The Brazen Serpent

Central Truth: Even though we complain and sin, God is merciful if we repent.

Scriptures: Numbers 21:4-9

After the death of Aaron, the Israelites continued their journey towards Canaan. Since they could not travel along the King’s Highway in Edom, they were forced to travel through the Arabah, a hot, barren desert with steep, narrow ravines. The Israelites became very discouraged and again complained about Moses and God who became angry and sent poisonous snakes against them. Many people died.

The Israelites asked Moses to pray to the Lord to remove the snakes. The Lord tells Moses to make a fiery serpent and set it on a pole. Everyone who was bitten and looked upon it would live. 

Moses and the Bronze Snake coloring page from Calvary Kids Pagaes.

Moses Smites the Rock

Moses smites the rock!

Central Truth: Always trust and believe God because he is true to his word.

Scriptures: Numbers 20

After leading the Israelites through the wilderness for forty years, the time to enter the Promised Land was drawing near. They stopped at Kadesh Barnea and the people were thirsty and demanded water. God instructed Moses and Aaron to speak to the rock but Moses struck the rock instead. Although water flowed and a miracle happened, Moses and Aaron were forbidden to enter the land of Canaan because of their disobedience and unbelief. 

To help reinforce today's lesson, the children put together a crafty coloring page I discovered from calvary-kids-pages.com. The craft included a scene with Moses and water that is added to the rock.

Rebellion in the Wilderness

A word search from the lesson.

Central Truth: Be respectful of the ministry in which you are called.

Scriptures: Numbers 16:1-40

Some time after the twelve spies gave their report back to Moses, a rebellion was incited within the camp. Korah, a Levite, and Dathan, Abiram, and On from the tribe of Reuben gathered 250 princes of Israel and accused Moses and Aaron of exalting themselves above the assembly. It was not enough for Korah to be appointed to the service of the Tabernacle, they wanted the power over the congregation. They also accused Moses and Aaron of failing to bring them into the Promised Land.

Moses told the leaders of the rebellion to meet at the tent of the Tabernacle to see who God chooses to be the leader. They met them at the Tabernacle except for Dathan and Abiram and their families who refused to come. Instead, they remained in their own tents. When God appeared to the children of Israel, Moses warned them to remove themselves from the rebels. The earth opened and swallowed Korah, Dathan, and Abiram along with their households and their goods. Then fire came down and devoted the 250 princes who had offered incense to God. The sons of Korah did not die. All of the censors that belonged to the 250 princes were hammered into plates and used as a covering for the altar and was a reminder that no one but the descendants of Aaron can offer incense to the Lord. 

The Twelve Spies

12 Spies Bookmark.

Central Truth: Always trust in God. His promises are always true.

Scriptures: Numbers 13-14

God commanded Moses to send twelve men, one from each tribe, to Canaan to spy out the land. Moses obeyed God and sent the men into the land of Canaan. For forty days, the men explored the land and returned with fruit - pomegranates, clusters of grapes, and figs. Ten of the spies reported to Moses that the land was rich and plentiful but the cities were fortified and the people were strong as giants. Two of the spies, Caleb and Joshua, insisted that they should immediately invade and possess the land. 

The Israelites believed the negative report of the ten spies and were afraid. They began to turn on Moses and Aaron and planned to return to Egypt. Joshua and Caleb urged the people not to rebel against God because God will help them to take the land. God heard the Israelites complain and murmur and was so angry with the people that he wanted to destroy them, but Moses prayed for God to forgive their lack of faith. As punishment, God condemned the congregation to wander for forty years - one year for each day the spies were in Canaan. All of those who were twenty years old and older, except for Joshua and Caleb, would never enter the Promised Land. Only their descendants would obtain the promise God gave to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

Joshua 1:9 coloring page.

Miriam Becomes Leprous

Central Truth: Be careful with your words because once spoken, they can never be taken back.

Scriptures: Numbers 12

Aaron and Miriam rebelled against Moses, accusing him of too much authority. They further spoke against Moses marrying an Ethiopian woman, which was just an excuse because the real motive was that they were jealous of Moses and his authority and relationship with God. Aaron and Miriam each held authoritative positions, but they wanted to exalt themselves above Moses. When God had heard Miriam and Aaron gossiping and murmuring against Moses, he called the three of them to the Tabernacle. God told Aaron and Miriam that he speaks to his prophets in dreams and visions but this is not so with Moses because they have a special relationship: God speaks to Moses “mouth to mouth” (Numbers 12:8). When God departed, Miriam was struck with leprosy. Aaron humbled himself and asked Moses to help Miriam. Moses prayed to God who tells him to shut Miriam out of the camp for seven days and then she will be healed. While Miriam was exiled from the camp, the Israelites did not journey until she was well again.

As Miriam and Aaron learned, words can either do good or they can do harm. Once words are spoken, there is no way to take them back. In a way, words are like a tube of toothpaste. When used correctly, toothpaste cleans our teeth and mouth. When used incorrectly, there is a mess and the toothpaste cannot be returned to its tube.  

Words are like toothpaste.