The account of Israel's history in the book of Numbers begins in the second year of Israel's release from captivity and records the events that took place as Israel wandered in the wilderness on the way to the Promised Land. It ends with the people of God camped beside the Jordan River ready to enter the land God had promised their fathers.

In this book we learn about the people God had chosen and His requirements for them as they prepared to enter the land of Canaan. This wandering in the wilderness was a time of preparation for the people of God. In those forty years, God's people were organized into a nation. During those forty years they learned about the provision of God, His holiness and His mercy. Though God's people had often failed Him, He remained faithful to His promise and brought them to the place He had promised their fathers.

Numbers speaks of lost opportunities, consequences for sin, and judgement. It also speak to us about a God of mercy who proves faithful even when we have failed.