The Book of Numbers, the fourth book of the Bible, is a key component of the Torah or Pentateuch, traditionally attributed to Moses. This book primarily chronicles the wilderness journey of the Israelites after their exodus from Egypt and before they enter the Promised Land. While the Book of Numbers may seem like a detailed account of Israel’s wanderings, it is also rich in typology that points forward to Jesus Christ. In Christian theology, Jesus is seen as the fulfillment of many Old Testament symbols and events, and the Book of Numbers is no exception. Here, we will explore how Jesus is foreshadowed in the Book of Numbers through various events, characters, and themes.
1. The Bronze Serpent
One of the most prominent foreshadowings of Jesus in the Book of Numbers is the account of the bronze serpent in Numbers 21:4-9. During their journey, the Israelites grumbled against God and Moses, and as a result, God sent venomous snakes among them. Many Israelites were bitten and died. In response, the people repented and asked Moses to intercede on their behalf. God instructed Moses to make a bronze serpent and set it on a pole. Whoever looked at the bronze serpent after being bitten would live.
This event is a direct type of Jesus Christ. In the New Testament, Jesus Himself refers to this event in John 3:14-15, saying, “Just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes may have eternal life in Him.” The bronze serpent on the pole symbolizes Jesus being lifted up on the cross. Just as the Israelites had to look at the bronze serpent to be healed from the deadly bites, sinners must look to Jesus in faith to be saved from the deadly consequences of sin.
2. The Role of Moses as a Mediator
Moses, the central human figure in the Book of Numbers, serves as a mediator between God and the people of Israel. He intercedes for them when they sin, pleads with God to spare them from judgment, and leads them according to God’s commands. Moses’ role as a mediator foreshadows the ultimate mediator, Jesus Christ.
In 1 Timothy 2:5, Paul writes, “For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus.” Jesus, like Moses, stands between God and humanity, interceding on behalf of sinners and making reconciliation possible through His sacrificial death on the cross. However, while Moses could only offer temporary atonement and mediation, Jesus provides eternal redemption.
3. The Sacrificial System and the Red Heifer
The Book of Numbers also contains detailed instructions for various sacrifices and offerings. These rituals were designed to cleanse the Israelites from their sins and impurities, allowing them to maintain a relationship with God. One specific sacrifice that points to Jesus is the sacrifice of the red heifer, described in Numbers 19. The ashes of the red heifer were used to purify those who had become ceremonially unclean, particularly those who had come into contact with a dead body.
This sacrifice is a clear foreshadowing of the cleansing power of Jesus’ sacrifice. Hebrews 9:13-14 draws a parallel between the ashes of the red heifer and the blood of Christ: “The blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkled on those who are ceremonially unclean sanctify them so that they are outwardly clean. How much more, then, will the blood of Christ… cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God!” Jesus’ sacrifice provides the ultimate purification, not just outwardly but inwardly, cleansing the conscience and restoring a right relationship with God.
See Also: What Are the Important Themes in the Book of Numbers?
4. The Rock that Gave Water
In Numbers 20:2-13, we read about the incident at Meribah, where the Israelites once again grumbled due to a lack of water. God instructed Moses to speak to a rock, and water would flow out of it for the people to drink. However, Moses, in his frustration, struck the rock twice with his staff instead of speaking to it, as God had commanded. Water still flowed from the rock, but Moses was punished for his disobedience.
This rock, which provided life-sustaining water, is another symbol of Christ. In 1 Corinthians 10:4, Paul writes, “They drank from the spiritual rock that accompanied them, and that rock was Christ.” The water from the rock symbolizes the spiritual sustenance that Christ provides. Jesus Himself said in John 7:37-38, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. Whoever believes in Me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.” Just as the rock in the wilderness provided physical water, Jesus provides living water, which leads to eternal life.
5. The Leadership and Guidance of Joshua
Joshua, the assistant of Moses, is another figure in the Book of Numbers who resembles Jesus. Joshua, whose name means “The Lord is salvation,” eventually succeeds Moses as the leader of Israel and leads the people into the Promised Land. This is significant because Jesus (whose name is the Greek form of Joshua) is the one who leads believers into the ultimate Promised Land, which is eternal life.
In Hebrews 4:8-9, the writer contrasts the rest that Joshua provided for Israel in the Promised Land with the greater rest that Jesus provides: “For if Joshua had given them rest, God would not have spoken later about another day. There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God.” Jesus, like Joshua, is a leader and deliverer, but He leads His people into a spiritual inheritance that far surpasses the physical land of Canaan.
6. The Priesthood and the Role of Aaron
Aaron, the brother of Moses, serves as the first high priest of Israel in the Book of Numbers. The high priest’s role was to represent the people before God, offer sacrifices for their sins, and make atonement on their behalf. Aaron’s priesthood points forward to the ultimate High Priest, Jesus Christ.
In the New Testament, Jesus is described as a high priest in the order of Melchizedek, a priesthood that surpasses that of Aaron. Hebrews 4:14-16 says, “Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess… Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” Jesus’ priesthood is superior because He offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice and continues to intercede for believers at the right hand of God.
Conclusion
The Book of Numbers, while primarily a historical account of Israel’s journey from Egypt to the Promised Land, is also a treasure trove of typology that points forward to Jesus Christ. Through the bronze serpent, the role of Moses as a mediator, the sacrificial system, the rock that gave water, the leadership of Joshua, and the priesthood of Aaron, we see clear foreshadowings of the person and work of Jesus. These Old Testament symbols and events find their ultimate fulfillment in Christ, who provides the perfect and final solution to humanity’s need for salvation, purification, and eternal life.