Discipleship School: Numbers 20:1-13

Dimitri Caver

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Warm-up Quiz

Info about Moses

wife - Zipporah

Brother - Aaron

Sister - Miriam

Father in law - Jethro

Tribe - Levi

Race - Jewish

Most famous Ancestor - Abraham

how old was he when he ran away as a fugitive - 40

age when he returned to Egypt - 80

age when he died? - 120

What are the books of Moses? - Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy

nickname - the great Law-giver

When the Bible says, “the children of Israel”, what does that mean?

other names for Abraham’s descendants - Jews, Hebrews, Israelites, Israel, Judah

Where did the name of Israel come from?

What is God’s name?

What are four Hebrew consonants that make up God’s name called? Tetragrammaton

The Jews called it the name of excellence, great name, the only name, the glorious and terrible name, the mysterious name, the most proper name, the separated name, the ineffable name (too wondrous to describe)

Name of rebel leader who got swallowed up by the ground? Korah

What did God do to prove to the people that Aaron was selected by him to be the high priest?

Submitted Question #1: So God punished Aaron by death because of the people not trusting in him? How did Moses and Aaron not trust in the Lord here? I thought they did.

God punished Aaron because Aaron did not trust in God.

This will be answered as we go through the lesson.

Submitted Question #2: How did Moses/Aaron fail to demonstrate God’s holiness? The scripture said that he did as he was told in verse 9. Was it because he called the people rebels or was it because he asked them if he was going to have to provide water via the rock?

v.9 says that he took the rod just as God had commanded, but after that Moses didn’t follow through with the rest of the instructions

we will answer the rest through the lesson tonight

Heart of both questions: Punishments seems unfair and extreme

Numbers 20:1 NLT

1 In the first month of the year, the whole community of Israel arrived in the wilderness of Zin and camped at Kadesh. While they were there, Miriam died and was buried.

Review

Korah incident in 17

More laws given in 18 and 19

then the book of Numbers jumps to year 40 . . . skips about 38 years ahead

These events happen in the 40th year

we know because Bible says Aaron died int he 40th year . . . .Aaron dies later in this chapter

Interesting that the name Kadesh means “holy/sacred place”

so by now, 99% of the old heads/”OG’s” have died off

people who were 20 years old and up when they left Egypt

people who were delivered from Egypt (from sin), but never fulfilled their potential because they didn’t believe

Apparently Miriam was one of the ones who didn’t believe either! (despite being a praise leader - all of the dancing at the Red Sea)

She was one of the last ones to go, but she did not get to go into the promised land

Numbers 20:2 NLT

2 There was no water for the people to drink at that place, so they rebelled against Moses and Aaron.

no water, this isa legitimate need, important need - our faith is often tested in serious life situations . . . if God doesn’t come through, I am in for a world of trouble(not just I am having faith for a new house)

no water, they have had this problem before

same old problem - same old reaction (complain, rebel, murmur)

have you matured enough to have a new reaction to problems you had had before?

Numbers 20:3 NLT

3 The people blamed Moses and said, “If only we had died in the Lord’s presence with our brothers!

Ask question: What are the people talking about?

“if only he had been killed with Korah and them”

wow!

they are truly brothers with Korah - brothers of rebellion, hard-hearts, stubborn

Numbers 20:4–5 NLT

4 Why have you brought the congregation of the Lord’s people into this wilderness to die, along with all our livestock? 5 Why did you make us leave Egypt and bring us here to this terrible place? This land has no grain, no figs, no grapes, no pomegranates, and no water to drink!”

again, same old complaints and when you complain you lose sight of the truth . . . Moses is not the reason they are in this desolate place, their parents are

the truth is:

you should be thankful because you should have been destroyed several times

Moses has saved your lives several times

God keeps making a way out of now way, so if he did it before, he will do it again

In your situation, are you complaining and twisting the truth, or are you trusting in the God who keeps making a way?

Numbers 20:6 NLT

6 Moses and Aaron turned away from the people and went to the entrance of the Tabernacle, where they fell face down on the ground. Then the glorious presence of the Lord appeared to them,

Moses went from the presence of the people to the presence of God - we should do the same (get away from negative talk - devotion time)

They fell face down again . . . . uh oh (they fall down in desperation when the people really mess up)

Numbers 20:7–8 NLT

7 and the Lord said to Moses, 8 “You and Aaron must take the staff and assemble the entire community. As the people watch, speak to the rock over there, and it will pour out its water. You will provide enough water from the rock to satisfy the whole community and their livestock.”

Why didn’t a judgement from God come, like the other times Moses and Aaron fell down?

Maybe because this is a different generation . . . kind of like their first time complaining.

God says, take the staff, but speak to the rock this time (40 years earlier, he hit the rock)

God will provide a water miracle using a different method

don’t get caught up in methods, then you will start relying on the methods instead of God (witchcraft)

get caught up in God/trusting God/relationship with God

Numbers 20:9–10 NLT

9 So Moses did as he was told. He took the staff from the place where it was kept before the Lord. 10 Then he and Aaron summoned the people to come and gather at the rock. “Listen, you rebels!” he shouted. “Must we bring you water from this rock?”

Why take the staff is not going to use it?. . . I think it was Aaron’s staff?

staff kept before the Lord

it would make sense, since the people brought up the rebellion of Korah

Moses sounds arrogant

not God will bring you water, but “we” will bring you water

“we” signifies that Moses and Aaron are in agreement

Numbers 20:11 NLT

11 Then Moses raised his hand and struck the rock twice with the staff, and water gushed out. So the entire community and their livestock drank their fill.

struck the rock twice, not once

after the first hit, water did not come out . . . that was a chance to do it right

but Moses was committed to not following orders and hit it again

enough water for 2 million people and their animals!!!

Numbers 20:12 NLT

12 But the Lord said to Moses and Aaron, “Because you did not trust me enough to demonstrate my holiness to the people of Israel, you will not lead them into the land I am giving them!”

“The Lord said to Moses and Aaron” - indicates that they were in agreement, like mind and hearts in doing wrong, both were guilty

What was the problem

you did not trust me enough - same problem the generation that died had . . . . they did not believe in the Lord . . . . just on another level

In most of our problems, we will find a lack of faith as a major part of it

don’t have faith to choose God’s way

don’t have faith to wait

don’t have faith to move forward

we have the same problem as many of the people that we talk about/look down on - just on a different level or area

drugs, food, sex addict, social media addict - all addicts

they lie to their spouse, you lie at the job

they won’t come to church, you won’t come to bible study

so dont compare yourself to others as a standard, compare yourself to Jesus

Moses and Aaron didn’t have enough faith to treat God as holy.

What does that mean?

Holy means set apart, special, different from others, sacred, there is none like him

I’m different, so you should follow my commands to the “T”

I’m different, so you should believe that I can cause water to come out of a rock through speaking

I am different, you don’t try to take away my credit and sway we

I am so different, my stuff is holy, you hit the rock with a sacred stick? (treated it like it was a common stick)

As a result, since you two did not believe me, you will not enter the promised land either . . . wow

Many would say it still took faith to hit a rock and expect water

God is not impressed with faith to believe he will do what he has already done . . . . he expects you to have that type of faith

he wants to take you to a new level of faith

Also, Moses and Aaron are judged on a different level than the people

Luke 12:47–48 NASB95

47 “And that slave who knew his master’s will and did not get ready or act in accord with his will, will receive many lashes, 48 but the one who did not know it, and committed deeds worthy of a flogging, will receive but few. From everyone who has been given much, much will be required; and to whom they entrusted much, of him they will ask all the more.

This is where the saying comes from, “to whom much is given, much is required”

how sympathetic are you to a 5 year old who walks into traffic?

sad for him

sorry for him

will try to save him

how sympathetic are you to a 35 year old who walks into traffic?

should have known better

some will even hope he gets hit

will not try to save him

we require more of the 35 year old than the 5 year old

Usher gets caught cheating on their spouse vs Pastor gets caught cheating on their spouse

1st grader gets graded on a 1st grade test, 12th grader gets graded on a 12th grade test.

you reward or discipline them based on the test that was on their level

Lesson: don’t get caught up in how you are doing better than “most people”

I go to church, I give, I praise God, I pray

God is not grading you on their level, he is grading you at your level

James 3:1 NLT

1 Dear brothers and sisters, not many of you should become teachers in the church, for we who teach will be judged more strictly.

don’t rush to become church leaders and teachers, God is tougher on you

Moses and Aaron knew God up close

Moses was in the Lord’s presence all the time: burning bush, Mt. Sinai, see the back of God

Aaron was the only one allowed in the holy of holies

Fire analogy

if you are close to the fire, you get more light, more heat, can cook with it, use it to purify metals, burn trash, can utilize it in so many ways . . . but you can also get burned if you are not careful

if you are far from the fire, you get a little light and that’s about it . . . stuck out in the cold with no help, but you won’t get burned

don’t forget that God is an all consuming fire . . . enjoy the benefits of being close to the fire, but always be careful around fire

Numbers 20:13 NLT

13 This place was known as the waters of Meribah (which means “arguing”) because there the people of Israel argued with the Lord, and there he demonstrated his holiness among them.

The next generation showed the same tendency to complain just like their parents (this place was given the same name)

Maybe explains why Moses is so angry and lost his cool . . . . maybe he was thinking, “not again????!!!!”

at the same time, Moses has 80 years experience as being their pastor, he should know better

I thought they did not demonstrate God’s holiness, but here it says that it does . . .

the Judgment pronounced on Aaron and Moses demonstrated the Lord’s Holiness!

Imagine when the people found out, it doesn’t matter who you are . . . believe in God an do what He says!

God can get glory through you or over you

Make my life a praise song!

not make my life a warning

song

Announcements

No Communion this Sunday

Thank Deacons

Quiz Questions

Understanding the Bible - TC3

Text - is it actually written in the scripture, if so then actually read it

Context - consider the verses around it, the book, the testament to determine meaning

Consistency - is it a consistent theme, lesson, principle taught in other parts of the Bible

Character - does it fit the character of God

(4th)Common sense - use your brain

What does the word Exodus mean?

If you want to read what happened before Exodus, which book of the Bible should you read?

What is the land of Goshen?

12 Tribes of Israel - Joseph’s tribe works a little different. How and why?

1/2 tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh

12 Tribes of Israel - Judah, Benjamin, Levi, Dan, Nephtali, Manasseh, Ephraim

Zebulun, Reuben, Simeon, Gad, Asher, Issachar

what tribe Moses, Aaron from

What tribe David from

What tribe Jesus from

Paul?

Where did the name of Israel come from?

First national holiday for Israel?

Other names for Abraham’s descendants - Jews, Hebrews, children of Israel, Israelites, Israel . . . new one (Judah)

How many plagues? 10

Name them

blood, frogs, gnats

flies, death of livestock, boils

hail, locust, darkness . . . death of first born

How many years in Egypt? 430 years

What did Pharaoh ask for when the children of Israel left Egypt?

How many people left?

What is God’s name?

What are four Hebrew consonants that make up God’s name called? Tetragrammaton

After the Red Sea Miracle, what complaints have the people had so far?

no water

no food

no water

What does Jehova-Nissi mean?

What did Moses call the place where the Israelites complained about water (the 2nd time)?

Massah - test

Meribah - arguing

Moses Father in law’s name - Jethro

Moses wife’s name - Zipporah

Where were the children of Israel when God gave them the 10 commandments?

What are the 10 commandments

Here’s a brief version of the Ten Commandments:

1. **No other gods** – Worship only God.

2. **No idols** – Don’t make or worship idols.

3. **God’s name is holy** – Don’t misuse God's name.

4. **Keep the Sabbath** – Rest and keep the Sabbath day holy.

5. **Honor parents** – Respect your father and mother.

6. **Don’t murder** – Value human life.

7. **Don’t commit adultery** – Be faithful in marriage.

8. **Don’t steal** – Respect others’ property.

9. **Don’t lie** – Speak truthfully.

10. **Don’t covet** – Avoid envy of others’ possessions.

What is another name (popular Bible word) for contract, agreement, covenant? Testament

How did the people first break the covenant? (golden calf)

What do you know for certain about God:

God of compassion and mercy

slow to anger, filled with unfailing love and faithfulness

and it’s overflowing . . . he forgives

does not excuse the guilty

What was God’s tent called? Tabernacle

what was the most sacred place in the Tabernacle called, Holy of Holies

Where does the book Leviticus get its name from?

Where does the book of Numbers get its name from?

How many spies were sent out to view the promised land and what was their report? 12

Name two spies who had faith in God?

Joshua and Caleb

What was the punishment for rebelling against the Lord after believing the bad report of the 10 spies?

40 years in the wilderness, 1 year for each day the spies were gone

everyone 20 and up will die in the wilderness

those 10 spies died right away