Numbers 16

Numbers 16:1-50

Numbers 11:1-35; Numbers 12:1-16; Numbers 13:1-33; Numbers 14:1-45; Numbers 15:1-41; Numbers 16:1-50; Numbers 17:1-13; Numbers 18:1-32; Numbers 19:1-22; Numbers 20:1-29; Numbers 21:1-35II. The Journey-From Sinai to Moab (Numbers 11-21)If Numbers 1-10 show God’ s dealings with His people as being manifested in unity, harmony and success, then Numbers 11-21 set forth man’ s actions (man as left to himself) manifesting themselves in murmurings, failure and defeat. This has been true from Eden until today. Numbers 33 gives a list of all stations which the children of Israel reached until they came back to the starting point-Kadesh-barnea. The lesson is that there is no progress made when we are disobedient. There are many ways of considering the contents of these chapters (Numbers 1-10). For our present purpose we will consider them from the standpoint of the eight murmurings recorded therein. “ And when the people complained, it displeased the Lord: and the Lord heard it; and his anger was kindled; and the fire of the Lord burnt among them, and consumed them that were in the uttermost parts of the camp. And the people cried unto Moses; and when Moses prayed unto the Lord, the fire was quenched. And he called the name of the place Taberah: because the fire of the Lord burnt among them” (Numbers 11:1-3). These verses sound the characteristic note of the entire ten chapters of this section-murmurings and forgiveness.

Numbers 16:41-50

Numbers 16:41-506. The Sixth Murmuring-Because of the Judgment of God (Numbers 16:41-50) The people complained because of the death of the rebels. Strange that they should have thus complained when the events of Num 16:25-30 must have still been fresh in their minds! God’ s punishment for their murmuring (Numbers 16:41-50) was visited on the people in the form of a plague, as the result of which 14,700 died. This punishment was stopped through the intercession of Moses. Numbers 17:1-13; Numbers 18:1-32; Numbers 19:1-22 form a separate section, and deal with the whole condition, rights, practice, privileges, and responsibilities of the priesthood.