Search The Scriptures —Study 0 — Book of Numbers

Study 0 From The Book of Numbers is: The Introduction of the Book

In the book of Numbers, the narrative of Israel’s journey from Egypt, interrupted at the foot of Sinai (Ex. 19) for the giving of the law, is resumed. The history, however, is throughout the book alternated with further laws and enactments.  The book is a story of failure.  The people are brought to the edge of the promised land, but owning to unbelief and disobedience are prevented from entering it.  Then follows the long forty years of wandering in the wilderness, passed over almost in silence, except for one or two incidents. Finally, the people come again to Kadesh-Barnea, the whole generation that came out of Egypt as adults being dead, with three exceptions.  Their first conquests are recounted, and their destiny foretold in the mysterious prophecies of Balaam.

Search The Scriptures —Study 21 — Hebrews a Revision of the Book

Study 21 From The Book of Hebrews Is: Revision of the book of Hebrews 

With the revision of the book of Hebrews we end the study today and will delve into the book of Numbers tomorrow.

1.      Review the doctrinal teaching of this Epistle.  See the Introduction and Analysis.  List the ways in which what is ours under the new covenant is better than the things which the Israelites enjoyed under the old covenant.  What do we have to do to gain full possession of these benefits? Why is rejection of them so serious?

2.     Consider the positive exhortations to be found in the following passages: 2:1; 4:1, 11, 14, 16; 6:1; 10:22-24; 12:1, 28; 13:17, 22.  Which of these exhortations do I particularly need to heed, and to act upon?

ANALYSIS:

1.      1: 1-2:18   Christ the perfect Revealer, better than angels (a) as the Son of God (1:5-14); and (b) as the Son of man (2:15-18).

2.     3:1 – 10:18 Christ the perfect Redeemer, better than Moses (3:1-6) and better than Aaron (a) in His Person and character (4:14-5:10); (b) in the ‘order’ of His Priesthood (7:1-25); and (c) in His ministry (8:1-9:12) and in His offering (9:13 – 10:18).

3.     10: 19-12:29 Practical teaching.

4.     13:1-25 Final counsels and greetings.

Within this outline are contained five passages of solemn warning:

1.      2:1-4          Against the danger of drifting.

2.     3:7-4:13     Against the danger of missing God’s promised rest.

3.     5:11-6:20   Against the danger of losing salvation.

4.     10:26-39    Against the danger of drawing back.

5.     12: 25-29   Against the danger of refusing to hear God’s final word.

Search The Scriptures —Study 20 —Hebrews 13:9-25

Study 20 From The Book of Hebrews Is: Hebrews 9:25

1.      What decisive choice and action are here demanded of the first readers of this Epistle between their old Jewish associations and their new Christian allegiance? What comparable choices do those who wish to follow Christian still have to make today?

2.     Verses 15, 16, 20, 21.  What may we count on God to do for us, and why? What is the purpose in view? What sacrifices may we now offer in God’s service? How far is this purpose finding fulfilment in my life?

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Search The Scriptures —Study 19 — Hebrews 13:1-8

Study 19 From The Book of Hebrews Is: Hebrews 13:1-8

1.      List detail the various aspects of Christian duty which are here enjoined or implied. Examine your own life and circumstances in order to discover ways in which your practical obedience is demanded.

2.     Verses 5, 6, 8. What makes the Christian adequate to face every possible circumstance? Why is here for him nothing to fear, and no one who can really harm him? For his encouragement what use may he make of the Old Testament Scriptures?

3.     Verse 7. In what ways should Christian leaders, whose life on earth has ended, be remembered?

Note.  Verse 1. ‘Continue’: cf. 6:10; 10:32-34.

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Search The Scriptures —Study 18 —Hebrews 12:18-29

Study 18 From The Book of Hebrews Is: Hebrews 12:18-29 

1.      Verses 18-24.  List the ways in which our Christian privileges under the new covenant excel the experiences of the Israelites at Sinai. Of what ought we by faith deliberately to be conscious when we draw nigh to God through Christ and His shed blood?

2.     Verses 25-29.  What is there said to be impending and inescapable? How do we know this? Cf. Mk. 13:31; 2 Peter 3:9-14. How, in consequence, ought we to live our present earthly lives?

Notes

1.      Verse 23. ‘the assembly of the firstborn’: i.e., the church (Greek, ecclesia) of the privileged who have a heavenly inheritance and whose names are written in heaven.  Cf. Lk. 10:20; Rev. 21:27.

2.     Verses 23. ‘The spirits of just men made perfect’: i.e, either Old Testament saints or all the faithful departed.

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Search The Scriptures —Study 17 — Hebrews 12:1-17

Study 17 From The Book of Hebrews Is: Hebrews 12:1-17

1.      Verses 1-4. What quality does the Christian race particularly demand?  What conditions must be fulfilled if it is to be run successfully? How may I gain the help I need to finish my course?

2.     Verses 5-11. For what purpose does God in His providence order some of the earthly experiences to His children?  What goal has He in view for us? Upon what kind of response from us foes our full enjoyment of benefit depend?

3.     Verses 12-17.  What dangers beset those who are spiritually slack and careless? How may a whole group be affected by one renegade? What practical steps to avoid these dangers are here (either explicitly or implicitly) given?

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Search The Scriptures —Study 16 —Hebrews 11:23-40

Study 16 From The Book of Hebrews Is: Hebrews 11:23-40

1.      Verses 23-28. Note how Moses’ faith gave him the twofold awareness and assurance emphasized in verse 1.  What choices did such faith lead him to make (a) concerning the world in which he had grown up, and (b) concerning the cost of siding with the Israelites? How ought similar faith to affect my attitude towards the interests to which I choose to devote my life?

2.     Verses 28-31. What different steps and stages of faith and its expression are illustrated by these four instances? What kind of faith did the capture of Jericho demand? Cf. 3:14; 6:11, 12; 10:35, 36. Is my faith at all weak in this last quality?

3.     Verse 32-40.  These verses give a summary of the achievements and the sufferings of the men and women of faith. Note that the victories are of all kinds; and that the most outstanding witness is given by the ‘martyrs’ who suffered and died rather than deny their faith.  In what ways am I more privileged than they? Would I be ready to follow their example, or does their faith put mine to shame?

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