August 7, 2010 Lesson 6 of Numbers 9:15-10:36. The journey begins again

Israel was made very sure of God’s guidance. Without the actual symbols of cloud and fire, can we claim the same assurance? Cf. Acts 16:6-10; Rom 8:14. Why the repetition of the words ‘at the Lord’s command’? Answer: We can claim the same assurance through the Holy Spirit. The repetition reminds us that God is truly in control of all movements.

Notice the correspondences and the differences between 10:14-28 and 2:3-31. What is there in chapter 10 to show that, although God led and protected the children of Israel, he did not expect them to be utterly passive and to do nothing for themselves? Answer: The passage in Ch10 shows actual movement. If there is more than that, and I am sure there is, I don’t see it. I have a hard time with all the names, not to mention names I don’t know or can’t pronounce. I do see that God intended the Israelites, through His guidance, to move to the Promised Land.

What was the significance of the trumpets (10:1-10)? Cf Lev 23:24; Num 29:1. It has been said, ‘When God remembers, he acts’. Cf. Gen 8:1; 19:29; 30:22. Answer: Well I want to start by saying that I am glad the He doesn’t forget. The trumpets are more for declaring the Lord to us and those we are in conflict with.

Note:10:35-36. These were the words uttered publicly by Moses at the beginning and end of each day’s journey. Note their expression of dependence on God’s protection and desire for his abiding presence.

August 6, 2010 Lesson 5 of Numbers 8:1-9:14

Chapter 8 is a re-assertion of the ‘separatedness’ of the Levities. How was this made clear to Israel? What is a wave offering? Cf Lev 10:15; 23:20; a probable meaning is ‘contribution’. What was the relationship of the Levites to God, priests and people respectively? Answer: A wave offering, from Bible.croswalk.com, is the “rite, together with that of "heaving" or "raising" the offering was an inseparable accompaniment of peace.” The Levites were taken unto God as the first born, servants to the priests and temple, and set apart from the people.
9:1-14. How is the importance of the Passover shown here? Cf. Exod. 12:24-27. What are we to learn from this? Answer: They are performing the Passover even when out in the desert. Location need not dictate where the ceremonies of the Lord are to be carried out. Not much different today. God is everywhere.

What do we see here of Moses’ way of exercising leadership? How did he deal with practical problems when individuals brought them to him? Answer: He took them to the Lord

August 5, 2010 Lesson 4 of Numbers 6:23-7:89 Dedication of the Tabernacle

What did it mean for Aaron and his sons to ‘put’ God’s name ‘on the Israelites’? How did the blessing effect this? See Deut 28:9, 10; Dan 9:18, 19, and cf. 1 Cor 6:11; 2 Cor 13:14. Answer: I am not sure how to answer this (boy, oh boy, this is a hard book).


Notice how often the words ‘offering’ of ‘dedication offering’ are used in ch 7. The solemnity is emphasized by repetition. In what way is 7:89 a fitting climax to this ‘build up’? What did it all mean to Israel? Do we ‘offer’ to God in this atmosphere of reverence? What similar climax can we expect when we thus approach God? Cf. Heb 3:7; 4:16. Answer: It all meant that as Israel had faith they would be in His will. Faith allows us to enter into His grace and be blessed, as the conferring passages point out. The Heb 3:7 is the beginning of an exposition of Ps 95:7-11. The rest of the passage points out what happens in the opposite situation. It shows how God is angry if one does not have faith in God and receives His blessing.

August 4, 2010 Lesson 3 of Numbers 5:1-6:21

Many of the civil and religious laws of Israel and the rites connected with them are hard for us to understand. They may seem strangely abhorrent, sometimes inhumane or quasimagical in character. It is important to bear in mind: a) the authority of the priest is every sphere of Israel’s life, including that of cleanliness and hygiene, which were as much a part of ‘religious’ ceremony as the worship in the tabernacle; b) the background of religious rites common to the whole of the ancient Near East and used by Israel, though transformed both by her faith in the one true God, and in order to make them usable in his worship; and c) the need that this new, God chosen nation should be constantly reminded of the holiness and moral demands of her God.


What sort of people were to be ‘put out’ of the camp, and why? Cf. Lev 13:46; 15:31. What interests of humanitarian justice are satisfied in the commands of 5:11-31? These seem like purely magical rites, but note verse 16, 18, 21, and 30. Answer: Those ceremonially unclean; i.e. those who have come in contact with the dead or discharge or have a discharge. The tabernacle, the dwelling place of God, is to remain clean and for this reason uncleanness is to be kept out and away. The interest of humanitarian justice covered in the later part of this chapter is faithfulness to one’s spouse. If nothing else this will prevent the spread of those things causing a discharge, making one unclean. However, it it really more than that superficial reason. God intends for use to be married and happy to one person all our life, just as we are the bride of Christ.


How did the Nazirite’s separation to God find expression? What was the point of it all, since it was apparently not an act of service that could be offered to God as acceptable in and of itself apart for the regular offerings of the tabernacle? See 6:14-15; and Cf. Lev 1-7 for details. How far is there a similar challenge to consecration confronting the believer in Christ? Cf. Heb 9:10-14; Rom 12:1-2. Answer:

August 3, 2010 Lesson 2 of Numbers 3 and 4; Work of the Levities

Ok these type of questions are really hard for me. I will give this a shot and then look at Pastor Troy’s later today. He made far better sense yesterday than I did. After reading it I thought, Duh!
For background details concerning the tribe of Levi, see Exod, 6:16-25; 32:25-29; Lev 10.


How was the work assigned to the Levites divided between the three ‘families’ of the tribe? How, if at all, might the command ‘each to his task’ (4:49) apply to Christians? Do these two chapters throw any light on the possible implications of such a command? See especially 3:5-10, 25, 31, 36, 45; 4:46-49. Answer: It was assigned by sections so that each one knew what his job would be. I think that our lives are symbolically like the temple work here. Each person is given gifts from God to do the work of the Church. Each of these gifts is given to us by God to help those inside the Church and bring those outside the Church into the love of God.


Whom did the Levities represent? Why did the first born belong to God? What does ‘redemption’ mean in this context? Is there a New Testament counterpart that involves us? Answer: Not sure here at all. This was touched on a bit yesterday, if I recall, but I don’t understand the first born belonging to God concept. I need some further research on this.


How does 4:1-20 bring out the ‘frighteningly’ sacred character of the tabernacle? Cf. 1:51b, 53; 2 Sam 6:6-11; Rev 4:8. What truths does this illustrate and enforce? Answer: It shows how those things inside the inner chamber are to be kept from the sight of everyone except the high priests. Again I am at a loss.

August 2, 2010 Lesson 1 of Numbers 1 and 2. Numbering and order of the tribes

Israel’s immediate future was to be characterized by war and worship. How is this shown in chapter 1? Can the two be separated in the daily life of the Christian? Cf. 2 Cor 10:3-6; Eph 6:10-13. Answer: I see that the two were indeed separate. Every tribe was ordered to count and prepare all men over 20 for war, except for the Levites. The Levities were to be the “keepers” of the tabernacle and all its furnishings. They were not to prepare for war. In addition all the tribes were to camp near the tabernacle, while the other tribes made a defensive perimeter around the tabernacle.


What point is there in the detailed ordering of the tribes as given in chapter 2? What are the central and governing interests? Cf. 1Cor 12:7, 11, 12; 14:40. Answer: The purpose is to keep order, but more importantly let the body know what each of their purposes are (not unlike the body of Christ today). The reason for the detail; I am not totally sure. I do see, through the study Bible, that ch2 does have a nice structure of its own. It lays out the East side, the South side, the Tabernacle and the Levites, the West side, and finally the North side in that order.

August 1, 2010 Lesson 21 of Hebrews Revision

Review the doctrinal teaching of this epistle. See the Introduction and Analysis. List the ways in which what is ours under the new covenant is better than the things that the Israelites enjoyed under the old covenant. What do we have to do to gain full possession of these benefits? Why is rejection of them so serious? Answer: First let me say that believing that Jesus is the one true way to God is the only way to get the full possession of these benefits. Rejection of that belief is a sure fire way to get sent straight to hell. There is no pretty politically correct way to put it. God is a loving God, however, His standard is high. We must be made full righteous in order to stand in front of Him. The only way to be made righteous is to believe Jesus is the Son of God and ask for forgiveness of your sins. This is probably the biggest way in which the new covenant is different from the old. Under the old their faith and belief made them righteous and the blood of animals were a temporary covering of their sins. Because this covering was temporary the sacrificial ritual had to be done over and over daily. With the new covenant we are forgiven once and for all. 1) we don’t need to sacrifice animals, 2) the covering is permanent.


Consider the positive exhortations to be found in the following passages: 2:1; 4:1, 14, 16; 10:22-24; 12:1, 28; 13: 17, 22. Which of these exhortations do I particularly need to hear and to act on? Answer: Probably the exhortation in 2:1; the exhortation to pay attention.