–14:45
Numbers 13:26-28,31; 14:6-9,17-23
Stay Fearless in Your Obedience
January 1
Numbers 15:1–25:18
Numbers 22:4b-6,31-35; 23:19-23
Stay Grateful for God's Care
January
8 setting
Numbers 26:1–36:13 context
Numbers 32:1,5-8,16-18,20-24; 33:51-53 lesson
Stay Focused on the Goal
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SETTING
While
we look at the five Books of Moses (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and
Deuteronomy) as five separate books (Pentateuch), it is essentially one piece
of writing. Genesis gives the beginnings: creation, man, sin, salvation,
covenant, and Abraham’s family. Exodus sees Abraham’s family become the nation
of Israel as they travel from Egypt to Mt. Sinai.
Numbers
finds them here at Mt. Sinai. They have already experienced the “golden calf”
incidents—where Moses made “God with them” as crucial to their travel—and are
now preparing to travel. In preparation for their travel to Kadesh-Barnea, they
must include spiritual and ceremonial cleansing so that God will travel in
their midst. Numbers 1-10 record these preparations and those instructions from
God that accompany their work.
After
a formulaic record of a tribe by tribe military census and instructions for the
responsibilities of uncounted Levities, the LORD instructed Israel on the
arrangement of the tribes as they camp around the Tabernacle so that every
Israelite is defined by his service to the LORD. Then, the LORD sets specific
details for the Levites by clan as well as the purification laws for the
community. So the reader is given specific qualifications and duties for office
holders in the service of the LORD. However, even though office holding is not
for every Israelite, dedicated service is. Thus, in chapter six, the Nazarite
Vow instructions provide for any Israelite to dedicate himself to God in a more
specific way than his general responsibilities already provide.
The
apex of spiritual and ceremonial cleansing before Israel can leave Mt. Sinai
with God in their midst comes at God’s command to commemorate the Passover. On
the first month and the fourteenth day, Israel consecrated itself just as it
had the night of that final and dreadful tenth plague in Egypt by remembering
God’s deliverance from slavery at the meal of the paschal lamb.
Israel’s
journey brings them to Kadesh-Barnea where they fail to enter the Land of
Promise and then after forty years of wondering, back to Kadesh-Barnea. Here
they are called to enter the land of Promise again. This generation having
witnessed the failure of their parents seem ready to follow the LORD. They
skirt around the Dead Sea and enjoy early success in conquering the Transjordan
side of the Promised Land. Here in the Plains of Moab, Israel prepares to cross
the Jordan River and conquer the remainder of their inheritance. God has
brought them to the heart of the Land of Promise in such a way as to as instill
great fear among the inhabitants of the Land. He is taking care of His people
by fulfilling His promised restoration of their homeland. At the same time, He
is taking care of the current inhabitants by fulfilling His promised execution
of judgment for their great debauchery.
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OUTLINE
Book
One:
The End of the First Generation
in the Wilderness (1:1–25:18)
I. Faithfulness of Israel at Sinai (1:1–10:10)
1. Sinai Cycle A:
Census and Consecration of the Tribes of Israel (1:1–6:27)
2. Sinai Cycle B:
Tabernacle and Celebration (7:1–10:10)
II. The Rebellious Generation in the Wilderness
(10:11–25:18)
1. Rebellion Cycle A:
From Sinai to Zin—Decline and Fall of the First Generation (10:11–15:41)
2. Rebellion Cycle B: Korah and Company
Challenge Moses (16:1–19:22)
3. Rebellion Cycle C: From Zin to Moab: The
Rebellion and Replacement of Moses (20:1–25:19)
Book Two:
The New Generation
and the Prospects of
the Promised Land (26:1–36:13)
III. Preparation of
the New Generation of Israel (26:1–30:16)
1. The Second
Census in the Plains of Moab (26:1–65)
(1) Census
Instructions (26:1–4)
(2) Reuben’s
descendants (26:5–11)
(3) Simeon’s Descendants
(26:12–14)
(4) Gad’s Descendants
(26:15–18)
(5) Judah’s
Descendants (26:19–22)
(6) Issachar’s
Descendants (26:23–25)
(7) Zebulun’s
Descendants (26:26–27)
(8) Sons of Joseph:
Manasseh’s Descendants (26:28–34)
(9) Sons of Joseph:
Ephraim’s Descendants (26:35–37)
(10) Benjamin’s
Descendants (26:38–41)
(11) Dan’s Descendants
(26:42–43)
(12) Asher’s
Descendants (26:44–47)
(13) Naphtali’s
Descendants (26:48–50)
(14) Total Population
of the Second Generation (26:51)
(15) Instructions for
Division of the Land (26:52–56)
(16) Levi’s Descendants
(26:57–62)
(17) Conclusion of the
Second Census (26:63–65)
2. Land Inheritance
Laws: The Case of Zelophehad’s Daughters (27:1–11)
(1) The Case of
Zelophehad’s Daughters (27:1–5)
(2) Case Decision and
Derived Principles (27:6–11)
3. Joshua Heir to
Moses (27:12–23)
(1) Moses’ Sin
Recapitulated (27:12–14)
(2) Moses’ Entreaty
for a New Leader (27:15–17)
(3) Moses’ Instruction
from the Lord (27:18–21)
(4) Moses Commissions
Joshua (27:22–23)
4. The Appointed
Times and Offerings (28:1–29:40)
(1) Introduction
(28:1–2)
(2) Daily Offerings
(28:3–8)
(3) Weekly (Sabbath)
Offerings (28:9–10)
(4) Monthly (Rosh
Chodesh) Offerings (28:11–15)
(5) Passover (Pesach)
and Unleavened Bread Offerings (28:16–25)
(6) Feast of Weeks
(Shavuoth / Pentecost) Offerings (28:26–31)
(7) Feast of the
Blowing Trumpets Offerings (29:1–6)
(8) Day of Atonement
(Yom Kippur) Offerings (29:7–11)
(9) Feast of Booths
(Sukkoth) Offerings (29:16–38)
(10) Summary (29:39–40)
5. Women’s Vows
(30:1–16)
(1) Introduction:
General Principle for Vows (30:1–2)
(2) Vows of Unmarried
Women (30:3–5)
(3) Vows of Newly
Married Women (30:6–8)
(4) Vows of Widowed or
Divorced Women (30:9)
(5) Vows of Married
Women (30:10–15)
(6) Summary (30:16)
IV. Advent Cycle B:
Preparation for War and Entry into the Promised Land (31:1–36:13)
Introduction to the Second Advent Cycle
1. The Midianite
Campaign (31:1–54)
Critical Issues in
Numbers 31
(1) Israelite Armies
Battle the Midianites (31:1–12)
(2) Preserving the
Sanctity of the Camp (31:13–24)
(3) Division of the
War Booty among the Israelites (31:25–54)
2. Settlement of
the Transjordan Tribes (32:1–42)
(1) Reubenite and
Gadite Request (32:1–5)
(2) Moses’ Response
(32:6–15)
(3) Promise of Support
(32:16–19)
(4) Moses’ Response to
the Promise (32:20–24)
(5) Gad and Reuben
Ratify the Agreement (32:25–27)
(6) Moses Informs
Eleazar and Joshua of the Decision (32:28–30)
(7) Gad and Reubenite
Reiterate the Promise (32:31–32)
(8) Moses Grants
Transjordan Tribal Territory (32:33–42)
3. The Israelite
Victory March: From Ramses to the Plains of Moab (33:1–49)
4. Instructions for
the Conquest of the Land (33:50–56)
5. Preparation for
Allocation of the Promised Land (34:1–29)
(1) Boundaries of the
Promised Land Delineated (34:1–15)
(2) Leaders Appointed
to Divide the Promised Land (34:16–29)
6. Levitical Cities
and the Cities of Refuge (35:1–34)
(1) The Levitical
Cities (35:1–8)
(2) Cities of Refuge
(35:9–34)
7. Inheritance Laws:
Zelophehad Clarifications (Laws and Land) (36:1–12)
Legal Precedent: Historical Background of the Request by
Zelophehad’s Daughters (36:1–2)
The Case Presented by the Gileadite Clans (36:3–4)
Moses Presents the Case Adjudication at Yahweh’s Command
(36:5–12)
8. Conclusion to the Case and the Book of
Numbers (36:13)
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LESSON
As
the children of Israel prepare to cross the Jordan River and possess the
Promised Land, they conduct as census of their families by tribe. Even though
they did that at the first of the book, it must be done again since it has been
more than forty years.
Most
of these people have known nothing but traveling in the wilderness. It seems
understandable that some would want to settle here in the Transjordan area.
Moses understood this request to be a serious threat. They must stay together
to conquer. If these tribes stay, the others will be discouraged from crossing
(shades of Kadesh-barnea forty years back). Even if they do cross, will not
other tribes make the same request as they conquer more land? This would mean a
gradual reduction in force and potential disaster.
The
leaders of Rueben and Gad proposed that they settle their families and
livestock in and around the fortified cities of the Transjordan and then their
fighting men would go with the other tribes and finish the conquest of the rest
of Promised Land before they return.
16 Then they approached him and said, "We want to build sheepfolds here for
our livestock and cities for our dependents. 17 But we will arm
ourselves and be ready to go ahead of the Israelites until we have brought them
into their place. Meanwhile, our dependents will remain in the fortified cities
because of the inhabitants of the land. 18 We will not return to our
homes until each of the Israelites has taken possession of his inheritance. (Num 32:16-18 HCSB)
While
Moses approved their plan, he warned them against failing to send all their
armed men and against failing to stay with Israel until all their enemies where
defeated. If they did all this, the Transjordan would be theirs, but if not,
they sin against the Lord.
23 But if you don't do this,
you will certainly sin against the LORD; be sure your sin will catch up with
you.” (Num 32:20-23 HCSB)
So,
all Israel prepared to execute God’s judgment on the Canaanites. Israel was
instructed to expelled all the inhabitants and destroy their places of hideous,
false worship. Like a surgeon removing a cancer, it is time for Israel to
remove the Canaanites.
51 "Tell the Israelites:
When you cross the Jordan into the land of Canaan, 52 you must drive
out all the inhabitants of the land before you, destroy all their stone images and cast images, and demolish all their high places. 53
You are to take possession of the land and settle in it because I have given
you the land to possess. (Num 33:51-53 HCSB)
How
reminiscent this all is of the related story at the end of Joshua. At this
point, Reuben, Gad and half the tribe of Manasseh have been freed of their
obligations and are returning home. When they arrive at the Jordan River, they
erect a large memorial altar. Fearing that separation by the Jordan will over
time begin to distance them from the other tribes such they could be refused participation
in the worship of the Lord, these tribes erected the memorial to bear witness
of their participation in the conquest and their standing in Israel.
The
other tribes mistook this action as a fall into idol worship by their brothers.
Idol worship called for swift punishment. As the armed men prepared to travel,
a delegation went to the Jordan to question their brothers. Reuben, Gad and
half the tribe of Manasseh agreed that they should be executed if they were
guilty of idol worship. Then, they explained the purpose of their memorial and
their intent desire to worship the Lord with all Israel. This pleased the
delegation such that their joy was expresse by Phinehas, the son of Eleazar the
priest . . .
"Today
we know that the Lord is in our midst, because you have not
committed this breach of faith against the Lord. Now you have delivered the
people of Israel from the hand of the Lord." (Joshua 22:31b HCSB)
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Outline of Numbers 1
Book One:
The End of the First Generation
in the Wilderness (1:1–25:18)
I. Faithfulness of
Israel at Sinai (1:1–10:10)
1. Sinai Cycle A:
Census and Consecration of the Tribes of Israel (1:1–6:27)
(1) Historical
Setting: Prologue (1:1)
(2) Military
Conscription of the Twelve Tribes of Israel (1:2–46)
Census Instructions (1:2–4)
Census Assistants Enlisted (1:5–16)
Census Directed by Moses (1:17–19)
Census Results by Tribal Households (1:20–43)
Census Summary and Total (1:44–46)
Responsibilities of Uncounted Levites (1:47–53)
Census Conclusion: Faithful Obedience (1:54)
(3) Holy Arrangement
of the Israelite Camps (2:1–34)
Introduction (2:1–2)
East Side, South Side West Side, North Side Encampments
(2:3–31)
Conclusion: Faithful Obedience (2:32–34)
(4) Responsibilities
and Census of the Levite Clans (3:1–4:49)
Introduction: Genealogy of Aaron and Moses (3:1–4)
Levite Consecration to Service (3:5–10)
Levite Replacement of the Firstborn (3:11–13)
Genealogical Delineation of Levite Clans (3:14–20)
Census and Responsibilities of the Levite Clans (3:21–39)
Dedication of the Levites in Firstborn Redemption (3:40–51)
Further Responsibilities and Census of Levites for Service
(4:1–49)
Kohathite Service Detailed (4:1–20)
Gershonite Service Detailed (4:21–28)
Merarite Service Detailed (4:29–33)
Summary Census of Levites (4:34–49)
(5) Purification Laws
for the Faithful Community (5:1–31)
Cultic Isolation of Various Disease Carriers (5:1–4)
Restitution for Wrongs Done (5:5–10)
The Case of a Suspected Adulterous Wife (5:11–31)
(6) The Sacred
Nazirite Vow (6:1–21)
Introduction (6:1–2)
Prohibitions (6:3–8)
Purification from Corpse Defilement (6:9–12)
Completion Rituals of the Nazirite Vow (6:13–20)
Summary (6:21)
(7) The Priestly
Blessing (6:22–27)
2. Sinai Cycle B:
Tabernacle and Celebration (7:1–10:10)
(1) Offerings of the
Leaders of the Israelite Tribes (7:1–89)
Historical Setting and Introduction (7:1–11)
Tribal Gifts Delineated (7:12–83)
Summary of Offerings Presented (7:84–88)
Yahweh Speaks with Moses in the Tabernacle (7:89)
(2) Menorah Lamp
Arrangement (8:1–4)
(3) Installation of
the Levites (8:5–26)
Ritual Cleansing (8:5–7)
Presentation of Levites with Sacrifices (8:8–11)
Offering of Sacrifices (8:12–14)
Levite Substitutionary Role (8:15–19)
Summary of the Levite Dedication (8:20–22)
Postlude: The Levite Retirement (8:23–26)
(4) The Second
Passover: With New Delineations (9:1–14)
(5) Pattern of the
Journey: The Lord and the Cloud (9:15–23)
(6) The Silver
Trumpets (10:1–10)
Gathering and Disembarking the Camps (10:1–7)
Rallying for Battle and Rejoicing in Festival Offerings
(10:8–10)
II. The Rebellious
Generation in the Wilderness (10:11–25:18)
1. Rebellion
Cycle A:
From Sinai to Zin—Decline and Fall of the First Generation (10:11–15:41)
(1) Historical
Reference: From Mount Sinai to the Paran Desert (10:11–13)
(2) The Departure from
Sinai (10:14–36)
The Israelite Tribes Depart in Orderly Array (10:14–28)
Hobab: Departure or Guidance in the Wilderness? (10:29–32)
First Stage of the Journey
(10:33–36)
(3) First Rebellion:
General Murmuring (11:1–3)
(4) Second Rebellion:
Complaint about Food (11:4–35)
The Rabble’s Complaint (11:4–6)
Yahweh’s Provision of Manna (11:7–9)
Moses’ Complaint about the People (11:10–15)
Yahweh Responds: Assemble Seventy Elders (11:16–17)
Preparation for Provision of Meat: Purification and
Confession (11:18–20)
Moses Expresses Disbelief to Yahweh (11:21–22)
Yahweh Responds to Moses’ Disbelief (11:23)
Preparation for Blessing: Elders Assembled (11:24)
Yahweh Sends Spirit upon the Seventy Elders (11:25–27)
Moses Responds to Joshua’s Complaint (11:28–30)
Yahweh’s Fresh Provision of Meat (11:31–32)
Plague upon the People: With Meat in their Mouths (11:33–34)
Second Stage of the Journey: Kibroth Hattaavah to Hazeroth (11:35)
(5) Third Rebellion:
Challenge to Moses’ Authority (12:1–16)
Miriam and Aaron’s Challenge of Moses (12:1–3)
God Speaks to Moses, Aaron, and Miriam (12:4–8)
The Judgment against Miriam (12:9–13)
God’s Reply to Moses, Miriam, and Aaron (12:14–15)
Third Stage of the Journey
(12:16)
(6) Fourth Rebellion:
Rejection of the Promised Land (13:1–14:45)
Instructions from Yahweh to Explore the Promised Land
(13:1–3)
Tribal Scouts Enlisted (13:4–16)
Moses Instructs the Tribal Scouts (13:17–20)
Scouts Explore the Land (13:21–25)
Report of the Scouts (13:26–33)
Congregational Response to the Report (14:1–4)
Leadership Response to the People (14:5–10)
God Intervenes: Glory of Lord Appears (14:10b–12)
Moses Intercedes with Yahweh for the People (14:13–19)
Yahweh Responds to Moses’ Prayer (14:20–23)
Caleb My Servant Will Live (14:24–25)
Yahweh Speech: The Unfaithful Community Will Die in the
Wilderness (14:26–35)
Judgment against the Leaders: The Ten versus Joshua and
Caleb (14:36–38)
Conclusion: Moses Reports Judgment—Israel Mourns (14:39–45)
(7) Offerings from the
Land of Promise: Covenant Hope (15:1–41)
Offerings from the Land (15:1–16)
Offerings of the Firstfruits (15:17–21)
Offerings for Inadvertent versus Intentional Sins (15:22–36)
Covenant Epilogue: Garment Tassels and Growing Faith
(15:37–41)
2. Rebellion
Cycle B: Korah and Company Challenge Moses (16:1–19:22)
(1) Rebellion of
Korah and the Reubenites (16:1–50)
Korah Instigates Rebellion versus Moses and Aaron (16:1–3)
Moses’ Initial Response: Yahweh Will Demonstrate (16:4–7)
Moses’ Confrontation with Rebellious Leaders (16:8–15)
Moses’ Further Instructions to Korah (16:16–19)
Yahweh’s Judgment and Moses’ Appeal (16:20–22)
Yahweh’s Response: Judgment Is Imminent (16:23–30)
Yahweh’s Judgment (16:31–35)
Yahweh’s Instruction to the Priests (16:36–40[Hb. 17:1–5])
People’s Response: Grumbling (16:41–43[Hb. 17:6–8])
Yahweh Dispenses Judgment (16:44–50[Hb. 17:9–15])
(2) Aaron’s Budding of
Staff: Primacy of the Aaronic Priesthood Reconfirmed (17:1–13 [Hb. 17:16–28])
Requirements: Instructions and Commands (17:1–5 [Hb.
17:16–20])
Ready Compliance of the People and Moses (17:6–7 [Hb.
17:21–22])
Results of the Test (17:8–9[Hb. 17:23–24])
Renewed Instructions (17:10–11[Hb. 17:25–26])
Rhetorical Response of the Israelites (17:12–13 [Hb.
17:27–28])
(3) The Priests and
the Levites: Additional Responsibilities and Provisions (18:1–23)
Priests and Levites as Guardians of the Sanctuary (18:1–7)
Provisions of Tribute for the Priests (18:8–19)
Provisions for the Levites (18:20–24)
Tithes and Offerings of the Levites (18:25–32)
(4) Red Heifer Ashes
and the Waters of Purification (19:1–22)
Introduction: Divine Instruction and First Statute (19:1–2a)
Preparation of the Ashes of the Red Heifer (19:2b–10)
General Rule for Applying Red Heifer Ashes (19:11–13)
Second Statute: Applying the Waters of Purification for
Death Impurity (19:14–22)
3. Rebellion
Cycle C: From Zin to Moab: The Rebellion and Replacement of Moses
(20:1–25:19)
(1) From Kadesh of
Zin to Mount Hor: The End of an Era (20:1–29)
Historical Setting: Kadesh of Zin and the Death of Miriam
(20:1)
Moses’ Rebellion at Meribah- Kadesh (20:2–13)
Edom Denies Passage to the Israelites (20:14–21)
The Death and Burial of Aaron (20:22–29)
(2) Victory over the
Canaanites of Arad Hormah (21:1–3)
(3) Rebellion and
Judgment (21:4–9)
(4) Journey through
Moab (21:10–20)
(5) Victory over the
Amorites of Transjordan (21:21–35)
Victory over Sihon of Heshbon (21:21–31)
Victory over Og of Bashan (21:32–35)
(6) The Book of Balaam
(22:1–24:25)
Literary Analysis of Numbers 22–25
Introduction to the Balaam Oracles (22:1–24:25)
Geographical Setting: Arabah of Moab along the Jordan across
from Jericho (22:1)
Cycle I: First Messengers Sent to Balaam (22:2–14)
Balak Sees—Moses Fears the Numerous Israelites (22:2–4)
First Messengers Sent (22:5a)
The Message: Curse the Mighty Israel (22:5b–6)
Elders of Moab and Elders of Midian Journey to Pethor to
Meet Balaam (22:7)
Balaam’s Response (22:8)
God’s Encounter with Balaam (22:9–12)
Balaam’s Response of Refusal (22:13)
Messengers Return Home to Moab (22:14)
Cycle II: Second Set of Messengers Sent to Balaam (22:15–21)
Messengers Again Sent to Balaam (22:15–17)
Balaam’s Response to Balak’s New Messengers (22:18–19)
God’s Second Encounter with Balaam (22:20)
Balaam Departs with Messengers (22:21)
Cycle III: God’s Messenger Sent to Balaam (22:22–38)
Introduction: God’s Anger with Balaam (22:22a)
The Angel of Yahweh Appears (22:22b)
The Donkey Responds (22:23)
The Angel of Yahweh Appears Again (22:24)
Donkey Responds Again (22:25)
The Angel of Yahweh Appears the Third Time (22:26)
Donkey Responds the Third Time (22:27)
God’s Third Encounter with Balaam (22:28–35)
Balak Goes out to Meet Balaam (22:36–38)
Preparation for the First Oracular Event (22:39–40)
Balaam’s First Oracle (22:41–23:10)
Balak Leads Balaam to Bamoth Baal (22:41)
Balaam Instructs Balak to Prepare Sacrifices (23:1)
Balak Obeys Balaam (23:2)
Balaam to Balak: Stand Beside Your Burnt Offering (23:3)
God Manifested Himself to Balaam (23:4–5)
Balaam Returns to Balak (23:6)
Balaam Obeys Yahweh: Speaks the First Oracle (23:7–10)
Balak’s Response to Balaam and the Rejoinder (23:11–12)
Balaam’s Second Oracle (23:13–26)
Balak Sacrifices Animals on Seven Altars (23:14b)
Balaam to Balak: Stand Beside Your Burnt Offering (23:15)
God Manifested Himself to Balaam (23:16)
Balaam Returns to Balak (23:17)
Balaam Obeys Yahweh: Speaks the Second Oracle (23:18–24)
Balak’s Second Response to Balaam and the Rejoinder
(23:25–26)
Balaam’s Third Oracle (23:27–24:14)
Balak Leads Balaam to Bamoth Baal (23:27–28)
Balaam Instructs Balak to Prepare Sacrifices (23:29)
Balak Obeys Balaam (23:30)
God Manifested Himself to Balaam (24:1–2)
Balak’s Angry Response (24:10–11)
Balaam’s Retort (24:12–14)
Balaam’s Fourth Oracle (24:15–19)
Balaam’s Final Three Oracles (24:20–24)
Balaam’s Fifth Oracle: Against the Amalekites (24:20)
Balaam’s Sixth Oracle: Against the Kenites (24:21–22)
Balaam’s Seventh Oracle: Against Assyria (24:23–24)
Balaam Departs Homeward (24:25)
(7) The Final
Rebellion: Idolatry at Baal Peor (25:1–19)
Setting of Immorality (25:1–3)
Moses Receives Instruction from Yahweh (25:4)
Moses Instructs the Leaders of Israel (25:5)
Phinehas Follows Moses’ Instruction (25:6–8a)
Wrath of Yahweh Allayed (25:8b)
The Results of Israel’s Immorality (25:9)
Moses Receives Further Instruction from the Lord (25:10–18)
Conclusion: The End of the Former Generation and Setting for
the New (25:19)
Book Two:
The New Generation
and the Prospects of
the Promised Land (26:1–36:13)
III. Preparation of
the New Generation of Israel (26:1–30:16)
1. The Second
Census in the Plains of Moab (26:1–65)
(1) Census
Instructions (26:1–4)
(2) Reuben’s
descendants (26:5–11)
(3) Simeon’s
Descendants (26:12–14)
(4) Gad’s Descendants
(26:15–18)
(5) Judah’s
Descendants (26:19–22)
(6) Issachar’s
Descendants (26:23–25)
(7) Zebulun’s
Descendants (26:26–27)
(8) Sons of Joseph:
Manasseh’s Descendants (26:28–34)
(9) Sons of Joseph: Ephraim’s
Descendants (26:35–37)
(10) Benjamin’s
Descendants (26:38–41)
(11) Dan’s Descendants
(26:42–43)
(12) Asher’s
Descendants (26:44–47)
(13) Naphtali’s
Descendants (26:48–50)
(14) Total Population
of the Second Generation (26:51)
(15) Instructions for Division
of the Land (26:52–56)
(16) Levi’s Descendants
(26:57–62)
(17) Conclusion of the
Second Census (26:63–65)
2. Land Inheritance
Laws: The Case of Zelophehad’s Daughters (27:1–11)
(1) The Case of
Zelophehad’s Daughters (27:1–5)
(2) Case Decision and Derived
Principles (27:6–11)
3. Joshua Heir to
Moses (27:12–23)
(1) Moses’ Sin
Recapitulated (27:12–14)
(2) Moses’ Entreaty
for a New Leader (27:15–17)
(3) Moses’ Instruction
from the Lord (27:18–21)
(4) Moses Commissions
Joshua (27:22–23)
4. The Appointed
Times and Offerings (28:1–29:40)
(1) Introduction
(28:1–2)
(2) Daily Offerings
(28:3–8)
(3) Weekly (Sabbath)
Offerings (28:9–10)
(4) Monthly (Rosh
Chodesh) Offerings (28:11–15)
(5) Passover (Pesach)
and Unleavened Bread Offerings (28:16–25)
(6) Feast of Weeks
(Shavuoth / Pentecost) Offerings (28:26–31)
(7) Feast of the
Blowing Trumpets Offerings (29:1–6)
(8) Day of Atonement
(Yom Kippur) Offerings (29:7–11)
(9) Feast of Booths
(Sukkoth) Offerings (29:16–38)
(10) Summary (29:39–40)
5. Women’s Vows
(30:1–16)
(1) Introduction:
General Principle for Vows (30:1–2)
(2) Vows of Unmarried
Women (30:3–5)
(3) Vows of Newly
Married Women (30:6–8)
(4) Vows of Widowed or
Divorced Women (30:9)
(5) Vows of Married
Women (30:10–15)
(6) Summary (30:16)
IV. Advent Cycle B: Preparation
for War and Entry into the Promised Land (31:1–36:13)
Introduction to the Second Advent Cycle
1. The Midianite
Campaign (31:1–54)
Critical Issues in
Numbers 31
(1) Israelite Armies
Battle the Midianites (31:1–12)
(2) Preserving the
Sanctity of the Camp (31:13–24)
(3) Division of the
War Booty among the Israelites (31:25–54)
2. Settlement of
the Transjordan Tribes (32:1–42)
(1) Reubenite and
Gadite Request (32:1–5)
(2) Moses’ Response
(32:6–15)
(3) Promise of Support
(32:16–19)
(4) Moses’ Response to
the Promise (32:20–24)
(5) Gad and Reuben
Ratify the Agreement (32:25–27)
(6) Moses Informs
Eleazar and Joshua of the Decision (32:28–30)
(7) Gad and Reubenite
Reiterate the Promise (32:31–32)
(8) Moses Grants
Transjordan Tribal Territory (32:33–42)
3. The Israelite
Victory March: From Ramses to the Plains of Moab (33:1–49)
4. Instructions for
the Conquest of the Land (33:50–56)
5. Preparation for
Allocation of the Promised Land (34:1–29)
(1) Boundaries of the
Promised Land Delineated (34:1–15)
(2) Leaders Appointed
to Divide the Promised Land (34:16–29)
6. Levitical Cities
and the Cities of Refuge (35:1–34)
(1) The Levitical
Cities (35:1–8)
(2) Cities of Refuge
(35:9–34)
7. Inheritance Laws:
Zelophehad Clarifications (Laws and Land) (36:1–12)
Legal Precedent: Historical Background of the Request by
Zelophehad’s Daughters (36:1–2)
The Case Presented by the Gileadite Clans (36:3–4)
Moses Presents the Case Adjudication at Yahweh’s Command
(36:5–12)
8. Conclusion to the Case and the Book of
Numbers (36:13)
______________________
1 R. Dennis Cole, Numbers, electronic ed., Logos Library
System; The New American Commentary (Nashville: Broadman & Holman
Publishers, 2001). 21–575.