Numbers 11-12 - The Life of Moses

 (My BSF Notes)

Last time we learned that Moses was told by God to take a census of the people listing every name one by one; then to count men 20 years old and over to serve in the army.  We saw God’s placement of the tribes around the tabernacle placing the tabernacle in the center showing that God is to be the center of their lives.  We saw purifying of the camps and each tribe giving offerings at the dedication of the tabernacle.  They were told to celebrate Passover in accordance with all its regulations.  The cloud of God continued to guide the Israelites as they journeyed toward the Promise Land.

Numbers 11 – The People Begin to Complain

The people began to complain about all their hardships, which angered God.  “Then fire from the Lord burned among them and consumed some of the outskirts of the camp.” – Num. 11:1.  The people cried out to Moses for God to stop the fire.  They continued to complain.  They complained about the manna God had continued to provide for them.  They wanted meat and fish and vegetables like they had in Egypt.  They had forgotten about all the hard work and hard lives they had to do as slaves.  The Lord became very angry and this troubled Moses.  Moses asked God why had He brought this trouble on him and that he couldn’t carry the burdens of all these people by himself.  If God was going to treat him this way, he said just put him to death. (Num. 11:11-15). 

What do you do when times are hard?

Do you take your concerns to God?

How do your complaints affect others?

God came to Moses’ rescue.  He told Moses to bring the leaders and officials of the people to the Tent of Meeting and God would come down and speak with him.  He would put the same Spirit on them that was on Moses.  Then Moses would not have to carry the burden of the people alone. (Num. 11:16-19). 

Moses poured out his heart to God.  We can be real with God.  He knows it anyway.  Take your problems and concerns to Him.  God listened to Moses and gave him comfort and provided for him as He does for us, when we take our concerns to Him.  We don’t have to face them alone.  God wants to hear from us.  He listens and will help us through anything.  All we have to do is go to Him.

When has God provided comfort for you when you were overwhelmed?

Moses was to tell the people to consecrate themselves in preparation for tomorrow when they would eat meat.  If they wanted meat, God would give them meat, but not for just one day, but for a month until they were sick of it. (Num. 11:20-22).  Moses didn’t understand how they would have enough herds and flocks for meat for all the people for a month.  God told him, “Is the Lord’s arm too short?  You will now see whether or not what I say will come true for you.” – Num. 11:23. 

So Moses did as the Lord commanded and brought the leaders of the people to the Tent of Meeting and the Spirit was put on them and they prophesied.  There were 2 men, Eldad and Meadad, who did not come, but remained in the camp, but the Spirit still rested on them and they prophesied.  Joshua told Moses about them and wanted him to stop them.  Moses asked if he was jealous for his sake.  Moses wished all the people had the Spirit on them.

God sent quail from out of the sea.  It was all around the camp and 3 feet high.  They ate and ate.  God’s anger burned against them and so He struck them with a severe plague.

The people’s complaint about the manna was a complaint against God.  We should always be thankful for our food.  That is why we give thanks before a meal.  Asking and thanking God should be our response to God’s abundance.

How do you express your thanks to God?

God knows when we complain and it angers Him.  He expects us to learn from our experience.  We who know God should be the least of the complainers.  We can think about all that goes wrong, but it does no good.  God is the only one who can do something about it.  What is helpful is to focus on what is right.  The Israelites got in the habit of complaining.  They focused on what they didn’t have instead of what they had.  Being negative or positive can be contagious.  We need to be thankful for all our blessings given to us and make that our habit.  We have a choice - complain or pray.  Prayer provides exactly what we need.

Principles: 

God wants us to be thankful to Him for His provision.

Complaints focus on circumstances while prayer focuses on the sovereign power of God.

Numbers 12 – God Defends Moses

Miriam and Aaron started speaking against Moses because of Moses Cushite wife.   “Has the Lord spoken only through Moses?  Hasn’t he also spoken through us?” – Num. 12:2.  Miriam is mentioned first in this passage indicating she was probably the instigator.  Moses was a very humble man than anyone on the earth. (Num. 12:3)  He did not lash back or try to defend himself as we probably would have done.  So God came to Moses’ rescue again.  He said to bring Miriam and Aaron of out the Tent.  God defended Moses saying, “When a prophet of the Lord is among you, I reveal myself to him in visions, I speak to him in dreams.  But this is not true of my servant Moses; he is faithful in all my house, with him I speak face to face, clearly and not in riddles; he sees the form of the Lord.  Why then were you not to afraid to speak against my servant Moses?” – Num. 12:6-8.  The Lord’s anger burned against them. 

“Faithful in all my house” means in all of Israel.  The Israelites were God’s family.  Moses did everything God commanded according to God’s will.  He was a faithful servant to God and to the people.

When the cloud of God lifted, Miriam was stuck with leprosy.  Aaron pleaded with Moses to not hold their sin against them.  So Moses asked God to heal her.  God listened.  Miriam’s punishment was confinement to outside the camp.  She was to stay there for 7 days.  I am sure when she reentered the camp, she was a humble woman.  While she was outside the camp, the presence of God was removed from the people.  It is a sin to speak against a true servant of God and His removal indicated the seriousness of the sin.

Do you criticize people God has placed in positions of authority?

How do you respond, when you are criticized for the work you do?

Moses was a lot like Jesus.  Moses had a humble heart, forgave Miriam, and interceded for her before God.  Jesus was humble and intercedes for us before God.  We can learn to be more like Jesus through the examples of Moses.

Principles: 

God listens when we intercede on behalf of others.

Faith in God’s sovereign eliminates jealousy and inspires humility.

When we complain, it shows our lack of faith.  Faith is being content in believing that Jesus is the Son of God, we must believe for ourselves, and then we must have a commitment to repent and follow Jesus.  Surrendering to Him is the hardest to do.  Complaints grieve God.  When we complain, we always grieve someone.  Will you ask God to change your complaining attitude?

In this study we learn that God is a just God.  He is a merciful God by not burning up the whole Israelite camp.  He shows us that He is the great Physician, when He healed Miriam.  He is a provider providing all the Israelites needed.  He listened to Moses’ prayer and helped him by giving him what he needed. 

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BSF Numbers 1-10 The Life of Moses

(My BSF Notes)

Last time we finished up the book of Leviticus.  We learned about the Sabbath Year where Israel is to work the land for 6 years and let the land rest every 7^th year so it would be restored and rejuvenated.  We also learned about the Year of Jubilee.  Its purpose was redemption of the land and of the slaves.  We also learned that God rewards obedience and punishes disobedience.

Numbers 1-4 – The Census

The Lord told Moses a census was to be taken of all the people by clans and families and that every name was to be listed.  Moses and Aaron were to number by their divisions of all men who where 20 years old or more who were able to serve in the army.  One man from each family who was the head of his family should assist them.  When all were counted, there were 603,550 total. (Num. 1:1-43)  I am sure with all the mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, and the Levites there were over 2-3 million people counted in all.

The purpose of the census was to set up an army to protect the Israelites.  It also showed that God was faithful and had kept His promise to make them numerous and a great nation.  They started out with 70 and now there were over 2 million.

The families of the tribe of Levi were not counted, but were appointed to be in charge of the tabernacle and all its furnishings and accessories.  When the tabernacle moved, they were to put up and take it down.  They did just as the Lord commanded.  (Num. 1:47-54) 

The Lord told Moses and Aaron to arrange the camps around the Tent of Meeting and the Levites would set the Tent of Meeting in the middle of the camps.  They did just as the Lord commanded. (Num. 2)  This put God who dwelled in the Tent of Meeting at the center of the camps making Him the center of their lives.  God wants us to put Him in the center of our lives, too.  It also protected the Tent of Meeting from enemies.  

What is central in your life?  Is it work, family, self?

Num. 3-4 is the account of the family of Aaron and Moses who served as priests.  As we learned earlier Aaron and his sons were appointed priests.  His 2 sons Nadab and Abihu were killed by God because they disobeyed God by offering an unauthorized offering.  Now there are only 2 sons left, Eleazar and Ithamar.  The Lord told Moses to bring the tribe of Levi to Aaron to assist him.  Remember when the people were worshiping the golden calf and the tribe of Levi rallied around Moses and obeyed by killing those who were disobedient?  At that time they were set-apart, because they obeyed.

The Lord told Moses and Aaron to take a census of the Kohathite branch of the Levites.  They were to count all the men from 30 to 50 years of age to come to serve in the work of the Tent of Meeting.  They were to care of the most holy things in the Tent. (Num. 4:1-20).  Then they were to count the tribe of the Gershonites and count all men from 30-50 years of age.  These men were to carry the curtains of the tabernacle, the Tent of Meeting, its covering and the outer covering, the curtains at the entrance, the curtains of the courtyard, the curtain for the entrance, the ropes and all the equipment used in service. (Num. 4:21-28).  The Merarites were also to be counted.  They counted all men 30-50 years of age to carry the frames of the tabernacle, its crossbars, posts and bases, the posts surrounding the courtyard with their bases, tent pegs, ropes, and all the equipment. (Num 4:29-33).

All these tribes were counted just as the Lord commanded.  I am sure that these men were very honored to be serving the Lord and so should we.  They were willing and I am sure it was a privilege to serve.  Everyone likes to be needed.  It makes us not only feel needed by God, but closer to Him.  It is a privilege to serve God.  It is a type of worship.

How are you serving God?

Do you feel honored to serve Him?

Principle:  God calls us to put Him in the center of our lives.

Numbers 5-6 – The Purifying

The Lord told Moses to purify the camp in 3 ways:

Send away anyone who had infectious skin diseases or discharge of any kind, or who was ceremonially unclean because of a dead body.  (Num. 5:1-4).

When someone wrongs another, he must confess the sin and make full restitution and add 1/5 to it and give to the person he has wronged.  (Num. 5:5-10).

If a man’s wife is unfaithful or if he suspects she is unfaithful or he is jealous, he is to take her to the priest who will perform a ceremony over her.  If she is guilty, she will be cursed and will not be able to have children.  If she is not guilty, she will be cleared of guilt and will be able to have children.  (Num. 5:11-31).

It is important for these things to be done.  It protected the family and community.  It was important to have a pure heart to be in a right relationship with God and with others. 

How has God purified your heart?

Is there something in your heart that needs to be changed?

Num. 6 is about someone who wants to make a vow of separation to the Lord.  He is called a Nazirite.  He must not drink alcohol, not shave or cut his hair, and not go near dead bodies.  He must dedicate himself to the Lord for a period and must bring a guilt offering.  When this period of separation is over, he is brought to the Tent of Meeting with a sin offering and must shave off his hair.  Then he is free to drink wine.

When the Nazirite took their vow separation to the Lord, they looked different.  We as Christians should look different to the world.  We need to be a testimony to God by the way we live, the way we speak and the way we act.

Have you dedicated yourself to the Lord?

In what ways have you set yourself apart?

God told Moses to tell Aaron to bless the people in Num. 6:24-26.  I love this blessing.  I think we all are familiar with it.

“The Lord bless you and keep you;

The Lord make his face shine upon you

and be gracious to you;

The Lord turn his face toward you

and give you peace.”

Principle:  God calls us to have a pure heart and to be set apart for Him.

Numbers 7-8 – The Offerings

The leaders of the Israelite families made offerings and brought their gifts to the Lord as a dedication of the tabernacle.  Each day a tribe brought offering.  There were 12 tribes so this was done for 12 days. (Num. 7).  They gave their best and did not give impulsive.  When we give to the Lord, we need to give our best.

The Lord instructed Moses and Aaron how to set up the lampstands in the tabernacle. (Num. 8:1-4).  Then they were to set apart the Levites and make them ceremonially clean.  They did just as the Lord commanded.  They were to take part in the work of the Tent of Meeting, but at the age of 50, they must retire.  They could then assist, but not do the work themselves. (Num. 8:5-26).

How do you support your church and its ministries?

How consistently do you give tithes and offerings to your church?

Do you serve in your church or do you leave it up to others?

Principle:  God is pleased when we bring our gifts and offerings to Him.

Numbers 9-10 – The Celebration

God told Moses to have the Israelites celebrate the Passover before leaving Sinai.  This was 1 year since the last Passover.  The 1^st was when they left Egypt.  It was to be celebrated on the 1^st month of the 2^nd year after they came out of Egypt.  They were to celebrate at twilight on the 14^th day in accordance with all its rules and regulations.  Some could not celebrate on that day if they had come in contact with a dead body.  They were considered ceremonially unclean.  The Lord said they could still celebrate the Passover, but in the 2^nd month, on the 14^th day at twilight.  And alien living among them could also celebrate, but must obey the same regulations.  (Num. 9:1-14). 

How eager are you to worship fully at your church?

The cloud of the Lord continued to lead the Israelites by covering the tabernacle.  At night it looked like fire.  When the cloud lifted, the Israelites would set out and when the cloud settled, they would camp.  They obeyed the Lord and only moved when the cloud moved.  (Num. 9:15-23).

Trumpets sounded as communication for the Israelites.  With 1 sound of the trumpet, the leaders assembled before Moses.  When 2 sounded, the whole community assembles before the entrance of the Tent.  It was also used as a signal for setting out again on their journey to the Promise Land.

God guides us today.  We don’t see a cloud, but He goes before us protecting and guiding us through the Holy Spirit.  We need to be led by God’s Spirit and not go out on our own.  We don’t actually hear a trumpet, but we do hear God speak to us through sermons and through His Word as well as the Holy Spirit.

Principle:  God is always there to guide, protect, and provide for His people.

Do you trust God to move when He says move?

How do you celebrate what God has done for you?

There are many lessons to be learned in this study.  More than you would think.  Here are only a few:   God has a plan.  He is a God of order.  He is a God of relationships.  He knows all of us by name.  We have the assurance of His presence.  He is holy.  We are His offspring.  He is gracious and led the Israelites with a cloud.  He leads and guides us by His Spirit.  Everyone individual is important, because He created you.  When we give to Him, we need to give our best.

How does time you spend with Him show He is the center of your life?

How motivated are you to love and share Him with others?

Glorifying God is living set apart for Him.  What do you need to set aside to enjoy a greater fellowship with Him?

How in tune are you with the Holy Spirit?

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Leviticus 25-27 The Life of Moses

Last time we learned about the scapegoat, which was sent into the desert with all the sins of the people.  Jesus is our scapegoat.  He took our sins away and we never have to face them again. 

(My BSF Notes)

Leviticus 25 – The Sabbath Year and the Year of Jubilee

The purpose of the Sabbath Year was to give the land a rest.  It occurred once in every 7 years.  In the 7^th year the fields were to be allowed to totally rest.  The Israelites were not to sow their fields, prune their vineyards, reap what grows, or harvest grapes.  The people could not plant, but could eat what grew from previous plantings (Lev. 25:1-7).  Just like the Sabbath day is for us.  We are to not work, but rest for rejuvenation and restoration on the Sabbath. 

The purpose of the Year of Jubilee was redemption of the land and slaves.  It was to prevent ruin through debt.  God said to count off 7 Sabbath years, 7 times 7, which was 49 years.  On the Day of Atonement in the 15^th year, they were to announce it by sounding trumpets.  Jubilee means “the blowing of the ram’s horn”.  Jubilee was to be a special year, a year of liberty throughout the land, a year when everyone was to return to his own property.  God was concerned about the people and didn’t want their land taken from them which would result in families being dispersed.  The land was important, because it existed for the people.  The land was God’s and His people held the land in trust for Him.  “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it.” – Ps.24:1.

The land was not to be sold permanently, because the land belongs to God.  If the land was sold, it was to be repurchased by the original owner so the land would be restored.  If the seller was poor and could not purchase his land back, it was to be redeemed by his nearest relative.  This relative is called a kinsman-redeemer.  An example of this is found in the story of Boaz and Ruth in the book of Ruth.  The Israelites were to have compassion on the poor and to not take advantage of them, but were to help them so they could remain in the community.  If the poor had no relative to redeem him, he was to be released in the Year of Jubilee.   

Do you think this would work today?  Probably not.  People today are selfish and certainly would not want to give back anything or even pay another’s debt.  Anyway most people do not grow their own food and would not be able to store enough for a whole year.  There are probably some people who would do this, but it would be hard to get everyone on board with the idea.  Farmers today however, do rest the land somewhat in that they rotate crops to get the best yield.  I am sure there are some who would love to not work for a complete year, which some do that now and live off of the government and others.

What is your attitude when you care for others?

How do you come to the aid of others?

Do you treat others the way you want to be treated?

God wanted to restore the land, His people and He wanted them to focus on Him.  We see in this study His heart of love and wisdom.  Redemption is the heart of His character.  He doesn’t want us with a sin debt.  Without Christ we are responsible for our sin.  Christ bought us back from sin and set us free.  We still have a sinful nature, but we are not in bondage to sin.  God is sovereign and knows all things and controls all things.  He created the land and knew what it needed and He knows what we need.

Jesus is the Kinsman-redeemer of the human race and had the right to redeem the world.  We can’t ransom other sinners.  They have to confess and repent of their own sins.  But we can share Christ with them.  We can be an example as to the way we live.  We can be Jesus to them.

Principle:  God sent Jesus as the Redeemer for the world.

Have you allowed Jesus to be your redeemer?

Interesting side-note:  The Liberty Bell located in Philadelphia reads, “Proclaim liberty throughout the land and to all the inhabitants thereof.”  This is in Lev. 25:10.

Leviticus 26 – Rewards and Punishments

In this chapter God promised rewards for obedience and punishment for disobedience.  He reminds them to no make idols, because “I am the Lord your God.” – Lev. 26:1.  They are to observe the Sabbath and have reverence for His sanctuary (Lev. 2).  If they follow His decrees and obey His commands He will bless them by sending rain for their crops and trees and they will have all they want to eat.  They will live safely in the land.  He will look on them with favor by making them fruitful and increase their number.  He will dwell with them and walk among them.

But if they do not listen to Him and carry out all His commands, then He will punish them.  He will bring on terror, diseases, and fever.  They will plant crops in vain and their enemies will rule over them.  If they still do not listen, He will punish their sins 7 times over and break their stubborn pride.  If they are still hostile, He will multiply afflictions 7 times over.  He will send animals against them, which will destroy them making them few in number.

If they do not accept His corrections, He will be hostile and afflict them for their sins 7 times over, send plagues, give them to the enemy and cut off supply of bread.  They will eat, but will not be satisfied.  If they still do not listen, He will in His anger be hostile, punish them for their sins 7 times over.  He will abhor them and cities will be in ruins.  He will not be pleased with their offerings.  The land will be waste land, enemies will live there, and the people will be scattered among nations.  The land will enjoy the Sabbath years all the time.

Those who are left will be fearful and unable to stand against their enemies.  They will waste away, because of their sins.  But if they confess their sins and the sins of their fathers, He will remember His covenant with Jacob, Isaac and Abraham and will remember the land.                                                                                                   

How has God blessed you for your obedience?

How has God punished you for your disobedience?

How has God provided for you?

One day the trumpet will sound for us.  The dead in Christ will rise first and if you are a Christian and are alive, you will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.  We will then live forever with Him. (1 Thess. 4:16-17)

Are you ready to meet Jesus? 

If not, what are you waiting for?

Principle:  God provides a way back from disobedience.

Leviticus 27 – Tithes and Gifts

This chapter deals with the dedication of people, animals, or property to the Lord as the result of a vow.  If an individual’s circumstances change and it becomes necessary to redeem the dedication, God tells how this is to be done.  He said that no one can dedicate the firstborn of an animal, since it already belongs to God.  Nothing that is devoted to God can be sold or redeemed, because everything is holy to God.  No person devoted to destruction can be ransomed, but must be put to death.  A tithe of everything from land belongs to God and is holy to Him.

What have you dedicated to the Lord?

How can you live a life to receive His rewards?

Principle:  Everything has been given to us by God and is to be used faithfully to serve Him.

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