Commentary on "From Complaints to Apostasy"

STEVE PITCHER

 

Day 1: Sabbath Afternoon, October 24, 2009

 

The introductory lesson for this week says to read Numbers chapters 11 through 14. This is one of the most well-known stories of the Old Testament, that of the children of Israel reaching the Promised Land, the report of the spies, the complaints of the people, resulting in God’s curse to Israel of wandering in the wilderness for forty years.

If you have not done so, go ahead and read Numbers 11-14. It’s a great story to read, even if it’s not your first time. The introduction to this week is a good statement about the typical human responses to God’s promises and the typical disappointment and discouragement that comes when God’s people become aware of the reality of their situation.

As we study, let’s learn how to find Christ in each of these passages. Enjoy the scripture and pray for the guidance of the Holy Spirit this week as you prepare to study this week’s lessons.

 

Summary

1. In this passage Israel is complaining and the Lord’s anger is turned upon them.
2. Moses asks for help from the Lord in carrying the burdens of Israel, resulting in an appointment of 70 men who will have the Holy Spirit laid on them as he was on Moses.
3. The Lord punishes the people with the “blessing” of quail, but are cursed with a plague while they are still eating the meat for which they had asked.
4. Miriam and Aaron complain about Moses’ Cushite wife. The Lord gives Miriam leprosy, and is sent out of the camp for seven days.
5. The Lord commands Moses to send out spies to check out the promised land.
6. The spies return with great news about the land, but ten of the twelve complain that they will be slaughtered by the inhabitants of the land.
7. The people become afraid of the inhabitants of the land based on the ten spies’ report.
8. God curses the people to 40 years of wandering in the wilderness, the ten spies are struck down by a plague, and the Amalekites and Caananites from the hill country came and fought and chased them all the way to Hormah.
9. Moses (as a type of Christ) intercedes for the people before the Lord, preserving the nation of Israel.

 

GO TO DAY 2

 

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