Introduction and Background to the Book of Numbers

The Book of Numbers (Hebrew: בְּמִדְבַּר‎), the fourth book of the Hebrew Bible and the Torah, gets its name from the two censuses of the Israelites it records. The first took place before they left Mount Sinai, and the second happened 40 years later, just before God’s people entered the Promised Land. The book also chronicles the journey of the Israelites. Moses referred to the dry, barren land they traveled through as a “great and terrifying wilderness,” where people had to constantly move to find pasture and water to survive. Furthermore, all the detailed instructions concerning how the Israelites were to camp, their marching formation, and the use of trumpets to gather the camp show that these records were written “in the wilderness.”

The Book of Numbers is a book of walking and experience, recording the history of God leading His people from Mount Sinai through the wilderness to the Promised Land. Of the three books that document the Israelites’ history of the Exodus and entry into Canaan: Exodus focuses on salvation and the covenant, with God instructing people to build the tabernacle according to the pattern on the mountain so He could dwell with them. Leviticus focuses on worship and holiness, with God teaching people how to maintain a right relationship with Him so He could continue to dwell with them. Numbers focuses on walking and experience, revealing that people can only enter into the rest of God’s presence through faith and obedience. “If we are faithless, he remains faithful, for he cannot disown himself.” When we are weak, “He restores my soul; He guides me along the right paths for His name’s sake.” 

Numbers truthfully reports the historical reality and is filled with human failures. It records the Amalekites and Canaanites completely defeating the Israelites, and it frankly admits the people’s contempt and unbelief in God. Moses fully exposed the transgressions of the Israelites, his brother, and his sister. He did not hide his own mistakes either, confessing that he lost the opportunity to enter the Promised Land because he did not give God glory when he struck the rock at Kadesh to bring forth water. However, God does not stop His plans and promises because of human failure. Through the 40 years of wandering in the wilderness, God enabled His people to experience His guidance, provision, and revelation. In the wilderness, the older generation who rejected God’s work gradually died off, while a new generation who embraced His work grew. Ultimately, according to God’s faithfulness and grace, Joshua led them into the Promised Land.

(Compiled and edited based on the Chinese Union Version and a comprehensive biblical interpretation.)