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Series 3:
Lesson 54: |
MOSES
TWO STRANGE FUNERALS |
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Passage to Study: Numbers 20:12, 22-29, and 27:12-17; Deut. 3:23-29;
31:2, 4-16; 32:48-52; 34:1-12.
Read with the class: Numbers 20: 22-29; Deut. 34:1-12.
Memorization Text: Younger children -1 Samuel 15:22. "Behold ...
sacrifice".
Older children - 1 Samuel 15:22.
OBJECTIVES: To teach that:
1. Though Moses and Aaron were together for 40 years, they did not die together.
Each one has to face death alone.
2. Sin leaves its effects throughout the rest of one's life.
3. Despite the sin he had committed, God dealt with Moses in grace.
4. It is in this life that we prepare for what comes after death.
5. Eleazar succeeded Aaron in the High Priesthood and Joshua succeeded Moses
SCENE No. 1. VISUAL AIDS: Moses and Aaron, near Mt. Hor. In an upper corner, a
figure of Moses and Aaron striking the rock.
DEVELOPMENT:
- 40 years after leaving Egypt, Israel comes once again to the southern border of the
Promised Land.
- Miriam, Moses' sister, dies in Kadesh before the Israelites leave once again on the
journey that will take
them to the eastern border of Canaan.
- For 40 years Moses and Aaron have been together leading the people of Israel. Now
death brings an end to their
labours.
Apl. No one lives forever, not even a person as important as these two outstanding men.
- In the life of each one, death enters to put an end to their activities.
Lsn. It is only in this life that we have opportunity to prepare for the life to come.
Cns. Balaam desired to die the death of the righteous of Israel, but was not willing to
live like them. See the
previous lesson.
- Aaron is 123 years of age when God notifies Moses that he must die.
- He reminds them of the reason for which neither of the two will be able to enter the
Promised Land.
Cmt. (Tell the story) When for a second time the Israelites needed water, Moses and Aaron
were to take the rod in hand but not make use of it. They were only to SPEAK to the
rock. In Num.20:8, "speak" is a plural word. They were both to
speak.
Apl. There may be times when we do not understand the reason for some requirement of God.
True faith submits to what God commands in His Word. True faith is seen in
obedience.
- On the first occasion Moses had to strike the rock, which was a figure of the Lord Jesus
Christ who would be smitten on the cross of Calvary to bring blessing to all.
- It was not necessary for Christ to be "smitten" a second time and this is the
reason they were given the specific
instruction to speak.
Cns. Since the first occasion presented a picture of Christ suffering on the cross, the
second occasion would teach the privilege of speaking (asking) God for the blessing that
would come from the same source.
- Moses paid no attention to the new instructions of the Lord but instead, he struck the
rock in anger.
- With the first blow, nothing happened. He had to strike it a second time before
water came out. (Num.20:11)
Cmt. It would seem that God was giving Moses time to think again.
- Not only did they disobey specific instructions, but they also addressed the people in
anger. This is a carnal
reaction and dishonours the Lord.
- God in His goodness permitted water to come out of the rock.
Lsn. It was only divine grace that brought forth the water, but this did not indicate that
God was pleased with what
they did.
Apl. Not all blessings received should be interpreted as divine approval. As in this
case, it may be because of
God's mercy that blessings come.
- Due to their disobedience, Moses and Aaron lost the privilege of going over the Jordan
River and guiding the Israelites in the last stage of their journey. (Num. 20.12)
- Despite their disobedience, God clothed both deaths with honour.
- Moses' hands had first clothed Aaron with the robes of the High Priest, and now they are
used to clothe Aaron's son Eleazar.
- The work of the priesthood must continue. The High Priesthood is passed on from
Aaron to Eleazar.
Cmt. In contrast, the Lord Jesus Christ has no successor or replacement as the Great High
Priest.
- Num.20:24 tells us Aaron was "gathered unto his people" . This lovely
expression shows that there is life beyond the tomb. See Gen.15:15, 25:8, 35:29;
Deut.32:50.
Sug. Ask the students if a person ceases to exist after death. Here we find the
answer. They were united to others
of their people who had died earlier.
Note: See other verses about this topic at the end of this lesson.
SCENE No. 2. VISUAL AIDS: Figures of Moses and Joshua at the door of the
tabernacle, somewhere in the area of Mt. Nebo. Later these are changed for a figure
of Moses alone on Mt. Pisgah.
DEVELOPMENT:
Inf. Moses viewed the Promised Land from Mount Pisgah, which was part of the Abiram Range.
It sloped down to the Dead Sea. Nebo was a high point on Pisgah,
a good vantage point from which to view the land into which Joshua would lead
the people of Israel. (Num. 27:12; Deu. 32:49; 34:1)
- God gives instructions to Moses to entrust Joshua with the mission of leading the
people. (Deut. 31:14)
- Having fulfilled what God ordered, Moses climbs alone to the top of Mt. Pisga from which
he is allowed to view the promised land.
Apl. Moses could see from afar the place he so desired to reach, but could not go there.
He had dedicated his life to a mission that would bring blessing to others without being
able to enjoy the privilege himself.
Cns. Despite knowing beforehand that he would not be permitted to take the people over to
the other side of
Jordan, a privilege that he greatly desired, Moses continued faithful to the end.
- Moses body was buried by God Himself in a valley of Moab, a place unknown to the
Israelites. (Deut. 34:6).
Cns. It is possible that God wanted to avoid the veneration of Moses so that the people
would not commit idolatry.
Cmt. We know what happens to persons who have been made "saints" by a certain
religion. The place where this person is buried becomes a place for pilgrimages, is
called a sanctuary and becomes a place for business and profit for those who know how to
take advantage of the situation.
- Jude 1:9 says that there was a struggle over Moses' body. We do not know what use the
devil would have made of the body of Moses.
- Apparently the archangel Michael was sent to bury Moses. See the note on Jude at the end
of this lesson.
SCENE No. 3. VISUAL AIDS: Figures showing that there are only two roads and two destinies.
DEVELOPMENT:
- Death ought to make people think about that which comes afterwards.
- The figures used in the application show that there are only two places to which one can
go. (Luke16:24 and
Philippians 1:23)
Cns. 1. Each must confront life alone, even when surrounded by friends and family.
2. The history of each individual is remains behind. Death does not erase the
record.
3. Each person dies at a time decided by God. (Job 14:5)
4. The death of a saint is precious in God's eyes. (Psalm 116:15; John 21:19)
5. God takes no pleasure in the death of the unrepentant sinner. (Ezekiel 33:11)
6. God knows where every body is buried.
7. God can make a human being return to his former physical state after dying. Ex.
Moses in Matt 17:3, Mark 9:4.
8. The dead go either to heaven or hell and find that others are in the same place,
depending on the attitude they had
toward God and His Word.
Texts that prove there is life after (physical) death:
2 Sam. 12:23, Acts 7:59, 8:2; Phil. 1:21-24; 2 Cor. 5:6, 8-9; 2 Peter
1:13-14.
Note. The teaching in Jude has to do with apostates who rail and blaspheme against things
they know nothing about. (Jude 10)
It would seem the archangel Michael was given the task of burying Moses' body. When Satan
contended for it, Michael did not dare to bring an abusive condemnation against him, even
though he deserved it, but instead said, "The Lord rebuke thee". In
other words, Michael showed respect despite his high angelic rank. Apostates have no
respect for anybody. |
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