Be sure to know the true God of our worship is the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Be not snared by Satan and turn aside to worship false gods. Follow Jesus' example Who turned to the Word of God when Satan tempted Him (Matthew 4:10). The good of God's Word overcame the evil of Satan.
On Halloween be extra vigilant of what might be lurking out there. Let the only ghost you embrace for a permanent abode be the Holy Ghost!
Saturday, October 30, 2010
Friday, October 29, 2010
God Wants Our All
One of the ten commandments found in Deuteronomy 5:7 is 'Thou shalt have none other gods before me.' We find in Deuteronomy 10:12,13 that God requires us to fear Him, "...to walk in all [H]is ways, and to love [H]im, and to serve [H]im with all [our] heart and all [our] soul[.]" We are to "[t]ake heed to [ourselves], that [our] heart be not deceived, and [we] turn aside, and serve other gods, and worship them" (Deuteronomy 11:16) [.]
Today we have so many things fighting for our attention. We have to be cautious of anything that causes our heart to be lifted up and directs our attention away from God. God wants us to give Him our all! God wants all of our sights set on Him!
Today we have so many things fighting for our attention. We have to be cautious of anything that causes our heart to be lifted up and directs our attention away from God. God wants us to give Him our all! God wants all of our sights set on Him!
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Stay Grounded in God's Word
God's Word to Israel in Deuteronomy 8:11-13, 18,19 runs parallel to Jesus' parable in Matthew 13:7,8,22,23. In both situations, God wants His children to serve Him and not to be deceived by the riches of this world. When we are grounded in God's Word, we are fruitful in serving Him as opposed to being unfruitful and serving other gods.
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Always Keep God First
We must always keep God first in our lives lest we think too highly of ourselves and turn from Him. Deuteronomy 8 is a lesson for us as we travel through our wilderness. Whether we believe or not, God is to be given the credit for all in our life "...for [H]e maketh [H]is sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust" (Matthew 5:45). The believer can rest in knowing that "...all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to [H]is purpose" (Romans 8:28).
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Downsize the High Thoughts
Here is a New Testament verse for you to think upon in relation to yesterday's blog entry: "For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith" (Romans 12:3--KJV).
Monday, October 25, 2010
Moses Speaks to Israel
Moses let the children of Israel know in Deuteronomy 9:4 that the people who dwell in the Promised Land were being driven out by God because of their wickedness and not because of Israel's righteousness. Moses says to Israel, "Speak not thou in thine heart, after that the Lord thy God hath cast them out from before thee, saying, For my righteousness the Lord hath brought me into possess this land: but for the wickedness of these nations the Lord doth drive them out from before thee."
Maybe in reading Moses' words you will take a closer look inward at yourself as well as a closer look outward. Your look inward to possibly steer from self-righteousness. Your look outward to see God's work in your life.
Maybe in reading Moses' words you will take a closer look inward at yourself as well as a closer look outward. Your look inward to possibly steer from self-righteousness. Your look outward to see God's work in your life.
Saturday, October 23, 2010
God Shares
Behold, the heaven and the heaven of heavens is the Lord's thy God, the earth also, with all that therein is. --Deuteronomy 10:14
Friday, October 22, 2010
Laws Delivered by Moses
A search of the Book of Deuteronomy (KJV):
In Deuteronomy, Moses delivered the laws of God to the children of Israel before turning leadership over to Joshua. Moses was only allowed to view the Promised Land from a distance because he trespassed against the Lord in the wilderness (32:51,52). More specifically, Moses had failed to sanctify the Lord in Israel's presence (32:51).
"And the Lord said unto him, This is the land which I sware unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, saying, I will give it unto thy seed: I have caused thee to see it with thine eyes, but thou shalt not go over thither. So Moses the servant of the Lord died there in the Land of Moab, according to the word of the Lord. And he buried him in a valley in the land of Moab, over against Bethpeor: but no man knoweth of his sepulchre unto this day. And Moses was an hundred and twenty years old when he died: his eye was not dim, nor his natural force abated. And the children of Israel wept for Moses in the plains of Moab thirty days: so the days of weeping and mourning for Moses were ended" (34:4-8).
"And Joshua the son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom; for Moses had laid his hands upon him: and the children of Israel hearkened unto him, and did as the Lord commanded Moses. And there arose not a prophet since in Israel like unto Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face, In all the signs and the wonders, which the Lord sent him to do in the land of Egypt ot Pharaoh, and to all his servants, and to all his land, And in all that mighty hand, and in all the great terror which Moses shewed in the sight of all Israel" (34:9-12).
In Deuteronomy, Moses delivered the laws of God to the children of Israel before turning leadership over to Joshua. Moses was only allowed to view the Promised Land from a distance because he trespassed against the Lord in the wilderness (32:51,52). More specifically, Moses had failed to sanctify the Lord in Israel's presence (32:51).
"And the Lord said unto him, This is the land which I sware unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, saying, I will give it unto thy seed: I have caused thee to see it with thine eyes, but thou shalt not go over thither. So Moses the servant of the Lord died there in the Land of Moab, according to the word of the Lord. And he buried him in a valley in the land of Moab, over against Bethpeor: but no man knoweth of his sepulchre unto this day. And Moses was an hundred and twenty years old when he died: his eye was not dim, nor his natural force abated. And the children of Israel wept for Moses in the plains of Moab thirty days: so the days of weeping and mourning for Moses were ended" (34:4-8).
"And Joshua the son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom; for Moses had laid his hands upon him: and the children of Israel hearkened unto him, and did as the Lord commanded Moses. And there arose not a prophet since in Israel like unto Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face, In all the signs and the wonders, which the Lord sent him to do in the land of Egypt ot Pharaoh, and to all his servants, and to all his land, And in all that mighty hand, and in all the great terror which Moses shewed in the sight of all Israel" (34:9-12).
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Unfinished Matters Before Canaan
A search of Numbers 33 through 36 (KJV):
Chapter 33 reviewed the points of travel of the children of Israel from beginning to just before they entered Canaan.
Chapter 34 described the borders of Canaan. The Lord assigned the task of dividing the Promised Land to Eleazar, the priest, Joshua, the son of Nun and one prince from each of the remaining tribes (34:17,18). The names of the princes with their tribes in parentheses were as follows: Caleb (Judah), Shemuel (Simeon), Elidad (Benjamin), Bukki (Dan), Hanniel (Manasseh), Kemuel (Ephraim), Elizaphan (Zebulun), Paltiel (Issachar), Ahihud (Asher) and Pedahel (Naphtali) (34:19-28).
In chapter 35, Moses was commanded to have the children of Israel to give of their inheritance to the Levites (35:2). Israel was to give them cities in which to live and suburbs for their cattle, beasts and goods (35:2,3). In all, the Levites were to be given forty-eight cities with their suburbs (35:7). Six of these cities were to be used for refuge purposes for Israel or strangers or sojourners involved somehow in killing any person (35:6,15). The killer was to stay in refuge until judged by the congregation (35:12). God dwelled among the children of Israel and did not want the land defiled by bloodshed (35:34).
In chapter 36, the Lord worked through Moses to clear up concerns among Israel about the daughters of Zelophehad. Moses said, "This is the thing which the Lord doth command concerning the daughters of Zelophehad, saying, Let them marry to whom they think best; only to the family of the tribe of their father shall they marry. So shall not the inheritance of the children of Israel remove from tribe to tribe: for every one of the children of Israel shall keep himself to the inheritance of the tribe of his fathers. And every daughter, that possesseth an inheritance in any tribe of the children of Israel, shall be wife unto one of the family of the tribe of her father, that the children of Israel may enjoy every man the inheritance of his fathers. Neither shall the inheritance remove from one tribe to another tribe; but every one of the tribes of the children of Israel shall keep himself to his own inheritance" (36:6-9).
"Even as the Lord commanded Moses, so did the daughters of Zelophehad: For Mahlah, Tirzah, and Hoglah, and Milcah, and Noah, the daughters of Zelophehad, were married unto their father's brothers' sons: And they were married into the families of the sons of Manasseh the son of Joseph, and their inheritance remained in the tribe of the family of their father. These are the commandements and the judgments, which the Lord commanded by the hand of Moses unto the children of Israel in the plains of Moab by Jordan near Jericho" (36:10-13).
Chapter 33 reviewed the points of travel of the children of Israel from beginning to just before they entered Canaan.
Chapter 34 described the borders of Canaan. The Lord assigned the task of dividing the Promised Land to Eleazar, the priest, Joshua, the son of Nun and one prince from each of the remaining tribes (34:17,18). The names of the princes with their tribes in parentheses were as follows: Caleb (Judah), Shemuel (Simeon), Elidad (Benjamin), Bukki (Dan), Hanniel (Manasseh), Kemuel (Ephraim), Elizaphan (Zebulun), Paltiel (Issachar), Ahihud (Asher) and Pedahel (Naphtali) (34:19-28).
In chapter 35, Moses was commanded to have the children of Israel to give of their inheritance to the Levites (35:2). Israel was to give them cities in which to live and suburbs for their cattle, beasts and goods (35:2,3). In all, the Levites were to be given forty-eight cities with their suburbs (35:7). Six of these cities were to be used for refuge purposes for Israel or strangers or sojourners involved somehow in killing any person (35:6,15). The killer was to stay in refuge until judged by the congregation (35:12). God dwelled among the children of Israel and did not want the land defiled by bloodshed (35:34).
In chapter 36, the Lord worked through Moses to clear up concerns among Israel about the daughters of Zelophehad. Moses said, "This is the thing which the Lord doth command concerning the daughters of Zelophehad, saying, Let them marry to whom they think best; only to the family of the tribe of their father shall they marry. So shall not the inheritance of the children of Israel remove from tribe to tribe: for every one of the children of Israel shall keep himself to the inheritance of the tribe of his fathers. And every daughter, that possesseth an inheritance in any tribe of the children of Israel, shall be wife unto one of the family of the tribe of her father, that the children of Israel may enjoy every man the inheritance of his fathers. Neither shall the inheritance remove from one tribe to another tribe; but every one of the tribes of the children of Israel shall keep himself to his own inheritance" (36:6-9).
"Even as the Lord commanded Moses, so did the daughters of Zelophehad: For Mahlah, Tirzah, and Hoglah, and Milcah, and Noah, the daughters of Zelophehad, were married unto their father's brothers' sons: And they were married into the families of the sons of Manasseh the son of Joseph, and their inheritance remained in the tribe of the family of their father. These are the commandements and the judgments, which the Lord commanded by the hand of Moses unto the children of Israel in the plains of Moab by Jordan near Jericho" (36:10-13).
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Reuben and Gad Prefer Land Before Canaan
A search of Numbers 32 (KJV):
The children of Reuben and the children of Gad preferred to have their inheritance of land given on the side of the Jordan before crossing into the Promised Land. They found that land to be a place for their cattle, so they approached Moses and Eleazar, the priest, about their wishes. The servants said to Moses and Eleazar, "if we have found grace in thy sight, let this land be given unto thy servants for a possession, and bring us not over Jordan" (32:5).
Moses felt that the children of Israel might be discouraged if the children of Reuben and the children of Gad did not go to war into the Promised Land (32:6,7). God would, therefore, become angry and keep Israel wandering in the wilderness with all of them doomed because of the children of Reuben and the children of Gad (32:15).
Instead of promoting discouragement, the children of Reuben and the children of Gad agreed to go armed before Israel into Canaan and would only return to their claim of inheritance after Israel was given theirs (32:17,18). "And Moses said unto them, If ye will do this thing, if ye will go armed before the Lord to war, and will go all of you armed over Jordan before the Lord, until he hath driven out his enemies from before him, And the land be subdued before the Lord: then afterward ye shall return, and be guiltless before the Lord, and before Israel; and this land shall be your possession before the Lord. But if ye will not do so, behold, ye have sinned against the Lord: and be sure your sin will find you out" (32:20-23).
"And the children of Gad and the children of Reuben answered, saying, As the Lord hath said unto thy servants, so will we do. We will pass over armed before the Lord into the land of Canaan, that the possession of our inheritance on this side of Jordan may be ours" (32:31,32).
"And Moses gave unto them, even to the children of Gad, and to the children of Reuben, and unto half the tribe of Manasseh the son of Joseph, the kingdom of Sihon king of the Amorites, and the kingdom of Og king of Bashan, the land, with the cities of the country round about. And the children of Gad built Dibon, and Ataroth, and Aroer, And Atroth, Shophan, and Jaazer, and Jogbehah, And Bethnimrah, and Bethharan, fenced cities: and folds for sheep" (32:33-36).
"And the children of Reuben built Heshbon, and Elealeh, and Kirjathaim, And Nebo, and Baalmeon, (their names being changed,) and Shibmah: and gave other names unto the cities which they builded" (32:37,38).
"And the children of Machir the son of Manasseh went to Gilead, and took it, and dispossessed the Amorite which was in it. And Moses gave Gilead unto Machir the son of Manasseh; and he dwelt therein. And Jair the son of Manasseh went and took the small towns thereof, and called them Havothjair. And Nobah went and took Kenath, and the villages thereof, and called it Nobah, after his own name" (32:39-42).
The children of Reuben and the children of Gad preferred to have their inheritance of land given on the side of the Jordan before crossing into the Promised Land. They found that land to be a place for their cattle, so they approached Moses and Eleazar, the priest, about their wishes. The servants said to Moses and Eleazar, "if we have found grace in thy sight, let this land be given unto thy servants for a possession, and bring us not over Jordan" (32:5).
Moses felt that the children of Israel might be discouraged if the children of Reuben and the children of Gad did not go to war into the Promised Land (32:6,7). God would, therefore, become angry and keep Israel wandering in the wilderness with all of them doomed because of the children of Reuben and the children of Gad (32:15).
Instead of promoting discouragement, the children of Reuben and the children of Gad agreed to go armed before Israel into Canaan and would only return to their claim of inheritance after Israel was given theirs (32:17,18). "And Moses said unto them, If ye will do this thing, if ye will go armed before the Lord to war, and will go all of you armed over Jordan before the Lord, until he hath driven out his enemies from before him, And the land be subdued before the Lord: then afterward ye shall return, and be guiltless before the Lord, and before Israel; and this land shall be your possession before the Lord. But if ye will not do so, behold, ye have sinned against the Lord: and be sure your sin will find you out" (32:20-23).
"And the children of Gad and the children of Reuben answered, saying, As the Lord hath said unto thy servants, so will we do. We will pass over armed before the Lord into the land of Canaan, that the possession of our inheritance on this side of Jordan may be ours" (32:31,32).
"And Moses gave unto them, even to the children of Gad, and to the children of Reuben, and unto half the tribe of Manasseh the son of Joseph, the kingdom of Sihon king of the Amorites, and the kingdom of Og king of Bashan, the land, with the cities of the country round about. And the children of Gad built Dibon, and Ataroth, and Aroer, And Atroth, Shophan, and Jaazer, and Jogbehah, And Bethnimrah, and Bethharan, fenced cities: and folds for sheep" (32:33-36).
"And the children of Reuben built Heshbon, and Elealeh, and Kirjathaim, And Nebo, and Baalmeon, (their names being changed,) and Shibmah: and gave other names unto the cities which they builded" (32:37,38).
"And the children of Machir the son of Manasseh went to Gilead, and took it, and dispossessed the Amorite which was in it. And Moses gave Gilead unto Machir the son of Manasseh; and he dwelt therein. And Jair the son of Manasseh went and took the small towns thereof, and called them Havothjair. And Nobah went and took Kenath, and the villages thereof, and called it Nobah, after his own name" (32:39-42).
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
War Booty Distributed
A search of Numbers 31:25-54 (KJV):
The booty collected in the war with the Midianites--persons, beeves, asses and sheeps--was commanded by God to be divided between those of Israel who participated in the war and the remainder of the congregation of Israel (31:25,27). The men who went to battle were to give of their half to Eleazar, the priest, as a tribute to be a heave offering to the Lord (31:28,29). The others were to give of their half to the Levites who were responsible for the tabernacle (31:30). Moses and Eleazar did as they were commanded with counts of the booty conducted and divided accordingly (31:31-47).
"And the officers which were over thousands of the host, the captains of thousands, and captains of hundreds, came near unto Moses: And they said unto Moses, Thy servants have taken the sum of the men of war which are under our charge, and there lacketh not one man of us. We have therefore brought an [offering] for the Lord, what every man hath gotten, of jewels of gold, chains, and bracelets, rings, earrings, and tablets, to make an atonement for our souls before the Lord" (31:48-50).
"And Moses and Eleazar the priest took the gold of them, even all wrought jewels. And all the gold of the offering that they offered up to the Lord, of the captains of thousands, and of the captains of hundreds, was sixteen thousand seven hundred and fifty shekels. (For the men of war had taken spoil, every man for himself.) And Moses and Eleazar the priest took the gold of the captains of thousands and of hundreds, and brought it into the tabernacle of the congregation, for a memorial for the children of Israel before the Lord" (31:51-54).
The booty collected in the war with the Midianites--persons, beeves, asses and sheeps--was commanded by God to be divided between those of Israel who participated in the war and the remainder of the congregation of Israel (31:25,27). The men who went to battle were to give of their half to Eleazar, the priest, as a tribute to be a heave offering to the Lord (31:28,29). The others were to give of their half to the Levites who were responsible for the tabernacle (31:30). Moses and Eleazar did as they were commanded with counts of the booty conducted and divided accordingly (31:31-47).
"And the officers which were over thousands of the host, the captains of thousands, and captains of hundreds, came near unto Moses: And they said unto Moses, Thy servants have taken the sum of the men of war which are under our charge, and there lacketh not one man of us. We have therefore brought an [offering] for the Lord, what every man hath gotten, of jewels of gold, chains, and bracelets, rings, earrings, and tablets, to make an atonement for our souls before the Lord" (31:48-50).
"And Moses and Eleazar the priest took the gold of them, even all wrought jewels. And all the gold of the offering that they offered up to the Lord, of the captains of thousands, and of the captains of hundreds, was sixteen thousand seven hundred and fifty shekels. (For the men of war had taken spoil, every man for himself.) And Moses and Eleazar the priest took the gold of the captains of thousands and of hundreds, and brought it into the tabernacle of the congregation, for a memorial for the children of Israel before the Lord" (31:51-54).
Monday, October 18, 2010
Israel Battles Midianites
A search of Numbers 31:1-24 (KJV):
God commanded Moses to arm one thousand of the children of Israel from each tribe for a total of twelve thousand to go to war against the Midianites (31:1-5). After the war, Moses was then to gather to his people (31:2). "And Moses sent them to war, a thousand of every tribe, them and Phinehas the son of Eleazar the priest, to the war, with the holy instruments, and the trumpets to blow in his hand. And they warred against the Midianites, as the Lord commanded Moses; and they slew all the males. And they slew the kings of Midian, beside the rest of them that were slain; namely, Evi, and Rekem, and Zur, and Hur, and Reba, five kings of Midian: Balaam also the son of Beor they slew with the sword" (31:6-8).
"And the children of Israel took all the women of Midian captives, and their little ones, and took the spoil of all their cattle, and all their flocks, and all their goods. And they burnt all their cities wherein they dwelt, and all their goodly castles, with fire. And they took all the spoil, and all the prey, both of men and of beasts. And they brought the captives, and the prey, and the spoil, unto Moses, and Eleazar the priest, and unto the congregation of the children of Israel, unto the camp at the plains of Moab, which are by Jordan near Jericho" (31:9-12)
"And Moses, and Eleazar the priest, and all the princes of the congregation, went forth to meet them [outside] the camp. And Moses was [angry] with the officers of the host, with the captains over thousands, and captains over hundreds, which came from the battle" (31:13,14).
"And Moses said unto them, Have ye saved all the women alive? Behold, these caused the children of Israel, through the counsel of Balaam, to commit trespass against the Lord in the matter of Peor, and there was a plague among the congregation of the Lord. Now therefore kill every male among the little ones, and kill every woman that hath known man by lying with him. But all the women children, that have not known a man by lying with him, keep alive for yourselves" (31:15-18).
"And do ye abide [outside] the camp seven days: whosoever hath killed any person , and whosoever hath touched any slain, purify both yourselves and your captives on the third day, and on the seventh day. And purify all you raiment, and all that is made of skins, and all work of goats' hair, and all things made of wood" (31:19,20).
"And Eleazar the priest said unto the men of war which went to the battle, This is the ordinance of the law which the Lord commanded Moses; Only the gold, and the silver, the brass, the iron the tin, and the lead, Every thing that may abide the fire, ye shall make it go through the fire, and it shall be clean: nevertheless it shall be purified with the water of separation: and all that abideth not the fire ye shall make go through the water. And ye shall wash your clothes on the seventh day, and ye shall be clean, and afterward ye shall come into the camp" (31:21-24).
God commanded Moses to arm one thousand of the children of Israel from each tribe for a total of twelve thousand to go to war against the Midianites (31:1-5). After the war, Moses was then to gather to his people (31:2). "And Moses sent them to war, a thousand of every tribe, them and Phinehas the son of Eleazar the priest, to the war, with the holy instruments, and the trumpets to blow in his hand. And they warred against the Midianites, as the Lord commanded Moses; and they slew all the males. And they slew the kings of Midian, beside the rest of them that were slain; namely, Evi, and Rekem, and Zur, and Hur, and Reba, five kings of Midian: Balaam also the son of Beor they slew with the sword" (31:6-8).
"And the children of Israel took all the women of Midian captives, and their little ones, and took the spoil of all their cattle, and all their flocks, and all their goods. And they burnt all their cities wherein they dwelt, and all their goodly castles, with fire. And they took all the spoil, and all the prey, both of men and of beasts. And they brought the captives, and the prey, and the spoil, unto Moses, and Eleazar the priest, and unto the congregation of the children of Israel, unto the camp at the plains of Moab, which are by Jordan near Jericho" (31:9-12)
"And Moses, and Eleazar the priest, and all the princes of the congregation, went forth to meet them [outside] the camp. And Moses was [angry] with the officers of the host, with the captains over thousands, and captains over hundreds, which came from the battle" (31:13,14).
"And Moses said unto them, Have ye saved all the women alive? Behold, these caused the children of Israel, through the counsel of Balaam, to commit trespass against the Lord in the matter of Peor, and there was a plague among the congregation of the Lord. Now therefore kill every male among the little ones, and kill every woman that hath known man by lying with him. But all the women children, that have not known a man by lying with him, keep alive for yourselves" (31:15-18).
"And do ye abide [outside] the camp seven days: whosoever hath killed any person , and whosoever hath touched any slain, purify both yourselves and your captives on the third day, and on the seventh day. And purify all you raiment, and all that is made of skins, and all work of goats' hair, and all things made of wood" (31:19,20).
"And Eleazar the priest said unto the men of war which went to the battle, This is the ordinance of the law which the Lord commanded Moses; Only the gold, and the silver, the brass, the iron the tin, and the lead, Every thing that may abide the fire, ye shall make it go through the fire, and it shall be clean: nevertheless it shall be purified with the water of separation: and all that abideth not the fire ye shall make go through the water. And ye shall wash your clothes on the seventh day, and ye shall be clean, and afterward ye shall come into the camp" (31:21-24).
Saturday, October 16, 2010
Offerings and Statutes Commanded
A search of Numbers 28, 29 and 30 (KJV):
In chapters 28 and 29, God spoke to Moses about the offerings that the children of Israel were to offer to Him in their due season (28:1). Chapter 30 concerned vows to the Lord. The statutes in this chapter commanded to Moses by the Lord were "...between a man and his wife, between the father and his daughter, being yet in her youth in her father's house" (30:16).
In chapters 28 and 29, God spoke to Moses about the offerings that the children of Israel were to offer to Him in their due season (28:1). Chapter 30 concerned vows to the Lord. The statutes in this chapter commanded to Moses by the Lord were "...between a man and his wife, between the father and his daughter, being yet in her youth in her father's house" (30:16).
Friday, October 15, 2010
Joshua Given Charge of Congregation
Numbers 27:12-23 (KJV):
"And the Lord said unto Moses, Get thee up into this mount Abarim, and see the land which I have given unto the children of Israel. And when thou hast seen it, thou also shalt be gathered unto thy people, as Aaron thy brother was gathered. For ye rebelled against my commandment in the desert of Zin, in the strife of the congregation, to sanctify me at the water before their eyes: that is the water of Meribah in Kadesh in the wilderness of Zin." (27:12-14).
"And Moses spake unto the Lord, saying, Let the Lord, the God of the spirits of all flesh, set a man over the congregation, Which may go out before them, and which may go in before them, and which may lead them out, and which may bring them in; that the congregation of the Lord be not as sheep which have no shepherd" (27:15-17).
"And the Lord said unto Moses, Take thee Joshua the son of Nun, a man in whom is the spirit, and lay thine hand upon him; And set him before Eleazar the priest, and before all the congregation; and give him a charge in their sight. And thou shalt put some of thine honour upon him, that all the congregation of the children of Israel may be obedient. And he shall stand before Eleazar the priest, who shall ask counsel for him after the judgment of Urim before the Lord: at his word shall they go out, and at his word they shall come in, both he, and all the children of Israel with him, even all the congregation" (27:18-21).
"And Moses did as the Lord commanded him: and he took Joshua, and set him before Eleazar the priest, and before all the congregation: And he laid his hands upon him, and gave him a charge, as the Lord commanded by the hand of Moses" (27:22,23).
"And the Lord said unto Moses, Get thee up into this mount Abarim, and see the land which I have given unto the children of Israel. And when thou hast seen it, thou also shalt be gathered unto thy people, as Aaron thy brother was gathered. For ye rebelled against my commandment in the desert of Zin, in the strife of the congregation, to sanctify me at the water before their eyes: that is the water of Meribah in Kadesh in the wilderness of Zin." (27:12-14).
"And Moses spake unto the Lord, saying, Let the Lord, the God of the spirits of all flesh, set a man over the congregation, Which may go out before them, and which may go in before them, and which may lead them out, and which may bring them in; that the congregation of the Lord be not as sheep which have no shepherd" (27:15-17).
"And the Lord said unto Moses, Take thee Joshua the son of Nun, a man in whom is the spirit, and lay thine hand upon him; And set him before Eleazar the priest, and before all the congregation; and give him a charge in their sight. And thou shalt put some of thine honour upon him, that all the congregation of the children of Israel may be obedient. And he shall stand before Eleazar the priest, who shall ask counsel for him after the judgment of Urim before the Lord: at his word shall they go out, and at his word they shall come in, both he, and all the children of Israel with him, even all the congregation" (27:18-21).
"And Moses did as the Lord commanded him: and he took Joshua, and set him before Eleazar the priest, and before all the congregation: And he laid his hands upon him, and gave him a charge, as the Lord commanded by the hand of Moses" (27:22,23).
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Daughters Take Stand for Inheritance
A search of Numbers 27:1-11 (KJV):
Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah and Tirzah were "...the daughters of Zelophehad, the son of Hepher, the son of Gilead, the son of Machir, the son of Manasseh, of the families of Mannasseh the son of Joseph..." who "...stood before Moses, and before Eleazar the priest, and before the princes and all the congregation, by the door of the tabernacle of the congregation..." to claim their inheritance because their father had died in the wilderness without any sons (27:1-4). The daughters said, "Why should the name of our father be done away from among his family, because he hath no son? Give unto us therefore a possession among the brethren of our father" (27:4).
"And Moses brought their cause before the Lord. And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, The daughters of Zelophehad speak right: thou shalt surely give them a possession of an inheritance among their father's brethren; and thou shalt cause the inheritance of their father to pass unto them. And thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel, saying, If a man die, and have no son, then ye shall cause his inheritance to pass unto his daughter. And if he have no daughter, then ye shall give his inheritance unto his brethren. And if he have no brethren, then ye shall give his inheritance unto his father's brethren. And if his father have no brethern, then ye shall give his inheritance unto his kinsman that is next to him of his family, and he shall possess it: and it shall be unto the children of Israel a statute of judgment, as the Lord commanded Moses" (27:5-11).
Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah and Tirzah were "...the daughters of Zelophehad, the son of Hepher, the son of Gilead, the son of Machir, the son of Manasseh, of the families of Mannasseh the son of Joseph..." who "...stood before Moses, and before Eleazar the priest, and before the princes and all the congregation, by the door of the tabernacle of the congregation..." to claim their inheritance because their father had died in the wilderness without any sons (27:1-4). The daughters said, "Why should the name of our father be done away from among his family, because he hath no son? Give unto us therefore a possession among the brethren of our father" (27:4).
"And Moses brought their cause before the Lord. And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, The daughters of Zelophehad speak right: thou shalt surely give them a possession of an inheritance among their father's brethren; and thou shalt cause the inheritance of their father to pass unto them. And thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel, saying, If a man die, and have no son, then ye shall cause his inheritance to pass unto his daughter. And if he have no daughter, then ye shall give his inheritance unto his brethren. And if he have no brethren, then ye shall give his inheritance unto his father's brethren. And if his father have no brethern, then ye shall give his inheritance unto his kinsman that is next to him of his family, and he shall possess it: and it shall be unto the children of Israel a statute of judgment, as the Lord commanded Moses" (27:5-11).
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
New Census Taken
A search of Numbers 26 (KJV):
After the plague, God commanded Moses and Eleazar, Aaron's priestly son, to take a census of all members of Israel who were twenty years and older and able for war (26:1,2). Moses and Eleazar did as they were commanded (26:3). When the count was complete, there were six hundred one thousand seven hundred thirty children of Israel (26:51).
Now that the count was complete, God said to Moses that the land was to be divided amongst Israel for their inheritance (26:53). According to the Lord, the division was to take place as follows: "To many thou shalt give the more inheritance, and to few thou shalt give the less inheritance: to every one shall his inheritance be given according to those that were numbered of him. Notwithstanding the land shall be divided by lot: according to the names of the tribes of their fathers they shall inherit. According to the lot shall the possession thereof be divided between many and few" (26:54-56).
Moses and Eleazar also took a census of the male Levites who were one month and older (26:62). This count was separate from that of the children of Israel since the Levites were not included in the inheritance (26:62). In all, there were twenty-three thousand counted (26:62).
"These are they that were numbered by Moses and Eleazar the priest, who numbered the children of Israel in the plains of Moab by Jordan near Jericho. But among these there was not a man of them whom Moses and Aaron the priest numbered, when they numbered the children of Israel in the wilderness of Sinai. For the Lord had said of them, They shall surely die in the wilderness. And there was not left a man of them, [except] Caleb the son of Jephunneh, and Joshua the son of Nun" (26:63-65).
After the plague, God commanded Moses and Eleazar, Aaron's priestly son, to take a census of all members of Israel who were twenty years and older and able for war (26:1,2). Moses and Eleazar did as they were commanded (26:3). When the count was complete, there were six hundred one thousand seven hundred thirty children of Israel (26:51).
Now that the count was complete, God said to Moses that the land was to be divided amongst Israel for their inheritance (26:53). According to the Lord, the division was to take place as follows: "To many thou shalt give the more inheritance, and to few thou shalt give the less inheritance: to every one shall his inheritance be given according to those that were numbered of him. Notwithstanding the land shall be divided by lot: according to the names of the tribes of their fathers they shall inherit. According to the lot shall the possession thereof be divided between many and few" (26:54-56).
Moses and Eleazar also took a census of the male Levites who were one month and older (26:62). This count was separate from that of the children of Israel since the Levites were not included in the inheritance (26:62). In all, there were twenty-three thousand counted (26:62).
"These are they that were numbered by Moses and Eleazar the priest, who numbered the children of Israel in the plains of Moab by Jordan near Jericho. But among these there was not a man of them whom Moses and Aaron the priest numbered, when they numbered the children of Israel in the wilderness of Sinai. For the Lord had said of them, They shall surely die in the wilderness. And there was not left a man of them, [except] Caleb the son of Jephunneh, and Joshua the son of Nun" (26:63-65).
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Israel Strays in Shittim
A search of Numbers 25 (KJV):
In Numbers 25, Israel dwelled in Shittim and participated in whoredom with the daughters of Moab; bowed down to their gods and joined Baalpeor (25:1, 2,3). These actions made God angry and He dealt with the people through Moses (25:3,4,5).
"And, behold, one of the children of Israel came and brought unto his brethren a Midianitish woman in the sight of Moses, and in the sight of all the congregation of the children of Israel, who were weeping before the door of the tabernacle of the congregation. And when Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, saw it, he rose up 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 belly. So the plague was stayed from the children of Israel. And those that died in the plague were twenty and four thousand" (25:6-9).
"And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, hath turned my wrath away from the children of Israel, while he was zealous for my sake among them, that I consumed not the children of Israel in my jealousy. Wherefore say, Behold, I give unto him my covenant of peace: And he shall have it, and his seed after him, even the covenant of an everlasting priesthood; because he was zealous for his God, and made an atonement for the children of Israel" (25:10-13).
"Now the name of the Israelite that was slain, even that was slain with the Midianitish woman, was Zimri, the son of Salu, a prince of a chief house among the Simeonites. And the name of the Midianitish woman that was slain was Cozbi, the daughter of Zur; he was head over a people, and of a chief house in Midian" (25:14,15).
"And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, Vex the Midianites, and smite them: For they vex you with their wiles, wherewith they have beguiled you in the matter of Peor, and in the matter of Cozbi, the daughter of a prince of Midian, their sister, which was slain in the day of the plague for Peor's sake" (25:16-18).
In Numbers 25, Israel dwelled in Shittim and participated in whoredom with the daughters of Moab; bowed down to their gods and joined Baalpeor (25:1, 2,3). These actions made God angry and He dealt with the people through Moses (25:3,4,5).
"And, behold, one of the children of Israel came and brought unto his brethren a Midianitish woman in the sight of Moses, and in the sight of all the congregation of the children of Israel, who were weeping before the door of the tabernacle of the congregation. And when Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, saw it, he rose up 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 belly. So the plague was stayed from the children of Israel. And those that died in the plague were twenty and four thousand" (25:6-9).
"And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, hath turned my wrath away from the children of Israel, while he was zealous for my sake among them, that I consumed not the children of Israel in my jealousy. Wherefore say, Behold, I give unto him my covenant of peace: And he shall have it, and his seed after him, even the covenant of an everlasting priesthood; because he was zealous for his God, and made an atonement for the children of Israel" (25:10-13).
"Now the name of the Israelite that was slain, even that was slain with the Midianitish woman, was Zimri, the son of Salu, a prince of a chief house among the Simeonites. And the name of the Midianitish woman that was slain was Cozbi, the daughter of Zur; he was head over a people, and of a chief house in Midian" (25:14,15).
"And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, Vex the Midianites, and smite them: For they vex you with their wiles, wherewith they have beguiled you in the matter of Peor, and in the matter of Cozbi, the daughter of a prince of Midian, their sister, which was slain in the day of the plague for Peor's sake" (25:16-18).
Monday, October 11, 2010
God Delivers Parables to Balaam
A search of Numbers 24 (KJV):
The spirit of God was upon Balaam to deliver the parable-richness of this chapter. The parables expressed blessings as well as prophecy for Israel (24:5-9; 24:14-24).
Balak became angry at Balaam for blessing Israel three times because he had wanted them to be cursed (24:10). In the end, however, good overcame evil with Balaam standing firm with God (24:13). Balaam was not enticed by Balak's promotions of honor (24:11). Balaam and Balak parted ways (24:25).
Personal note: Be sure to search the blessings and prophecies set forth in parables in this chapter!
The spirit of God was upon Balaam to deliver the parable-richness of this chapter. The parables expressed blessings as well as prophecy for Israel (24:5-9; 24:14-24).
Balak became angry at Balaam for blessing Israel three times because he had wanted them to be cursed (24:10). In the end, however, good overcame evil with Balaam standing firm with God (24:13). Balaam was not enticed by Balak's promotions of honor (24:11). Balaam and Balak parted ways (24:25).
Personal note: Be sure to search the blessings and prophecies set forth in parables in this chapter!
Saturday, October 9, 2010
More Attempts to Curse Israel
A search of Numbers 23 (KJV):
The theme throughout this chapter was that of the blessing or cursing of Israel. Balak brought Balaam to Moab to curse Israel; however, God had previously made it known to Balaam that Israel was blessed, so he could not curse them (22:12; 23:7). In his Words from God, Balaam asked, "How shall I curse, when God hath not cursed? or how shall I defy whom the Lord hath not defied" (23:8)?
"And Balak said unto Balaam, What hast thou done unto me? I took thee to curse mine enemies, and, behold, thou hast blessed them altogether. And he answered and said, Must I not take heed to speak that which the Lord hath put in my mouth" (23:11,12)? Even after Balaam said this, Balak attempted to entice him to curse Israel from atop Pisgah (23:14).
Upon Pisgah, God delivered more parables through Balaam for Balak to hear (23:16). These were the Words of God: "God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good? Behold, I have received commandment to bless: and he hath blessed; and I cannot reverse it. He hath not beheld iniquity in Jacob, neither hath he seen perverseness in Israel: the Lord his God is with him, and the shout of a king is among them. God brought them out of Egypt; he hath as it were the strength of an unicorn. Surely there is no enchantment against Jacob, neither is there any divination against Israel: according to this time it shall be said of Jacob and of Israel, What hath God wrought! Behold, the people shall rise up as a great lion, and lift up himself as a young lion: he shall not lie down until he eat of the prey, and drink the blood of the slain" (23:19-24).
Even with these Words of God, Balak was adamant about working through Balak to change God's mind to curse Israel. Balak brought Balaam to the top of Peor for another attempt (23:27,28).
Personal question: Have you noticed the persistent darkness of Balak?
The theme throughout this chapter was that of the blessing or cursing of Israel. Balak brought Balaam to Moab to curse Israel; however, God had previously made it known to Balaam that Israel was blessed, so he could not curse them (22:12; 23:7). In his Words from God, Balaam asked, "How shall I curse, when God hath not cursed? or how shall I defy whom the Lord hath not defied" (23:8)?
"And Balak said unto Balaam, What hast thou done unto me? I took thee to curse mine enemies, and, behold, thou hast blessed them altogether. And he answered and said, Must I not take heed to speak that which the Lord hath put in my mouth" (23:11,12)? Even after Balaam said this, Balak attempted to entice him to curse Israel from atop Pisgah (23:14).
Upon Pisgah, God delivered more parables through Balaam for Balak to hear (23:16). These were the Words of God: "God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good? Behold, I have received commandment to bless: and he hath blessed; and I cannot reverse it. He hath not beheld iniquity in Jacob, neither hath he seen perverseness in Israel: the Lord his God is with him, and the shout of a king is among them. God brought them out of Egypt; he hath as it were the strength of an unicorn. Surely there is no enchantment against Jacob, neither is there any divination against Israel: according to this time it shall be said of Jacob and of Israel, What hath God wrought! Behold, the people shall rise up as a great lion, and lift up himself as a young lion: he shall not lie down until he eat of the prey, and drink the blood of the slain" (23:19-24).
Even with these Words of God, Balak was adamant about working through Balak to change God's mind to curse Israel. Balak brought Balaam to the top of Peor for another attempt (23:27,28).
Personal question: Have you noticed the persistent darkness of Balak?
Friday, October 8, 2010
God Intervenes with Miracles
A search of Numbers 22:22-41 (KJV):
God had agreed in verse twenty to allow Balaam to go with the princes of Moab if they called him to go with them. In the morning, however, when Balaam went with the princes, God became angry (22:22). Why did God become angry although he had agreed to let Balaam go? God's anger occurred because of perverseness that had developed in the way of Balaam (22:32).
God worked through His angel to correct Balaam which could have resulted in his death had it not been for the donkey's sight into the angelic realm. Three times the donkey turned away from the angel to save Balaam. Three times Balaam beat the donkey.
It was when the Lord opened Balaam's eyes to the angel's presence that Balaam realized his sin: sin in his heart for his pervert way; sin for beating the animal (22:32). The angel allowed Balaam to continue to Moab under the condition that only the word spoken by the angel was the word to be spoken by Balaam (22:35).
When Balaam arrived in Moab, he exalted the Word of God above the temporal offer of Balak: "And Balak said unto Balaam, Did I not earnestly send unto thee to call thee? wherefore camest thou not unto me? am I not able indeed to promote thee to honour? And Balaam said unto Balak, Lo, I am come unto thee: have I now any power at all to say any thing? the work that God putteth in my mouth, that shall I speak" (22:37,38). The chapter closed with what seemed to be another enticing move by Balak toward Balaam with the 'high places of Baal' where 'he might see the utmost part of the people' (22:41).
Personal note: Be cautious of Satan's subtile ways!
God had agreed in verse twenty to allow Balaam to go with the princes of Moab if they called him to go with them. In the morning, however, when Balaam went with the princes, God became angry (22:22). Why did God become angry although he had agreed to let Balaam go? God's anger occurred because of perverseness that had developed in the way of Balaam (22:32).
God worked through His angel to correct Balaam which could have resulted in his death had it not been for the donkey's sight into the angelic realm. Three times the donkey turned away from the angel to save Balaam. Three times Balaam beat the donkey.
It was when the Lord opened Balaam's eyes to the angel's presence that Balaam realized his sin: sin in his heart for his pervert way; sin for beating the animal (22:32). The angel allowed Balaam to continue to Moab under the condition that only the word spoken by the angel was the word to be spoken by Balaam (22:35).
When Balaam arrived in Moab, he exalted the Word of God above the temporal offer of Balak: "And Balak said unto Balaam, Did I not earnestly send unto thee to call thee? wherefore camest thou not unto me? am I not able indeed to promote thee to honour? And Balaam said unto Balak, Lo, I am come unto thee: have I now any power at all to say any thing? the work that God putteth in my mouth, that shall I speak" (22:37,38). The chapter closed with what seemed to be another enticing move by Balak toward Balaam with the 'high places of Baal' where 'he might see the utmost part of the people' (22:41).
Personal note: Be cautious of Satan's subtile ways!
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Israel Camps in Moab
A search of Numbers 22:1-21 (KJV):
The children of Israel journeyed on in the wilderness setting up camp 'in the plains of Moab on this side Jordan by Jericho' (22:1). Now, the Moabites of the land were distressed because of all the children of Israel in their land (22:3). The Moabites' King Balak had seen what Israel had done to the Amorites; therefore, he sought help from Balaam, Beor's son, who lived in Pethor "...by the river of the land of the children of his people" (22:2,5).
King Balak knew of Balaam's power to bless and to curse others, so he requested, through the elders of Moab and Midian, for Balaam to curse the children of Israel so that perhaps he could drive them out of the land (22:6,7). Balaam was a man of God who had the elders to lodge with him while he waited for word from God about what to do (22:8). "And God came unto Balaam, and said, What men are these with thee" (22:9)? Balaam explained Balak's request through the elder messengers (22:10,11). "And God said unto Balaam, Thou shalt not go with them; thou shalt not curse the people: for they are blessed" (22:12).
Morning came with Balaam telling the 'princes of Balak' to return to their land that God refused to let him go with them (22:13). "And the princes of Moab rose up, and they went unto Balak, and said, Balaam refuseth to come with us"(22:14).
"And Balak sent yet again princes, more, and more honourable than they. And they came to Balaam, and said to him, Thus saith Balak the son of Zippor, Let nothing, I pray thee, hinder thee from coming unto me: For I will promote thee unto very great honour, and I will do whatsoever thou sayest unto me: come therefore, I pray thee, curse me this people" (22:15-17).
Balaam then replied, "If Balak would give me his house full of silver and gold, I cannot go beyond the word of the Lord my God, to do less or more" (22:18). Balaam exemplified a true man of God who did not place worldly riches above the Word of God.
Continuing to wait upon the Lord, Balaam said, "Now therefore, I pray you, tarry ye also here this night, that I may know that the Lord will say unto me more. And God came unto Balaam at night, and said unto him, If the men come to call thee, rise up, and go with them; but yet the word which I shall say unto thee, that shalt thou do. And Balaam rose up in the morning, and saddled his ass, and went with the princes of Moab" (22:19-21).
God's Hand in the Matter: Clearly Balaam waited for God before he acted. In waiting for God's hand in the matter, Balaam discovered the children of Israel were blessed. We learned that Balaam would not do more or less than the Word of God! God's hand was with Balaam! God's hand was with Israel!
The children of Israel journeyed on in the wilderness setting up camp 'in the plains of Moab on this side Jordan by Jericho' (22:1). Now, the Moabites of the land were distressed because of all the children of Israel in their land (22:3). The Moabites' King Balak had seen what Israel had done to the Amorites; therefore, he sought help from Balaam, Beor's son, who lived in Pethor "...by the river of the land of the children of his people" (22:2,5).
King Balak knew of Balaam's power to bless and to curse others, so he requested, through the elders of Moab and Midian, for Balaam to curse the children of Israel so that perhaps he could drive them out of the land (22:6,7). Balaam was a man of God who had the elders to lodge with him while he waited for word from God about what to do (22:8). "And God came unto Balaam, and said, What men are these with thee" (22:9)? Balaam explained Balak's request through the elder messengers (22:10,11). "And God said unto Balaam, Thou shalt not go with them; thou shalt not curse the people: for they are blessed" (22:12).
Morning came with Balaam telling the 'princes of Balak' to return to their land that God refused to let him go with them (22:13). "And the princes of Moab rose up, and they went unto Balak, and said, Balaam refuseth to come with us"(22:14).
"And Balak sent yet again princes, more, and more honourable than they. And they came to Balaam, and said to him, Thus saith Balak the son of Zippor, Let nothing, I pray thee, hinder thee from coming unto me: For I will promote thee unto very great honour, and I will do whatsoever thou sayest unto me: come therefore, I pray thee, curse me this people" (22:15-17).
Balaam then replied, "If Balak would give me his house full of silver and gold, I cannot go beyond the word of the Lord my God, to do less or more" (22:18). Balaam exemplified a true man of God who did not place worldly riches above the Word of God.
Continuing to wait upon the Lord, Balaam said, "Now therefore, I pray you, tarry ye also here this night, that I may know that the Lord will say unto me more. And God came unto Balaam at night, and said unto him, If the men come to call thee, rise up, and go with them; but yet the word which I shall say unto thee, that shalt thou do. And Balaam rose up in the morning, and saddled his ass, and went with the princes of Moab" (22:19-21).
God's Hand in the Matter: Clearly Balaam waited for God before he acted. In waiting for God's hand in the matter, Balaam discovered the children of Israel were blessed. We learned that Balaam would not do more or less than the Word of God! God's hand was with Balaam! God's hand was with Israel!
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Israel Defeats Sihon and Og
Numbers 21:21-35 (KJV):
21) And Israel sent messengers unto Sihon king of the Amorites, saying,
22) Let me pass through thy land: we will not turn into the fields, or into the vineyards; we will not drink of the waters of the well: but we will go along by the king's high way, until we be past thy borders.
23) And Sihon would not suffer Israel to pass through his border: but Sihon gathered all his people together, and went out against Israel into the wilderness: and he came to Jahaz, and fought against Israel.
24) And Israel smote him with the edge of the sword, and possessed his land from Arnon unto Jabbok, even unto the children of Ammon: for the border of the children of Ammon was strong.
25) And Israel took all these cities: and Israel dwelt in all the cities of the Amorites, in Heshbon, and in all the villages thereof.
26) For Heshbon was the city of Sihon the king of the Amorites, who had fought against the former king of Moab, and taken all his land out of his hand, even unto Arnon.
27) Wherefore they that speak in proverbs say, Come into Heshbon, let the city of Sihon be built and prepared:
28) For there is a fire gone out of Heshbon, a flame from the city of Sihon: it hath consumed Ar of Moab, and the lords of the high places of Arnon.
29) Woe to thee, Moab! thou art undone, O people of Chemosh: he had given his sons that escaped, and his daughters, into captivity unto Sihon king of the Amorites.
30) We have shot at them; Heshbon is perished even unto Dibon, and we have laid them waste even unto Nophah, which reacheth unto Medeba.
31) Thus Israel dwelt in the land of the Amorites.
32) And Moses sent to spy out Jaazer, and they took the villages thereof, and drove out the Amorites that were there.
33) And they turned and went up to the way of Bashan: and Og the king of Bashan went out against them, he, and all his people, to the battle at Edrei.
34) And the Lord said unto Moses, Fear him not: for I have delivered him into thy hand, and all his people, and his land; and thou shalt do to him as thou didst unto Sihon king of the Amorites, which dwelt at Heshbon.
35) So they smote him, and his sons, and all his people, until there was none left him alive: and they possessed his land.
21) And Israel sent messengers unto Sihon king of the Amorites, saying,
22) Let me pass through thy land: we will not turn into the fields, or into the vineyards; we will not drink of the waters of the well: but we will go along by the king's high way, until we be past thy borders.
23) And Sihon would not suffer Israel to pass through his border: but Sihon gathered all his people together, and went out against Israel into the wilderness: and he came to Jahaz, and fought against Israel.
24) And Israel smote him with the edge of the sword, and possessed his land from Arnon unto Jabbok, even unto the children of Ammon: for the border of the children of Ammon was strong.
25) And Israel took all these cities: and Israel dwelt in all the cities of the Amorites, in Heshbon, and in all the villages thereof.
26) For Heshbon was the city of Sihon the king of the Amorites, who had fought against the former king of Moab, and taken all his land out of his hand, even unto Arnon.
27) Wherefore they that speak in proverbs say, Come into Heshbon, let the city of Sihon be built and prepared:
28) For there is a fire gone out of Heshbon, a flame from the city of Sihon: it hath consumed Ar of Moab, and the lords of the high places of Arnon.
29) Woe to thee, Moab! thou art undone, O people of Chemosh: he had given his sons that escaped, and his daughters, into captivity unto Sihon king of the Amorites.
30) We have shot at them; Heshbon is perished even unto Dibon, and we have laid them waste even unto Nophah, which reacheth unto Medeba.
31) Thus Israel dwelt in the land of the Amorites.
32) And Moses sent to spy out Jaazer, and they took the villages thereof, and drove out the Amorites that were there.
33) And they turned and went up to the way of Bashan: and Og the king of Bashan went out against them, he, and all his people, to the battle at Edrei.
34) And the Lord said unto Moses, Fear him not: for I have delivered him into thy hand, and all his people, and his land; and thou shalt do to him as thou didst unto Sihon king of the Amorites, which dwelt at Heshbon.
35) So they smote him, and his sons, and all his people, until there was none left him alive: and they possessed his land.
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Israel Travels and Sings
A search of Numbers 21:10-20:
These verses mention Israel's travels from place to place through the Wilderness. They came to "...the stream of the brooks that goeth down to the dwelling of Ar, and lieth upon the border of Moab. And from thence they went to Beer: that is the well whereof the Lord spake unto Moses, Gather the people together, and I will give them water. Then Israel sang this song, Spring up, O well; sing ye unto it: The princes digged the well, the nobles of the people digged it, by the direction of the lawgiver, with their staves" (21:15-18).
From there, Israel traveled from place to place all the way to "...Bamoth in the valley, that is in the country of Moab, to the top of Pisgah, which looketh toward Jeshimon" (21:20).
Personal note: After the previous complaints, it is certainly pleasing to witness in the Word of God that Israel was singing.
These verses mention Israel's travels from place to place through the Wilderness. They came to "...the stream of the brooks that goeth down to the dwelling of Ar, and lieth upon the border of Moab. And from thence they went to Beer: that is the well whereof the Lord spake unto Moses, Gather the people together, and I will give them water. Then Israel sang this song, Spring up, O well; sing ye unto it: The princes digged the well, the nobles of the people digged it, by the direction of the lawgiver, with their staves" (21:15-18).
From there, Israel traveled from place to place all the way to "...Bamoth in the valley, that is in the country of Moab, to the top of Pisgah, which looketh toward Jeshimon" (21:20).
Personal note: After the previous complaints, it is certainly pleasing to witness in the Word of God that Israel was singing.
Monday, October 4, 2010
Israel Approached God Two Different Ways
A search of Numbers 21:1-9:
King Arad, a Canaanite, who lived in the south "...heard tell that Israel came by the way of the spies; then he fought against Israel, and took some of them prisoners" (21:1). Then, Israel turned to God for help. They vowed to God in an acceptable manner which resulted in a favorable outcome for Israel--the Canaanites were delivered by God which resulted in the destruction of them along with their cities (21:2,3). Israel had worked in cooperation with God.
Israel left the area called Mount Hor and traveled by 'way of the Red Sea' around the land of Edom which discouraged them (21:4). They complained against God and Moses, "Wherefore have ye brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? for there is no bread, neither is there any water; and our soul loatheth this light bread" (21:5).
"And the Lord sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people; and much people of Israel died" (21:6).
"Therefore the people came to Moses, and said, We have sinned, for we have spoken against the Lord, and against thee; pray unto the Lord, that he take away the serpents from us. And Moses prayed for the people" (21:7).
"And the Lord said unto Moses, Make thee a fiery serpent, and set it upon a pole: and it shall come to pass, that every one that is bitten, when he looketh upon it, shall live" (21:8).
"And Moses made a serpent of brass, and put it upon a pole, and it came to pass, that if a serpent had bitten any man, when he beheld the serpent of brass, he lived" (21:9).
Two ways of approaching God were exemplified by Israel in these verses. "Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of the spirits, and live" (Hebrews 12:9)? Which way do you choose to approach God?
King Arad, a Canaanite, who lived in the south "...heard tell that Israel came by the way of the spies; then he fought against Israel, and took some of them prisoners" (21:1). Then, Israel turned to God for help. They vowed to God in an acceptable manner which resulted in a favorable outcome for Israel--the Canaanites were delivered by God which resulted in the destruction of them along with their cities (21:2,3). Israel had worked in cooperation with God.
Israel left the area called Mount Hor and traveled by 'way of the Red Sea' around the land of Edom which discouraged them (21:4). They complained against God and Moses, "Wherefore have ye brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? for there is no bread, neither is there any water; and our soul loatheth this light bread" (21:5).
"And the Lord sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people; and much people of Israel died" (21:6).
"Therefore the people came to Moses, and said, We have sinned, for we have spoken against the Lord, and against thee; pray unto the Lord, that he take away the serpents from us. And Moses prayed for the people" (21:7).
"And the Lord said unto Moses, Make thee a fiery serpent, and set it upon a pole: and it shall come to pass, that every one that is bitten, when he looketh upon it, shall live" (21:8).
"And Moses made a serpent of brass, and put it upon a pole, and it came to pass, that if a serpent had bitten any man, when he beheld the serpent of brass, he lived" (21:9).
Two ways of approaching God were exemplified by Israel in these verses. "Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of the spirits, and live" (Hebrews 12:9)? Which way do you choose to approach God?
Saturday, October 2, 2010
Israel Complains to Moses
A search of Numbers 20:
All of the children of Israel journeyed into the desert of Zin and made Kadesh their temporary home (20:1). Kadesh was the location where Miriam died and was buried (20:1).
Again, the children of Israel complained to Moses about having traveled out of Egypt--"And wherefore have ye made us to come up out of Egypt, to bring us in unto this evil place? it is no place of seed, or of figs, or of vines, or of pomegranates; neither is there any water to drink"(20:5).
Moses and Aaron went to the Lord for the people (20:6). "And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, "Take the rod, and gather thou the assembly together, thou, and Aaron thy brother, and speak ye unto the rock before their eyes; and it shall give forth his water, and thou shalt bring forth to them water out of the rock: so thou shalt give the congregation and their beasts drink"" (20:7,8). Moses did as the Lord commanded and there was an abundant supply of water from the rock for the congregation and their animals (20:11).
"And the Lord spake unto Moses and Aaron, Because ye believed me not, to sanctify me in the eyes of the children of Israel, therefore ye shall not bring this congregation into the land which I have given them. This is the water of Meribah; because the children of Israel strove with the Lord, and he was sanctified in them" (20:12,13).
After making futile requests to the King of Edom to pass through his borders, Moses and Israel traveled from Kadesh to Mount Hor (20:14-22). "And the Lord spake unto Moses and Aaron in mount Hor, by the coast of the land of Edom, saying, Aaron shall be gathered unto his people: for he shall not enter into the land which I have given unto the children of Israel, because ye rebelled against my word at the water of Meribah. Take Aaron and Eleazar his son, and bring them up unto mount Hor: And strip Aaron of his garments, and put them upon Eleazar his son: and Aaron shall be gathered unto his people, and shall die there" (20:23-26).
"And Moses did as the Lord commanded: and they went up into mount Hor in the sight of all the congregation. And Moses stripped Aaron of his garments, and put them upon Eleazar his son; and Aaron died there in the top of the mount: and Moses and Eleazar came down from the mount. And when all the congregation saw that Aaron was dead, they mourned for Aaron thirty days, even all the house of Israel" (20:27-29).
Personal note: Why complain about our condition? God, in His Holiness, wants us to approach Him reverently in faithful prayer for our needs. Of course, the children of Israel had Moses and Aaron to approach the Lord on their behalf. You can witness their reverent approach to God in the words of verse 6. God's glory appeared to them!
All of the children of Israel journeyed into the desert of Zin and made Kadesh their temporary home (20:1). Kadesh was the location where Miriam died and was buried (20:1).
Again, the children of Israel complained to Moses about having traveled out of Egypt--"And wherefore have ye made us to come up out of Egypt, to bring us in unto this evil place? it is no place of seed, or of figs, or of vines, or of pomegranates; neither is there any water to drink"(20:5).
Moses and Aaron went to the Lord for the people (20:6). "And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, "Take the rod, and gather thou the assembly together, thou, and Aaron thy brother, and speak ye unto the rock before their eyes; and it shall give forth his water, and thou shalt bring forth to them water out of the rock: so thou shalt give the congregation and their beasts drink"" (20:7,8). Moses did as the Lord commanded and there was an abundant supply of water from the rock for the congregation and their animals (20:11).
"And the Lord spake unto Moses and Aaron, Because ye believed me not, to sanctify me in the eyes of the children of Israel, therefore ye shall not bring this congregation into the land which I have given them. This is the water of Meribah; because the children of Israel strove with the Lord, and he was sanctified in them" (20:12,13).
After making futile requests to the King of Edom to pass through his borders, Moses and Israel traveled from Kadesh to Mount Hor (20:14-22). "And the Lord spake unto Moses and Aaron in mount Hor, by the coast of the land of Edom, saying, Aaron shall be gathered unto his people: for he shall not enter into the land which I have given unto the children of Israel, because ye rebelled against my word at the water of Meribah. Take Aaron and Eleazar his son, and bring them up unto mount Hor: And strip Aaron of his garments, and put them upon Eleazar his son: and Aaron shall be gathered unto his people, and shall die there" (20:23-26).
"And Moses did as the Lord commanded: and they went up into mount Hor in the sight of all the congregation. And Moses stripped Aaron of his garments, and put them upon Eleazar his son; and Aaron died there in the top of the mount: and Moses and Eleazar came down from the mount. And when all the congregation saw that Aaron was dead, they mourned for Aaron thirty days, even all the house of Israel" (20:27-29).
Personal note: Why complain about our condition? God, in His Holiness, wants us to approach Him reverently in faithful prayer for our needs. Of course, the children of Israel had Moses and Aaron to approach the Lord on their behalf. You can witness their reverent approach to God in the words of verse 6. God's glory appeared to them!
Friday, October 1, 2010
Sins Cleansed
A search of Numbers 19:
A way of purification for the unclean or sinful among the children of Israel was through the ashes of a sacrificed, unblemished red heifer (19:2,9). The ashes were mixed with water in a vessel and sprinkled by a clean person with hyssop upon the persons or items for purification (19:17,18). The children of Israel had a choice, "[b]ut the man that shall be unclean, and shall not purify himself, that soul shall be cut off from among the congregation, because he hath defiled the sanctuary of the Lord: the water of separation hath not been sprinkled upon him: he is unclean" (19:20).
Today, people are separate from the world if they choose to be one of God's children. Jesus is the sacrifice without blemish for the purification of the world's sins. Through the blood of Jesus, believers are saved. Saved for eternity in heaven with God. Saved from eternity in hell.
A way of purification for the unclean or sinful among the children of Israel was through the ashes of a sacrificed, unblemished red heifer (19:2,9). The ashes were mixed with water in a vessel and sprinkled by a clean person with hyssop upon the persons or items for purification (19:17,18). The children of Israel had a choice, "[b]ut the man that shall be unclean, and shall not purify himself, that soul shall be cut off from among the congregation, because he hath defiled the sanctuary of the Lord: the water of separation hath not been sprinkled upon him: he is unclean" (19:20).
Today, people are separate from the world if they choose to be one of God's children. Jesus is the sacrifice without blemish for the purification of the world's sins. Through the blood of Jesus, believers are saved. Saved for eternity in heaven with God. Saved from eternity in hell.
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