Numbers 4

Study Guide 16: Numbers 1-20 RESPONSIBLE CHOICE Overview With the Law given, the priests ordained, and the sacrificial system which provided for forgiveness of sin instituted, it was time for God’ s people to move on. Israel had come to Sinai exactly three months after leaving Egypt. On the twentieth day of the second month of the second year out of Egypt they would set out again (Numbers 10:11). From this point on, Israel would be responsible to God for the choices individuals, groups, and the whole community made. Despite punishments for disobedience along the way, this generation did not learn the vital lesson of obedience. When the time came to make life’ s most significant choice, these people would hear God’ s voice, and turn away.

Outline I. At Sinai Num. 1-9 A. Organizing the people Num. 1-4 B. Culminating worship Num. 5-9 II. The Lost Generation Num. 10-20 A. The journey Num. 10-12 B. Israel’ s disobedience Num. 13-14 C. Years of wandering Num. 15-19 III. Prelude to Victory Num. 20-36 A. Warfare Num. 20-21 B. Baalam Num. 22-25 C. The new generation Num. 26-31 D. Victory preview Num. 32-36A most significant statement about God is found in this section of Scripture: “ The Lord is slow to anger, abounding in love and forgiving sin and rebellion. Yet He does not leave the guilty unpunished” (Numbers 14:18). God is love. But persons are responsible to Him for their choices.

Commentary I remember Laura as she sobbed in my office. She’ d just become a Christian, and life was hard. As a teen she was fighting against the pull of her past and her conflicts with her parents. And she felt a good deal of guilt as well as frustration. It was good to remind her that God had forgiven her, so she could forgive herself too. And to point out that everyone makes mistakes. It’ s part of growing. The exciting thing is that God promises we will grow in Him, grow beyond ourselves and our limitations. But for the pain of her present, Laura didn’ t really need either sympathy or pity. She needed only help to face the problems that her circumstances created. In the face of her difficulties, in the conflict with her family, the help she needed was help to make responsible choices.

Responsible This was the issue confronting Israel at the beginning of the Book of Numbers. This people had been redeemed from slavery by God’ s great power. The people had been taught God’ s will in a Law that revealed much of His character. And provision had been made to cleanse the Israelites from the sins that would inevitably come. The door to God was held open, guaranteed by the tabernacle, sacrifice, and the priesthood. The forgiven people had been instructed how to live in fellowship with their God. The message that came then to Israel was simply this: “ You have been provided with everything you need to live a holy life. Now you are responsible.” The people of Israel were about to face difficult and challenging circumstances. But there could be no excuses for failing to respond to God. In each situation Israel was now responsible for the choices the people made — and also responsible for the results of those choices. What happened now would inevitably be a direct consequence of Israel’ s decision to follow — or to reject — the leading of God. My friend Laura was young, both as a person and as a Christian. Learning to be responsible was hard for her. It’ s hard at any age. Some of us learn the lesson of responsibility only after a great deal of pain, as wrong choices work out their results in our lives. Some of us learn quickly, from others. In this section of Scripture we have lessons on responsibility that we can learn from others, and thus avoid the pain of learning the hard way. 1 Corinthians 10:11-12 tells us that “ these things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us. . . . So if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’ t fall!” It’ s comforting to understand our position in Christ as forgiven people. But it is important to realize that, however exalted our position, as we live our daily lives we must accept responsibility for all our choices and act as redeemed people — lest we fall.

A Nation: Numbers 1-10 Here is where we see the first indication that the great mob of people who swarmed out of Egypt are now to be treated as a responsible nation. A census was taken, with the men of military age numbering 603,550. This figure is given in several different texts, though in some it is rounded off (Exodus 12:37; Exodus 38:26; Numbers 1:46; Numbers 2:32; Numbers 11:21). The later census of Numbers 26:51 shows similarity, but also some change over the 38-year period. The total population of Israel now ready to leave Sinai probably ranged between 2 and 2 million people. Tribal marching and camping positions were set. The duties of the Levites were defined, and a system of trumpet calls was set to signal assembly, the order of departure, alarms, etc. As the people of Israel marched they were to respond to the direct leading of God. The pillar of cloud and fire which had appeared as Israel left Egypt (Exodus 13:21) now rested over the tabernacle. When the cloud rested, the people remained in camp. But when in the morning the cloud lifted up, the people set out and followed it as God led them where He chose. As the Bible says, “ At the Lord’ s command they encamped, and at the Lord’ s command they set out. They obeyed the Lord’ s order in accordance with His command through Moses” (Numbers 9:23). Even in this, the people were being taught to respond to God. God’ s people must always look to Him for guidance, and go or wait at His command.

Israel Marching Judah Issachar Zebulun Gershon and Merari* Reuben Simeon Gad Kohath* Ephraim Manasseh Benjamin Dan Asher Naphtali *The Levites were divided into two companies (see Numbers 10:14-27). The sons of Gershon and Merari carried the tabernacle itself, while the Kohathites carried the holy articles from the tabernacle. With the order of march arranged as it was, the carriers of the tabernacle had time to set it up before the holy things arrived.LINK TO LIFE: CHILDREN The story of the cloudy-fiery pillar is attractive to boys and girls. It can be used to build into their thoughts the same thing God intended to build into Israel’ s thinking: we must go where God leads us. Make a “ cloudy-fiery pillar” from red construction paper, shaded with black crayon, rolled into a tube. After telling the Bible story play a variation of “ May I.” Tell the children to sit down, stand up, take three steps, etc., only when you give the command and move the “ pillar” in the appropriate way. A person who doesn’ t follow pillar-led directions is out. The last person left is the winner. Children can also take turns being the leader. Give the children construction paper and crayons to make or draw their own cloudy-fiery pillar. A Bible verse that guides behavior might be printed or glued to this Primary take-home project. LINK TO LIFE: YOUTH / ADULT The cloudy-fiery pillar is a historic illustration of God’ s guidance of His people. God continues to guide His people today, but seldom in such an unmistakable, visible way. Have group members think back to one or more times when each was aware of God’ s personal guidance in his or her life. When each has identified one or more experiences, have everyone share. What did the guidance concern? How did the guidance come? How did you recognize it? Sharing will help each person in your group broaden his or her awareness and understanding of God’ s leading in the Christian life.

Three Lessons: Numbers 11:1-12:15 When Israel moved away from Sinai after having been camped there so long, three incidents occurred which were truly “ examples” for Israel (1 Corinthians 10:11). Each involved a rejection of God, and each was the occasion of immediate judgment. Israel was being taught the difficult lesson of responsibility. As God’ s people they had to respond to Him with trusting obedience. Any failure to respond led to tragic consequences. In these three experiences Israel was being graciously prepared for a coming choice that would establish the destiny of the entire generation. Rejection of God’ s guidance (Numbers 11:1-3). It took only three days of journeying in desert country for the Israelites to revert to a pattern they had established before they arrived at Sinai. Forgetting all that God had done for them, they let discomfort dominate their thinking. They “ complained about their hardships in the hearing of the Lord” (Numbers 11:1). This was an explicit rejection of God as the One who guided them, and who had guided them from the beginning. In their murmuring they denied His wisdom, and ignored the supernatural provision of the cloudy-fiery pillar that directed their every move. God immediately acted — in judgment. Fire destroyed some outlying parts of the camp. In panic the people turned to Moses, who prayed, and the fire was controlled. Rejection of God’ s provision (Numbers 11:4-35). Shortly afterward the people began to complain about something else. They be came dissatisfied with their diet, and were ready to trade their freedom for the meat and vegetables they had lived on in Egypt. The manna that God provided was despised, and every man at the door of his tent complained and plotted because of a craving for meat. This rejection of God’ s provision was a last straw to Moses, who had long felt the burden of leading a people who behaved like squalling infants (Numbers 11:12). God responded to Moses’ need by distributing his leadership responsibility and gift to 70 of the elders. And God responded to the people too. God had Moses inform the people that the next day they would have meat. Meat enough for a whole month, “ until it comes out of your nostrils and you loathe it” (Numbers 11:20). “ You have rejected the Lord who is among you” (Numbers 11:20), is the divine comment on their behavior and its meaning. God provided meat by bringing a great flock of quail (perhaps like the giant flocks of carrier pigeons which in the early days of our continent darkened the sky for days). The quail flew about three feet off the ground (Numbers 11:31), and for two days were gathered by the bushel. Meat for the millions had been provided. But when the people began to eat, a great plague struck the camp. Thousands and thousands of the murmurers died (Numbers 11:33-34). The people who had rejected God and His provision bore the dreadful consequences of their choice. LINK TO LIFE: YOUTH / ADULT The story in Numbers 11:4-35 illustrates a basic principle: God knows what is best for us. When we insist on begging for something that is not best, He may give it to us. But the consequences show that what we wanted was not really best. Ask your group members if they have had experiences that illustrate this point. Such sharing can help motivate your group members to willingly submit to God in the future. Rejection of God’ s appointed (Numbers 12:1-16). Shortly afterward another incident of rebellion occurred. This time Miriam and Aaron, Moses’ sister and brother, resented the special role Moses was given by God. They were aware that God had used them as well as Moses. So they challenged Moses’ authority. God responded angrily, pointing out the special relationship that He Himself had chosen to have with Moses. “ He is faithful in all My house[hold]” (Numbers 12:7). In judgment, Miriam was stricken with leprosy, and put out of the camp for seven days. Afterward she was healed in answer to Moses’ prayer. (Aaron, who served as high priest, would have been disqualified from his office if he had been similarly judged.) The entire nation was intended to learn by this experience. Everyone was forced to wait for Miriam for those seven days, and did not set out again until she was brought in healed. Why did God deal so harshly and so decisively with the people at fault in these three incidents? These things happened to them as examples. Israel was about to make a vitally important decision — one that would affect her future drastically. On the journey to the place of decision, God permitted these three incidents so that Israel might learn the lesson of responsibility. Notice the parallel in each situation:

Circumstances, rather than God’ s presence, were given priority by the people. God’ s revealed will and purposes were rejected. The rejecting attitude was expressed in actions. Israel’ s wrong choices led to judgment and to suffering. In unmistakable and dramatic ways Israel was shown that they were now responsible for their own choices. Whenever they chose to turn away from God, tragic results would inevitably follow.

The Choice: Numbers 13-14 Israel had been given instruction in responsibility on the way to the Promised Land. When they arrived at the borders of Palestine, Moses sent 12 men out in pairs to spy out the land. The 12 were to evaluate the strength of the peoples, their numbers, and whether the land was rich or poor. God was giving Israel information, that the dangers might be known and weighed against their confidence in God. Ten of the 12 spies were overawed by the strength of the enemy and by the fortified towns they found in the land. Two of the spies, Caleb and Joshua, encouraged the people to trust in God. “ We should go up and take possession of the land, for we can certainly do it” (Numbers 13:30). But the fears of the others prevailed. Crying in fright and anguish, the whole congregation was ready to choose other leaders to guide them back to Egypt! Stunned by the choice Israel was making, Moses and Aaron “ fell face down in front of the whole Israelite assembly gathered there” and Caleb and Joshua tore their clothing (an action indicating great depth of feeling). They urged Israel, “ Do not rebel against the Lord. . . . Their protection is gone but Lord is with us” (Numbers 14:9). This affirmation of faith showed vividly the response that Israel should have made when faced with their choice. Instead, “ the whole assembly talked about stoning them.” The choice had been made. Now, as a responsible people, Israel had to accept the full consequences of her decision. God appears. At this point the Lord visibly intervened. His “ glory” suddenly flashed from the tabernacle. The action of Israel justified their total destruction. . . . God could make of Moses alone a greater people than Israel. But Moses again prayed for the people, and they were pardoned. Yet even with the pardon, the people of Israel would bear the consequences of their decision. “ Not one of the men who saw My glory and the miraculous signs I performed in Egypt and in the desert but who disobeyed Me and tested Me 10 times — not one of them will ever see the land I promised on oath to their forefathers. No one who has treated Me with contempt will ever see it” (Numbers 14:22-23). Only Caleb and Joshua were exempted, because they had responded to God with trust. The rest would be led out again into the wilderness, to wander there for 38 years. “ Your bodies will fall — every one of you 20 years old or more who was counted in the census and who has grumbled against Me. Not one of you will enter the land I swore with uplifted hand to make your home except Caleb . . . and Joshua” (Numbers 14:29-30). When the children of the next generation had learned to accept responsibility and to trust God, then they would come again to the Promised Land. A people who refused to trust could never experience the Promised Land’ s rest. Unfair? Lest we think this judgment was too severe, we need to look at the aftermath. When Moses told the people the judgment of God, they “ mourned greatly.” And the next morning they jumped up — and mounted an attack on the land they had been unwilling to approach. But this was after God had expressly commanded them to turn back to the wilderness! Moses cried out, “ Why are you disobeying the Lord’ s command? This will not succeed!” (Numbers 14:41) But the people stumbled on to meet the enemy, though God’ s ark and His presence remained in the camp. They were defeated and pursued. The people had once again demonstrated that they simply would not listen to God or respond to Him. Over and over the failure of Israel to be obedient led them into disaster. Yet they refused to be responsible. The lesson still had to be learned. Until it was learned, the people would know only the tragic consequences of disobedience with each wrong choice.

The Lost Rest: Hebrews 3:7-11This New Testament passage is a divine commentary on the event we have just reviewed. Hebrews 3:1-19 also contains one of the clearest explanations of our personal responsibility to God today. The writer of this passage quotes from Psalms 95:7-11, which focuses on the attitude of the Israelites who came out of Egypt. Their hearts were hardened against God, and they were “ always going astray.” But for us: Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion, during the time of testing in the desert, where your fathers tested and tried Me and for 40 years saw what I did. That is why I was angry with that generation, and I said, “ Their hearts are always going astray, and they have not known My ways.” So I declared on oath in My anger, “ They shall never enter My rest.” Hebrews 3:7-11Heb_4:1-16 goes on to apply this incident directly to you and me. “ Today if you hear His voice,” the Scripture warns, “ do not harden your hearts” (Hebrews 4:7). Because distrust kept Israel from obeying God, the people were unable to enter the Promised Land. They never knew rest from their wanderings in desolate wilderness. And they died there. But how does this apply to us? The Bible says “ There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God” (Hebrews 4:9). There remains the promise of experiencing life and meeting its challenges with peace in our hearts, and confidence that God’ s good will is being worked out in every circumstance. We can miss the experience of peace if we follow the Israelites’ “ example of disobedience.” All this helps us see more clearly the nature of Christian responsibility. We are to listen for God’ s voice today. And when the Holy Spirit makes us aware of God’ s will, we are to trust God completely — and express that trust in obedience. Like Joshua and Caleb, we are to see our enemies clearly, but are also to have such a clear vision of the Lord that we remember we are well able to overcome them. With this kind of confidence in God, we will obey Him, and find the peace and joy that only obedience can provide. This responsibility of the believer remains the same across the centuries. It is the same, under Law or under grace. Redemption’ s story is one — a story replayed at different times on different stages, but with unifying themes. Redemption brings men and women to God, frees and cleanses them, and provides a choice. Wilderness — or Promised Land? Disobedience — or obedience to God’ s voice? Unbelief — or a complete and childlike trust in the God who has broken our chains and who promises to enrich our forgiveness with an experience of His rest? Will we find that rest? The choice, and the responsibility, is ours and ours alone. LINK TO LIFE: YOUTH / ADULT Use the chart to organize a study of Israel’ s choice and God’ s commentary on it in Hebrews 3:7-4:11.

Believer’ s Responsibility ISRAELUS TODAY HEAR GOD’ S WORDHEAR GOD’ S WORD ATTITUDE: UNBELIEFATTITUDE:

ACTION: DISOBEYACTION:

RESULT: WILDERNESS EXPERIENCE (“ Not enter His Rest” )RESULT:

The Lost Generation: Numbers 15-20 The generation that had stood at the entrance to Canaan had thrown away the Promised Land. How striking that the first words of Numbers 15:1-41 are these: “ The Lord said to Moses, ‘ Speak to the Israelites and say to them, “ After you enter the land.”’” One generation had lost its opportunity to know rest, but their children would make a different choice. One generation had violated the Law Covenant, but God’ s commitment to His own covenant promises remained firm. The years that followed were years of continuing rebellion. Korah, a Levite, led a rebellion, and on Moses’ word the ground opened to swallow up Korah and all his followers (Numbers 16:1-50). The congregation challenged this judgment, and a plague struck 14,700 (Numbers 16:41-50). The strain of being the link between God and sinful man was fully recognized now by Moses and by Aaron. To Aaron God said — and now the old man understood — “ You, your sons, and your father’ s family are to bear the responsibility for sins against the sanctuary” (Numbers 18:1). Those close to God know a constant tension and struggle with those who draw back from Him and His Word. But the dreary years passed. The old spirit of complaint continued to mark this generation of Israelites until the end (Numbers 20:2-9). But the end did come. In the fortieth year of deliverance from Egypt, in the thirty-eighth year of wilderness wandering, Aaron died and the role of high priest passed to one of his sons. The old generation was dying, soon to pass away in final outbreaks of rebellion and quick judgment. Then a new generation would come. That new generation would accept the responsibility that comes with redemption. That generation would choose obedience — and would come to know God’ s rest.

Teaching Guide Prepare Read and meditate on Hebrews 3:7-4:11. How can you best help your group members commit themselves to obey the Lord?

Explore

1. Tell the story of Laura that introduces this unit. Are we right to confront young people and older Christians with personal responsibility? Or do they need a more comforting, sympathetic message?
2. Share experiences when you may have failed to choose God’ s will even when you sensed it. What happened? How have the consequences of any wrong choices you have made helped you become a more responsible person?

Expand

1. Examine the three lessons taught Israel by the experiences reported in Numbers 11:1-12:15. How did these events prepare Israel for the national choice the people would soon face? After examining the incidents, share: “ Has God ever prepared you for a significant decision in a similar way?”
2. As a group read Numbers 13:1-33 and Numbers 14:1-45, and suggest lessons which we can learn from Israel’ s experience. List these lessons on a chalkboard. Then turn to Hebrews 3:7-4:11 and give a minilecture on God’ s commentary on this Old Testament event. What is the basic or primary lesson of this passage? How do we apply it to ourselves today? You may want to use the “ Believer’ s Responsibility” chart for this purpose.

Apply Have your group members share experiences of God’ s guidance, as suggested in the “ link-to-life” idea above. We are to do the will of God. Can we really come to know it? This sharing will help members to discern ways that God continues to make His voice heard by believers today.