Rebel Heart

Reposted

 

Original 22 Jan 17

 

Theme: Consequences of Rebellion

 

Objectives:

Know: The children of Israel treated God with contempt by doubting He could lead them into the Promised Land. God forgave them but they still had to face consequences for their unbelief.

Think: Rest in the assurance that God always keep His Word.

Do: Trust and obey God’s Word, never doubting His ability to accomplish His will.

 

Scriptures: Numbers 14:1-45

 

Notes and questions:

B1 The difference between fear and anxiety

 

Dr Harriet Lerner writes, “Sometimes we distinguish the two by our bodily experience. I'm sure you're aware that the neurobiology of fear is different than the neurobiology of anxiety. The sudden re-arrangement of your guts when an intruder holds a knife to your back (fear), is different from the mild nausea, dizziness and butterflies in your stomach as you're about to make a difficult phone call (anxiety).

Anxiety is also the word of choice to describe lingering apprehension, or a chronic sense of worry or tension, the sources of which may be totally unclear.

But the notion that "fear" always connotes something bigger and stronger than "anxiety" breaks down in real life experience.”

 

B2 Grumbling

 

A verse: Do all things without grumbling and disputing, Philippians 2:14

 

The Greek word for grumbling is γογγυσμός/goggusmos (gong-goos-mos'). The idea is a secret complaint, for example, John 7:12 (And there was much murmuring among the people concerning him: for some said, He is a good man: others said, Nay; but he deceives the people).

 

The Greek word for disputing is διαλογισμός/dialogismos

 

It has the idea of doubting, questioning what is true, and arguing

 

A link about grumbling

 

B3 Setting: The Wilderness of Paran

 

Many opinions as God’s people seem to have forgotten where it is.

 

An interesting article What Do Mt. Horeb, The Mountain of God, Mt. Paran and Mt. Seir Have to Do with Mt. Sinai?

 

B4 The outline

 

The Israelites respond to the evil report Numbers 14:1-10

 

Moses and God converse about the problem Numbers 14:11-38

 

The rebels go to fight but are defeated Numbers 14:39-45

 

B5 Numbers 14:1-10

 

This is the context: Numbers 13:26-33

 

What is the underlying problem with these complaining Israelites?

 

Was the land a land of “milk and honey?”

 

Why were the Israelites discouraged then?

 

Why wouldn’t they listen to rational argument?

 

Why do people reject God’s message, even today?

 

Whom do the Israelites blame, get angry at? Why?

 

What can we learn about this?

 

Do we believe God’s promises?

 

Abraham passed God’s test, so did David, Moses, and many others. Others have failed the test as Adam, Cain, Balaam, and here. Why do people fail when God tests them?

 

Does God mind if we ask Him questions? Was there any difference between Mary’s and Zechariah’s questions? See Luke 1:18-23 and Luke 1:34-37.

 

In Numbers 14:8, Joshua and Caleb tell them the giants’ protection is gone. What does this mean? How can we apply that for today?

 

Punishment comes to all sinners. We Christians have the Lord Jesus who was our Passover Lamb sacrificed for us. Is Numbers 14:10 an example of when people cross God’s line of no return, no time for repentance, now is judgement time?

 

Why do the Israelites want to go back into slavery, not long after they had been delivered? See 2 Peter 2:20-22 (If indeed they have escaped the corruption of the world through their knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, only to be entangled and overcome by it again, their final condition is worse than it was at first. It would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness than to have known it and turned away from the holy commandment passed on to them. Of them the proverbs are true: “A dog returns to its vomit,” and, “A sow that is washed goes back to her wallowing in the mud).”

 

B6 Numbers 14:11-38,

 

God’s statement to Moses is that He will destroy these rebels and make of him a greater nation than them. Is this a true statement?

 

Exodus 14:18, what important lessons can we learn about God and His dealings with humanity?

 

Exodus 14:18, the 3rd and 4th generations are punished? What if they do not commit the same sin? See Deuteronomy 5:9-10      

 

Ezekiel 18:4 Look! All lives are mine. The lives of father and son alike are mine. The person sinning will die.

 

Even though God forgave them, they will still be punished. Why should they be punished, if God forgave them? Does God delay punishment?

 

Numbers 14:22, is there a limit for the amount of times we can test God?

 

The 10 spies feared the Amalekites and the Canaanites instead of God. How can we avoid the same danger of fearing the wrong thing?

 

The Israelites feared the inhabitants of the Promised Land saying they (Israel) would die. So now all Israelites 20 years old and older will die except Joshua and Caleb. What might happen to us if we do not believe God?

 

Some say that the actual wandering in the wilderness is only 38 years not 40 as God had stated. The 40 years of wandering would include the wandering they had done since they left Egypt.

 

The plague that brought death to the 10 evil spies was a sudden death by whatever cause. They experienced God’s wrath in this life, then only to face the eternal wrath later. They were totally rejected by God. We should be careful too.

 

B7 Numbers 14:36-45

 

Numbers 14:36-38, who lived and why?

 

Israel sought a second chance, but there was no second chance. What can we learn from this?

 

B8 Other questions

 

What is the difference between faith and doubt?

 

What does faith produce? How do we exercise faith?

 

What does doubt produce?

 

What happens when we rebel against God and His standards?

 

God has forgiven us our sins, but do those sins still have consequences?

 

How does knowing God’s promises help our faith?

 

What are the results of unbelief?

 

B9 A reminder

 

Objectives:

 

Know: The children of Israel treated God with contempt by doubting He could lead them into the Promised Land. God forgave them but they still had to face consequences for their unbelief.

 

Think: Rest in the assurance that God always keep His Word.

 

Do: Trust and obey God’s Word, never doubting His ability to accomplish His will.

 

B10 Next week:

 

A clean slate

 

Theme: A covering for sin

 

Scriptures: Numbers 15:1-31

A Place to Meet with God

Theme: The glory of God’s presence

Objectives:

Know: The children of Israel constructed and consecrated the Tabernacle according to the instructions provided by God. He validated this place of worship with the glory of His presence.

Think: Maintain awareness that I am a vessel that carries the presence of God.

Do: Spread the glory of God’s presence by living for Him and sharing my faith.

Scriptures: Exodus 40:1-38

Notes and questions:

B1 Basics

• The setting is at Mt Sinai.
• Chapters 35-40 have the details of the Tabernacle that God has instructed Moses to erect.
• The basic theme is the worship of God.
• The basic idea is the correct worship of God.

B2 Outline

• The instructions given and followed Exodus 40:1-16
• The tabernacle raised Exodus 40:17-32
• The glory of God comes to the tabernacle Exodus 40:33-38

B3 Facts

• Moses had been shown the pattern, plans, for the tabernacle Exodus 25:8-9
• It has been one year, since their first Passover (in Egypt).
• It took about 6 months to make everything required for the tabernacle.
• Image

• Plan--It is about 150 feet by 75 feet

B4 Exodus 40:1-16,

• Read Exodus 39:42-43--42 According to all that Yahweh commanded Moses, so the sons of Israel did all the work. 43 And Moses saw all the work, and, look, they had done it; as Yahweh had commanded, even so they had done it: and Moses blessed them.
• Who did the work of preparing the items of the tabernacle?
• Exodus 40:1-3, who was in charge of setting up the tabernacle?
• The Ark of the Covenant

• Why was the Ark in the Holy of Holies? See: Exodus 25:22 - "There I will meet with you; and from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubim which are upon the ark of the testimony, I will speak to you about all that I will give you in commandment for the sons of Israel.”
• Why was the covenant, the 10 Commandments, in the Ark?
• Exodus 31:18 - When He had finished speaking with him upon Mount Sinai, He gave Moses the two tablets of the testimony, tablets of stone, written by the finger of God.
• It is the standard for right and wrong.
• It must not be corrupted.
• It was written by God and is therefore holy.
• The law condemns, but the mercy seat was above it.
• In Exodus 40:9, the anointing oil made everything that was anointed holy and consecrated. What makes us holy and consecrated?  Consider
• Exodus 19:23
• Ezekiel 42:20
• Leviticus 20:7-8
• 1 Corinthians 3:17
• 1 Peter 1:14-16
• Did God have a plan for the Tabernacle? Does He have a plan for the church today or does it change with the culture?
• In Exodus 40:17, how obedient was Moses? Is there something for us to learn from his obedience? See Exodus 20:6, John 14:15

B5 Exodus 40:17-32,

• Note that Moses begins with the holiest parts first, then works his way to what is less holy. How did the people approach the Tabernacle? How do we approach God today? Who makes the first move in this, God or man?
• In Exodus 40:32, it is noted that Moses did everything that God had commanded. It is common these days to state that God’s standards change with the culture. Do God’s standards change with the culture?
• Note that the Tabernacle is associated with Israel’s freedom from slavery. What might be the application?
• Who brought them freedom?
• Who can free us from bondage to sin?

B6 Exodus 40:33-38,

• Where was God when Israel first saw His presence? Mt Sinai, where His glory was seen on the mountain top from afar.
• Where is God’s presence now? It is with the people.
• Where is God’s presence today? See 1 Corinthians 3:16-17, 2 Corinthians 6:16, and Ephesians 2:21-22.
• In Exodus 40:34, is the cloud God? No, it hides God. He lives in the midst of the cloud.
• Why was Moses not able to enter the Tent of Assembly?
• How do we know God is with His people today?

Next week

• Rebel heart
• Theme: Consequences of rebellion
• Scriptures: Numbers 14:1-38

Harmful Substitutes

Theme: The Snare of Idolatry

Objectives:

Know: The Israelites turned from following God to worship idols and God was very angry with them.

Think: Always maintain the mindset that God is to be my only object of worship.

Do: Worship God alone. Remove from your life anything that prevents you from giving Him the worship and obedience He is due.

Scripture: Exodus 32:1-35

Notes and questions:

B1 Outline

• Moses
• On the mountain
• Off the mountain
• He breaks the tablets of God’s law
• He breaks idol
• He gives drink
• He orders judgment
• He prays for the people

B2 Setting: Mt Sinai

B3 Time

• A mere 60 days after Passover, Moses goes up the mountain to receive the tablets written by God. This is also only ~4 days from God’s glory on Mt. Sinai.
• A few days after Moses goes up the mountain, the people complain to Aaron about Moses and Aaron makes the golden calf.
• After the calf is made, the people worship it and sacrifice to it.
• http://www.bible.ca/archeology/bible-archeology-exodus-route-travel-times-distances-days.htm
• What in the world is wrong with Aaron? See Exodus 24:9-11. He SAW God, yet allows and makes the golden calf? What is wrong with the people?
• Do miracles, signs and wonders, and seeing God’s glory always convert the sinner?

B4 Exodus 32:1-6,

• What is the people's attitude? They say, "Make gods for us."
• Why did Aaron make the golden calf?
• In Exodus 32:4, who is they?
• In Exodus 32:5, why did Aaron proclaim a fast to Yahweh, while the people said, ...gods?"
• After their sacrifices, what did the people do?
• How does this attitude and action happen in churches today?
• What is the responsibility of leaders?
• What is the responsibility of the people?

B5 Exodus 32:7-10,

• How did God know the people had sinned? What details did He give that proved He knew?
• Why did God want to destroy His special people, Israel?
• What does God know about you or me?
• What are some things that will make God angry?

B6 Exodus 32:11-14,

• Should we pray for others, interceding for them?

• Did God really change His mind?
• God always has conditions in mind.
• Here, if one would plead with Him, He would change His mind.
• The condition is usually understood, not always stated.
• God wants repentance.
• God would rather have mercy, than judgment. YET!
• Romans 6:23 - For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
• Luke 13:3 - "I tell you, no, but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.
• Revelation 2:5 - `Therefore remember from where you have fallen, and repent and do the deeds you did at first; or else I am coming to you and will remove your lampstand out of its place--unless you repent.
• Revelation 2:22 - `Behold, I will throw her on a bed of sickness, and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of her deeds.

B7 Exodus 32:15-18,

• Is there any significance that God wrote these tablets? Does it differ from the words given to the prophets and Apostles?
• How do you imagine Moses tone of voice when he said, “...it is the sound of singing that I hear?” Was it in sorrow, anger, disappointment, hurt, etc.?

B8 Exodus 32: 19-20

• Was Moses’ anger justified?
• Why did He throw the tablets down?

B9 Exodus 32:21-24,

• What is wrong with Aaron?
• Why do humans like lying?
• Shouldn’t we deal with reality and truth?
• How can we better do this?

B10 Exodus 32:25-29,

• The word for out of control means loose, that is, without control, self-control. Some older translations use the word naked, because of the idea of uncover, and it is used this way in Leviticus.
• Did Aaron let them get out of control, or did they choose to be so against Aaron’s wishes?
• Why would their enemies make fun of them? See Proverbs 14:34.
• Why the command to kill? See Exodus 32:27.
• If many were guilty, when only a few died? Most reasonable would be those who died were the instigators.
• Matthew Henry Commentary

• 32:21-29 “Never did any wise man make a more frivolous and foolish excuse than that of Aaron. We must never be drawn into sin by any thing man can say or do to us; for men can but tempt us to sin, they cannot force us. The approach of Moses turned the dancing into trembling. They were exposed to shame by their sin. The course Moses took to roll away this reproach, was, not by concealing the sin, or putting any false colour upon it, but by punishing it. The Levites were to slay the ringleaders in this wickedness; yet none were executed but those who openly stood forth. Those are marked for ruin who persist in sin: those who in the morning were shouting and dancing, before night were dying. Such sudden changes do the judgments of the Lord sometimes make with sinners that are secure and jovial in their sin.”

B11 Exodus 32: 30-35

• Why did Moses go back up the mountain to make atonement for their sin? Did he think that maybe more would die?
• Was he showing compassion?
• What attitude was Moses showing in Exodus 32:32? Was he serious in his request? Compare Romans 9:3.
• What is God’s answer to Moses in Exodus 32:33? Who is to die for their sin? What hope is there for anyone? See 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 and 1 Peter 1:18-21.
• Note the seriousness of sin.
• How do we avoid sin?

B12 Next week:

• A place to meet with God
• Theme: The glory of God’s presence.
• Text: Exodus 40:1-38