The Book of Numbers is the fourth book of the Hebrew Bible and the Christian Old Testament. It continues the narrative of the Israelites’ journey from Mount Sinai to the Promised Land. Though primarily focused on the history and laws concerning Israel, the Book of Numbers also contains many elements that foreshadow and resemble Jesus Christ. These parallels can be seen in various aspects such as leadership, intercession, sacrifices, symbols, and events. By examining these elements, we can gain a deeper understanding of how Jesus Christ is resembled in the Book of Numbers.
The Role of Moses as a Type of Christ
Moses is a central figure in the Book of Numbers. His role as the leader and mediator of Israel offers a significant resemblance to Jesus Christ.
Leadership and Mediation
Moses led the Israelites through the wilderness, guiding them and mediating between them and God. Similarly, Jesus leads His followers through the trials and tribulations of life, acting as a mediator between humanity and God. Just as Moses interceded on behalf of the Israelites, Jesus intercedes on behalf of believers.
In Numbers 12:3, Moses is described as “very humble, more than all men who were on the face of the earth.” This humility is a trait that Jesus exemplifies, as seen in Philippians 2:8, where it is said that Jesus “humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.”
The Serpent of Brass
One of the most striking typologies is found in Numbers 21:4-9, where Moses lifts up a bronze serpent on a pole to heal those bitten by snakes. Jesus explicitly connects this event to His own crucifixion in John 3:14-15, saying, “And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.”
The bronze serpent symbolizes sin judged and dealt with. Just as the Israelites looked at the serpent to be healed physically, believers look to Jesus on the cross to be healed spiritually.
The Concept of Atonement
The Book of Numbers places a significant emphasis on sacrifices and offerings, which are essential to the concept of atonement.
Sacrificial System
In Numbers, various sacrifices are prescribed, such as sin offerings, burnt offerings, and peace offerings. These sacrifices served as a means for the Israelites to atone for their sins and restore their relationship with God.
Jesus Christ is the ultimate fulfillment of these sacrifices. Hebrews 10:10 states, “We have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.” Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross is the ultimate and final atonement for sin, rendering the old sacrificial system obsolete.
The Red Heifer
Numbers 19 details the ritual of the red heifer, a unique sacrifice used for purification. The red heifer was to be without blemish, just as Jesus was without sin. The ashes of the red heifer were used to purify those who were ceremonially unclean.
This ritual points to the purifying power of Jesus’ sacrifice. Hebrews 9:13-14 compares the blood of Christ to the ashes of the red heifer, stating that the former can cleanse our conscience from dead works to serve the living God.
Symbols and Typologies
Various symbols and typologies in Numbers prefigure Christ and His work.
The Manna
In Numbers 11, the Israelites complain about their food, and God provides manna from heaven. Jesus identifies Himself as the true bread from heaven in John 6:31-35, saying, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger.”
The manna sustained the Israelites physically, while Jesus sustains believers spiritually. The daily provision of manna symbolizes the daily sustenance and grace provided by Christ.
The Rock at Meribah
In Numbers 20:8-11, Moses strikes a rock to bring forth water for the thirsty Israelites. Paul in 1 Corinthians 10:4 interprets this rock as a symbol of Christ, stating, “For they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them, and that Rock was Christ.”
The water from the rock quenched the physical thirst of the Israelites, while Jesus offers living water that quenches spiritual thirst, as He explains to the Samaritan woman in John 4:10-14.
The Role of the Priests
The priesthood in the Book of Numbers serves as another typology of Christ.
Aaronic Priesthood
Aaron, the high priest, is a mediator between God and the Israelites. His role in offering sacrifices and making atonement for the people prefigures Jesus, our High Priest.
Hebrews 4:14-15 describes Jesus as our great High Priest who has passed through the heavens and can sympathize with our weaknesses. Unlike the Aaronic priests, who offered sacrifices continually, Jesus offered Himself once for all, as stated in Hebrews 7:27.
The Blessing of the Priests
In Numbers 6:22-27, God instructs Aaron and his sons to bless the Israelites with a special blessing, known as the Aaronic Benediction: “The Lord bless you and keep you; The Lord make His face shine upon you, And be gracious to you; The Lord lift up His countenance upon you, And give you peace.”
This blessing points to the ultimate blessing found in Christ, who brings God’s grace and peace to believers. Through Jesus, God’s favor and presence are continually with us.
The Role of the Tabernacle
The Tabernacle, central to the worship and life of Israel, also prefigures Jesus Christ.
God’s Dwelling Place
The Tabernacle was the place where God’s presence dwelt among His people. Jesus, referred to as “Immanuel” or “God with us” (Matthew 1:23), is the ultimate fulfillment of the Tabernacle. John 1:14 states, “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.”
The Greek word for “dwelt” here is “tabernacled.” Just as God’s presence was in the Tabernacle, God’s presence is in Jesus.
See Also: How Does Leviticus Point to Jesus?
The Veil of the Tabernacle
The veil of the Tabernacle separated the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place, where God’s presence was. Only the high priest could enter the Most Holy Place once a year.
When Jesus died on the cross, the veil of the temple was torn in two (Matthew 27:51), symbolizing the removal of the barrier between God and humanity. Jesus, through His sacrifice, grants believers direct access to God.
The Census and Organization of Israel
The censuses and organization of Israel in Numbers also have typological significance.
The First Census
The first census, described in Numbers 1, counts the able-bodied men for military service. This census signifies the preparation for entering the Promised Land.
In the New Testament, the concept of a spiritual army is presented, with believers being described as soldiers of Christ (2 Timothy 2:3). The preparation and organization of Israel for battle prefigure the spiritual readiness and unity required of believers.
The Second Census
The second census, in Numbers 26, occurs after the judgment on the first generation for their unbelief. This new census represents a new beginning and a new generation poised to enter the Promised Land.
This parallels the new life and new beginning that believers have in Christ. 2 Corinthians 5:17 states, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.”
The Journey to the Promised Land
The journey of the Israelites to the Promised Land offers numerous typologies of the Christian journey.
The Wilderness Journey
The Israelites’ journey through the wilderness is a time of testing, learning, and dependence on God. Similarly, the Christian life involves a journey of faith, trials, and reliance on God.
Deuteronomy 8:2 reflects on the purpose of the wilderness journey, stating that God led the Israelites through the wilderness to humble them, test them, and know what was in their hearts. This parallels the Christian journey, where believers are refined and their faith is tested.
The Spies and the Promised Land
In Numbers 13-14, the sending of the twelve spies and the subsequent report highlights faith and unbelief. The majority report leads to fear and rebellion, while Joshua and Caleb’s report encourages faith and trust in God’s promises.
This event prefigures the call for believers to live by faith and trust in God’s promises. Hebrews 11:6 emphasizes that without faith, it is impossible to please God, and the New Testament is replete with exhortations to live by faith.
Rebellion and Judgment
The incidents of rebellion and judgment in Numbers also carry typological significance.
Korah’s Rebellion
In Numbers 16, Korah’s rebellion against Moses and Aaron results in severe judgment. This event serves as a warning against rebellion and disobedience to God’s appointed leadership.
In the New Testament, similar warnings are given against false teachers and those who cause division (Jude 1:11). The judgment on Korah and his followers underscores the seriousness of rebellion against God.
The Fiery Serpents
The incident of the fiery serpents in Numbers 21, where the Israelites are bitten as a result of their sin, and the provision of the bronze serpent for healing, prefigures the consequences of sin and the provision of salvation through Christ.
Jesus’ reference to this event in John 3:14-15 highlights the necessity of looking to Him for salvation, just as the Israelites looked to the bronze serpent for physical healing.
The Role of Prophecy
Prophecies in Numbers also foreshadow Christ.
Balaam’s Prophecy
In Numbers 24:17, Balaam prophesies, “A Star shall come out of Jacob; A Scepter shall rise out of Israel.” This prophecy is often understood to point to the coming Messiah.
Jesus is identified as the “bright and morning star” in Revelation 22:16. This connection underscores the fulfillment of Balaam’s prophecy in Christ.
Conclusion
The Book of Numbers, while focused on the history and laws of Israel, contains numerous typologies and foreshadowings of Jesus Christ. From the leadership of Moses to the sacrificial system, from the symbols of manna and the rock to the roles of the priests and the Tabernacle, the resemblance of Jesus is woven throughout the narrative.
These typologies and foreshadowings not only enrich our understanding of the Old Testament but also deepen our appreciation for the person and work of Jesus Christ. By studying these connections, believers can gain a greater insight into the continuity and unity of God’s redemptive plan from the Old Testament to the New Testament. The Book of Numbers, therefore, serves as a profound testimony to the prefiguration of Christ and His ultimate fulfillment of God’s promises.