Finding Hope Through Discovery in Bible Study

October 31, 2009 Larry R Evans Reflective Introduction Influence is a gift but it can work havoc on any organization if it undermines God’s plans or His leaders. The lessons found in Numbers 11-14 provide critical insights and instructions for all who are bound for the Promised Land. Moses, Caleb and Joshua stand tall though they were beaten down by the majority. Leadership is not about being naïve but it is about remaining in the presence of God despite the odds. While circumstances can cause us to feel inadequate and about the size of grasshoppers (Num.13:33) a confidence rooted in God can bring hope and renew our strength even when times are tough (Isa. 40:27-31). There will be times when we will strongly disagree with those who may hold responsible positions in the Church and without but how we speak of them and how we use our influence speaks louder than our words. Note the following counsel by Ellen White: “To those who have educated themselves to speak unadvi

October 24, 2009 Larry R Evans Reflective Introduction As I studied for this lesson I was taken back by my reading of Jeremiah 2. The chapter begins with God saying “I remember the devotion of your youth.” Yes, I can remember the zeal of my youth especially after my conversion experience. So I resonated with these introductory words. But then God begins asking questions. Sometimes we think we have questions for God but every time I stop to listen to His questions I am stopped in my tracks. Note Jer. 2:5,6, Jer 2:5-6 5 This is what the LORD says: "What fault did your fathers find in me, that they strayed so far from me? They followed worthless idols and became worthless themselves. 6 They did not ask, 'Where is the LORD, who brought us up out of Egypt and led us through the barren wilderness, through a land of deserts and rifts, a land of drought and darkness, a land where no one travels and no one lives?' But God didn’t stop there.

October 17, 2009 Larry R Evans Reflective Introduction So much is said in Scripture about worship. Unfortunately too often the means or methods of worship become the focus of the attention rather than the God whom we worship. While we must bring our best to God we must not confuse even our best with a submissive and grateful heart. I can think of no greater preface to worship than the 95 th Psalm. Ps 95:1-7 Come, let us sing for joy to the LORD; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation. 2 Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song. 3 For the LORD is the great God, the great King above all gods. 4 In his hand are the depths of the earth, and the mountain peaks belong to him. 5 The sea is his, for he made it, and his hands formed the dry land. 6 Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the LORD our Maker; 7 for he is our God and we are the people of his pasture, the flock under his care.

[ There will be no additional study notes this week.] October 10, 2009 Larry R Evans Reflective Introduction It has been said that “A society of sheep must in time beget a government of wolves.” (Marcus Aurelius Antonius). Think about that a moment in the context of our lesson for this week. God in His infinite wisdom knew precisely what unbridled human nature is capable of doing. With this large desert-wandering congregation now freed from slavery, He sought to establish a sense of community among His people—a kind of community that would stick together in the coming promised land. Wolves would arise among the sheep. He knew that. He anticipated this happening so rules were created to protect the sheep though even then His rules were open to abuse. The family unit was the foundation for this new community yet it was the very object of attack. Infidelity and distrust within the family happened and still happens today. Is there any hope? The lesson today is f

October 3, 2009 Larry R Evans [There will be no additional notes which I normally add later in the week] Reflective Introduction We move in our study from the letters of John in the New Testament to the book of Numbers in the Old Testament. In John we wrestled with two topics that often are misunderstood and at times conclusions can be drawn that put the two in opposition to each other. The two topics? They are “love” and “God.” Lives can really get messed up, as John pointed out, if we distort either love or God. As we shall see, that idea is continued in Numbers but from a different perspective. Growing up is not easy and it is all about learning how to relate to the values of who God is and who we are as part of His community. That’s where Numbers finds God’s people. In Exodus we see the birth of a nation and in Leviticus we see rules and laws meant to reinforce values that would help preserve this new nation. Numbers allows us to pull back the curtain and se