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BOOK OF NUMBERS – LESSON THREE

(10:11-14:45)

        Nineteen days after the Book of Numbers begins, we have God lifting up the guiding cloud from the tabernacle as the Israel is being prepared to make their journey to the promised land (Num. 1:1; 10:11).  Complaints and disbelief characterize the people as they make their way to Kadesh after fourteen months camping at Mt. Sinai in the wilderness of Sinai,

I. The Journey Begins...

A. Jehovah directs the cloud to lift from above tabernacle as the people depart according to His direction through Moses (10:11-13).

B. Details of the march – Moses prays for the people of Israel (10:14-35).

1. Moses commands the orderly departure (v. 11-28).

2. Moses’ plea for Hobab to be their eyes as Israel travels the wilderness to their destination (v. 29-34, cf. Judges 1:16).

3. Moses’ prayer for Jehovah to rise up before them against their enemies, and bless them when the ark of the covenant leads the way and when it is set again to bless the multitude of Israel (v. 35-36).

C. Israelites along with mixed multitude complain of being taken from Egypt and feed on Manna in the wilderness after three days journey  (11:1-35)

1. Jehovah brings consuming fire upon complaining people (v.1-3)

2. Mixed multitude lust for flesh to eat, as Israel weeps as they remember the fish, melons, and vegetables they had in Egypt – have become tired of sustaining manna (v. 4-9)

3. Moses appeals to Jehovah for help due the burden God has placed solely upon his shoulders (10-15).

4. God’s remedy of Moses’ burden, and God’s death plague upon those who complained of no flesh – people die with quail between their lustful teeth (v. 16-34).

5. Israel journeys on to Hazeroth (v.35)

D. Aaron and Miriam complain about Moses’ leadership – Miriam punished with leprosy as God speaks on behalf of meek Moses, who prays for Miriam  (12;1-16)

1. Moses prays for Miriam (v.13)

2. Israel journeys on to wilderness of Paran (v. 16)

E. Twelve spies sent out to spy out the land of Canaan – return to Kadesh all report it  “flows with milk and honey” – proof of presentable “fruit,” but... (13:1-33)

1. Majority of the  spies with the eyes of flesh only see the barriers

2. Minority of the  spies – God’s spokesman, Caleb,  with the eyes of faith, sees their strong ability to overcome their perceived barriers of weakness .

F. Rebellion of the people of Israel because the ten spies gave a discouraging report  (14:1-45)

1. Discouraged people want a new leader – return to Egypt (v. 1-4)

2. Joshua and Caleb appeal to the people not to fear the inhabitants nor rebel against Jehovah who is with us and will give the land (v.5-10).

a. People seek to stone Joshua and Caleb

3. The intercession of Moses for his people whom Jehovah is ready to destroy – this generation (20 years and older)  will die in 38 more years of wandering and shall not enter into the promised land except Joshua, Caleb, and the little ones - plague of death comes upon the ten disbelieving spies (v.11-38).

4. Repentant, but presumptive people disobey Jehovah and suffer defeat at the hands of the Amalekites and Canaanites – Isreal beaten down even to Hormah as they try to take the land (v. 39-45).

QUESTIONS

1. How do the three family heads (Gershon, Kohath, and Merari) of Levi mesh together and join the other tribes of Israel in their departure from the wilderness of Sinai?

2. Was Moses manifesting lack of faith in Jehovah and His authoritative cloud when asking for Hobab’s help in traveling the wilderness unto the promised land?  

Did Hobab change his mind?

3. What is the difference between the people who spoke evil of Jehovah, those who complained about having only manna, and Moses who is complaining about the position God has placed him in?  

4. How does Moses manifest God-approving meekness?  

5. What distinguishes Caleb from the other spies who brought back an evil report regarding the promised land?

6. What characteristics of Jehovah come to the forefront in His response to a faithless and disobedient generation of His people in chapter 14?

7. What should we learn from Caleb’s “different spirit?”

8. What way were the people commanded as they depart into the wilderness?

9. What irony is present with God specifying that the little ones of the present murmuring generation will enter the land while they will not?

10. The people are to wander in the wilderness:

a. forty years

b. thirty-Eight more years

c. a and b

11. What happened to the 10 spies who caused the people to murmur?

12. What spirit in the hearts of the people did not bring victory to those with a mourning, diligent, and penitent spirit?