The One Year Chronological Bible - Week 11 Reflection Questions

Week 11 (March 9-15): Numbers 30-36 & Deuteronomy 1:1-12:32

As you read through these passages of the Bible, reflect upon these questions individually, through journaling, in pairs, or in small groups...

1. In Numbers 30, we read of the rules surrounding vows and encounter a very clear double standard.  Men must adhere to their vows regardless.  Women on the other hand must only adhere to their vows if their father or husband approved of the vows. What are we to do with this understanding in our modern setting with our current understandings of male and female equality/rights?
2. In Numbers 22, we read of Balaam and his faithfulness to blessing rather than cursing the people of Israel.  Yet in Numbers 31:8, we learn that the people of Israel killed Balaam.  In Numbers 31:16, Moses blamed Balaam for advice that led to Israel's unfaithfulness in the Peor incident (Num 25:1-18).  What else do we learn of Balaam throughout scripture and what are we to make of him?
3. In Numbers 32:5, we read of the request made by the Gadites and Reubenites to remain on the other side of the Jordan rather than cross over.  Moses reminded them of what took place 40 years ago that led to their wandering in the wilderness.  But the Gadites and Reubenites pledged to fight with their brothers until each tribe had its inheritance.  Moses affirmed this.  In what ways have you experienced or witnessed this type of commitment to one another?
4. In Numbers 35, we read of the cities of refuge.  These were places that were set aside for people who had accidentally killed someone to flee to for safety from an avenger. The person had to remain in the city of refuge until the high priest died.  In the midst of all the judgment in the Old Testament, we have this example of mercy/grace.  Do we have modern parallels to this dynamic?
5. We learn that women who inherited property were allowed to marry anyone as long as the man was from the same tribe so that the property remained in their tribe's inheritance.  In this we see the working out of the rules that had been given.  The daughters of Zelophehad had expressed concern about how strict adherence to the law would have left their father's name without an inheritance (Num. 27:1-11).  And the leaders of their clan expressed concern about how that property might then be lost to another tribe by strict adherence to the law (Num 36:1-13).  How do we navigate current interpretations of scripture as we encounter the realities of life together?  Is there still space for us to go to the LORD to seek clarity?  How do we determine how best to work through these circumstances when there may be disagreements about what to do?
6. Numbers 13:1-2 says, "The LORD said to Moses, 'Send some men to explore the land of Canaan which I am giving to the Israelites.  From each ancestral tribe send one of its leaders.' So at the LORD's command Moses sent them out from the Desert of Paran.  All of them were leaders of the Israelites."  Then in Deut. 1:19-22 we read, "Then all of you came to me and said, 'Let us send men ahead to spy out the land for us and bring back a report about the route we are to take and the towns we will come to.'  The idea seemed good to me; so I selected twelve of you, one man from each tribe."  Both passages tell of the Israelites sending in spies to scout out the promised land, yet they seem to present it somewhat differently.  How are we to reconcile these differences?
7. In Numbers 20:2-13 Moses struck the rock for water rather than speaking to it as God had instructed him to.  "The LORD said to Moses and Aaron, 'Because you did not trust in me enough to honor me as holy in the sight of the Israelites, you will not bring this community into the land I give them.'"  Then is Deut. 1:37 Moses says, "Because of you the LORD became angry with me also and said 'You shall not enter it either.'" He reiterated this sentiment in Deut. 3:26 and 4:21  Was Moses passing the blame to the Israelites?  Had his memory or the time that had passed adjusted his perception of the situation?  Are there times in which in retelling our own stories that we attempt to cast the events in a different light?  What is the effect of this practice?
8. In Deut 4:32-34, Moses asked a series of questions that put the God of Israel into perspective amid the other gods.  "Has any other people heard the voice of God speaking out of the fire, as you have, and lived?  Has any god ever tried to take for himself one cation our of another nation..." In our first two months of reading through the Bible, how have these passages and stories helped you to better understand who God is?  In what ways have these stories set our God apart from the world around us?
9. Both Exodus 20 and Deuteronomy 5 contain the 10 commandments.  Read through both lists and compare them.  What is similar and different?  Do these still cover the basics or do you find that there is more that is needed in our world today?
10.Deut. 6:4-9 is sometimes referred to as the Shema.  Consider memorizing these verses and incorporating them into your prayer life.
11. I Peter 3:15 says, "Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect."  Deut 6:20-25 gives the Jewish answer for this.  What is the reason for your hope?  How would you respond if asked?
12. In Deuteronomy 8:3 we read, "to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD."  These are the words that Jesus quoted in Luke 4:4 when he was in the wilderness being tempted by Satan.  Describe a time in which you remembered a passage of scripture at just the right time to help you through a situation.  Find a passage that is instructive and memorize it so that it will be there when you need it.
13. In Deuteronomy 9:9 and 9:18 we read that Moses fasted for 40 days and 40 nights with no bread or water.  Describe a time in which you fasted.  What did you fast from and what was the significance of this for you?  What does it mean to you to read that Moses was on such a strict fast for such a long time?
14. In Deuteronomy 10 we read that the tablets with God's commandments were placed in the Ark of the Covenant.  What would be the purpose for placing them inside where they could not be seen; and if anyone tried to get them, they would die trying?  The laws that the people were to follow were out of sight.



 May the Lord bless and shape us through our individual reading and corporate study of His word this year.