Review & Intro: In Numbers 13 and 14, the Israelites were not far from entering into the land of Promise. The 12 spies were sent in because the Lord allowed the people their request to "look" at what was ahead. The land was everything God had promised, but the people were too fearful to walk by faith because of the enemies in well fortified cities that lived there as well as the giants i the land that made them feel like grasshoppers in comparison. God wanted to fight their battles for them and promised that He would if they would only "trust and obey". They took matters in their own hands, however, and were intent on stoning all the leadership - Moses, Aaron, Joshua, and Caleb. God intervened and made it be known that this generation of rebels would wander in the wilderness for 40 years until their children under 20 would enter the promised land without them, for those 20 and upward would all die in the wilderness during the 40 years of wandering. God would keep His covenant with Abraham and his decendants to inherit the land of promise!
The map posted shows the straight line distance was about 240 miles from Egypt to Israel. It would not have taken 40 years if they had not been sentenced to wandering because of their rebellion, not just once, but 10 times they had spurned the Lord in this way!
Numbers Chapter 15 - Observation Questions
1. Although the Lord has told them they would wander in the wilderness for 40 years, He also said that those under 20 who would be those 60 and under at that time would still enter the Promised Land. He told Moses to talk to them about "when they enter they land" that He was giving them... (vs.1,2) ... and then He tells them about the offerings they would make at that time to Him. What offerings did He mention? vs. 3 - Name 3 mentioned
Note: The offerings were well covered in our Leviticus studies if you would like to go back and review your notes or work the lesson at this time. Here is the link > HERE < See Leviticus lessons 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
2. The Lord covers the voluntary offerings for both the native and the alien; they were to make these offerings with grain offerings and drink offerings as a sweet aroma to the Lord. (vs.3- 16) ... When they entered the land and they ate the food of the land, what were they to do at that time? vs. 18,19 -
3. What were they to do with the first of their dough? vs.20,21 -
4. If there is a sin of error among the congregation when they did not fully observe all the commandments, but unintentionally without intent to rebel....they were to offer a bull for a burnt offering, with the grain offering and the drink offering, which was a soothing aroma to the Lord. (vs.22-24)... What was to be offered for the sin offering? vs. 24 -
5. Then the priest would make atonement for all the congregation of the sons of Israel and they would be forgiven of their error through the offerings that they brought. (vs. 25). Who else would this be applied to besides the sons of Israel in the congregational atonement? vs. 26
6. Whether a native of Israel or an alien that sojourned with them, what would the person need to bring for atonement if they strayed from the Lord in sin "unintentional", not due to defiance? vs.27-29
7. What type of sin would cause a native or an alien to be cut off from among the people? vs.30,31 - Give 1 answer from vs. 30 - and 2 answers from vs. 31 -
Note: The word translated "defiantly" means "with a high hand." That word "boldly" is the same phrase, "with a high hand." So what does it mean to have a high hand? Raising your fist in the air - being defiant, angry, basically thumbing your nose at someone. So if someone sinned in that manner against God's commandments, that person would be completely cut off from his people.
8. One day a man was found gathering wood on the Sabbath day. He was put into custody while Moses found out from the Lord what should be done about him breaking the commandment. (vs.32-36) The Lord could point him back to what He had already told them concerning the Sabbath Day and the consequences of willingly breaking it. Comment on the following verse:
- Exodus 31:15 -
Note: If the man had not known better and it was an unintentional sin, he could have made atonement for it. But he willfully, disobediently, rebelliously, shook his fist at God's Word and God Himself, and worked on the sabbath day. It was an act of defiance that he knew clearly what the consequences would be. It would be equivalent to crimes done today that people try to get away with but know what will happen to them if they are caught and brought to justice.
9. What did the Sabbath Day symbolize between the Lord and His people Israel? Comment on the verses below:
- Exodus 31:12-17 -
10. Are Christians today required to keep the Sabbath in the same way that the Jews did under the Law of Moses? Comment on the verse below:
- Romans 14:4-6 -
- Colossians 2:16-17 -
Note: No doubt God created our bodies with a 7 day cycle meant for 6 days of work and 1 day of rest. Whether you use a Saturday or a Sunday or another day to do that, it will benefit your body, soul, and spirit to take the gift God has given you and use it wisely for rest and meditation. Don't allow anyone to tell you what day that must be. Many Christians use Sundays as their day of corporate worship and rest because Jesus resurrected from the dead on a Sunday. Others enjoy taking their Sabbath on the Saturday as the Jews did. What matters is what you have decided in your heart and being obedient for the cause of the Lord and no one else. Did the verses help you understand how to handle this?
11. What did the Lord tell Moses to tell the people to place on the corners of their garments and what would they be there for? vs.37-40
12. What things do you do to help you remember to follow the Lord and not your own heart and eyes that make you like a harlot (unfaithful) to the Lord?
13. Just as keeping the Word before them would keep them out of sin. It is the same with us today and we need reminders to take us to the Word daily. I honestly thank God so much for RTB which is how I put on my spiritual armor daily and remember His Word and hide it in my heart. A great place of reminder each and every day. What must we be careful of in the same way they had to be? Comment on the verse below:
- Psalm 119:11 -
- John 15:10 -
- 1 John 2:15-17 -
- Romans 12:1,2 -
13. Unfortunately, like so many of the commandments, over time the people turned the great tradition of tassles into a mindless ritual, and at worst prideful self-exaltation. Remember Jesus' accusation against the scribes and Pharisees. Comment on the verses below:
- Matthew 23:1-5 -
14. What do you have to guard yourself against concerning the traditions that can become so ritualistic that they lose their original meaning and bring about bondage, pride, or other sin?
15. Back to Numbers 15. What does the Lord want them to remember? vs. 41
Application:
16. The Lord wanted them to remember where they had come from and what He had delivered them out of. For us, we came out of the world, which Egypt was a type or picture of that. We have been set free (delivered) from the power of sin and the curse of death for our sins. What does the Lord Jesus want us to remember now concerning our great salvation? Comment on the following verses:
- Luke 22:19,20 -
- 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 -
- Romans 6:1-7 -
- Romans 6:14-19 -
- John 8:36 -
17. Summarize the lesson and post a prayer if you would like.
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