Ralph Porter

© 2002

Distance from Mt. Sinai to Israel? How long did it take? Why?

    Deut. 1:2-3, 26, 29-32

Numbers resumes the history of Israel where Exodus ended.

    Israel is still at Sinai where God has just revealed Himself to His people.

    They were to be His people and He would be their God and dwell in their midst.

         The law was the standard of conduct for a redeemed people in the midst of a pagan

              world-- they were to be different.

         The tabernacle was given so He could dwell in their midst and they could worship Him.

Now God was ready to lead them into the land which He had promised to their fathers.

Due to their UNBELIEF and DISOBEDIENCE, the entrance into the land was delayed forty

    years-- while that generation died.

Numbers tells the story of their FAILURE and the RESULTING DELAY in the wilderness.

It concludes at the banks of the Jordan River, 40 years later, preparing again to enter the land.

PURPOSE

    To reveal the CONSEQUENCES of UNBELIEF 

        and DISOBEDIENCE among God's people.

              They should have trusted and obeyed Him.

              Their failure caused serious negative consequences:

                   *    Fellowship with God broken.

                   *    Entrance to land delayed 40 years.

                   *    That generation died (except Joshua & Caleb). They didn't enter land.

    To reveal God's FAITHFULNESS.

         Their failure did not cut them off from God.

         They were punished--even to death--but the promises were still fulfilled.

              God protected them in the wilderness.

              God provided all they needed.

              God guided them.

              God brought them back to the land.

THEME

    Though God must punish His people 

        for their UNBELIEF and DISOBEDIENCE,

            He continues to LOVE them 

            and to demonstrate His FAITHFULNESS to them.

                  *    God's blessing is the result of obedience.

                  *    The consequences of disobedience are always serious.

1 COR. 10:1-13 --WE OUGHT TO LEARN FROM THEIR EXAMPLE.

    What should we learn from the example of Israel?

        UNBELIEF and DISOBEDIENCE are still A TRAP

              They will stop us from enjoying God's plan for us

              They will break our fellowship with God

        God is still FAITHFUL

              When we don't trust Him--HE REMAINS FAITHFUL

              When we disobey--

                   He still provides for our needs and protects us

                   He waits for us to return

                   He will use discipline to bring us back to Him

        It is best to learn from ISRAEL'S EXAMPLE and to TRUST Him 

            and to OBEY Him daily!

GOD'S FAITHFULNESS in spite of Israel's Unbelief and Disobedience Ralph Porter

Distance from Egypt to Israel?

    How long did it take?

    Why 40 years for an 11 day journey?

        Deut. 1:2-3, 26, 29-32

GENESIS--Book of BEGINNINGS

    WHERE did ISRAEL COME from?

EXODUS--BIRTH of the nation

    HOW did God form His people into a nation?

         REDEMPTION of God's people   1-13

         REVELATION to God's people   13-40

              a)    The Law   19-24

              b)    The Tabernacle   25-40

    Three lessons for Israel:

         1)    God CONTROLLED HISTORY to make them into a nation

         2)    God BOUGHT them and brought them out of bondage

         3)    God expects His people to SUBMIT TO HIS AUTHORITY over us, to:

                        -Recognize our DEBT

                        -Recognize our DEPENDENCE

                        -Submit to His AUTHORITY

LEVITICUS--Expands the law given in Exodus

          Explains How God's people OUGHT TO LIVE IN ORDER TO CONTINUE 

            IN FELLOWSHIP WITH HIM:     "Be holy for I am holy!"

          Presents means of restoration to fellowship

    Way of Access to God   1-10

    Walk before God   11-27

NUMBERS

    Picks up the history of Israel where Exodus left off

    Israel is still at Sinai where God has just revealed Himself to His people.

    They were to be His people and He would be their God and dwell in their midst

         The law was the standard of conduct for a redeemed people in the midst of a 

            pagan world--they were to be different

         The tabernacle was given so He could dwell in their midst and they could 

            worship Him

Now God was ready to lead them into the land He had promised to their fathers

Due to their UNBELIEF and DISOBEDIENCE, the entrance into the land was 

    delayed forty years--while that generation died.

Numbers tells THE STORY of their FAILURE and THE RESULTING DELAY 

    in the wilderness.

It concludes at the banks of the Jordan River, 40 years later, preparing again to enter 

    the land.

PURPOSE

    To reveal the serious CONSEQUENCES of UNBELIEF and DISOBEDIENCE 

        among God's people.

            They should have trusted and obeyed Him

            Their failure caused serious negative consequences:

                =>     fellowship with God broken

                =>     entrance to land delayed 40 years

                =>     that generation died (exc. Joshua & Caleb)--they didn't enter land

    To reveal God's FAITHFULNESS

        Their failure did not cut them off from God

        They were punished--even to death--but the promises were still fulfilled

            God protected them in the wilderness

            God provided all they needed

            God still guided and defended them

            God brought them back to the land

THEME

    Though God MUST PUNISH His people for their UNBELIEF and DISOBEDIENCE,

        He continues to LOVE them and to demonstrate His FAITHFULNESS to them.

    God's blessing is the result of obedience.

        The consequences of disobedience are always serious.

ORGANIZATION --3 parts--reveals theme

    1.    PREPARATION TO enter CANAAN   1-14   -Movement toward the land

                Movement from Sinai to Canaan

                Preparations made

                Doubt and disobedience

    2.    POSTPONEMENT IN wilderness   15-19

                40 years wandering

                Consequences of rebellion

                Continued faithfulness of God

    3.    Movement TOWARD land RENEWED   20-36

                Restoration of the people

                Renewed preparation for possessing land

    Parallels between 1 and 3 are obvious--emphasized by the CENSUS

I.    Movement TOWARD land   1-14

    A.    PREPARATION   1-10

            Before Israel could travel from Sinai to the land God had promised them (1-14), 

            various kinds of preparation were necessary (1-10)

        1.    ORGANIZATIONAL PREPARATION   1-4

                First they had to organize the nation for what lie ahead.

                Such a large number could not be mobilized without efficient organization.

            a)    MILITARY ORGANIZATION   1   -- CENSUS

            b)    CAMP ORGANIZATION by TRIBES   2

            c)    ORGANIZATION of THE LEVITES for spiritual ministry   3-4 

                    Substitutes for the firstborn (3:39-45)

        2.    SPIRITUAL PREPARATION   5-6

                Unclean separated from the camp

                Procedure for confession and restitution

                Other procedures established

                Spiritual preparations made so ISRAEL MIGHT Be A DISTINCT people WHO 

                would GLORIFY God to those around them by their DISTINCT LIFESTYLE.

        3.    RELIGIOUS PREPARATION   7-9:14

                Dedication of the tabernacle planned

                    Offerings

                    Tabernacle set up

                    Levites dedicated

                    Passover celebrated

        4.    TRAVEL PREPARATIONS   9:15-10:10

                DIRECTION by THE CLOUD and THE PILLAR 9:15-23

                Announcement by the trumpets

                EVERYTHING WAS ready--just AS God had COMMANDED

    B.    Journey from SINAI TO KADESH-BARNEA   10:11-12:15

            At last the preparations are complete and the people are ready to move on to the land.

        1.    DESCRIPTION OF THE JOURNEY   10:11-10:36

                As the order is given the people move out

                    The cloud moves

                    The people follow

        2.    DISPUTES IN THE CAMP   11:1-12:15

                The people hardly begin the journey when their problems start.

            a)    COMPLAINT ABOUT THE HARDSHIPS   11:1-3

                    Judgment by fire from heaven

            b)    COMPLAINT ABOUT THE FOOD   11:4-35

                    God provides quail

                           sends a plague--many died

            c)    JEALOUSY of MIRIAM and AARON   12:1-15

                    God judges them

                    They submit to His authority

                    PROBLEM of UNGRATEFULNESS

    C.    REBELLION AND JUDGMENT   12:16-14:45

            1. The mission of the twelve   12:16-13:33

            2. The mistake of the people   14:1-10

            3. The anger of Jehovah   14:11-12

            4. The pleading of Moses   14:13-19

            5. The judgment of Jehovah   14:20-38

            6. The defeat of the people   14:39-45   -Too late to turn back!   (Cp. Heb. 6)

II.    POSTPONEMENT IN THE WILDERNESS   15:1-19:22

    A.    OBSERVANCE OF THE OFFERINGS   15:1-31

    B.    IMPORTANCE OF OBEDIENCE   15:32-41

    C.    CONFIRMATION OF DIVINE AUTHORITY   16:1-18:32

            1. The authority of Moses   16:1-50

            2. The authority of Aaron   17-18

    D.    SIN OFFERING OF THE RED HEIFER   19:1-10

    E.    DANGER OF EXPOSURE TO THE DEAD   19:11-22

III.    MOVEMENT TOWARD LAND RENEWED   20-36

    A.    JOURNEY FROM KADESH-BARNEA TO PLAINS OF MOAB   20-22:1

    B.    PREPARATORY EVENTS IN THE PLAINS OF MOAB   22:2-36:13

            1. Political preparation   22:2-24:25

            2. Spiritual preparation   25

            3. Organizational preparation   26-27

            4. Religious preparation   28-30

            5. Historical preparation   31-33

            6. Legal preparation   34-36:12

            7. Conclusion   36:13

    Sad part of the story

        -- all the PREPARATIONS are REPEATED in 25-36

        -- what could have been a brief, simple journey became a long, tragic experience 

            because of UNBELIEF and DISOBEDIENCE.

    Nevertheless God REMAINS FAITHFUL

        He promised to bring them to the land

        He has protected them

        He has provided all they need for 40 years

    Finally, at the end of the book, by His grace, they are at the door ready to enter the land, 

        when He gives the command

    Though they've traveled a long ways for many days, there was no progress for forty years!

What should WE LEARN from THE EXAMPLE of ISRAEL?

    1 Cor. 10:1-13 --We need to learn from their example

        UNBELIEF and DISOBEDIENCE are still A TRAP

            They will stop us from enjoying God's plan for us

            They will break our fellowship with God

    God IS still FAITHFUL

        When we don't trust Him-- HE REMAINS FAITHFUL

        When we disobey--

            He still provides for our needs and protects us

            He waits for us to return

            He will use discipline to bring us back to him

    It is better to LEARN from ISRAEL'S EXAMPLE and to TRUST Him and 

        OBEY Him daily !