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BOOK OF NUMBERS – LESSON FIVE

(Chapters 21-25)

        About one month after Aaron’s death, God’s people move again toward the plains of Moab.  This departure occurs about the sixth month of the 40th. year after Israel’s departure from Egypt (Numbers 20:29, 33:38).  From Mt. Hor, they would reach the plains of Moab five months later when Moses directs a new generation of Israelites in the Law before entering the promised land (Deuteronomy 1:3).  The Journey is made longer because of Edom’s refusal to allow Israel to pass through their land as this lesson ties in with lesson four (Numbers 20:14-22, 21:4). Between the victories in the later part of chapter 21 and the sinful failure in Israel with its consequences beginning in chapter 25, we have the interesting account of the covetous prophet, Balaam, and the fearful Moabite king, Balak,  who wanted Balaam to curse Israel, thus defeating a present threat to Moab (Numbers 22-24).  

!. A New Journeying Towards the Promised Land Begins...

A. God gives Israel victory over the Canaanite king of Arad (the south country less than 10 miles northeast of Hormah)  (21:1-3).

B. Edom’s refusal for Israel to pass through their land – leads to Israel to murmur against God and Moses (21:4-5).

C. God sends fiery serpents to kill many of the murmuring Israelites – God offers the remedy from the poisonous bites by looking at the bronze serpent raised up by Moses (21:6-9, John 3:14).

D. Children of Israel journey from Oboth to Mt. Pisgah – God provides water from a well – Israel sings (21:10-20).

E. Israel’s victories over Sihon, King of the Amorites, and Og, King of Bashan     (21:21-35).

F. Victorious Israel situated in the plains of Moab near Jericho, strikes  fear in Balak the King of Moab -seeks to hire Balaam to curse Israel (22:1-20).

G. God confronts Balaam through the mouth of a donkey – opens Balaam’s eyes to see God’s angel standing in the way (22:21-35). .

H. Insulted Balak meets Balaam – sacrifices offered to Jehovah (22:36-23:12).

I. Balak’s second attempt to curse Israel in another place (top of Pisgah)  – Balak’s sacrifices – Jehovah’s answer through Balaam (23:13-24).

J. Balak’s third approach and attempt to have Balaam curse Israel (23:25-24:9).

K. Angry Balak and restricted Balaam depart company – Balaam’s final parable  (24:10-25).

L. God’s judgment upon Israel for their fornication with the daughters of Moab and their worship of Baal – 24,000 die of a plague (25:1-18).

QUESTIONS:

1. How did a new journey toward the promised land begin anew in 21:1-3?

2. Why did the journey quickly become discouraging?  

3. How does the brazen serpent raised up by Moses relate to Jesus?

4. How does God provide water in 21:16-18 for His people that causes Israel to sing?

5. What three victories of Israel cause Balak, King of Moab, to be worried about Israel?

6. What did Balak want to accomplish through Balaam?

7. Why does God not allow Balaam to curse Israel?

8. Why was God angry with Balaam when Balaam went with the princes of Moab, when God

     gave him permission to go?

9. How does God help Balaam see the Divine displeasure?

10.  How does Balaam respond to Balak’s first two attempts to curse Israel through Balaam?

        

11. What does Balaam do differently on Balak’s third attempt to have Israel cursed?

12. Examining Balaam’s response to Balak’s three attempts to have Israel cursed, what do you

       learn  about “Divine Inspiration”?  

BOOK OF NUMBERS – LESSON SIX

(Chapters 26-27)

        As we come to Numbers chapter 26, we have a second census taken of males, twenty years old and over who are able to go to war on behalf of Israel.  The sum of men is 601,730, compared to 603, 550 taken approximately thirty-eight years prior (Num. 1).  The diminishing number in the present census may be due to the loss of life of the younger generation in the recent rebellion of Korah (Num. 16:32-35,49, 26:64-65).  Seven of the twelve tribes actually grew in number over the three decades between censuses.  The family of Simeon decreased in number by 63% (59,300 – 22,200), while the tribe of Manasseh increased by 63% (32,200 – 52, 700). Plans for dividing the promised land are being addressed, with new legislation.  Moses’ leadership is being given over to Moses’ servant Joshua, who is God’s choice to lead the new generation into Canaan.  

I   A NEW NUMBERING (Chapters 26-27)  

A. The Second Census – 601, 730 men 20 years and older.  Counting a new generation  -  Levites counted separately (26:1-65).

B. Details and legislation regarding the dividing up the land – Issue of no males in a family of Manasseh addressed (27:1-11).

C. Moses is told of his exclusion from entering the land promised Israel – allowed to view the land from the Abarim mountain range (27:12-14).

D. Moses manifests a good and selfless heart appealing to God for a shepherd- type leader for God’s people   (27:15-17).

QUESTIONS:

1. What new fact do you learn about the rebellion of Korah in the census taken of the tribe of Reuben?

2. How did the 250 who were devoured by fire in the rebellion of Korah become “a sign”?

3. Why do you think the second census included the deaths of Er and Onan when the first census did not mention them?  

4. What is significant about the population change between the two tribes of Joseph - Manasseh and Ephriam?

5. What family of Manasseh did not have any sons, but only daughters?  

6. How did this lack of males in this family lead to changes in dividing  the land?

7. What lessons can you take away from the five daughters of Zelophehad

8. Moses’ failure at the waters of Meribah (Num. 20) may have been in Moses’ mind daily, but how many times was he forced to think about it before his end came?

9. How did Moses react in having a new leader for Israel?  

10. What did Moses convey or pass on to Joshua by laying his hand on Joshua?

        

11.  What was different between the leaders Moses and Joshua in receiving the judgments of God?