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COMMUNITY GROUP STUDY 4: DISCOURAGEMENTS
ON THE JOURNEY
After forty years of wandering, Numbers 20 sets a
gloomy scene: fear and grumbling about food and water, Moses’ disobedience
means he won’t lead the people into the Land, The path they want to take is
blocked and both Miriam and Aaron die. On the Journey we will face perplexity
at times. They named the place ‘Meribah’ which means ‘quarrelling’; let’s learn
how to keep our lives like fresh water rather than allow bitterness to pollute
us.
DISCUSS:
THIRST AGAIN
The people are grumbling about water, food and are being sentimental
about Egypt again!
Numbers 20:7-13
·
What do the words of this text tell us about
why Moses struck rather speaking to the rock? (20:11)
·
Speaking to the rock is an illustration of
praying for our needs – what could hitting the rock (on this occasion) be an
illustration of?
·
How does disobedience effect Moses and how
will it effect us?
THE PATH IS BLOCKED
Israel’s desired path to the Promised Land is blocked.
Number 20:14-21
·
How might Israel have felt about their route
being blocked?
·
Have you ever experienced delays in waiting
for God to open doors that you believe to be His will? If so, how did you deal
with it? (It’s good to share your stories of failure also!)
THE DEATH OF FRIENDS OR FAMILY
In this chapter we read of the death of Moses’ sister Miriam and his
brother and closest support, Aaron.
·
How can the death of a friend or family member
effect our journeying with God?
·
This must have been a sad day. How are we
taught to deal with death?
· What helpful lessons have you learned about
this massive life issue that we all face?
Stories
from the journey
It was a Sunday
evening at my church in 1996, I was advised I was in the wrong job. “It’s just
so hard!” I had said. “Do you think it’s really the right thing for you to
do?,” They replied, “Maybe you should think about leaving.” I cried. A lot.
It was whilst at
University studying business studies that God spoke to me very clearly about
working in the media, and about me using my creative photographic gifts for
him. So, full of confidence and a portfolio of artistic-ness, I started out in
the world after Uni. I worked for two Christian charities for a year in
Manchester, The Message Trust, and Kerigma Video Trust, and through people I
met I got my first proper paid job as a Camera Assistant at a camera rental
company in Shepperton Studios. Each assistant had a ‘unit’ of equipment to look
after and it was my responsibility to read what was needed for each shoot, for
each different client, and make sure it was all there, all working, and I knew
how to use it. We had training and lots of time to learn, which made up for the
low wage. The thing was I was a bit rubbish. There was not a whole lot of
creativity going on within my job remit. And it was very hard graft. Shoot days
started at 6am and finished at 8pm or 9pm; there was a culture within the
company of seeing who could stay the latest. And when you’re tired you forget things.
And when you’re forgetful, you forget things. I used to have anxiety dreams
about turning up to location having forgotten a piece of equipment.
And so it was
that I went forward for prayer one Sunday, exhausted and emotional, and was
prayed for as I poured out my heart about this new job; I was 8 months in I
think. And my friend asked me, do you really think it’s the right job for you?
I without a moments hesitation I said:
“Yes!! Yes I
do!! God set me on this path, he told me to ‘be a Christian in the Media’. And
I know I can take good photos and I know God has gifted me artistically. But
it’s up to me to learn the technical side. I have to learn the tools of my
trade, so I can get the best out of them. It’s just really hard.”
I knew their
advice was wrong because it didn’t fit in with the original path that God had
set me on. And I knew in my heart of hearts the challenges inherent in my new
job were part of the road that God had set me on; a painful and very steep
climb up the hill of discipline. So we prayed that night for renewed strength
and faith so could continue. It felt good to tell God, and my friend, that it
was hard. And it was only within that prayer time, with that question, that I
realized I was exactly where God wanted me. Over the next two years I grew so
much; in both technical knowledge, and in character. (Phil Mash)
DAILY PERSONAL BIBLE DEVOTIONAL WEEK 4 – NUMBERS 20
MONDAY: TEMPTATIONS COMMON TO ALL PEOPLE
Numbers 20:2-5 Now there
was no water for the community, and the people gathered in
opposition to Moses and Aaron. They quarrelled with Moses and said,
“If only we had died when our brothers fell dead before the Lord! Why
did you bring the Lord’s community into this wilderness, that we and
our livestock should die here? Why did you bring us up out of
Egypt to this terrible place? It has no grain or figs, grapevines or
pomegranates. And there is no water to drink!”
All of us face recurring trials. Israel, again, are faced with
Fear – as they lack
water; Ingratitude – for what God had provided; Sentimentality – hatred
of the present whilst hankering after the past; Anger – Moses becomes
angry toward the people. Let’s be aware of these ever-present temptations and avoid
them. As Paul writes,
1 Cor. 10:1 No temptation
has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is
faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can
bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out
so that you can endure it.
TUESDAY: MOSES’ ANGER LEADS TO SIN
Exodus 20:9-12 So Moses
took the staff from the Lord’s presence, just as he commanded
him. He and Aaron gathered the assembly together in
front of the rock and Moses said to them, “Listen, you rebels, must we bring
you water out of this rock?” Then Moses raised his arm and
struck the rock twice with his staff. Water gushed out, and the community and
their livestock drank. But the Lord said to Moses and Aaron, “Because
you did not trust in me enough to honour me as holy in the sight of the
Israelites, you will not bring this community into the land I give them.”
Moses’
anger is revealed as he says ‘listen you rebels’. Moses’ pride is revealed
‘must we bring water out of this rock’ – as if he had the power to do that! Moses’
lack of faith is revealed as ‘he struck the rock twice’. It’s hard to really
tell what was going on in Moses’ heart, but God displeasure says it all,
Numbers 20:12 But
the Lord said to Moses and Aaron, “Because you did not trust in me
enough to honour me as holy in the sight of the Israelites, you will not
bring this community into the land I give them.”
Anger at
leaders or those we are leading is a constant danger. Ungodly anger never
fulfills God’s plans, but leads to our shipwreck and the abuse of power. Ask
God for grace and forgiveness if needed, if you have let yourself become angry
and entitled.
WEDNESDAY: GOD’S IMAGE IS DISTORED THROUGH
ANGER
Numbers 20:12 But
the Lord said to Moses and Aaron, “Because you did not trust in me
enough to honour me as holy in the sight of the Israelites, you will not
bring this community into the land I give them.”
Moses was
God’s representative to the people. In Hitting the rock, contrary to God’s
command, he conveyed that God was not holy – He is relaxed about obedience. We
are particularly prone, like Moses, to sin if we allow ourselves to get angry.
As James writes,
James 1:19-20 My dear
brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to
listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human
anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.
People are
watching us ‘you did not trust me enough
to honour me in their sight’. Let’s be particularly prayerful and careful
when we are tempted to anger.
THURSDAY: YOU MAY NOT PASS!
Numbers 20:18 But
Edom answered: “You may not pass through here; if you try, we will march
out and attack you with the sword.”
No one
likes delays or obstacles to what we want. As Christians we also face the temptation
of questioning of God – how can He allow this bad thing, or stop this good
thing from happening; does He love me, does He even exist? We are often faced
with ‘paths’ we believe should be God’s will: healing, a relationship, an
opportunity… only to hear ‘you may not pass!’ Let’s be aware of our disappointments
and remember that God works for our
good, in all things.
FRIDAY: PUT THEM ON HIS SON
Exodus 20:26-28 Remove Aaron’s
garments and put them on his son Eleazar, for Aaron will be gathered to
his people; he will die there.” Moses did as the Lord commanded:
They went up Mount Hor in the sight of the whole community. Moses removed
Aaron’s garments and put them on his son. Aaron died there on top of the
mountain. Then Moses and Eleazar came down from the mountain,
God
commands Moses to put the priestly garments upon Aaron’s son. This speaks to
all of us: to parents, are we praying, teaching, urging, setting an example so
that our children will wear the ‘priestly garments’ of a Christian? If we don’t
have children, are we praying, mentoring, or serving to help bring Jesus to the
next generation?
SATURDAY: DAYS OF MOURNING
Exodus 20:1; 25-26; 29 In the first month the whole Israelite
community arrived at the Desert of Zin,and they stayed at Kadesh. There
Miriam died and was buried… Get Aaron and his son Eleazar and take them up
Mount Hor. Remove Aaron’s garments and put them on his
son Eleazar, for Aaron will be gathered to his people; he will die there.”…And
when the whole community learned that Aaron had died, all the Israelites
mourned for him thirty days.
In this
chapter we read of the death of Miriam and Aaron. Death normally comes when we
don’t expect it, but it is under God’s rule. There is no untimely death with
God! Death, particularly of the young, is treated as a life of promise that
will never be. For the Christian, although we do mourn, we have a hope of truer
life beyond death.
2 Samuel 12:22 “While the
child was still alive, I fasted and wept. I thought, ‘Who
knows? The Lord may be gracious to me and let the child live.’ But
now that he is dead, why should I go on fasting? Can I bring him back again? I
will go to him, but he will not return to me.”
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