This Bible study is all about the battle between life and death as the first generation of wilderness Israelites dies off and the new generation steps up in faith.
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The first generation of Israelites wandering in the wilderness was almost gone after 40 years of meandering. Now the new generation steps up and takes the lead. These chapters in Numbers recount the journey of the Israelites going from death to life as they learn to trust wholeheartedly in God. Although they were not without their sins, they became quick to repent and humble themselves. They followed God’s cloud of glory and listened to His will above their own.
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Read all about the battle between life and death before reflecting on it below.
Numbers 20-21
Death in complaining limits life in God
No sooner had the Israelites arrived at Kadesh than they started complaining about a lack of water. This was mostly the new generation getting ready to take the promised land. Yet they still had hearts that were quick to complain. Instead of trusting God to provide for their needs, they grumbled about that which they would not see. In the same amount of time that it would have taken to pray for God’s provision, they chose to grumble about His lack thereof.
Do you pray first or grumble first? How long does it take you before you forget about God’s promise of provision and assume He will not come through (2 Peter 3:9)?
Water from the rock brings life from death
This is the second recording of water coming from a rock during the Israelites’ wilderness wanderings. (The first was in Exodus 17:1-7). Before, God told Moses to strike the rock with his staff. Here, Moses was only to speak to the rock. However, Moses, in his anger, lectured the Israelites by speaking more that what God had told him to say (Numbers 20:10 – “listen, you rebels”). In his pride, took the credit for the water that would come when he included himself in the miracle (Numbers 20:10 – “we”). And in his skepticism, he struck the rock twice because he did not believe God that water would come at his word.
Related Post: What it Means that God Provides for His People
Moses would not be permitted to lead God’s people into the promised land because of his lack of faith and obedience. Are you guilty of anger, pride, skepticism, or some other sin holding you back from leading others to God’s promises (Romans 6:11-14)?
Edom Denies Israel passage
On their way towards Canaan, the Israelites needed to pass through the land belonging to Edom. During this time, it was common for there to be large roads that foreigners were allowed to travel along in order to pass through to the other side. As a curtesy, Israel sent a message, appealing to the king asking permission to travel through, reminding the king that their powerful God went with them. Yet the king refused, even sending a large army to make sure the Israelites could not pass. This was an unnecessary refusal on the Edomite’s behalf. Yet, Israel was still commanded to treat them with dignity and respect (Deuteronomy 23:7), leaving judgment behind as they continued on their journey.
It would be hard to not fault the Israelites if they had held a grudge against the nation that refused them passage and made their journey longer as they had to turn around and walk away from the promised land. But through this encounter, God shows that it is not up to us to judge, because judgment belongs to him. Are you holding animosity against someone you need to forgive (Romans 12:18-20)?
The death of Aaron and future life of the priesthood
In Numbers 20, the death of Miriam and Aaron is recorded. The impending death of Moses has also been made known. Although these were great leaders among the Israelites, the salvation of the nation did not depend on them. It depended on God. As a way to convey this once again to the Israelites, God had Moses remove Aaron’s priestly garments and place them on his son, signifying the generational movement of the high priest. Thus, the priesthood would continue until the time of the Messiah. He would come and be high priest forever (Psalm 110:4, Hebrews 7:17).
What does it mean that Jesus is our High Priest? What is our need for a priest (Hebrews 9:24)?
Arad destroyed
The Israelites vowed to totally destroy the Arad cities, and this seems barbaric to our modern understanding. It is easy to wonder how a loving God would allow such a thing to happen. The Hebrew word for “totally destroy” is חָרַם (ḥāram). It refers to the “irrevocable giving over of things or persons to the Lord, often by totally destroying them. This is the same word that is used in Leviticus 27:28-29, saying that anything that is devoted to the Lord cannot be ransomed for it is Holy. It belongs solely to the Lord. The cities of Arad were dedicated to destruction as a result of God’s judgement against them because of their continued corruptness without repentance.
Related Post: The Truth About Obeying God’s Commands
Do verses like these give you pause for God’s goodness? How do you reconcile a loving God with one who wages wars of judgment (Deuteronomy 7:9)?
The bite of death and looking up to live
Once again the Israelites complained, this time, boldly speaking against God and not just Moses. As a result of their disobedience to trust God, venomous snakes were sent to the camp. Many Israelites died as a result of the bites, but those remaining were quick to repent and humble themselves. Anyone who looked to the bronze snake on the pole would be healed. They were saved, not by their own merit or works, but by simply looking and believing. It did not matter at what point in their death they looked, whether they had just been bitten or if they were on the verge of their last breath. All who looked to the bronze snake would live.
Just as the Israelites passed from death to life, so also are we called to the same transformation. How does the snake in the desert foreshadow the Messiah (Isaiah 45:22, John 3:14-15)?
The journey to Moab
The new generation of Israelites traveled from Oboth to Iye Abarim to the Zered Valley and beyond. During this time, their trust in God’s provision for them is seen in the lack of grumbling and complaining. After 40 years of wandering in the wilderness, they were beginning to recognize and lean on God’s goodness. They trusted Him as they followed His Cloud of Glory, making and breaking camp by it.
The Israelites joyfully sang about the wells their ancestors dug. How their nobles used a common staff instead of the tool best suited for the job. They reflected that if God was with them, they did not need the best and brightest tool, because the God they served is faithful. The Israelites knew He would bring them through any challenge.
Are you faithful with the tool that God has given you, or do you grumble and complain, wanting what another has (Matthew 25:14-30)?
Defeat of Sihon and Og
Once again, the Israelites needed to pass through a country on their journey to Canaan. Once again, they were denied. This time, however, Sihon king of the Amorites mustered his entire army and waged war against the Israelites. God granted the Israelites victory, rousing their courage as they continued to trust in God. In response to their recent victory, they reflected on an ancient song of the Amorites. They rejoiced in the knowledge that if the Amorites defeated the Moabites in battle, and they (the Israelites) defeated the Amorites, then surely God would deliver the Moabites over to them as well. The Israelites went from death to life, from unbelief to belief in their living God.
What was the purpose of God leading the Israelites through the wilderness (Deuteronomy 8:1-5)?
Reflect on going from death to life
The first generation of Israelites had all but died off in the wilderness as the new generation took steps out in faith. They followed God’s direction and trusted He would lead them through what He brought them to. Just as they passed through from death in their sin and unbelief to life through faith in God, so you also can live a new life in Him.
How have you changed since coming to God (2 Corinthians 5:17)? Are you walking in faith and trusting what God says, or are you still going through life grumbling and complaining?
This Bible study on Numbers 20-21 was all about how the Israelites went from death to life and they learned to rely solely on God.
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