Search The Scriptures —Study 0 — Book of Mark

Study 0 From The Book of Mark is: The Introduction of the book of Mark

It is generally held that this Gospel was written by John Mark, the nephew of Barnabas, and is the earliest of the four Gospels. According to tradition it is based upon the teaching of the apostle Peter, whose interpreter Mark became (cf. 1 Pet. 5:13), and was written in Rome for the church there.  It begins with a short preliminary statement of John the Baptist’s ministry, and of the baptism and temptation of Jesus, and then passes on to His public ministry in Galilee.  In common with the other Gospel, it devotes a comparatively large space to Jesus’s sufferings, death and resurrection.

 The story centres in the confession of Peter, ‘Thou art the Christ’ (8:27-29).  Up to that time it tells of our Lord’s activity in preaching and healing; but after the confession of Peter, Jesus makes known to the Twelve that He must suffer and die, and be raised the third day, and His face is turned towards the cross.  The disciples failed to understand; and the work of Jesus in this latter half of the Gospel consists largely in teaching His disciples, and seeking to wean them from the false ideas of the kingdom which possessed their minds.

The  closing verses of the Gospel (16:9:20) do not appear to be the original ending.  Some ancient manuscripts end at 16:8, and others have a different paragraph at the close.  But, these verses contain the great missionary commission and have an established claim to be regarded as a part of Scripture.  

Search The Scriptures —Study 25 — Numbers 33-35.

Study 25 From The Book of Numbers is: Numbers 33-35.

With this study we end the book of Numbers.  The next study will take us to the book of Mark (Part 1)

1. What details stand out in this statistical account which make one aware of the particular interests and concerns of Moses (see 33; 2) the ‘statistician’? What does he want his readers to take note of an remember?
2. The theme of entry into a promised inheritance appears several times in the New Testament. especially Acts 20:32; Rom. 8:17; Gal. 3:29; Heb. 11 makes it clear that our real inheritance, both Israel’s and Christians’, is a heavenly one. What does Israel’s entry into its earthly inheritance teach us about preparing for an claiming our true inheritance? To what warnings ought we to pay heed?
3. What can we learn from chapter 35 concerning God’s standards of judgement as regards manslaughter and murder?

Note.  For consideration of Numbers 36 see study #20  few days ago.

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Search The Scriptures —Study 24 — Numbers 32. Inheritance of the two and a half tribes

Study 23 From The Book of Numbers is: Numbers 32. Inheritance of the two and a

half tribes

1.      What was wrong with the request of Reuben and Gad? What was the result which Moses feared might arise from it, and on what conditions only could it be granted? Why is this event particularly significant for Israel as it arrives in the promised land, and begins to form itself into a tribal confederacy? How will its future life as a ‘nation’ differ from all that it has been up to now?

2.     What great principle with regard to sin and its consequences is expressed in verse 23? Can you think of instances in Scripture which illustrate its working? Cf. Gal. 6:7-8.

Note.  Verses 1-5.  The tribes of Reuben and Gad understandably thought that the land of Jazer and Gilead would suit their large herds of cattle.  But, their self-willed choice brought their descendants into constant trouble in later times.  The territory lacked natural frontiers and was somewhat isolated and exposed to attack.  Often in later centuries the other tribes had to come to their rescue.  Cf. 1 Sa. 11; 1 Ki. 22:3.

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Search The Scriptures —Study 23 — Numbers 31. Conquest of the Midianites

Study 23 From The Book of Numbers is: Numbers 31. Conquest of the Midianites

1.      This is another difficult passage unless you bear in mind (a) that it records only the bare outline of an event far greater in scope; (b) that it is recorded from a particular standpoint (the Midianite account was probably quite different from this one); and (c) that its message concerns a God of love who must purge of evil everything that is His.  What are the forms of purging found in this account? In what directions ought a Christian to act with comparable severity? Cf. Col. 3:5-11.

2.     What does the chapter teach about sharing and giving? On what grounds were portions given to the priests and Levites?

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Search The Scriptures —Study 22 — Numbers 30

    

Study 22 From The Book of Numbers is: Numbers 30

1.      How does this chapter show our responsibility in speech? Cf. Mt. 5:33-37; 12:36

2.     Do you think the woman’s relationship to father and husband should be viewed as merely local Israelite custom, or is there an implied principle which hold in the twentieth century too?

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Search The Scriptures —Study 21 — Numbers 28 and 29. Reviews of Israel’s Sacrifices

Study 21 From The Book of Numbers is: Numbers 28 and 29. Reviews of Israel’s

Sacrifices

1.      Distinguish between the daily sacrifice throughout the year offered every morning and evening (28: 3-8) and the additional sacrifices: (a) on the Sabbath (28:9, 10); (b) at the new moon each month (28:11-15); (c) throughout the feast of unleavened bread and at the 

Passover itself (28:17-25, see Note below); (d) at the Feast of Weeks (28:26-31); (e) at the blowing of trumpets (29:1-6); (f) on the Day of Atonement (29:7-11); (g) at the Feast of Tabernacles (29:12-38).

2.     It was easy for these sacrifices to become mere ritual-so much so that later prophets strongly condemned their misuse. Am. 5:21-24 and Is. 1:11-18 give a clue as to the purpose of these offerings and to God’s real requirements in and through them. Cf. Also Heb. 10:1-18.

Note. 28:24. The meaning is the sacrifices prescribed above in verses 19-22 are to be offered daily throughout the feast.

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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?

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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.

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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.

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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.

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