Free group study handout
Numbers 17: Group Study Handout
How to use: read Numbers 17 aloud together, then take the questions in order. One page is enough for an evening.
Overview
Yahweh instructs Moses to take twelve rods from the princes of Israel, writing each man's name on his rod (vv. 1-2). Aaron’s name is to be written on the rod of Levi.
Key verse
“On the next day, Moses went into the Tent of the Testimony; and behold, Aaron’s rod for the house of Levi had sprouted, budded, produced blossoms, and bore ripe almonds.”
Numbers 17:8 (WEB)
Outline
- Numbers 17:1–5 God Instructs Moses on Rods
- Numbers 17:6–8 Rods Placed in the Tent
- Numbers 17:9–10 Moses Displays the Rods
- Numbers 17:11–12 Moses Obeys God's Command
- Numbers 17:13 Israelites Express Fear
Discussion questions
- In v5, what does God say will happen to the rod of the chosen man?
- What does Aaron's rod do in v8 that signifies God's choice?
- In v10, why does God command that Aaron's rod be kept as a 'token'?
- In v12, why do the children of Israel express a sense of impending doom?
- When have you felt the need to affirm someone's leadership after a challenge, as in v10?
Go deeper
Passages that echo Numbers 17: Numbers 16, Hebrews 9, Numbers 18.
Before next time: read Numbers 18.