Abi: I'm not surprised...but I found it really cute *baby girl*

Ram: felling shy and crying at the same time

Abi: 😏

After the ten plagues of Egypt, the people of Israel were led out of Egypt by Moses.  After such an experience, one would think the people of Israel had more than their fair share of plagues.  However, they went through at least four more plagues in their wilderness journey?  What happened and why?

Let’s read together Exodus 16:1-16; Numbers 11:1-6, 18-20, 31-33; and Psalms 78:17-32,  105:40, 106:13-15.

The Bible records two times where the people of Israel were asking for meat.  Both times God responded by giving them quail.  Why did God send a plague upon the people of Israel the second time?

God showed mercy towards the people of Israel the first time they asked for meat.  However, the people of Israel demonstrated distrust of God when they asked for meat the second time.  God had already provided them food daily by giving them manna.  He also gave them water when they needed it.  Yet, the people of Israel were tired of manna and craving meat.  They even went so far as to crave the food they had when they were slaves in Egypt.

Interestingly, the name “Kibroth Hattaavah” can be translated as “graves of craving” or “graves of lust.”  God punished the people of Israel for giving into their carnal cravings.  

Let’s read together Numbers chapters 13 and 14.

Moses sent twelve spies to check out the land of Canaan.  They returned after forty days and confirmed that land was indeed bountiful.  However, ten of the spies told the people of Israel that they would not be able to conquer the inhabitants of the land, who were simply too large and powerful.

Joshua and Caleb begged  the people of Israel to follow the word of the Lord in faith to enter the promised land in faith.  However, the people murmured against Moses and Aaron, wanting to choose new leaders to take them back to Egypt. 

In response to the people’s rebellion, God sent a plague that killed the ten spies.  The people of Israel would also not be allowed to enter the promised land for another forty years.  They would all die in the wilderness, except for Joshua and Caleb.  Thus, the people of Israel were punished for blatantly doubting God’s promises and seeking to make their own way.

Let’s read together Number 16:46-50; Romans 8:34; and Hebrews 7:25.

Korah, Dathan, and Abiram led a rebellion against Moses and Aaron.  They contended for the leadership of Israel, but they failed to acknowledge that it was God who appointed Moses and Aaron to be leaders.  Korah, Dathan, and Abiram were killed by God for their presumption.

However, the rebellion did not end there.  The next day the people of Israel complained against Moses and Aaron, siding with Korah, Dathan, and Abiram.  God sent a plague upon the people of Israel.  Aaron rushed into the camp with a censer to atone for the people of Israel.  He literally stood between the living and the dead to end the plague.

Aaron’s intercessory action pointed to Jesus, who would stand between us and the plague of sin.

Let’s read together Numbers 21:4-9; John 3:13-15; and John 12:30-36.

Once again, the people of Israel murmured against Moses.  God sent poisonous fiery serpents to plague them in response.  God instructed Moses to make a bronze snake and set it upon a pole.  Anyone bit by a fiery serpent would live if they looked upon the bronze snake.  However, if they refused to look up at the bronze snake, they would die.

This incident foreshadowed Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross.  Jesus died bearing all the sins of humanity.  Everyone who repents of their sins and accepts Jesus as their Lord and Savior will be saved.  However, anyone who refuses to accept Jesus will die in their own sins.

Let’s read together Isaiah 45:22; John 14:6; 1 John 2:1; and Hebrews 12:2.

What can we learn from these plagues in the wilderness?  We will die in our sins if we rely upon ourselves.  Instead, we need to look upon Jesus and accept His infinite sacrifice on the cross.  Jesus is the only One who can save us from the plague of sin.

And he spoke to the congregation, saying, “Depart now from the tents of these wicked men! Touch nothing of theirs, lest you be consumed in all their sins.” Numbers 16:26 Signs are placed around places of danger to keep people out or to make them aware of the danger. It is always very important for people to stay away or to use extreme caution when in dangerous places. While most people heed the…

Korah was Moses’ cousin. He was a Levite (appointed to the service of the tabernacle). Korah was not satisisfied in his position and wanted to be made priest. Him and his followers were offended because Aaron and his family had been set apart for the priesthood (Numbers 16:10). He secretly opposed them (Moses, Aaron) both. He concoted a plan to unseat them, and he found lots of people to agree…

God Doesn’t Hate You

Tuesday’s Column: Dale Mail Dale Pollard “Who does he think he is?” It’s easy to imagine how the grumbling began among Korah and other religious leaders of the Israelites. Eventually 250 joined and as the grumbling grew so did Korah’s confidence. It all came to a head as the mob approached Moses and the heated accusations start. Korah cries out, “We’re all just as righteous as you are! Why do…

Tuesday’s Column: Dale Mail

Dale Pollard

For the next few weeks we will look at some of the lesser known Biblical accounts, and the lessons we can learn from them. 

In Numbers sixteen there is a strange and terrifying event that unfolds. It has all the ingredients of a great movie. There’s rebellion, jealousy, vengeance, and drama but it’s so much more than a story. It’s history, and it’s been…

Korah, Dathan and Abiram