IN NORTHERN WISCONSIN THE WINTERS ARE LONG
AND WE WAIT AND WAIT FOR SUMMER,
AND EVEN THOUGH SHE IS SLOW TO APPEAR,
LIKE A BEAUTIFUL WOMAN WHO KEEPS HER DATE WAITING,
SHE IS SO ENTRANCING WHEN SHE FINALLY ARRIVES,
WE FORGET OUR PETULANCE AND DANCE WITH JOY.
SUMMER IS A GIFT.
A TIME TO TAKE A BREAK FROM ROUTINE,
SAVORING THE SWEETNESS OF CREATION,
A TIME TO RENEW FRIENDSHIPS,
A TIME TO PONDER LIFE,
A TIME TO DRAW NEAR TO THE LOVER OF YOUR SOUL.
DURING JULY AND AUGUST, JOIN US
AS WE CONSIDER THE PSALMS OF THE SONS OF KORAH.
BECAUSE THIS IS A HOLIDAY WEEK
(AND HAPPY 4TH TO YOU!)
WE WILL TAKE TWO WEEKS FOR THIS INTRO.
I WANT TO GET A STRONG START, SO I’VE KEPT
THIS HOLIDAY WEEK BRIEF, AND THEN WE DIG IN IN EARNEST THE FOLLOWING WEEK.
For those of you who are new, a special welcome! You can do this silently or you can actively participate with our wonderful group of women here. There are simple directions if you click on the door below.
Or if you are one who always skips directions (though we’ve tried to keep them simple and they will cut down on your frustration) type your comment, your e-mail (which will be kept private), and a name to set you apart from the other Susan’s and Mary’s, but will still protect your privacy. (Baltimore Mary or Shy Susan). The first time you’ll need to be approved so your first comment will be delayed, but then you can get on without approval, but remember to log in each time you start up your laptop or mobile device, or you’ll need to be approved again. We’d love to see your picture too, but you’ll need to read the gravatar directions to do that.
During these first two weeks in July we’ll learn about the sons of Korah. Korah was a rebel against God, but his sons were singers of the psalms. How is it that sons of such a rebel became such godly men? That is part of the intrigue of this week! A
Sunday: Getting to Know You!
The psalms are intensely personal, reflecting the highs and lows of life, and all the passions of the heart. Likewise, this is an interactive Bible study (if you like) where we really do get to know one another, care about one another, and experience God.
1. Tell us an interesting fact about yourself, the area in which you live, and anything that stood out to you from the above.
2. Tell us, if possible, one way the Lord has made Himself real to you so far this summer, using just a brief paragraph. (Wordy entries are often not read!) For example, I’d say:
Sometimes I fight loneliness as a widow, especially before my home my home is filled with guests for the summer, as I live in a resort area. But one lonely day in May, I took my bike to Peninsula Park to ride the ten mile path where forget-me-nots, spring green, and bird songs enveloped me. As I sailed through this wonderland I sang praises to Him and sensed HIs pleasure in my delight in Him and in His creation.
Monday: 4TH OF JULY
Next week we will dive into the history of the sons of Korah, but for now you can know that their father, Korah, rebelled against God and God gave him and his family a chance for mercy. Those who rejected it were swallowed up by the earth, and those who responded were not. There is a parallel with our lives and with our country.
3. Give thanks for God’s goodness to our country. Also pray for our country right here.
Tuesday-Friday: Intro Video and Reflections
Watch this short video of the friendship that began between the rock star Bono and the author of The Message, Eugene Peterson, because of their mutual love of the psalms.
4. What stood out to you from the above video and why?
In the above video, Bono was asked if like the psalmists, he had ever written a song despairing of the violence and struggling, therefore, with his faith. He said he had — and it is called Raised by Wolves. It’s definitely a rock song and a little challenging for this grandmother, yet the history is that Bono was raised in Ireland amidst all its violence, and this song is a lament where he cries I don’t believe anymore. The psalms show us we need to lament, to tell God what we are honestly feeling, so that we don’t back up from Him but allow Him to come to us. Here is a video of “Raised by Wolves.”
Though Bono was “raised by wolves,” God has had His hand on him, and Bono has become a powerful voice and fighter for justice in the world and an articulate apologist for Christianity. Because of his life of fighting for the poor, the downtrodden, and the oppressed, people listen.
Likewise, the sons of Korah became lead singers, writers of psalms, and world changers. (Heman and Asaph were famous psalmists from the line of Korah.) In a sense these sons of Korah were “raised by wolves,” for their father led the violent rebellion against Moses.
5. It always makes me ponder to meet someone who was raised in a hostile home who becomes passionate for Jesus. How do you think this happens?
SATURDAY
6. What is your take-a-way and why?
Week 2 beginning July 10th
Sunday
7. Did you see God in the move in your life in any way last week? If so, how?
Monday-Friday
FACT-GATHERING QUESTIONS
Three sons of Levi were called by God to care for the tabernacle. The sons of Kohath, had the most arduous job of carrying the holy things of God on their shoulders as the Israelites moved from camp to camp. Korah, a grandson of Kohath, led a rebellion, challenging the right of Moses and Aaron to the priesthood.
6. Read Numbers 16:1-14
A. What complaint did Korah have against Moses and Aaron? (verse 3)
B. How did Moses respond? (verse 4)
C. What question did Moses put to Korah and what was he saying? (verses 9-12)
D. How did Korah’s men respond? (verses 13-14)
7. Read Numbers 16:20-35
A. What did God tell Moses and Aaron to do and why, and how did Moses plead? (verses 20-22)
B. How did God respond and then what did Moses do? (verses 23-26)
C. What did Moses tell the people in verses 28-30?
D. And then what happened? (31-34)
8. Read Numbers 26:9-11
A. According to verse 10, why did God swallow up the rebels?
B. Who did not rebel and die, according to verse 11?
REFLECTION QUESTIONS
There is an Australian singing group that has been around for over twenty years that puts the Psalms (almost verbatim) to music. Here is their version of Psalm 91, which might prepare your heart:
9. How do you see both the justice and the mercy of God in the above account? The gospel?
10. When sorrow comes into our lives, we are given “seeds” to spread bitterness or awe and trust. How do you think you respond to sorrow?
11. Which way do you think the sons of Korah responded and why?
Next week we will plunge into Book 11 of the Psalms which begin with the Psalms of the Sons of Korah! The first will be a favorite: Psalms 42 and 43 which are really one psalm.
SATURDAY:
12. What is your take-a-way and why?
258 comments
Answers from the Message Bible.
A. What did God tell Moses and Aaron to do and why, and how did Moses plead? (verses 20-22) “Separate yourselves from this congregation so that I can finish them off and be done with them.” He pleaded “O God, God of everything living, when one man sins are you going to take it out on the whole community?”
B. How did God respond and then what did Moses do? (verses 23-26) “Speak to the community. Tell them, Back off from the tents of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram.” He then spoke to the community:
C. What did Moses tell the people in verses 28-30? : “This is how you’ll know that it was God who sent me to do all these things and that it wasn’t anything I cooked up on my own. If these men die a natural death like all the rest of us, you’ll know that it wasn’t God who sent me. But if God does something unprecedented—if the ground opens up and swallows the lot of them and they are pitched alive into Sheol—then you’ll know that these men have been insolent with God.”
D. And then what happened? (31-34) The words were hardly out of his mouth when the Earth split open. The Earth opened its mouth and in one gulp swallowed them down, the men and their families, all the human beings connected with Korah. Then God sent lightning. The fire cremated the 250 men who were offering the incense.
9. How do you see both the justice and the mercy of God in the above account? The gospel?
God punished those who rebelled, and saved those who didn’t. Jesus took our sin all at once, and was crucified ?. We live because of His merciful act. Thank You Lord Jesus!
Laura-well said, AMEN! 🙂
6. Read Numbers 16:1-14 A. What complaint did Korah have against Moses and Aaron? (verse 3)
They were complaining that Aaron got to be a priest—that he & Moses were exalting themselves above the assembly of the Lord. They were envious.
B. How did Moses respond? (verse 4)
He fell on his face—showing his humility, and he submits the outcome to God’s authority.
C. What question did Moses put to Korah and what was he saying? (verses 9-12)
He asks them—‘is it not good enough that you are Levites?’-“God of Israel has separated you from the congregation of Israel, to bring you near to himself”
D. How did Korah’s men respond? (verses 13-14)
They refuse to appear to Moses—they complain that he hasn’t given them what they wanted.
7. Read Numbers 16:20-35
A. What did God tell Moses and Aaron to do and why, and how did Moses plead? (verses 20-22)
God told them to separate themselves from the corrupt congregation so He could destroy them. Moses pleads with God not to punish them all for one man’s sin.
B. How did God respond and then what did Moses do? (verses 23-26)
God tells Moses to tell the congregation to get away from the tents of Korah, Dathan and Abiram. Moses goes and warns them to depart, lest they be swept away with their sins.
C. What did Moses tell the people in verses 28-30?
He tells them that the Lord has sent him—and they will know it because he tells them that God will open the ground and swallow up the corrupt men.
D. And then what happened? (31-34)
The ground split, the earth opened, and those who belonged to Korah, and all of their goods were swallowed up.
8. Read Numbers 26:9-11
A. According to verse 10, why did God swallow up the rebels?
As a warning.
B. Who did not rebel and die, according to verse 11?
The sons of Korah
10. When sorrow comes into our lives, we are given “seeds” to spread bitterness or awe and trust. How do you think you respond to sorrow?
Well….in the past, I have gotten mad, been sad, and felt hopeless when things didn’t really go my way. Since trying to truly turn to God for everything in my life (nearly 8 years now, fairly consistently) I have a different perspective. For example, this morning I ache for the people of France because of the terror that was produced because of a madman’s actions. I can’t understand why people want to live with such hatred for others. This morning, I lament to God to stop the violence of these awful terrorists and protect the innocent! My prayer is for Him to come and show Himself in awe; to show us His power and grace as He did when He orchestrated Lazarus’ rising from the dead. Open the earth Lord! Swallow those who terrorize, as you did to the rebellious people who wouldn’t listen the Moses and Aaron. Years ago, I would have just complained about the attack (loudly), and argued with others about terrorism and laws (I still do that a bit ?). Today I have God to listen to me and for me to trust that He will provide the justice I seek for these horrible acts of terror around he world. I ask that we all say a prayer today that implores Him to come and show the world His judgement on these terrible, evil ones. I also pray that more terrorists turn themselves from the evil; realize that what they are doing is wrong, and turn their hearts away before that judgement arrives. It’s not too late.
my bible verse of the day:
“‘Ah, Lord God! It is you who have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and by your outstretched arm! Nothing is too hard for you.”
Jeremiah 32:17 ESV
11. Which way do you think the sons of Korah responded and why?
The sons of Korah turned before it was too late. They left their rebellious homes along with the congregation when Moses and Aaron told them to leave. They were compliant and humbled themselves.
Laura–what an example of a supernaturally transformed heart you are! This is so good “in the past, I have gotten mad, been sad, and felt hopeless…Today I have God to listen to me and for me to trust that He will provide the justice I seek… also pray that more terrorists turn themselves from the evil”
I know!! It’s amazing to turn first to Him and watch to see what He does. I really put this to work these days!
Laura, you are our “poster child” (I hope you know what I mean by that….I don’t mean to make it sound like you were so “bad” before!) I agree with everything Lizzy said!
🙂
7. Read Numbers 16:20-35
A. What did God tell Moses and Aaron to do and why, and how did Moses plead? (verses 20-22)
God told Moses and Aaron to separate themselves from the congregation so that He could consume them. Moses pleaded with God to not punish all of them for the sins of one man.
B. How did God respond and then what did Moses do? (verses 23-26)
God told Moses to tell the congregation to get away from the dwellings of Korah, Dathan and Abiram. So Moses did as God said, telling the people to leave the area around their tents or they would also be swept away.
C. What did Moses tell the people in verses 28-30?
Moses told the people that if Korah and the other men just died a natural death, then that would be proof that God didn’t sent Moses to rescue and lead the people. But, Moses said that God was going to do an entirely new thing and that the ground would open up and swallow these men and everything belonging to them alive, and that would be proof that God had ordained Moses to lead the people and that these men were guilty of rebelling against the Lord.
D. And then what happened? (31-34)
The ground opened up and all the men who belonged to Korah and their households and their possessions were swallowed up, and then the earth closed up over them. Everyone else started running, afraid that they too would die. The 250 men who were offering incense were consumed by fire.
8. Read Numbers 26:9-11
A. According to verse 10, why did God swallow up the rebels?
It was to serve as a warning.
B. Who did not rebel and die, according to verse 11?
The sons of Korah did not die.
9. How do you see both the justice and the mercy of God in the above account? The gospel?
There was justice (punishment) for those who continued to be stubborn and refused to submit to God and His authority. It’s made clear that their rebellion wasn’t just against Moses and Aaron, but against God Himself. But for those who were willing to separate themselves from the rebellion and submit to God’s plan, there was mercy. The gospel also shows that there is a way to be made right with God, but you have to accept His plan of salvation. Those who stubbornly persist in doing it their own way will not be able to receive God’s mercy.
10. When sorrow comes into our lives, we are given “seeds” to spread bitterness or awe and trust. How do you think you respond to sorrow?
I have a hard time in not letting sorrow get me down. I usually will have a few days where I feel really down, discouraged, and depressed. I may not be ready to talk about it with the Lord. I am thankful that He waits patiently for me until I’m ready to come to Him and talk about it. I like the metaphor of the seeds, and taking those seeds and planting or sowing them. As I look over Psalm 91, it seems that the sons of Korah took what happened that day and placed their trust in the Lord. Verse 8, “You will only look on with your eyes, and see the recompense of the wicked.” I imagine that was awfully hard to see their father perish like that, yet they understood that God wasn’t being mean or punitive in bringing about judgment. They had a right view of God. Now I am seeing a connection with how we think about God and how we respond to sorrow. How important it is to replace lies with the truth and not to listen to Satan’s lies as he seeks to defame God’s character and make us believe it.
“I am seeing a connection with how we think about God and how we respond to sorrow.” So good.