There seems to be a consistent pattern all through the Book of Numbers. Have you seen what I’m talking about? I see the Israelites being punished by death in nearly every circumstance!
Look at this quick list:
Death due to complaining: punished by a judgment of fire from God (Num. 11:1).
Death due to greed: punished by a great plague (Num. 11:33).
Death to an entire generation for faithlessness: punished by wandering the desert (Num. 14:33).
Death of ten unfaithful spies: punished by a plague (Num. 14:37).
Death of a man for not keeping the Sabbath (Num 15:32)
Death of Korah and his followers due to rebellion: punished by being swallowed by the earth (Num. 16:32).
Death due to rebellion: punished by a plague of poisonous serpents (Num. 21:6).
Death of 24,000 Israelites due to immorality (Num. 25:9).
1. What do you think God is trying to teach the Israelites about the laws He gave them?
2. Why are the Israelites taking so long to get the point?
3. How are American Christians similar or different than the Israelites?
4. What are some things you and I can do to take God’s word more seriously than the Israelites did?
