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MARCH 14
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.
Please Read
the Following Disclaimer
I'm writing the Reading Notes to and
for those who are following a One Year Bible and are 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, that is, 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 and important discipleship manual we have and it is the 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, or whom we are to be following. 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, as disciples, 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, making disciples in the harvest.
If you would like a more descriptive
commentary that is still readable and concise, I'd recommend the Bible Knowledge Commentary (BKC).
I read the BKC in doing background for the Reading Notes and refer to it quite
often. I also make reference to maps or charts in the BKC, though I will only
note where those resources can be found. Often you can do a search for these
and find them in Google books. Buying both volumes of the Bible Knowledge
Commentary would be a good idea.
I am not endorsing any particular One
Year Bible translation; in fact, I read something you probably don't, Die
Revidierte Lutherbibel, 1984. Unless noted, all Scripture quotes are from the
ESV Bible.
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. Often there is a breadth of opinion on certain events, both
historical and prophetic. Many of my views come from my church background,
theological training and my personal study.
I'm
doing this with discipleship in mind, meaning, I'm writing out thoughts that
will keep discipleship and our growth as disciples applied to what we are
reading. Remember, the real focus of the Reading Notes is to be a
supplement, a disciple’s commentary, giving motivation and insight so that we
will keep following our Lord in the harvest, reaching the lost and making
disciples, who make disciples. Being in
the Word every day, sitting at Jesus’ feet, learning directly from Him, is the
essential essence of being and making disciples.
May the Lord bless you as you follow Him in the
harvest, reaching the lost and making disciples, who make disciples. Dan
If you would like documents
containing an entire month of the Reading Notes, go to https://sites.google.com/site/dlkachikis/reading-notes.
If you would like a full
presentation of discipleship read Simply
Disciples*Making Disciples.
Or if you are struggling with
insomnia and would like a long boring dissertation on disciple making, these
can both be found on https://sites.google.com/site/dlkachikis/reading-notes.
Reading Notes ©, Dan Kachikis
2011, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2018
The One Year Bible © by
Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton Illinois 60189
The Holy Bible, English
Standard Version® (ESV®) Copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of
Good News Publishers.
All charts/graphics/outlines
from the Bible Knowledge Commentary are used with the permission of David C.
Cook.
© 1983, 2001 John F Walvoord and Roy B Zuck.
The Bible Knowledge Commentary is published by David C Cook.
All rights reserved. Publisher permission
required to reproduce.
Hi me ha gustado esta nota, creo haber tomadobuena nota,
ReplyDeleteme encantan los masajes y planeo hacerte en breve me quedo
chequeando alguna mas, me sumo a esperar las novedades, muchas
muchas gracias