Numbers 15-21: Who Will You Follow?

On By BrianIn OT Studies

(15) What were the tassels for (v37-41)?  What might you use for the same purpose?

When are you tempted to follow your own heart and eyes?

(16) What was the nature of Korah’s rebellion – who did they want to follow?  Describe what happened.

How did the people respond to God’s punishment of Korah and company?  What does their response tell us about who they were following?

What did God do?  How does Aaron’s actions point to Jesus?

(17) What did God do to confirm his choice of Moses and Aaron as leaders?  How does following God’s chosen leaders relate to following God?  How might Aaron’s budding staff point to Jesus?

(18) What was the priest’s portion and inheritance (v20)?

David picks up on this idea in Psalm 16:5-6.   David wasn’t a priest, so what did he mean?  What does this tell us about David’s heart?  What does the heart have to do with following?

(20) How did the people fail to follow God in v2-13?  What were they following?  When are we tempted to do the same?

How did Moses fail to follow God?  Describe Moses’ attitude.  What were the consequences of his sin?

How does the rock and water point to Jesus (I Corinthians 10:4, John 4:13-1)?

(21) The people rebelled again in v4-9.  What happened?

What did God do to save them?  How does this point to Jesus who saves us when we fail to follow (John 3:14-16)?

Reflections on Numbers 12-14

On By BrianIn OT Reflections

Our passage today is the turning point of the book.  On the verge of entering the land, the people rebel.

  • Grumbling and Unbelief – The spies return with tales of giants, and the people begin to grumble again.  They refuse to believe God can bring them into the land.  Note that grumbling flows out of unbelief: they didn’t believe so they grumbled.  When you grumble, you are failing to trust God.  Ponder how this truth intersects your life.
  • God’s Judgment – God decrees that none of the people over 20 years old will enter the land.   Instead they will wander around in the wilderness for 40 years.  Tragically they missed the blessing God had intended for them.  Rebellion against God is serious!  Sin has consequences.
  • God’s faithfulness – Despite their rebellion, God doesn’t utterly reject them.  He will bring their children into the land.  He will keep his promise to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.  As if to make this clear, God starts chapter 15 with the words, “When you come into the land….”  God’s purpose will stand.  You can trust God to be faithful to his promises even in spite of our sins.
  • Good examples – In the midst of the rebellion, three men show us a better way.  When the mountain in your path seems gigantic, will you trust God like Caleb and Joshua?  When all around you are walking in sin, will you courageously stand like Caleb and Joshua?  When you see people straying and judgment nearing, will you intercede with God like Moses?  Don’t follow the crowd.  Swim against the current and live for God!

Sermon Songs: Ephesians 4:20-24

On By BrianIn Ephesians Hymns

MusicNotes

New life with God we have been taught
Of Jesus we have heard
To draw near to Him we have sought
To know Him through His Word

We put off our old sinful way
We put on what is right
Renew our minds from day to day
Walk with Him in the light

(To the tune of “O God Our Help In Ages Past”)

Reflections on Numbers 9-11

On By BrianIn OT Reflections

In our passage today, the people leave Mt Sinai for the Promised Land.  Observe:

  • God’s direction – When the cloud went up, the people would leave.  When the cloud remained, the people stayed.  The people moved according to God’s direction.  How have you seen God guide your life?  Are you seeking to move your life according to God’s direction?  Are you seeking to live by the Book?  Are you sensitive to the Spirit’s leading?
  • Grumbling – The people begin to complain.  They grumbled in Exodus on their way to Mt Sinai; now they are grumbling again as they leave.  This murmuring against God is a continuous theme throughout the rest of Numbers.  Is it a theme in your life?  Are you a grumbler?
  • Consequences – God responds to their grumbling with punishment.  Many die!  God apparently hates grumbling.  Does your attitude towards grumbling match God’s view?  Do you need to confess your sins to the Lord?  When things get tough or don’t go your way, what might you do instead of grumbling?

Numbers 9-14: Trust and Obey

On By BrianIn OT Studies

(9) Israel obeyed God completely in regards to the Passover (v5).  How did Moses respond when a question was raised (v7-8)?  How is this a good example for us?  Can you think of a time when you did this?

(9) At God’s command the people set out, and at God’s command they camped.  What would it look like to so order our lives today?

  • What part would the Spirit play?
  • What part would God’s Word play?
  • Why would trust be essential?

(11) Soon after the people leave Mt Sinai, they begin to complain (v1).  When might we be tempted to complain?  Be specific.  What does our complaining say about our trust in God?

(11) The people grumble again (v4-6).  To whom did Moses turn (v10-15)?  To whom should we turn?  How do trust and prayer go together?  Are there parts of his prayer that show a lack of trust?

(13-14) All of the spies saw the same land, but their focus and recommendation was different.  What was the focus and recommendation of the ten (13:28-29, 31-33)?

What was the focus and recommendation of Caleb and Joshua (14:6-9)?

Why are we often tempted to think (like the ten) that our situation is bigger than our God?  How might we overcome this temptation?

(14) How did the people respond to the spies’ report? What did they want to do (v1-4)?

They failed to trust God, and so they refused to obey Him.  Why is trust essential for obedience?

In what situation do you need to trust and obey God right now?  Take some time to look to the Lord about this situation.

Reflections on Numbes 5-8

On By BrianIn OT Reflections

Chapters 5-6 conclude the section of laws that started with Leviticus.  Chapters 7-8 flashback to the dedication of the tabernacle that was set up back in Exodus 40.

  • Blessing – Interestingly, the section of laws ends with a blessing.  How has God blessed you?  Kept you?  How has he been gracious to you?  What peace has he given you?  Take some time to give thanks to the Lord for his blessing in your life!
  • Giving – After the tabernacle was set up, each tribe offered gifts to be used for the work of the Lord?  When has God moved you to give a special gift to the work of the Lord?  What work might he be calling you to give to now?  It might be a material gift or the gift of your time.  In what ways might God be calling you to offer your life to the work of the Lord?
  • Cleansing – To serve the Lord, the Levites had to be cleansed with water and sacrifice.  Jesus is our sacrifice that cleanses us.  Baptism is the water that symbolizes our cleansing through Jesus.  Take time to thank God for his cleansing work in your life.