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BOOK OF NUMBERS – LESSON EIGHT
(Chapters 33-
The Books of Exodus through Deuteronomy form a chronological record of God’s people being delivered from Egyptian bondage unto the close of forty years of wilderness wandering before entering the promised land of Canaan: Exodus – end of first year of wandering (Exodus 40:17); Leviticus – probably around the first month of second year; Numbers – second month of second year to the middle of the fortieth year (Numbers 1:1, 33:38); and Deuteronomy – end of the fortieth year (Deuteronomy 1:3).
In this lesson we have the forty years of wilderness wandering divided up into 42 stages or encampments (each involved in taking up tents and placing them down at next destination) with instructions to drive out the inhabitants of Canaan (Chapter 33). The boundaries in the promised land are detailed from south, west, north, and east with names of the men who will divide the land among the tribes (Chapter 34). Instructions given regarding land allotted to the Levites with the six cities of refuge established for those to flee to who accidently take a life (Chapter 35). The issue of the daughters of the deceased Zelophehad inheriting land as heirs is revisited leading to the law of the daughters marrying only the men from their tribe (Chapter 36).
I PREPARATIONS COMPLETED FOR SETTLING IN CANAAN (Chapters 33-
A. God commands Moses to write the record of the various stops in Israel’ journey from leaving Egypt at Rameses to the plains of Moab ( 33:1-
B. Instructions for driving out the Canaanites from Canaan (33:50-
C. Division of the land of Canaan established by four boundaries (34:1-
1. Boundaries established from the south, west, north, and east (v. 1-
2. Men named who will be dividing the land among the families (v. 16-
D. Land to be divided among the Levites – six cities of refuge established (35:1-
E. Marriages of heiresses governed –daughters of Zelophehad issue revisited (36:1-
QUESTIONS:
1. Who commanded Moses to write down the encampments of the Israelites from their leaving Egypt to their encampment in the plains of Moab?
2. When did the Israelites begin their departure from Egypt? (cf. Deut. 16:1)
3. Why do you think Rameses was the first city or encampment mentioned for the departure of over 600,000 men not counting children on the fifteenth day of the first month?
4. What four facts do you learn considering Isarael being freed from Egyptian bondage?
5. After departing from Succoth, how many encampments did the Israelites make before passing through the Red Sea?
Why the plurality of encampments?
6. Explain why Elim was a good place for encampment.
7. What two encampments did Israel make between Elim and Dophkah?
8. How does Moses describe the encampment at Rephidim?
9. What happened at “Kib-
10. Why might some authorities connect Rithmah with Kadesh in the wilderness of Paran? (cf. Num. 12:16, 13:26)
What happened here?
11. Why might verses 19-
12. When the Israelites journeyed to the plains of Moab, what important city was nearby?
13. When Moses instructed the Israelites that they were to drive out the inhabitants of Caanan, what else were they to destroy?
14. What was the warning if the people did not drive out the inhabitants of Caanan?
15. How would the land be divided up among the tribes of Israel?
16. Why was Moses direction of how the land of Canaan was to be divided by boundaries only for 9 and ½ tribes?
17. Who all were selected to actually divide the land?
18. How were the Levites accommodated even though they had no inheritance in the land?
19. How many cities of refuge were to be established when the Israelites were to inherit their land as promised by God?
20. They were a refuge from what?
21. Could one get a “plea deal” if they were a murderer in the new land?
22. Why was the issue regarding the daughters of Zelophehad brought up again?
How was the issue solved?