Show Me Your Glory. Lessons from the Life of Moses Inductive Discovery Lesson 15

Transcription

1 Show Me Your Glory Lessons from the Life of Moses Inductive Discovery Lesson 15 T he journey was almost over. After settling the multitude at Kadesh in the Desert of Paran, Moses sent twelve men into Canaan to spy out the land. Their mission was not to determine if it was possible for the Israelites to settle there, since God had already promised this. At the people s request (see Deuteronomy 1:22) and with God s permission, Moses sent these scouts to explore the land, observe how the inhabitants fortified their cities and determine the best route of entry. The Promised Land was so close now, Moses could almost taste it. Bring back some of the fruit, he said. After forty days the scouts returned but it soon became obvious they were no longer a team. Only Joshua and Caleb still believed they should take the land God had promised. The other ten argued it was too dangerous and they would be devoured. That night Israel s camp was filled with weeping. By morning, the multitude was angry and Moses was facing a mutiny. Just as the crowd was ready to stone Moses and his faithful few, the Lord intervened. For this rebellious generation, the journey was over. But their wandering had just begun. Background According to the reference points mentioned in Numbers 13, scholars estimate the spies explored up and down a 350-mile stretch of land between the Mediterranean Sea and the Jordan River. From Kadesh (about 40 miles south of the Dead Sea) the spies traveled north as far as Rehob, identified by scholars as being about twenty-five miles north of the Sea of Galilee. A notable town mentioned is Hebron which later became King David s capital when he ruled Judah. In Moses time, however, it was inhabited by the descendants of Anak, a tribe of people distinguished by their unusual height. Numbers Read the entire passage in one sitting. If possible, read it again from a different Bible translation. Briefly describe in your own words what is happening

2 Write down your OBSERVATIONS Read the section and record what you see. Use the first column to keep track of what you find in the Bible passage. (Who? What? When? Where?) Look for clues that tell you when and where the story is taking place. What events are recorded? Who is mentioned and what role do they play? What choices do they make? Do they succeed or fail? How do they respond to circumstances? What attitudes or motives do they display? Use the second column to record information you gather from other sources. Are more details of the story recorded somewhere else in the Bible? What else can you discover about the people and places mentioned? You may want to look up names and places in a Bible dictionary, map or encyclopedia. You can also use this section to jot down your own thoughts and impressions about people and events. Imagine the people, places and events you read about. Don t use your imagination to produce facts, but use it to bring those biblical facts to life. Note: As you read these chapters, do your best not to get bogged down in secondary details. Numbers 13:1-33 Facts from the passage: My Research and Personal Observations:

3 Numbers 13:1-33 (continued) Facts from the passage: My Research and Personal Observations: Numbers 14:1-19 Facts from the passage: My Research and Personal Observations: 3

4 Numbers 14:20-38 Facts from the passage: My Research and Personal Observations: Numbers 14:39-45 Facts from the passage: My Research and Personal Observations: 4

5 Moses Character Profile This section is provided so that you can get to know Moses, the man. Use the suggested areas on the chart below to track what you have observed about Moses this week. Characteristics/Personality Traits: Training/Growth: Obstacles/Challenges: Accomplishments/Failures: Attitudes/Motives: Relationship with God/With Others: 5

6 INTERPRETATION What does it mean? Look for a spiritual lesson. Be careful not to read into the Bible an idea that is not there. Examine each verse in light of the verses around it. To help you find a spiritual lesson, ask questions such as, Is there a command to obey? A promise to claim? A condition to that promise? Is there a warning to heed? An example to follow or avoid? Looking at a character, ask questions such as, How did God deal with this person? How did they respond to their circumstances? What strengths or talents are revealed? What faults are exposed? Did they learn from their failures? Who did they depend on? How did they influence others? What did they accomplish? State the lesson in one simple sentence. APPLICATION How does it apply to me? We don t study the Bible just to gather information we want to spiritually grow. Our heart needs to be open to change. The only way to move truth off the pages of your Bible and into your life is to put it into action. To apply a spiritual lesson, we must examine ourselves and take deliberate steps to do something with what we have learned. Ask yourself: Is this a new lesson, or does it reinforce what I already know? What does it challenge me to do? Does it point out error in my attitude or actions? What changes does it require? Think of how the lesson relates to you and what specific course of action you will take. Write your application in the form of a question to make it personal. Numbers 13:1-33 Lesson: Application: Numbers 14:1-19 Lesson: Application: Numbers 14:20-38 Lesson: Application: 6

7 Numbers 14:39-45 Lesson: Application: Summary Write a simple sentence that summarizes what the passage is about. Give a title to the chapters that will help you personally to remember them. Take a Closer Look Only do not rebel against the Lord; and do not fear Numbers 14:9a NAS In many ways, Israel was its own worst enemy. In spite of God s miraculous provision in times of need and mighty deliverance in times of danger, the people fell back into the same old habit of grumbling, fear and disobedience. In the end, that first generation forfeited their claim to God s promises because of their defiance. In particular, the men who brought back a bad report were held accountable for stirring fear and fomenting rebellion in the camp. So far we have not heard much from Joshua, Moses young assistant; but this latest episode of complaint and recrimination against the Lord compels him to speak up. (His actions here plainly indicate why God would later choose Joshua to lead Israel after Moses death.) Take a closer look and consider why his exhortation so long ago still needs to be heeded today. Mutiny in the Camp Joshua and Caleb could not persuade the congregation to accept their good report in fact, their words struck a nerve. According to verse 10, how did the people respond? do not rebel This word describes a defiant attitude that resists God s authority and stubbornly chooses its own way. 7

8 How seriously does God view rebellion? Read the following scriptures and share what you find. 1 Samuel 15:22-23 Psalm 68: 6 Isaiah 30:1-3 By contrast, what does God desire and promise those who submit their ways to Him? Deuteronomy 5:29 Psalm 32:8-9 Proverbs 3:5-6 Think about it. Sometimes disobedience stems from being weak-willed or allowing ourselves to get into a vulnerable situation. That s when we need to call on God s promise (do you know it by heart?) found in 1 Corinthians 10:13. But rebellion is disobedience that stems from being strong-willed, choosing to ignore the Lord s authority and faithful guidance. Fear and Loathing in the Land of Canaan Twelve men spied out the same land, saw the same cities and their inhabitants. Two focused on the opportunities while the other ten focused on the obstacles. When they returned, they spread out samplings of the abundant fruit and heaping helpings of fear! do not fear This word describes the strong emotion of anticipating harm or dreading what might go wrong. Let s take a minute to do some simple calculations. Of the twelve men Moses sent to spy out the land of Canaan, how many had crossed through the Red Sea? Experienced victory when Amalek attacked Israel at Rephidim? Seen the everpresent pillar of cloud by day and fire by night? How many were fed by manna and quenched their thirst with water from a rock? How many had just cause for doubting God s promise and spreading fear among His people? Fear has a short memory and a big imagination. What did the ten spies, and all who listened, believe God would let happen to them? What had God promised? Review some of God s previous statements for your answer. Exodus 6:6-8 Exodus 19:3-6 Exodus 34:10-11 Numbers 13:1 8

9 Can God be trusted? What has He promised? Reflect on the following verses and note what you can trust Him to do for you. Isaiah 41:10 Isaiah 46:3-4 Isaiah 49: Thessalonians 3:3 Hebrews 13:5b Can you recall a time when God asked you to step out in faith even though you were afraid? Briefly share what you learned (about yourself and about God) through that experience. Here is something to ponder as we look for lessons out of this episode in Israel s history. Do your best to explain the connection between: Fear and rebellion - Trust and obey - 9

10 Something to Think About... Unbelief never gets beyond the difficulties the cities, the walls, the giants. It is always picturing them, dwelling on them, pitting them against its own resources. Faith, on the other hand, though it never minimizes the difficulties, looks them steadily in the face, turns from them, and looks up into the face of God and counts on Him. 1 - F. B. Meyer - God s Word Bearing Fruit For you, personally, what has been the most important lesson from this study? How will you put what you have discovered into practice? 1 F.B. Meyer, Moses (Christian Literature Crusade, 1994) pg

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