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CHAPTER 15: Analysis Of The Book Of Numbers - The Numbering Of
Israel - And That Of The Levites -Arrangement Of The Camp, And Its
Symbolical Import - The March Numbers 1-4; 10:1-11
THE Book of Numbers reads almost like a chronicle of the principal events during
the thirty-eightyears which elapsed between Israel's stay in the wilderness of Sinai,
and their arrival on the bordersof Canaan.
What took place during the journey to Mount Sinai had been intended to prepare the
people for thesolemn events there enacted. Similarly, the thirty-eight years wanderings
which followed weredesigned to fit Israel for entering on possession of the Land of
Promise. The outward history of thepeople during that period exhibited, on the one
hand, the constant care and mercy of Jehovah, andon the other, His holiness and His
judgments; while the laws and ordinances given them were needfulfor the
organization of the commonwealth of Israel in its future relations. A brief analysis of
the wholebook will show the connection of all.
In general, the Book of Numbers seems to consist of three parts, the first, (Numbers 1-
10 :10)detailing the preparations for the march from Sinai; the second, (Numbers
10:11-21) The history ofthe journeyings of Israel through the wilderness; and the
third, (Numbers 22-26) the variousoccurrences on the east of the Jordan. If we
examine each of these parts separately, we find thatPart 1 consists of four sections,
detailing - 1. The numbers and the outward arrangement of each ofthe tribes,
(Numbers 1, 2) and the appointment of the Levites to their service (3, 4.); 2.
Lawsconcerning the higher and spiritual order of the people, culminating in the
priestly blessing (5, 6.); 3.The three last occurrences before leaving Mount Sinai (7, 8,
9:1-14); 4. The signals for the march inthe wilderness (9:15 -10: 10).
Part II tells the history of the wanderings of Israel, in their three stages 1. From Sinai
to Paran, nearKadesh, detailing all that happened there (10:10-14); 2. From the
announcement of the death of thegeneration which had 125 come out from Egypt to
the re-assembling of the people at Kadesh in thefortieth year after the Exodus (15-19);
- The march from Kadesh to Mount Hor, with the eventsduring its course (20, 21).
Lastly, Part III. consists of five sections detailing -
1.The attempts of Moab and Midian against Israel (22-25.); 2.A fresh census and
the ordinances connected with it (25-27.); 3.Certain sacred laws given in view of
settling in Palestine (28-30.); 4.The victory over Midian, the division of the territory
gained, along with a review of the past (31-33:49); 5.Some prospective directions
on taking possession of the Land of Promise (33:50-36).
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