Continuing on through Numbers, we see that the Israelites are a doubting nation. Israel has become a whining, ungrateful and untrusting congregation. The Lord is providing food for them, but it is not good enough. He has given them leaders that have a direct line to God to tell them what to do and yet they scorn it. He is beginning to fulfill His promise of giving the land of Canaan to the Israelites, promising to be with them every step of the way and yet they continuously bemoan their situation. I don’t blame Moses for his behavior in Meribah: striking the rock out of anger to bring forth water, instead of just calling out. He was frustrated at their lack of trust and faith in their God. The consequences of their constant doubt: spending 40 years wandering in the desert. No one who had left Egypt during the exodus will set foot in the promised land. We should have the faith of Caleb and Joshua, believing that if our God is with us, we can defeat any enemies in our path. Please don’t take having doubts when it comes to the Lord as a bad thing, but we need to bring to Him our fears, our concerns and those doubts. He will make our burden light if only we hand it over to Him.
“Speak to the people of Israel, and tell them to make tassels on the corners of their garments throughout their generations, and to put a cord of blue on the tassel of each corner. And it shall be a tassel for you to look at and remember all the commandments of the Lord, to do them, not to follow after your own heart and your own eyes, which you are inclined to whore after. So you shall remember and do all my commandments and be holy to your God. I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt to be your God: I am the Lord your God.” Numbers 15:38-41
Passage:
Numbers 9-20
Discovered:
- Passover was to be celebrated on the 1st month, 14th day – if there were any Israelites who were unclean or traveling – they would be able to celebrate Passover one month later.
- God appeared over the tabernacle as a cloud by day and fire by night. If the cloud lifted the Israelites were to set out.
- 2 silver trumpets to be used for summoning the congregation and breaking camp. Both blew: summon congregation, blow one: gather the leaders, sound alarm: head out, was also blown for festivals and during battles.
- They left Sinai to go to Paran – beginning their journey to promised land
- Moses asks brother in law, Hobab, to stay with them to give his knowledge of the wilderness. If he stays the Lord will bless him.
- People began to complain so the Lord consumed with fire some of the camp outskirts.
- The congregation complained they only had manna, no meat. Moses confided with the Lord he was overwhelmed by the 600,000, so there were 70 elders appointed to help. They were gifted with the spirit. 2 elders Eldad and Medad were in camp instead of at the tabernacle and began to speak prophecy to in the camp. Joshua told Moses to stop them, but Moses replied, “I wish everyone would do that”.
- The Lord sent quail, so much to that they were able to collect at least 6 baskets of quail each. Their greed angered the Lord and He sent a plague killing people before they could eat the quail.
- Miriam and Moses (led by Miriam) spoke against Moses because he was married to a foreign women. The Lord overhead and summoned them to the entrance of the tent of meeting.
- The Lord told them that I will speak to prophets through visions and dreams, but to Moses I speak mouth to mouth (face to face) clearly and not in riddles.
- As punishment, the Lord made Miriam leperous for a week.
- Moses sent out 12 men, one from each tribe to scout out the Land of Canaan.
- After 40 days they returned – land of milk and honey but the inhabitants are strong and the people rebelled. The Lord threatened to destroy them and build a new nation. Moses pleaded for them and instead none of those who were part of the exodus from Egypt would enter the promised land. They would wander for 40 years. All the spies but Caleb and Joshua died.
- Some of the Israelites tried to go into battle to defeat the Canaanites but were defeated.
- Lord: One rule/one law for you (Israel) and any stranger who travels with you.
- Israelites were to tie tassels on the corners of their garments as a reminder to obey.
- Korah, Dathan and Abriam and 250 others challenged the authority of Moses and Aaron. The earth opened up and swallowed them. The 250 were consumed with fire. The Lord sent a plague that killed 14,700 before Aaron interceded.
- A staff from each tribe was placed in the tent of meeting. Aaron’s staff blossomed with flowers and almonds overnight showing that he had been chosen by God.
- Tithe went to the Levites and 10% of that went to the priests.
- Miriam dies
- Moses strikes the rock out of anger to bring forth water at Meribah, as a result could not enter the promised land.
- Edom refused passage to Israelites through territory.
- Aaron dies, Eleazar becomes priest and Israel mourns.
Help me to remember:
there were heavy consequences for those that lacked faith in the Lord.
Lord, I ask that . . .
I have an unwavering faith in you, that I immediately bring any doubts, concerns to you and lay them at your feet instead of grumbling.
Heavenly Father, I am thankful for . . .
the faith of Joshua and Caleb. Despite overwhelming evidence, they trusted in you to deliver the land of milk and honey to them.
