Numbers 11:24-13:33
Big Idea
The Spirit of the LORD is given to 70 elders and Eldad and Medad, allowing them to prophesy.
Commentary
The LORD speaks to Moses and gives him instructions to gather 70 men to place around the tent.
The Spirit is given to the 70 elders, and they prophesy.
Eldad and Medad, who were not among the 70, also prophesy in the camp.
Joshua tries to stop them, but Moses says all the LORD's people should be prophets.
The people gather quail, but the LORD strikes them with a plague.
Miriam and Aaron speak against Moses, but the LORD rebukes them.
Miriam is punished with leprosy.
The people journey to Hazeroth.
The LORD tells Moses to send men to spy out the land of Canaan.
Moses sends 12 men to spy out the land.
The men return and bring back a bad report of the land.
The land of Canaan is described as having strong people and fortified cities.
Claims
- The Spirit of the LORD is given to those who are faithful and obedient.
- The LORD speaks to Moses in a unique way, using visions and dreams.
- Miriam and Aaron are punished for speaking against Moses.
- The people who gather quail are punished with a plague.
- The land of Canaan is inhabited by strong and fortified cities.
Popular Mistakes
Misunderstanding
The LORD's people should be prophets, but only Moses has a special relationship with the LORD
Correction
The LORD's people should be prophets, and the LORD gives the Spirit to those who are faithful and obedient.
Misunderstanding
The people who gather quail are punished for their gluttony
Correction
The people who gather quail are punished for their disobedience and lack of trust in the LORD.
Misunderstanding
The land of Canaan is uninhabitable due to its strong people and fortified cities
Correction
The land of Canaan is inhabited by strong and fortified cities, but Caleb believes the Israelites can overcome them.
Application Questions
- What does it mean to be a prophet in the context of the passage?
- How does the LORD's relationship with Moses differ from the relationship with the 70 elders and Eldad and Medad?
- What can be learned from Miriam's punishment and the consequences of speaking against Moses?
- How does the passage relate to the concept of faith and obedience?
- What are the implications of the men's bad report of the land of Canaan for the Israelites?
Mark 14:22-52
Big Idea
Jesus institutes the Lord's Supper, a sacrament that represents his body and blood given for the forgiveness of sins.
Commentary
Jesus takes bread and breaks it, giving it to his disciples and saying, "Take; this is my body.
He also takes a cup and gives it to them, saying, "This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many.
Jesus says he will not drink wine again until the kingdom of God comes.
After the Lord's Supper, Jesus and his disciples go to the Mount of Olives, where Jesus predicts Peter's denial.
Jesus is deeply troubled and prays for the hour to pass, asking God to remove the cup from him.
Jesus is betrayed by Judas with a kiss, and he is arrested and abandoned by his disciples.
One of Jesus' disciples, Peter, denies knowing him three times, fulfilling Jesus' prediction.
Jesus is taken away to be tried by the chief priests and the scribes and the elders.
Claims
- Jesus is the Son of Man, who is betrayed into the hands of sinners.
- Jesus says that he will not drink wine again until the kingdom of God comes.
- Jesus predicts Peter's denial, saying that he will deny him three times before the rooster crows twice.
- Jesus is deeply troubled and prays for the hour to pass, asking God to remove the cup from him.
- Jesus is betrayed by Judas with a kiss, and he is arrested and abandoned by his disciples.
Popular Mistakes
Misunderstanding
<misunderstanding> Jesus is instituting a new ritual, but it's not a new idea.
Correction
<correction> Jesus is fulfilling the Old Testament prophecy of the Passover, and instituting a new covenant through the Lord's Supper.
Misunderstanding
<misunderstanding> Jesus is being weak and unable to resist his fate.
Correction
<correction> Jesus is fully in control, and is praying for the will of God to be done.
Application Questions
- How can we participate in the Lord's Supper with reverence and awe, remembering the sacrifice of Jesus?
- What does it mean to "watch and pray" in the face of temptation, as Jesus commanded his disciples to do?
- How can we support and encourage one another in our faith, as Jesus' disciples did in the face of his arrest and trial?
Psalm 52:1-9
Big Idea
The psalmist, David, contrasts the wicked with the righteous, highlighting God's steadfast love and the consequences of trusting in evil.
Commentary
The psalm is a response to Doeg's report to Saul that David had come to the house of Ahimelech.
The psalmist addresses the wicked, likely Doeg or Saul, boasting of evil and deceit.
The psalmist emphasizes God's steadfast love, which endures all day, and contrasts it with the wicked's love of evil and deceit.
The psalmist describes the consequences of trusting in evil, including destruction and uprooting from the land of the living.
The righteous are portrayed as seeing and fearing the wicked, and laughing at their foolishness.
The psalmist affirms their trust in God's steadfast love and their confidence in God's goodness.
The psalm concludes with the psalmist's thanksgiving and waiting for God's name.
Claims
- God's steadfast love endures all day.
- The wicked love evil more than good and lying more than speaking what is right.
- God will break down the wicked forever and uproot them from the land of the living.
- The righteous will see and fear the wicked, and laugh at their foolishness.
- The psalmist trusts in God's steadfast love forever and ever.
Popular Mistakes
Misunderstanding
The psalmist is condemning all evil, without exception.
Correction
The psalmist is condemning the wicked, who have chosen to trust in evil and deceit.
Misunderstanding
The psalmist is saying that God's love is limited to the righteous.
Correction
The psalmist is emphasizing God's steadfast love, which is available to all who trust in Him.
Application Questions
- How can we, like David, trust in God's steadfast love and confidence in His goodness?
- What are the consequences of trusting in evil and deceit, and how can we avoid them?
- How can we, as the righteous, see and fear the wicked, and laugh at their foolishness?
- What does it mean to wait for God's name, and how can we cultivate this kind of trust and confidence in Him?
Proverbs 11:1-3
Big Idea
The LORD emphasizes the importance of using a just weight and the consequences of using a false balance.
Commentary
A false balance is considered an abomination to the LORD.
A just weight is considered the LORD's delight.
Pride leads to disgrace.
Humility is associated with wisdom.
The upright's integrity guides them.
The treacherous's crookedness destroys them.
The LORD's delight in a just weight is a reflection of His desire for fairness and honesty.
A false balance is not only a moral issue but also a practical one, as it can lead to financial loss and mistrust.
Pride is a root of all sin, and its consequences are severe.
Humility is not only a virtue but also a source of wisdom and guidance.
The upright's integrity is a guiding principle that leads them to make wise decisions.
The treacherous's crookedness is a destructive force that can lead to their downfall.
Claims
- A false balance is an abomination to the LORD.
- A just weight is the LORD's delight.
- Pride leads to disgrace.
- Humility is associated with wisdom.
- The upright's integrity guides them.
- The treacherous's crookedness destroys them.
Popular Mistakes
Misunderstanding
A false balance is only a moral issue
Correction
A false balance is both a moral and practical issue.
Misunderstanding
Pride is a minor sin
Correction
Pride is a root of all sin.
Misunderstanding
A just weight is only a physical concept
Correction
A just weight is a metaphor for fairness and justice in all areas of life.
Misunderstanding
The LORD's emphasis is only on the upright
Correction
The LORD's emphasis is on both the upright and the treacherous.
Application Questions
- How can I apply the principle of a just weight to my daily life?
- What are some ways to cultivate humility in my relationships and decisions?
- How can I prioritize integrity in my personal and professional life?
- What are the consequences of using a false balance in business or finance?
- How can I avoid the destructive force of crookedness in my own life and relationships?