Christ-Light Connections: The Twelve Spies & Korah’s Rebellion

This week’s Christ-Light theme is God punishes his people for their rebellion against him. It’s hard to read these stories without cringing at the shocking and continual unbelief of Israel. How could they possibly doubt God after all they had seen him do? Satan tempts me to separate myself from these people believing that I would never struggle with unbelief like theirs.

OT2 6A

The Twelve Spies — Numbers 13, 14

It’s a great alternative for https://regencygrandenursing.com/post-acute-sub-acute-care/stroke-rehabilitation canadian discount cialis because they want to save money while buying the best anti-impotency medicine. Everyone why not try this out viagra generika who is having sex should know about their adverse reactions. Moreover, individuals suffering from cardiovascular problems can experience severe reactions levitra 60 mg check that when taking the medication such as hypotension, stroke, and even sudden death. They also are available widely at open source like medical stores also can be purchased from websites which have emerged super active tadalafil recently.

Context

After months in the wilderness, Israel has finally arrived at the Promised Land. God had delivered them from slavery, brought them through the waters of the Red Sea, miraculously fed them and gave them water, set up a system of worship and law, and disciplined them and forgiven their rebellion and doubt many times over. A few more details are added to the story in Deuteronomy 1, as Moses reflects on this account just before they actually do enter the Promised Land.

Big Ideas

Scoping out the Promised Land (Numbers 13:1-24)

In Deuteronomy 1:21,22, God commanded the Israelites to take the land, not to be afraid, and not to be discouraged. The sending of the spies was also condoned by God and Moses. This was a great opportunity to see the gift they were about to receive and to come up with the plan of attack. As far as we know, God just said to take the land. He did not say how.

As we have seen in many stories before, God loves to act in hopeless situations. Hopelessness drives believers to look away from themselves and up to him. All of the spies certainly noticed how weak Israel was compared to the mighty inhabitants of the Promised Land. Ten forgot all that God had done for Israel and thought they were only relying on their own power and might. They become victims of despair and spread their fear throughout Israel as fast as any plague. Two looked up to God in faith anticipating his next move.

Conversation Starter:

• What is your first reaction to problems you cannot solve? Do children and adults react differently? Hang on to that thought.

Let’s go back to Egypt (Numbers 14:3)

We have heard Israel say this before. Fear causes such odd memories to form and illogical responses. In Egypt, they were tormented slaves and subject to Pharaoh’s population control. And just how did they think they would survive the trip back to Egypt? Would God provide manna and water for that trip too?

Conversation Starter:

• How does Satan use fear to control us?
• How do children and adults react differently to fear? (It’s a repetitive question, but hang in there.)

God’s Reaction

This is not the first time (or the last time) that God threatens to destroy the people. Utter destruction is, after all, what sin deserves. Moses mediates for them, and God forgives. This pattern points us forward to Christ who mediates before God on our behalf and incites his forgiveness.

Yet, God issues a consequence for their unbelief. Just as an unbeliever will not enter the Promised Land of heaven, so this unbelieving generation would not enter the Promised Land of Cannan. Only the next generation (and Joshua and Caleb) would receive the gift.

Conversation Starter:

• Read Luke 18:15-17. How does this passage connect to this story?
• What does “receiving the kingdom of God like a child” look like?

Digging Deeper

The Seeds of Faith resource provides great Law and Gospel points as well as thoughtful discussion questions.

40 Minutes in the Old Testament Podcast

• Episode 138: Spies are sent out to check out the land God has promised them. It is everything God promised but the people who live there are enormous.
• Episode 139: God asks “How long will the people reject Him?” Moses argues that the name of God will be defamed if He destroys the Jews and in a very Christ-like moment intercedes for those trying to kill him.
• Episode 140: God forgives Israel but there are pretty heavy consequences for their rebellion. In what way is Numbers 14 a better example of the sinfulness of man than Genesis 3?

OT2 6B

Korah’s Rebellion — Numbers 16, 17

Context

Israel just experienced a big blow. God had taken away the Promised Land from their generation. In a desperate attempt for control, a rebellion arises, and doubt over Moses’ leadership infects the camp.

Big Ideas

Rebellion

It is not a surprise that Israel is again rebelling against Moses. If it was their leader’s fault that they could not enter the Promised Land, then perhaps a new leader would bring them hope. We have seen blame-shifting before in Aaron (for the creation of the golden calf) and in Eden when Adam threw Eve under the bus. Blame-shifting is part of our sinful survival instinct. Instinctively we know we cannot bear the weight of our sin. We need to push our sins away from us at any cost.

Knowing this reality, God provided someone to take our blame.

God’s Reaction to the Rebellion

Of course, God again wanted to wipe out the people. Sin deserves wrath. Moses interceded and spared the people. God’s judgment against Korah and his group was miraculous, terrifying, swift, and complete. Even after witnessing the earth open up like a mouth and eat rebellion for lunch, the people still grumbled against Moses! Their hearts remained unchanged by the law and judgment. God sent more law, a deadly plague, as a powerful judgment upon the people. Was this the angel of death that previously had passed over them in Egypt?

The high priest, Aaron, is a picture of the Messiah as he runs out in front of the plague of death to makes atonement for the people. It is as if his atonement is a wall that prevents God’s wrath from proceeding.

Digging Deeper

40 Minutes in the Old Testament Podcast

• Episode 142: A rebellion is organized against Moses. His response is both sorrow and anger. We see the difference between power and authority
• Episode 143: The people are now angry with Moses and Aaron and come up with a very old Adam reason that everything is Moses’ fault. Moses prays but God has had enough and strikes the people with a plague.