Numbers 10 Summary: A Concise Overview in 5 Minutes

Numbers 10 Summary - A Quick Overview

WHEN:

• The Israelites set out from Mount Sinai on the 20th day of the 2nd month of the 2nd year after leaving Egypt.

• The year was approximately 1490-1489 B.C.

CHARACTERS:

• Moses – Moses was selected by God to lead the Israelites to Canaan. God spoke directly to Moses and Moses communicated God’s words to the people.    

• Hobab – The brother-in-law of Moses who travelled with the Israelites in the wilderness.

• Families of the Levites – Kohathites, Gershonites, and Merarites. They served the Lord by caring for the Tabernacle and the holy things.

• The Chiefs of Israel – These men were the “heads of their father’s houses and acted as representatives for their tribes. One man is listed from each of the 12 tribe: Nahshon, Nethanel, Eliab, Elizur, Shelumiel, Eliasaph, Elishama, Gamaliel, Abidan, Ahiezer, Pagiel, and Ahira.

WHERE:

• In Numbers 10, the Israelites journeyed from the wilderness of Sinai to the wilderness of Paran.

OUTLINE:

• TWO SILVER TRUMPETS (10:1-10):

  • God told Moses to make 2 silver trumpets for “summoning the congregation and for breaking camp.”

  • If both trumpets were blown at once, all the people were to gather at the Tabernacle.

  • If only one trumpet was blown, only the chiefs of Israel needed to gather at the Tabernacle.

  • When an alarm was blown, which was evidently a unique sound distinguishable from the typical trumpet sound, the camp on the east side of the Tabernacle was to break camp and set out.

  • When the alarm was blown a second time, the camp on the south was to set out.

  • The priests were tasked with blowing the trumpets.

  • In addition to the occasions mentioned above, the trumpets were also to be blown when the Israelites went into battle, on days of celebration, feast days, the beginning of every month, and when offering burnt offerings and peace offerings.

  • The trumpets were a continual reminder of God’s presence and help.

• ISRAEL LEAVES SINAI AND TRAVELS TO PARAN (10:11-36):

  • On the 20th day of the 2nd month of the 2nd year, the pillar of cloud moved from off the Tabernacle and moved towards the wilderness of Paran.

  • The Israelite camp followed the cloud, setting out camp by camp as the Lord instructed them.

  • The families of the Levites transported the Tabernacle.

  • Moses convinced his brother-in-law, Hobab, to travel with them because he knew the wilderness well and could assist them.

  • Israel set out from Sinai “three days’ journey.”

APPLICATION:

• In the events of this chapter, I see a great example of putting instruction into action.

  In the last few chapters, the Israelites received God’s instructions for how they were supposed to camp and travel, in this chapter we see an immediate implementation of that instruction.

• There was no delay, there were no excuses made, and the Israelites didn’t treat God’s words like they were just there for them as mental exercise to study and think about.

• Imagine what our churches could do if we put God’s words into immediate action, if we studied something and then immediately put a plan in place to live it out.

• Unfortunately, many churches and Christians are experts at “having Bible studies,” but many lack the follow through of obedience to the things they study.

• James 1:22 - But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. 

DIAGRAM OF THE CAMP OF ISRAEL:

DIAGRAM OF THE TABERNACLE: