Page 56 - Advanced OT Survey Revised

Chapter 5: Numbers and Deuteronomy

Connect…

Have you ever gotten lost? I have! Once when driving to a conference in Germany, I got so lost that I
ended up in three other countries! It took hours to find my way back to the destination. It was a
frustrating experience.

The children of Israel got lost in their journey to the Promised Land, but it was their own fault. They
arrived at the border, but because of unbelief, refused to enter the land. They did not trust God to take
care of them and fight their battles, as He promised to do. Because of unbelief, they wandered in the
wilderness for 40 additional years until every person living who were disobedient died, save for two of
the spies. Wandering in a desert was really the ultimate journey in lostness. Today in our study, we will
see how the books of Numbers and Deuteronomy chronicle this journey and how the second book is
directed to a new generation of Israelites who were getting ready to conquer a new land. Let’s see what
happens….

Objectives…

1. The student should be able to describe the reason for and the realities of Israel’s wanderings.

2. The student should be able to explain the purpose for the book of Deuteronomy.

3. The student should be able to explain why Moses and Aaron were not permitted to enter the
Promised Land.

The Lesson ...

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Numbers
The book of Numbers narrates the time of Israel’s wanderings.

Author and Date: It is highly likely that Moses wrote the book of Numbers. The Date is unknown but
possibly written during the time of wanderings (after the exodus from Egypt).

Themes: Numbers is divided into three main themes: Prepare (1-10), Punished (11-21), Promise (21-
36).

Brief Summary: The main message of the Book of Numbers is God’s preparation of His people for His
presence. He would punish them for their disbelief, but despite their repeated rebellion, He remains

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