Reflections on Numbers 30-32

On By BrianIn OT Reflections1 Comment

God instructs Israel to attack those who had led them into idolatry.

  • Evil advice – Balaam may not have been able to curse Israel, but apparently he came up with the plan to ensnare Israel (31:16).  What evil ideas do you need to beware of lest you are ensnared?
  • God’s preservation – After the huge battle, Israel counts their men – and miraculously not one has been killed.  God will not always work this miracle.  Our times are in his hands.  But in this situation, God miraculously preserved them.  How has God preserved you?  Will you trust him with your life?
  • Offering to God – In response to God’s preservation, they give a special offering to God.  Have you ever offered a special gift to God in response to his special preservation or care in your life?  Do you respond with gratitude for his blessings?

Numbers 30-36: The Land

On By BrianIn OT Studies

(30) God promised Abraham that his descendants would receive the land of Canaan.  Now in Numbers, his descendants are preparing to enter the land.  God is faithful to keep his promises.  In that context, what does God expect his people to do (v1-2)?  Practically, how should this effect our words and actions?

When might someone be excused from keeping their vow (v3-16)?  Do you think this principle applies today?  Explain.

(33) As they prepare to enter the land, Moses reviews their journey.  Again, God has been faithful.  Have you ever reviewed your life journey?  Give one example of God’s faithfulness.

(33) As they enter the land, they are to drive out its inhabitants and all their pagan influences.  Why would this be important?

How does chapter 25 point to the urgency of this command?  What did God have Israel do in response (chapter 31)?  What does that tell you about God and sin?

We can’t drive pagan influences from our land today, but we can seek to drive pagan influences from our church and homes.  What might that look like?

(35) Scattered throughout the land, there were to be six cities of refuge.  What were they for?  How do they point to Jesus (Hebrews 6:16)?

What principles were used to determine if someone committed murder or not?  How does this relate to teaching in the New Testament (Matthew 5:21-22, I John 3:15)?

If a person killed another by accident, how long was he required to stay in the city of refuge to escape the avenger?  How might this point to Jesus?

What did murder do to the land?  What does that tell us about our own land?

Passion Points

On By BrianIn PASSION Points

Here are some good posts for your weekend reading:

4 Ways to Cling to the Lord – Sam Storms

Four Warning Signs You May Be Wandering from the Truth – Colin Smith

Who Will You Serve and Surprise This Week? – Tim Challies

Hearing the Voice of the Lord in Your Pastor’s Sermon – Danny Hyde

Hope you have a great Lord’s Day!

Reflections on Numbers 26-29

On By BrianIn OT Reflections

God gives instructions for the people before they enter the land.  Consider:

  • Preparation – Once again it is time to prepare to enter the land.  God tells them to count the men able to go to war.  They work out details regarding the inheritance of the land.  The transition of leadership from Moses to Joshua begins.  What is God calling you to do?  Are you doing what is necessary to prepare?
  • Time – God describes how the people are to use their time, taking breaks from their regular work for Sabbaths and festivals.  God is king over our time as well.  Are you using your time in a way that pleases the Lord?
  • Sacrifices – Consider how many animals were required to fulfill all of the sacrifices in chapters 28-29!  In Jesus we have a better sacrifice whose single sacrifice forever paid the debt of our sins (Hebrews 10:11-14), making any other sacrifice unnecessary.  Praise the Lord!

Sermon Songs: Ephesians 4:25

On By BrianIn Ephesians Hymns

MusicNotes

We put off our old sinful way
We put on what is right
Renew our minds from day to day
Walk with Him in the light

We put off lies and all that’s false
Now truth is what we speak
For truth is beating in our pulse
The Body’s good we seek

And when we fail – we will repent
Our sin we will confess
Look to our Savior who was sent
To grant us forgiveness

 (To the tune of “O God Our Help In Ages Past”)

Reflections on Numbers 22-25

On By BrianIn OT Reflections

God’s people face opposition from the outside.  Observe:

  • God’s Sovereignty – God gives the Amorites and the land of Bashan into Israel’s hands.  King Balak of Moab is afraid, and so he tries to get Balaam to curse Israel for him.  God won’t allow Balaam to do it, but instead requires Balaam to bless Israel.  Throughout, we are reminded that God is sovereign over all the nations.  And he is still in control today in our world!
  • Prophecy – Balaam is required to speak the words God gives him, and as he speaks, he predicts the coming of a king (24:17).  Many years later a star will proclaim the birth of a king – our Savior!
  • Idolatry – The people of Moab living around Israel invited Israel to join with them in their sacrifice and worship of other gods.  Many of the people of Israel joined them.  How does our culture invite us to worship other gods?  Have you had people invite you to join them in following another god or in disobeying the one true God?  How might the example of Israel in this passage help you to stand firm for the one true God?

Numbers 22-29: Our Sovereign King

On By BrianIn OT Studies

(22-24) God is sovereign even over pagan prophets and nations.  Trace His sovereign control through the story of Balak and Balaam.  What examples do you see in 22:1-21, 22:22-41, 23:1-24:25?

How do these examples encourage you as you see pagan opposition to the church around the world?

(22-24) God is also sovereign over time, as he makes promises that he then fulfills.  In what ways do Balaam’s oracles restate the Abrahamic Covenant’s promise of many people, land, a great nation, and blessing?

Who do you think Balaam’s oracle in 24:17-19 refers, and why?

God is able and faithful to keep his promises.  Why is that important to you today?

(25) In what ways does Israel rebel against their King in this passage?  How does God respond?

What did Phineas do?  How do his actions point to Jesus?

(26-27) After 40 years, they prepare again to enter the land.  God calls them to take another census. What purposes does the census have (26:2, 52-56, 63-65)?  How do these purposes point to God as their sovereign king?

(28-29) As their King, God determines how they are to use their time, keeping regular Sabbaths and festivals.  What would it look like for us to apply this principle to our own lives – how does God expect us to use our time?

Consider how many animals and how much grain would be required for the daily, weekly, monthly, and annual sacrifices.  How is Jesus a better sacrifice (Hebrews 10:11-14)?

Reflections on Numbers 19-21

On By BrianIn OT Reflections

In our passage, we see our failure and God’s salvation.

  • Cleansing – God requires the sacrifice of a red heifer.  The ashes would be mixed with water to provide cleansing to those who became unclean.  Jesus sacrificed himself that he might cleanse us from all our sins.  Praise the Lord for his cleansing work in your life!
  • Fall of a leader – Moses was given a relationship with God that few others on earth could claim.  Knowing God as he did, he should have treated God with proper respect.  But in a moment of weakness, he failed – and was refused entry into the land.  How quickly we can fall!  Watch your life closely!  And cry out to God for grace to stand!
  • Bronze snake – In response to their complaining, God sends fiery serpents into their midst, and many die.  In response to their cries, God tells Moses to make a bronze snake.  When anyone is bitten, they are to look on the bronze snake, and they will live.  Jesus takes this episode as an example to us (John 3:14-16).  As they had to look to the bronze snake to be saved, so we must look to Jesus to be saved.  Faith is essentially looking to God.  Are you looking to God for your salvation?

 

Reflections on Numbers 15-18

On By BrianIn OT Reflections

In our passage today, God continues to provide for Israel, despite their rebellious nature.

  • A reminder – God instructs the people to make tassels to remind them to follow God’s commands.  He provides this reminder as one more way to encourage the people to follow Him.  What has God placed in your life to remind you to follow Him?
  • God’s patience – The people rebel against God’s choice of leadership, yet God doesn’t wipe them out.  He causes Aaron’s staff to sprout to end Israel’s grumbling about who should lead them.  God patiently provided them with proof of his choice of leaders.  How has God been patient with you?
  • Portion – The Levites would not receive an inheritance of land like the other tribes.  Instead God would provide for them by giving them a part of Israel’s offerings to God.  God is their portion and inheritance (18:20).  The psalmists would later take this language to proclaim their satisfaction and fulfillment in God alone (Psalm 16:5, 73:26).  Is God your chosen portion?