Skip to content
  • Home
  • Posts
  • Videos
  • Contact
  • Subscribe
Serving and SharingBiblical Resources for Life
  • Home
  • Posts
  • Videos
  • Contact
  • Subscribe
Written by Cory Collins on June 29, 2022

05 Num 10b-14 – To the Border of the Promised Land

Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy - Life in the Desert

All written materials for this series will be posted on this website, http://servingandsharing.com/, under the category, “Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy – Life in the Desert.” Here is my video presentation introducing this series – https://youtu.be/Lynx51p0tJA.

Watch this specific class presentation here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tKKB1uvyHFM. The entire series will be added to this playlist as they are recorded: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tKKB1uvyHFM&list=PL7JRppjEn33bCHyqZFRQ2JDiJnGRnOYyR. Please use the “Contact” button to request corresponding handouts and outlines.

Please forward this post to anyone that you think would benefit from this study and invite others to subscribe.

Numbers 10-14 document the events leading up to the great rebellion and the divine sentence it incurred. Numbers 15-21 narrate the story of the “lost generation,” give miscellaneous laws and regulations, and then trace the resumed journey to Moab.

Broad Outline of Numbers: Three Stages

1:1-10:10

Sinai: Preparation to Enter Land

Time: 20 days (Cf. 1:1; 10:11)

10:11-21:35

From Sinai to Moab: Failure to Enter Land

Time: 38 years, 3 months, 10 days

22:1-36:13

Plains of Moab: Preparation #2 to Enter Land

Time: c. 5 months

Numbers 10

10:1-10 The Silver Trumpets (end of last class)

10:11-12:16 Marching from Sinai to Kadesh

10:11-28 Israel’s Departure from Sinai

In the exact order God had specified. Good start!

10:29-32 Request to Hobab to Accompany Israel

Moses’ bro-in-law. “Do you good.” “Be our eyes.”

10:33-36 The First Three Days

Ark – God’s leadership (in battle) and protection.

Numbers 11

From salvation to obedience to complaining to unbelief to rebellion to judgment. Why? How?

11:1-3 Complaint of Adversity. Fire – Taberah.

11:4-9 Complaint re: Meat. Tired of this manna!

How accurate are their memories of Egypt?

11:10-15 Moses’ Entreaty: “Too Much for Me!”

How does Moses react to this situation and why?

Why do leaders burn out?

How can followers and leaders prevent burnout?

11:16-30 God’s Two-Part Reply to Moses’ Plea

  1. 70 elders to share burden. 2. Abundant meat.

Moses’ objection: 600,000 (soldiers) on foot!

Note Joshua’s reaction and Moses’ reply to him.

11:31-35 Blessing of Quail; Curse of Greed

Small partridge. Piled 3 feet high on the ground.

Least: 10 homers = 60 bushels or 2,200 liters.

What is the cause of greed? What is its cure?

Kibroth Hattaavah = “graves of greediness.”

Numbers 12

12:1-3 Miriam’s and Aaron’s Criticism of Moses

Was it really about Moses’ wife? Explain.

12:4-10 Yahweh’s Answer; Miriam’s Leprosy

What makes Moses’ attitude and role unique?

How does God treat insubordination and rivalry?

12:11-13 Aaron’s Plea; Moses’ Intercession

Aaron: 6 mos. older. Moses: leader as intercessor.

12:14-16 Miriam’s Healing and “Time Out”

Forgiveness, yet consequences. Why?

Numbers 13

13:1-19:22 Forty Years Near Kadesh

13:1-14:45 Spies’ Mission, National Rebellion

13:1-16 God’s Command; Choice of Spies

Why send spies? Why “chiefs?” Opinion leaders.

Note: “Hoshea” >> “Joshua.” Meaning?

13:17-20 Moses’ Instructions to the Spies

13:21-25 Spies’ Expedition

“Eshcol” = cluster (of grapes). Visual proof.

Place names often given after, because of event.

13:26-29 Ten Spies’ Pessimistic Report

Fruitful land yes. But strong people. Large, fortified cities. Anakim (lit. long-necks = tall) and Nephilim (13:33), mighty men of renown (Gen 6:4) (lit. fallen ones). KJV and NKJV – “giants.”

13:30-33 People’s Rejection of Caleb’s Counsel

What does Caleb see / believe that they do not?

What risk would they actually be taking?

When does risk express faith, and when … folly?

The Spies’ Journey

For 40 days the spies traveled throughout Canaan, from the Negeb (south country) to Rehob and back again—a distance of over 500 miles.

Numbers 14

14:1-4 The People’s Rebellious Reaction

“Oh to die in – or return to – Egypt!” Why?

14:5-9 Joshua’s and Caleb’s Plea

“If Yahweh delights in us … Do not rebel or fear!”

“They are our bread, their protection removed.”

14:10-12 People’s Response; God’s Threat

Why does Yahweh get “put out” with His people?

What does He intend to do? Cf. Ex 32:10.

14:13-19 Moses’ Plea for Forgiveness – Again

Based on God’s reputation, promises, and grace.

14:20-35 God’s Pardon and Penalty

Does forgiveness cancel all consequences?

40 days of spying > 40 years of wandering.

20 years old and upward, who have grumbled.

Children suffer consequences, but not guilt.

Idea of an “age of accountability.”

14:36-38 Death of the Faithless Spies

These “chiefs,” driven by fear, not faith, all died.

Leaders – immediate, stricter judgment. Why?

14:39-45 Failed Attempt at Conquest

Penitent people: “We will go up!” Good, right?

What is the sin of presumption?

Hormah: “utter defeat.” From Heb., haram, “to destroy utterly.”

Another place named after and because of the event that took place there.

 

Written by Cory Collins

  • “One of Us Abstained:” a Powerful Message About Morality
  • What King David DIDN’T See From His Roof
  • “Just a Little Wine:” a Church Leader’s Story, Part Two
  • “Just a Little Wine:” a Church Leader’s Story, Part One
  • Let the Church Sing!

Copyright Serving and Sharing 2023 | Theme by ThemeinProgress | Proudly powered by WordPress