Commentary on "The Sin of Moses and Aaron"

TERRY MIRRA

 

Day 6: Thursday, November 26, 2009

 

Overview

This is looking at Israel’s conquests over King Sihon (of the Amorites) and King Og (of Bashan) when traveling into the Promised Land (Num. 21:10-33). The point is brought up that the Israelites wasted so much time due to their own lack of faith and trust—and how much time are we wasting not moving ahead in faith?

 

Observations

This lesson is basically a historical account of Israel’s victory over King Sihon and King Og as they went to conquer and possess these territories. We learn how the outcome of these two battles was very different when they followed God’s leading and acted in faith instead of doing it their own way. Previously, they had been defeated when attempting to battle these people without God’s blessing (Num. 14:40-45). There is a difference how the Israelites handled King Sihon and King Og. They attempted to compromise with King Sihon. With King Og, God told them not to discuss it or bargain with them, but to simply go in and defeat them on His authority. When they went in there with complete confidence and faith in God’s ability to deliver, all went smoothly and they possessed the land.

The Ellen G. White quote from Patriarchs and Prophets is irrelevant, as it doesn’t improve on anything that’s recorded in the Bible. It’s just subjective “fluff” that’s not important.

As far as asking how much time we’re wasting by not moving ahead in faith—it’s a good question to ask. How can we better learn to trust in God’s promises and then act on those promises now instead of wasting time? It’s not about our resolve to make it better, but about constantly praying and submitting to the Holy Spirit that indwells each one of us as believers. As always, it’s not about how we can do something, but how we can allow Christ to do something in us. Yes, we can learn something from Israel’s stubbornness and lack of faith, but let’s not forget the lesson that God is faithful, unchanging and has unconditional love for a stubborn and disobedient people. Even if they experience consequences for their actions, God is faithful to keep His promises. Whatever lessons we learn and however long it takes to accomplish something is in God’s control and in His timing, not about what seems timely to us.

 

Summary

1. When the Israelites followed God’s instructions in faith, they were victorious.
2. Ellen G. White quotes are irrelevant and never enlighten anything the Bible has to say. The Bible stands alone. Her comments are subjective “fluff” and aren’t important.
3. We can learn from Israel’s mistakes and follow God’s leading in faith to avoid wasting time, but also remember that this is about God’s faithfulness to an ungrateful and stubborn people. God’s timing is not our timing, and it’s all about God’s agenda and timing, not ours.
4. We can better learn to trust God’s promises through prayer and submission to God’s will, not through any resolve of our own.

 

GO TO DAY 7

 

Copyright 2009 BibleStudiesForAdventists.com. All rights reserved. Revised November 20, 2009. This website is published by Life Assurance Ministries, Glendale, Arizona, USA, the publisher of Proclamation! Magazine. Contact email: BibleStudiesForAdventists@gmail.com.

The Sabbath School Bible Study Guide and the corresponding E.G. White Notes are published by Pacific Press Publishing Association, which is owned and operated by the Seventh-day Adventist church. The current quarter's editions are pictured above.

 

Official Adventist Resources

Standard Edition Study Guide Week 9

Teacher's Edition Study Guide Week 9

Easy Reading Edition Study Guide Week 9

Search the Complete Published Ellen G. White Writings