Complaining, Rebellion and Gossip

Bible Study June 16, 2021 Introduction Numbers 15:37-40 • Commands not only in our minds, but to do them • We can’t keep the law, we need His grace • Inclination to harlotry is from the flesh (harlotry = false doctrine - Rev. 18:3,6; 19:2) Romans 8:28-30 • The purpose of following God is that we may be holy • His plan/purpose, not ours - to become like Christ 1 John 3:2 • This is when that which concerns us will become as it should be - as Christ, as we were before the fall • It is a choice, to love Him or not; obedience comes from love 1 Corinthians 10:1-33, 11:1 • We must keep in mind that the gospel was given to the Israelites • Without faith, it is impossible to please Him (Heb. 11:16) • He did not ask them to obey without demonstrating that He is God • These were written for our admonition. How can we know what happened if we don’t open the Old Testament? (Admonition = Instruction) • If you think you have arrived, look the the example of those who fell • The assumption is that you are His and want to obey Him • Will He give a way out when you rebel? • Observe Israel - their flesh got trained to miss everything they had in the past • Change doesn’t come without suffering - it will ruffle your feathers • Admonition is so that you learn not to have fellowship with demons • There is mutual exclusivity concerning fellowship with demons or with Christ - you can’t have both • Imitating Christ - He was an observant Jew We see that there are two possibilities, two possible responses, two possible outcomes - we will be righteous or unrighteous, have fellowship with light or darkness, enter into life or death. Today’s Reading Numbers 16:1 • Moses and Aaron were also from Levi - they were related to Korah (Ex. 6:16-22) • Sons of Reuben also rebelled - Reuben uncovered his father’s nakedness (Gen. 35:22) • “Men of renown” - men who have a name Genesis 6:1-4 • It is the flesh that gets in the way (Numbers 15:39) • Men of renown - also known as Nephilim • There is a correlation between the flesh wanting to be known above God and man establishing a name for himself Numbers 16:3 • “Exalting yourselves” - reveals covetousness, judgement, accusation Genesis 10:5 • There is a clear separation of the Gentiles • Nimrod - means rebellion - was a man of renown Genesis 11:1-9 • “Let us make a name for ourselves” • The one who establishes you is the Lord; He provides the anointing, covering, provision, etc. • The separation of peoples/languages comes from God’s response to flesh attempting to exalt itself Genesis 3:1-6 • From questioning to openly opposing and the promise of eyes being opened • Things begin with our perception, the way we see life (1 Jn. 2:15-17) Numbers 12:1 - Gossiping Numbers 13:31-33 - Judging/Complaining Numbers 14:2-4, 22 - Rebellion Numbers 16:3-5 • Victim mentality - “You’re the lead, we’re the victims” • Moses is allowing the Lord to decide what to do with Korah and the others 1 Corinthians 11:11, 3, 15 • A woman’s hair is her glory, and represents her covering • Mary gives Jesus glory - anointing with oil (Jn. 12:1-3) Numbers 16:1-3 • The rebellious are trying to lift themselves up Deuteronomy 14:1-2 • Korah and followers are removing their covering • If you are holy, why are you removing yourself from the covering? • If Korah knows this, what was his need to be above Moses and Aaron? • What drives the desire to be above is how you see yourself • External/Internal Locus of Control - Jesus addresses this in the Olivet Discourse (Matt. 5:27-30) Numbers 16:4 • Moses is a man of authority, yet chooses not to exercise it against the rebellious Numbers 16:5 • Moses was able to let God be God because he was humble (Numbers 12:3) 2 Samuel 6:20-22 • David was humble in his own sight - God chose him and appointed him 1 Samuel 15:17-24 • Saul was little in his own eyes - the fear of man drove him to disobedience • The way God sees you is the most important thing • Willfully disobeying God is rebellion = witchcraft/idolatry (1 Cor. 10:14-22) • When we sin, it is against the Lord Numbers 16:28 • Moses did not seek his own will, but the glory of God