Numbers 9:15-23 — Following the Command of the Lord — the Cloud and the Fire
GOD COMMUNICATES HIS FAVORABLE PRESENCE WITH HIS REDEEMED PEOPLE VIA CLEAR SIGNALS
Numbers 10:1-10 — Use of the Silver Signal Trumpets for Worship and Mobilization
GOD COMMUNICATES HIS FAVORABLE PRESENCE WITH HIS REDEEMED PEOPLE VIA CLEAR SIGNALS
Numbers 10:11-36 — Following the Cloud as the Journey Begins
DIVINE GUIDANCE DIRECTS THE ISRAELITES TO BREAK CAMP AT SINAI AND BEGIN THEIR JOURNEY TO THE PROMISED LAND
Numbers 11:1-3 — General Complaining About Hard Times
AGAINST THE BACKDROP OF FAITHFUL PROVIDENTIAL CARE, GOD’S PEOPLE RESPOND TO THE PRESSURE OF ADVERSITY WITH GRUMBLING AND COMPLAINING THAT BRING SEVERE DISCIPLINE
Numbers 11:4-23 — Dealing with Complaining People and Frustration in Ministry
CONFIDENCE IN THE SUFFICIENCY OF GOD’S POWER TO MEET NEEDS IS THE ANTIDOTE TO ALL COMPLAINING AND TO FRUSTRATION IN LEADERSHIP
Numbers 11:24-35 — Resolving Complaints — Be Careful What You Ask For
GOD DEALS EFFECTIVELY WITH FRUSTRATION IN LEADERSHIP AND WITH THE SINFUL COMPLAINTS OF THOSE WHO DESPISE HIS GRACIOUS PROVISION
Numbers 12:1-16 — Divine Reckoning for Leadership Envy
LEADERSHIP ENVY (WHICH CHALLENGES GOD’S AUTHORITY) RECEIVES GOD’S DISCIPLINE OF SHAME AND HUMILIATION
Numbers 13:1-33 — Now You Are Going to Doubt Me? The Report of the Spies
DENYING GOD’S ASSURANCE OF VICTORY IN THE FACE OF HIS TRACK RECORD OF FAITHFULNESS DEMONSTRATES A SURPRISING FAILURE OF FAITH
Numbers 14:1-38 — How Much Complaining Should God Put Up With?
PERSISTENT COMPLAINING TESTS THE LIMITS OF GOD’S PATIENCE BUT THE APPLICATION OF HIS MERCY AND JUDGMENT PROTECT HIS REPUTATION
Numbers 14:39-45 — Presumption Leads to Failure in Spiritual Warfare
DEVOID OF GODS’ FAVOR, PRESUMPTION RECKLESSLY RUSHES FORWARD TO CERTAIN SPIRITUAL DEFEAT
Numbers 15:1-41 — Responding to God’s Discipline as We Anticipate His Blessing
OUR RESPONSE TO GOD’S DISCIPLINE WILL CONFIRM US IN HOLINESS AS WE:
– REJOICE (PLEASE) THE LORD
– RESPECT THE LORD
– REMEMBER THE LORD
Numbers 16:1-35 — Revolt of Korah — Spouting Off Can Get You Swallowed Up
LEADERSHIP ENVY STIRS UP UNJUSTIFIED ATTACKS THAT BRING DOWN THE HAMMER OF CATASTROPHIC DIVINE JUDGMENT
Numbers 16:36-50 — Who Gets to Burn the Incense Before the Lord?
THE WORK OF ATONEMENT AND PROPITIATION BELONG ONLY TO THE DIVINELY APPOINTED HIGH PRIEST AND MEDIATOR —
ONE TRUE MEDIATOR BETWEEN GOD AND MEN
Numbers 17:1-13 — The Sign of Aaron’s Budding Rod
SPIRITUAL LEADERS BEAR HEAVY RESPONSIBILITIES BUT FIND THE LORD TO BE THEIR PORTION (OVER AND ABOVE GENEROUS COMPENSATION FOR THEIR SERVICE)
Numbers 18:1-32 — Distinctive Role and Support of the Priests and Levites
SPIRITUAL LEADERS BEAR HEAVY RESPONSIBILITIES BUT FIND THE LORD TO BE THEIR PORTION (OVER AND ABOVE GENEROUS COMPENSATION FOR THEIR SERVICE)
Numbers 19:1-22 — Laws on Cleansing — Dealing with Defilement from Death
CLEANSING FROM CONTAMINATION CAUSED BY CONTACT WITH DEATH MAINTAINS CLOSE CONTACT WITH A HOLY GOD
Numbers 20:1-29 — Sad Times in the Wilderness for Failed Leaders
THE LEADERSHIP TRANSITION FOR THE NEW GENERATION THAT WILL ENTER THE PROMISED LAND (DESPITE THEIR CONTINUING CONTENDING AND COMPLAINING) REQUIRES THE DEATH OF ITS FAILED LEADERS
Numbers 21:1-20 — Celebrating Salvation
DESPITE ONGOING GRUMBLING AND COMPLAINING, THE LORD’S PEOPLE EXPERIENCE HIS GRACIOUS SALVATION
Numbers 21:21-35 — Military Victories — Preparation to Conquest the Land
GOD GRANTS VICTORIES OVER POWERFUL FOES WHEN WE FOLLOW HIS GAME PLAN AND DON’T SHRINK BACK IN FEAR FROM THE CHALLENGE
Numbers 22:1-21 — Balaam — Tension Between What We Want and What God Wants
IMPURE MOTIVES LEAD TO COMPROMISING SITUATIONS
Numbers 22:22-41 Perception and Protection Via a Dumb Donkey
THE OPPORTUNISTIC PROPHET OF IMPURE MOTIVES RECEIVES EMBARRASSING PERCEPTION AND PROTECTION FROM HIS DUMB DONKEY
Numbers 23:1 – 24:25 — The Messianic King and His Kingdom Will Prevail
ENEMY OPPOSITION CANNOT UNDERMINE GOD’S PROMISED BLESSING ON HIS CHOSEN, CONQUERING, COVENANT PEOPLE
Numbers 25:1-18 — Spiritual Harlotry, Divine Judgment and Priestly Intervention
THE DESTRUCTION FROM SPIRITUAL HARLOTRY CAN ONLY BE MITIGATED BY THE ATONING ZEAL OF A FAITHFUL HIGH PRIEST
Numbers 27:15-23 — Commissioning of Joshua to Succeed Moses
LEADERSHIP TRANSITIONS MUST BE BASED IN DIVINE SELECTION, MUST FUNCTION ACCORDING TO THE POWER AND AUTHORITY OF THE SPIRIT, AND MUST ISSUE IN PASTORAL GUIDANCE AND CARE
Numbers 31:1-54 — The Lord’s Full Vengeance on Midian
THE SEVERITY OF GOD’S VENGEANCE EXPOSES THE FALLACY OF ATTACKING THOSE WHO ARE UNDER HIS PROVIDENTIAL PROTECTION AND PROMISED BLESSING
Numbers 32:1-42 — Compromise Regarding the Land Promise — Good or Bad?
COMPROMISE WITH GOD’S REVEALED AGENDA LEADS TO A QUAGMIRE OF COMPLEXITY
Numbers 33:50-56 — Final Marching Orders for Conquering and Possessing Canaan
OCCUPYING HOLY LAND REQUIRES EXTREME EXTERMINATION OF THREATS TO COVENANT WORSHIP
Numbers 6:22-27 — Aaronic Benediction
THE BLESSED PRESENCE OF GOD’S PROTECTION, FAVOR AND PEACE MEET ALL OF THE NEEDS OF THE BELIEVING COMMUNITY