Nov28–Dec4: The “Madness” of the Prophet

Teaching Points

1. Read Numbers 22-24 and make chapter outlines.

ANSWER: 

• Num. 22:1-6 Call for Balaam by Balak
• Num. 22:7-14 Balaam refused to go
• Num. 22:15-21 Balaam has consented to go
• Num. 22:22-35 Balaam, the donkey, and the angel of the Lord
• Num. 22:36-41 The meeting between Balaam and Balak
• Num. 23:1-12 At the high places of Baal, Balaam could not curse Israel
• Num. 23:13-26 At the top of Pisgah, Balaam could not curse Israel
• Num. 23:27- 24:10 At the top of Peor, Balaam could not curse Israel
• Num. 24:11-25 Prophecy of Balaam –A star out of Jacob, Edom, Seir, Amalek, Kenites, Asshur, and Eber.  

2. What did the Apostle Peter and Jude say about Balaam? 

• 2Pet. 2:15 Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness; 2Pet. 2:16 But was rebuked for his iniquity: the dumb ass speaking with man’s voice forbad the madness of the prophet.
• Jude 1:11 Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core. 

OBSERVATION: 

• Balaam loved the wages of unrighteousness.
• Balaam gone astray for reward.
• Balaam was known for his love of money. 1Tim. 6:10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. 

3. What did Balak want Balaam to do?

ANSWER: 

• To curse Israel. 

OBSERVATION: 

• Balak knew that he was not able to conquer Israel through military and political means so he tried using a spiritual and religious method.
• Balaam was not able to curse that which was already blessed. It is dangerous to curse that which God blessed. Gen. 12:3 And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.
• Prov. 3:33 The curse of the LORD is in the house of the wicked: but he blesseth the habitation of the just.
• It is amazing to see how God was protecting Israel from curse of Balaam even though the Israelites were not considered “just” at that time. God truly is long suffering for His people. 

3. Read Num. 22:20, 22. Why was God angry with Balaam when God told him to go?

ANSWER: 

• God made it clear, “If these men have come to summon you, go with them…” But those men already left without asking Balaam to go with them. So Balaam had no more excuse to go for his “reward”. But he was so determined to get the reward so he got on his donkey to go. 

OBSERVATION: 

• Opportunity was too great for Balaam to miss out.  Balaam felt that the gift of Balak was greater than the eternal reward from God. Not all great opportunities are God’s will. In fact, many of the “open doors” with great benefits might be a trap. A clear spiritual discernment is needed when we are dazzled with offers and gifts. 

SOP:

• “Balaam had received permission to go with the messengers from Moab if they came in the morning to call him. But, annoyed at his delay, and expecting another refusal, they set out on their homeward journey without further consultation with him. Every excuse for complying with the request of Balak had now been removed. But Balaam was determined to secure the reward; and, taking the beast upon which he was accustomed to ride, he set out on the journey. He feared that even now the divine permission might be withdrawn, and he pressed eagerly forward, impatient lest he should by some means fail to gain the coveted reward.” {PP 441.2} 

APPLICATION QUESTION: 

•  What reward are you trying to secure today that you know is contrary to God’s will? 

4. Read Num. 22:23-34. What means did God use to speak to Balaam, when Balaam did not listen to God’s word?  

ANSWER: 

• Speaking donkey 

OBSERVATION: 

• It is interesting to observe the three different ways that the donkey reacted to the angel of the Lord.
• First, the donkey “turned aside out of the way, and went in to the field” (Num. 22:23)
• Second, the donkey “thrust herself unto the wall, and crushed Balaam’s foot against the wall”
• Third, the donkey “fell down under Balaam” 

APPLICATION QUESTION: 

• Have you ever felt like your own plan “went into the field”? So to speak, “crushed”, against the “wall”? Or “fell down”? Is it possible that God is trying to tell you something?  

5. What does it mean to “die the death of the righteous”? What is the only way we can die such a death? Rom. 3:20–24.

ANSWER: 

• We can be “righteous” only “in Christ” (Rom. 3:20-25)
• The death of the righteous is better because there is “hope in his death” (Prov. 14:32)
• What hope?
• Hope of resurrection for those who are “dead in Christ” (1 Thess. 4:13-16) 

OBSERVATION: 

• There are two major resurrections: “both of the just and unjust.” Acts 24:15
• “Just” means righteous in Acts 24:15
• Righteous are those who are “in Christ” (Rom. 3:24); and if they die then they are “dead in Christ” (1 Thess. 4:16)
• And “the dead in Christ shall rise first” (1 Thess. 4:16)
• Rev. 20:5, 6: “This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.” 

APPLICATION: 

• People cannot choose how they are going to be born but they can surely choose how they are going to die. 

6. Read the parable Balaam told in Numbers 24:15–17. What was this a prophecy of, and how was it fulfilled?

ANSWER: 

• The coming of the Messiah. 

OBSERVATION: 

• This message was already given in Gen. 49:10: “The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto him shall the gathering of the people be.”
• Shiloh in Hebrew, Shiyloh, shee-lo´; tranquil; Shiloh, an epithet of the Messiah:—Shiloh.
• The wise men studied the prophecy of Balaam. Matt. 2:1,2: “Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.”
• SOP support: “Seeking clearer knowledge, [the wise men] turned to the Hebrew Scriptures. . . . Balaam belonged to the magicians, though at one time a prophet of God; by the Holy Spirit he had foretold the prosperity of Israel and the appearing of the Messiah. . . . The prophecy of Balaam had declared, ‘There shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Scepter shall rise out of Israel.’. . . Could this strange star have been sent as a harbinger of the Promised One?”—Ellen G. White, The Desire of Ages, pp. 59, 60.
• Num. 24:17: “Star” in Hebrew, figuratively, a prince. And “Sceptre” represents king. (Read Esther 8:4)
• Maybe the wise men also studied the book of Daniel, especially chapter 9, where it talks about the timing of the coming Messiah the Prince. (Read Dan. 9:25)
• The book of Revelation talks about the same prophecy in a different way. Rev. 12:5: “And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne.”
• The book of Hebrews talks about when Jesus was anointed as King as well as High Priest after His resurretion. Heb. 1:8, 9: “But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom. Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.” If you read Heb. 1:5 and compare with Acts 13:33 then you will see that Heb. 1:5 is talking about the resurrection of Jesus. His coronation scene can be read in Rev. 4 and 5.
• It is also interesting to observe that in the book of Revelation Balaam and Balak are mentioned under Pergamos church and the promise to “rule them with the rod of iron” is mentioned under Thyatira church. Read Rev. 2:14, 27. Could you think of any prophetic spiritual insight here? 

CONCLUSION: 

• The conclusion is pretty clear. 2Cor. 13:8 For we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth. 

APPLICATION QUESTION: 

• Have you ever tried to go against the truth and end up supporting the truth? If you have then please share with the class of your “Balaam” experience.

Nov21-27: The Sin of Moses and Aaron

Teaching Points

1. Read Numbers 20 and make a chapter outline.

ANSWER: 

• Num. 20:1-13 The water of Meribah/Moses smote the rock twice
• Num. 20:14-21 Edom refused to let Israel pass through
• Num. 20:22-29 The death of Aaron on the top of the mount Hor

 2. Observations on the anger of Moses.

OBSERVATION: 

• Even the meekest man on earth can’t hold back his anger towards so hardheaded Israelites. After so many miracles of God, why would the Israelites complain against Moses and Aaron? Why could they not just learn to trust in God? I can understand how Moses felt. But perhaps this was his final test just before the Promised Land.
• No excuse for Moses’ disobedience. God’s command was not only to speak to the rock, but also to do it without human anger. This test was not whether or not God can provide water in the dessert, but how God could take care of this hardheaded people without help from Moses. Who is in control of the situation? 
• It is wrong to think that we can help God’s work with our human passion. Though we speak the truth, we are not the teacher of the truth. We need to allow the Holy Spirit to guide and to lead the people. We need to step aside and give room for the Holy Spirit to work in the hearts of the individuals.
• Maybe Moses felt that it was okay for him to show his anger because his anger was towards rebellion and the sin of Israel. Yet God called the anger of Moses rebellion (Num. 20:24). Therefore, we should not feel righteous or just when we show anger for righteousness sake. You may feel anger towards sin but how you show that anger is another story all together. You cannot correct rebellion with rebellion.
• It was wrong for Moses to say, “must we fetch you water out of this rock?” (Num. 20:10) Moses did not give water to the people, but God did. Sometimes we allow what God does through us as if it is what we do for God and His people. It is not us but God that works through us. We are nothing in the sight of God.
• As far as I can guess, Moses did not say the right thing and did the wrong thing by striking the rock two times. So, therefore, Moses did not follow the command of God. Yet the water came out. Why? Here, we see the love of God. In spite of our shortcomings, God works through us. Why? Because God loves His ministers and His people. God did not have to give them water. But to show His kindness toward His servant Moses and to His people, He has provided their needs. What an amazing grace!

 3. Read Numbers 20:23–29. What points seem pertinent here in the depiction of the death of Aaron? What lessons can we take away from this for ourselves and whatever work we are doing for the Lord?

POINTS AND LESSONS: 

• God is the author of life and death.
• God made it very clear who should be the next high priest.
• Aaron’s rebellion at the water of Meribah should not be taken lightly (Num. 20:24). Notice how Aaron was a part of rebellion with Moses even though he did not speak in an irritated way nor strike the rock twice. Aaron must have supported and shared these irritated feelings with Moses. Be very careful how you sympathize with the irritated feelings of others!
• At the same time, God gave Aaron an honorable death by giving Aaron a gravesite where God has chosen for him.
• In spite of their complaints towards Aaron, the Israelites mourned for Aaron thirty days. 
• God’s work is not dependent upon one person. God can call others to take up His work. We should not feel that we are in anyway indispensable.

 DISCUSSION QUESTION: 

• Do you think it was too severe of a punishment for Aaron’s disobedience when God did not allow Aaron to enter in the land?

 4. Read Numbers 21 and make a chapter outline.

 ANSWER:

• Num. 21:1-5 People complain about the long journey
• Num. 21:6-9 Fiery serpents and brazen serpent
• Num. 21:10-20 A journey from Oboth to mount Pisgah
• Num. 21:21-31 Israel took over the Sihon the king of Amorites.
• Num. 21:32-35 Israel conquered Og the king of Bashan.

  5. Read Numbers 21:1–5.What were the people’s complaints?

ANSWER:

• The people complained that there was no bread and water. Plus they did not like manna anymore.

 OBSERVATION: 

• It is not true that God did not provide bread and water. God has well taken care of them.
• Perhaps they did not like the fact that they have to go around Edom. Why not just conquer Edom so that they do not have to go around Edom?
• Maybe Edom was not ready for the final punishment of God. Perhaps there are people in Edom still seeking after God. We just do not know. 

APPLICATION QUESTION: 

• Do you ever wonder why God delays to answer your prayer sometimes? 

6. Make observations on the story of the brazen serpent.

OBSERVATION: 

• The fiery serpents came among the people because God took away His protection from them. A sin of ingratitude in us can take away God’s protection from us.
• The simple remedy was to look upon the brazen serpent for healing. Look and live.
• But in order to look you must believe in the promise of God to live.
• But in order to believe you must look away from your sting of death. However, any kind of sting wants you to put all your attention to the pain. Therefore, in order to look to the brazen serpent, you must deny what your natural feelings are telling you.
• 1 Cor. 15:56 The sting of death is sin. In a similar way, in order to look to Jesus our Savior, you must look away from your sin. Your sin wants all your attention. Your sin is very self-centered. Your natural feelings are telling you that you have no choice but to look at your sin and die with it. This is when you need to believe in the Savior. By faith look and live! John 3:14-16

APPLICATION QUESTION:

• What is holding you from looking to Jesus?
• How do you look to Jesus when everything else is telling you to look the other way?

CONCLUSION: 

• It is pretty amazing to see how God dealt with Moses’ mistake and the complaints of His people. God seemed to be severe, yet loving and kind. So we fear God but are not afraid to approach Him. God cannot hide His love behind His thunder and lightning. We see Him as Divinely human in the way He deals with His people. Our trials are small but yet we complain as though they are big. God’s solutions to our complaints are amazing, but yet He makes them as though they are simple. Yes, we see God allows death and destruction, but we also see Him providing life and hope. Nothing is to be feared when we serve such a God, so loving and so true. 

Nov14-20: Priests and Levites

Teaching Points

1. Read Numbers 18 and make an outline of the chapter.  

ANSWER:

• Num. 18:1-7 The role of Aaron’s family and the Levites.
• Num. 18:8-19 Tributes that belong to Aaron and his family.
• Num. 18:20-24 Tithes for the Levites
• Num. 18:25-32 Levites should pay tithes to Aaron

2. Read Numbers 18:1–7. What distinctions were made in the roles given these men?

ANSWER:

• Aaron’s family – Priesthood, service at the altar and in the sanctuary. Num. 18:7
• The Levites – To support and help Aaron’s family with the sanctuary service, but not enter into the sanctuary.

OBSERVATION:

• Aaron was called to be a high priest (Heb. 5:4) and he was confirmed as a high priest with the budding of his rod (spiritually speaking, this represents resurrection).
• Jesus was called to be the High Priest at His resurrection (Heb. 5:5, Acts 13:33).
• Notice how Aaron is introduced in the Bible for the first time. Aaron was called to be a speaker or spokesman for Moses (Ex. 4:16).
• Interesting to notice that Jesus is the Word (John 1:1-3, 14) or the speaker for God.

3. Read Numbers 18:8–20. What point seems most pertinent to you?

ANSWER:

• How God organized a financial support system for the Levites.

OBSERVATION:

• Notice how Paul used the financial support system of the Levites from the Old Testament for a New Testament application:
• 1Cor. 9:13 Do ye not know that they which minister about holy things live of the things of the temple? and they which wait at the altar are partakers with the altar? 1Cor. 9:14 Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel.
• Notice how the elders that are working for the gospel should be rewarded:
• 1Tim. 5:17 Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine. 1Tim. 5:18 For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward.
• Notice how the students should support Bible teachers:
• Gal. 6:6 Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things.
• “Communicate” means to share with others.
• Notice in the New Jerusalem Bible Version:
• Gal. 6:6 ¶ When someone is under instruction in doctrine, he should give his teacher a share in all his possessions.

DISCUSSION QUESTION:

• I believe that in order to have healthy growth in the church, we need to have more than one full-time worker.  I think our church needs a full-time senior pastor, a full-time assistant pastor, a full-time youth pastor, and a full-time children’s pastor. But in order to support these pastors the church members need to give more. What do you think about this suggestion? What does your church need to do in order to have healthy growth with spiritual revival?

4. In addition to their portion of the sacrificial offerings, what other plan did the Lord devise to care for both priests and Levites? Num. 18:21–32.

ANSWER:

• Tithe

OBSERVATION:

• Abraham gave tithe to Melchizedek, the priest of the most high God. Gen. 14:18-20
• Jacob promised to give “the tenth” to God. Gen. 28:22
• Tithe is holy unto God. Lev. 27:30
• “Tithes into the storehouse” of God. Mal. 3:10
• We do not give tithe, but return tithe, because the money that we earn is not ours but God’s:
• 1Chr. 29:11 Thine, O LORD, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine; thine is the kingdom, O LORD, and thou art exalted as head above all. 1Chr. 29:12 Both riches and honour come of thee, and thou reignest over all; and in thine hand is power and might; and in thine hand it is to make great, and to give strength unto all. 1Chr. 29:13 Now therefore, our God, we thank thee, and praise thy glorious name.  1Chr. 29:14 But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able to offer so willingly after this sort? for all things come of thee, and of thine own have we given thee.
• Returning tithe to God is one of the strongest ways to show that we are truly dependent upon God for His provision.

APPLICATION QUESTION:

• In what way would your life be going much better if you withhold that tithe from God?
• Do you care to experience God’s miracle by returning tithe to Him?

5. Read Numbers 19 and make an outline of the chapter.

ANSWER:

• Num. 19:1-10 Red heifer offering.
• Num. 19:11-22 Purification after touching a dead body.

OBSERVATION:

• “This heifer was to be red, a symbol of blood, Christ’s blood obviously. It had to be without blemish, as well, and never had borne a yoke—another symbol of Christ, a spotless sacrifice who came voluntarily to accomplish the work of atonement. There was no obligatory yoke upon Him, for He was independent and above all law.
• “The sacrificial heifer was brought forth without the camp, and slain. Thus Christ suffered without the gates of Jerusalem (Heb. 13:12), for Calvary was outside the city walls. This was to show that Christ did not die for the Hebrews alone but for all humanity (Rom. 5:12–20). He proclaims to a fallen world that He has come to be their Redeemer and urges them to accept the salvation He offers.” SSL p. 69
• Notice how Haggai applied “unclean by a dead body”:
• Hag. 2:13 Then said Haggai, If one that is unclean by a dead body touch any of these, shall it be unclean? And the priests answered and said, It shall be unclean. Hag. 2:14 Then answered Haggai, and said, So is this people, and so is this nation before me, saith the LORD; and so is every work of their hands; and that which they offer there is unclean.
• I am pretty sure we do not need to practice Numbers chapter 19 today. However, we do need to be very careful about when we come in contact with dead bodies. Nevertheless, there seems to be a spiritual application here.
• Spiritually speaking, what would be a “dead body”?
• I think of what Paul said in Romans chapter 7:
• Rom. 7:24 O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?
• Is it possible that we can apply  “dead body” as  “carnal mind” (Rom. 8:6, 7) “sold under sin” (Rom. 7:14)?
• Could we truly be freed from this sin and death?
• Rom. 8:2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.

CONCLUSION:

• Numbers 18 is about the support system for the Levites. Numbers 19 is about the red heifer offering and purification for those who touched a dead body.

APPLICATION QUESTION:

• Num. 19:22 And whatsoever the unclean person toucheth shall be unclean; and the soul that toucheth it shall be unclean until even.
• Who became “unclean” because you were “unclean”? How does the blood of Jesus apply in this case?