NUMBERS cartoons - LOTS AND LOTS AND LOTS OF COUNTING


The Book of Numbers, the fourth book of the Old Testament, continues the Israelites’ journey after the Exodus, traditionally dated to around 1440 BCE and attributed to Moses. Spanning 36 chapters, it’s named for the censuses it records but is more about testing, rebellion, and God’s faithfulness as the people move from Mount Sinai to the edge of Canaan. Here’s the summary:

  • Chapters 1-4 (Census and Camp Setup): God instructs Moses to count the men over 20 years old who are fit for war—approximately 603,550 in total, excluding the Levites (1:46). The tribes are organized around the tabernacle, with the Levites assigned to priestly duties and camp logistics. It’s all about order for the march ahead.

  • Chapters 5-10 (Laws and Departure): The rules cover purity (e.g., handling jealousy, disease), vows (such as the Nazirite vow), and offerings. The tabernacle’s dedicated trumpets are made for signaling, and on the 20th day of the second month, two years after the Exodus, they leave Sinai, guided by God’s cloud (10:11-12).

  • Chapters 11-20 (Rebellion Central): The grumbling begins—first about food (God sends quail but also a plague, 11), then Miriam and Aaron challenge Moses’ authority (God strikes Miriam with leprosy, 12). At Paran, 12 spies scout Canaan; 10 say it’s unbeatable despite its bounty, sparking panic. The people want to ditch the plan, so God decrees 40 years of wandering—one year per day of spying (14:34). More whining follows: Korah’s rebellion against Moses ends with the Earth swallowing the rebels (16), and complaints about water lead Moses to strike a rock (disobeying God’s command to speak to it), costing him entry to Canaan (20).

Chapters 21-25 (Wandering and Wins): Victories pile up—Arad’s king falls, fiery serpents attack after more grumbling (Moses’ bronze snake heals the repentant, 21:9), and kings Sihon and Og are defeated (21). At Moab, Balak hires Balaam to curse Israel, but God makes him bless them instead (22-24). Then Israel sins with Moabite women and idolatry at Peor, triggering a plague until Phinehas spears the offenders (25).

Chapters 26-36 (New Generation, New Plans): A second census counts 601,730 fighting men (26:51), indicating that the old generation is nearly gone. Land inheritance laws are established (e.g., Zelophehad’s daughters receive a share, 27), Joshua names Moses’ successor (27:18-23), and offerings, festivals, and vows are detailed (28-30). Midian is defeated as payback for Peor (31), and Reuben, Gad, and half of Manasseh settle east of the Jordan (32). The route from Egypt is recapped, and Canaan’s borders are drawn (33-34).

Numbers is about transition—Sinai to Canaan, old generation to new. It’s a mix of faith (God provides manna, water, victory) and failure (rebellion delays the promise). The title “Numbers” fits the headcounts, but the Hebrew name, Bemidbar (“In the Wilderness”), captures the real story: a messy, 40-year trek that tests Israel’s trust—no Antichrist here—just a nation learning the hard way that God is in charge.