In the 27th chapter of Numbers, God tells Moses to appoint Joshua as his successor.
He also told Moses that once he sees the new land of Israel, Moses will die and Joshua will take over. Moses will die because when the Israelites rebelled and Moses and Aaron said it was their power to give them water from the stone they struck, Moses sealed his fate.
Moses then gave all of his powers to Joshua, and instructed all of the people of Israel to follow Joshua as they had followed him.
In chapter 31, we see the battle of Midian and the aftermath. The battle itself was extremely successful. All of the men in the Midian army was killed. Afterwards, the remaining posessions were divided amongst the soldiers, the community of Israel, and a portion was set aside for the Lord. At the beginning of the battle, the Lord told Moses that once the Midians have been destroyed, Moses will die.
Sunday, January 27, 2013
Sunday, January 20, 2013
Psalms 11 - trusting in God
Psalms 11 starts out by saying that I trust the Lord. Then, goes on to say how foolish it is to run away from God when it feels like your whole world is falling apart--he uses a metaphor of a bird flying away when wicked men aim their bows at good men.
God watches all from his temple, examining the deeds of both the good and wicked. He hates the lawless, and punishes them for their deeds.
The good, however, are rewarded.
It's a short Psalm, only 7 verses, but a powerful one--if you need a quick pick-me-up, this one will do it.
God watches all from his temple, examining the deeds of both the good and wicked. He hates the lawless, and punishes them for their deeds.
The good, however, are rewarded.
It's a short Psalm, only 7 verses, but a powerful one--if you need a quick pick-me-up, this one will do it.
Wednesday, January 16, 2013
The spear of Phinehas
In chapter 25 of Numbers, the Israelites engage in some unfavorable conduct: not only do the men have sex with the Moabite women, these same women invited them to eat a feast in honor of their god Baal.
This angered God so much that He ordered Moses to execute all of the leaders who were engaged in this unholy worship.
One day, Phineahas was at an assembly and witnessed one of the Israelites take a Midianite woman into one of the tents. He then took up a spear and drove it through them both. This act pleased the Lord, who then ordered the executions to cease, for he was no longer angry by Phineahas's brave act. The Lord then appointed Phineahas with a covenant that established his people are priests.
In chapter 26, there is a census of all the families of Israel. Tribe after tribe is counted, and what's interesting to note at the end is that not one man, except a mere handful, is left of whom started out their trek in the wilderness--all of this in accordance to what the Lord said, that they would all die in the wilderness.
This angered God so much that He ordered Moses to execute all of the leaders who were engaged in this unholy worship.
One day, Phineahas was at an assembly and witnessed one of the Israelites take a Midianite woman into one of the tents. He then took up a spear and drove it through them both. This act pleased the Lord, who then ordered the executions to cease, for he was no longer angry by Phineahas's brave act. The Lord then appointed Phineahas with a covenant that established his people are priests.
In chapter 26, there is a census of all the families of Israel. Tribe after tribe is counted, and what's interesting to note at the end is that not one man, except a mere handful, is left of whom started out their trek in the wilderness--all of this in accordance to what the Lord said, that they would all die in the wilderness.
Sunday, January 13, 2013
The final showdown of Balak and Balaam
The final showdown between Balak and Balaam occured in Numbers, chapter 24.
From atop Mount Peor, Balaam did not need to go on to have the Lord speak for him. The spirit of God spoke through him this time, blessing the people of Israel, who are an abundant people and will devour all of their enemies. They are like a mighty lion. The final lines of the prophecy are: "Whoever blesses Israel will be blessed, and whoever curses Israel will be cursed."
Balak was angry at Balaam. But Balaam told Balak that not even for all of the silver and gold in Balak's palace will he go against the Lord and curse the Israelites.
As Balaam was to go away, he offered a final prophecy to Balak and the Moabites, one that resonated like the other prophecies. They will be destroyed by the Israelites. Then, he added that Israel will continue to be victorious against the surrounding nations.
From atop Mount Peor, Balaam did not need to go on to have the Lord speak for him. The spirit of God spoke through him this time, blessing the people of Israel, who are an abundant people and will devour all of their enemies. They are like a mighty lion. The final lines of the prophecy are: "Whoever blesses Israel will be blessed, and whoever curses Israel will be cursed."
Balak was angry at Balaam. But Balaam told Balak that not even for all of the silver and gold in Balak's palace will he go against the Lord and curse the Israelites.
As Balaam was to go away, he offered a final prophecy to Balak and the Moabites, one that resonated like the other prophecies. They will be destroyed by the Israelites. Then, he added that Israel will continue to be victorious against the surrounding nations.
Wednesday, January 9, 2013
The continuing saga of Balak and Balaam
In chapter 23 of Numbers, Balaam instructed the Moabite King, Balak, to have seven altars build and to have sacrifices offered onto them.
Once that is done, Balaam went alone to the top of the hill and spoke to God. Balaam went back to Balak and uttered a prophecy, blessing the Israelite. Balak was furious, and went to another hill. This time, another seven altars were build and offered sacrifices on them.
Again, Balaam spoke to the Lord and then went back to speak to Balak.
A second prophecy was uttered. In the prophecy, Balaam stated that God is not like men, who lie and change their minds. Another blessing was sent to the Israelites and a warning for Balak that no charm or witchcraft can be used on His people, for they are like a mighty lion.
Balak was increasingly angry at this, and then took Balaam to a third place atop Mount Peor, overlooking the desert.
Balaam again had seven altars built, along with the same offerings.
Once that is done, Balaam went alone to the top of the hill and spoke to God. Balaam went back to Balak and uttered a prophecy, blessing the Israelite. Balak was furious, and went to another hill. This time, another seven altars were build and offered sacrifices on them.
Again, Balaam spoke to the Lord and then went back to speak to Balak.
A second prophecy was uttered. In the prophecy, Balaam stated that God is not like men, who lie and change their minds. Another blessing was sent to the Israelites and a warning for Balak that no charm or witchcraft can be used on His people, for they are like a mighty lion.
Balak was increasingly angry at this, and then took Balaam to a third place atop Mount Peor, overlooking the desert.
Balaam again had seven altars built, along with the same offerings.
Sunday, January 6, 2013
Balak and Balaam
Balaam is a prophet of sorts. He appears in Numbers chapter 22.
In the earlier part of the chapter, King Balak of Moab heard of the Israelites coming into his land and was afraid, for he knew what path of destruction they lay in their wake. He knew they were outnumbered, and the only way they could destroy the Israelites was to have a curse put on them.
Hence, they called on Balaam.
But Balaam called on the Lord who advised him not to go to Balak, for the Israelites have His blessing. He told the Moabite leaders what God said. Balak then sent even more leaders to Balaam, telling him he will have great rewards if he goes and curses the Israelites. God then instructed Balaam to go to Balak but to do what He tells him.
On his way to Balak, Balaam rode a donkey. Three times, the donkey saw an angel of the Lord blocking their path and steered out of the way. All three of those times, Balaam beat the donkey until the angel appeared and told him the donkey only steered away because he saw the angel.
The angel then said to Balaam that he was to go on to Balak but will only saw what the Lord tells him to say.
In the earlier part of the chapter, King Balak of Moab heard of the Israelites coming into his land and was afraid, for he knew what path of destruction they lay in their wake. He knew they were outnumbered, and the only way they could destroy the Israelites was to have a curse put on them.
Hence, they called on Balaam.
But Balaam called on the Lord who advised him not to go to Balak, for the Israelites have His blessing. He told the Moabite leaders what God said. Balak then sent even more leaders to Balaam, telling him he will have great rewards if he goes and curses the Israelites. God then instructed Balaam to go to Balak but to do what He tells him.
On his way to Balak, Balaam rode a donkey. Three times, the donkey saw an angel of the Lord blocking their path and steered out of the way. All three of those times, Balaam beat the donkey until the angel appeared and told him the donkey only steered away because he saw the angel.
The angel then said to Balaam that he was to go on to Balak but will only saw what the Lord tells him to say.
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