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!
Friday, October 8, 2010
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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