Why read this book?
Reading a book titled “Numbers” may sound about as exciting as reading a dictionary or paging through a phone book, but get ready for a surprise: this book is loaded with powerful stories. It graphically illustrates what happens when people sin, but it also exemplifies hope for those who desire God’s mercy and want to experience his faithfulness. Numbers reveals a God of devastating wrath who also holds his arms wide open for those who repent and turn to him.
Who wrote this book?
Moses.
Why was it written?
To show God’s judgment against the backdrop of his faithfulness to and patience with his beloved Israel.
When was it written?
Many think Moses wrote it during the Israelites’ wanderings in the desert, probably between 1446 and 1406 BC.
To whom was it written?
God’s chosen people, the Israelites.
What period of history does it cover?
The book of Numbers covers the 40 years—38 years and 9 months, to be precise—of Israel’s wanderings in the desert from Mount Sinai to the banks of the Jordan River opposite Jericho (1:1; 36:13). For every day the explorers spent scouting out the land of Canaan, the people spent one year wandering in judgment for their unfaithfulness (14:33–34).
What to look for in Numbers:
Within this book you’ll find the Israelites’ repeated cycles of sin, judgment and repentance. You’ll see not only human failure but also God’s patient and merciful response. This book shows the lengths to which God goes to work with his people.
