Consider again the progression of the themes of the five books of Moses. Genesis deals with creation; Exodus with redemption; Leviticus with holiness; Numbers with wilderness wanderings; Deuteronomy with obedience to and the love of God. The order is important. Exodus pictures salvation and Leviticus pictures sanctification. What is the purpose of Numbers? It portrays the importance that various trials have in the growth of the believer. No Christian matures until he or she goes through serious trials and remains faithful to the Lord (Romans 5:3-5; 1 Peter 1:6-7). Unfortunately, Numbers is mostly an illustration of what to avoid doing.<br />
<h4>Numbered List</h4>
<h4>Numbered List</h4>
Leprosy is used in scripture as a type of sin. Leprosy is a disease which a person acquires. Yet, over and over again in the Bible, it is said to be an uncleanness from which one must be cleansed. In our lesson, this cleansing requires the leper to make a trespass offering (Leviticus 14:12) and a sin offering (Leviticus 14:19) in order to make atonement for him who is to be cleansed (Leviticus 14:19). We, too, must be cleansed of the leprosy of our sin by the blood of Jesus Christ.<br />
<h4>Numbered List</h4>
<h4>Numbered List</h4>
Almost every scholar wants to change the meat offering to something else—although they cannot decide what else. The name is said to be confusing to Bible readers. The meat offering has no animal flesh. In fact, it is the only major offering in which no animals are killed. Why is it called the meat offering? Actually, there are very good reasons for calling it the meat offering.
Israel comes to a way station in the wilderness and must fight some new battles. Her first battle is with the elements: there is no water. This shows us that the natural problems of life can be a great trial for us and can tempt us to murmur against God. The second battle is with a visible enemy: Amalek. Amalek grieves Israel through much of the Old Testament. We battle Amalek in the form of the flesh.<br />
<h4>Numbered List</h4>
<h4>Numbered List</h4>
