Search The Scriptures —Study 12 — Numbers 16:36 – 18:7

Study 12 From The Book of Numbers is: Numbers 16:36 – 18:7

1. How is the exclusive Aaronite priesthood strengthened and confirmed? What does the service of the priesthood involve? Notice especially 16:48, and compare the work of Christ as great High Priest. Cf. Heb. 5:1, 9, 10; 7:25-28; 9:11, 12, 26.
2. How could our service be transformed by thinking of it as a gift (18:7)? Cf. 1 Tim. 1:12-14; 2 Tim. 1:6.

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Search The Scriptures —Study 11 — Numbers 16:1-35

Study 11 From The Book of Numbers is: Numbers 16:1-35

 

1.      There is evidence here of a double revolt: one by Korah (a Levite) ‘and all his company’ against Moses and Aaron; and one by Dathan and Abiram (reubinites) against Moses. What was the ground of complaint in each case? See 16:3 and 16:13, 14.  To what extent was it justified? Cf. Heb. 5:4; 2 Cor. 10:18.

2.     What lay behind the revolts which made them serious enough to warrant so drastic a punishment and warning to the people? See especially verses 11, 19, 28, 30.

Note. Verse 1. That such men should lead and open revolt against the authority of Moses and Aaron meant that it was a very serious outbreak of discontent.

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Search The Scriptures —Study 10— Numbers 15. Religious Laws

Study 10 From The Book of Numbers is: Numbers 15 Religious Laws

1.      What do verses 1-21 teach us about making offerings which are pleasing to God?

2.     Why as there no way of atonement for the person who sinned ‘with a high hand’? What does this mean? Cf. Mk. 3:28, 29; Heb. 10:26-31, 39; Ps. 19:13.

3.     Notice by whom the deliberate law-breaker had to be dealt with and in what way.  Cf. Mt. 18:15-17; 1 Cor. 5; Heb. 12:15. Why is such church discipline so little practiced?

Note.  Verse 38. ‘Tassels’: these were made of twisted thread and attached by a blue ribbon to the robe, to remind the wearer of the commandment of the Lord, and of his obligation to keep them.

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Search The Scriptures —Study 9 — Numbers 14:10b-45

Study 9 From The Book of Numbers is: Numbers 14:10b-45

1.      What can we learn from Moses’s prayer, especially concerning governing motives and grounds of appeal to God?

2.     Although forgiven, the people suffered the consequences of their sin. How? In what way do they show themselves throughout this story (Nu. 14 and 14) to be typical of us?

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Search The Scriptures —Study 8 — Numbers 13:1-14:10a. The Spies Are Sent Into the Land

Study 8 From The Book of Numbers is: Numbers 13:1-14:10a. The Spies Are Sent Into the Land

1. To what places in Canaan did the spies go? Look up Hebron and the Valley of Eschol on a map. What were they commissioned to discover, and what report did they give?
2. What lay behind the opposing views expressed in 13:30 and 31? Were Caleb and Joshua being unrealistically optimistic and refusing to face facts? What was the outcome of the people’s fear and unbelief? Notice how few believed, and the frequent occurrence of the word ‘all’ in 14:1-10. Heb. 4:1, 2

Note. 13:32. ‘A land that devours its inhabitants’: this probably refers to the constant wars between its people, and their ferocity in internecine strife.

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Search The Scriptures —Study 7 — Numbers 11 and 12. Complaints

Study 7 From The Book of Numbers is: Numbers 11 and 12.  Complaints

1.      What different attitudes are shown here by the people, the rabble, Joshua, Myriam and Aaron, and Moses? How does Moses stand out as ‘different’?

2.     How did God ‘deal’ with the various complaints made?

Note. 12:3 ‘Meek’: not concerned for his own interests or prestige, and so able to pay no attention to the unfair attacks upon himself.

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Search The Scriptures —Study 6 — Numbers 9:15 – 10:36. The journeying begins again

Study 6 From The Book of Numbers is: Numbers 9:15 – 10:36 

1.      Israel were made very sure of God’s guidance.  Without the actual symbols of cloud and fire can we claim the same assurance? Cf. Acts 16: 6-10; Rom. 8:14. Why the repetition of the word ‘at the command of the Lord’?

2.     Notice the correspondences and the differences between 10:14-28 and 2:3-31.  What is there in chapter 10 to show that, although God led and protected the children of Israel, He did not expect them to be utterly passive and to do nothing for themselves?

3.     What was the significance of the trumpets (10:1-10)? Cf. Lv. 23:24; Nu. 29:1. It has been said, ‘When God remembers, He acts’. Cf. Gn. 8:1; 19:29; 30:22.

Note. 10:35, 36.  These were the word uttered publicly by Moses at the beginning and end of each day’s journey. Note their expression of dependence upon God’s protection and desire for His abiding presence.

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