Numbers Worksheet ~ Numbers, Chapter 17

Review & Intro:  In Chapter 16, we saw Korah's rebellion, and God's judgment against him and all who stood with him. The next day, the people rose up in rebellion, accusing Moses and Aaron of killing them all. God began to judge the entire congregation with a plague - killing over 14 thousand of them before Aaron ran into the midst of the assembly with incense to make atonement for the people. We pick up the narrative in chapter 17, verse 1...

Numbers Chapter 17 - Observation Questions

1.  What did the Lord instruct Moses to get from each father's household of the 12 tribes of Israel? vs. 1

2.  What was Moses to write on each of the rods he got from the 12 tribes? vs. 2

3.  Whose name was to be written on the tribe of Levi? vs. 3

4.  Where was Moses to place the 12 rods, which included the rod of Aaron from the tribe of Levi? vs. 4

5.  What did the Lord say would happen with the rod of the man that He had chosen? vs. 5

6.  What was the Lord's purpose for causing one of the "dead" rods to come to life? vs. 5

7.  When the people grumbled against Moses and Aaron, how did it effect the Lord? vs. 5

8.  Moses received the 12 rods and placed them before the Lord in the tent of testimony. (vs.6-7) ... What had happened to Aaron's rod when Moses went into the tent of testimony the next day?  vs. 8

9.  What did the rod bear? vs. 8

10.  Moses brought out all the rods from the presence of the Lord to all the sons of Israel.  The people looked at them, and each man took his rod. (vs.9)

 

blooms from the almond tree ......

11.  The Lord had Moses put the rod of Aaron back before the testimony (ark of the covenant).... It was to be kept for a "sign" against the rebels to put an end to their grumblings before Him, so that they would not die.  (vs.10) .....What did the sons of Israel fear? vs. 12,13

 

Application:

 12.  In Aaron's rod coming to life in full bloom with ripe fruit, we can see a picture of the Lord Jesus Christ.  He was called the "Branch of David" and He was also called "The Resurrection and the Life".  The fact that the branch came to life with fruit was miraculous proof that Aaron was the chosen High Priest by God's election and approval.  The resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ was miraculous proof that He was God's chosen One to be mediator between God and man, that each one of us could bear fruit unto eternal life as well.  Comment on the following verses:

• Jeremiah 23:5 -
• Isaiah 4:2 -
• Isaiah 11:1 -
• Zechariah 3:8 -
• Zechariah 6:12 -
• Matthew 17:5 -
• John 11:5 -
• 1 Peter 1:3 -
• 1 Corinthians 15:20 -
• 1 Timothy 2:5 -

13.  Another picture is seen in this story of the rods of the 12 tribes.  This was a story of other people wanting to be the priest over the people even when God had not chosen them for such a position.  In the New Testament, we are warned over and over of false Christs and false teachers.  Many times, people want the positions of power, but they are void of God's true power.  Just as God's anointed was shown by the fruit borne on the branch (rod) - the true teachers are shown by the fruit of the Spirit of the God they serve.(Galatians 5:22) ...  Jesus had that fruit and proved to be the Son of God.  The false Christs and apostles try to look like they are God's anointed ones by the sheep's clothing but the fruit being borne is the proof - is it good or is it bad?  ....  Comment on the following verses and share what you learn about the mark of true and false leaders.

• Matthew 7:15,16 -
• Matthew 24:11 -
• 2 Corinthians 11:13-15 -
• Philippians 3:2-3 -
• 2 Timothy 3:12,13 -
• 2 Peter 2:1-3 -
• 1 John 4:1-6 -

14.  Summarize the lesson and post a prayer if you would like.