Let’s continue our study of the last three books of the Pentateuch: Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy.
Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy
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. And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart.
Leviticus
The events recorded in Leviticus, the third book of the Bible, took place between the completion of the tabernacle (in Exodus) and Israel’s departure from Mount Sinai. Leviticus was important to the nation of Israel. In it, the Levitical priesthood was established, and it contains instructions regarding temple worship and service as well as the moral obligations of the Israelites to God and to each other.
Through all of the rituals and offerings and sacrifices, Leviticus communicates God’s holiness and the way Israel was to worship him (Leviticus 19:2). This response was to be reflected in their daily interactions with God and each other. God’s people are to faithfully obey the Lord and live holy lives according to his Word in order to reflect his character.
Numbers
As the title implies, the book of Numbers includes various statistics, including census counts, priest counts, and tribal counts. In Numbers 13–14, we also discover the reason why the Israelites wandered in the wilderness for forty years before reaching the Promised Land. As they neared Canaan, Moses sent twelve spies to scout the land. When the spies returned at the end of forty days, all except Joshua and Caleb gave a negative report. The ten spies expressed disbelief that they could conquer a land filled with such powerful people. However, Joshua and Caleb disagreed and expressed faith that God would help them conquer the land. However, the people believed the report of the ten spies and began to fear the people living with the land. As a result, God punished the people by making them wander in the desert. The years corresponded to the number of days it took the spies to scout the land. The rest of the book of Numbers recounts the events that occurred during this season of wandering.
Deuteronomy
The events of Deuteronomy occur at the end of the Israelites’ forty years of wandering. They were ready to enter the Promised Land. By this time, all those who had seen the signs of God in Egypt had died (Numbers 14:22–23). Before this new generation crossed the Jordan River into the Promised Land, Moses retold the Law to them to remind them of the covenant that God had established with the nation years earlier. The covenant was conditional. This meant if Israel kept God’s commandments, they would be blessed. If they failed to keep his commandments, they would endure the curses that were recorded in the Law. The final chapters of Deuteronomy record Moses’s preparation for his death and his appointment of Joshua as his successor (Deuteronomy 31–34).
God’s people are to faithfully obey the Lord and live holy lives according to his Word.
Watch Week Two
Old Testament: The Pentateuch
Daily Question
What are your thoughts after reading today’s overview of Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy? Are they different than before reading . . . are they the same?
Comments (13)
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I love how they put this "Through all of the rituals and offerings and sacrifices, Leviticus communicates God’s holiness and the way Israel was to worship him (Leviticus 19:2). This response was to be reflected in their daily interactions with God and each other. God’s people are to faithfully obey the Lord and live holy lives according to his Word in order to reflect his character."(I love this so much!) They made me see some things differently then before, but some the same.
Like I Have said before I’m not that familiar with Numbers, and Deuteronomy, But with Leviticus I am a little. But one of the things that stood out to me was this verse, “Speak to all the congregation of the people of Israel and say to them, You shall be holy, for I the Lord your God am holy(Leviticus 19:2). Throughout the Old Testament, God gradually revealed His character, His attributes, His name, and His redemptive plan for mankind, through the writings of holy men of God and many prophetic voices. But in these last days, God has spoken to us in His Son, Whom He appointed Heir of all things, and through Whom also He made the world. Hidden within the pages of the Old Testament, are many concealed references to Christ Jesus. For those with eyes to see and a teachable spirit, we discover many ‘types’ and pictures of His person, His mission, His atoning work, and His supernatural life. Numerous prophecies give details of His coming to earth as a baby in Bethlehem, His ministry on earth, His sacrificial death, His glorious Resurrection, and His victory over Satan. And Scripture records His coming millennial rule as King of kings and Lord of lords, for He is God’s appointed Messiah of Israel and He is the Saviour of the world. One of the other things I wanted to make a point is It was Moses through whom the Law was given to God’s chosen nation, and it was Moses who instructed His people how to live, if they were to receive God’s blessings. It was Moses who warned them what would happen if they disobeyed the Lord’s command and Moses was instructed by God to "Speak to all the congregation of the sons of Israel and say to them, ‘You shall be holy, for I the LORD your God am holy."( the verse I put above, Leviticus 19:2)
I’m sorry this is so long! There was so many things I wanted to make a point about!
Helping to place these books in the context of the history of the people of Israel gives a better understanding to the message and the purpose of the messenger. For me, it enriches the study of God’s word if I can somewhat enter into the circumstances of a particular time.
Reading about these 3 chapters, I learned they were setting forth more guidelines for people. I have yet to read anyof them entirely through.
If Moses wasn’t good enough to enter the promise land because of his lack of faith then how am expected to get there?
We are never good enough , for us is on the ground of believing in Christ.
John 3:16 for God so loved the world that he gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believes in him shall not perish but have everlasting life.
This everlasting life will be lived somewhere, where we could refer to as the future promise land , heaven , or the New Jerusalem.
And also to add : We know that this believe or better put "faith" must bear the fruit of Love and a Holiness for which without we cannot see the Lord … And it is the Holyspirit that helps us to will and to do this (Heb13:20-21)
My thoughts are that God set a foundation for the future events that occur for the lineage of Jesus. The cycle the people of God would go through – turning away from Him- seeking after other gods and then turning back to Him. My thoughts are the same as I recently read thru these books.
They are different in the aspect of it all being summarized and shortened. Again I’d have to say because their culture was so different from my own it’s hard to read but going into the scripture after reading the summarized versions on top does help me grasp everything better because I know what’s around the corner.
I have acquired a new understanding regarding why the Israelites wandered in the desert for 40 years – the period corresponding to 40 days that the Israelite spies took to scout the promised land and bring a report of what they found, and the lack of faith of the people who observed miracles of God while in Egypt.
All those who were in EGYPT died before they could enter the promised land.
The overview today brought these books into a more important light in my mind. They have previously felt very repetitive and dry to me. Hopefully with this new insight they will not seem as dry on my next reading of them.
my thoughts are that I can’t retain all those names but they are their for about our heritage. yes they are. The Lord took care of his people. He did not forsake them. He got angry when they disobeyed Him but He still forgave them. He is doing that with us now