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Old-Testament Survey : Books of Leviticus and Numbers (22). Laws Governing the Priesthood and Census. Leviticus. Third book written by Moses; means “ pertaining to the Levites .” Records the work of the Levites appointed to serve in the tabernacle.
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Old-Testament Survey:Books of Leviticus and Numbers (22) Laws Governing the Priesthood and Census
Leviticus • Third book written by Moses; means “pertaining to the Levites.” • Records the work of the Levites appointed to serve in the tabernacle. • Events and laws contained in the book transpired during Israel’s encampment at Mount Sinai.
Leviticus • Contains laws regulating: • Several different types of offerings (burnt, meal, peace, sin, and trespass) • Priests’ functions during each offering • Priests’ portion of the offerings • Clean and unclean animals • Purification of women • Handling leprosy cases • Observing the Day of Atonement • Other annual festivals
Leviticus Historical Events • There are few important historical events: • Moses consecrated Aaron and his sons for the priesthood. • Aaron offered sacrifices for the people. • Nadab and Abihu offered “strange fire.” (10:1-3) • God intended for Israel to closely follow His instructions. • Day of Atonement (16) • Sin of Eleazar and Ithamar (11:12-20) • Laws concerning uses of blood (10) • Penalty for worshipping false gods (20)
Numbers • Fourth book of the Bible. In the Hebrew Bible, “in the wilderness.” • History of the Israelites wandering in the wilderness. The people were numbered at both the beginning and the end. • As the book opens, Israel is still encamped around Mount Sinai, where they’ve been for nearly two years.
Numbers • They numbered the men who could fight. In just a few months, they would begin to take the PromisedLand. • There were 603,550.(Numbers 1) • The Levites were not included because they ministered in the tabernacle. • Established procedures for organized camping (2) • The book also contains a number of God’s laws.
Numbers • Numbers contains laws regulating: • Redemption of the firstborn • The Levites duties during the moving of the tabernacle • Uncleanness • Trespasses and restitution • Suspicion of adultery • The Nazarite vow • Purification of the Levites • Keeping the Passover
Sin in the Wilderness • At Taberah, some of the Israelites murmured against Moses.(11) • At Kibroth-hattaavah, they complained about not having meat to eat; Moses became discouraged at their complaining. • 70 elders wereappointed to help Moses. • God sent them quail—so many that it became loathsome to them! • God also sent a plague against them.
Sin in the Wilderness • At Hazeroth, Moses’ brother and sister (Aaron and Miriam) spoke against him because he had married a Cushite woman (12) • They wanted to play a greater role in Israel’s Government. • God struck Miriam with leprosy for 7 days! • God chose Moses, and that should have been clear to Aaron and Miriam.
Sin at Kadesh • While they are at Kadesh, in the wilderness of Paran, Moses sends out 12 spies to survey the land. (13) • They are gone for forty days. • They bring back two reports. • The men in the land are too mighty for us. • The land is meat for us; let’s take it! • Only Caleb and Joshua trusted in and believed God. (14)
Sin at Kadesh • The people cry all night; they want to choose new leaders. (14) • Refuse to march against the Canaanites. • God sent a swift reply—He decreed a 40-year period of wilderness wandering, one year for every day the spies were gone. • All who were 20 and older when they left Egypt, except Joshua and Caleb, would die! • Numbers 14:28-32
Sin at Kadesh • People see their mistake and try to organize a group to invade Canaan; others seek to return to Egypt. Both attempts fail! (15) • 250 priests, under Korah’s direction, rebel and seek more authority. (16) • The earth swallows them up, and a plague kills an additional 14,700. • Budding of Aaron rod confirms God’s choice. (17)
Wilderness Wanderings • Miriam dies and is buried in Kadesh. (20) • Later, moving to Meribah, the people again murmur about drinking water. (20) • God instructs Moses and Aaron to speak to a rock to bring forth water; they smite the rock and take credit away from God. • Because of their disobedience, Goddenies Moses and Aaron entrance into the Promised Land. (20)
Wilderness Wanderings • Moses requests passage through Edom; it is denied, so Israel marches around Edom. • Aaron dies on Mount Hor; his son Eleazar is appointed High Priest. (20:22-29)Canaanites takes some Israelites captive, but Israel defeats them. • The people again murmur against God and Moses!
The Bronze Serpent • God sends fiery serpents. Many people are bitten and die. (21) • The people confess their sins and ask that the serpents be removed. • God tells Moses to place a bronze serpent on a pole; those who look on it will live! • Foreshadows Jesus’ death on the cross.
Victories in the Wilderness • Israel seeks permission to march through the territory belonging to Sihon, king of the Amorites. (21) • When Sihon rejects their request, Israel fights with him and is victorious. • They march to Bashan where Og, the king, attacks them. • Israel defeats Og and encamps on the plains of Moab ready to enter into Canaan. (21:33-35)