August 20, 2010 Lesson 19 of Numbers 25 and 26

Chapter 25. Why was God’s anger so fierce against the sins of his people? Cf. 1 Cor 10:6-12. In this situation what two complementary concerns stirred Phinehas to action? Who likewise was moved to action on our account by similar concerns? Answer: Not only had the Israelites spent way too much time “bucking” the will of God, they now had gone and broken the first of the ten commandments; though shall have no other gods before me. First it was the blatant disregard for God’s commands by the people, and then in the middle of the assembly an Israelite, Zimri, took a Midianite woman, Cozbi, to his tent.


Chapter 26. Compare the numbering in chapter 1. This is a new generation. See. Verses 64, 65. Notice which tribes had increased and which decreased. What explains the survival of Caleb and Joshua? Answer: The probably easiest one to answer without even reading the chapter is that Caleb and Joshua survived because they were to the two spies that brought back the correct and faithful report regarding the Promised Land. Once counted land would be divided amongst them according to size.

Note: 25:1-5. Num 31:16 and Rev 2:14 reveal that these developments were due to Balaam’s activities. The Israelites were seduced into idolatry and immorality.