Institute
Lesson 17: Numbers 1–12

“Lesson 17: Numbers 1–12,” Old Testament Instructor’s Guide, Religion 301–2 (1994), 33–34

“Numbers 1–12,” Old Testament Instructor’s Guide, 33–34

17

Numbers 1–12

Scripture Content Outline

Supplementary Study Sources

  1. Numbers 1:1–46, 52–54; 2. The People of Israel Were Organized to Migrate

    1. Census was taken by tribe of the adult males (see Numbers 1:1–46).

    2. The camp of Israel was arranged by tribe (see Numbers 1:52–54; 2).

Religion 301 student manual, 17-1 through 17-5.

  1. Numbers 1:47–51; 3–5; 6:22–27; 8. The Aaronic and Levitical Orders of the Priesthood Were Revealed, and the Levites Were Set Apart for Priesthood Service

    1. The Levites were assigned to care for the tabernacle and serve in it (see Numbers 1:47–51; 3:1–8).

    2. Aaron and his sons were commissioned to hold the office of priest and were given presidency over the Levites (see Numbers 3:9–11, 32; 8:19).

    3. The Levites were designated as the Lord’s instead of the firstborn of each tribe (see Numbers 3:11–13, 40–51; 8:18; see also Exodus 13:2, 15).

    4. The duties and responsibilities of the Levites were outlined (see Numbers 3:14–39; 4–5; 6:22–27).

    5. Levites were consecrated and authorized to begin their service (see Numbers 8).

Religion 301 student manual, 17-6 through 17-10; 17-13 through 17-16.

D&C 107:13–14, 20. What are the powers and the rights of the Aaronic Priesthood?

Hebrews 7:11–13. Are there limitations to the priesthood duties and responsibilities of the Levitical order?

JC, p. 96. Whom did the Levites replace as the rightful priesthood designates?

AF, pp. 204–5. What was the relationship between the Levitical and the Aaronic orders of the priesthood anciently?

DS, 3:112–14. What were the duties of the Levites?

  1. Numbers 6:1–21. The Law of the Nazarite Was Established

    1. Laws were revealed governing those who vowed the covenant of the Nazarite (see Numbers 6:1–12).

    2. Ceremonial fulfillment of the law of the Nazarite was established (see Numbers 6:13–21).

Religion 301 student manual, 17-11.

  1. Numbers 7, 9. The Tabernacle Was Dedicated, and the Passover Observed

    1. The tabernacle was dedicated with ceremonial offerings (see Numbers 7).

    2. The Passover was observed a second time (see Numbers 9:1–14).

    3. A cloud covered the tabernacle, and Israel was to move or to camp as the cloud moved or stayed (see Numbers 9:15–23).

Religion 301 student manual, 17-12; 17-17 through 17-18.

Exodus 40:17–38. The tabernacle was reared, and it was accepted by God.

  1. Numbers 10–11. The Migration from Sinai to the Promised Land Was Begun

    1. A system of signals was set up for the people (see Numbers 10:1–10).

    2. The migration was begun according to the order of march prescribed by the Lord (see Numbers 10:11–28).

    3. The faithful Midianites were invited to join the migration when the Israelites departed from the mountain of the Lord (see Numbers 10:29–36).

    4. Rebels were destroyed by fire (see Numbers 11:1–3).

    5. Israel murmured and desired flesh instead of manna (see Numbers 11:4–15).

    6. Seventy elders were appointed as a council to assist Moses in governing Israel (see Numbers 11:16–17, 24–30).

    7. Israel was promised they would have quail until it became loathsome to them. A wind from the Lord brought the quail, but gluttonous and improper use of the meat brought disaster (see Numbers 11:18–23, 31–35).

Religion 301 student manual, 17-19 through 17-23; 17-25.

Numbers 11:7–8; Exodus 16:31. What did manna taste like?

Deuteronomy 8:3, 16. What spiritual lesson was taught through the use of manna? (see also John 6:31–33).

Psalm 78:26–42. Why were the people smitten when the fowl came?

  1. Numbers 12. The Prophet Moses Was Challenged and Vindicated

    1. Aaron and Miriam challenged the right of Moses to be the Lord’s only mouthpiece (see Numbers 12:1–2).

    2. An editorial testimonial about Moses was recorded (see Numbers 12:3).

    3. The Lord supported Moses, and judgment was measured to Miriam (see Numbers 12:4–16).

Religion 301 student manual, 17-24 through 17-25.

MF, p. 43. Rebellion against the prophet is rebellion against whom?

Some Suggestions for Presentation

You are not expected to teach everything in the scripture content outline. Select those concepts that you feel will be the most helpful to your students.

Manna from Heaven (Section A)

Not only did manna provide food but it also taught the Israelites of their utter dependence on God for both physical and spiritual sustenance. Review the following scriptures to teach this concept:

Exodus 16:14–15; Numbers 11:6–9. Manna is described.

Exodus 16:16–21. Use of the manna was prescribed.

Deuteronomy 8:3, 16. Receiving manna is likened to receiving revelation.

John 6:31–35. Manna is compared to the Savior.

First Corinthians 10:3. The manna had a dual function.

Joshua 5:12. Manna was stopped.

The Levitical Priesthood (Section B)

The term Levitical Priesthood is often used synonymously with Aaronic Priesthood. While the Levitical Priesthood is a part of the Aaronic Priesthood, it was nonetheless a separate order in ancient times. President John Taylor discussed the nature of the Levitical Priesthood (see Items on Priesthood, p. 43). Use transparency 17 to discuss the relationship between the functions of the Aaronic and the Levitical priesthoods.

The Camp and the March of Israel (Sections A, E)

By divine design the physical organization of the camp and the order of the march was a type for the new life Israel was instructed to live.

The camp (use transparency 18). The tabernacle was in the center of the camp of Israel (see Numbers 2:2).

The ark of the covenant in the tabernacle represented the presence of the Lord (see Exodus 40:34–35, 38).

The tabernacle at the center of the camp taught Israel that the Lord and his laws were to be the center of their lives.

Israel did not break camp until the cloud of the Lord was taken up (see Exodus 40:36–37). They were to follow the cloud when it moved, which reminded them that they were to follow the Lord in all they did.

Only Levites who were properly called and authorized to officiate were permitted near this wilderness temple (see Numbers 1:50–53; 3:5–13).

Moses and Aaron were instructed to pitch their tents at the door (east) of the tabernacle. The other sides of the tabernacle were surrounded by the tents of the other families of Levites (Numbers 3:21–38). Only the prophet of the Lord is the keeper of the door of the temple, and any officiator called to administer the ordinances in the temple must first obtain the necessary keys from the prophet.

The order of Israel’s march (use transparency 19). The camp of Israel moved from place to place as the army of the Lord (see Exodus 7:4). The banners they carried signified their proper place as leaders among the children of men. The order of their march continually emphasized to them some very important concepts:

  1. The tabernacle was placed in the middle of the marching column as a continual reminder to Israel of the place the Redeemer should occupy in their daily lives (see Numbers 10:14–28, especially v. 21).

  2. Judah, who received the patriarchal blessing of the right to the temporal throne of Israel until the Lord would be manifest in the flesh, led Israel’s march (see Genesis 49:10; Numbers 10:14–17).

  3. Ephraim, who received the birthright blessing of Israel, the promise of the priesthood of the living God, marched immediately behind the tabernacle. In this favored position Ephraim looked to and followed the symbolic presence of the Lord.