Classes - Pentateuch - Numbers 26:1-36:13

Pentateuch: Numbers 26:1-36:13

A study on the book of Numbers

Learn how you can use the guide here.

Numbers 26:1-36:13

In this concluding segment, the people of Israel had come full circle as they encamped at the plains of Moab. By this time, none of the first generation that came out of Egypt remained, except for Caleb, Joshua, and Moses. Here at the plains of Moab, they would take another census to assess their preparedness for their subsequent military campaigns. But more theologically, the census is a testimony of God’s faithfulness in preserving His people over the last forty years in the wilderness. After that, various instructions and clarifications were handed down, especially those about the land itself, to prepare the second generation of Israel as they embarked on entering and taking over the Promised Land.

Pre-Video Reading

Read Numbers 26:1-36:13.

Watch the video

Tribes of Israel - First and second census (Numbers 1, 26)

Application Questions

The Book of Numbers opened with a census to register the number of fighting-age Israelites among the generation that left Egypt and journeyed to Sinai. In Numbers 26, there is a new census for a new generation.

Why are fresh starts so psychologically important for us? In what areas of life do they mean the most?
In Numbers 27:15–21, how do Moses and God envision Joshua’s leadership? In what ways do you see this as a model for leadership among God’s people today?
In what ways are the regulations for daily offerings (Numbers 28:1–8) to be a model for your daily worship of the Lord?
What is significant in the regulations for vows given in Numbers 30?
In Numbers 31:13–18, what is significant about how Moses’ anger was incited and how he responded? What additional perspective do we gain about Balaam in Numbers 31:16?
What is the proposition put to Moses and Eleazer by the sons of Reuben and Gad? Why did Moses hesitate? What was the promise to Moses (See Joshua 22:1-6)? How are they committed to the whole nation of Israel? How are you committed to your church and fellowship group?
In light of Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians 10:1–14, what personal warnings from the book of Numbers do you need to take to heart?
What are the key ways in which Numbers point us to mankind’s need for Jesus and to what He accomplished in His death and resurrection?

Closing Reflection

Throughout our lives, there are many things that can distract us from pursuing the life that God has purposed for us. Sometimes, discouragement and hardships may tempt us to complain and give up, while at other times, worldly pleasures and other temptations may derail our focus and weaken our commitment. We need to recalibrate our lives to stay on course constantly.

Re-looking at the Gospel through Numbers

The Book of Numbers shows us that the wilderness was not merely a physical setting of the story but represented the challenges of the harsh realities all believers face. The primary problems of our lives are not external circumstances but our internal struggle to embrace God’s promises in the face of them. Through it all, it would be God’s faithfulness that encourages us forward:

Is God the Centre of our communities and the Leader of our lives? How can we gradually bring more and more of our lives under His Lordship?
How do we view the promises of God whenever we have to go through the harsh realities of life? Does the latter diminish our faith in the former? Or does the former provide us with perspective and strength to persevere through the latter?
Is God truly sovereign? Do we trust that God’s purposes in our lives and in our ministries will prevail despite our human failures? How do you continue to have hope when life’s situations appear bleak?
How do we view the journey of our lives? Are you currently in a season of pruning, a season of fruitfulness, or a season of transition? How is God preparing you for the season ahead? How can you develop faith to walk with God into the unknown?