Old Testament
1.When Israel moved away from Sinai after having been camped so long three incidents happened that were truly "example" for Israel. Each incident involved the rejection of God and each was an occasion of immediate judgement.
- As God's people they had to respond to Him with trusting obedience. Any failure to respond led to tragic consequences.
2.Rejection of God's guidance.
- It only took 3 days of traveling in the desert for the Israelites to revert to a pattern they had established before their arrival at Sinai. Forgetting all that God had done for them, they let discomfort dominated their thinking...and control their actions. They complained about their hardship in "the hearing of the Lord."
- In their complaining they rejected His wisdom, and ignored the supernatural provision of the fiery-cloud pillar that directed their every move.
- God immediately acted-in judgement. Fire destroyed some of the outlying parts of the camp. In a panic, the people turned to Moses, who prayed, and the fire was controlled.
3. Rejection of God's provision.
- Shortly after this the people begin to complain about their diet, and were ready to trade their freedom for the meat and vegetables they had in Egypt.
- Had they forgotten they had been slaves?
- The manna that God provided was despised.
- Moses, now gets angry with the people as well. God responded to Moses' need by distributing the leadership responsibility and gift to 70 of the elders.
- God responded to the people. God responded by bringing a great flock of quail. But when the people began to eat, a great plague struck the camp. Thousands of the murmurers dies. The people who had rejected God and His provision bore the dreadful consequences of their choice. "So that place was called Kibroth-hattaavah (which means “graves of gluttony.”
4. Rejection of God's appointed.
- This time Miriam and Aaron, Moses sister and brother, resented the special role Moses was given by God. So they challenge Moses' authority.
- God responded angrily, pointing out the special relationship He Himself had chosen to have with Moses.
- In judgement, Miriam is struck with leprosy, and put out of the camp for seven days. Afterward she is healed in answer to Moses' prayer. Everyone was forced to wait for Miriam for those seven days.
- What's the real sin here?- PRIDE.
5. Whay is God doing this, and what's the point?
- The people, Israel, are about to make some very important decisions about their relation ship with God. These lesons are to teach them about taking responsibilty for their actions and decisions
6. Twelve scouts explore Canaan.
- When they arrive at the borders of Palestine, Moses sent 12 men out in pairs to spy the land. They were to evaluate the strength of the peoples, their numbers, and whether the land was rich or poor.
- Only two, Caleb and Joshua, encouraged the people to trust God.
- They needed to learn that God's presence, rather than their circumstances should be given priority.
New Testament
7. The Passover meal
8. Peter's denial predicted
9. Gethsemane
10. Jesus arrested
Psalm
11. "I will always trust in God’s unfailing love."
Proverbs
12. "Pride leads to disgrace"
- Look back at the story of Miriam.
13. "...but with humility comes wisdom."
14. "Honesty guides good people"
See you next post...
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