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BOOK OF NUMBERS – LESSON SIX

(Chapters 26-27)

        As we come to Numbers chapter 26, we have a second census taken of males, twenty years old and over who are able to go to war on behalf of Israel.  The sum of men is 601,730, compared to 603, 550 taken approximately thirty-eight years prior (Num. 1).  The diminishing number in the present census may be due to the loss of life of the younger generation in the recent rebellion of Korah (Num. 16:32-35,49, 26:64-65).  Seven of the twelve tribes actually grew in number over the three decades between censuses.  The family of Simeon decreased in number by 63% (59,300 – 22,200), while the tribe of Manasseh increased by 63% (32,200 – 52, 700). Plans for dividing the promised land are being addressed, with new legislation.  Moses’ leadership is being given over to Moses’ servant Joshua, who is God’s choice to lead the new generation into Canaan.  

I   A NEW NUMBERING (Chapters 26-27)  

A. The Second Census – 601, 730 men 20 years and older.  Counting a new generation  -  Levites counted separately (26:1-65).

B. Details and legislation regarding the dividing up the land – Issue of no males in a family of Manasseh addressed (27:1-11).

C. Moses is told of his exclusion from entering the land promised Israel – allowed to view the land from the Abarim mountain range (27:12-14).

D. Moses manifests a good and selfless heart appealing to God for a shepherd- type leader for God’s people   (27:15-17).

QUESTIONS:

1. What new fact do you learn about the rebellion of Korah in the census taken of the tribe of Reuben?

2. How did the 250 who were devoured by fire in the rebellion of Korah become “a sign”?

3. Why do you think the second census included the deaths of Er and Onan when the first census did not mention them?  

4. What is significant about the population change between the two tribes of Joseph - Manasseh and Ephriam?

5. What family of Manasseh did not have any sons, but only daughters?  

6. How did this lack of males in this family lead to changes in dividing  the land?

7. What lessons can you take away from the five daughters of Zelophehad

8. Moses’ failure at the waters of Meribah (Num. 20) may have been in Moses’ mind daily, but how many times was he forced to think about it before his end came?

9. How did Moses react in having a new leader for Israel?  

10. What did Moses convey or pass on to Joshua by laying his hand on Joshua?

        

11.  What was different between the leaders Moses and Joshua in receiving the judgments of God?  

BOOK OF NUMBERS – LESSON SEVEN

(Chapters 28-32)

        As the new generation of Israelites are about to enter the land promised by God, only delayed by their father’s disbelief and disobedience, Moses delivers the particulars regarding their sacrifices they must know and obey in their new land (Chapters 28-29).  The law surrounding making and fulfilling oaths is addressed, as it pertains to fathers and husbands with their daughters and wives (Chapter 30).  God’s demanding slaughter of the Midianites is fulfilled by the Israelites as commanded (Chapter 31).  This section closes with the Trans-Jordan  tribes,  Reuben, Gad, and half of Manasseh desiring and possessing their lot of land east of the Jordan River. (Chapter 32).   

I VARIOUS SACRIFICES ENJOINED  (Chapters 28-29)  

A. The daily continual BURNT OFFERINGS (28:1-8)

1. Two “he lambs a year old without blemish”

2. One in the morning, the other in the evening

3. Combined with meal -offering and drink- offering

B. SABBATH OFFERING  (28:9-10).

1. Two “he lambs a year old without blemish”

2.  Combined with meal-offering” and “drink offering.”

C. BEGINNING OF EACH MONTH OFFERINGS (28:11-15).

1. Two “young bullocks, and one ram, seven he-lambs a year old without blemish.”

2. Combined with meal-offering and “drink-offering.”

D. PASSOVER OFFRING  (28:16-25).

1. Observed 14th. day of 1st. month – continues seven more days with offering each

2. Two “young bullocks, one ram, seven he-lambs a year old without blemish”         

3. He-goat, a sin offering for atonement.

              

  E.  DAY OF THE FIRST FRUITS OFFERING- FEAST OF WEEKS (28:26-31).

                    1.   “burnt offering”  

                    2.  “Two young bullocks, one ram, seven he-lambs a year old without blemish”

                    3.  “He-goat” for atonement

                    4.   Combined with “meal- offering”  and “drink-offering”

              F.   FIRST DAY OF THE SEVENETH MONTH OFFERING (29:1-6).

                    1.   “Blowing of Trumpets” day

                    2.  “burnt offering”

                    3.   “One young bullock, one ram, seven he-lambs a year old without blemish”

                    4.  “He-goat” a sin offering to make atonement.

                    5.  Combined with burnt offering for the new moon, meal-offering, continual burnt

                          offering, and drink offerings.

 

G. TENTH DAY OF THE SEVENTH MONTH OFFERING – DAY OF   ATONEMNT (29:7-11).

         1. “Burnt offering”

         2. “one young bullock, one ram, seven he-lambs without blemish”

         3. One he-goat for sin offering

         4. Sin offering for atonement

         5. Include also the continual burnt offering, meal-offering, and drink offerings.

H. FIFTEENTH DAY OF THE SEVENTH MONTH OFFERING – FEAST OF  TABERNACLES (29:12-38).

         1. Thirteen bullocks offered on the first day – one less each day until seven bullocks offered on the               seventh day.  

         2. Two rams, fourteen he-lambs a year old without blemish

         3. One he-goat for sin offering

         4. Eighth day offering : a burnt offering, one bullock, one ram, seven he-lambs a year old without                 blemish

         5. Combined with continual burnt offering, meal-offering, and drink offering on each day of the feast.  

II. LAW REGARDING VOWS (30:1-36)

                     1. Men and women

                     2. Fathers reacting to the vows of daughters

                     3. Husbands reacting to the vows of wives

                     4. Widows and divorced women

III. SLAUGHTER OF THE MIDIANITES (31:1-54)

         1. God’s vengeance because of evil influence upon Israel (cf. Num. 25: 3, 17-18).

         2. Men, women, children put to death – only female children kept alive - had not sexual relationship with               a man.

         3. Dividing spoils among Israelites

IV. DIVISION OF LAND EAST OF JORDAN TO TRIBES OF GAD, REUBEN, AND HALF OF THE TRIBE OF MANASSEH  (32:1-42).

           1. Conditions agreed to before completely settling in their allotted land

         2. Two and the half – tribe rebuild and occupy land once ruled by Sihon, King of the Amorites, and Og,                 King of Bashan.

                                                                                   

   QUESTIONS:

1. What sacrifice was offered twice a day?

2. What do you learn for the first time regarding the Sabbath Day?

3. What did the “beginning of months,” “the fourteenth day of the first month” and the “feast of weeks” have in common?  

4. What two offerings were connected with the animal sacrifices?

5. Why was the “new moon offering” offered along with the other offerings on the first day of the seventh month offering?  

6. The  “tenth day of the seventh month” offering was also known as what day?

7. What was another name for the “fifteenth day of the seventh month” feast ?   Why did the feast demand so many daily sacrifices?  

8. What must not be broken when a man or a woman takes an oath?

9.  How were the daughters and wives protected when making rash vows?  

10.  How could a husband have been guilty of his wife’s iniquity of not fulfilling her vow?

11. How was slaughtering the Midianites Jehovah’s vengeance  on Midian?

12.  How many male Israelites were armed for war?

13. How does this military campaign against Midian stand out in the life of Moses?

14. Besides the five Midianite kings, who also was killed in the slaughter of the Midianites?

15. Why was Moses angry with Israel’s officers after defeating the Midianites?

16. What is your defense to those who say, “I cannot believe in or serve the God who orders the

      killing of innocent  children.”?  

    

17.  How was the “prey” taken from the Midianites divided up among the Israelites?

18. How were the “women who had not had sexual relations with a man” divided up in Israel?

19. What did the officers of Israel’s army do when they counted and realized that not one man

       was lost in  battle against the Midianites?

20. Why did the tribes of Reuben and Gad want to stay on the east side of the Jordan, and not be

       brought “over the Jordan.”  

21 Why was their request  wearisome to Moses?

22. How was the issue solved?

23. What defeated kingdoms’ land mass was distributed to the children of Gad, Reuben and the

       half-tribe of Manasseh?   

24. Who were the emptied cities and villages named after?