NUMBERS Wisdom from the Wilderness © John Stevenson, 2008

Session Objectives Study the major events in the life of Israel in the wilderness. Observe Israel’s complaints and God’s response. Reflect on Israel’s murmurings. Begin to apply principles observed to your own life.

Session Objectives Reflect on the relationship of grace to obedience. Consider the nature of forgiveness.

Title of the Book Greek Name: Arithmoi Hebrew Name: rB;d>miB. : - “In the Wilderness” Then the Lord spoke to Moses in the wilderness of Sinai (Numbers 1:1)

Leviticus The believer’s worship Numbers The believer’s work PurityPilgrimage Our Spiritual Position Our Spiritual Progress Ceremony in the Sanctuary History in the Wilderness

Mount Sinai Preparation for the Journey From Sinai to Kadesh Kadesh to Moab The Plains of Moab 1:1 10:1010:11 14:4515:1 21:4122:1 36:13 The Test Wilderness Wanderings End of the Journey The Old Generation The New Generation Several Weeks Several Months 38 Years Mount SinaiMount NeboMount Hor

The Numbering of the People The Numbering of the People Numbers A call to arms for the army of God A call to service God is a God of order

5:1 5:5 6:1 7:1 7:89 8:5 9:1 9:15 God’s presence in the voice & lampstand Purgings for God The Unclean The Immoral Presentations to God Nazarite Vows Offerings from Leaders Now when Moses went into the tent of meeting to speak with Him, he heard the voice speaking to him from above the mercy seat that was on the ark of the testimony, from between the two cherubim, so He spoke to him (Numbers 7:89).

5:1 5:5 6:1 7:1 7:89 8:5 9:1 9:15 God’s presence in the voice & lampstand God’s presence in the cloud & trumpet Purging Presentation Cleansing of Levites Cleansing at Passover Purgings for God The Unclean The Immoral Presentations to God Nazarite Vows Offerings from Leaders

Numbers 10-14

Chapter 13 Mission of the spies and their complaint against the Canaanites Chapter 12 Complaint by Aaron and Miriam against Moses Chapter 11 Cry of the People Giving of Quail Judgment Why were spies sent into Canaan in the first place?

Deuteronomy 1:22-23 "Then all of you approached me and said, `Let us send men before us, that they may search out the land for us, and bring back to us word of the way by which we should go up, and the cities which we shall enter.' And the thing pleased me and I took twelve of your men, one man for each tribe."

EGYPT Kadesh Barnea SINAI The people who live in the land are strong, and the cities are fortified and very large; and moreover, we saw the descendants of Anak there. (Numbers 13:28).

Chapter 14 Cry of the People Judgment of God Defeat at Kadesh Chapter 13 Mission of the spies and their complaint against the Canaanites Chapter 12 Complaint by Aaron and Miriam against Moses Chapter 11 Cry of the People Giving of Quail Judgment

Where did you go? What did it take to get you there in terms of cost, preparation, commitment? What went wrong? What went right? What emotions do you have about your experience? Break into Groups of 2-3 and describe a significant trip you have undertaken…

What has been involved in your planning and preparation? What have been the obstacles along the way? What assistance have you found on your journey? What have been your significant milestones? Describe your spiritual journey…

How is this a useful model of the spiritual life? What insights does it lead to in terms of understanding the spiritual life & growth? What are the limitations of this model? What is the value of looking at spiritual formation, growth, development as a journey?

What problems did Israel face? What provisions did they have? What did God intend for them spiritually? Did they receive what God intended? The Wilderness Wanderings

Group Exercise Read Numbers 14:20-25 and 1 st Cor. 10:1-14 How does the Paul shed light on the Old Testament? Group 1 Read Numbers 21:1-9 and John 3:1-15 How does Jesus relate His message to the Old Testament passage? Group 2