THE BOOK OF NUMBERS

• This book contains the two

censuses of the Hebrews at
the beginning in Numbers
1:1-54 and at the end of
their journey in Numbers
26:1-65.
• The Book of Numbers
continues the story of Israel
concerning their journey,
which began in Exodus.
• It briefly describes the
experiences of Israel from
the end of their
encampment at Sinai
(Numbers 1: -10:10) to their
arrival at the border of the
Promised Land (Numbers
22: -36:13).
1. Description of the Book of Numbers

 In this particular book, numerous legal ordinances

are introduced.
 It's a combination of law and history. Great
emphasis is given on Numbers, censuses, and sizes.
 There is a special attention or treatment given on
statistical regulations, genealogies and
chronologies.
 This is the reason why this book was named
“Numbers”, which was derived from the plural
Greek word “Arithmoi.”
 In Hebrew, it was known and called “In the Desert”
or “In the Wilderness”, since it contains the story of
the wonderings of the Israelites in the desert or
wilderness.
 And as mentioned before, it describes Israel's
journey from Mt. Sinai to Canaan's boundary.
 It is the second lap, of Israel's journey through the
desert.
 This journey of Israel was a period of great trials,
failures, complaints, and Murmurs of the people.
 But it was a period of better revelation on the part
of God by making Himself known to the people.
 It was a period of' better acquaintance with God,
with those trials that tested the faith of Israel.
 However, the various events described indicate the
action of God who punished the murmuring
people by extending their journey in the desert.
 Their over-staying in the desert somehow
disciplined them and made them His witnesses
among the other races.
A.The style of the Book of Numbers

 The book uses numbers, sizes, statistics, regulations,

genealogies, chronologies and, censuses to make it
appear accurate in redirecting the experiences of
Israel from Egypt to Mount Sinai until reaching the
place of Moab.
 The author made use of numbers as a device to
indicate that the Israelites had already attained
some kind of progress and development.
B. Background of the book of Numbers

 The book of Numbers was written piece by piece.

 It was a product of a long period of Israel's history,
coining from several sources and greatly influenced by
the Yahwistic tradition.
 The history presented here should not be treated like
our standards on modern historiography.
 In other words this should be treated and to be
understood as “Sacred History,” which contained the
account of God's presence in the life and events, trials
and victories of the chosen people.
 The book of Numbers capsulated God's unconditional
love, mercy, and kindness for His wayward people
Israel.
2. The Census and Departure from Mt. Sinai

 Numbers 1: 1-3 and Numbers 1:4-54, indicate that

Moses called for a census of all the people by tribe
or origin or races.
 The chosen people must move forward in order to
reach the land of promise.
 This was the promise of God to Abraham and to his
descendants.
 And so, Moses with the help of Aaron organized
the whole people of God, ready to travel and to
defend them.
 Since they were to travel to other
lands, which were inhabited by their
enemies, they had to be ready to fight.
 Moses and Aaron with the help of each
tribal leader properly trained and
exposed the people to fight.
 However, the tribe of Levi was
exempted since they were the Levites
or Priests and the caretakers of their
religious worships, sacrifices and
offerings to God on behalf of the
people (Numbers 1:47-54).
A.The 12 tribes and Their Leaders

1. Tribe of Reuben ………… Elizur

2. Tribe of Simeon ………… Shelumiel
3. Tribe of Judah ………… Nashon
4. Tribe of Issachar ………… Nethanel
5. Tribe of Zebulun ………… Eliab
6. Tribe of Ephraim ………… Elishama
7. Tribe of Manasseh ……… Gamaliel
8. Tribe of Benjamin………… Abidan
9. Tribe of Dan ………… Ahiezer
10. Tribe of Asher ………… Pagiel
11. Tribe of Gad ………… Eliasaph
12. Tribe of Naphtali ………… Ahira
 Israel's tribes were ready to travel and to fight in order
to claim the land of Canaan from their inhabitants.

B.The Departure from Mt. Sinai

 Numbers 10: 11 ff. shows that God is the one leading

the way of His people.
 After Moses and Aaron had prepared the chosen
people, they set out for a long journey.
 God was with them through a cloud.
 He protected His people during the day from the heat
of the sun through a cloud and during the night from
robbers and enemies through a pillar of fire (Nums.
9:15-16, Nums. 14:14b).
 And as long as the cloud stayed over the
dwelling place (The tent with the
Commandments) they remained in camp.
 But when the cloud rose from the dwelling
place the Israelites would go on journey
(Nums. 9:17-23).
 These were the patterns of God in directing
His people going to the Promised Land.
 At the bidding of God the Israelites moved on
or encamped (Nums. 9.-23).
 However, within the whole journey of Israel
from Mt. Sinai up to the plains of Moab, the
chosen people had plenty of misdeeds,
complaints and discontentment.
 Here were some stories that I would
like to point out for you to draw out
lessons.

1. The Story about the Manna and

Quails Numbers 11:1-35
2. The Jealousy of Aaron and Miriam
(Numbers 12:1-16)
3. The Twelve Scouts threatening a
Revolt (Numbers 13:1-14:1-38)
4. The Unsuccessful Invasion because of
Disobedience (Numbers 14:39-45)
5. The Worship of Baal, pagan god of
Peor (Numbers 25:1-5)
 3.The Stages of Israel's Journey

 By God's command , Moses recorded their

various journeys starting from the land of Egypt
up to the Plains of Moab. Here are those stages:

1. From Egypt to Mt. Sinai in Nums. 33:5-17.

2. From Mt. Sinai to Kadesh in Nums. 33:16-30.
3. From Mt. Hor to Ezion - Geber in Nums.
33:31 - 36.
4. From Kadesh to Mt. Hor in Nums. 33:37 - 41.
5. From Ezion - Geber to the Plains of Moab in
Num s. 33:42 - 49.
4. Instructions of God to Moses concerning the Land of
Canaan in Numbers 33:50-56.

 When the people settled on the plains of Moab, God

instructed Moses what to do next.
THE BOOK OF DEUTERONOMY
 The book of Deuteronomy contains a
partial repetition, completion, and
explanation of the law proclaimed on
Mt. Sinai.
 Moses is presented here as giving his
last exhortation, since he realized that
he would not be a part of those who
would enter the land of promise.
 He was already old and forbidden to enter the land as God had
commanded him to serve as a lesson to God's people, since he
disobeyed God before.
1. Description of the book of
Deuteronomy

 The name of this book was derived from the

Greek word “Deuteronomion” which
means “repetition of the law” or the
“second law.”
 The one who first assigned this name to this
book were the seventy Old Testament Bible
scholars.
 The historical portions of the book
were also patterned from the other
book in the Pentateuch.
 It was known as the “basic documents
of Judaism” among the Jews.
 This book also enlarged or amplified
what had been discussed previously, like
the promulgation of legislations,
instructions, exhortations and farewell
of Moses.
A.The Style of the book of
Deuteronomy

 This book has a vigorous style.

 It has a series of eloquent
discourses of Moses.
 It has a profound religious spirit
which was presented as some sort
of last will and testament.
 Remembering their failures, unfaithfulness, and commitment to
God's covenant, Moses exhorted God's people to remain in God's
love always as they journey going to the land of promise (Deut.
30:1 - 6).
B. Background of the Book of
Deuteronomy

 This book was not written at once.

 It was a long product of oral and
written traditions.
 It was probably formed, part by part,
roughly ca. 8th - 7th B.C., at the time
wherein the Israelites had settled
already, probably during the
Reformation of Josiah ca. 622 B.C.
 At that time, the Israelites had
experienced peace and religious
reform under Josiah's reign a ruler in
the Southern Kingdom .

 The book written after the Israelites

had for centuries been residents in
the land of promise, takes the form
of a testament of Moses.
 The book of Deuteronomy was the
best example of the Deuteronomic
Traditions, which is basically
legislation presented in a theology
of history centered on the Love of
God for His people.
 This is also the recurring theme all
throughout the book of
Deuteronomy in spite of its legal
and instructional commendations
from Moses.
 Moreover, the events
contained in the book of
Deuteronomy took place in
the plains of Moab (Deut. 1:
1 -5 ) between the end of
the wanderings in the desert
(Deut. 1:3 ff.) and the
crossing of the Jordan River.
2.The Most Significant Recurring
Themes in Deuteronomy

 Moses' exhortations and

encouragements were reflections on
how their God cared for them 'in
their tiresome journey.
 They remembered the many times
wherein God fought for them during
the battles against their enemies.
 The unforgettable days wherein
every time they had committed
unfaithfulness, God would
punish them and would forgive
His people.
 These can be summarized in the
lesson stressed by Moses
concerning Obedience and Love
in the following recurrent
themes in the book of
Deuteronomy.
A. On "Faithfulness" in Deut. 6:6 -21 and Deut 13:1-19

 These two texts from Deuteronomy spoke about faithfulness or

adherence to God's laws and covenant.
 Faithfulness means reward and disobedience means punishment,
based on how the Hebrews perceived God.
B. Israel as the Chosen People of God Deut 7:6 - 9.

 The initiative comes from God to choose and to Love His people
Israel.
 However, the chosen people must reciprocate God's love and
faithfulness in order for them to remain in Him.
 Because 'in human terms, “relationship must be mutually
cultivated and the love should also he equally reciprocated.”
 Although God does not need anything in return since He is God, yet
He chooses this unfaithful people.
C. On Charity in Deuteronomy 15:1-18

 All of them (Israelites) were poor and slaves in

Egypt.
 God had redeemed them, liberated, nurtured
and forgiven their sins, so in return, they had
to share that same unconditional love of God
to one another.
 They had to be concerned for each other
under God's protection.
 Moses reiterated this to the whole
community.
D. On “Obedience” to God's leaders

 Moses made it clear that God is

their only leader.
 He is just a spokesman of God to
them.
 But God should be obeyed through
His consecrated and assigned
leaders to His people.
 Obedience to them is obedience to
God, as long as their leaders are
following God's will and guidance.
 However, anyone who leads the people of God should have a
greater responsibility in the eyes of God.
 God can replace His leaders any time He wanted to.
 Everyone, leaders or not, should obey God's will and be faithful
to His Covenant.
3.The Second giving of the 10 Commandments

 After defeating the Amorites, the Bashanites and

their Kings (Deut. 4:44 49), Moses summoned
all the people and repeated the 10
Commandments given to them at Mt. Sinai by
God.
 He exhorted the people to be faithful to God's
law and decrees.
 The people knew by heart what God had done
to them since the beginning of their journey
from Egypt.
 The primary demand of Moses from
the people was to love God above all
things and persons, too.
 He even exhorted the people to teach
their children the decrees and laws of
God.
 And wherever the people went, they
should be reminded of their promise
to be faithful to God and to His
Covenant.
4.The Call of Joshua

 In Deuteronomy 31:7-8, Moses summoned Joshua and all Israel to

announce to them, that, since he was forbidden to reach the Promised
Land, his successor would be Joshua.
 Moses assured Joshua that God would be with Him since He was the one
who instructed Moses to assign Joshua as the new leader of Israel.
5.The Exhortation and Farewell of
Moses.

 Moses' exhortations were written in

vigorous oratorical style.
 The best example of this was observed
in Deuteronomy 32:1-44, then
followed by his final appeal to Israel.
 Even the blessing of Moses upon Israel
was written in vigorous oratorical style
(Deut. 33:1-29).
 FAMILY – PEOPLE – RELIGION
GOD
Savior of Israelites about 1250 B.C.
Sin Man Israel becomes a people
begins MOSES Mediator of Covenant
to Israel becomes a Religion
move Prophet, or spokesperson for God
back
Sin to About 1700 B.C. sold as slave into Egypt
God JOSEPH Famine in Canaan threatens family
Preservation of family of Jacob-Israel in
Egypt lesson of divine providence

About 1850 B.C. from city of Ur

Sin ABRAHAM Chosen from pagan family
Depth of Promises (1) nation (2) land (3) blessings
Sin Faith: He believes – work of salvation begins
Monotheism
THE BOOK OF JOSHUA
• The groups which left Egypt with Moses were composed of
the descendants of the original tribes of Jacob and some of the
races surrounding them who joined their journey.
• It was in the desert that the women and men of these foreign
groups inter-married with the sons and daughters of Israel.
• Their long journey and hard life in the
desert molded them slowly into a mixed
group and later on as one strong nation
known as Israel.

• This was the group which Joshua would

now lead to the promised land (Joshua
8:33 - 35).
1. Description of the Book of
Joshua

 The name “Joshua” comes from

the Hebrew name “Joshue” which
means “Yahweh is Salvation.”
 So, the book of Joshua as we have it
now contains the Salvation of God
for His people Israel.
 It was Joshua himself who would continue the great work which
Moses left.
 He was commissioned by God through Moses to finish the
journey and to conquer the land of Canaan as promised by God
to them.
A. The Style of the Book of Joshua

 The Book of Joshua shows a mixture of

styles. Some Old Testament Bible
Scholars believed that there were
various traditions who worked in this
book.
 This was the reason why it had a
mixture of styles.
 The book was also an example of an
“epic history” in which God was
perceived as personally involved in the
liberation and formation of Israel as a
people.
 It was clearly manifested in
the covenant established
with His people.
 The author devised a lot of
epic traits, hyperboles, a
lot of numerical
exaggerations, highlighting
the unusual and marvelous,
and God's interventions.
B. Background of the Book of Joshua

 The book of Joshua was dated from

about the time of the Babylonian
Captivity.
 Some Old Testament Bible Scholars
agreed that much of the materials in
the book of Joshua came from an
earlier period.
 The account of the conquest of
Canaan (Joshua 2:-1 1:) and the
removal of the Covenant ( Joshua
21-24:) were probably compiled and
written around 1000 B.C.
 The book presented a
theologically 'interpreted history
.
 The book, as determined and
examined by Old Testament Bible
Scholars, was around 2,500 years
old.
 This has been through the
common efforts exerted by both
the Old Testament Bible Scholars
and archeologists who have
worked in some areas of the book
of Joshua.
2.The Crossing of the Jordan in Joshua
3:1-17

 In the book of Joshua 2:1 ff, Joshua sent

spies to check the land of Jericho if the
land was fully inhabited and really
bountiful and fertile.
 When the spies had returned, they
informed Joshua and the people that
the inhabitants of the land were afraid
of them.
 Then, early the next morning Joshua
and the Israelites advanced up to the
boundary of the Jordan River and made
a preparation to cross the river.
 He gave the instructions as God
directed him.
 Then after the instructions had been
made clear to the people and all the
preparations had been done, they began
to cross the river.
 The people disassembled their
tents in order to get ready to
cross the river.
 Here the devices used by the
author were really very clear.
 Through these devices they were
able to demonstrate God's
intervention into the life and
experiences of His chosen people.
3.The conquest of the Promised Land

A. The Fall of Jericho in Jos. 6:20-27

 Before the siege of Jericho, God sent His

angels with their captain to fight on behalf of
Joshua and with the chosen people (Jos.
5:13-15).
 Joshua after giving instructions to the priests
to walk around the city for six days and on the
seventh day to march around the city for seven
times and the priests to blow the horns with
the matching shouts of the people, the wall of
Jericho totally collapsed and the people with
the angels of God conquered Jericho (Jos.
6:20-27).
• Then Joshua directed the spies who
had roamed around the city to bring
Rahab and her family with their
relatives and friends to a safe place
outside the city of Jericho as they had
promised to her.
• Afterwards, they burned the whole
city with all that was in it, except the
silver, gold and articles of bronze and
iron, which were placed in the
treasury of the house of God (Jos.
6:24).
• Joshua, on that occasion imposed an
oath to the people.
B. Israelites Defeat at Ai and Its Capture in Joshua 7:1-26 and
Jos. 8:1-35

 The Israelites violated the ban imposed by God to His people.

 Achan from the tribe of Judah took goods that were under the ban.
 God's anger had flared up against
the whole Israel.
 And so when they went to fight
against Ai the Israelites were
defeated because God was not with
them (Joshua 7:1 - 5).
 Joshua together with the elders of
the community tore their garments
and prostrated them before the Ark
of the Covenant until evening.
 They prayed and asked God why
they were defeated since He
promised that the whole land
would be given to Israel.
• The Lord replied to Joshua and he learned
that some of them disobeyed God by
taking some goods that were under the
ban.
• Then Joshua hurriedly organized the
people clan by clan in order to sanctify
them before the Lord and to punish the
guilty until the anger of the Lord relented
(Jos. 7:13-26).
 After they had been purified and
sanctified God commanded Joshua with
the Israelite's fighting men to go to
battle against Ai.
 In this situation of Israel, God was the
one directing Joshua on how to engage
in battle.
 When Joshua was able to set on fit-. the
entire city, he captured the King of Ai
and hanged him on a tree until evening.
 Later, Joshua built an altar to honor and
thank God on Mount Ebal. On this altar
they offered holocausts and peace
offerings to God (Joshua 8:30-3 1).
4. Divisions of the Land Canaan in Joshua
13:-21:1-45

 When Joshua was already old, God

instructed him to complete and finish the
task.
 The entire land of Canaan and the
surrounding land also be conquered since
their tribes were so big and the land of
Canaan cannot accommodate all of them.
 After the instructions, Joshua apportioned
the land as God directed him.
5. Renewal of God's Covenant in
Joshua 24: 16 - 28

 The Israelites had settled in the land of

Canaan and in neighboring lands to live
peacefully with their God after the
many battles they had fought.

 Joshua gathered together all the tribes

of Israel at Shechem, with their elders,
judges, and their respective leaders to
make the final reminders on Israel
since he was already old and advanced
in years.
 In Joshua 24:16-28, Joshua with
the whole Israel renewed their
Covenant with God.
 Here is a portion of this
covenant - renewed with their
God from Joshua 24:27:
 The people promised to serve and
obey God as long as they and their
descendants live.