Q: How many Israelite men of military age escaped from Egypt?
BONUS: How many people did Moses lead out to freedom?
You didn’t mean for Keri to see the note you wrote about her. You didn’t even mean what you wrote. But Keri saw the note, and she’s hurt. This passage says that when you wrong another in any way (Numbers 5:6), you have to make up for it. First, admit you’re guilty of doing wrong. Then make “full restitution” for the wrong, with a bonus. How? You start by telling Keri you know you did wrong. Then you tell everyone who saw the note you were wrong. You apologize to Keri in front of them and ask her to forgive you. It may be hard. It may be tough. But it’s the right thing to do.
Do you ever feel like you’re out there all alone? That even God isn’t around? Hey, wouldn’t it be great at times to have a fiery cloud floating nearby as proof that God is right there with you? And have it move to show you just where God wants you to go? Well, it won’t happen. God isn’t in the fiery cloud business these days. But you can still know that God is with you, for sure. Just memorize his promise: “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you” (Deuteronomy 31:6; Hebrews 13:5). With a promise like that, you don’t need a fiery cloud.
It’s a good thing to be an officer in your youth group or school club. Being an officer is an opportunity to help your group reach its goals. It’s a way to serve God and others. Miriam and Aaron didn’t see leadership that way. They were already important leaders in Israel. But they were jealous of Moses, who had the top job. They were like teens who want to be elected youth group officers so they can feel important instead of so they can contribute. It’s OK to run for office, but watch your motives. And if someone else wins, try not to be jealous. Instead, get behind that person 100 percent.
One of life’s greatest wonders is this: because God loves you he forgives, again and again. But there’s something very important to remember about forgiveness: You can be forgiven for making a bad choice, but that choice still has its consequences.
That’s something the Israelites learned when they rebelled against God and refused to attack Canaan (Numbers 14:1–4). God forgave them (Numbers 14:18), but he turned them back to wander in the desert. Their sin even had consequences for their children, who wandered with their parents.
You can sin and know that God will forgive you. But remember, every choice has its consequences.
Are you afraid when you have to do something you’ve never done before? What if you make a mistake? What if you don’t have all the answers or don’t know what to do next? It’s a real temptation to focus on the obstacles. That’s what the Israelite spies did when they traveled through Canaan. Ten of the spies could only think about how strong the cities were and how big the people looked. But two of the spies, Caleb and Joshua, didn’t see obstacles—they saw God. They said, “The LORD . . . will lead us” (Numbers 14:8). That’s the best way to approach something new. Remember that God will lead you. And then jump in.
Are your parents totally out of style when it comes to the clothes you like to wear? Or are they pretty stylish? It’s true that teens know better what’s in at school than their parents do. But there’s a little more to choosing clothing than copying what your friends wear. The Israelites were told to wear tassels with a blue cord on the corners of their garments. The tassels were to remind the Israelites they were God’s people. The clothing was a sign of their identity. Your clothes identify you too. Your clothes say, “This is who I am.” The important thing is to be sure that your clothes say, “I’m a Christian who tries always to please God.”
Have you ever wondered why your mom or dad wants to meet the guy or girl you’re dating? Or the kids you hang around with after school? Do you think they’re just trying to annoy you? Being mean? Or is there more to it? God told the Israelites to “move away from the tents of Korah, Dathan and Abiram” when these men organized a rebellion. Then the ground opened up beneath them, and they were killed. Your parents want to know your friends in case you ever need the same warning. They don’t want you in the middle of big problems or messy situations. When they say, “Stay away from there,” stop a minute to listen—and obey.
Q: Who rode on an animal that talked to him?
BONUS: What did that animal do to his foot?
If the men had stayed in camp, it never would have happened. But they got in with a new group and did things they never would have done if they’d stuck with their families and friends. You see this every day—a teen who acts one way at your youth group or at home, and totally different when she’s with the school crowd. It’s not hypocrisy. She just feels a need to fit in whatever group she happens to be around. Trouble is, sin is sin no matter who we’re with. God’s standards don’t change. Right is right, and wrong is wrong. And people of character commit to do what’s right, whoever they are with.
Why do boys get favored over girls so much?
Isabella
Dear Isabella,
There are many kinds of discrimination in the world. People have experienced prejudice because of their race, nationality, religion, weight, gender and many other things. Discrimination against women is still widespread. Sometimes, even men or boys face discrimination. It is never pleasant to be a victim of discrimination. And we should never say that’s just the way things are.
There’s an interesting case of discrimination involving women in Numbers 27:1–8. When Zelophehad died, he had no sons to inherit his property as was the custom at that time. So his daughters went to Moses and said they should be able to inherit the land. Moses asked God what he should do. God told Moses to change the law so the daughters could inherit the property.
Even though that was not the usual pattern, God gave the daughters their father’s land. God loved them and wanted the land to stay in the family. He didn’t say that’s not the way we do things. He made some new rules so that these women would be taken care of.
No one has to experience discrimination if we will just treat one another the way we would like to be treated. That even works with people at school.
Jordan
Some promises are hard to keep. You say, “I’ll be there. I promise.” And then your mom makes you stay home. Or you say, “I’ll do that tomorrow. I promise.” And then you completely forget about it. Sometimes your broken promises are serious. Sometimes they’re no big deal. But making a promise to God is a serious thing. When you make God a promise, whether to give regularly, to read the Bible, to witness to a particular person, whatever—be sure to do what you say.
When your youth group has a service project, do you show up? How about when your youth group visits senior citizens in a nursing home? Or delivers Christmas baskets? Can others count on you to do your share? The Israelite tribes who settled east of the Jordan River didn’t just settle there and stay. First they crossed to the west side of the river and helped their fellow Israelites conquer that land. Whenever something important is accomplished, it’s because everyone contributes and does his or her fair share. Your youth group needs your support.
Numbers
Bon Voyage!
Life is a long trip. Along the way you’ll have some big choices to make. Numbers tells about the Israelites’ journey toward the promised land. God didn’t desert them, and he won’t desert you either. Life is a lot better if you stay on the right road.