Study the Bible in Two Years – 8/28/10

Saturday,  August 28 – Numbers 35-36

1.  The Levites served in the temple and did not receive a portion of land.  They were given 48 cities scattered throughout Israel.  Six of them became “cities of refuge.”  How does that picture what the Lord does for us?  See Psalm 91:1,2.

2.  How does the regulation in 35:30 show up at Jesus trial?

3.  Numbers ends with the new generation ready to enter the promised land.  Their parents never made it.  What are we to learn?  For a summary of this book, see Hebrews 3:16-19 and note the application to us in Hebrews 4:1.

Study the Bible in Two Years – 8/27/10

Friday, August 27 – Numbers 32-34

1.  When 2 ½ tribes want to settle on the east side of the Jordan, Moses objects.  How did they answer his objection?  See 32:17.   God gives us considerable freedom to do things as we want, but are we paying attention to His guidance?  It would have been better for these tribes to cross the Jordan, because they became separated from the others and were the first to be defeated by enemy armies. 

2.  In Chapter 33, Moses recaps the 40 years of wandering. You can skip reading all the place names.  Read 33:50-56.  What will happen if they do not drive out the Canaanites completely? What can happen to us when we let the ways of the sinful world invade our lives?

3.  God set out the boundaries of Israel but this large area was not completely conquered until the time of David, 400 years later.  Why do you think it took so long?

Study the Bible in Two Years – 8/26/10

Thursday, August 26 – Numbers 31

1.  This chapter describes how God punished Midian, whose women had lured Israel into sin in chapter 25.  What happened to him?  See 31:8.

2.  Only the virgin girls of Midian were spared.  Why were the others put to death? 

See 31:15,16.

3.  Does this give us a right to take revenge?  See Romans 12:19.  (Remember that the Israelites were acting under the Lord’s direct command).

Study the Bible in Two Years – 8/25/10

Wednesday, August 25 – Numbers 28-30

1.   In Chapters 28-29, all the sacrifices in an entire year are counted up, starting with the daily sacrifices down to the annual feasts.  Again and again, it says that these sacrifices are “an aroma pleasing to the Lord.”  How might this apply to us?  See Phil. 4:18.

2.  On all the major feast days, what does the Lord command?  See 28:18,25,26 and 29:1,7,12,35.  This is no longer commanded for us, but why is it still a good idea?

3. Vows are like a promise in prayer:  “If God helps me now, I will do…..”  They were taken very seriously.  A husband or father could cancel the vow of a wife or daughter.  What does this tell you about the husband’s duties?  Does this still apply today?  See 1 Cor. 11:3.

Study the Bible in Two Years – 8/24/10

Tuesday, August 24 – Numbers 24-27

1.  Note the prophecy of Jesus in 24:17.  This prophecy may have led the Wise Men to Jesus.  What does this passage tell you about him?

2.   Balaam finally succeeded with a “curse” on Israel, in chapter 25. How?  His name is not even mentioned in the chapter, but read Revelation 2:14.

3. In chapter 1 of this book, the fighting men numbered 603,550.  38 years later, what is their number now?  See 26:51.  What is the main point from chapter 26?  Read 26:63-65.

4. Joshua is commissioned to succeed Moses as the leader of God’s people.  What happened in 27:22-23 that reminds you of the ordination in our congregation last week?

Study the Bible in Two Years – 8/23/10

Monday, August 23 – Numbers 22-23

Note:  For some reason, “Today’s Light Bible” jams all four chapters about Balaam into one day. Suggestion:  Read Numbers 22 & 23 today.  Read Chapters 24, 25 and 27 on Tuesday, and skip most of chapter 26, except for the very end.  

1.  God finally gave in to Balaam’s request to go with the Moabites, but then the next day the Lord was angry with him when he went. (ch. 22:22)  Why?     Hint:  Only God knows hearts and what was probably in Balaam’s heart?  Was he really going to listen to God? 

2.  We read about the famous talking donkey.  How was the donkey smarter than Balaam? 

3.  What important truth do you find in 23:19?  How has that truth been lost in today’s world?

Study the Bible in Two Years – 8/21/10

Saturday,  August 21 – Numbers 21

 1.  This key chapter starts with the people complaining about a detour.  Even after a stunning victory, God leads them in the opposite direction from the promised land!  What detours in your life might you complain about?

2.  How were they saved from dying of the snake bites?  What is this a picture of?  Read what Jesus says about this in John 3:14-16. 

3.  Israel crosses over the Arabah valley somewhere between Edom and Moab and travels north on the east side of the Dead Sea and the Jordan River.  The Lord wants them to take over the promised land from the east rather than from the south.   Why?  We don’t know.  What does the Lord want us to do when he guides our lives in different directions from what we expect? Think of God’s promise in Proverbs 3:5,6.

Study the Bible in Two Years – 8/20/10

Friday, August 20 – Numbers 19-20

1.  The ashes of a red heifer are mixed with water and sprinkled on the people.  Why? See Numbers 19:19.  What does that remind you of in the New Testament?

2.  The 40 years of wandering in the desert are almost over. In chapter 20, both of Moses’ siblings die and are called home to heaven.  When God instructs Moses to bring water from the rock, what was his sin?  Compare what God commands in 20:8 with Moses’ action in 20:10-11 and what the Lord says in 20:12. 

3.   Doesn’t this seem quite severe?  After all, wasn’t Moses’ sin relatively small, when compared to the open rebellions of the people?  But note Luke 12:48.

Study the Bible in Two Years – 8/19/10

Thursday, August 19 – Numbers 16-18

1.  In this rebellion, note Korah’s main complaint, which is worded carefully and seems to make sense, 16:3.  The real problem is expressed in 16:13.  What is it?

2.  Some people may feel it’s not fair that the Lord would also bring his punishment on the wives and children.  The Lord felt this was necessary.  Why? 

3.  In chapter 18, the Lord institutes the tithe or 10% of everything as an offering to the Lord.  The main point: when the people give their offerings to the Lord, who is supposed to use them?   See 18:13,14.

Study the Bible in Two Years – 8/18/10

Wednesday, August 18 – Numbers 13-15

1.  Chapters 13-14 are the pivotal events of this book.  What instructions were given to the 12 spies?  13:17-20.  How did most of them react? 

2.  The people also react!  What is their real problem?  See 14:11.

3.  Note how the Lord finally responds in 14:20,21.  What does forgiveness NOT include?

4. In chapter 15, note how the Lord makes a distinction between unintentional and deliberate sins.  Why are deliberate sins still life-threatening today?  See Hebrews 10:26-31.