How Does the Book of Numbers Point to Jesus Christ in the New Testament?
1. The Wilderness as a Pattern of Faith and Failure
The wilderness journey described in Numbers is a vivid backdrop for understanding the Christian life. Israel had been redeemed from Egypt, but they faltered in their faith when faced with hardship. Their grumbling over food, water, and leadership (Num. 11–21) revealed a lack of trust in God’s promises.
The New Testament interprets this wilderness generation as a warning. Hebrews exhorts believers: “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion” (Heb. 3:15). Paul also draws lessons from Israel’s failures, saying, “These things took place as examples for us, that we might not desire evil as they did” (1 Cor. 10:6).
The wilderness pattern thus points forward to the Christian pilgrimage. Just as Israel was between Egypt and the Promised Land, so the church lives between Christ’s first coming and his return. The call is to walk by faith, not unbelief.
2. The Priesthood as a Foreshadowing of Christ
Numbers emphasizes the role of Aaron and his descendants in mediating between God and Israel. The rebellion of Korah (Num. 16) underscored the danger of rejecting God’s appointed priesthood. Aaron’s staff that budded (Num. 17) was a sign of God’s choice of the priestly line.
The New Testament, however, reveals that this priesthood was temporary. Hebrews contrasts Aaron’s priesthood with that of Christ: “He holds his priesthood permanently, because he continues forever” (Heb. 7:24). Jesus, as the great high priest, does not need to offer sacrifices for his own sins, nor does he stand in need of replacement. His sacrifice is once for all (Heb. 10:12).
In this way, the high priesthood in Numbers points to Jesus as the final mediator who secures access to God for his people.
3. The Bronze Serpent as a Symbol of Salvation
One of the most direct connections between Numbers and the New Testament is the account of the bronze serpent. When the Israelites sinned by complaining, God sent serpents among them, and many died (Num. 21:6). God instructed Moses to make a bronze serpent and lift it on a pole so that anyone who looked at it would live (Num. 21:8–9).
Jesus himself interpreted this episode: “As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life” (John 3:14–15). The parallel is clear—life comes not through human effort but by faith in God’s provision. The serpent lifted up prefigured Christ on the cross, where sin and death were dealt with once for all.
4. The Feasts as Anticipations of Christ’s Work
Numbers gives detailed instructions about Israel’s calendar of worship, especially the great feasts (Num. 28–29). These rhythms of sacrifice and celebration structured Israel’s life around God’s saving acts.
The New Testament shows how these feasts point to Christ. Passover is fulfilled in Jesus’ death as the Lamb of God (John 1:29; 1 Cor. 5:7). Pentecost finds fulfillment in the Spirit’s outpouring (Acts 2:1–4), bringing the firstfruits of the new creation. The Feast of Booths, looking forward to God’s final dwelling with his people, anticipates the second coming of Christ (Rev. 21:3).
Thus, the feasts in Numbers foreshadow the fullness of redemption accomplished by Jesus.
5. The Prophecy of the Star and the Scepter
Among Balaam’s unexpected blessings over Israel is a remarkable prophecy: “A star shall come out of Jacob, and a scepter shall rise out of Israel” (Num. 24:17). Though spoken by a pagan seer, these words pointed beyond Israel’s immediate future.
The New Testament takes up this imagery. The Magi sought “the one who has been born king of the Jews” because they saw his star (Matt. 2:2). Revelation identifies Christ as “the bright morning star” (Rev. 22:16). The scepter symbolizes his rule, which extends not just over Israel but over all nations.
Balaam’s oracle, therefore, is not merely about Israel’s victory in Canaan but about the coming of the Messiah, the true king who reigns forever.
6. The Parallel Between Israel’s Forty Years and Jesus’ Forty Days
The forty years of wandering in Numbers find their fulfillment in the forty days Jesus spent in the wilderness (Matt. 4:1–11; Luke 4:1–13). Where Israel failed, Jesus triumphed. Their testing led to unbelief, while his testing revealed perfect faithfulness.
Jesus’ responses to Satan were drawn from Deuteronomy, the book that interprets Israel’s wilderness experience. His victory shows that he is the true Israel, the faithful Son who obeys where the nation disobeyed.
This parallel emphasizes that salvation comes through Christ’s obedience, not Israel’s. His faithfulness secures the promises that Israel’s disobedience seemed to jeopardize.
7. The Message of Salvation by Faith Alone
The theology of Numbers revolves around God’s faithfulness despite Israel’s failures. Even when judgment fell, God preserved his people and prepared the next generation to inherit the land. This emphasis aligns closely with the New Testament’s teaching on salvation by faith.
Paul’s words in Romans echo the lesson of Numbers: “For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law” (Rom. 3:28). Just as the Israelites were called to trust God’s promises rather than their own strength, so believers are called to rest in Christ’s finished work.
Numbers, therefore, prepares the way for the Gospel’s central message—that righteousness comes not through human effort but through trusting in God’s promise fulfilled in Jesus.
Conclusion
The book of Numbers is far more than a record of Israel’s wanderings. It is a theological narrative that points directly to Jesus Christ in the New Testament. The wilderness experience mirrors the Christian journey, the priesthood anticipates Christ’s intercession, the bronze serpent prefigures the cross, the feasts reveal his redemptive work, and Balaam’s prophecy announces his kingship.
At every turn, Numbers testifies that God’s promises are sure and that they find their fulfillment in Christ. The failures of Israel underscore the necessity of the Gospel—the bigger Gospel—that reveals God’s faithfulness through the obedience, sacrifice, and victory of Jesus Christ.
Bible Verses about Numbers and Jesus Christ
Numbers 21:9 – “So Moses made a bronze serpent and set it on a pole. And if a serpent bit anyone, he would look at the bronze serpent and live.”
Numbers 24:17 – “A star shall come out of Jacob, and a scepter shall rise out of Israel.”
John 3:14–15 – “As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.”
1 Corinthians 10:6 – “Now these things took place as examples for us, that we might not desire evil as they did.”
Hebrews 3:15 – “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion.”
Hebrews 7:24 – “But he holds his priesthood permanently, because he continues forever.”
Hebrews 10:12 – “But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God.”
Matthew 2:2 – “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”
Revelation 22:16 – “I, Jesus… am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star.”
Romans 3:28 – “For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law.”
