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FAIR Resources for Come, Follow Me – Restoration Scripture
Week 19: May 4 - 10: "Rebel Not Ye against the Lord, Neither Fear"

Numbers 11-14; 20-24; 27

Doctrinal Focus
Historical & Contextual
Apologetic Application
Practical Applications
Ideas for Teaching
Quick Reference

Doctrinal Focus

  • Key doctrines addressed in this week’s reading

When the Israelites faced the promised land, their fear caused them to doubt the Lord’s power (Numbers 13:31–33). Caleb and Joshua, however, trusted God’s promises. Their example shows that faith enables us to see beyond obstacles and follow divine direction with courage.

In Numbers 14:9, Joshua pleads, “Rebel not ye against the Lord, neither fear ye the people of the land.” This teaches that fear and rebellion are intertwined—when we let fear rule, we resist the Lord’s purposes. True disciples overcome fear through trust in His sustaining power.

In Numbers 12:6–8, the Lord clarifies that Moses, His chosen prophet, received direct revelation in a way distinct from others. This principle—echoed in “Revelation for the Church, Revelation for Our Lives”—reminds us that prophetic revelation safeguards unity and direction in the Lord’s kingdom.

The “Two Lines of Communication” article teaches that one line of revelation comes through prophets and apostles, while the other comes through personal revelation to individuals and families. Understanding and honoring both lines ensures harmony and spiritual safety as we act in faith.

Moses was described as “very meek, above all the men which were upon the face of the earth” (Numbers 12:3). His humility allowed him to bear criticism and continue leading Israel. The “Meek and Lowly of Heart” article emphasizes that meekness is not weakness—it is strength under control, enabling us to respond to challenges with faith and patience.

When we accept chastening and rely on God rather than our own strength, He shapes our hearts to reflect His character. This Christlike meekness prepares us to receive revelation and act with greater love and understanding toward others.

Historical & Contextual Insights

  • Insights in this week’s study
  • The Israelites were journeying through the wilderness toward the promised land after being freed from Egyptian bondage. Their camp was organized under Moses’ leadership, guided by a pillar of cloud by day and fire by night. This period followed their covenantal experiences at Sinai and involved extensive testing of faith and obedience.

In Numbers 11–14, the people’s complaints and rebellions reached a critical point. They murmured about food, questioned Moses’ authority, and feared the inhabitants of Canaan after the spies’ report. As a result, the Lord decreed that the faithless generation would wander for forty years before entering the promised land. Later, in Numbers 20–24, Moses himself faced consequences for disobedience at Meribah, and Israel encountered Balak and Balaam—highlighting how God’s purposes prevailed even amid opposition.

  • These events represent a turning point in Israel’s covenant journey. Their lack of faith delayed the fulfillment of God’s promises, teaching that disbelief and rebellion can postpone blessings. Moses’ experiences also illustrate that even chosen leaders are accountable to God’s commands.
  • The wilderness journey mirrors our mortal experience: a proving ground for faith, obedience, and trust in divine timing. God’s covenant people today face similar choices—whether to fear or to follow, to murmur or to move forward in faith. Remembering Israel’s lessons helps us avoid spiritual stagnation and maintain confidence in the Lord’s promises.
  • The incident with Miriam and Aaron questioning Moses’ authority (Numbers 12) highlights God’s order of revelation. While all Israelites could receive divine inspiration, only Moses held the prophetic stewardship to guide the entire nation. The “Two Lines of Communication” article reinforces this principle: revelation flows both through prophets (for the Church) and through individuals (for personal guidance).

     

  • The Lord’s rebuke of Miriam and Aaron teaches that spiritual equality does not negate divinely appointed roles. God honors both collective and individual revelation but expects us to respect His established hierarchy.
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  • Understanding this balance helps modern disciples sustain prophets while also seeking personal inspiration. When both lines of communication work together, the Church and its members remain unified in purpose and protected from deception.
  • The description of Moses as “very meek” (Numbers 12:3) isn’t incidental—it underscores why God chose him to lead Israel. Despite immense opposition and burden, Moses responded with humility rather than resentment. The “Meek and Lowly of Heart” article explains that meekness enables believers to hear and follow God’s voice even in hardship, aligning personal will with divine will.
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  • Meekness gives spiritual strength—it transforms criticism, failure, and trials into opportunities for growth rather than bitterness. It’s the opposite of pride, which closes the heart to revelation.
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  • Developing meekness today allows us to navigate conflict, receive correction, and build Christlike resilience. In a world that prizes self-assertion, meekness keeps us teachable and connected to God’s refining influence.

If you have questions on this week’s reading, please email your questions to us here.

Apologetic Application

  1. Claim: “Prophetic authority is outdated—modern believers can get all revelation directly from God.”
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  3. Response:
  4. Historical Evidence: In Numbers 12:6–8, the Lord distinguished between revelation given to Moses (face-to-face) and revelation given to others in dreams or visions, affirming a divinely appointed prophetic role.
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  6. Eyewitness Support: Ancient Israel’s experience—where the Lord communicated to the entire nation through Moses—parallels how prophets today provide revelation for the whole Church.
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  8. Spiritual Confirmation: Modern revelation (e.g., Doctrine and Covenants 1:38) confirms that when prophets speak by the Lord’s voice, it is as if the Lord Himself speaks. This invites personal spiritual confirmation of prophetic truth.
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  10. Logical Analysis: If every individual received conflicting revelation for the entire Church, divine order would dissolve into confusion. Prophetic stewardship ensures unity, continuity, and doctrinal safety.
  • Claim: “A loving God wouldn’t condemn an entire generation for fear or doubt.”
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  • Response:
  • Historical Evidence: The forty-year delay was both disciplinary and protective—God used the time to prepare a faithful new generation (Numbers 14:29–35).
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  • Eyewitness Support: Biblical accounts show that even amid justice, the Lord continued to provide manna, protection, and leadership through Moses, demonstrating enduring mercy.
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  • Spiritual Confirmation: Scripture consistently reveals that God’s judgments are motivated by love and the desire to sanctify His people (Hebrews 12:6).
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  • Logical Analysis: Allowing consequences to unfold teaches accountability and strengthens future obedience. A just God cannot ignore rebellion without undermining moral order and covenant integrity.
  • Claim: “Prophets are flawed humans and therefore unreliable as God’s messengers.”
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  • Response:
  • Historical Evidence: Numbers 20:7–12 records Moses’ disobedience at Meribah, yet God continued to work through him afterward. Prophetic authority is not nullified by human imperfection.
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  • Eyewitness Support: Ancient and modern scripture (e.g., Jonah, Peter, Joseph Smith) confirm that God often calls imperfect servants to accomplish perfect purposes.
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  • Spiritual Confirmation: The Spirit testifies of truth through prophetic words, not through personal perfection. Followers are invited to receive confirmation from the Holy Ghost rather than rely on the prophet’s humanity.
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  • Logical Analysis: If divine truth required flawless messengers, no revelation could reach humankind. God’s use of imperfect instruments magnifies His power and mercy.

Practical Applications

Practical solutions for someone in faith crisis:

Action Step: Identify one area of life where fear or uncertainty has limited your progress, and deliberately act in faith instead of hesitation this week.

Like the Israelites standing before the promised land, we often see giants instead of God’s power. Acting in faith—despite fear—invites divine strength, expands spiritual confidence, and helps us recognize the Lord’s hand in our progress.

  1. – Pray for courage to see challenges as opportunities.
  2. – Read Numbers 14:6–9 and reflect on Caleb and Joshua’s words of trust.
  3. – Write down one fear or doubt and counter it with a scriptural promise.
  4. – Take one faith-filled action that reflects your trust in God.

Encouraging Thought:

Faith in the Lord includes faith in His timing, faith in His wisdom, and faith in His promises.

Action Step: Study the most recent General Conference message from the prophet, then pray about what personal revelation you can receive to apply it in your life.

Balancing prophetic and personal revelation keeps our decisions anchored in divine order. As we align personal direction with prophetic counsel, we invite unity with God’s will and clarity in daily choices.

  1. – Read Numbers 12 and note the Lord’s defense of Moses’ prophetic role.
  2. – Review “Two Lines of Communication.”
  3. – Record one question or concern you have about your current path.
  4. – Pray and listen for impressions on how to act in harmony with prophetic guidance.

Encouraging Thought:

“When we honor both lines of communication, we will never be led astray.” — Elder Dallin H. Oaks, “Two Lines of Communication”

  • Action Step: The next time you feel defensive or criticized, pause before responding and ask, “What can I learn from this?”

Meekness opens the heart to growth and revelation. Like Moses, who was “very meek” (Numbers 12:3), we become instruments in God’s hands when we submit our will to His. Meekness transforms challenges into refining experiences that build spiritual strength.

  1. – Reflect on recent feedback or correction you’ve received.
  2. – Pray for humility to accept truth, even when it’s uncomfortable.
  3. – Study “Meek and Lowly of Heart” and identify one Christlike quality to emulate.
  4. – Practice responding with patience and gratitude when corrected.

Encouraging Thought:

  • “Meekness is the key to learning the Lord’s way. It opens our hearts to His Spirit and His guidance.” — Elder David A. Bednar, “Meek and Lowly of Heart”

Ideas for Teaching

Objective: Help learners understand how trusting in God’s promises empowers them to overcome fear and act in faith like Caleb and Joshua.

  1. – A pair of binoculars or paper “spyglasses”
  2. – Paper and pens
  3. – Scriptures (Numbers 13–14)

Activity Steps:

  1. Introduction (5 min): Hold up the binoculars and ask, “What do these help us do?” Explain that the twelve spies were sent to see the land, but only two saw it through eyes of faith. Invite learners to share what fear might “look like” through worldly eyes.
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  3. Scripture Discussion (5 min): Read Numbers 14:6–9 together. Discuss what Caleb and Joshua said that showed their trust in God despite overwhelming odds. Write “Fear” and “Faith” on the board and list words or attitudes that belong under each.
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  5. Application (5 min): Invite learners to write down one fear they face, then pair it with a scripture promise or truth that can replace that fear. Encourage them to “see” their situation through spiritual eyes this week.

Follow-Up Question: What difference does it make when we focus on what God can do rather than on what we can’t?

Objective: Teach learners to recognize the harmony between prophetic revelation and personal revelation.

  1. – Two pieces of string or yarn (representing the “two lines”)
  2. – A whiteboard and marker
  3. – Scriptures (Numbers 12; Two Lines of Communication article excerpt)

Activity Steps:

Introduction (5 min): Hold up the two strings and ask, “What happens if only one line connects us?” (It can break easily.) “What happens when both are strong?” Explain that God speaks to us through prophets and personal revelation.

Scripture Discussion (5 min): Read Numbers 12:6–8. Discuss how God clarified Moses’ prophetic role and how that pattern continues today. Briefly summarize Elder Oaks’ teaching that we must honor both lines of revelation.

Application (5 min): Invite learners to think of a time when following prophetic counsel helped them receive personal guidance. Encourage them to set a goal this week to study the prophet’s most recent message and seek revelation on how to apply it personally.

Follow-Up Question: How can we make sure the two lines of communication—prophetic and personal—work together in our daily lives?

Objective: Help learners understand how meekness invites revelation and strengthens discipleship.

  1. – A small rock and a piece of clay
  2. – Scriptures (Numbers 12:3)
  3. – A quote from “Meek and Lowly of Heart” (Elder Bednar)

Activity Steps: 

Introduction (5 min): Show the rock and the clay. Ask, “Which one can be shaped?” Explain that meekness is like being soft clay in the Lord’s hands—teachable, humble, and moldable.

Scripture Discussion (5 min): Read Numbers 12:3 and discuss how Moses’ meekness allowed him to lead and receive revelation even under criticism. Share Elder Bednar’s insight that meekness is “a spiritual receptivity that allows God to direct us.”

Application (5 min): Invite learners to identify one way they can be more “moldable” this week—perhaps by accepting feedback, forgiving quickly, or showing patience. Have them write a short goal on a slip of paper.

Follow-Up Question: How does meekness make it easier for us to hear and follow God’s voice?

QUICK REFERENCE

  • – God calls us to trust His promises and act in faith, even when fear or uncertainty arises (see Numbers 13:30–31; 14:6–9, 22–23).
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  • – Prophetic revelation provides divine direction for the Church, while personal revelation guides individual lives—both must work in harmony (see Numbers 12:6–8; 27:18–20).
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  • – Meekness is essential for spiritual growth; it opens our hearts to correction, revelation, and peace (see Numbers 12:3; 20:10–12).
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  • – Israel’s wilderness journey mirrors our mortal journey—faith and obedience bring progress, while fear and rebellion delay blessings (see Numbers 14:1–4, 33–34; 21:4–5).
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  • – The Lord’s order of revelation and leadership ensures unity, accountability, and continuing guidance for His covenant people (see Numbers 12:1–2; 27:18–23).
  • Why trust modern prophets?
  • God has always called prophets to guide His people (Numbers 12:6–8; Amos 3:7). The principle of authorized revelation is timeless. Revelation through prophets maintains unity and protection from conflicting doctrines (“Two Lines of Communication,” Elder Dallin H. Oaks). Members are invited to seek their own confirmation of prophetic words through the Holy Ghost (Doctrine and Covenants 1:38). From Moses to President Nelson, prophets serve as instruments—not replacements—for God’s voice on earth.
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  • Why does God allow mistakes?
  • Even prophets and leaders are mortal learners (Numbers 20:7–12). God allows imperfection to foster humility and reliance on Him. Mistakes become teaching moments for both leaders and followers, reinforcing faith in divine—not human—strength. Moses, Peter, and Joseph Smith all faced weakness yet were powerfully used by God to accomplish His purposes. The Lord’s plan values growth and repentance more than flawlessness; divine truth remains perfect even when delivered through imperfect instruments.

Teaching in the Savior’s Way — Section: “Teach by the Spirit.”

“Meek and Lowly of Heart,” Elder David A. Bednar, Ensign, May 2018