Last week ended with the return of 12 spies returning from the spying on the Promise Land. Ten spies gave a report discouraging the LORD's plan. Two spies believed they could take the land with the LORD. How will the people respond? Spoiler alert...not well. This week really shows the roller coaster of rebellion against the LORD and the consequences of rejecting Him. However, the LORD continues to show grace and provide ways for His people to be in the presence of the Holy God through the priests, tabernacle, and ultimately a mediator in Moses. Pay attention to how Moses and Aaron intercede for, or argue on behalf of, the people of Israel to reconcile them back to the LORD. Remember His promise to Abraham in Genesis 12:3, that He will bless those who bless Israel, as well as curse those who curse Israel. This will be important when dealing with the pagan prophet Balaam in the later chapters. The LORD is using His people to show Himself to the nations, and the story will move between dealing within Israel, and the LORD acting through Israel in dealing with the nations around.
Each week, as you take in the Bible, find some friends to talk it out. You can follow this simple guide to help. First, R.E.A.D. and P.R.A.Y. on your own. Then, meet with friends to share what you've learned.
R - Repeated words
E - Examine and mark
A - Ask what you learn about God
D - Do if there is anything to do
P - Praise
R - Repent
A - Ask
Bible Plan Reading - Week 15
START IT.
We're reading the Bible together in 2024. Specifically, we're taking a journey into how the story of the Bible unfolded in the Old Testament. If we get the big picture, we get the story the Bible is trying to tell us. From Sunday's message or The Big Picture Bible Reading Plan this week in the book of Numbers, what is impacting you the most? Was there a word, phrase, Bible verse, or theme that impacted you?
STUDY IT.
What are the reasons the people are weeping in Numbers 14:1 and 14:39? How do the people show a stubbornness and lack of faith in Numbers 14:3-4 and 14:40-42? Did they believe the LORD’s promise? The LORD allows the people to weep all night not believing His good promises, but when does He appear and pass judgement on the people according to Numbers 14:10?
Read Numbers 13:31 and 16:1-2. What do the people listen to instead of God’s word? Who does Moses’ say is Korah’s complaint really against in Numbers 16:11?
Read Numbers 14:2, 16:41, 20:3, and 21:5. What pattern do the Israelites continue to exhibit in the face of challenges?
Read Numbers 14:42, 16:22, 16:46, and 20:6. What does God tell Moses to do in Numbers 20:8? What does he actually do in Numbers 20:11? According to Numbers 20:12, why were Moses and Aaron punished?
What do the Israelites do in Numbers 21:5? What is their punishment in verse 6? What is the solution in verse 8? What must the people do to be healed in verse 9? (See John 3:14-15)
SHARE IT.
How have you been reminded of Jesus in the reading of Numbers this week?
From your reading, can you think of 3 ways God has been faithful when His people were not? Can you think of 1 recent example of God being faithful to you when you were not faithful to Him? Do you believe He is faithful when you are faithfless?
How have you seen God’s faithfulness in your life now or after a difficult season? How can you stop and praise God right now for what He has done for you despite your faithlessness?
Numbers 25:18 describes God’s judgement on Midian for harassing Israel by means of seduction away from God. It is easy to spot aggressive attacks against your faith, but how are you being more subtly tempted away from the LORD? Is there anything in your life that entices you slowly away from worshiping the LORD Jesus supremely?
FINAL THOUGHT
Jesus is foreshadowed in so many ways in this week’s reading plan. Jesus is the rock that was struck on our behalf, in order that streams of living water might flow to us. Notice that even though Moses disobeyed by striking the rock instead of talking to the rock, the LORD still produced water for the people. What an example of grace. Jesus is the One lifted up like the bronze serpent, that those who look and believe on Him will live. Jesus takes Balaam’s curse so that we only get a blessing from God. These foreshadowing events had real substantive benefits to the Israelites at the time. They really drank the water. They really were healed of poisonous bites. They really were given victory over their enemies. However, the deeper reality is salvation provided through grace, not works, and victory over sin and death.