Burunche’s Blog

The Feast of Trumpets (Leviticus 23:23-25)

“On the first day of the seventh month, you are to hold a sacred assembly, and you must not do any regular work. This will be a day for you to sound the trumpets.

As a pleasing aroma to the LORD, you are to present a burnt offering of one young bull, one ram, and seven male lambs a year old, all unblemished, together with their grain offerings of fine flour mixed with oil—three-tenths of an ephah with the bull, two-tenths of an ephah with the ram, and a tenth of an ephah with each of the seven male lambs. Include one male goat as a sin offering to make atonement for you. These are in addition to the monthly and daily burnt offerings with their prescribed grain offerings and drink offerings. They are a pleasing aroma, an offering made by fire to the LORD.

The Day of Atonement (Leviticus 16:1-34; Leviticus 23:26-32)

On the tenth day of this seventh month, you are to hold a sacred assembly, and you shall humble yourselves; you must not do any work.

Present as a pleasing aroma to the LORD a burnt offering of one young bull, one ram, and seven male lambs a year old, all unblemished, together with their grain offerings of fine flour mixed with oil—three-tenths of an ephah with the bull, two-tenths of an ephah with the ram, and a tenth of an ephah with each of the seven lambs. Include one male goat for a sin offering, in addition to the sin offering of atonement and the regular burnt offering with its grain offering and drink offerings.

The Feast of Tabernacles (Deuteronomy 16:13-17)

On the fifteenth day of the seventh month, you are to hold a sacred assembly; you must not do any regular work, and you shall observe a feast for the LORD for seven days.

As a pleasing aroma to the LORD, you are to present an offering made by fire, a burnt offering of thirteen young bulls, two rams, and fourteen male lambs a year old, all unblemished, along with the grain offering of three-tenths of an ephah of fine flour mixed with oil with each of the thirteen bulls, two-tenths of an ephah with each of the two rams, and a tenth of an ephah with each of the fourteen lambs. Include one male goat as a sin offering, in addition to the regular burnt offering with its grain offering and drink offering.

On the second day you are to present twelve young bulls, two rams, and fourteen male lambs a year old, all unblemished, along with the grain and drink offerings for the bulls, rams, and lambs, according to the number prescribed. Include one male goat as a sin offering, in addition to the regular burnt offering with its grain offering and drink offering. On the third day you are to present eleven bulls, two rams, and fourteen male lambs a year old, all unblemished, along with the grain and drink offerings for the bulls, rams, and lambs, according to the number prescribed. Include one male goat as a sin offering, in addition to the regular burnt offering with its grain offering and drink offering.

On the fourth day you are to present ten bulls, two rams, and fourteen male lambs a year old, all unblemished, along with the grain and drink offerings for the bulls, rams, and lambs, according to the number prescribed. Include one male goat as a sin offering, in addition to the regular burnt offering with its grain offering and drink offering.

On the fifth day you are to present nine bulls, two rams, and fourteen male lambs a year old, all unblemished, along with the grain and drink offerings for the bulls, rams, and lambs, according to the number prescribed. Include one male goat as a sin offering, in addition to the regular burnt offering with its grain offering and drink offering.

On the sixth day you are to present eight bulls, two rams, and fourteen male lambs a year old, all unblemished, along with the grain and drink offerings for the bulls, rams, and lambs, according to the number prescribed. Include one male goat as a sin offering, in addition to the regular burnt offering with its grain offering and drink offering.

On the seventh day you are to present seven bulls, two rams, and fourteen male lambs a year old, all unblemished, along with the grain and drink offerings for the bulls, rams, and lambs, according to the number prescribed. Include one male goat as a sin offering, in addition to the regular burnt offering with its grain offering and drink offering.

On the eighth day you are to hold a solemn assembly; you must not do any regular work. As a pleasing aroma to the LORD, you are to present an offering made by fire, a burnt offering of one bull, one ram, and seven male lambs a year old, all unblemished, along with the grain and drink offerings for the bulls, rams, and lambs, according to the number prescribed. Include one male goat as a sin offering, in addition to the regular burnt offering with its grain offering and drink offering.

You are to present these offerings to the LORD at your appointed times, in addition to your vow and freewill offerings, whether burnt offerings, grain offerings, drink offerings, or peace offerings.”

So Moses spoke all this to the Israelites just as the LORD had commanded him.

This chapter concludes the instructions for the last three feasts. Note that each of the feasts requires the same number of bulls, lambs, rams, and male goats, except for the week-long Feast of Tabernacles. The offerings for the Feast of Tabernacles start with thirteen young bulls, two rams, fourteen male lambs, and one male goat, along with the grain and drink offerings. But each successive day, the number of young bulls is reduced, until only seven are required on the seventh day. But on the eighth day, God requires only one young bull, one ram, seven male lambs, along with a male goat. 

APPLICATION: God wants His people to worship and to celebrate as well. The Feast of Trumpets and the Feast of Tabernacles are two of the most joyous occasions in the Jewish religious year. The Day of Atonement, on the other hand, is devoted to reflection, to confession, to reconciliation, and to spiritual cleansing so that worshipers can get a new start. After completing the worship services, participants should feel clean and free to face a new year. (This is a major simplification. For more complete explanations, Google the Day of Atonement.)

One of the congregations with which we have been associated for forty years is a Messianic Jewish congregation. Messianic Jews believe in Jesus as the Messiah but also preserve much of the Jewish order of worship, including celebrating the five feasts. Few things are more moving than celebrating the Day of Atonement by celebrating Jesus as the ultimate blood sacrifice.

1 John 1:8-10 tells us, “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.”’

When Jesus was beginning his ministry, a Jewish religious leader named Nicodemus came to him at night to learn if Jesus was the promised Messiah. It was during that conversation that Jesus told Nicodemus, “ For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.” 

No matter your situation, God loves you and wants you to be with Him in heaven forever. But none of us can earn our way into heaven. We are delivered from our sins because of Jesus’s sacrifice, not because of our virtues. Let’s pray.

PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and for caring for us. Lord, we confess that we have sinned and that we cannot earn our way into heaven. Help everyone who reads these words to trust You for their salvation. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.

The Daily Offerings (Exodus 29:38-44)

“’Then the LORD said to Moses, “Command the Israelites and say to them: See that you present to Me at its appointed time the food for My offerings by fire, as a pleasing aroma to Me. And tell them that this is the offering by fire you are to present to the LORD: two unblemished year-old male lambs, as a regular burnt offering each day. You are to offer one lamb in the morning and the other at twilight, along with a tenth of an ephah of fine flour as a grain offering, mixed with a quarter hin of oil from pressed olives.

This is a regular burnt offering established at Mount Sinai as a pleasing aroma, an offering made by fire to the LORD. And the drink offering accompanying each lamb shall be a quarter hin. Pour out the offering of fermented drink to the LORD in the sanctuary area. You are to offer the second lamb at twilight, with the same kind of grain offering and drink offering as in the morning. It is an offering made by fire, a pleasing aroma to the LORD.

The Sabbath Offerings

On the Sabbath day, present two unblemished year-old male lambs, accompanied by a grain offering of two-tenths of an ephah of fine flour mixed with oil, as well as a drink offering. This is the burnt offering for every Sabbath, in addition to the regular burnt offering and its drink offering.

The Monthly Offerings

At the beginning of every month, you are to present to the LORD a burnt offering of two young bulls, one ram, and seven male lambs a year old, all unblemished, along with three-tenths of an ephah of fine flour mixed with oil as a grain offering for each bull, two-tenths of an ephah of fine flour mixed with oil as a grain offering for the ram, and a tenth of an ephah of fine flour mixed with oil as a grain offering for each lamb. This is a burnt offering, a pleasing aroma, an offering made by fire to the LORD.

Their drink offerings shall be half a hin of wine with each bull, a third of a hin with the ram, and a quarter hin with each lamb. This is the monthly burnt offering to be made at each new moon throughout the year.

In addition to the regular burnt offering with its drink offering, one male goat is to be presented to the LORD as a sin offering.

The Feast of the Passover (Exodus 12:14-28; Leviticus 23:4-8; Deuteronomy 16:1-8)

The fourteenth day of the first month is the LORD’s Passover. On the fifteenth day of this month, there shall be a feast; for seven days unleavened bread is to be eaten. On the first day there is to be a sacred assembly; you are not to do any regular work. Present to the LORD an offering made by fire, a burnt offering of two young bulls, one ram, and seven male lambs a year old, all unblemished. The grain offering shall consist of fine flour mixed with oil; offer three-tenths of an ephah with each bull, two-tenths of an ephah with the ram, and a tenth of an ephah with each of the seven lambs. Include one male goat as a sin offering to make atonement for you.

You are to present these in addition to the regular morning burnt offering. Offer the same food each day for seven days as an offering made by fire, a pleasing aroma to the LORD. It is to be offered with its drink offering and the regular burnt offering.

On the seventh day you shall hold a sacred assembly; you must not do any regular work.

The Feast of Weeks (Deuteronomy 16:9-12) Shavuot, the late spring feast of pilgrimage to Jerusalem; also known as the Feast of Harvest (see Exodus 23:16) or the Feast of Pentecost (see Acts 2:1)

On the day of firstfruits, when you present an offering of new grain to the LORD during the Feast of Weeks, you are to hold a sacred assembly; you are not to do any regular work. Present a burnt offering of two young bulls, one ram, and seven male lambs a year old as a pleasing aroma to the LORD, together with their grain offerings of fine flour mixed with oil—three-tenths of an ephah with each bull, two-tenths of an ephah with the ram, and a tenth of an ephah with each of the seven lambs.

Include one male goat to make atonement for you. Offer them with their drink offerings in addition to the regular burnt offering and its grain offering. The animals must be unblemished.”

Here God is laying out requirements for the offerings for days, Sabbaths, months, and the first two feasts of the Jewish year. Notice the requirements for burnt offerings, grain offerings and drink offerings. Only perfect animals are to be sacrificed, along with fine flour, pressed olive oil, and wine. Lambs are used for the daily offerings, while bulls and rams are used for the monthly offerings and the offerings for the feasts. At Passover and Pentecost male goats are included to make atonement for the sins of the people.

It’s tempting to be bored by these lists; after all, God has already given these commands in Exodus. But God is repeating and summarizing the commands to make sure the Israelites obey them. God also wants to ensure that the Israelites won’t dump defective animals, moldy flour, and inferior-grade olive oil and wine on the Tabernacle, saving the best for themselves.  

All these blood sacrifices are necessary for two reasons: people continue to sin and sin must be paid for with blood. But the blood of an animal can never completely pay for human sin; this remission of sin is only temporary. Permanent relief from sin will come only when Jesus Christ comes as a sinless man dying for the sins of the world.

APPLICATION: Hebrews 9:11-15 tells us, “But when Christ came as high priest of the good things that have come, He went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle that is not made by hands and is not of this creation. He did not enter by the blood of goats and calves, but He entered the Most Holy Place once for all by His own blood, thus securing eternal redemption.

For if the blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkled on those who are ceremonially unclean sanctify them so that their bodies are clean, how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself unblemished to God, purify our consciences from works of death, so that we may serve the living God!

Therefore Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance, now that He has died to redeem them from the transgressions committed under the first covenant.”

We no longer must slaughter animals to cover our sins. We can believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, trusting that He really has come and has given up His life on Calvary as  a blood offering for our sins. When we truly believe in Jesus Christ, we have forgiveness of sins and cleansing from all unrighteousness. We don’t have to stagger around under a load of sin and guilt and shame any longer. Belief in Christ gives us new hope and new joy, joy that nobody can steal from us. Let’s pray.

PRAYER: Lord Jesus, thank You for coming to earth to live as a sinless man and to die as a sacrifice for our sins. Lord, we want to believe; help our unbelief! We confess that we are sinners and that nothing we can do will be good enough to earn our way into heaven. Now we thank You, that Your blood sacrifice has covered our sins. Help us to live for You for the rest of our lives. In Your mighty and precious Name, King Jesus. Amen.

Inheritance Laws

“Then came the daughters of Zelophehad the son of Hepher, the son of Gilead, the son of Machir, the son of Manasseh, from the families of Manasseh the son of Joseph; and these were the names of his daughters: Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah. And they stood before Moses, before Eleazar the priest, and before the leaders and all the congregation, by the doorway of the tabernacle of meeting, saying: “Our father died in the wilderness; but he was not in the company of those who gathered together against the Lord, in company with Korah, but he died in his own sin; and he had no sons. Why should the name of our father be removed from among his family because he had no son? Give us a possession among our father’s brothers.”

So Moses brought their case before the Lord.

And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying: “The daughters of Zelophehad speak what is right; you shall surely give them a possession of inheritance among their father’s brothers, and cause the inheritance of their father to pass to them. And you shall speak to the children of Israel, saying: ‘If a man dies and has no son, then you shall cause his inheritance to pass to his daughter. If he has no daughter, then you shall give his inheritance to his brothers. If he has no brothers, then you shall give his inheritance to his father’s brothers. And if his father has no brothers, then you shall give his inheritance to the relative closest to him in his family, and he shall possess it.’ ” And it shall be to the children of Israel a statute of judgment, just as the Lord commanded Moses.

Joshua the Next Leader of Israel

Now the Lord said to Moses: “Go up into this Mount Abarim, and see the land which I have given to the children of Israel. And when you have seen it, you also shall be gathered to your people, as Aaron your brother was gathered. For in the Wilderness of Zin, during the strife of the congregation, you rebelled against My command to hallow Me at the waters before their eyes.” (These are the waters of Meribah, at Kadesh in the Wilderness of Zin.)

Then Moses spoke to the Lord, saying: “Let the Lord, the God of the spirits of all flesh, set a man over the congregation, who may go out before them and go in before them, who may lead them out and bring them in, that the congregation of the Lord may not be like sheep which have no shepherd.”

And the Lord said to Moses: “Take Joshua the son of Nun with you, a man in whom is the Spirit, and lay your hand on him; set him before Eleazar the priest and before all the congregation, and inaugurate him in their sight. And you shall give some of your authority to him, that all the congregation of the children of Israel may be obedient. He shall stand before Eleazar the priest, who shall inquire before the Lord for him by the judgment of the Urim. At his word they shall go out, and at his word they shall come in, he and all the children of Israel with him—all the congregation.”

So Moses did as the Lord commanded him. He took Joshua and set him before Eleazar the priest and before all the congregation. And he laid his hands on him and inaugurated him, just as The Lord commanded by the hand of Moses.”

The Israelites are about to enter Canaan, and now God is dealing with very practical matters. The land will be allotted to tribes and to clans within the tribes, but what happens if a man dies who has no sons or who is childless? How can the land be preserved for the tribe? There is a man from the tribe of Manasseh named Zelophahad who has died, leaving four daughters but no sons. These daughters ask for an inheritance within the tribe of Manasseh. God answers, “If a man dies and has no son, then you shall cause his inheritance to pass to his daughter. If he has no daughter, then you shall give his inheritance to his brothers. If he has no brothers, then you shall give his inheritance to his father’s brothers. And if his father has no brothers, then you shall give his inheritance to the relative closest to him in his family, and he shall possess it.’ ”

In an age in which women are generally regarded as chattel, God is demonstrating that He places a high value on them. God is also issuing these laws to prevent fights and lawsuits in the future.

Next, God orders Moses to ascend a mountain from which he can see the Promised Land and then die there. Moses has forfeited the opportunity to enter the Promised Land by failing to honor God at the waters of Meribah. Notice that Moses does not argue with God, but rather begs God to appoint someone who will lead the Israelites wisely. God selects Joshua, who has been Moses’ assistant for years and who has spent long amounts of time in the Tabernacle simply worshiping God. Those years of worship have allowed the Spirit of the Lord to enter Joshua’s heart and mind and to remain there. There is nothing to indicate that Joshua has ever been jockeying for position as the next leader; he has simply been communing with God. Moses inaugurates Joshua in the presence of all the people, laying hands on him and imparting part of his authority.

APPLICATION: Few things can divide a family like a big fight over an inheritance, particularly where love has been given conditionally. Children will fight over everything, including the smallest pieces of jewelry from a parent in the hopes that by possessing these things, they are proving that their mother/father/uncle/aunt really loved them. Lawyers may drag out the settlement of estates for years in hopes of garnering large amounts of money. These struggles can result in long-term resentments and mistrust. Here God is taking steps to prevent such dissension.

After a rocky beginning, Moses has become a class act. When God tells Moses that he must go up on Mount Abarim, see the Promised, and die, Moses doesn’t argue with God. Moses only begs God to anoint a successor who can lead the Israelites successfully. Heaven knows, Moses realizes that his successor must be a man of God with infinite patience, courage, and resourcefulness. God orders Moses to hand over authority to Joshua. God has been preparing Joshua to take over from Moses for forty years. Not only has Joshua accompanied Moses part way up Mount Sinai, but Joshua has remained in the Tabernacle for hours, even after Moses has left to give God’s messages to the people. Close contact with God has allowed the Holy Spirit to enter Joshua’s heart, preparing him for the challenges ahead.

Psalm 75:6-7 tells us, “For exaltation(promotion) comes neither from the east nor from the west nor from the south. But God is the Judge: He puts down one, and exalts another.” Want promotion? Get close to God. Study His Word and worship Him. When the time is right, God will send you to your next assignment, a task for which God has prepared you.

PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and for caring for us. Lord, thank You for preparing a future for each one of us. Help us to study Your Word, to worship You, and to spend time with You so that we will be prepared when You call us into that work. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.  

The Second Census of Israel (Numbers 1:1-4)

“After the plague had ended, the LORD said to Moses and Eleazar son of Aaron the priest, “Take a census of the whole congregation of Israel by the houses of their fathers—all those twenty years of age or older who can serve in the army of Israel.”

So on the plains of Moab by the Jordan, across from Jericho, Moses and Eleazar the priest issued the instruction, “Take a census of the men twenty years of age or older, as the LORD has commanded Moses.” And these were the Israelites who came out of the land of Egypt:

The Tribe of Reuben

Reuben was the firstborn of Israel. These were the descendants of Reuben: The Hanochite clan from Hanoch, the Palluite clan from Pallu, the Hezronite clan from Hezron, and the Carmite clan from Carmi.

These were the clans of Reuben, and their registration numbered 43,730. Now the son of Pallu was Eliab, and the sons of Eliab were Nemuel, Dathan, and Abiram. It was Dathan and Abiram, chosen by the congregation, who fought against Moses and Aaron with the followers of Korah who rebelled against the LORD. And the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them along with Korah, whose followers died when the fire consumed 250 men. They serve as a warning sign. However, the line of Korah did not die out.

The Tribe of Simeon

These were the descendants of Simeon by their clans: The Nemuelite clan from Nemuel, the Jaminite clan from Jamin, the Jachinite clan from Jachin, the Zerahite clan from Zerah, and the Shaulite clan from Shaul. These were the clans of Simeon, and there were 22,200 men.

The Tribe of Gad

These were the descendants of Gad by their clans: The Zephonite clan from Zephon, the Haggite clan from Haggi, the Shunite clan from Shuni, the Oznite clan from Ozni, the Erite clan from Eri, the Arodite clan from Arod, and the Arelite clan from Areli. These were the clans of Gad, and their registration numbered 40,500.

The Tribe of Judah

The sons of Judah were Er and Onan, but they died in the land of Canaan. These were the descendants of Judah by their clans: The Shelanite clan from Shelah, the Perezite clan from Perez, the Zerahite clan from Zerah. And these were the descendants of Perez: the Hezronite clan from Hezron and the Hamulite clan from Hamul. These were the clans of Judah, and their registration numbered 76,500.

The Tribe of Issachar

These were the descendants of Issachar by their clans: The Tolaite clan from Tola, the Punite clan from Puvah, the Jashubite clan from Jashub, and the Shimronite clan from Shimron. These were the clans of Issachar, and their registration numbered 64,300.

The Tribe of Zebulun

These were the descendants of Zebulun by their clans: The Seredite clan from Sered, the Elonite clan from Elon, and the Jahleelite clan from Jahleel. These were the clans of Zebulun, and their registration numbered 60,500.

The Tribe of Manasseh

The descendants of Joseph included the clans of Manasseh and Ephraim. These were the descendants of Manasseh: The Machirite clan from Machir. Machir was the father of Gilead, the Gileadite clan from Gilead. These were the descendants of Gilead: the Iezerite clan from Iezer, the Helekite clan from Helek, the Asrielite clan from Asriel, the Shechemite clan from Shechem, the Shemidaite clan from Shemida, and the Hepherite clan from Hepher. Now Zelophehad son of Hepher had no sons—only daughters. The names of his daughters were Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah.

These were the clans of Manasseh, and their registration numbered 52,700.

The Tribe of Ephraim

These were the descendants of Ephraim by their clans: The Shuthelahite clan from Shuthelah, the Becherite clan from Becher, and the Tahanite clan from Tahan. And the descendants of Shuthelah were the Eranite clan from Eran. These were the clans of Ephraim, and their registration numbered 32,500.

These clans were the descendants of Joseph.

The Tribe of Benjamin

These were the descendants of Benjamin by their clans: The Belaite clan from Bela, the Ashbelite clan from Ashbel, the Ahiramite clan from Ahiram, the Shuphamite clan from Shupham, and the Huphamite clan from Hupham. And the descendants of Bela from Ard and Naaman were the Ardite clan from Ardf and the Naamite clan from Naaman. These were the clans of Benjamin, and their registration numbered 45,600.

The Tribe of Dan

These were the descendants of Dan by their clans: The Shuhamite clan from Shuham. These were the clans of Dan. All of them were Shuhamite clans, and their registration numbered 64,400.

The Tribe of Asher

These were the descendants of Asher by their clans: The Imnite clan from Imnah, the Ishvite clan from Ishvi, the Beriite clan from Beriah. These were the descendants of Beriah: the Heberite clan from Heber,

and the Malchielite clan from Malchiel. And the name of Asher’s daughter was Serah. These were the clans of Asher, and their registration numbered 53,400.

The Tribe of Naphtali

These were the descendants of Naphtali by their clans: The Jahzeelite clan from Jahzeel, the Gunite clan from Guni, the Jezerite clan from Jezer, and the Shillemite clan from Shillem. These were the clans of Naphtali, and their registration numbered 45,400.

These men of Israel numbered 601,730 in all.

Inheritance by Lot

Then the LORD said to Moses, “The land is to be divided among the tribes as an inheritance, according to the number of names. Increase the inheritance for a large tribe and decrease it for a small one; each is to receive its inheritance according to the number of those registered. Indeed, the land must be divided by lot; they shall receive their inheritance according to the names of the tribes of their fathers. Each inheritance is to be divided by lot among the larger and smaller tribes.”

The Levites Numbered

Now these were the Levites registered by their clans: The Gershonite clan from Gershon, the Kohathite clan from Kohath, and the Merarite clan from Merari. These were the families of the Levites: The Libnite clan, the Hebronite clan, the Mahlite clan, the Mushite clan, and the Korahite clan. Now Kohath was the father of Amram, and Amram’s wife was named Jochebed. She was also a daughter of Levi, born to Levi in Egypt. To Amram she bore Aaron, Moses, and their sister Miriam. Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar were born to Aaron, but Nadab and Abihu died when they offered unauthorized fire before the LORD.

The registration of the Levites totaled 23,000, every male one month old or more; they were not registered among the other Israelites, because no inheritance was given to them among the Israelites.

Only Caleb and Joshua Remain

These were the ones registered by Moses and Eleazar the priest when they numbered the Israelites on the plains of Moab by the Jordan, across from Jericho. Among all these, however, there was not one who had been registered by Moses and Aaron the priest when they numbered the Israelites in the Wilderness of Sinai. For the LORD had told them that they would surely die in the wilderness. Not one was left except Caleb son of Jephunneh and Joshua son of Nun.”

If you’ve skipped the Scripture to read this explanation, don’t feel too bad. This is the chapter where the Book of Numbers really earns its name. What’s the point of this census? Moses needs to know how many men twenty years and older he has who can serve in the army of Israel. In addition, the Israelites are preparing to enter Canaan, where land will be allotted to tribes according to their populations. The Israelites also need to be able to trace their ancestry. This is the first census taken since the census in the Wilderness of Sinai. All the men registered during the first census have died in the wilderness, apart from Joshua and Caleb, as God has promised. There are also some women whose names are included in the census because their fathers have no sons. God wants to make sure that nobody gets slighted.

APPLICATION: Once more, God demonstrates that He knows all our names and those of our families. God has fulfilled His promise that the faithless men who refused to trust the report of Caleb and Joshua would die in the wilderness. Levite males one month old and up are registered because they will not receive an inheritance among the Israelites but will receive other compensation instead. Note that even though Korah led a rebellion against God, God has preserved his descendants as well as the descendants of his co-conspirators.

What’s important about these numbers is the care God is taking so that Israel will have the army needed to conquer Canaan and to ensure a fair distribution of land once the Israelites conquer it. When God was creating the world, He already knew which tribes would occupy which land. God has been planning things for the Israelites even before making those promises to Abraham in Genesis 15.

God doesn’t play favorites. Just as God had plans for the Israelites, so God has plans for each of us. Our task is to find God’s perfect plan for our lives. God is a good God who does not play charades with His children. James 1:5-7 tells us “Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But he must ask in faith, without doubting, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. He is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.” Let’s pray.

PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and for caring for us. Lord, many of us are confused and unsure which way to go. Help us to ask You first and then to trust You for the answer. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.

Israel’s Harlotry in Moab

”Now Israel remained in Acacia Grove, and the people began to commit harlotry with the women of Moab. They invited the people to the sacrifices of their gods, and the people ate and bowed down to their gods. So Israel was joined to Baal of Peor, and the anger of the Lord was aroused against Israel.

Then the Lord said to Moses, “Take all the leaders of the people and hang the offenders before the Lord, out in the sun, that the fierce anger of the Lord may turn away from Israel.”

So Moses said to the judges of Israel, “Every one of you kill his men who were joined to Baal of Peor.”

And indeed, one of the children of Israel came and presented to his brethren a Midianite woman in the sight of Moses and in the sight of all the congregation of the children of Israel, who were weeping at the door of the tabernacle of meeting. Now when Phinehas the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, saw it, he rose from among the congregation and took a javelin in his hand; and he went after the man of Israel into the tent and thrust both of them through, the man of Israel, and the woman through her body. So the plague was stopped among the children of Israel. And those who died in the plague were twenty-four thousand.

Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying: “Phinehas the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, has turned back My wrath from the children of Israel, because he was zealous with My zeal among them, so that I did not consume the children of Israel in My zeal. Therefore say, ‘Behold, I give to him My covenant of peace; and it shall be to him and his descendants after him a covenant of an everlasting priesthood, because he was zealous for his God, and made atonement for the children of Israel.’ ”

Now the name of the Israelite who was killed, who was killed with the Midianite woman, was Zimri the son of Salu, a leader of a father’s house among the Simeonites. And the name of the Midianite woman who was killed was Cozbi the daughter of Zur; he was head of the people of a father’s house in Midian.

Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying: “Harass the Midianites, and attack them; for they harassed you with their schemes by which they seduced you in the matter of Peor and in the matter of Cozbi, the daughter of a leader of Midian, their sister, who was killed in the day of the plague because of Peor.”

Ah, the Israelites! God’s chosen people. Witnesses of incredible miracles. Recipients of God’s divine protection. Surely, gratitude for all God has done for them will keep them faithful…….WHAT?!?! Are you kidding? Given the opportunity for a good orgy, a bunch of the Israelites are off immediately to do sacrifices to Baal, to eat steak from the sacrificial meat, and to engage in sex with alluring Midianite maidens.

The inspiration for this might have come from Balaam. Although Numbers 24 tells us that Balaam returned home, other sources suggest differently. It’s possible that having failed to succeed in cursing the Israelites, Balaam comes up with another plan that will get him back into favor with King Balak. Wikipedia tells us, “Numbers 25:1–9 describes how Israel engaged in the Heresy of Peor. Numbers 31:16 blames this on Balaam’s advice and because of his culpability in the incident, which resulted in deadly divine judgements against the Israelites who participated, he was eventually killed in a retaliatory battle against Midian in Numbers 31:8.

Deuteronomy 23:3–6 summarizes these incidents, and further states that the Ammonites were associated with the Moabites. Joshua, in his farewell speech, also makes reference to it. With God’s protection taken from him, Balaam is later listed among the Midianites who were killed in revenge for the “matter of Peor”. Joshua 13:22 records that Balaam died “by the sword” during a battle for the Reubenite occupation of Moabite land. Revelation also states that Balaam “taught Balak to cast a stumbling block before the children of Israel.”

This time God isn’t messing around! “Take all the leaders of the people and hang the offenders before the Lord, out in the sun, that the fierce anger of the Lord may turn away from Israel.” While the orgy is still on-going, people are beginning to drop like flies from some kind of plague. If the leaders are not killed promptly, the plague might spread through the entire camp. Spurred on by indignation and zeal for the Lord, Phinehas, Aaron’s grandson, slaughters an Israelite man and his Moabite girlfriend. Since this man was allegedly a leader in Israel, he might have been one of Phinehas’ close friends, but Phinehas proceeds anyway. This sacrificial act helps stop the plague, but not before 24,000 people die.

From a public health standpoint, we might wonder what kind of plague could kill so swiftly. Read some of Rudyard Kipling’s stories from his time in India, and you realize that cholera epidemics can sweep through entire groups within hours. In the book The Secret Garden, the little girl is orphaned because her parents and most of the other people in the house die suddenly from cholera, leaving her alone. Dodgy sanitary conditions and a crowd of drunken people would be a set-up for a cholera outbreak.  Although Balaam’s name never appears in this account, other sources claim he is responsible for inciting the Moabites to invite the Israelites to worship Baal with an orgy. Of course, many of the Israelites probably don’t need much persuading.

APPLICATION: While it’s tempting to criticize the Israelites, how quick are many of us to compromise when temptation offers itself? Temptations come in all sorts of disguises, not necessarily sexual temptations. We know a Catholic priest who chose to be initiated as a traditional diviner as the basis for his doctoral thesis in Anthropology. In this case, it was the lure of secret knowledge that influenced our friend; yet, what did he sacrifice spiritually in the process and to what did he commit himself without realizing it?

How do we avoid temptation and compromise? Pray! Ask God for guidance, and refuse to deceive yourself. James 1:13-15 tells us, “When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He tempt anyone. But each one is tempted when by his own evil desires he is lured away and enticed. Then after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.” Those Israelites who went in for Baal worship probably gave themselves all kinds of excuses. “We’re just being neighborly; besides, what harm could it do?” But they died anyway, indulging in rituals God had strictly forbidden. May God help us, so that we will follow hard after Him all the days of our lives!

PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and for caring for us. Lord, help us to be careful about the temptations that surround us. Thank You for Your promises of guidance. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.

Balaam’s Third Oracle

“And when Balaam saw that it pleased the LORD to bless Israel, he did not resort to sorcery as on previous occasions, but he turned his face toward the wilderness. When Balaam looked up and saw Israel encamped tribe by tribe, the Spirit of God came upon him, and he lifted up an oracle, saying: “This is the prophecy of Balaam son of Beor, the prophecy of a man whose eyes are open, the prophecy of one who hears the words of God, who sees a vision from the Almighty, who bows down with eyes wide open: How beautiful are your tents, O Jacob, your dwellings, O Israel! They spread out like palm groves, like gardens beside a stream, like aloes the LORD has planted, like cedars beside the waters. Water will flow from his buckets, and his seed will have abundant water. His king will be greater than Agag, and his kingdom will be exalted. God brought him out of Egypt with strength like a wild ox, to devour hostile nations and crush their bones, to pierce them with arrows. He crouches, he lies down like a lion; like a lioness, who dares to rouse him? Blessed are those who bless you and cursed are those who curse you.”

Balak Dismisses Balaam

“Then Balak’s anger burned against Balaam, and he struck his hands together and said to Balaam, “I summoned you to curse my enemies, but behold, you have persisted in blessing them these three times. Therefore, flee at once to your home! I said I would richly reward you, but instead the LORD has denied your reward.”

Balaam answered Balak, “Did I not already tell the messengers you sent me that even if Balak were to give me his house full of silver and gold, I could not do anything of my own accord, good or bad, to go beyond the command of the LORD? I will speak whatever the LORD says. Now I am going back to my people, but come, let me warn you what this people will do to your people in the days to come.”

Balaam’s Fourth Oracle

Then Balaam lifted up an oracle, saying, “This is the prophecy of Balaam son of Beor, the prophecy of a man whose eyes are open, the prophecy of one who hears the words of God, who has knowledge from the Most High, who sees a vision from the Almighty, who bows down with eyes wide open: I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near. A star will come forth from Jacob, and a scepter will arise from Israel. He will crush the skulls of Moab and strike down all the sons of Sheth. Edom will become a possession, as will Seir, his enemy; but Israel will perform with valor. A ruler will come from Jacob and destroy the survivors of the city.”

Balaam’s Final Three Oracles

Then Balaam saw Amalek and lifted up an oracle, saying: “Amalek was first among the nations, but his end is destruction.” Next he saw the Kenites and lifted up an oracle, saying: “Your dwelling place is secure, and your nest is set in a cliff. Yet Kain will be destroyed when Asshur (Assyria) takes you captive.” Once more Balaam lifted up an oracle, saying: “Ah, who can live unless God has ordained it? Ships will come from the coasts of Cyprus; they will subdue Asshur and Eber, but they too will perish forever.” Then Balaam arose and returned to his homeland, and Balak also went on his way.”

Balaam is winding up his prophecies and Balak is fed up. “And when Balaam saw that it pleased the LORD to bless Israel, he did not resort to sorcery as on previous occasions, but he turned his face toward the wilderness.” Sorcery? Balaam has been contacting God using sorcery but God has been giving Balaam valid prophecies. God will use anybody at any level when they will let Him. This time, Balaam doesn’t bother with sorcery but turns his face toward the Israelite camp and opens himself to the Spirit of God.

Once more, God gives Balaam a magnificent blessing for Israel. “How beautiful are your tents, O Jacob, your dwellings, O Israel! They spread out like palm groves, like gardens beside a stream, like aloes the LORD has planted, like cedars beside the waters. Water will flow from his buckets, and his seed will have abundant water. His king will be greater than Agag, and his kingdom will be exalted. God brought him out of Egypt with strength like a wild ox, to devour hostile nations and crush their bones, to pierce them with arrows. He crouches, he lies down like a lion; like a lioness, who dares to rouse him? Blessed are those who bless you and cursed are those who curse you.”

Balak is so angry at Balaam that he says, “The Lord has denied you your reward.” “No problem,” says, Balaam. “I’m going home, but before I do, I will tell you what God will do to Moab in the future.” Balaam continues to predict that a ruler will come out of Israel that will destroy Moab. Then Balaam predicts that the Amalekites, the Kenites, and the Assyrians will eventually be destroyed.

APPLICATION: Some people have argued that these predictions must have been added later; however, Moses is credited with writing the Book of Numbers and there is no reason to doubt that these predictions are authentic. After all, Moses has regularly met God face to face and has also received the Ten Commandments at God’s hand. It’s ironic that many of the same people who will try to deride the prophecies in Numbers 24 are more than willing to accept all kinds of theories about ancient aliens visiting earth from other planets, the lost continent of Atlantis, etc.

One fascinating point is this possible reference: ”I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near. A star will come forth from Jacob, and a scepter will arise from Israel. He will crush the skulls of Moab and strike down all the sons of Sheth. Edom will become a possession, as will Seir, his enemy; but Israel will perform with valor. A ruler will come from Jacob and destroy the survivors of the city.”  Is this a prediction about King David or does it concern Jesus the Messiah or does it refer to both? Many of God’s prophecies work on multiple levels. Personally, I feel that God has blessed Balaam by allowing him to give one of the first Messianic prophecies.

What happens to Balaam? We’ll find out the details of Balaam’s fate tomorrow, but it is not a happy one. This man who has received God’s Word and God’s commands on several occasions dies ingloriously. Rather than serving the One True Living God whole-heartedly, Balaam tries to worm his way back into Balak’s good graces with disastrous results. Balaam’s story serves as a reminder that just because God has used us does not mean we cannot fall from grace if we remain disobedient.

PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and for caring for us. Lord, help us never to take You or Your service for granted. Help us to remember that obedience to You and to Your Word must be paramount in our lives. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.

Balaam’s First Oracle

“Then Balaam said to Balak, “Build me seven altars here, and prepare for me seven bulls and seven rams.” So Balak did as Balaam had directed, and Balak and Balaam offered a bull and a ram on each altar.

“Stay here by your burnt offering while I am gone,” Balaam said to Balak. “Perhaps the LORD will meet with me. And whatever He reveals to me, I will tell you.”

So Balaam went off to a barren height, and God met with him. “I have set up seven altars,” Balaam said, “and on each altar I have offered a bull and a ram.” Then the LORD put a message in Balaam’s mouth, saying, “Return to Balak and give him this message.” So he returned to Balak, who was standing there beside his burnt offering, with all the princes of Moab.

And Balaam lifted up an oracle, saying: “Balak brought me from Aram, the king of Moab from the mountains of the east. ‘Come,’ he said, ‘put a curse on Jacob for me; Come and denounce Israel!’ How can I curse what God has not cursed? How can I denounce what the LORD has not denounced? For I see them from atop the rocky cliffs, and I watch them from the hills. Behold, a people dwelling apart, not reckoning themselves among the nations. Who can count the dust of Jacob or number even a fourth of Israel? Let me die the death of the righteous; let my end be like theirs!”

Then Balak said to Balaam, “What have you done to me? I brought you here to curse my enemies, and behold, you have only blessed them!” But Balaam replied, “Should I not speak exactly what the LORD puts in my mouth?”

Balaam’s Second Oracle

Then Balak said to him, “Please come with me to another place where you can see them. You will only see the outskirts of their camp—not all of them. And from there, curse them for me.”

So Balak took him to the field of Zophim, to the top of Pisgah, where he built seven altars and offered a bull and a ram on each altar.

Balaam said to Balak, “Stay here beside your burnt offering while I meet the LORD over there.”

And the LORD met with Balaam and put a message in his mouth, saying, “Return to Balak and speak what I tell you.” So he returned to Balak, who was standing there by his burnt offering with the princes of Moab. “What did the LORD say?” Balak asked. Then Balaam lifted up an oracle, saying: “Arise, O Balak, and listen; give ear to me, O son of Zippor. God is not a man, that He should lie, or a son of man, that He should change His mind. Does He speak and not act? Does He promise and not fulfill? I have indeed received a command to bless; He has blessed, and I cannot change it. He considers no disaster for Jacob; He sees no trouble for Israel.

The LORD their God is with them, and the shout of the King is among them. God brought them out of Egypt with strength like a wild ox. For there is no spell against Jacob and no divination against Israel. It will now be said of Jacob and Israel, ‘What great things God has done!’ Behold, the people rise like a lioness; they rouse themselves like a lion, not resting until they devour their prey and drink the blood of the slain.”

Then Balak said to Balaam, “Neither curse them at all nor bless them at all!” But Balaam replied, “Did I not tell you that whatever the LORD says, I must do?” “Please come,” said Balak, “I will take you to another place. Perhaps it will please God that you curse them for me from there.” And Balak took Balaam to the top of Peor, which overlooks the wasteland. “Build me seven altars here,” Balaam said, “and prepare for me seven bulls and seven rams.” So Balak did as Balaam had instructed, and he offered a bull and a ram on each altar.”

Balak is really frustrated! Here he has brought Balaam at great expense to curse the Israelites, but all Balaam will do is to bless them. When God gives Balaam the first message, Balak is horrified. “How can I curse what God has not cursed? How can I denounce what the LORD has not denounced? For I see them from atop the rocky cliffs, and I watch them from the hills. Behold, a people dwelling apart, not reckoning themselves among the nations. Who can count the dust of Jacob or number even a fourth of Israel? Let me die the death of the righteous; let my end be like theirs!”

Balak sends Balaam to another location where he can only see part of the Israelite camp in hopes that Balaam will now be able to curse them. But God’s next message is a harsh rebuke. ““Arise, O Balak, and listen; give ear to me, O son of Zippor. God is not a man, that He should lie, or a son of man, that He should change His mind. Does He speak and not act? Does He promise and not fulfill? I have indeed

received a command to bless; He has blessed, and I cannot change it. He considers no disaster for Jacob; He sees no trouble for Israel. The LORD their God is with them, and the shout of the King is among them. God brought them out of Egypt with strength like a wild ox. For there is no spell against Jacob and no divination against Israel. It will now be said of Jacob and Israel, ‘What great things God has done!’ Behold, the people rise like a lioness; they rouse themselves like a lion, not resting until they devour their prey and drink the blood of the slain.” At this point, Balak’s reaction is,”Aargh!” As the chapter closes, Balak is moving Balaam into yet a third area, despite God’s rebukes. Balak is a slow learner.

APPLICATION: One popular chorus here in Ghana says, “Who has the final say? Jesus Christ has the final say!” God has the final say, no matter what we might think. Balaam would be happy to satisfy Balak’s demands were it not for God having confronted him on the way to Moab. But God insists on Balaam blessing Israel abundantly.  It’s likely that Balak has already attempted other kinds of witchcraft without any success. But nothing is working.

Witchcraft is real and we fool ourselves if we ignore that reality. But God is also real and His power to protect is still very real. How can we qualify for God’s protection? Obedience to God’s will is the key. When we commit our lives to God and persistently seek His will for our lives, we qualify for His protection. But when we are living and acting in rebellion against God, we have removed ourselves from God’s protection. Rebellion can take several different forms, including rebellion against those in authority above us. 1 Samuel 15:23 tells us that “rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft.”

If we don’t want to become a target of evil, we must be sure to obey God. We served faithfully in one location, only to be refused the opportunity to return there, despite the fact that the local people really wanted us to come back and take up the work. We had to relocate and move all our belongings that we had stored in a container in the village to another location several hundred miles away. We worked in two different places for several years until being invited to return to that remote village. (The parent group couldn’t find any other doctor willing to work there.) God showed us that the only way we would survive would be to repudiate all traces of bitterness over the way we had been treated. For months we quoted Ephesians 4:31-32 several times a day. “ Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.”  This village was a satanic stronghold. Had we failed to reject bitterness, we could have fallen sick or died. Only God and His Word protected us.

PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and caring for us. Lord, help us to obey You at all times so that You can guard and keep us. Thank You for Your powerful protection. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.

Balak Sends for Balaam

“Then the children of Israel moved, and camped in the plains of Moab on the side of the Jordan across from Jericho.

Now Balak the son of Zippor saw all that Israel had done to the Amorites. And Moab was exceedingly afraid of the people because they were many, and Moab was sick with dread because of the children of Israel. So Moab said to the elders of Midian, “Now this company will lick up everything around us, as an ox licks up the grass of the field.” And Balak the son of Zippor was king of the Moabites at that time. Then he sent messengers to Balaam the son of Beor at Pethor, which is near the River in the land of the sons of his people, to call him, saying: “Look, a people has come from Egypt. See, they cover the face of the earth, and are settling next to me! Therefore please come at once, curse this people for me, for they are too mighty for me. Perhaps I shall be able to defeat them and drive them out of the land, for I know that he whom you bless is blessed, and he whom you curse is cursed.”

So the elders of Moab and the elders of Midian departed with the diviner’s fee in their hand, and they came to Balaam and spoke to him the words of Balak. And he said to them, “Lodge here tonight, and I will bring back word to you, as the Lord speaks to me.” So the princes of Moab stayed with Balaam.

Then God came to Balaam and said, “Who are these men with you?” So Balaam said to God, “Balak the son of Zippor, king of Moab, has sent to me, saying, ‘Look, a people has come out of Egypt, and they cover the face of the earth. Come now, curse them for me; perhaps I shall be able to overpower them and drive them out.’ ” And God said to Balaam, “You shall not go with them; you shall not curse the people, for they are blessed.”

So Balaam rose in the morning and said to the princes of Balak, “Go back to your land, for the Lord has refused to give me permission to go with you.” And the princes of Moab rose and went to Balak, and said, “Balaam refuses to come with us.” Then Balak again sent princes, more numerous and more honorable than they. And they came to Balaam and said to him, “Thus says Balak the son of Zippor: ‘Please let nothing hinder you from coming to me; for I will certainly honor you greatly, and I will do whatever you say to me. Therefore please come, curse this people for me.’ ”

Then Balaam answered and said to the servants of Balak, “Though Balak were to give me his house full of silver and gold, I could not go beyond the word of the Lord my God, to do less or more. Now therefore, please, you also stay here tonight, that I may know what more the Lord will say to me.”

And God came to Balaam at night and said to him, “If the men come to call you, rise and go with them; but only the word which I speak to you—that you shall do.” So Balaam rose in the morning, saddled his donkey, and went with the princes of Moab.

Balaam, the Donkey, and the Angel

Then God’s anger was aroused because he went, and the Angel of the Lord took His stand in the way as an adversary against him. And he was riding on his donkey, and his two servants were with him. Now the donkey saw the Angel of the Lord standing in the way with His drawn sword in His hand, and the donkey turned aside out of the way and went into the field. So Balaam struck the donkey to turn her back onto the road. Then the Angel of the Lord stood in a narrow path between the vineyards, with a wall on this side and a wall on that side. And when the donkey saw the Angel of the Lord, she pushed herself against the wall and crushed Balaam’s foot against the wall; so he struck her again. Then the Angel of the Lord went further, and stood in a narrow place where there was no way to turn either to the right hand or to the left. And when the donkey saw the Angel of the Lord, she lay down under Balaam; so Balaam’s anger was aroused, and he struck the donkey with his staff.

Then the Lord opened the mouth of the donkey, and she said to Balaam, “What have I done to you, that you have struck me these three times?” And Balaam said to the donkey, “Because you have abused me. I wish there were a sword in my hand, for now I would kill you!” So the donkey said to Balaam, “Am I not your donkey on which you have ridden, ever since I became yours, to this day? Was I ever disposed to do this to you?” And he said, “No.” Then the Lord opened Balaam’s eyes, and he saw the Angel of the Lord standing in the way with His drawn sword in His hand; and he bowed his head and fell flat on his face. And the Angel of the Lord said to him, “Why have you struck your donkey these three times? Behold, I have come out to stand against you, because your way is perverse before Me. The donkey saw Me and turned aside from Me these three times. If she had not turned aside from Me, surely I would also have killed you by now, and let her live.”

And Balaam said to the Angel of the Lord, “I have sinned, for I did not know You stood in the way against me. Now therefore, if it displeases You, I will turn back.” Then the Angel of the Lord said to Balaam, “Go with the men, but only the word that I speak to you, that you shall speak.” So Balaam went with the princes of Balak.

Now when Balak heard that Balaam was coming, he went out to meet him at the city of Moab, which is on the border at the Arnon, the boundary of the territory. Then Balak said to Balaam, “Did I not earnestly send to you, calling for you? Why did you not come to me? Am I not able to honor you?” And Balaam said to Balak, “Look, I have come to you! Now, have I any power at all to say anything? The word that God puts in my mouth, that I must speak.” So Balaam went with Balak, and they came to Kirjath Huzoth. Then Balak offered oxen and sheep, and he sent some to Balaam and to the princes who were with him.

Balaam’s First Prophecy

So it was, the next day, that Balak took Balaam and brought him up to the high places of Baal, that from there he might observe the extent of the people.”

The name “Baalam” means “destroyer of people.” There have always been people who have known God in some form, and evidently, Balaam, the son of Beor at Pethor, is one of these people. Balaam has been making a profitable business of blessings and cursings. When messengers from King Balak of Moab turn up, Balaam must be rubbing his hands in glee. This is going to be the crowning point of Balaam’s career…..until God tells him, “No.” When Balaam refuses the first time, Balak sends other princes who are richer and more honorable than the first delegation. Notice Balaam’s negotiations: “Though Balak were to give me his house full of silver and gold, I could not go beyond the word of the Lord my God, to do less or more.” This statement is not mere hyperbole; Balaam is actually quoting the price of his services, an entire house full of gold and silver!  

“And God came to Balaam at night and said to him, “If the men come to call you, rise and go with them; but only the word which I speak to you—that you shall do.” So Balaam rose in the morning, saddled his donkey, and went with the princes of Moab.” This part of the story is confusing. God appears to give Balaam permission to go with Balak’s envoys; yet, on the way, God confronts Balaam because He is angry that Balaam has ignored His commands. This might be an example of God’s permissive will, rather than His perfect will. Balaam’s poor little donkey tries to dodge the Angel of the Lord three times until God finally reveals Himself.

God warns Balaam to say ONLY the words God wants him to. Faced with the reality of instant destruction, Balaam gulps and agrees. It’s little wonder that Balaam informs Balak that he can only say whatever God gives him to say. Balak ignores Balaam’s warnings, assuming that he can persuade Balaam to do whatever he wants.

APPLICATION: Can God move someone who is not serving Him to speak His words anyway? Absolutely! During the 1994 Northern Ethnic Conflict in northern Ghana, a godly pastor and his family fled into the bush to save themselves. Entering a small village, the pastor met a village leader who was a fetish priest. After a brief conversation with the pastor, the fetish priest said, “Pastor, we see that you are a man of God. . Stay with us and we will help you find your way through the bush.” Eventually, the fetish priest and his people conducted the pastor and his family to a safe area.

Balaam REALLY wants this commission! If Balaam can fulfill Balak’s demands, he will be set for life. But there’s a small problem; God doesn’t want Balaam to curse the Israelites. Frightened into obedience, Balaam is prepared to deliver God’s blessings. Sadly, Balaam’s story will not have a happy ending. Eventually, Balaam delays his return home for too long and is killed along with the people who have employed him. Balaam would have done better had he stayed home in the first place.

God allows Balaam to go, but this is not God’s perfect will for Balaam. Reading this story, it is easy to forget that God loves Balaam and Balak just as much as He loves the Israelites. “God is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9) The whole mess begins because Balak fears that the Israelites are going to destroy his nation and wants spiritual power to protect it. Were Balak to allow the Israelites to pass and to pay for their food and water, he might  save Moab.

How committed are we to doing God’s will and how many times do we try to do our will in God’s Name? Balaam’s obedience is only partial; he’s still thinking about all that gold and silver he’s going to collect. Many times, we claim to want God’s will; however, our motives are frequently mixed. God knows us better than we know ourselves; we are not deceiving God, but ourselves. Let us truly seek God’s will for our lives and stop playing games.

PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and for caring for us. Lord, help us to follow hard after You all the days of our lives and to truly love You and serve You without playing games. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.

The Defeat of Arad

“When the Canaanite king of Arad, who lived in the Negev, heard that Israel was coming along the road to Atharim, he attacked Israel and captured some prisoners. So Israel made a vow to the LORD: “If You will deliver this people into our hands, we will devote their cities to destruction.” (The Hebrew term refers to giving over things or persons to the LORD, either by destroying them or by giving them as an offering.) And the LORD heard Israel’s plea and delivered up the Canaanites. Israel devoted them and their cities to destruction; so they named the place Hormah (Destruction.)

The Bronze Serpent

Then they set out from Mount Hor along the route to the Red Sea, in order to bypass the land of Edom. But the people grew impatient on the journey and spoke against God and against Moses: “Why have you led us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? There is no bread or water, and we detest this wretched food!”

So the LORD sent venomous snakes among the people, and many of the Israelites were bitten and died.

Then the people came to Moses and said, “We have sinned by speaking against the LORD and against you. Intercede with the LORD to take the snakes away from us.” So Moses interceded for the people.

Then the LORD said to Moses, “Make a fiery serpent and mount it on a pole. When anyone who is bitten looks at it, he will live.” So Moses made a bronze snake and mounted it on a pole. If anyone who was bitten looked at the bronze snake, he would live.

The Journey to Moab

Then the Israelites set out and camped at Oboth. They journeyed from Oboth and camped at Iye-abarim in the wilderness opposite Moab to the east. From there they set out and camped in the Valley of Zered. From there they moved on and camped on the other side of the Arnon, in the wilderness that extends into the Amorite territory.

Now the Arnon is the border between the Moabites and the Amorites. 14Therefore it is stated in the Book of the Wars of the LORD: “Waheb in Suphah and the wadis of the Arnon, seven the slopes of the wadis that extend to the site of Ar and lie along the border of Moab.”

From there they went on to Beer, the well where the LORD said to Moses, “Gather the people so that I may give them water.” Then Israel sang this song: “Spring up, O well, all of you sing to it! The princes dug the well; the nobles of the people hollowed it out with their scepters and with their staffs.”

From the wilderness the Israelites went on to Mattanah, and from Mattanah to Nahaliel, and from Nahaliel to Bamoth, and from Bamoth to the valley in Moab where the top of Pisgah overlooks the wasteland.

The Defeat of Sihon (Deuteronomy 2:24-37) Then Israel sent messengers to Sihon king of the Amorites, saying, “Let us pass through your land. We will not cut through any field or vineyard, or drink water from any well. We will stay on the King’s Highway until we have passed through your territory.”

But Sihon would not let Israel pass through his territory. Instead, he gathered his whole army and went out to confront Israel in the wilderness. When he came to Jahaz, he fought against Israel. And Israel put him to the sword and took possession of his land, from the Arnon to the Jabbok—but only up to the border of the Ammonites, because it was fortified.

Israel captured all the cities of the Amorites and occupied them, including Heshbon and all its villages. Heshbon was the city of Sihon king of the Amorites, who had fought against the former king of Moab and taken all his land as far as the Arnon. That is why the poets say: “Come to Heshbon, let it be rebuilt;

let the city of Sihon be restored. For a fire went out from Heshbon, a blaze from the city of Sihon. It consumed Ar of Moab, the rulers of Arnon’s heights. Woe to you, O Moab! You are destroyed, O people of Chemosh! He gave up his sons as refugees, and his daughters into captivity to Sihon king of the Amorites. But we have overthrown them; Heshbon is destroyed as far as Dibon. We demolished them as far as Nophah, which reaches to Medeba.”

The Defeat of Og (Deuteronomy 3:1-11)

So Israel lived in the land of the Amorites. After Moses had sent spies to Jazer, Israel captured its villages and drove out the Amorites who were there. Then they turned and went up the road to Bashan, and Og king of Bashan marched out against them with his whole army to do battle at Edrei. But the LORD said to Moses, “Do not fear him, for I have delivered him into your hands, with all his people and his land. Do to him as you did to Sihon king of the Amorites, who lived in Heshbon.”

So they struck down Og, along with his sons and his whole army, until no remnant was left. And they took possession of his land.”

One slogan much beloved by citizens of Texas is “Don’t mess with Texas!” In this case, the slogan should read “Don’t mess with God’s people!” The Canaanites in the Negev try and their cities are destroyed. Such a victory should encourage the Israelites to trust God, right? Um, no. Ignoring this latest miracle, the Israelites are griping again. “Why have you led us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? There is no bread or water, and we detest this wretched food!”  YIPES! What a bunch of whiners! Notice the Israelites aren’t going hungry; they are just bored with manna. Moses has recently forfeited his chance to enter the Promised Land while God has miraculously supplied water gushing out of a rock, but hey! That was yesterday. Moses, what are you going to do today?

This time God deals with the gripers by sending venomous snakes in that bite them so they die. How do these snakes know which people to bite? Perhaps these snakes respond to the evil in people’s hearts. Those people who are not complaining are safe while those who are complaining put themselves at risk for death by snakebite. After watching friends and neighbors die, the elders come to Moses, “Um, maybe we have made a small mistake. Ask God to take the snakes away.” When Moses asks God for advice, God orders Moses to create a bronze serpent and mount it on a tall pole so that anyone bitten by a snake can look at the image of the serpent. God’s healing power will then flow to that person and they will live. Notice that God does not immediately remove the snakes.

The Israelites continue to journey to a place called Beer, or well. This time, all the Israelites sing to the water and God causes it to spring up. Perhaps the elders tap into an underground river or aquifer with their staffs. At any rate, the Israelites have water again. The chapter concludes with the Israelites defeating the Amorites and the citizens of Bashan under King Og. Og is one of the giants, a fact that is mentioned elsewhere because his huge bedstead is kept as a reminder. (Deuteronomy 3:11 “Og king of Bashan was the last of the Rephaites. His bed was decorated with iron and was more than nine cubits long and four cubits wide. It is still in Rabbah of the Ammonites.”)

APPLICATION: Proverbs 15:15 tells us, “All the days of the oppressed are wretched, but the cheerful heart has a continual feast.” Now we see why God has allowed Moses to spend forty years herding sheep; the Israelites are every bit as willfully stupid as any sheep can possibly be! Why send venomous serpents to bite the ungrateful? Ingratitude is as deadly as the venom from any snake ever known. Ungrateful people always stir up problems with others, spreading their unhappiness. Nothing good can come from complaining.

Why has God ordered Moses to create a bronze serpent on a pole? Sadly, this serpent will receive the name “Nehushtan” and will become an idol for many Israelites. But God has a greater purpose. This serpent is a hint of what will happen to Jesus Christ. The story is found in John 3. Nicodemus, a Jewish religious ruler and a sincere seeker after God, visits Jesus at night to avoid criticism by his fellow religious leaders. Jesus tells Nicodemus, “ And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.” (John 3:14-17)

During the attack of venomous snakes, those who were bitten and who looked at the image of the snake on the pole were healed. Those who thought they could cope on their own died. Nothing has changed. None of us can do sufficient good deeds to earn our way into heaven. Only Jesus and His sacrifice on the cross at Calvary can save us from our sins. We have two choices: Look at Jesus and live or turn our heads away and die in our sins. The choice is yours; choose wisely!

PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and for caring for us. Lord, help all who read these words to look to Jesus for salvation and healing. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus we pray with thanksgiving. Amen.

Moses’ Error at Kadesh

“Then the children of Israel, the whole congregation, came into the Wilderness of Zin in the first month, and the people stayed in Kadesh; and Miriam died there and was buried there. Now there was no water for the congregation; so they gathered together against Moses and Aaron. And the people contended with Moses and spoke, saying: “If only we had died when our brethren died before the Lord! Why have you brought up the assembly of the Lord into this wilderness, that we and our animals should die here? And why have you made us come up out of Egypt, to bring us to this evil place? It is not a place of grain or figs or vines or pomegranates; nor is there any water to drink.” So Moses and Aaron went from the presence of the assembly to the door of the tabernacle of meeting, and they fell on their faces. And the glory of the Lord appeared to them.

Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, “Take the rod; you and your brother Aaron gather the congregation together. Speak to the rock before their eyes, and it will yield its water; thus you shall bring water for them out of the rock, and give drink to the congregation and their animals.” So Moses took the rod from before the Lord as He commanded him.

And Moses and Aaron gathered the assembly together before the rock; and he said to them, “Hear now, you rebels! Must we bring water for you out of this rock?” Then Moses lifted his hand and struck the rock twice with his rod; and water came out abundantly, and the congregation and their animals drank.

Then the Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron, “Because you did not believe Me, to hallow Me in the eyes of the children of Israel, therefore you shall not bring this assembly into the land which I have given them. “This was the water of Meribah (Contention), because the children of Israel contended with the Lord, and He was hallowed among them.

Passage Through Edom Refused

Now Moses sent messengers from Kadesh to the king of Edom. “Thus says your brother Israel: ‘You know all the hardship that has befallen us, how our fathers went down to Egypt, and we dwelt in Egypt a long time, and the Egyptians afflicted us and our fathers. When we cried out to the Lord, He heard our voice and sent the Angel and brought us up out of Egypt; now here we are in Kadesh, a city on the edge of your border. Please let us pass through your country. We will not pass through fields or vineyards, nor will we drink water from wells; we will go along the King’s Highway; we will not turn aside to the right hand or to the left until we have passed through your territory.’ ”

Then Edom said to him, “You shall not pass through my land, lest I come out against you with the sword.” So the children of Israel said to him, “We will go by the Highway, and if I or my livestock drink any of your water, then I will pay for it; let me only pass through on foot, nothing more.” Then he said, “You shall not pass through.” So Edom came out against them with many men and with a strong hand. Thus Edom refused to give Israel passage through his territory; so Israel turned away from him.

Death of Aaron

Now the children of Israel, the whole congregation, journeyed from Kadesh and came to Mount Hor. And the Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron in Mount Hor by the border of the land of Edom, saying: “Aaron shall be gathered to his people, for he shall not enter the land which I have given to the children of Israel, because you rebelled against My word at the water of Meribah. Take Aaron and Eleazar his son, and bring them up to Mount Hor; and strip Aaron of his garments and put them on Eleazar his son; for Aaron shall be gathered to his people and die there.” So Moses did just as the Lord commanded, and they went up to Mount Hor in the sight of all the congregation. Moses stripped Aaron of his garments and put them on Eleazar his son; and Aaron died there on the top of the mountain. Then Moses and Eleazar came down from the mountain. Now when all the congregation saw that Aaron was dead, all the house of Israel mourned for Aaron thirty days.”

Poor Moses and Aaron! The Israelites are at it again! The Israelites have camped at Kadesh, where Miriam, Moses,’ and Aaron’s sister, dies. But there’s another water crisis. Last time, God ordered Moses to strike the rock and water would gush out. This time God orders Moses to SPEAK to the rock, indicating a higher degree of trust in God’s provision. Earlier, we learned that Moses is the most humble man in all the earth; however, even the meekest man in all the earth has a breaking point, and Moses has reached his. Moses demands, “Hear now, you rebels! Must we bring water for you out of this rock?” Even though Aaron doesn’t say anything, he still agrees with Moses. The upshot of this mistake is that both Moses and Aaron lose the chance to enter the Promised Land.

The nation of Edom has its origins in Esau, Jacob’s brother. As distant relatives, the Edomites should be willing to help the Israelites, but they refuse, even though the Israelites promise to pay for everything and to remain on the King’s Highway. Centuries later, this mistake will prove the undoing of the Edomites. Then the Israelites move on to Mount Hor, where Aaron dies. Before Aaron dies, God orders Moses to strip Aaron’s priestly robes and place them on Eleazer, his son.

APPLICATION: James 1:19-20 tells us, “Let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.”  No matter how patient we might think we are, Moses’ failure at Kadesh demonstrates that even the most humble among us may still lose it if sufficiently provoked. When we lose our tempers, we hand those around us the chance to take advantage of us and manipulate us. When angry, we may readily say things we will bitterly regret later. We may lash out unreasonably, hurting those we love the most.

Today’s story is a terribly sad one. Moses has done so well for so many years. Moses has faced all kinds of rebellions, food and water crises, and continual death threats from the very people whom he has led out of Egypt. Even though Moses’ brother Aaron is a smooth talker, he is a weakling with all the backbone of a limp noodle. When the going gets tough, Aaron can be spotted by the dust cloud raised by his feet as he runs away. The only One on whom Moses can truly rely is God. But the stress has been building and this time, Moses finally loses his patience. Little does Moses realize that he will also lose his opportunity to enter the Promised Land.  

How well do most of us handle stress? The Perceived Stress Scale is a widely used measuring tool for determining cumulative stress in one’s life. The tool involves a variety of questions regarding stressful events with scores being assigned depending on the degree of stress one has faced. Had the PSS existed when Moses and Aaron were alive, their stress points would have been astronomical. Several years ago, we attended a training on missionary stress shortly after weathering a small tribal war. Our stress points were through the roof.

Could Moses have avoided his failure? Who knows? It’s likely that we don’t even know all the horrible things the Israelites have pulled against Moses and Aaron. Would any of us have done any better? Highly unlikely! The first time the Israelites began whining, we might have been willing to let them go back to slavery in Egypt.

What can we learn from this chapter? No matter how faithful we are, no matter how patiently we behave, any of us can have a bad day and lose not only our tempers but also a chance to enter the Promised Land. May God help us to trust Him and to confide our stresses in Him!

 PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and for caring for us. Lord, help us to trust You when things become stressful and let You handle the stress instead of us. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.