In reality, however, who were they truly rebelling against? Num. 16:11.
Korah did not realize that he was actually rebelling against
God by his actions. He thought that he was against Moses and
Aaron but his real complaints should have been directed
toward God.
When you take occasion against the individuals whom God has
anointed for leadership you are taking occasion against God.
Read Numbers 16:15–35. Notice Moses’ words in verses 28–30. What is the saying that shows what the real issue was?
They wanted to call into question the authority of Moses.
They doubted the calling of Moses and Aaron. Moses asked God
for a new thing to show that he actually was called by God
for his position.
When the ground opened up the people feared and recognize
that Moses was truly sent from God.
How susceptible are you to feelings of envy regarding those who have position or authority over you? What can you learn from Christ’s example that could help you overcome this potentially ruinous sentiment?
The bible says this "The kings of the gentiles lord it over them; and
and those who have authority over them are called 'benefactors' But
it is not to this way with you, but the one who is the greatest among
you must become like the youngest, and the leader like the servant.
Luke 22:26
Jesus was a servant to humanity. We must realize that Jesus was
in heaven , and had the worship and authority over countless
angels. This Jesus came to the earth and humbled himself to be
a servant. Jesus' example teaches us to be other centered rather
than self centered.
Prayer: Father I pray that you will purge our hearts of rebellion. Help us to exemplify the life of Christ in all that we do. Help us to honor the leaders you have set up and to support them in the work you have given them. Thank you Father in Jesus name amen.
Monday, November 9, 2009
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Rebellion (Again)
Read Numbers 16:1–3. Read carefully the rebels’ words to Moses. What four lies are found there?
Lie 1: You take too much on you
The reality was that the work was not given only to Moses and Aaron
but all the Levites were responsible for the duties of the tabernacle
In addition to this by the counsel of Moses father in law Moses set
up individuals to judge lesser matters while the handled the grater
matters.
Lie 2 All the congregation is holy
This appears to be saying that all are Levites and all can
do the work of the tabernacle He possibly wanted to use this
to make a case to institute the leaders which he selected from
from the congregation.
The reality is that only the Levites were set aside to do
the work of the tabernacle.
Lie 3 The Lord is in the midst of everyone
It is true that the Lord is in the mist of the congregation. But
this does not mean that all are with Him. This does not mean that
He approves of what the are currently plotting.
Lie 4 They lifted themselves up about the congregation.
Moses and Aaron are not the ones who exalted themselves but it is
God who placed him in that position. Moses had an intimate
relationship with God which no one else had.
What else was behind their rebellion? Why, too, were these charges so utterly false?
Num. 16:12–14.
We can clearly see in this passage that they were missing Egypt.
The were calling Moses a liar because they had not reached the
promised land. The reality is that they were not there yet
because of their sin and unbelief. Moses was not the one
responsible for them not being in the promised land.
What are ways in which we deceive ourselves, ways in which we rationalize or justify our sins and wrong deeds? How can we protect ourselves against this sad and dangerous spiritual trap?
We put ourselves in a spiritual trap when we are not obedient to
what God has already revealed. When we refuse to be obedient we
open ourselves to the deceptions of the enemy.
God will protect us from these deceptions by virtue of our desire
to serve and follow Him completely.
Prayer: Father we confess that sometimes we have acted in rebellion. Father purge this from us remove it far from us. Help us to live in total obedience and surrender to you. Thank you Father in Jesus name amen.
Lie 1: You take too much on you
The reality was that the work was not given only to Moses and Aaron
but all the Levites were responsible for the duties of the tabernacle
In addition to this by the counsel of Moses father in law Moses set
up individuals to judge lesser matters while the handled the grater
matters.
Lie 2 All the congregation is holy
This appears to be saying that all are Levites and all can
do the work of the tabernacle He possibly wanted to use this
to make a case to institute the leaders which he selected from
from the congregation.
The reality is that only the Levites were set aside to do
the work of the tabernacle.
Lie 3 The Lord is in the midst of everyone
It is true that the Lord is in the mist of the congregation. But
this does not mean that all are with Him. This does not mean that
He approves of what the are currently plotting.
Lie 4 They lifted themselves up about the congregation.
Moses and Aaron are not the ones who exalted themselves but it is
God who placed him in that position. Moses had an intimate
relationship with God which no one else had.
What else was behind their rebellion? Why, too, were these charges so utterly false?
Num. 16:12–14.
We can clearly see in this passage that they were missing Egypt.
The were calling Moses a liar because they had not reached the
promised land. The reality is that they were not there yet
because of their sin and unbelief. Moses was not the one
responsible for them not being in the promised land.
What are ways in which we deceive ourselves, ways in which we rationalize or justify our sins and wrong deeds? How can we protect ourselves against this sad and dangerous spiritual trap?
We put ourselves in a spiritual trap when we are not obedient to
what God has already revealed. When we refuse to be obedient we
open ourselves to the deceptions of the enemy.
God will protect us from these deceptions by virtue of our desire
to serve and follow Him completely.
Prayer: Father we confess that sometimes we have acted in rebellion. Father purge this from us remove it far from us. Help us to live in total obedience and surrender to you. Thank you Father in Jesus name amen.
Friday, November 6, 2009
Further Study
Go through the Ellen G. White quote above. What is she saying? What important principles can we take from it? How do you understand the idea that our praise to God, along with a “Christlike life,” can be a powerful influence on the salvation of others?
As I read the passage the phrase that I found most striking is
"The testimony of our own experience." She says that our testimony
will be what is most effectual in revealing Christ to the world.
Our personal testimonies to the faithfulness of God are not abstract
textbook concepts but factual occurrences. These real life stories
present evidence of the goodness and faithfulness of God.
Sometimes our praise to God is not congruent with the way that we
live. When our praise is not congruent to the way that we live then
it makes our testimony ineffective.
On the contrary when we praise God and it is accompanied with a
Christ-like life then we witness effectively for Christ. The
more closely our lives are with Christs the more potent our
praises will be.
What has your own experience of giving praise and glory to God done for you in your walk with the Lord? Why is this attitude so important?
The scriptures declare psams 22:3 "You are holy, O you who are
enthroned upon the praises of Israel." If our mind could be
transported to heaven we would see God's throne encircled by
beings which do nothing but praise him day and night.
When we contemplate this reality it is no wonder that God
draws neigh to those who praise Him. When we praise God
it opens up a channel to heaven. Through this channel God
is able to pour His heavenly blessings into us.
Dwell more on Monday’s lesson about how the Israelites were to treat the strangers among them. What other lessons can we take from this for ourselves today? How do we treat those who are not of our faith, those who hold views that we believe to be wrong? How should we treat them? At the same time, how do we show them that we believe we have something that they need to know, while not acting as if we are somehow superior? What lessons can we learn from the Israelites in this area?
I believe that Christ provides the perfect example for us when it
comes to this question. The answer that Christ gives us is in the
way that He lives His life.
It is very difficult to think through all the nuances that exist
in spirituality and Christianity. The safest thing to do is to
Just follow Jesus and the example that He has given us in
the scriptures.
The way that we show them that we have something that they
need to know is to fully live out what we know. We must be
living testimonies to the truth that we want to deliver to
them.
What can we, as a community, do to help remind each other not only of what God has done for us but of what He expects us to do in response? What role does the Lord’s Supper have in helping us remember what we have in Jesus?
I believe that in this question the author is proposing an answer
to the question. I believe that the Lord's supper is a very Good
way to remember what God has done for us. Also the way we live
our lives helps us to remember what God has done for us.
As Christ dedicates His all for our salvation we give honor to
him by giving our all in service to him. The celebration of
communion brings a community together in remembrance to what
Christ has done for us.
As Christians we must be Christ incarnate. We must be the Jesus
that walks on an talks and exists in the lives of others in a
tangible way.
Prayer: Father we thank you for all that we have learned this week. I pray that these truths may be lived out in all of our lives. Bless us as we prepare for your Sabbath. Thank your in Jesus name amen.
As I read the passage the phrase that I found most striking is
"The testimony of our own experience." She says that our testimony
will be what is most effectual in revealing Christ to the world.
Our personal testimonies to the faithfulness of God are not abstract
textbook concepts but factual occurrences. These real life stories
present evidence of the goodness and faithfulness of God.
Sometimes our praise to God is not congruent with the way that we
live. When our praise is not congruent to the way that we live then
it makes our testimony ineffective.
On the contrary when we praise God and it is accompanied with a
Christ-like life then we witness effectively for Christ. The
more closely our lives are with Christs the more potent our
praises will be.
What has your own experience of giving praise and glory to God done for you in your walk with the Lord? Why is this attitude so important?
The scriptures declare psams 22:3 "You are holy, O you who are
enthroned upon the praises of Israel." If our mind could be
transported to heaven we would see God's throne encircled by
beings which do nothing but praise him day and night.
When we contemplate this reality it is no wonder that God
draws neigh to those who praise Him. When we praise God
it opens up a channel to heaven. Through this channel God
is able to pour His heavenly blessings into us.
Dwell more on Monday’s lesson about how the Israelites were to treat the strangers among them. What other lessons can we take from this for ourselves today? How do we treat those who are not of our faith, those who hold views that we believe to be wrong? How should we treat them? At the same time, how do we show them that we believe we have something that they need to know, while not acting as if we are somehow superior? What lessons can we learn from the Israelites in this area?
I believe that Christ provides the perfect example for us when it
comes to this question. The answer that Christ gives us is in the
way that He lives His life.
It is very difficult to think through all the nuances that exist
in spirituality and Christianity. The safest thing to do is to
Just follow Jesus and the example that He has given us in
the scriptures.
The way that we show them that we have something that they
need to know is to fully live out what we know. We must be
living testimonies to the truth that we want to deliver to
them.
What can we, as a community, do to help remind each other not only of what God has done for us but of what He expects us to do in response? What role does the Lord’s Supper have in helping us remember what we have in Jesus?
I believe that in this question the author is proposing an answer
to the question. I believe that the Lord's supper is a very Good
way to remember what God has done for us. Also the way we live
our lives helps us to remember what God has done for us.
As Christ dedicates His all for our salvation we give honor to
him by giving our all in service to him. The celebration of
communion brings a community together in remembrance to what
Christ has done for us.
As Christians we must be Christ incarnate. We must be the Jesus
that walks on an talks and exists in the lives of others in a
tangible way.
Prayer: Father we thank you for all that we have learned this week. I pray that these truths may be lived out in all of our lives. Bless us as we prepare for your Sabbath. Thank your in Jesus name amen.
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Tassels of Blue
What did the Lord direct Moses to instruct every Israelite to attach to their garments? Num. 15:38
They were instructed that they should put tassels on their garments.
What reason was given for wearing tassels? That is, what specific things did God want the Israelites to remember? Num. 15:39–41.
The tassels were to help them to remember to follow God and not
after their own hearts. The tassels were also there to help them
remember that it was God that delivered them from Egypt.
How could following Jesus’ words to “pray always” (Luke 21:36) help you remember what God has done for you and what He asks you to do in return?
To pray always is to keep God before you , and to keep His
requirements upon your mind. The mind that is engaged in prayer
is being engaged by the mind of God.
When we have conversations with God it helps us to become more and
more like Him. Also we when we pray we come to know God better
and because of that we want to please Him in all we do.
Prayer: Father help us to remember what you have done for us. Please continue to reveal yourself to us and may we be changed by that revelation. In Jesus name amen.
They were instructed that they should put tassels on their garments.
What reason was given for wearing tassels? That is, what specific things did God want the Israelites to remember? Num. 15:39–41.
The tassels were to help them to remember to follow God and not
after their own hearts. The tassels were also there to help them
remember that it was God that delivered them from Egypt.
How could following Jesus’ words to “pray always” (Luke 21:36) help you remember what God has done for you and what He asks you to do in return?
To pray always is to keep God before you , and to keep His
requirements upon your mind. The mind that is engaged in prayer
is being engaged by the mind of God.
When we have conversations with God it helps us to become more and
more like Him. Also we when we pray we come to know God better
and because of that we want to please Him in all we do.
Prayer: Father help us to remember what you have done for us. Please continue to reveal yourself to us and may we be changed by that revelation. In Jesus name amen.
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Sins of Defiance
Read Numbers 15:30, 31. What’s happening here and what lessons can we draw from it for ourselves? Why does the punishment seem so harsh? Where is grace in all this?
Defiance is an open disregard for Authority. This is a person
who breaks the the law and does not care the least bit. A person
who is in open defiance to God has attempted to take the place
of God.
The person in defiance to God does not care what God wants but
chooses their own desire regardless. This individual is guilty
of breaking all of the commandments of God and , they also
are harmful to the community of God.
Read Numbers 15:32–36. Why do you think the Lord had the whole congregation take part in this execution? What spiritual lesson can we draw from this?
This person was in open rebellion to the command of God.
Because of his open rebellion this man received an open
punishment. Also this was something this act would allow
the people to seriousness of sin and cause a reverence and fear
to fall upon them.
How ready and willing are you to repent, confess, and admit your sins? Or, on the other hand, how often do you find yourself justifying your sins for one reason or another? Why is that so spiritually dangerous?
We must continue to pray always and ask God for help with
these matters. We must seek God and ask Him continually
for the help that we need.No matter how weak we feel we
must pray.
Prayer: Father please break the chains of defiance to your will in our lives. Help us to surrender to you in all that we do. Please remove sin far from us. Thank you Father in Jesus name amen.
Defiance is an open disregard for Authority. This is a person
who breaks the the law and does not care the least bit. A person
who is in open defiance to God has attempted to take the place
of God.
The person in defiance to God does not care what God wants but
chooses their own desire regardless. This individual is guilty
of breaking all of the commandments of God and , they also
are harmful to the community of God.
Read Numbers 15:32–36. Why do you think the Lord had the whole congregation take part in this execution? What spiritual lesson can we draw from this?
This person was in open rebellion to the command of God.
Because of his open rebellion this man received an open
punishment. Also this was something this act would allow
the people to seriousness of sin and cause a reverence and fear
to fall upon them.
How ready and willing are you to repent, confess, and admit your sins? Or, on the other hand, how often do you find yourself justifying your sins for one reason or another? Why is that so spiritually dangerous?
We must continue to pray always and ask God for help with
these matters. We must seek God and ask Him continually
for the help that we need.No matter how weak we feel we
must pray.
Prayer: Father please break the chains of defiance to your will in our lives. Help us to surrender to you in all that we do. Please remove sin far from us. Thank you Father in Jesus name amen.
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Sins of Ignorance
If the congregation became aware that, as a group, they had erred from the Lord’s commandments, what were they to do? What is the significance of the fact that they had to bring a “sin” offering to the Lord for what was done out of ignorance? Num. 15:22–27.
The ordinance which was established here was something which
made provision for the things that people did in ignorance.
As was alluded to by this this question it is possible that
they picked up on some of the bad habits in Egypt. Even if they were
uncertain of exactly what they did to be sure they could
sacrifice a sin offering to cover that possibility.
How did an individual secure atonement for his or her sin of ignorance? How did this procedure differ from that of the congregation? Num. 15:27–29.
When the individual committed an unintentional sin they were
required to bring a sin offering. In order for the priest
to account for the unintentional sins of the congregation
he had to make atonement.
The high priest was the one who had to offer up a sacrifice
for the unintentional sins of the congregation. No particular
individual other than the priest could do this for the
congregation.
How often do you tend to doubt whether you truly have been renewed by the Holy Spirit? What happened at the cross that should give you the courage to press on, even when filled with doubt about your own salvation? See Rom. 5:6–8.
We must trust that our that our salvation is in the hands of Jesus.
Jesus is the author and the finisher of our faith. We should not
be deceived by looking to ourselves but we must continually look
to Christ. The only hope that we have is in Christ and we must
put all our faith and trust in Him
Prayer: Father thank you that you winked at our ignorance when we did not understand what we were doing. Please help us to be strong and to continually look to you
the author and the finisher of our faith. Thank you in Jesus name Amen.
The ordinance which was established here was something which
made provision for the things that people did in ignorance.
As was alluded to by this this question it is possible that
they picked up on some of the bad habits in Egypt. Even if they were
uncertain of exactly what they did to be sure they could
sacrifice a sin offering to cover that possibility.
How did an individual secure atonement for his or her sin of ignorance? How did this procedure differ from that of the congregation? Num. 15:27–29.
When the individual committed an unintentional sin they were
required to bring a sin offering. In order for the priest
to account for the unintentional sins of the congregation
he had to make atonement.
The high priest was the one who had to offer up a sacrifice
for the unintentional sins of the congregation. No particular
individual other than the priest could do this for the
congregation.
How often do you tend to doubt whether you truly have been renewed by the Holy Spirit? What happened at the cross that should give you the courage to press on, even when filled with doubt about your own salvation? See Rom. 5:6–8.
We must trust that our that our salvation is in the hands of Jesus.
Jesus is the author and the finisher of our faith. We should not
be deceived by looking to ourselves but we must continually look
to Christ. The only hope that we have is in Christ and we must
put all our faith and trust in Him
Prayer: Father thank you that you winked at our ignorance when we did not understand what we were doing. Please help us to be strong and to continually look to you
the author and the finisher of our faith. Thank you in Jesus name Amen.
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