Lesson 68

Numbers 20–21

Prepare to Learn

Prepare your mind and heart to learn. Remove any potential distractions. Try to put your worries and troubles aside. This will help you invite the Holy Ghost to help you learn.

Begin your study with prayer.

What do you think it means to come unto Christ? Consider the lyrics of the song “Come unto Christ” from the accompanying video, and reflect on what you can do to come unto Him.

Scenarios

Read the following scenarios. As you read each scenario, think about how you could respond to the other person in a way that could lead him or her closer to Jesus Christ.

1. While preparing a talk for sacrament meeting, you receive impressions about what you should say. After you give the talk, a member of your ward approaches you and says, “Thank you so much for what you said today. You are an amazing speaker, and your words were exactly what I needed to hear. I am so grateful for you.”

2. A friend who accepted the gospel because of your example says, “You changed my life. Because of you, I am happy and have direction and peace in my life.”

As you study Numbers 20, look for truths that teach why it is important to point others to Christ.

Providing Water for Israel

Numbers 20:1–5 records that after nearly 40 years since leaving Egypt, the Israelites camped in the desert of Zin. While they were in the desert, Miriam died and the Israelites once again rebelled against Moses and Aaron because they had no water.

Read Numbers 20:6–11, looking for what the Lord instructed Moses to do.

What phrase in verse 10 shows that Moses and Aaron took credit for providing water for the Israelites?

The Source of Water

Read Numbers 20:12, looking for the Lord’s response after Moses smote the rock. The phrase “to sanctify me in the eyes of the children of Israel” means that the Lord wanted the children of Israel to know that it was He, not Moses and Aaron, who provided the water for them.

Why do you think the Israelites needed to understand that it was God who provided the water?

The Lord’s Power

As we read the account recorded in Numbers 20:6–12, we can identify the following truth: The Lord desires that we help others see His power and influence in their lives.

1. Answer the following questions:

• Why is it important to direct others’ attention to the Lord’s power instead of to ourselves?

• In addition to the two scenarios discussed earlier in this lesson, what are some situations in which we might be able to help others focus on the Lord’s power and goodness instead of on ourselves?

The Journey to Canaan

Numbers 20:14–29 records that Moses sent messengers to ask the king of Edom if the Israelites could pass through his kingdom on their way to Canaan. The king of Edom refused to let the Israelites pass through his land, and he sent an army to ensure that they did not.

Read verses 24–29, looking for who died at this point in the journey and who was called to take his place. What difference does it make to you to know that the Lord reveals to His leaders His desires about when to make changes in callings and who should hold them?

Difficulties Endured by the Israelites

Imagine that a friend of yours has broken a commandment. Your friend knows that he has done wrong. He has decided there is no way to correct the problems his sins have caused and there is no hope for him to ever go to the celestial kingdom.

What would you say or do in this situation? As you study Numbers 21, you will learn of a situation encountered by the Israelites that can help you know how to help someone like your friend.

Difficulty Traveling

Because the Israelites were not allowed to travel through the land of Edom, their journey was more difficult.

Read Numbers 21:4–5, looking for how the Israelites felt and responded because of the difficulty of the way they had to travel.

Fiery Serpents

Read Numbers 21:6–9, looking for what happened because the children of Israel spoke against Moses and the Lord. In the original Hebrew, the word fiery means poisonous (see verse 6, footnote a).

Quiz 1

1. Whom did the Israelites first turn to for help? (See Numbers 21:7.)

   1. The Lord

   2. Moses

   3. Eleazar

2. What did the Lord tell Moses to do to help the people who had been bitten? (See Numbers 21:8.)

   1. Pray

   2. Set a fiery serpent upon a pole

   3. Call the priests and midwives

3. What did the people need to do to be healed? (See Numbers 21:8–9.)

   1. Look up to the serpent of brass on the pole

   2. Report the incident to Moses

   3. Ask the priests to bless them

4. What did being bitten by a poisonous snake in this instance symbolize?

   1. Joy and happiness

   2. A willing heart and mind

   3. Sin and its consequences

Looking to Jesus Christ

The serpent on the pole was a symbol of Jesus Christ’s suffering and His Atonement (see John 3:14–15; 1 Nephi 17:41). Just as the Israelites needed to have faith that looking upon the brazen serpent would heal them from their snakebites, we need to have faith that Jesus Christ can heal us from our sins.

One principle we can identify from Numbers 21:8–9 is that if we have faith to look to Christ, we can be healed of our sins.

Think about the scenario shared earlier in the lesson about your friend who mistakenly believes that there is no longer any hope for him. How can you use this principle to help him?

Read the following scripture passages, looking for how the Savior can heal us of our sins: John 3:14–15, Alma 33:19–22, and Helaman 8:14–15. Consider writing these cross-references in your scriptures near Numbers 21:1–9.

Salvation from Our Sins

The additional scripture references you read help us understand the importance of having faith in Jesus Christ and believing that He can save us. Those who truly look to the Savior for salvation will do all they can to repent of their sins.

2. Read 1 Nephi 17:40–41, and then answer the following questions:

• Why do you think some people refused to look at the brazen serpent? Why do you think others chose to look?

• What can you do to look to Christ for healing of your sins?

Looking to the Savior for Healing

Read the following statement by President Boyd K. Packer (1924–2015) of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. Look for why it is sometimes necessary to get the help of a bishop or branch president as we look to Christ for healing of our sins.

“Jesus Christ has prescribed a very clear method for us to repent and find healing in our lives. The cure for most mistakes can be found by seeking forgiveness through personal prayer. However, there are certain spiritual illnesses, particularly those dealing with violations of the moral law, which absolutely require the assistance and treatment of a qualified spiritual physician. …

“If you … wish to return to full spiritual health, see your bishop. He holds the keys and can help you along the pathway of repentance” (Boyd K. Packer, “The Key to Spiritual Protection,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2013, 28).

Consider what you need to do in order to look to Christ and be healed from the venom of sin. Make a commitment to look to the Savior so you can be healed from the effects of sin.

Faith in Jesus Christ

The following truths were identified in this lesson:

• The Lord desires that we help others see His power and influence in their lives.

• If we have faith to look to Christ, we can be healed of our sins.

Look to Jesus Christ as the children of Israel who were healed of their snakebites did. The Lord will give you strength to overcome sin and face the challenges ahead of you.

Answer Key

Quiz 1: (1) b; (2) b; (3) a; (4) c; (5) b; (6) c