Search The Scriptures —Study 20 — Numbers 27 and 36. Laws of inheritance

Study 20 From The Book of Numbers is: Numbers 27 and 36. Laws of inheritance 

1. What was the principle lying behind the request of the daughters of Zelophehad, and to what did the request lead? What was the importance of all this?
2. What was Moses’s overriding concern before his death? How was Joshua’s commission different from that of Moses? Was it inferior?

LINK TO THE VERSES LISTED

Search The Scriptures —Study 19 — Numbers 25 and 26

Study 19 From The Book of Numbers is: Numbers 25 and 26

1.      Chapter 25. Why was God’s anger so fierce against the sins of His people? Cf. 1 Cor. 10: 6-12. In this situation what two complementary concerns stirred Phinehas to action? Who likewise was moved to action on our account by similar concerns?

2.     Chapter 26.  Compare the numbering in chapter 1. This is a new generation.  See verses 64, 65.  Notice which tribes had increased and which decreased.  What explains the survival of Caleb and Joshua?

Note.  25:1-5. Nu. 31:16 and Rev. 2:14 reveal that these developments were due to Balaam’s activities. The Israelites were seduced into idolatry and immorality.

LINK TO THE VERSES LISTED

Search The Scriptures —Study 18 — Numbers 23 and 24 (second study)

Study 18 From The Book of Numbers is: Numbers 23 and 24 (second study)

1.      What can we learn from Balaam about the demands of being a spokesman for God, and a steward or minister of His Word? Note carefully the answers which Balaam gives to Balak’s suggestions. Cf. 1 Cor. 9:16, 17.

2.     23:19. What is here said to make God’s words different in character from those of men.?  When God gives us His word, of what else can we be sure? Cf. 1 Thes. 5:24.

LINK TO THE VERSES LISTED

Search The Scriptures —Study 17 — Numbers 23 and 24 (first study)

Study 17 From The Book of Numbers is: Numbers 23 and 24 (first study)

1.      Two studies are to be given to these chapters. On this occasion concentrate attention on Balaam’s oracles. Make a list of the statements in them which indicate God’s special purpose for, and care of, the people of Israel.

2.     Seek to appreciate the full significance of each one of these statements.  What were the grounds of Balaam’s assurance of Israel’s victory and success? What similar grounds have we for thankfulness and wonder? Cf., e.g., 1 Pet. 2:9, 10.

Note. 23:10. ‘The righteous’: the word is plural, and refers here to the Israelites.

LINK TO THE VERSES LISTED

Search The Scriptures —Study 16 — Numbers 22. The story of Balaam

Study 16 From The Book of Numbers is: Numbers 22. The story of Balaam

This is a difficult story.  Before tackling it, it will probably be helpful to read 2 Pet. 2:15, 16; Jude 11; Nu. 31:16 and Rev. 2:14, which give a clue as to Balaam’s true character and motives.

1.      Balaam’s influence and relationship to God are interesting.  Think about them.  Consider also Moab’s fear in the face of Israel’s advance. What does this show concerning the ways in which God works?

2.     What was the ‘chink’ in Balaam’s armour? Why did his ‘guidance’ seems all confused after that? Contrast verse 12 with verse 20, 22, 32, 35.  What ought we to learn from his failure? Do you think, 10 Rom. 14:22b, 23 and 1 Tim. 6:9, 10 give us a similar warning?

LINK TO THE VERSES LISTED

Search The Scriptures —Study 15 — Numbers 21. Conquest of the Amorite kings

Study 15 From The Book of Numbers is: Numbers 21. Conquest of the Amorite kings

1.      Israel’s reaction to adversity gets a little monotonous (verse 5), and it is easy to say, ‘why cannot they learn to trust God?’  But are not we often as unbelieving? Notice how Jesus uses this story (verses 6-9) as a ‘type’ in Jn. 3:14, 15. What parallels are there in the condition of the afflicted and in the means of salvation in each case? Why a serpent on the pole? Cf. 2 Cor. 5:21.

2.     It is worth tracing Israel’s journey on a map from 20:1 onwards. Notice how circuitous it was.  What evidence is there, as against 20:2, 3 and 21:4, 5, that Israel was learning trust and obedience through discipline? What discipline? Cf. Dt. 8:2.

LINK TO THE VERSES LISTED

Search The Scriptures —Study 14 — Numbers 20

Study 14 From The Book of Numbers is: Numbers 20

1. Notice Moses and Aaron’s reaction to the people’s discontent (verse 6) . What did God desire to achieve through this incident? See verses 6, 8, 12. How did Moses and Aaron fail, and in what terms is their failure described?  See verses 10, 12, 24; Cf. 27:14; Dt. 32:51
2. God’s anger with Moses and Aaron may at first seem to us out of proportion to the extent of their failure. What ought we to learn from this? What ought we also to learn from the fact that even ‘meek’ (12:3) Moses ‘s spoke words that were rash’ (Ps. 106:33)?

LINK TO THE VERSES LISTED

Search The Scriptures —Study 13 — Numbers 18:8-19:22

Study 13 From The Book of Numbers is: Numbers 18:8-19:22

1. What does 18:8-32 teach us about offerings which are holy and belong by right to God?
2. What are the special features of the sacrifice described in 19:1-10? Note the use to which the ashes were put (19:9, 12, 17-19). What are the ‘dead works’ from which we need to be purified?

Notes

1. 18:19. ‘A covenant of salt’: i.e., an indissoluble covenant. 2 Ch. 13:5.
2. 19:9, 12, 17-19. The cleansing virtue of the sacrifice already made was thus symbolically stored up and applied, as need arose, to the unclean. Heb. 9:13, 14; 1 Jn. 1:7-9.

LINK TO THE VERSES LISTED

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.

LINK TO THE VERSES LISTED

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.

LINK TO THE VERSES LISTED