Overview
Numbers: The
third time Balak offered sacrifices, Balaam didn’t leave to consult omens
because he knew it pleased the Lord to bless Israel. Instead, he gazed upon the
tents of Israel and the Spirit of the Lord came upon him. He prophesied about Israel.
He affirmed
that he hears and sees what God wants. He then tells how beautiful Israel’s
encampment is. He tells how God has blessed them taking them from Egypt and
providing for them. This will continue as its kingdom will be exalted and
conquer other nations. He asserts that those who bless Israel will be blessed
and those who curse Israel will be cursed.
Balak is
angry and tells Balaam that he will receive nothing from him. Balaam reminds
him that no amount of gold would keep him from telling what God says. He then
prophesies about Moab.
Moab will
cease to exist and a ruler will come from Jacob to crush Moab. Israel will also
dispossess Edom and Seir. In addition, Amalek will be destroyed. The Kenites
will be burned by Asshur. Ships from Kittim will afflict Asshur and Eber. When
he finishes prophesying, Balaam goes home.
The people
of Moab then invite Israelites to their sacrifices and they hook up with Moab
women. The Lord tells Moses to hang the offending leaders of Israel. Moses
instructs the leaders to kill their men who have engaged in the adulterous
worship of Baal of Peor and promiscuity with the women.
While the
people who remained faithful were weeping at the tent of meeting, the son of an
Israelite chief brought the daughter of a Midianite chief to his tent in the
sight of everyone. Eleazar’s son, Phinehas, saw it, followed them, and killed
them both with a spear. This stopped the plague on the people after twenty-four
thousand died.
The Lord
promises Phinehas that he will always have a descendant serving as a priest
before the Lord because he was jealous for the Lord. Then the Lord tells Moses
to harass and strike the Midianites for tricking the people.
Psalm:
David again is asking God for deliverance from his enemies. He hasn’t done
anything to deserve their treatment so he ask God to get up and punish even
nations.
His enemies
keep coming back like a pack of wild dogs. They don’t think God will observe
their behavior. But God does know what they are doing. So David asks God to
kill them so that they know God rules.
When they
come back, David will continue to sing God’s praises and take his refuge in
him. God is his fortress and shows his love to him.
Proverbs: People
who don’t look for counsel often fail. Many advisors help.
Luke:
Caesar Augustus wants a census so everyone in Judah has to go to his or her hometown
to register. This takes Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem. Jesus is born there.
The Lord
sends angels to shepherds nearby telling them that the Savior has been born and
they will find him lying in a manger. The angels announce glory to God and
peace to those with whom he is pleased. The shepherds go into town and find
Jesus. They then tell others about finding Jesus.
Jesus was
circumcised and named on his eighth day. When it was time for their
purification, they took Jesus and the prescribed offering to the temple in
Jerusalem. A man named Simeon met them. The Holy Spirit told him he would not
die until he saw the Messiah. He recognized Jesus when they brought him into
the temple. He praised the Lord and said that Jesus would save all people. He
would be a light to the Gentiles. He also told Mary that Jesus would cause the
rise and fall of many in Israel and he would be opposed as thoughts of hearts
are revealed. Her soul would be pierced.
What Stood Out
Numbers: “Blessed
are those who bless you, and cursed are those who curse you” (Num 24:9).
Psalm: “Each
evening they come back, howling like dogs and prowling about the city” (Ps 59:6).
Proverbs: “In
an abundance of counselors there is safety” (Prov 11:14).
Luke: “This
child is appointed … for a sign that is opposed … so that thoughts from many
hearts may be revealed” (Luke 2:34-35).
Insight
Numbers: Moab
had no valid reason for wanting to curse Israel except for Balak’s fears. While
they were camped “in the plains of Moab” (Num 22:1), they were north of Moab’s
territory. They had not attacked Moab but had actually killed Moab’s enemy,
Sihon, who had taken some of Moab’s territory (Num 21:26). They were now living
in this area and had taken over the cities of Sihon and Og (Num 21:31).
Balaam had
previously asked the Lord what to say about Israel and then repeated it. This
last time, he didn’t ask. I simply looked at the nation of Israel spread out
before him and the Spirit of the Lord came upon him. This time, God was clearly
making known what his plans were for both Israel and Moab. Had Moab taken a
different stand toward Israel, there may still be Moabites to this day.
However, the clear plan of God is to bless those who bless Israel and curse
those who curse it.
Moab wanted
to curse Israel, it is no long a nation, and there are no more Moabites. Israel
still exists even after nearly two thousand years of exile. The descendents of
the original Israelites are still numerous all over the world as well in Israel
in spite of attempts to eradicate them by people like Haman in the book of
Esther or Hitler in World War II.
That one
verse spoken by Balaam is one of God’s serious promises, “Blessed are those who
bless you, and cursed are those who curse you” (Num 24:9). When Israel
disobeyed, the Lord was the one who brought nations against them. They did his
bidding but when they went too far, the Lord punished them (Jer 25:12). Because
the Lord isn’t finished with Israel, it should make us think seriously about
our attitude toward the nation of Israel as well as Jews around the world. We
certainly should be blessing them and not cursing them. That doesn’t mean we
condone whatever they do, but it means we seek their blessing from the Lord.
That’s one reason I support Jewish evangelism through Jews for Jesus. There is
no better way to bless people than to help them know Jesus as their personal
Messiah.
Psalm: We
live near a greenbelt where coyotes roam. When they howl, it is eerie and
wicked sounding. It reminds me of David’s description of his howling enemies
like a dog pack. While I don’t have human enemies like David, there is one who
does the same thing. Satan is like a roaring lion (1 Peter 5:8). He is our
enemy and the instigator of sin. Sin doesn’t always need Satan helping out
because our own evil desires are sufficient to instigate sin (James 1:14-15).
Satan and evil desires are just like those coyotes, dogs, and David’s enemies.
They keep coming back, screaming to unnerve us so that we will fall, and sin.
What did David do? He sang praises to God (Ps 59:16). James says to submit to
God and draw near to him (James 4:7-8). Sounds like a plan the next time I’m
tempted.
Proverbs: It
is too easy to do stuff without asking others if it is wise or a good
direction. I’m impulsive and pride is at the center of leaning on my own wisdom
instead of seeking wise counsel. Of course, the best counselor is the Holy
Spirit working through the Word of God. If the Bible says it isn’t wise, I
don’t need to ask others for advice. Too many worldly counselors will lead us
astray.
Luke: Simeon
was blessed with a great promise from the Lord. He was one of few people who
recognized Jesus for who he is. Jesus is the Messiah not only for Israel, but
for the Gentiles also. He is the one who brings salvation. What he said about
Jesus was so astounding that even Mary and Joseph were wondering about it.
Simeon apparently had something to say to Mary in private.
He told her
that Jesus was appointed for the rise and fall of many in Israel. He also said
he was appointed for a sign that would reveal what is in a person’s heart. This
last one is something that we seldom ponder. Jesus taught from the very
beginning that what is in our hearts is our problem, not our outward conformity
to the Law. When our hearts contain evil, we will produce evil. That is why he
was always in opposition to the Pharisees. His very presence in their lives
convicted them of sin.
The same
can be seen when someone mentions the name of Jesus. Those who know him rejoice
and are glad. Those who don’t know him scoff, ridicule, and even use his name
as a curse. When we talk to people about who Jesus is, it reveals what’s in
their hearts. Thankfully, when he is in our hearts, we can overcome those
temptations to sin that are like howling coyotes.
Application
I’m
thankful that Jesus has come as our Savior. It would be depressing to try to
live a godly life without him. Sure, counselors could help but there would be
no true victory over sin. Thank you Jesus, for saving us, living in us, and
enabling us to be victorious over sin. It is time to sing a song to the Lord!
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