Bible study notes in English for use by Trinity International Baptist Church in Athens, Greece.

God’s kingdom is not a democracy

I. The people want to go back to Egypt (1-4).

II. Moses, Aaron, Joshua and Caleb unsuccessfully attempt to dissuade the people (5-10).

III. When the Lord suggests that the people should be destroyed, Moses intercedes (11-19).

IV. The Lord answers Moses’ request; and, instead of destroying the nation, plans to destroy only the present generation of unbelievers (20-38).

IV. Upon hearing this announcement, the people, as one would expect, were sad; but worse, they attempted to go into the land on their own strength and without God (39-45).

Meditation Points:

• The discouraging reports of 10 men moved a whole nation to turn their backs on God. Sometimes we are moved by even fewer voices.
• To replace Moses, the man of God’s choosing, the people proposed to select  their own leader. This penchant to think that we know better than God who should lead us continues today into all too many churches that select pastors without considering God’s Biblically-stated qualifications which can readily be found in 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9. (For some modern comments on these qualifications, read Comments on Titus.)
• Instead of heeding the sage counsel of Moses and Aaron, the people would stone them. “Kill the messenger!”
• What would you have done with these people? (Matthew 21:33-41)
• Would you have prayed for them?
• Moses argued that the honor of God would be destroyed before the heathen if He were to wipe out the nation of Israel (Numbers 14:13-16). Do you ever pray for things that would glorify God, or do you only pray for things that please and glorify yourself or your family?
• Moses argued that God’s character would allow Him to pardon the people (Numbers 14:18-19). Praise God that His character IS such!
• God’s glory is seen in the pardoning of the nation AND in the destruction of the unbelievers therein (Numbers 14:21-23).
• The unbelief of the fathers had an adverse affect upon their families (33). This principle has not changed.
• The 10 men responsible for leading the congregation into rebellion against God died (36-36).
• Do you ever attempt to get God’s blessings without God’s presence (40-41)?
• All sin is evil; but how much more evil are sins of presumption (44)? Psalm 19:13 Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression.
• 40 years of hardship, ending with death outside the land of promise. Could any punishment be worse? Many people have brought such consequences upon themselves because of their unbelief and rebellion against God.

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Meditation Points (by verse number):

Numbers 12

1. Who was this Ethiopian woman, and how did Moses meet her? Is this a reference to Zipporah (Exodus 2:21; 4:25), or to another?

1. Was the controversy over the fact of Moses’ marriage, or the the person whom Moses married? Many family arguments have been started over these same two ideas.

2. It seems that the marriage question was not the real issue. Instead, Miriam and Aaron were actually upset with God. Often the attack is aimed at a wife when in reality the complaint is against the husband; often the attack is against the man of God when in reality the complaint is against God Himself.

3. How meek are you? Jesus is meek (Matthew 11:29; 21:5). Meekness is evidence that the Spirit lives within (Galatians 5:23).

4-9. God is angry, and He deals with this sibling rivalry quickly.

10. Miriam’s color change makes one wonder whether the complaint against the Ethiopian wasn’t racially charged.

11. Aaron pleads with Moses; Moses pleads with God. “Pray for me,” they often ask. Why don’t they pray for themselves?

15. This sin of one (two?) caused the whole nation to be delayed for a week.  What a far-reaching affect!

Numbers 13

1-20. Twelve men sent to spy in Canaan.

23. Some saw grapes on clusters long.

28. Some saw giants big and strong.

30. Some were ready to go with God and take the land.

31-33. Some were afraid, thinking only of their own weaknesses.

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English language Bible study notes from an evangelical perspective by Trinity International Baptist Church of Athens, Greece.

Watch out what you ask for, and how you ask for it!

When the people of Israel complainingly ask for food other than the miraculously and regularly supplied manna, Moses intercedes for them; and God grants their request above their wildest expectations. But the blessing is short-lived.

Meditation Points by verses:

1. Complaining displeases the Lord

2. The effective, fervent prayer of Moses resulted in cooling things off

4. A mixed multitude can mix up the thinking of those who should know better

5. Don’t live in the past; enjoy God in the present

6. The covetous person thinks little of God’s bounty

10. Complaining displeases a man of God, too

11. Ministerial responsibilities can be burdensome when our faith dwindles

13. Who can provide except God?

14. I cannot bear this burden alone.

15. I’d rather die at God’s hand than to see my own wretchedness.

15-17. Read Acts 6.

18. God tells Moses to announce coming food in great abundance.

21-22. Moses does not understand how God can provide as He promised.

23. Is the Lord’s hand waxed short?

28-29. Reminiscent of Jesus rebuking his disciples (Mark 9:38-39).

32. As promised, God provides a massive quantity of quail.

33. As promised, God’s blessing becomes a curse upon the people.

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Moving out in rank, for the first time

When the trumpet of the Lord shall sound…

• used for a call to assemble and a call to march
• distinguishing sounds for calling elders only and for calling the whole congregation
• distinguishing sounds for normal assembly and marching and for alarms
• listen for the trumpets, so you know when it’s time to leave
• trumpet sounds for festive days

We’re marching to Zion…

• the ark, carried by Kohathites (Numbers 10:33)
• Tribal group #1: Judah, Issachar and Zebulon (10:14-16)
• the tabernacle structure, coverings, curtains, boards, etc in the wagons of Gershon and Merari (10:17)
• Tribal group #2: Reuben, Simeon and Gad (10:18-20)
• the tabernacle furniture, carried by Kohathites (10:21)
• Tribal group #3: Ephraim,, Manasseh and Benjamin (10:22-24)
• Tribal group #4: Dan, Asher and Naphtali (10:25-27)

Who will go with us?

Moses attempts to persuade his father-in-law to stay with the caravan (10:29-32), promising that God’s blessing upon His people will overflow upon the father-in-law, too

Rise up, Lord; and Return, O Lord

Moses called attention to God’s enemies when the nation journeyed; and he pointed out the many thousands of God’s people when they rested (Numbers 10:33-36)

Meditation Points:

1. New Testament trumpet verses:

• Matthew 24:31
• 1 Corinthians 14:8
• 1 Corinthians 15:52
• 1 Thessalonians 4:16

2. The day of resurrection, the day of judgment, the day of Christ’s return will be marked by trumpet blast.

3. Unlike the gibberish and lyrics often found in religious assemblies, the final trumpets will sound distinctly with meaning.

4. The blessing of God will overflow upon those around the saints of God (Acts 27:21-24); but remember that a sinning saint can bring trouble to those along with him (Jonah 1:1-5).

5. The tabernacle structure traveled first so that it might be set up and ready by the time the main furniture arrived (Numbers 10:21). Is there a lesson in God’s sense of timing here?

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