Why was Moses punished so severely for striking the rock? On the surface it would seem that he lost his cool, yet God's response would seem to indicate that there was something much more serious involved.

We also discussed Balaam and his talking donkey. There is much more to this story than meets the eye.

 

The fatal flaw of Balaam is so important to us that three New Testament books warn not to follow the road of Balaam.

 

 

 

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How do we reconcile the words that God spoke "face to face with Moses" with "No man can see my face and live"?

 

The best context for understanding what it means to speak face to face with God is found in Numbers chapter 12. What is remarkable about the face to face relationship that Moses had with God is that we are entirely capable of the same experience! In Christ, the veil the separates us from God is removed.

 

 

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"The LORD sent poisonous snakes among the people, and many Israelites were bitten and died." (Numbers 21:6).

 

In this Bible study we discussed 3 terrible stories:

 

First, God is described as becoming "angry" and causing people to die as they ate the quail. Then, God opens up the earth to swallow Korah and his followers. Finally, God sends poisonous snakes!

 

Whatever happened to Satan in the Old Testament and why does this description of God seem so unlike Jesus?

 

 

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As the rebellious people began their 40 year journey through the wilderness, God said, "I will forgive them." If we look at forgiveness purely from a legal perspective, wouldn't this suggest that these people would be "paid up" and ready to "legally" enter the kingdom? Should we understand forgiveness primarily from a legal perspective? Is it possible to be forgiven yet lost?

 

What about the people that Jesus forgave as He died on the cross? Will all of the forgiven people who stood at the foot of the cross be in heaven? If it is possible to be forgiven yet lost, what is the purpose of forgiveness?

 

 

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Here are some other very good resources on the subject of forgiveness:

 

Click here and then listen to the sermon entitled "Charizomai" by Herb Montgomery

 

Also, Greg Boyd beautifully explains some difficult verses in the New Testament about forgiveness. Why is it that Jesus said, "if you don't forgive others, God will not forgive you"?

 

 

 

 

 

 

"How much longer will they refuse to trust me, even though I have performed so many miracles among them?" (Numbers 14:10). We usually associate more faith with more miracles, yet this relationship often seems reversed in the Bible. The children of Israel at this time were rebellious, yet there were many miracles. During the time of Elijah and Elisha there was also very little faith (so little that Elijah complained, "I think that I'm the last one left that is loyal to you"), yet there were lots and lots of miracles. And, after Jesus resurrected Lazarus from 3 days dead in the tomb, "from that day on" the Pharisees made plans to kill Jesus - despite the miracle!

In fact, the book of John is a perfect parallel to the words in Numbers: "Even though he had performed all these miracles in their presence, they still did not trust in him." (John 12:37)

 

While the Bible reveals God seeming to have relatively little success with the use of miracles, it would seem that Satan is much more successful:

 

"This second beast performed great miracles; it made fire come down out of heaven to earth in sight of everyone. And it deceived all the people living on earth by means of the miracles..." (Revelation 13:13-14)

 

What are we to make of all this?

 

 

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Video recording of the November 12, 2007 Bible study for the Loma Linda University School of Allied and Public Health.

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There is no question that this is a dark and disturbing book. The people are against Moses. Aaron and Miriam are at times against Moses. Rebellion among the people against God is breaking out left and right. How can a gentle and kind God reach a people like this? {One comment that I meant to add during the Bible study. When God came in power during Korah's rebellion and threatened to kill all the people (Numbers 16), Moses and Aaron stood in between and pleaded with God to show mercy. I believe that God knew how Moses and Aaron would respond, and used the opportunity in front of the people to create trust and confidence in Moses and Aaron and to get this message to the people: "Moses and Aaron really do have your best interest at heart. Please trust them, and the just maybe you will trust me someday". This is very similar to why God came on Mount Sinai in such power: "I will come to you in a thick cloud, so that the people will hear me speaking with you and will believe you from now on." (Exodus 19) Please also listen to the other description of God appearing ready to wipe them all out in Exodus, part 2 - - Dig Deeper! Stay centered on His love! - BC}