Sunday, Apr 18, 2010: “The Old Testament: Numbers: Chapters 16-20”

St. Mark’s Adult Education Meeting Summary
A General Overview of the Old Testament
An In-Depth Discussion Led by The Rev. Mike Kreutzer
Sunday, April 18, 2010

 

The Old Testament — Numbers: Chapters 16 – 20

 

Chapter 15 continues with a description of more laws.  Chapter 16 begins with highlighting the rebellion against Moses once again.  Various groups challenge Moses’ leadership as well as Aaron’s.  Moses replied by telling them they are rebelling against God.  Now they are calling Egypt the “land of milk and honey,” wishing that Moses had never brought them on this treacherous journey.  When God finds out about this he wants to wipe out all of the Israelites and let Moses and Aaron start over again.  But the brothers disagreed with God’s desires.  God then told the Moses and Aaron to get away from the leaders as then God caused an earthquake under their feet to destroy them.  He also destroyed their immediate subordinates.

 

The censors were then hammered into a covering for the altar since the material became holy for the price of their lives.  The people rebelled one more time and God started a plague.  However, Aaron was able to stop the plague after 14,700 had been killed.  Next, the leaders who were challenging Aaron were asked to bring forth their staffs along with Aarons.  Aaron’s staff bloomed with flowers, which was a sign of God that Aaron was one of the chosen ones.  The staff was then placed in the Ark of the Covenant.

 

Chapter 17 deals with the regulation o the priests and Levites.  Then in chapter 19 there is a description of how the those from the Levi tribe will not have a plot of land, but will receive a 10% tithe from everyone else.  Chapter 20 is a transition chapter as it deals with the death of both Miriam and Aaron.  Then there is a lack of water.  Moses took the staff and commanded the stone to produce water.  Back on the road again, the Israelites wanted just to pass through the land of Edam.  However, they were refused and met with a large army.  So they backed away and took a different direction.  Finally, as Aaron was near death, his priesthood is passed on to his son, Eliazor, whereupon Aaron finally died.  The people mourned for thirty days.