Week 13 - The Old Testament
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Family Life - Small Group Warm Up Question:
If you had to choose one of your five senses (taste, touch, smell, sight, hearing) to lose, which one would you choose? Which sense would you never want to lose?
The Old Testament
Numbers 22-36
1. Numbers lists some of the many failures of the Israelite in the desert wanderings. What stands out to you in their rebellions and why? What lessons can we learn from these sins of Israel?
a. Numbers 11:1-3 – Complaining about hardships – burned by fire
b. Numbers 11:4-34 - Craving for meat & complaining about manna, Moses doubts God’s power to provide meat, Joshua’s jealousy over 2 prophesying within the camp – 70 elders consecrated, severe plague kills those with the “craving”
c. Numbers 12 – Miriam and Aaron opposed Moses – Miriam made leprous
d. Numbers 13:26-14:38 – in Kadesh-Barnea 10 out of the 12 spies speak against going into the Promised Land due to fear of the people of the land, Joshua and Caleb speak in favor of advancing, the Israelites wish to be back in Egypt, the Israelites talk about stoning/executing Moses, Aaron, Joshua, & Caleb – Israel banished to wander in the desert for 40 years, 1 for each day that the spies were in the Promised Land, the 10 unfaithful spies were killed by a plague
e. Numbers 14:39-44 – a group decides to attack and presumptuously go into the Promised Land instead of wandering in the desert – the Lord does not go with this group & they are defeated by the Amalekites and Canaanites to Arad/Hormah
f. Numbers 16:1-40 – Korah and his followers rise up against Moses, coveting more attention to be priests – the ground opens up & swallows the families of the rebellious, 250 leaders are consumed by fire, the 250 censers become a bronze covering for the altar as a remembrance & warning that only the descendants of Aaron can offer incense
g. Numbers 16:41-50 – the Israelites complain against Moses and Aaron about the deaths of Korah and his followers – a plague spreads and kills 14,700 people
h. Numbers 17 – constant complaining against Aaron’s priestly leadership – God makes Aaron’s staff bud & produce almonds overnight, kept in the Ark as a reminder
i. Numbers 20:1-13 – at Meribah the people quarrel with God, wishing they were dead due to the desert and absence of water, Moses and Aaron pridefully strike a rock for water instead of speaking to it as instructed – Moses & Aaron will not enter the Promised Land since they did not trust in God enough and honor Him as holy
j. Numbers 20:1-21; 21:1-3 – Israelites do not seek the Lord when they encounter the Edomites – Israel takes the long route around Edom into the Promised Land, some Israelites are captured by the Canaanites in Arad/Hormah before they seek the Lord in a vow and defeat the Canaanites
k. Numbers 21:4-8 – the Israelites grow impatient, speaking against God and Moses and complaining about their food and water, calling manna “worthless” – the Lord sends venomous snakes that bite and kill many, only the Lord has power over the snake and provides His solution to their sin, they have the responsibility to trust God’s commands, move in obedience while wounded by their sin, look up to the image of salvation, believe unto God for their healing; God’s perfect justice bring wrath and life
l. Numbers 22:32, 25:1-9, 31:16 (2 Peter 2:15, Jude 1:11) – the Moabites and Midianites pay the greedy Balaam to use his false, pagan practices to attempt to curse Israel (he can’t curse what God has blessed – Genesis 12:2-3), but then resorts to sexual seduction of the Israelites and their false worship of their local gods – a plague kills 24,000 before the priest Phineas spears an Israelite man and a Midianite woman simultaneously, in Numbers 31 God executes justice on the Midianties for their sexual immorality
2. The bronze serpent is later referred to as the “Nehushtan” (2 Kings 18:4) and is later turned into an idol by Israel to which they made sacrifices until King Hezekiah righteously destroys it by breaking it into pieces. Why do Protestants (non-Catholic/Orthodox Christians) resist the use of images, statues, amulets, charms, scapulars, beads, and relics? How can you tell if you have an object that has become an idol in your life? What are some examples?
3. In the tribe of Manasseh a man named Zelophehad had no sons, only daughters (Numbers 26:33, 27:1-11, 36:1-12) and specific protections were made for the daughters to receive their father’s inheritance. Why do you think God gives such counter-cultural attention, protections, and provisions to women?
a. See also: “Women of Faith in the Bible” www.trustworthyword.com/women
4. The 20+ year old male population of Israel was still over 600,000 after 38 years in the desert (from 603,550 to 601,730). Assuming one woman for every man, over 1.2 million Israelites died as a consequence of their rebellion, which equals around 86 funerals a day or 31,500 deaths a year. What do you think it would have been like for this new generation to see so much death? How do funerals affect you?
5. Do you think the new generation of Israelites learned from their forefathers’ failures? Have you seen this problem in your families? Where the sinful influence of one generation normalizes rebellion against God? When a family wanders from God, what can be done to help?
6. Leviticus shows God’s faithfulness in the midst of Israel’s rebelliousness. How have you seen God be faithful in the midst of your rebelliousness? Why is it important not to presume on God’s kindness and patience? (see Romans 2:3-5)
7. The story of Balaam and his donkey is unusual but important (Numbers 22-24). What lessons stood out to you from this story?
8. Numbers 28-29 reiterates the importance of offerings and Jewish feasts. Why do you think this focus was renewed before their entry into the Promised Land? Why should churches regularly focus on Christian giving and holy-days (Christmas, Easter, the Lord’s Day/Sundays)?
9. God instructs the Israelites to totally destroy the tribes (Arad/Sihon King of the Amorites/Og King of Bashan – Numbers 21, Moab – Numbers 31) with a very specific statement in Numbers 33:51-56 to drive them all out and destroy their idols and false worship. With this statement comes the warning that if they do not, the inhabitants will “thorns in your sides” and “give you trouble where you live.” What do we see in Israel today and how is it connected to this passage? Why does God take pagan sin and false worship so seriously? Do we take sin as serious as we should?
10. Moses says “you may be sure that your sin will find you out” (Numbers 32:23) as a warning. Read Luke 12:2-3. How have you seen this truth play out? Why is it important to remember?
General Discussion Questions
• What do these passages teach us about our enemies’ attacks (deceptions, distractions, discouragement, and temptations)? How can we better resist these attacks?
• Application Questions: How do you need to respond to and apply these truths to your life? (Is there a sin to avoid? A command to obey? An example to follow? A prayer to offer? A truth to remember or memorize? An attitude to change? A teaching to share?)