In the book of Exodus, the Lord described the birth of a nation. Exodus and Leviticus detailed the rules and laws for this nation. In the book of Numbers (the topic for our quarter) we see another dimension of this nation, that of God’s people on the move.
But not just moving anywhere. They are to go and take possession of the land promised them because of God’s words to their father Abraham centuries earlier (Gen. 13:15–17).
Directly tied to this promise is another aspect of this nation: that of the nation as an army, a mighty army of God, a conquering army that cannot be defeated by external enemies because the Lord, the Creator of heaven and earth, is in their midst.
Unfortunately, that isn’t exactly what happened. This mighty, powerful, and conquering army, hovering on the edges of the Promised Land, was defeated, not by the Canaanites but from within. Satan knew that as long as they obeyed the Lord, as long as they trusted in God and lived by faith and obedience to His commandments, he would be helpless against them. All he could do, therefore, was use them against themselves.
Hence, it should be obvious that, as a people on the move, as a people seeking to reach the Promised Land, as a people called out by God, we can learn from the book of Numbers. “These things happened to them as an example, and they have been written down as a warning to us, upon whom the end of the ages has come. Therefore, whoever thinks he is standing secure should take care not to fall. No trial has come to you but what is human. God is faithful and will not let you be tried beyond your strength; but with the trial he will also provide a way out, so that you may be able to bear it” (1 Cor. 10:11-13, NAB). These words contain not just a warning but a promise as well.
This quarter, we’ll look at the warning and at the promise.
* Please note that the remaining lessons for third quarter 2009 are still on the ABSG Web site. Click on the purple button below for the edition in which you are interested. The third quarter lessons can be found directly underneath the listing for the fourth quarter lessons by simply scrolling down the page.
