The people rise like a lioness
Numbers 22:1-23:26
Key verses: “There is no divination against Jacob, no evil omens against Israel. It will now be said of Jacob and of Israel, 'See what God has done!' The people rise like a lioness; they rouse themselves like a lion that does not rest till it devours its prey and drinks the blood of its victims." (Numbers 23:23-24).
1. [22:1-14] Where did Israel camp (1)? Why were Moab and her king, Balak, terrified (2-4a)? Who was Balaam and what message did Balak send to him (4b-7, 10-11)? What did Balaam tell the delegates (8)? Who came to him and what did he ask about his guests (9)? What did God tell Balaam to do and how did he follow through on His word (12-13)?
2. [15-20] Through the second delegation, what different incentive did Balak offer to Balaam (15-17)? What was Balaam’s answer to them (18-19)? On that night, what did God tell him to do (20)?
3. [21-30] The next day as Balaam was on his way, what did God do and why (21-22)? How did Balaam’s donkey try to avoid the angel (23a,25a, 27a)? How did Balaam force his donkey to get back on the road (23b, 25b, 27b)? What was the donkey’s frustration (28-30)? Why?
4. [31-35a] As the Lord opened Balaam’s eyes, what did he see (31)? What was the angel’s rebuke and how did he explain this event to Balaam (32-33)? What did Balaam come to realize (34a)? What was he willing to do then (34b)? What did the angel tell him to do (35a)? Discuss Balaam’s walk and his blindness, in regards to discerning God’s will.
5. [35b-23:10] Upon his arrival, what did they discuss concerning his visit (35b-38)? Where, what, and how were the sacrifices offered (22:39-23:1-2)? Where and what word did the Lord give to Balaam (3b-6)? Find the details of Balaam’s first message (7-10).
6. [23:11-25] Where did Balak take Balaam (13-14)? Why (11-12)? Find the details of God’s word to Balaam and its meaning (19-24). Discuss Balak’s and Balaam’s premises, as seen in these three attempts to bring a curse down on Israel, and what God’s will was for His people.
A star will come out of Jacob
Numbers 23:27-24:25
Key Verse: "I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near. A star will come out of Jacob; a scepter will rise out of Israel.” (Numbers 24:17).
1. [23:27-24:4] On his third attempt, where did Balak take Balaam (23:27-28)? Why? How was Balaam prompted to give his message about Israel (24:1-3a)? How was this different from the situations surrounding Balak’s first two attempts (ref. 23:5, 16)? How did this prophecy come to Balaam (3-4)?
2. [24:5-9] What did Balaam notice about the Israelite camp (5-6)? In view of this, what did he foresee (7)? What did God do (8a)? What does this reveal about Israel’s strength (8b-9a)? What’s the implication of this for others (9b)?
3. [24:10-14] After his third attempt, what did Balak say to Balaam and why (10-11)? What was Balaam’s answer (12-13)? What did he offer before his departure and why (14)?
4. [15-19] How did the following prophetic message come to Balaam (15-16; cf. 22:20; 23:3-5;15-16; 24:1-4)? Whom did he see coming (17ab, 19; ref Genesis 49:10)? What will the star do (17c-18)?
5. [20-25] What nations did Balaam see and what were the strength of each? What would happen to each of them (20-22, 24)? Why (23)? What might be the significance, in Balak’s opinion, of these messages (v10-25)?
6. Discuss the way in which Balaam received God’s message, and how that method progressed throughout these oracles and their significance. According to these oracles, who was the God of Jacob? Discuss this in regards to God’s will for Jacob and for the world.
Zeal for God’s honor
Numbers 25:1-18
Key verse - 25:13
1. [1-3a] Where and what did the Israelite men indulge in (1)? How did they yoke themselves to the Baal of Peor (2-3a; cf. 31:16; Revelation 2:14)?
2. [3b-5] How did God react to this (3b-4; cf. 9)? How did Moses follow through with God’s command (5)? Why do you think God dealt with their sin so seriously (cf. 9; Deuteronomy 6:14-15)?
3. [6-9] How did the Israelites respond (6b)? What did an Israelite man do before the eyes of the whole Israelite assembly (6a)? Who was Phinehas (7a)? What did he do to the Israelite man (7b-8a)? What happened then (8b-9)?
4. [10-13] Why did Phinehas’ action appease God’s anger (10-11,13b)? What was Phinehas’ zeal for God’s honor? What covenant did God make with him (12-13a)?
5. [14-18] Who were the Israelite man and the Midianite woman (14-15; cf. 4)? How did God command the Israelites to treat the Midianites (16-17; cf. 31:1-12)? Why (18)?
No comments:
Post a Comment