Setup
Ways to look for guidance:
1. The Prophet (Chapter 12)
2. Promised Land (Chapter 13-14)
3. Savior (Chapter 21)
Other References
1 Nephi 17:41
Alma 33:18-20
John 3:14-16
Helaman 8:13-15
Alma 37:46-47
Introduction
Walk across the room looking at the chalkboard behind. This is like the Israelites journey; despite being blessed their lack of faith caused and fear caused them to wish they hadn't left Egypt. This yearning for Egypt delayed and complicated their journey to the promised land.
Numbers 11
Israelites complained about Manna (v.1,6)
What prompted their complaint? (v.4-5)
They became so lustful for meat, they lost focus on the promised land
*** What are the dangers of wanting more than we already have?
*** How can we relate getting bored of eating manna to us in a spiritual sense?
Moses became so burdened by the sins of the Israelites he asked the Lord to take his life (v.14-15)
How did the Lord give him relief? (v. 16-17)
*** What can we learn from this about needing others' help?
Numbers 12
The Lord punished and chastened Miriam and Aaron for complaining about Moses' marriage to an Ethiopian woman. Miriam and Aaron spoke against Moses as their presiding authority, pointing out that they too had received revelation (v.2)
Elder James E. Faust said: "The prophets, seers, and revelators have had
and still have the responsibility and privilege of receiving and
declaring the word of God for the world. Individual members, parents,
and leaders have the right to receive revelation for their own
responsibility but have no duty nor right to declare the word of God
beyond the limits of their own responsibility"
***How can criticism of Church leaders affect our family and friends?
Moses was a meek person. He showed that when Miriam was punished for rebelling against him. (v.3, 13-15)
President Gordon B. Hinckley said, "Meekness implies a spirit of gratitude
as opposed to an attitude of self-sufficiency, an acknowledgment of a
greater power beyond oneself, a recognition of God, and an acceptance of
his commandments"
Moses shows his meekness when Miriam was punished for rebelling against him (v.13-15)
***How does it help to respond to criticism with meekness?
Numbers 13-14
The Israelites reached the border of the land of Canaan and Moses sent 12 men out to scope out the land, its resources, and it's people. The majority of the men gave an evil report about the land and said they couldn't possess the land. (v.32-33). Caleb said they were well able to possess it (v.30).
President Gordon B. Hinckley said:"There is no place in this
work for those who believe only in the gospel of doom and gloom. The
gospel is good news. It is a message of triumph. It is a cause to be
embraced with enthusiasm. The Lord never said that there would
not be troubles. Our people have known afflictions of every sort as
those who have opposed this work have come upon them. But faith has
shown through all their sorrows. This work has consistently moved
forward and has never taken a backward step since its inception. …This
is an age of pessimism. Ours is a mission of faith. To my brethren and
sisters everywhere, I call upon you to reaffirm your faith, to move this
work forward across the world. You can make it stronger by the manner
in which you live."
VIDEO CLIP - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yFkGhpy10u8
Numbers 21:1-9
The Lord helped the Israelites defeat the attacking Caananites but the Israelites continued to murmur. To punish them the Lord sent fiery serpents which bit the people and much of the people died. The people came to Moses and acknowledged their sins and asked him to pray to the Lord to take the serpents away.
What did the Lord tell Moses to do?
We learn why a lot of people died when not looking upon it (see 1 Nephi 17:41 and Alma 33:18-20)
We learn how the brass serpent symbolized Jesus Christ (see John 3:14-16 and Helaman 8:13-14)
We learn how we need to look to Christ to receive eternal life (see Helaman 8:15 and Alma 37:46-47)
***In what sense is eternal life easy?
If we keep an eye forward and focused on our promised land, eternal life, by following the prophets, demonstrating our faith to progress the work, keeping a positive attitude and looking to Christ in all that we do, we will be blessed and gain our reward.
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