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
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!
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.
- 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?
- 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.
ANSWER:
- The people complained that there was no bread and water. Plus they did not like manna anymore.
- 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.
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