Oct 31-Nov 6: Planning Ahead

 

Teaching Points

1. Read Numbers 15 and make an outline of the chapter.  

ANSWER:

• Num. 15:1-13 additional meat, wine, and oil offering to the burnt offerings
• Num. 15:14-16 one ordinance for both Israelites and the strangers
• Num. 15:17-21 heave offerings
• Num. 15:22-29 sin of ignorance and offerings
• Num. 15:30-36 sin of rebellion, Sabbath breaker
• Num. 15:37-41 a fringe of blue

2. Read Numbers 15:1–10, 18–21. What were the purposes of these offerings?

What was the purpose of bringing oil, drink, and grain, as well?

ANSWER:

• Burnt offering, or a sacrifice in performing a vow, or in a freewill offering, or in solemn feasts, to make a sweet savor unto the Lord—see Num. 15:3
• “In the context of Numbers 15, these directions really carried a promise to the younger generation that one day they would plant fields of wheat, barley, and other grains in their new home in Canaan. They would with their own hands establish vineyards on the hills and orchards of olive trees and other fruits such as figs and pomegranates. In other words, these nonbloody offerings helped point them to the material blessings that were to be theirs were they to remain faithful. No doubt, all these thoughts were wrapped up in their sacrifices to the Lord, which helped point them day by day to the land of promise that awaited them.” SSL p. 47

OBSERVATION:

• Additional meat, wine, and oil offering to a burnt offering or a sacrifice in performing a vow or in a freewill offering or in your solemn feasts or peace offering
• Offering of a lamb – meat offering of a tenth deal of flour mingled with the fourth part of an hin of oil and the fourth part of an hin of wine for a drink offering
• Offering of a ram – meat offering two tenth deals of flour mingled with the third part of an hin of oil and a drink offering third part of an hin of wine 
• Offering of a bullock - meat offering of three tenth deals of flour mingled with half an hin of oil and a drink offering half an hin of wine
• The quantity of meat, wine, and oil offering was in proportion to the size of the sacrifice. In other words, the bigger the animal, the more of meat, wine, and oil offering.

DISCUSSION QUESTION:

• Why do you think God gave this command in chapter 15:1-10 after God told them that they have to go back to the wilderness (Num. 14:25)?

2. What specific commands were given to the second generation of Israelites as they looked forward to settling in Canaan? Num. 15:14–16.

ANSWER:

• Num. 15:16 One law and one manner shall be for you, and for the stranger that sojourneth with you.
• “The ‘stranger’ or foreigner would be a person who settled among the Israelites and who fully accepted the faith and, if male, duly was circumcised. They were to be treated and loved as if they were Israelites. ‘One ordinance’ or ‘one law’ shall be for you, and ‘for the stranger that sojourneth with you’ (Num. 15:16). Talk about inclusiveness!” SSL p. 48

OBSERVATION:

• This is a powerful proof text to show that the gospel in the New Testament did exist in the Old Testament. Read the following verses on the same thought.
• 1Kings 8:41 Moreover concerning a stranger, that is not of thy people Israel, but cometh out of a far country for thy name’s sake; 1Kings 8:42 (For they shall hear of thy great name, and of thy strong hand, and of thy stretched out arm;) when he shall come and pray toward this house; 1Kings 8:43 Hear thou in heaven thy dwelling place, and do according to all that the stranger calleth to thee for: that all people of the earth may know thy name, to fear thee, as do thy people Israel; and that they may know that this house, which I have builded, is called by thy name.
• Is. 56:6 Also the sons of the stranger, that join themselves to the LORD, to serve him, and to love the name of the LORD, to be his servants, every one that keepeth the sabbath from polluting it, and taketh hold of my covenant; Is. 56:7 Even them will I bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer: their burnt offerings and their sacrifices shall be accepted upon mine altar; for mine house shall be called an house of prayer for all people.

DISCUSSION QUESTION:

• In what ways is it so easy to be exclusive, judgmental, and condemnatory of those who don’t see things as we do? How can we avoid that attitude, and yet at the same time, protect the truths we have been given?
• If the gospel was available for the Gentiles as well as the Jews in the Old Testament time, then what was the main difference between the Old Testament and the New Testament?

3. Make observation on the following verses on ignorance.

ANSWER:

• Psa. 73:22 So foolish was I, and ignorant: I was as a beast before thee.
• Is. 56:10 His watchmen are blind: they are all ignorant, they are all dumb dogs, they cannot bark; sleeping, lying down, loving to slumber.
• Acts 17:30 And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:
• Rom. 10:3 For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.
• Eph. 4:18 Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart
• Heb. 5:2 Who can have compassion on the ignorant, and on them that are out of the way; for that he himself also is compassed with infirmity.

OBSERVATION:

• Psa. 73:22 A life of ignorance is similar to a life of a beast—life without a well educated conscience.
• Isa. 56:10 Being ignorant is similar to a sleep, you do not know what is happening around you.
• Acts 17:30 God is willing to “wink at” or overlook, not punish; however, when the knowledge of sin comes, then God is asking us to repent. God is so merciful but He does not keep us in ignorance.
• Rom. 10:3 there is connection between ignorance and righteousness by works
• Eph. 4:18 ignorance is connected to blindness
• Heb. 5:2 Jesus can have compassion on the ignorant. Jesus has this compassion because He is “compassed with infirmity.” Heb. 4:15 “For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.” Jesus said, Luke 23:34 “…Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.” In this sense, Jesus also offered Himself on the cross for our sin of ignorance as well.

DISCUSSION QUESTION:

• In what way was God merciful to you when you were ignorant?
• How do you treat those who are ignorant?
• Is it possible for you to have sins of ignorance today? If so, then could you guess what they might be?

4. Read Numbers 15:32–36. What spiritual lesson can we draw from this?

SPIRITUAL LESSON:

• A sin of rebellion does not have to be so evil looking and violent in nature. It can be something that has the appearance of innocence, “gathering sticks”. He was not killing people or stealing people’s possession. Perhaps he was gathering sticks for his family’s need.
• You may have all the good reasons for breaking God’s commandments, but God can read whether or not rebellion is in your heart.  

DISCUSSION QUESTION:

• Why not give him another chance by just speaking to him?

5. What reason was given for wearing tassels? That is, what specific things did God want the Israelites to remember? Num. 15:39–41.

ANSWER:

• Num. 15:39 – to remember all the commandments of the Lord and to obey them.
• Num. 15:39 – to seek not after your own heart and eyes
• Num. 15:40 – to remember to be holy unto God
• Num. 15:41 – to remember that the Lord their God is the One that delivered them from the land of Egypt

OBSERVATION:

• The blue fringe was there to remind the people of Israel the importance of keeping all the commandments of the Lord. However, the blue fringe also sounds like God’s Sabbath because God has given Sabbath to His people to remind them of the importance of keeping all His commandments.
• God said we should remember to keep the Sabbath holy. Ex. 20:8
• God said on the Sabbath day, we should not seek after our own “pleasure”. Isa. 58:13
• God gave the Sabbath as a sign that God is Holy. Ex. 31:13; Eze. 20:12
• God gave the Sabbath to remind the Israelites of their deliverance from Egypt. Deut. 5:12-15
• It is interesting to observe that the “woman” in Rev. 17:3, 4 does not have the color blue. Do you wonder why not?

CONCLUSION:

• In Num. 15 we can see that sin is a serious matter. There needs to be offering for sin. Sin is sin, no matter of race and culture.  Sin needs to be understood as sin. Sin is deceptive and rebellious. We need a daily reminder (such as a garment) that we should obey God’s commandment.

APPLICATION QUESTION:

• How do you remind yourself to trust and to obey God daily?

Oct 24-30: From Complaints to Apostasy

Teaching Points

1. Read Numbers 11. Make an outline of the chapter.

ANSWER:

• Num. 11:1-3 the complaint and Taberah (this means burning)
• Num. 11:4-6 the complaint of the mixed multitude: “There is nothing at all, beside this manna”
• Num. 11:7-9 an explanation of manna: the shape, the color, the preparation, and the time of gathering
• Num. 11:10-15 the complaint of Moses: “I am not able to bear all this people alone.”
• Num. 11:16-17 God’s response to Moses: “Gather seventy men of the elders of Israel” to share the burden of Moses
• Num. 11:18-20 God’s response to Israel: Eat till you drop.
• Num. 11:21-22 Moses’ doubt: How can God provide for so many people
• Num. 11:23 there is no limit to God’s power
• Num. 11:24-30 the spirit came upon seventy and Eldad, and Medad
• Num. 11:31-35 death by lust, Kibrothhattaavah (this means graves of longing)

OBSERVATION:

• The Lord was provoked to wrath at Taberah and Kibrothhattaavah (Deut. 9:22).
• The mixed multitudes came out of Egypt with the Israelites (Ex. 12:38). These mixed multitudes are non-Israelites. Mixed multitudes’ complaint influenced the Israelites to complain (Num. 11:10)
• Moses was able to stand strong for the Lord before Pharaoh and the challenge at the Red Sea, but he would rather die than hear the complaints of the people (Num. 11:15).
• Maybe, and just maybe, it would have been ok if many that died just ate what they needed and not hoard it for themselves (Num. 11:32); then God’s wrath wouldn’t have kindled against them. God gave them enough. They did not have any reason to hoard them. This shows that in spite of God’s great miracle, they still doubted Him. The hoarding of the quails shows that the root of a complaining spirit is selfishness.
• The complaint about manna was not directed toward the lack of nutritional value in manna or lack of the supply. The complaint was based upon they just want some Egyptian food or something different. When you read Num. 11:5, they were not asking for “bad” food; however, for them to “cry” for meat shows that God was not in their heart as their Creator and Provider.

APPLICATION QUESTION:

• Are you losing spiritual appetite for the Bible? Are you looking for something different and more exciting? What would be your deeper problem?
• What are your complaints? Could you count the blessings in your life? Now compare between your complaints and your blessings. How do you feel now? Do you still want to complain?

2. Read the Spirit of Prophecy’s comment on Moses’ complaint. Read also Num. 11:10-15.

SOP:

• “They (70 elders) would never have been chosen had Moses manifested faith corresponding to the evidences he had witnessed of God’s power and goodness. But he had magnified his own burdens and services, almost losing sight of the fact that he was only the instrument by which God had wrought. He was not excusable in indulging, in the slightest degree, the spirit of murmuring that was the curse of Israel.”—Ellen G. White, Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 380.

OBSERVATION:

• Moses “magnified his own burdens and services, almost losing sight of the fact that he was only the instrument by which God had wrought.”
• Moses used the word, “I” seven times in Num. 11:10-15: “have I not found favour,” “have I conceived all this people,” “have I begotten them,” “whence should I have flesh to give,” “I am not able to bear all this people alone,” “kill me, I pray thee,” “if I have found favour in thy sight”
• Observe how many times Moses used the word, “me” in those verses.

DISCUSSION QUESTION:

• Why do you think Moses became so discouraged here? Why was he willing to die rather than bear the burden?

APPLICATION QUESTION:

• How do you react to complaints that are directed to you?

3. Read Numbers 12 and make an outline of the chapter.

ANSWER:

• Num. 12:1-2 Miriam’s compliant
• Num. 12:3 Moses, the most meek man on earth
• Num. 12:4-9 God made it clear that Moses is more than a prophet; therefore, they should be afraid to speak against Moses.
• Num. 12:10-12 Miriam became leprous and Aaron asked for forgiveness.
• Num. 12:13-16 Miriam was shut out for seven days

OBSERVATION:

• The attitude and the spirit of complaining and murmuring is a deadly sin.
• Observe the terrible judgment against the complainers and murmurers: Jude 1:15 To execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him. Jude 1:16 These are murmurers, complainers, walking after their own lusts; and their mouth speaketh great swelling words, having men’s persons in admiration because of advantage.
• Maybe Miriam thought that she could just talk to Moses with a nasty attitude because he was part of the family. In the family environment is where we need to be more loving and not carry a nasty attitude.
• Miriam was jealous toward Moses. This spirit showed in her attitude towards Moses.
• Notice the meekness of Moses is mentioned in connection with the family nastiness. This just shows that meekness is so needed especially during family feuds.
• Since Miriam became leprous because of her complaints, complaints are like leprosy—very contagious.
• A complaining person should be separated from the “camp” for seven days until the attitude is changed. A period of solitude time with God is important for those with an attitude problem.

DISCUSSION QUESTION:

• Do people around you enjoy your attitude?
• Do you have a problem correcting people with a wrong attitude?
• Do people ever tell you that you have an attitude problem?
• How do you practice meekness when people are correcting you rightly or wrongly?

4. Read Numbers 13 and make an outline of the chapter.

ANSWER:

• Num. 13:1-16 sending twelve spies to the land of Canaan
• Num. 13:17-20 an instruction on what to search for
• Num. 13:21-25 forty days of searching the land of Canaan
• Num. 13:26-33 good and bad report from Canaan

OBSERVATION:

• Read Deuteronomy 1: 19-23. God said, “go up and possess it” and “fear not, neither be discouraged” BUT Moses yielded to the people’s suggestion of sending spies before going up to posses the land.
• God’s way- just trust and obey
• Man’s way- we will study it and calculate it carefully so that we can secure the success of the plan
• Moses did ask for the following: strong or weak, few or many people; good or bad, fat or lean of the land. If God said, “go up and possess it” then why would Moses ask for this? If God is with you then it does not matter if the enemies of God are strong or weak.
• Spies came back with just that: good and bad report; the land flows with milk and honey but the people are too great and strong.
• Caleb said, “Let us go up at once, and possess it; for we are well able to overcome it.”
• Other spies said, “We were in our own sight as grasshoppers, and so we were in their sight.”
• Another chapter of complaints. It seems like the greatest problem with the Israelites was complaining, murmuring, and doubting.
• There was nothing wrong with careful search of the land. After all, God did support the idea of sending the spies to search the land (not so much about the people of the land). The spies loved the land but most of them became afraid of the people. If by faith they came out of Egypt, then by faith they should have entered into the land of Canaan.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

• Was sending the spies to the land of Canaan a good idea? Yes or no?
• Did God want the Israelites to go possess the land without the preview of the land?
• When is it ok not to calculate so much but just go by faith?

5. Read Numbers 14 and make an outline of the chapter.

ANSWER:

• Num. 14:1-4 murmuring of the children of Israel, “let us return into Egypt”
• Num. 14:5-9 Moses, Aaron, Joshua, and Caleb said, “the Lord is with us: fear them not.”
• Num. 14:10-12 the Lord said, “How long will this people provoke me?”
• Num. 14:13-19 Moses interceding for the rebellious children of Israel
• Num. 14:20-24 God pardoned them but none can go into the land except Caleb and Joshua (Num. 14:38)
• Num. 14:25-35 judgment against “evil congregation” – die in the wilderness
• Num. 14:36-39 judgment against the evil reporters – die by the plague
• Num. 14:40-45 a sin of presumption – killed by Amalekites

OBSERVATION:

• The bottom line sin here is unbelief (Heb. 3:16-19).
• Unbelief about what?
• Heb. 3:12 Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.
• It is unbelief that causes you to depart from “the Living God.”
• Who is the Living God?
• The Living God is the Creator.
• Creator is all-powerful.
• The children of Israel sinned greatly according to Num. 14 because they had ample examples of the power of the Creator from the Exodus to the Wilderness, but they still refused to believe in the all-powerful Creator when they needed to believe in Him the most. The worst part was when they said, “let us return into Egypt.”
• The true rest comes from true faith in the power of God (Heb. 4:10, 11). Therefore, the right way of believing God means to cease from our own works, which means not depending on our flesh. So in order to believe in God, we need to deny our own flesh (not only the sinfulness of our flesh but the limitation of our flesh). Rom. 8:3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh
• God kept trying to teach the Israelites the way of salvation; the only way to heaven is to put their whole faith in God. That’s why God did not allow the Israelites to possess the land in their own strength. God made it impossible for them to possess it with their own strength. They had no choice but to trust in God or give up and doubt. This story is a clear illustration on how to be saved; believe that which is impossible.

CONCLUSION:

• In order to experience salvation we need faith. Eph. 2:8 “For by grace are you saved through faith”
• In order to experience true faith, we need to go through impossible situations ordained by God. Heb. 11
• In order to go through some impossible situations ordained by God, we need to allow God to lead us. Be willing to be willing. Mark 9:21-24

APPLICATION QUESTIONS:

• What or who are you complaining about these days?
• Do you welcome impossible trials? Or do you wish to not have any more trials in your life?
• What or who are your giants today?
• What is keeping you away from the Land of Canaan?