NUMBERS Wisdom from the Wilderness © John Stevenson, 2008

What was the problem? What was the nature of the intervention? What would have been the result had there been no intervention? Break into Groups of 2-3 and describe a time when you were on the giving or receiving end of an intervention

Moses as Mediator Israel’s refusal to enter the land. God’s stated intention to do away with Israel and start over again with Moses (Numbers 14:12). The intervention of Moses (Numbers 14:13-19) God’s response (Numbers 14:20-38).

The Prayer of Moses What is prayer? Why should we pray? What does it mean to have prayer answered? What place does prayer have in the development of the spiritual life? Of spiritual leaders? How does prayer fit into God’s fulfilling His redemptive purposes in the world?

The Wilderness Wanderings Laws for a Future Land Korah Rebellion 17 The Staff of Aaron Priestly duties of Aaron & his descendants 20 Failure at Meribah; Detour at Edom; Death of Aaron

Exodus 17 Numbers 20 Then all the congregation of the sons of Israel journeyed by stages from the wilderness of Sin, according to the command of the LORD, and camped at Rephidim, and there was no water for the people to drink (17:1) Then the sons of Israel, the whole congregation, came to the wilderness of Zin in the first month; and the people stayed at Kadesh. Now Miriam died there and was buried there. 2 And there was no water for the congregation; and they assembled themselves against Moses and Aaron.

Exodus 17 Numbers 20 Moses told to strike the rock Moses obedient to the command Moses strikes the rock Water given to the people Moses told to speak to the rock Moses disobedient to the command Moses strikes the rock Water given to the people

EGYPT Kadesh Barnea EDOM MOAB

The Wilderness Wanderings Laws for a Future Land Korah Rebellion 17 The Staff of Aaron Priestly duties of Aaron & his descendants 20 Failure at Meribah; Detour at Edom; Death of Aaron 21 Conquest of Arad; Incident with the fiery serpents

Balaam ― the Prophet for Profit Hired to curse the Israelites An Angelic Encounter Balaam’s Prophecy I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near; A star shall come forth from Jacob, A scepter shall rise from Israel (Numbers 24:17).

Balaam ― the Prophet for Profit Hired to curse the Israelites An Angelic Encounter Balaam’s Prophecy Balaam’s Counsel Behold, these caused the sons of Israel, through the counsel of Balaam, to trespass against the LORD in the matter of Peor, so the plague was among the congregation of the LORD. (Numbers 31:16)

Reuben Gad Mannaseh

Lessons from the Wilderness The Lesson of the Faithfulness of the Lord. The Lesson of the Cost of Disobedience.