February 7, 2025
Why Did Israel Have to Wander in the Wilderness?
Numbers 14-16
Parker Hunt
Big Book Idea
Even amidst a tragic transition, God still had a plan.
Key Verse | Numbers 14:34
"According to the number of the days in which you spied out the land, forty days, a year for each day, you shall bear your iniquity forty years, and you shall know my displeasure."
Numbers 14-16
Chapter 14
The People Rebel
1 Then all the congregation raised a loud cry, and the people wept that night. 2 And all the people of Israel grumbled against Moses and Aaron. The whole congregation said to them, “Would that we had died in the land of Egypt! Or would that we had died in this wilderness! 3 Why is the LORD bringing us into this land, to fall by the sword? Our wives and our little ones will become a prey. Would it not be better for us to go back to Egypt?” 4 And they said to one another, “Let us choose a leader and go back to Egypt.”
5 Then Moses and Aaron fell on their faces before all the assembly of the congregation of the people of Israel. 6 And Joshua the son of Nun and Caleb the son of Jephunneh, who were among those who had spied out the land, tore their clothes 7 and said to all the congregation of the people of Israel, “The land, which we passed through to spy it out, is an exceedingly good land. 8 If the LORD delights in us, he will bring us into this land and give it to us, a land that flows with milk and honey. 9 Only do not rebel against the LORD. And do not fear the people of the land, for they are bread for us. Their protection is removed from them, and the LORD is with us; do not fear them.” 10 Then all the congregation said to stone them with stones. But the glory of the LORD appeared at the tent of meeting to all the people of Israel.
11 And the LORD said to Moses, “How long will this people despise me? And how long will they not believe in me, in spite of all the signs that I have done among them? 12 I will strike them with the pestilence and disinherit them, and I will make of you a nation greater and mightier than they.”
Moses Intercedes for the People
13 But Moses said to the LORD, “Then the Egyptians will hear of it, for you brought up this people in your might from among them, 14 and they will tell the inhabitants of this land. They have heard that you, O LORD, are in the midst of this people. For you, O LORD, are seen face to face, and your cloud stands over them and you go before them, in a pillar of cloud by day and in a pillar of fire by night. 15 Now if you kill this people as one man, then the nations who have heard your fame will say, 16 ‘It is because the LORD was not able to bring this people into the land that he swore to give to them that he has killed them in the wilderness.’ 17 And now, please let the power of the Lord be great as you have promised, saying, 18 ‘The LORD is slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, forgiving iniquity and transgression, but he will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, to the third and the fourth generation.’ 19 Please pardon the iniquity of this people, according to the greatness of your steadfast love, just as you have forgiven this people, from Egypt until now.”
God Promises Judgment
20 Then the LORD said, “I have pardoned, according to your word. 21 But truly, as I live, and as all the earth shall be filled with the glory of the LORD, 22 none of the men who have seen my glory and my signs that I did in Egypt and in the wilderness, and yet have put me to the test these ten times and have not obeyed my voice, 23 shall see the land that I swore to give to their fathers. And none of those who despised me shall see it. 24 But my servant Caleb, because he has a different spirit and has followed me fully, I will bring into the land into which he went, and his descendants shall possess it. 25 Now, since the Amalekites and the Canaanites dwell in the valleys, turn tomorrow and set out for the wilderness by the way to the Red Sea.”
26 And the LORD spoke to Moses and to Aaron, saying, 27 “How long shall this wicked congregation grumble against me? I have heard the grumblings of the people of Israel, which they grumble against me. 28 Say to them, ‘As I live, declares the LORD, what you have said in my hearing I will do to you: 29 your dead bodies shall fall in this wilderness, and of all your number, listed in the census from twenty years old and upward, who have grumbled against me, 30 not one shall come into the land where I swore that I would make you dwell, except Caleb the son of Jephunneh and Joshua the son of Nun. 31 But your little ones, who you said would become a prey, I will bring in, and they shall know the land that you have rejected. 32 But as for you, your dead bodies shall fall in this wilderness. 33 And your children shall be shepherds in the wilderness forty years and shall suffer for your faithlessness, until the last of your dead bodies lies in the wilderness. 34 According to the number of the days in which you spied out the land, forty days, a year for each day, you shall bear your iniquity forty years, and you shall know my displeasure.’ 35 I, the LORD, have spoken. Surely this will I do to all this wicked congregation who are gathered together against me: in this wilderness they shall come to a full end, and there they shall die.”
36 And the men whom Moses sent to spy out the land, who returned and made all the congregation grumble against him by bringing up a bad report about the land— 37 the men who brought up a bad report of the land—died by plague before the LORD. 38 Of those men who went to spy out the land, only Joshua the son of Nun and Caleb the son of Jephunneh remained alive.
Israel Defeated in Battle
39 When Moses told these words to all the people of Israel, the people mourned greatly. 40 And they rose early in the morning and went up to the heights of the hill country, saying, “Here we are. We will go up to the place that the LORD has promised, for we have sinned.” 41 But Moses said, “Why now are you transgressing the command of the LORD, when that will not succeed? 42 Do not go up, for the LORD is not among you, lest you be struck down before your enemies. 43 For there the Amalekites and the Canaanites are facing you, and you shall fall by the sword. Because you have turned back from following the LORD, the LORD will not be with you.” 44 But they presumed to go up to the heights of the hill country, although neither the ark of the covenant of the LORD nor Moses departed out of the camp. 45 Then the Amalekites and the Canaanites who lived in that hill country came down and defeated them and pursued them, even to Hormah.
Chapter 15
Laws About Sacrifices
1 The LORD spoke to Moses, saying, 2 “Speak to the people of Israel and say to them, When you come into the land you are to inhabit, which I am giving you, 3 and you offer to the LORD from the herd or from the flock a food offering 1 15:3 Or an offering by fire; so throughout Numbers or a burnt offering or a sacrifice, to fulfill a vow or as a freewill offering or at your appointed feasts, to make a pleasing aroma to the LORD, 4 then he who brings his offering shall offer to the LORD a grain offering of a tenth of an ephah 2 15:4 An ephah was about 3/5 bushel or 22 liters of fine flour, mixed with a quarter of a hin 3 15:4 A hin was about 4 quarts or 3.5 liters of oil; 5 and you shall offer with the burnt offering, or for the sacrifice, a quarter of a hin of wine for the drink offering for each lamb. 6 Or for a ram, you shall offer for a grain offering two tenths of an ephah of fine flour mixed with a third of a hin of oil. 7 And for the drink offering you shall offer a third of a hin of wine, a pleasing aroma to the LORD. 8 And when you offer a bull as a burnt offering or sacrifice, to fulfill a vow or for peace offerings to the LORD, 9 then one shall offer with the bull a grain offering of three tenths of an ephah of fine flour, mixed with half a hin of oil. 10 And you shall offer for the drink offering half a hin of wine, as a food offering, a pleasing aroma to the LORD.
11 Thus it shall be done for each bull or ram, or for each lamb or young goat. 12 As many as you offer, so shall you do with each one, as many as there are. 13 Every native Israelite shall do these things in this way, in offering a food offering, with a pleasing aroma to the LORD. 14 And if a stranger is sojourning with you, or anyone is living permanently among you, and he wishes to offer a food offering, with a pleasing aroma to the LORD, he shall do as you do. 15 For the assembly, there shall be one statute for you and for the stranger who sojourns with you, a statute forever throughout your generations. You and the sojourner shall be alike before the LORD. 16 One law and one rule shall be for you and for the stranger who sojourns with you.”
17 The LORD spoke to Moses, saying, 18 “Speak to the people of Israel and say to them, When you come into the land to which I bring you 19 and when you eat of the bread of the land, you shall present a contribution to the LORD. 20 Of the first of your dough you shall present a loaf as a contribution; like a contribution from the threshing floor, so shall you present it. 21 Some of the first of your dough you shall give to the LORD as a contribution throughout your generations.
Laws About Unintentional Sins
22 But if you sin unintentionally, 4 15:22 Or by mistake; also verses 24, 27, 28, 29 and do not observe all these commandments that the LORD has spoken to Moses, 23 all that the LORD has commanded you by Moses, from the day that the LORD gave commandment, and onward throughout your generations, 24 then if it was done unintentionally without the knowledge of the congregation, all the congregation shall offer one bull from the herd for a burnt offering, a pleasing aroma to the LORD, with its grain offering and its drink offering, according to the rule, and one male goat for a sin offering. 25 And the priest shall make atonement for all the congregation of the people of Israel, and they shall be forgiven, because it was a mistake, and they have brought their offering, a food offering to the LORD, and their sin offering before the LORD for their mistake. 26 And all the congregation of the people of Israel shall be forgiven, and the stranger who sojourns among them, because the whole population was involved in the mistake.
27 If one person sins unintentionally, he shall offer a female goat a year old for a sin offering. 28 And the priest shall make atonement before the LORD for the person who makes a mistake, when he sins unintentionally, to make atonement for him, and he shall be forgiven. 29 You shall have one law for him who does anything unintentionally, for him who is native among the people of Israel and for the stranger who sojourns among them. 30 But the person who does anything with a high hand, whether he is native or a sojourner, reviles the LORD, and that person shall be cut off from among his people. 31 Because he has despised the word of the LORD and has broken his commandment, that person shall be utterly cut off; his iniquity shall be on him.”
A Sabbathbreaker Executed
32 While the people of Israel were in the wilderness, they found a man gathering sticks on the Sabbath day. 33 And those who found him gathering sticks brought him to Moses and Aaron and to all the congregation. 34 They put him in custody, because it had not been made clear what should be done to him. 35 And the LORD said to Moses, “The man shall be put to death; all the congregation shall stone him with stones outside the camp.” 36 And all the congregation brought him outside the camp and stoned him to death with stones, as the LORD commanded Moses.
Tassels on Garments
37 The LORD said to Moses, 38 “Speak to the people of Israel, and tell them to make tassels on the corners of their garments throughout their generations, and to put a cord of blue on the tassel of each corner. 39 And it shall be a tassel for you to look at and remember all the commandments of the LORD, to do them, not to follow 5 15:39 Hebrew to spy out after your own heart and your own eyes, which you are inclined to whore after. 40 So you shall remember and do all my commandments, and be holy to your God. 41 I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt to be your God: I am the LORD your God.”
Chapter 16
Korah's Rebellion
1 Now Korah the son of Izhar, son of Kohath, son of Levi, and Dathan and Abiram the sons of Eliab, and On the son of Peleth, sons of Reuben, took men. 2 And they rose up before Moses, with a number of the people of Israel, 250 chiefs of the congregation, chosen from the assembly, well-known men. 3 They assembled themselves together against Moses and against Aaron and said to them, “You have gone too far! For all in the congregation are holy, every one of them, and the LORD is among them. Why then do you exalt yourselves above the assembly of the LORD?” 4 When Moses heard it, he fell on his face, 5 and he said to Korah and all his company, “In the morning the LORD will show who is his, 6 16:5 Septuagint The LORD knows those who are his and who is holy, and will bring him near to him. The one whom he chooses he will bring near to him. 6 Do this: take censers, Korah and all his company; 7 put fire in them and put incense on them before the LORD tomorrow, and the man whom the LORD chooses shall be the holy one. You have gone too far, sons of Levi!” 8 And Moses said to Korah, “Hear now, you sons of Levi: 9 is it too small a thing for you that the God of Israel has separated you from the congregation of Israel, to bring you near to himself, to do service in the tabernacle of the LORD and to stand before the congregation to minister to them, 10 and that he has brought you near him, and all your brothers the sons of Levi with you? And would you seek the priesthood also? 11 Therefore it is against the LORD that you and all your company have gathered together. What is Aaron that you grumble against him?”
12 And Moses sent to call Dathan and Abiram the sons of Eliab, and they said, “We will not come up. 13 Is it a small thing that you have brought us up out of a land flowing with milk and honey, to kill us in the wilderness, that you must also make yourself a prince over us? 14 Moreover, you have not brought us into a land flowing with milk and honey, nor given us inheritance of fields and vineyards. Will you put out the eyes of these men? We will not come up.” 15 And Moses was very angry and said to the LORD, “Do not respect their offering. I have not taken one donkey from them, and I have not harmed one of them.”
16 And Moses said to Korah, “Be present, you and all your company, before the LORD, you and they, and Aaron, tomorrow. 17 And let every one of you take his censer and put incense on it, and every one of you bring before the LORD his censer, 250 censers; you also, and Aaron, each his censer.” 18 So every man took his censer and put fire in them and laid incense on them and stood at the entrance of the tent of meeting with Moses and Aaron. 19 Then Korah assembled all the congregation against them at the entrance of the tent of meeting. And the glory of the LORD appeared to all the congregation.
20 And the LORD spoke to Moses and to Aaron, saying, 21 “Separate yourselves from among this congregation, that I may consume them in a moment.” 22 And they fell on their faces and said, “O God, the God of the spirits of all flesh, shall one man sin, and will you be angry with all the congregation?” 23 And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, 24 “Say to the congregation, Get away from the dwelling of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram.”
25 Then Moses rose and went to Dathan and Abiram, and the elders of Israel followed him. 26 And he spoke to the congregation, saying, “Depart, please, from the tents of these wicked men, and touch nothing of theirs, lest you be swept away with all their sins.” 27 So they got away from the dwelling of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram. And Dathan and Abiram came out and stood at the door of their tents, together with their wives, their sons, and their little ones. 28 And Moses said, “Hereby you shall know that the LORD has sent me to do all these works, and that it has not been of my own accord. 29 If these men die as all men die, or if they are visited by the fate of all mankind, then the LORD has not sent me. 30 But if the LORD creates something new, and the ground opens its mouth and swallows them up with all that belongs to them, and they go down alive into Sheol, then you shall know that these men have despised the LORD.”
31 And as soon as he had finished speaking all these words, the ground under them split apart. 32 And the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them up, with their households and all the people who belonged to Korah and all their goods. 33 So they and all that belonged to them went down alive into Sheol, and the earth closed over them, and they perished from the midst of the assembly. 34 And all Israel who were around them fled at their cry, for they said, “Lest the earth swallow us up!” 35 And fire came out from the LORD and consumed the 250 men offering the incense.
36 7 16:36 Ch 17:1 in Hebrew Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, 37 “Tell Eleazar the son of Aaron the priest to take up the censers out of the blaze. Then scatter the fire far and wide, for they have become holy. 38 As for the censers of these men who have sinned at the cost of their lives, let them be made into hammered plates as a covering for the altar, for they offered them before the LORD, and they became holy. Thus they shall be a sign to the people of Israel.” 39 So Eleazar the priest took the bronze censers, which those who were burned had offered, and they were hammered out as a covering for the altar, 40 to be a reminder to the people of Israel, so that no outsider, who is not of the descendants of Aaron, should draw near to burn incense before the LORD, lest he become like Korah and his company—as the LORD said to him through Moses.
41 But on the next day all the congregation of the people of Israel grumbled against Moses and against Aaron, saying, “You have killed the people of the LORD.” 42 And when the congregation had assembled against Moses and against Aaron, they turned toward the tent of meeting. And behold, the cloud covered it, and the glory of the LORD appeared. 43 And Moses and Aaron came to the front of the tent of meeting, 44 and the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, 45 “Get away from the midst of this congregation, that I may consume them in a moment.” And they fell on their faces. 46 And Moses said to Aaron, “Take your censer, and put fire on it from off the altar and lay incense on it and carry it quickly to the congregation and make atonement for them, for wrath has gone out from the LORD; the plague has begun.” 47 So Aaron took it as Moses said and ran into the midst of the assembly. And behold, the plague had already begun among the people. And he put on the incense and made atonement for the people. 48 And he stood between the dead and the living, and the plague was stopped. 49 Now those who died in the plague were 14,700, besides those who died in the affair of Korah. 50 And Aaron returned to Moses at the entrance of the tent of meeting, when the plague was stopped.
Footnotes
[1] 15:3 Or an offering by fire; so throughout Numbers[2] 15:4 An ephah was about 3/5 bushel or 22 liters
[3] 15:4 A hin was about 4 quarts or 3.5 liters
[4] 15:22 Or by mistake; also verses 24, 27, 28, 29
[5] 15:39 Hebrew to spy out
[6] 16:5 Septuagint The LORD knows those who are his
[7] 16:36 Ch 17:1 in Hebrew
Table of Contents
Introduction to Numbers
Timeline
Author and Date
Moses is the source and primary author of the book of Numbers, which is the fourth volume in the Pentateuch. Its English name comes from the censuses in chs. 1–4 and 26.
Numbers tells of Israel’s journey from Mount Sinai to the borders of the Promised Land, summarizing some 40 years of the nation’s history. With Israel having been freed from slavery in Egypt and then receiving the law (Exodus and Leviticus), the book of Numbers begins with the people’s final preparations to leave Sinai. It then records their triumphal setting out, before a series of events in which the people grumbled about the difficulty of the journey and the impossibility of conquering Canaan. This response leads God to delay their entry to Canaan by 40 years. The closing chapters of the book tell how the people at last set out again and reach the banks of the Jordan, ready to cross into the land promised to their forefathers.
Theme and Purpose
The theme of Numbers is the gradual fulfillment of the promises to Abraham that his descendants would be the people of God and would occupy the land of Canaan. The book shows the reality of God’s presence with Israel in the pillar of cloud and fire over the tabernacle. It also shows how Israel’s unbelief delays the entry into Canaan and costs many lives. Nevertheless, by the end of the book, Israel is ready to enter the land.
Key Themes
There were four elements to God’s promise to Abraham in Genesis 12:1–3, and they all play a role in Numbers:
- The land. Numbers describes Israel’s journey toward the Promised Land.
- Descendants. Abraham had been promised that his descendants would be as many as the stars of heaven (Gen. 15:5). Jacob’s family consisted of just 70 persons when he entered Egypt (Gen. 46:27). Now they had increased immensely. The first census (Num. 1:1–46) showed that the fighting men numbered 603,550. That did not include women and children. Surveying their camp from a hilltop, Balaam declared, “Who can count the dust of Jacob or number the fourth part of Israel?” (23:10). Balaam went on to predict that Israel would become a powerful kingdom in its own right: “a star shall come out of Jacob, and a scepter shall rise out of Israel” (24:17).
- Covenant relationship with God. The essence of the covenant was, “You shall be my people, and I will be your God.” The Lord’s presence with Israel is constantly highlighted throughout the book of Numbers.
- Blessing to the nations. This is the aspect of the promises to Abraham that is least apparent in Numbers. To a greater or lesser degree, the nations that Israel encounters are all hostile. Nevertheless Balaam recalls the phrasing of Genesis 12:3 when he says, “Blessed are those who bless you, and cursed are those who curse you” (Num. 24:9). Nations who treat Israel generously by blessing her will themselves be blessed.
Outline
Numbers consists of three major blocks of material describing the events and laws associated with three centers where Israel encamped for a significant time. These centers are Sinai (chs. 1–10), Kadesh (chs. 13–19), and the plains of Moab (chs. 22–36). They are linked by two short travelogues recording what occurred as Israel journeyed from one camp to the next.
- Israel Prepares to Enter the Land (1:1–10:10)
- Marching from Sinai to Kadesh (10:11–12:16)
- Forty Years near Kadesh (13:1–19:22)
- Marching from Kadesh to the Plains of Moab (20:1–21:35)
- Israel in the Plains of Moab (22:1–36:13)
Journeys in the Wilderness
c. 1446 B.C.
The book of Numbers details the Israelites’ experience in the wilderness as they journeyed from Mount Sinai to Canaan. As with the exodus, it is difficult to establish the exact route that the Israelites took, but it is generally believed that they headed east from Mount Sinai until they reached the Red Sea, where they turned northward to the top of the gulf and on to Kadesh-barnea.
Fact: Where do the events in Numbers take place?
Where do the events in Numbers take place? Chapters 1–9 take place near Mount Sinai. In chs. 10–12 the people travel to Kadesh, where they will spend the next 40 years (chs. 13–19). Next they journey toward Canaan (chs. 20–21), and in the final chapters of Numbers (22–36) they camp in the plains of Moab, across the Jordan River from the Promised Land.
Fact: Symbols of holiness
Symbols of holiness are found all throughout Numbers. The tabernacle objects that were farther from the presence of God in the Most Holy Place could be made of ordinary materials like bronze. Within the Most Holy Place, everything was overlaid with pure gold.
Fact: Glory
God’s glory (14:21) refers to his measureless power and splendor.
Fact: What is a censer?
What is a censer? A censer (16:17) was a vessel used for burning incense before the Lord. Censers were usually made of stone, but portable ones could be made of bronze. They held live coals for burning the incense.
Fact: Why did the Israelites sew tassels on their garments?
Why did the Israelites sew tassels on their garments? In the ancient world, tassels were worn by nobles and other high-class people. In Israel they were worn by everyone as a mark of their special status and responsibilities as God’s chosen people (22:12; Num. 15:37–41).
Journeys in the Wilderness
c. 1446 B.C.
The book of Numbers details the Israelites’ experience in the wilderness as they journeyed from Mount Sinai to Canaan. As with the exodus, it is difficult to establish the exact route that the Israelites took, but it is generally believed that they headed east from Mount Sinai until they reached the Red Sea, where they turned northward to the top of the gulf and on to Kadesh-barnea.
Parallels between Exodus and Numbers
| Ex. 18:1 | Advice from Moses’ father-in-law | Advice from Moses’ father-in-law | Num. 10:29 |
| Ex. 15:22 | Three-day journey to Sinai | Three-day journey from Sinai | Num. 10:33 |
| Ex. 15:22–26 | Complaint about water | Unspecified complaint | Num. 11:1–3 |
| Exodus 16 | Manna and quail | Manna and quail | Num. 11:4–15, 31–35 |
| Exodus 18 | Leaders appointed to assist Moses | Leaders appointed to assist Moses | Num. 11:16–30 |
| Ex. 15:20–21 | Miriam’s song of praise | Miriam and Aaron rebel | Numbers 12 |
| Ex. 17:8–16 | Israel defeats Amalek | Israel defeated by Amalek | Num. 14:39–45 |
| Ex. 17:1–7 | Water from rock | Water from rock | Num. 20:1–13 |
| Ex. 32:6 | People sacrifice to other gods | People sacrifice to other gods | Num. 25:2 |
| Ex. 32:27 | Killing of apostates demanded | Killing of apostates demanded | Num. 25:5 |
| Ex. 32:28–29 | Levites’ status enhanced | Levites’ (Phinehas’s) status enhanced | Num. 25:6–13 |
| Ex. 32:35 | Plague on the people | Plague on the people | Num. 25:9 |
Caleb
Caleb was one of 12 tribal leaders sent by Moses to spy out the land of Canaan. Of the 12 spies, only Caleb and Joshua brought back an encouraging report. The other spies emphasized the strength of Canaan’s inhabitants and concluded that Israel would face certain defeat. However, Caleb and Joshua urged the people not to rebel against the Lord’s promise to give the land to them or to fear Canaan’s inhabitants. They reminded the people that the Lord would protect them and keep his promise if they obeyed. When the congregation responded with anger, the Lord punished their disbelief. He promised that the entire generation would die in the wilderness, with the exception of Caleb and Joshua. When Caleb was 85 years old, he was given Hebron for an inheritance. (Numbers 14:24)
Korah
Korah, who was from the tribe of Levi, led a rebellion against Moses and Aaron. Dathan, Abiram, and 250 well-known chiefs of the congregation joined with him. Korah and his men accused Moses and Aaron of exalting themselves above the people of Israel. They failed to recognize, however, that it is God who gives authority to whomever he chooses. As punishment for their rebellion, Korah, Dathan, and Abiram, together with their households and possessions, were swallowed up by the earth in front of the people of Israel. God sent fire to consume the 250 chiefs. The people of Israel grumbled against Moses and Aaron and remained sympathetic to the punished rebels, so God sent a plague as further punishment. (Numbers 16:31–35)
Num. 14:6 tore their clothes. A typical sign of grief (Gen. 37:29, 34).
Num. 14:8 If the LORD delights in us, he will bring us into this land and give it to us. God’s blessing on Joshua and Caleb (see vv. 30, 38; 26:65) shows his approval of their faith.
Num. 14:6–9 Joshua and Caleb rightly call the reaction to the spies’ report a rebellion against the LORD.
Num. 14:11–12 How long will this people despise me? The Lord shows the severity of his anger by threatening to destroy the nation and start all over again with Moses alone. He made a similar threat in Ex. 32:10.
Num. 14:13–19 Moses prays here, as he did after the golden calf incident (Exodus 32).
Num. 14:21 all the earth shall be filled with the glory of the LORD. God’s purposes will not be defeated by human failure. (See notes on Ps. 72:18–20; Isa. 6:3.)
Fact: Glory
God’s glory (14:21) refers to his measureless power and splendor.
Num. 14:29 All those twenty years old and upward will die in the wilderness. They were the ones who had been enrolled to fight (1:3) but in this case had refused to do so.
Num. 14:20–35 God declares, I have pardoned, according to your word. That is, he will not destroy Israel immediately; however, they cannot go ahead with their planned entry into Canaan.
Num. 14:36–37 died by plague. God judged the 10 faithless spies because their bad report had made all the congregation grumble against Moses.
Num. 14:36–38 God forgives sin, but sin still has consequences. Israel would remain the people of God, but the generation that rebelled against him would die in the wilderness.
Num. 13:1–14:45 The rebellion recorded in these chapters recalls the rebellion at Sinai, when the Israelites worshiped the golden calf (Exodus 32–34).
Num. 14:41–45 The Israelites disobeyed Moses’ command and presumed to decide their own course of action. This brought God’s judgment. Hormah (meaning “Destruction”; see 21:3) is a village on the southern border of Canaan (Josh. 15:30).
Caleb
Caleb was one of 12 tribal leaders sent by Moses to spy out the land of Canaan. Of the 12 spies, only Caleb and Joshua brought back an encouraging report. The other spies emphasized the strength of Canaan’s inhabitants and concluded that Israel would face certain defeat. However, Caleb and Joshua urged the people not to rebel against the Lord’s promise to give the land to them or to fear Canaan’s inhabitants. They reminded the people that the Lord would protect them and keep his promise if they obeyed. When the congregation responded with anger, the Lord punished their disbelief. He promised that the entire generation would die in the wilderness, with the exception of Caleb and Joshua. When Caleb was 85 years old, he was given Hebron for an inheritance. (Numbers 14:24)
Num. 15:1–16 Leviticus 1–7 explained how each type of sacrifice was to be conducted. It did not explain that burnt offerings and peace offerings must be accompanied by flour, oil, and wine, possibly because these were not available in the wilderness. But when you come into the land (Num. 15:2), those things will be available.
Num. 15:17–21 The principle of firstfruits is now extended to baking. The first dough is to be given to the priests.
Num. 15:22–26 These verses deal with unintentional sin committed by the entire congregation (compare Lev. 4:13–21).
Num. 15:27–29 These verses deal with unintentional sin committed by one person (compare Lev. 4:27–35). Atonement is required for such a person even though his sin is not as serious as willful sin. An immigrant (stranger who sojourns) may also seek atonement for unintentional sin (see also Num. 15:14–16).
Num. 15:22–31 Sins that are unintentional or that are done in ignorance may be atoned for by a sin offering (compare Lev. 4:1–5:13).
Num. 15:30–31 Sins committed with a high hand probably are deliberate, defiant sins, since these are contrasted with unintentional sins (vv. 22, 24, 27). Those who sin intentionally shall be cut off (see Gen. 17:14; Ex. 12:15; 31:14; Num. 9:13; and note on 9:6–14).
Num. 15:32–36 This seems to be a case of sinning intentionally and publicly. The offender is executed, not just left to be “cut off” (compare vv. 30–31). In this case it is clear that the man has sinned, since all work on the Sabbath is prohibited (Ex. 20:10), including lighting a fire (Ex. 35:3).
Num. 15:1–41 At each place where Israel encamped for a long time, laws were given: at Sinai (Exodus 20–Numbers 9), Kadesh (Numbers 15), and the plains of Moab (Numbers 28–36). The Kadesh laws are the briefest and are mainly clarifications of the Sinai laws.
Fact: Why did the Israelites sew tassels on their garments?
Why did the Israelites sew tassels on their garments? In the ancient world, tassels were worn by nobles and other high-class people. In Israel they were worn by everyone as a mark of their special status and responsibilities as God’s chosen people (22:12; Num. 15:37–41).
Num. 16:1 Korah was a Levite (but not a priest) from the Kohathite clan. They camped near the tribe of Reuben (2:10–11; 3:29), from which the other leaders (Dathan, Abiram, and On) came. This could explain their cooperation. On is not mentioned later.
Num. 16:3 The claim that all . . . are holy could be based on the repeated call in the law to be holy (e.g., Lev. 11:45; 19:2; Num. 15:40). But this ethical holiness is not identical with priestly holiness, which gives the priest the right to approach God in the offering of sacrifice and incense. When the Kohathites claim that Moses and Aaron exalt themselves, they show that they do not understand that the priesthood is a matter of God’s choosing (see Heb. 5:4).
Num. 16:8–11 The Levites already enjoy great privileges in serving in the tabernacle, so they should not seek the priesthood also.
Num. 16:12–15 The Reubenite complaint is about dying in the wilderness instead of in Canaan or Egypt. This is a rebellion against God’s will and purpose like that provoked by the spies (chs. 13–14).
Num. 16:15 I have not taken one donkey from them. Moses did not misuse his office for personal gain.
Fact: What is a censer?
What is a censer? A censer (16:17) was a vessel used for burning incense before the Lord. Censers were usually made of stone, but portable ones could be made of bronze. They held live coals for burning the incense.
Num. 16:20–34 And the earth opened its mouth. God swiftly judges those who thought they could take the privileges of priesthood for themselves. Sheol (v. 33) is the place of the dead, often pictured as being under the earth (Gen. 37:35; Ps. 6:5; Isa. 14:9–11).
Num. 16:16–19, 35–40 For a similar judgment on the unauthorized offering of incense, see Lev. 10:1–3.
Num. 16:35 fire came out from the LORD and consumed the 250 men. This punishment shows that no one should presume to come into God’s presence without God’s authorization (but compare Heb. 10:19, with regard to believers under the new covenant).
Num. 16:39–40 A covering for the altar is mentioned in Ex. 38:2. This new one may have replaced or been put on top of the old one.
Num. 16:41–50 God sent a plague because all the congregation falsely accused Moses and Aaron. God had chosen Aaron as high priest. Only he could minister atonement. Aaron stopped the punishment by holding a censer and standing between the dead and the living (v. 48).
Korah
Korah, who was from the tribe of Levi, led a rebellion against Moses and Aaron. Dathan, Abiram, and 250 well-known chiefs of the congregation joined with him. Korah and his men accused Moses and Aaron of exalting themselves above the people of Israel. They failed to recognize, however, that it is God who gives authority to whomever he chooses. As punishment for their rebellion, Korah, Dathan, and Abiram, together with their households and possessions, were swallowed up by the earth in front of the people of Israel. God sent fire to consume the 250 chiefs. The people of Israel grumbled against Moses and Aaron and remained sympathetic to the punished rebels, so God sent a plague as further punishment. (Numbers 16:31–35)
S4:033 Numbers 14-16
Listen NowDive Deeper | Numbers 14-16
In this passage, we see a direct contrast between trusting in God and trusting in our own abilities. Numbers 14 starts with the congregation of Israel grumbling against Moses and Aaron—Israel feared the people who were inhabiting the land God promised them. They were focused on their own abilities, resulting in fear of their enemies instead of hope in the strength and promises of God. It's another case of Israel not obeying God and keeping His covenant as instructed. Yet, the Lord continually shows His mercy to Israel by not fully eliminating them during times of disobedience. They are pardoned, but still face consequences. They will wander for 40 years in the wilderness (Numbers 14:34), and anyone over the age of 20 will not enter the Promised Land.
As we read passages in the Old Testament in which Israel displays a lack of faith, it can be easy to be critical of the Israelites. To grow in our reliance on God, however, we should respond with humility and thankfulness to Him for His patience toward us until we reach repentance (2 Peter 3:9).
Unlike the majority of the congregation of Israel, Caleb and Joshua placed their faith in God. Because they followed God fully, Caleb and Joshua were allowed eventually to enter into the land that God promised Israel (Numbers 14:38). God referred to Caleb son of Jephunneh as His servant because he had a different spirit and followed God fully (Numbers 14:24). Caleb was identified by his faith in God, not his family origin or personal ability.
Today, the gift of salvation and a new identity marked by faith is offered to all who trust in Jesus for their salvation. "For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek." (Romans 1:16)
This month's memory verse
"Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might."
– Deuteronomy 6:4-5
Discussion Questions
1. Is there an urging from God's Holy Spirit that you are ignoring because it doesn't seem achievable by your own merit? How could you take a step of faith today by trusting in God's faithfulness?
2. Caleb was identified as God's servant who trusted in Him fully. Do the people you are going to interact with today (school, neighborhood, work, etc.) know you as a servant of God? If not, how could you be God's servant today toward the people around you whom God loves?
3. In today's passage and throughout the book of Numbers, God displayed His patience and grace toward Israel. Take time today to thank God for His patience toward you. Have you come to repentance?