It’s okay to say it… The Book of Numbers is pretty boring. At least the first 10 chapters, anyway. But, after Moses’ census of Israel, the book becomes a history of the journey from Mt. Sinai to the Promised Land. As their difficult journey begins, the people get into a pattern of grumbling and complaining to God about a variety of things. They are hungry, thirsty, tired, etc. They actually wish to be enslaved back in Egypt, instead of being free, and heading to the Promised Land. God hears their grumbling and is ridiculously patient with them, allowing them to follow their disobedient desires and feel the full weight of the consequences.
This results in God declaring in Numbers 14 that, because of the people’s desire to forsake the Promised Land and return to Egypt, anyone over the age of 20 would not enter the Promised Land. So Israel wanders through the wilderness between Mt. Sinai and the Promised Land (a journey that should take 2 weeks) for 40 years. And yet, despite Israel’s constant rebellion, God still chooses to remain faithful to them, even blessing them in the midst of their grumbling. He continues to provide them with manna, quail and water throughout their journey. This culminates in the story of Balaam, a pagan sorcerer/prophet sent by Balak, the king of Moab, to curse Israel. Three times Balaam tries to curse Israel and three times God only allows him to bless Israel, even though Israel is unaware this is happening. We see God’s faithfulness and steadfast love of his chosen people despite their rebellion.
Can you summarize the section of Numbers that you have read so far in a sentence or two?
What can you learn about God through the stories about Balaam in Numbers 23-24?
What do they illustrate about God’s relationship with Israel?
The stories of Balaam collectively read almost as a comedy with a supposedly terrifying prophet/sorcerer unable to say anything bad about Israel to curse them. What do you think Balaam must have felt as three times his attempts to curse are turned by God into blessings?
Is there any part of the blessings that God gives Israel through Balaam that you find particularly beautiful, rich or interesting?
We just looked at a story of God blessing his people through a pagan prophet who meant to curse them. Blessing another is an art that is not often practiced in the church today.
Dallas Willard writes, “Blessing is the projection of good into the life of another. It isn’t just words. It’s the actual putting forth of your will for the good of another person. It always involves God, because when you will the good of another person, you realize only God is capable of bringing that. So we naturally say, “God bless you.””
Are you used to people speaking blessings over you? What kinds of things are you used to hearing about yourself?
In Numbers 6:22-26 we see God instructing Moses and Aaron HOW to bless his people.
Numbers 6:22-26
Then the Lord said to Moses, “Tell Aaron and his sons to bless the people of Israel with this special blessing:
‘May the Lord bless you and protect you.
May the Lord smile on you and be gracious to you.
May the Lord show you his favor and give you his peace.’
Okay, here is where it might get a little weird… But what would it look like if we learned this lesson from God, and took Moses’ example, and blessed each other? Would someone in your group be willing to speak this blessing from Numbers over someone else? As you speak, try to posture your heart towards the person you are blessing remembering they are created in the image of God and God wants good things and fullness of life for them. If you are receiving the blessing, ask the Holy Spirit to open your heart and allow you to fully receive this as a gift from God.
What was that like? Was that easy to say? Easy to hear? What is your response to that?
Philippians 2:1–4
Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from his love? Any fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and compassionate? Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose.
Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.
What would it look like to speak blessings into the lives of those around you the rest of this week?
Do you think people around you would receive that? Reject that? Notice? What difference do you think it would make?
End your time praying together.