Numbers 21:1-22:20
Only in The One Year Bible would you
find some of the events today so close to St. Patrick's Day.
On p. 253 of the Bible Knowledge
Commentary-OT, there is a map of a possible route for the Exodus. It might
be good to look at this since it gives you an idea of where the Lord took the
people. If you look at that map, the dashed lines with arrows are where they
went, but the dotted line is the King's Highway. The adventure today begins at
Kadesh. Israel was at Kadesh 39 years earlier. After the first fiasco at
Kadesh-barnea, they went back south to the dessert of Paran and the gulf of
Aqaba. Now God has led Israel back to Kadesh where it all took place, the scene
of the crime, to begin again.
I find it interesting that God works with us
like He did with Israel. When we lose our minds because of anger, disobedience
or immaturity, and then when we find our minds and repent, He often brings us
back to the scene of the crime. Hopefully then, we are ready to obey and
follow.
Numbers 21
Vs. 1-3 Two big things happen here. First,
Israel hasn't wanted a fight, but Arad takes the fight to them, possibly
interpreting their response to Edom as being weak. Remember, Israel was camped
at Ezion Geber and wanted to go up the King's Highway through Edom, but Edom
refused and God wouldn't let them fight Edom. Therefore, God took them north
again to Kadesh. Ironically, in order for Israel to recapture those who were
taken and to destroy Hormah, Israel's army had to go into southern Canaan. This
is the very territory that the spies walked through. Israel's defeat of Arad
put them on the front page of everyone's newspaper, and armies were beginning
to sharpen their swords.
Second, Israel cried out to God because of
the attack and God fulfills their request. I think this was the first time they
sought God to ask for something without complaining. They made a vow to destroy
this city and take nothing for themselves. Interesting that it took an attack
from an enemy to make the people come to God with such intensity. I wonder if
God allows stuff like this to happen to us too, to build the intensity in us to
earnestly follow Him.
Vs. 4-9 My sense here is that God allowed
hard times to develop the people's faith, but also to get the discontented to
show themselves and thin them out of the people. Even though Israel is only
months from entering the land, there are still people of the past generation
who need to die; and there are, amongst the younger people, those with bitter
hearts. In a sense, God is giving the new generation a lesson by allowing that
older generation to show their rebellion and to be punished.
V. 7 This is another "first." The
people were repentant and came to Moses asking for help.
If you want some good exercise, try to figure
out how and why Jesus used this story in John 3 in His talk with Nick. The
element that makes this situation understandable, in contrast to Aaron running
among the people with his censer, is that faith saved the people. They had the
info (to look at the serpent), they believed (trusted) it was true, and they
looked. On an unseen spiritual level, when they exercised faith, God Himself
saw their faith and their hearts and cured them. The unseen spiritual
transaction is what Jesus was talking about with Nick and Nick couldn't grasp
it.
This snake was later used in Israel for
idolatry, until Hezekiah destroyed it in 2 Kings 18:4. Paul refers to this
event as putting the Lord to the test in 1 Corinthians 10.
By the way, what was St. Patrick's claim to
fame? He drove the snakes out of Ireland. (And they all immigrated to the USA.)
Vs. 10-20 We've lost this Book of the Wars, but it is mentioned
here because this begins the conquest of the land. Even though Israel is still
on the east side of the Jordan and not in the land, the next battles will give
them possession of land that will become part of Israel.
Vs. 16-18 This is another first for Israel.
This generation is actually singing and praising the Lord for water. We'll
notice a lot of changes after one notable final malfunction.
V. 20 If you are looking at a map, Mt. Pisgah
is actually a part of Mt. Nebo.
V. 21-32 They tried not to fight with Sihon,
who, by the way, stole this land from the Moabites. Sihon hurt himself in
fighting, because Israel only wanted to pass through. They only wanted the land
to the west of the Jordan.
Vs. 27-30 In this song sung by the Amorites
in celebration of defeating the Moabites, notice that the Moabites were
dispossessed of this land partially due to their worship of Chemosh or Moloch.
It was the other side of Baal worship where the unwanted children were thrown,
in sacrifice, into the blazing mouth of this god's altar.
Vs. 31-32 Under God's guidance Moses took the
rest of Sihon's land and possession. They now belonged to Israel.
Vs. 33-35 Then, King Og had to try his hand
at fighting Israel and was also defeated. Not much is said about Og here, but
later Moses will refer to him in his final address to the people in Deuteronomy.
On the one hand, you might see this trouble as just bad, discouraging things
happening to Israel. They are not even in the land yet and people are picking
fights with them. But how often does God use "bad" things for good?
First, remember that the 10 spies told the people to be afraid of the giants.
Guess what? Og was a giant. That would be a good shot of confidence. I'll bet
he was easy to pick off, because you know - big guys make big targets. Second,
now Israel almost owns all of the land east of the Jordan River. Third, notice
that in spite of punishing Moses by not letting him lead Israel into the land,
God is honoring Moses. God has allowed Moses to capture the land, the
inheritance of Reuben, Gad and half of the tribe of Manasseh. That's very
gracious that God allowed this.
Numbers 22:1-20
Vs. 1-4 This next war will involve the
Moabites and the Midianites, but only because of their aggression toward
Israel. Both of these people are related to Israel, so God wouldn't have
allowed Israel to fight them. Also, both of these nations were on the east side
of the Jordan, so they were not in the Promised Land, and therefore were not in
danger.
Vs. 4-6 Now, the world back then was far more
"spiritual" than our world today. What I mean is that people still
understood that the world was ruled by spiritual forces. Rationalism hadn't
blinded men to the spiritual. Now, obviously, the spiritual forces were not
ones they understood. But here Balak sought a spiritual solution to get rid of
Israel, because he perceived that a strictly military approach wouldn't work.
Vs. 7-14 Balaam is a very interesting guy.
His name will become a bad word in the Bible. He will become representative of
a kind of evil person who understands God and can use that understanding to bring
destruction on others. He will represent someone who looks like he knows God,
but will betray and harm believers. His motivation, as we'll see, is for his
own gain.
Balaam lived on the Euphrates, probably near
Mari on the Syria/Iraq border, not exactly an easy place to get to. Balaam had
been used of God, and God had apparently spoken to him before. Balaam was an
active witness of God in the area where he lived. The word around was that if
Balaam blessed anything, it was blessed; and if he cursed it, it was cursed.
Notice how naturally God communicated with
Balaam and vice versa.
Vs. 12-13 Notice that Balaam doesn't tell
them what God told him. He just says that he can't go with them. He doesn't
mention that God will only bless His people.
Vs. 15-20 It looks to me that since Balaam
didn't tell the entire story, Balak was encouraged to send a bigger offer.
V. 18 Notice the words, the Lord my God.
V. 20 This looks like all is well. God gives
Balaam the OK, but God sees what is growing in Balaam's heart. Tomorrow we'll
see it too.
Some people think that God was not giving all
people on the planet back then a chance to be saved. Here we find that, unknown
to us; God was working through this obscure guy. Notice though that God
revealed Himself as Yahweh, not some other religion. Unknown to us, God had His
witnesses, and people were hearing the message.
Luke 1:26-56
In recording these words to both Zechariah
and to Mary, the Spirit is showing us the exact moment when God broke His
400-year silence. The final words of Malachi speak of the forerunner of the
Lord and then warn the people to repent. The first words from God continue
where He left off. The forerunner was announced, and now comes the announcement
of the Savior.
V. 26 The sixth month is Elizabeth's sixth
month. Elizabeth had been out of hiding now for a month.
Vs. 28-33 In the announcement, notice the
reference to David and the fulfillment of the promise to Adam, Abraham and all
sorts of OT prophecies.
Vs. 34-35 Why do you think Gabriel didn't
"whammy" Mary, like he did Zechariah, when she asked her question? I
think Zechariah should have known better and was speaking out of doubt. I think
Mary believed but just wondered how it would happen. You don't have a Messiah
every day.
Notice that the Holy Spirit has been
mentioned in both announcements.
Vs. 36-37 It may be here that Gabriel is
telling Mary something of which she already has heard a rumor.
V. 38 This is great faith on Mary's part.
Vs. 39-45 Notice that Elizabeth is filled
with the Holy Spirit. Luke mentions the work of the Spirit often.
V. 44 Luther, even after he was saved, used
this text to prove that a baby can believe and therefore should be baptized for
salvation. The text says the baby leaped, but Elizabeth says it leaped for joy.
She certainly felt a Spirit-induced joy when she heard Mary's voice. I think
Elizabeth had the joy and the Spirit just put his finger in there and tickled
John. Even if the baby had "joy," it was induced by the Spirit and it
wasn't faith in Christ.
V. 45 I wonder if she said this in contrast
to her silent husband's questioning of Gabriel.
Vs. 46-55 What do you get out of Mary's
praise of God? When you read this you get a feel for how much she knew about
God and His promises. You also see that she understood the privilege of what
this would mean for her too. Even though the reality of this might become foggy
in the years ahead, with the Spirit's help I think she really understood she
was about to have a Savior.
V. 56 Notice that Mary was there for about
three months. She probably left right after the birth of John. When Mary
returned to Nazareth she would have been three months pregnant and showing.
I have to laugh here. As disciples we know it
is an incredible privilege to be saved and carry the message of Christ. Yet, we
still face opposition even though we bring the message of life into the
harvest. But we have to do it because we know Jesus' love, and it is our work
for Him to make disciples.
So here is Mary, probably 15 or 16 years old,
returning home with this amazing honor and privilege of carrying the Savior,
literally, within her. I'm willing to bet that she faced some incredibly hard
times and some severe misunderstandings carrying the Word of Life back into her
hometown. I guess it is just part of being a disciple.
Psalm 57
Even knowing Christ is risen, having the
Spirit and having an incredible mission, we have to learn to hang on. So the
Lord needs to lead us to these special places where "hanging on" is
the best we can do. It's in stormy times when you get pushed to the edge of
your faith, when you learn to look to the Lord and strengthen yourself in Him.
Vs. 1-3 David was hiding in a cave, gathering
family, gathering outcasts and those in debt and those bitter of heart to
become his little army. As he looked out of that cave he must have seen a storm
pass over.
V. 2 I think David was remembering the
promise God made to him when Samuel anointed him, as a young teen, to be king
of Israel. I'll bet that seemed like a long time ago.
Vs. 4-6 Isn't the contrast of these verses
amazing? Verse 5 looks like the calm in the storm.
Vs. 7-11 Where is that strengthening of soul
taking place as David turns to the only One who can sustain him? It sort of
reminds me of what Paul says about the faith of Abraham in Romans 4:20-21, No unbelief made him waver concerning the
promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, fully
convinced that God was able to do what he had promised.
Vs. 9-11 are like a victory song. It isn't a
victory over men, but rather over the damage of life on this fallen planet.
There will always be threats and danger, but these verses show that a person
can find safety abiding in the God of their salvation.
Sometimes it's OK not to be a hero,
but just to survive the storm. Something happens in the "hanging on"
that can't happen in any other place.
Proverbs 11:9-11
Notice that this grouping begins and ends
with the mouth of the godless/wicked man.
The knowledge of the righteous is not his
intelligence, but that knowledge of God that controls his heart and actions.
Looking at the psalm above, it is this knowledge of God that made David's heart
steadfast in the middle of the storm he was living through.
If you’re reading along and don’t have a One Year
Bible, click on this link http://www.esvbible.org/devotions/every-day-in-the-word/. If that doesn't
work, go to http://www.esvbible.org/devotions/
and click on “Every
Day in the Word.”
I'm writing these comments to and for those who are
following a One Year Bible and interested in growing deeper as a disciple,
following Jesus in the harvest. My hope is to see the growth of a discipleship
culture in the church. Groups of 3-4 disciples, meeting weekly, encouraging
each other to follow Christ and work to reach out and make disciples who make
disciples. The Bible itself is the most universal manual we have and key to our
growth and service in Christ. Nothing keeps us more focused on why we are here
or what we are to be doing. My comments are only meant to provide some
explanation of the events or to show the flow of God's plan of redemption. My
comments are in no way exhaustive, but are designed to keep us focused on
Christ and our role in His harvest. My hope is that the people in these groups
will grow in Christ and be willing, after a year, to find 3 others to meet with
and encourage in their growth as disciples, disciples making disciples in the
harvest.
If you would like a complete description of this model
of being and making disciples you can find it in my book: Simply
Disciples*Making Disciples. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B011WJIDQA?*Version*=1&*entries*=0
If you would like a more descriptive commentary that is
still readable and concise, I'd recommend the Bible Knowledge Commentary. It's
keyed to the NIV, so the result is the commentators are constantly telling you
what the Greek or Hebrew is. That never hurts.
I am not endorsing any particular One Year Bible; in
fact, I read something you don't, die revidierte Lutherbibel 1984.
Anyone reading along with us is welcome to do so and is
encouraged to take their own notes and make their own observations. If the
comments made do not agree with your particular tradition or understanding,
that's OK. Nothing I've written is meant to criticize any point of view, but
only to express the truth of what God has written to us, as I understand it.
Send comments or feedback to dgkachikis@gmail.com.
If you would like documents containing an entire month
of the Reading Notes, go to https://sites.google.com/site/dlkachikis/reading-notes. You can download
these to use on your computer or to print.
No comments:
Post a Comment