Introduction:
o The title
• Hebrew: b'midbar, "in the wilderness."
• Greek: arithmoi, "numbers."
o Outline
• Chronology
1:1–10:11—From year 2, month 2, day 1 to day 19
10:12–21:9—From year 2, month 2, day 20 into the 40 years of wandering 21:10–36:13—A five-month period during the 40th and final year of wandering
• Geography
1:1–10:10 takes place in the wilderness of Sinai
10:11–20:13 takes place around Kadesh
20:14–36:13 takes place in the journey from Kadesh to Moab
• Theology
1:1–25:18—The old generation of rebellion
26:1–36:13—The new generation of hope
o Theme
A BRIGHT START (CHAPS. 1–10)
o The Census (chap.1)
o The Camp (chap.2)
o The Priests & Levites (chaps.3–4)
o The Consecration of the Tabernacle (chap.7)
o The Cleansing of the Levites (chap.8:5–22)
o The March (chap.9:15–10:36)
THE SUN SETS ON THE FIRST GENERATION (CHAPS. 11–25; SEE HEBREWS 3–4)
o Complaints about Meat (chap.11)
o Miriam & Aaron v. Moses (chap.12)
o The 12 Spies (chap.13)
o Rebellion v. Moses & Aaron (chap.14)
o More Rebellion (chap.16)
o Meribah where Moses Forfeits the Land Too (chap.20:2–9)
o More Complaints & Snakes (chap.21:4–9)
GLIMMERS OF HOPE (CHAPS. 26–36)
o Inheritance for Daughters (chap.27:1–11)
o A New Leader (chap.27:12–23)
o The Promised Land to Come (chap.34:1–15)
Conclusion:
