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Weekly Guide：2024-2025 Week 14
April 07, 2024
Week 14 Day 1: Korah in Mutiny ⇧ ⇩
Question
Who established Aaron’s priesthood that Korah challenged?
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
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Korah, a descendant of Levi, led some Israelites to challenge Moses for the appointment of Aaron and his descendant’s priesthood. Moses asked them to come in front of God and be tested with fire. God brought about something totally new to destroy Korah and everyone and everything associated with him.
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The day after Korah’s incident the whole Israelite community grumbled against Moses and Aaron. They blamed Moses and Aaron for the death of Korah and associates. God was angry and brought plague to the people. Moses ordered Aaron to atone for the Israelites in between the living and the dead. The plague stopped.
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God commanded Moses to get 12 staffs from the leaders of the tribes. With their names on the staff and place in front of the ark of covenant law. The staff from Levi with Aaron’s name was the only one that sprouted, budded, blossomed, and produced almonds. God used this to show the people that it was His will the Levites were chosen.
Meditation: My Story
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Identity - Aaron was established by God as high priest and no one can substitute for him. Likewise, no one can substitute for Lord Jesus Christ! The Israelites approached God only through Aaron and his descendants. Today, everyone can approach God through Jesus Christ. Am I approaching God through my own means?
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Fidelity - Aaron stood in between the living and the dead to atone for them. Do I live for my own benefit or do I pray for others?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
Week 14 Day 2: Levites and Priests ⇧ ⇩
Question
What were the duties of the Levites and the priests? What were they to receive from the offerings?
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
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Verses 18:1-7 is the answer God gave to Aaron for the question the Israelites asked in 17:12-13. The priests and the Levites are to bear the anger from God so people won’t die. Priesthood is a gift from God to the priests and also a gift to all people.
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God gave the Levites a tenth of the offerings the Israelites produced. The tenth of that was given to Aaron and the priests.
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Chapter 19 dealt with those who became unclean from the plague in chapter 16. Due to the large number of people affected, God gave them cleansing water to clean quickly and effectively.
Meditation: My Story
- Fidelity - Korah saw only the benefits but not the responsibilities. Do I look at my service to the Lord for my own glory or as God given responsibilities?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
Week 14 Day 3: End of Wandering ⇧ ⇩
Question
What did the Israelites experience when they came back to Kadesh in the final year of wandering?
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
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The last year of wandering in the desert. The Israelites came back to Kadesh where they rebelled against God’s will and refused to go into the land of Canaan.
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Israelites complained again as their fathers did. Moses did not give glory to God and was denied entry into the promised land. Miriam and Aaron passed away.
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Edom denied Israelite’s passage on the eastern shore of Jordan River. God forbit them to wage war against the Edom so the Israelites were forced to go on the tough trek around Edom. Israelites complained again and God punished them with venomous snakes. Moses pleaded to God. God commanded Moses to make a bronze snake and raise it up. Anyone looked up to the snake was saved. This foretold the coming of the Christ (John 3:13-14).
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Contrasting with man’s unfaithfulness and complaints, God faithfully lead the Israelites to the promised land.
Meditation: My Story
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Fidelity - Moses sinned by not giving glory to God. Even though Moses had done many great things, God did not let it pass. God denied Moses as he pleaded to let him go into the promised land. Analogous to increased responsibilities for the priests serving in the tent of meeting, we must become more alert as we get closer to God. Will I ever take lightly God’s holiness in my journey with Him?
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Walking with God - Sin repeats itself from generations to generations. The bronze snake cannot remove all sins from man, but Jesus can. Raising of the bronze snake foretold the salvation of Christ. Pray and thank Jesus for His forgiveness and salvation.
Prayer
Notes and Responses
Week 14 Day 4: Curses and Blessings ⇧ ⇩
Question
Why Balaam blessed Israelites when Balak wanted him to curse them?
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
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Moab wasn’t their target when the Israelites came to camp across from Jericho. Balak summoned Balaam to curse the Israelites but God made him to bless them instead.
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Balaam was not a prophet. He seemingly proclaimed himself a prophet was in fact a spokesperson for all false gods. He was condemned many times in Bible for his immorality, injustice, and low ethics. (Num. 31:7-8,15-16, Deu. 23:3-6; Jos. 13:22;24:9-10; Neh.13:1-3;Mic. 6:5;2 Peter 2:15-16; Jude 11; Rev. 2:14)
Meditation: My Story
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Walking with God - Why did Balaam changed locations and the ways to curse the Israelites? How was God’s power shown through Balaam’s failures?
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Identity - God intervened and protected Israelites when Balak summoned Balaam to curse them. God always protects without us knowing. Let me count the blessings I received last week and know they were from God, not myself.
Prayer
Notes and Responses
Week 14 Day 5: Corruption from Within ⇧ ⇩
Question
How did the Moabites deceive Israelites, cause them to sin and anger God.
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
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In reference to Numbers 31:8,16, the incident in this chapter was Balaam’s plan. He tried to corrupt the Israelites to cause them to separate from God and lose His protection.
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Phinehas was zealous for God’s honor. He killed those sinful Israelites and turned away God’s anger for the Israelites. God made with Phinehas and his descendants the covenant of peace, the lasting priesthood.
Meditation: My Story
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Identity - Satan’s deception is like Balaam’s, to corrupt God’s people from within to lure them away from God. Am I falling for Satan’s deception? Ask God to remind me and keep me alert.
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Fidelity - Phinehas’ zeal for God’s honor contrasts with Israelites. By no mean God wants us to judge upon others nor He wants us to carry out justice for Him. What does zeal for God’s honor mean in my daily life? How do I live it out?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
Week 14 Day 6: The Second Census ⇧ ⇮
Question
What blessings and protections from God were revealed in the second census?
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
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Israelites’ number had not changed much in the 40 years. This was a blessing from God for He promised Abraham’s descendants would become a great nation.
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God blessed Zelophehad’s Daughters for they had the rightful view of their inheritances.
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Moses was denied entry into the land of Canaan. He asked God in his last prayer for a new leader who would lead the Israelites into the promised land.
Meditation: My Story
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Walking with God - Israelites number changed little after plagues, disasters, killings, and other punishments. God’s promises never change because of our weakness. Looking back in my life, do I often see my own failures or God’s faithfulness?
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Community - Moses’ heart was with the people even though he was denied entry into the promised land. What can I pray for my family, church, and God’s leading in my services?