This is a recording of my message on Numbers for our Old Testament Survey series to the ABF Junior High Group.
Below is my outline for those who would like to follow along.
INTRO:
* What comes to your mind when you hear the word Rebellion?
* I think of Star Wars. Anyone else? The Empire and the Rebels.
* What do we know?
SPOKE: Rebellion/Faithfulness Numbers (BibleProject)
* Watch for what they say is at the core of the Numbers scroll (“In the Wilderness”)?
* Watch: Book of Numbers Summary: A Complete Animated Overview
* Rebellion in the wilderness and God brings Judgment but shows mercy
HUB:
* Rebellion & Faithfulness
* What causes a rebellion?
* What is the response to a rebellion.
* We are going to see in Numbers an abnormal rebellion - first the people are rebelling for no good reason and second despite every good reason God is going to stay faithful to them instead of destroying or abandoning them.
SPOKE: Rebellion & Consequence
Explanation/Exhortation/Exaltation:
* Numbers 13:1:1-3, 25-33, 14:1-3, 20-24
* Rebellion of spies & consequence
* What just happened? Did they not see God defeat Pharoah with 10 plagues and split the freaking sea? Why would they rebel??
* I think a helpful analogy as we read these stories of rebellion is one most of us can relate to.
* Has anyone ever been helping their parents in the kitchen and they are cooking stuff on the stove and they warn you - don’t touch that it’s…hot. And either out of carelessness or maybe even out of spite as a little kid… we touch it. It burns. Who’s fault is that? Ours. we were warned and now we experience the natural consequence of our decision. My mom LOVED natural consequences. If I do something I shouldn’t and get hurt she was so good at helping me realize that.
* Numbers 16:1-5, 25-35
* Rebellion of korah & consequence
* This is one we can all relate to. Why are they getting special treatment? Why not me?
* But God had every right to choose specific group. And as we talked about in Genesis God didn’t choose Abraham to the exclusion of the rest but for the benefit of the world
* Numbers 20:2-13
* Rebellion of Moses
* Moses the man who had spent unparalleled time with God. God clear instructions from God. Take the staff, gather the people, speak to the rock. Moses takes the staff, gathers the people…. And then yells at the people and hits the rock!
* Come on Moses.
* God absolutely operates under the Uncle Ben philosophy. With great power comes great responsibility.
* These rebellions mirror the ordering of the camp from the tribes, to the Levites, to the High Priest and Moses.
* QUESTIONS?
SPOKE: Faithfulness & Mercy
Explanation/Exhortation/Exaltation:
* Numbers 1:44-46, 52-53
* One year after the exodus. They have increased by 3,000 people. The Censi of Numbers are intended to reflect the blessing of Eden - be fruitful and multiply, and the blessing of Abraham descendents like the stars of the sky. They are numbered and ordered and ready to enter the promised land. And despite all of their rebellion and sinfulness God is still dwelling in their midst. The priests, atonement, sacrifices, the scroll of Leviticus is doing its job
* What helps me make sense of this section is the story of Nemo. Have you seen it?
* Nemo’s dad’s name is “Marlin” marlin told his son to never leave the reef. Why? Did Marlin want to deprive his son? No
* Nemo swims out of the reef and touches the boat and gets captured. Did Marlin warn nemo about this?
* Did marlin have every right to say “Oh well” I told you so? Yes. Is that what he did? No. he went after him, rescued him, took care of him. And the book of numbers is this cycle on repeat, rebellion, consequence, faithfulness, mercy.
* Numbers 21:4-9
* Serpent
* The very thing they thought brought death now brings life. Moses overcomes the serpent. He is riffing off what was promised in Genesis 3. You remember? Defeating the serpent.
* Numbers 23:7-10
* Balam
* Balam has been hired to curse israel. Israel is down their rebelling and grumbling against their God. It would make total sense if they got cursed and wiped out and that was it.
* But because God is faithful and merciful he is even now protecting and watching over his covenant people. Fulfilling his promise to Abraham in Genesis that “I will bless those who bless you, and him dishonors you i will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed” You see how its all connected?
Conclusion:
* Numbers is full of confusing stories, confusing laws, and confusing lists. But as the people journey through the wilderness we are invited to put ourselves in the story.
* Think about it this way. The people have been rescued already, have been given instructions on being new humans and have God’s presence, but they have not yet arrived in the promised land.
* Who does that remind you of? US
* We have been rescued by Jesus from Sin and Death. We live in his new life with the presence of God in us through His Spirit. But we have not yet arrived in the new heavens and earth where our promised land is. We live in the Wilderness which is Number’s true name.
* In fact the author of hebrews says:
* Hebrews 3:16-4:2
* But these pages don’t just offer us a reflection of where we are but on our savior who is bringing us through - Jesus is our perfect intercessor who stands before the Father when we fail like the Israelites and says “Father, I already paid for that one, paid that one too”, Paul says is the rock in the wilderness that Moses struck to as the source of living water, Jesus himself compares himself to the serpent in the wilderness that is lifted up and offers salvation and he is the one promised in the Oracle of Balam who would rule with justice.
* That is how Numbers points us to Jesus.
* QUESTIONS?
* Let’s pray!
Small group Questions:
High and Low of the Week?
What stuck out from the message? (Respond to, Affirm, and Develop Observations)
What stuck out to you from the video? (Respond to, Affirm, and Develop Observations)
What is a way that you have rebelled and received consequence and/or mercy?
What does it look like to live like we are in the wilderness waiting for our eternal home?
What points to Jesus in Numbers?
Prayer Requests?
