Balaam is one of the strangest characters in the Bible. On one hand, he is deceitful, greedy, and disobedient and works against God and His people Israel. Yet, on the other hand, God speaks through him as a true prophet and he gives some glorious prophecies concerning the coming of Christ. In the end, he is killed after using Moabite women to seduce the Israelites and is mentioned only in evil terms in the New Testament (2 Peter 2:15; Jude 1:11; Revelation 2:14).<br />
<h4>Numbered List</h4>
<h4>Numbered List</h4>
The people of God have been stationed in the wilderness of Sinai for quite some time, but it is nearing time for them to set forward. The Lord has specific instructions for the packing of the tabernacle. Each of three families of Levi (the Kohathites, the Gershonites, and the Merarites) is given specific responsibilities. This lesson gives detailed information as to the responsibility of each family. It should not surprise us that this lesson also contains many wonderful pictures of how the work of God would move forward into the age of grace when God packed away the Old Testament government and wrought a supernatural work through the sacrifice of His Son.<br />
<h4>Numbered List</h4>
<h4>Numbered List</h4>
The law speaks swiftly, and with great force. Nadab and Abihu thought that the details were unimportant—as long as they got the general idea. They were wrong. God expects obedience in His children. We can be thankful that we live in the age of grace. However, God still expects obedience. Now, we serve because of love, and not because of fear. Yet, we should still serve Him with all our heart.<br />
<h4>Numbered List</h4>
<h4>Numbered List</h4>
This lesson records the call of Moses to deliver the children of Israel. God often skips many generations of earthly rulers and kingdoms with a verse or a word. However, He takes two entire chapters to tell us of His encounter with Moses at the burning bush. In this lesson, God emphasizes His power as opposed to the ability of man. The bush burns supernaturally. But the power is not in the bush, it is in the God who caused the bush to burn. When God puts His touch on something, any old bush will do. Moses has to learn this lesson about himself. Forty years earlier, he had learned that he could not deliver Israel. Now, he has to learn that God can use him anyway.<br />
<h4>Numbered List</h4>
<h4>Numbered List</h4>
This lesson deals with the importance of doing all things within God’s perfect timing and the troubles brought on by getting out of His timing. It also shows how strife (personified by Midian) works against us, and how God can use it for our benefit.<br />
<h4>Numbered List</h4>
<h4>Numbered List</h4>
Jacob’s vow (Genesis 28:20) asked of God both provision and protection. In this lesson, God gives provision and protection to Jacob. However, He also shows Jacob that the provision he receives is definitely from God and not a result of Jacob’s own manipulations. When Jacob’s wages become the marked cattle, he tries to make the cattle with the right marks be born (Genesis 30:37-42). But Laban changes his wages ten times (Genesis 31:7, 41) and makes it impossible for Jacob to influence the outcome. Finally, Jacob realizes that the Lord is the One who is blessing him (Genesis 31:7-9, 42).<br />
<h4>Numbered List</h4>
<h4>Numbered List</h4>
Jacob has had it easy up to now. He has lived as a plain man in the tents (Genesis 25:27). He has been his mother’s favorite (Genesis 25:28). He has purchased his brother’s birthright and tricked him out of his blessing (Genesis 27:35-36). But now, his life of trickery begins to catch up with him. He must flee the country for his life’s sake and go 500 miles from home. Before God is through with Jacob, a “few days” (Genesis 27:44) will become 20 years and his beloved mother will die before he ever gets to see her again. Yet, God is working. In this lesson, Jacob takes a major step toward spiritual maturity. He will have far to go but he will be a better man for the experience in this chapter.<br />
<h4>Numbered List</h4>
<h4>Numbered List</h4>
This section of the Bible gives a great lesson on hospitality. But, more than that, it deals with fellowship with God. Abraham received the Lord into his home and the Lord felt enough confidence in Abraham to reveal to him what He was getting ready to do.<br />
<h4>Numbered List</h4>
<h4>Numbered List</h4>
The tower of Babel is the sight of man’s first and (to date) only one world government. Man has dreamed of renewing a universal government since that time. All the empires of the past have been attempts to establish it. He believes that if man would just stop fighting himself and unite, he could accomplish anything and would no longer need God. God has therefore allowed divisions in language, geography, culture, etc., to keep man from uniting as one. Bible prophecy tells of a time when man will have his one world government and will use it to fight God and God’s people, the Jews. This is the time of the tribulation.<br />
<h4>Numbered List</h4>
<h4>Numbered List</h4>
The Israelites are delivered from Egypt but they are not yet delivered from the Egyptians. So it often is with us today. We are delivered from the world but the world follows us into the wilderness. In fact, the wilderness time is a time to cast off the remaining vestiges of the world. And sometimes, as with the Israelites, it is a slow and difficult process. Yet, God is always available to conquer the foe—if we will only trust in Him.<br />
<h4>Numbered List</h4>
<h4>Numbered List</h4>
