PM February 28th Numbers 28

February 28^th Numbers 28

Regular Offerings

1: And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 2: Command the children of Israel, and say unto them, My offering, and my bread for my sacrifices made by fire, for a sweet savour unto me, shall ye observe to offer unto me in their due season. 3: And thou shalt say unto them, This is the offering made by fire which ye shall offer unto the LORD; two lambs of the first year without spot day by day, for a continual burnt offering. 4: The one lamb shalt thou offer in the morning, and the other lamb shalt thou offer at even; 5: And a tenth part of an ephah of flour for a meat offering, mingled with the fourth part of an hin of beaten oil. 6: It is a continual burnt offering, which was ordained in mount Sinai for a sweet savour, a sacrifice made by fire unto the LORD. 7: And the drink offering thereof shall be the fourth part of an hin for the one lamb: in the holy place shalt thou cause the strong wine to be poured unto the LORD for a drink offering. 8: And the other lamb shalt thou offer at even: as the meat offering of the morning, and as the drink offering thereof, thou shalt offer it, a sacrifice made by fire, of a sweet savour unto the LORD. 9: And on the sabbath day two lambs of the first year without spot, and two tenth deals of flour for a meat offering, mingled with oil, and the drink offering thereof: 10: This is the burnt offering of every sabbath, beside the continual burnt offering, and his drink offering. 11: And in the beginnings of your months ye shall offer a burnt offering unto the LORD; two young bullocks, and one ram, seven lambs of the first year without spot; 12: And three tenth deals of flour for a meat offering, mingled with oil, for one bullock; and two tenth deals of flour for a meat offering, mingled with oil, for one ram; 13: And a several tenth deal of flour mingled with oil for a meat offering unto one lamb; for a burnt offering of a sweet savour, a sacrifice made by fire unto the LORD. 14: And their drink offerings shall be half an hin of wine unto a bullock, and the third part of an hin unto a ram, and a fourth part of an hin unto a lamb: this is the burnt offering of every month throughout the months of the year. 15: And one kid of the goats for a sin offering unto the LORD shall be offered, beside the continual burnt offering, and his drink offering.

Yearly Offerings

16: And in the fourteenth day of the first month is the passover of the LORD. 17: And in the fifteenth day of this month is the feast: seven days shall unleavened bread be eaten. 18: In the first day shall be an holy convocation; ye shall do no manner of servile work therein: 19: But ye shall offer a sacrifice made by fire for a burnt offering unto the LORD; two young bullocks, and one ram, and seven lambs of the first year: they shall be unto you without blemish: 20: And their meat offering shall be of flour mingled with oil: three tenth deals shall ye offer for a bullock, and two tenth deals for a ram; 21: A several tenth deal shalt thou offer for every lamb, throughout the seven lambs: 22: And one goat for a sin offering, to make an atonement for you. 23: Ye shall offer these beside the burnt offering in the morning, which is for a continual burnt offering. 24: After this manner ye shall offer daily, throughout the seven days, the meat of the sacrifice made by fire, of a sweet savour unto the LORD: it shall be offered beside the continual burnt offering, and his drink offering. 25: And on the seventh day ye shall have an holy convocation; ye shall do no servile work. 26: Also in the day of the firstfruits, when ye bring a new meat offering unto the LORD, after your weeks be out, ye shall have an holy convocation; ye shall do no servile work: 27: But ye shall offer the burnt offering for a sweet savour unto the LORD; two young bullocks, one ram, seven lambs of the first year; 28: And their meat offering of flour mingled with oil, three tenth deals unto one bullock, two tenth deals unto one ram, 29: A several tenth deal unto one lamb, throughout the seven lambs; 30: And one kid of the goats, to make an atonement for you. 31: Ye shall offer them beside the continual burnt offering, and his meat offering, (they shall be unto you without blemish) and their drink offerings.

Numbers 29

1: And in the seventh month, on the first day of the month, ye shall have an holy convocation; ye shall do no servile work: it is a day of blowing the trumpets unto you. 2: And ye shall offer a burnt offering for a sweet savour unto the LORD; one young bullock, one ram, and seven lambs of the first year without blemish: 3: And their meat offering shall be of flour mingled with oil, three tenth deals for a bullock, and two tenth deals for a ram, 4: And one tenth deal for one lamb, throughout the seven lambs: 5: And one kid of the goats for a sin offering, to make an atonement for you: 6: Beside the burnt offering of the month, and his meat offering, and the daily burnt offering, and his meat offering, and their drink offerings, according unto their manner, for a sweet savour, a sacrifice made by fire unto the LORD. 7: And ye shall have on the tenth day of this seventh month an holy convocation; and ye shall afflict your souls: ye shall not do any work therein: 8: But ye shall offer a burnt offering unto the LORD for a sweet savour; one young bullock, one ram, and seven lambs of the first year; they shall be unto you without blemish: 9: And their meat offering shall be of flour mingled with oil, three tenth deals to a bullock, and two tenth deals to one ram, 10: A several tenth deal for one lamb, throughout the seven lambs: 11: One kid of the goats for a sin offering; beside the sin offering of atonement, and the continual burnt offering, and the meat offering of it, and their drink offerings. 12: And on the fifteenth day of the seventh month ye shall have an holy convocation; ye shall do no servile work, and ye shall keep a feast unto the LORD seven days: 13: And ye shall offer a burnt offering, a sacrifice made by fire, of a sweet savour unto the LORD; thirteen young bullocks, two rams, and fourteen lambs of the first year; they shall be without blemish: 14: And their meat offering shall be of flour mingled with oil, three tenth deals unto every bullock of the thirteen bullocks, two tenth deals to each ram of the two rams, 15: And a several tenth deal to each lamb of the fourteen lambs: 16: And one kid of the goats for a sin offering; beside the continual burnt offering, his meat offering, and his drink offering. 17: And on the second day ye shall offer twelve young bullocks, two rams, fourteen lambs of the first year without spot: 18: And their meat offering and their drink offerings for the bullocks, for the rams, and for the lambs, shall be according to their number, after the manner: 19: And one kid of the goats for a sin offering; beside the continual burnt offering, and the meat offering thereof, and their drink offerings. 20: And on the third day eleven bullocks, two rams, fourteen lambs of the first year without blemish; 21: And their meat offering and their drink offerings for the bullocks, for the rams, and for the lambs, shall be according to their number, after the manner: 22: And one goat for a sin offering; beside the continual burnt offering, and his meat offering, and his drink offering. 23: And on the fourth day ten bullocks, two rams, and fourteen lambs of the first year without blemish: 24: Their meat offering and their drink offerings for the bullocks, for the rams, and for the lambs, shall be according to their number, after the manner: 25: And one kid of the goats for a sin offering; beside the continual burnt offering, his meat offering, and his drink offering. 26: And on the fifth day nine bullocks, two rams, and fourteen lambs of the first year without spot: 27: And their meat offering and their drink offerings for the bullocks, for the rams, and for the lambs, shall be according to their number, after the manner: 28: And one goat for a sin offering; beside the continual burnt offering, and his meat offering, and his drink offering. 29: And on the sixth day eight bullocks, two rams, and fourteen lambs of the first year without blemish: 30: And their meat offering and their drink offerings for the bullocks, for the rams, and for the lambs, shall be according to their number, after the manner: 31: And one goat for a sin offering; beside the continual burnt offering, his meat offering, and his drink offering. 32: And on the seventh day seven bullocks, two rams, and fourteen lambs of the first year without blemish: 33: And their meat offering and their drink offerings for the bullocks, for the rams, and for the lambs, shall be according to their number, after the manner: 34: And one goat for a sin offering; beside the continual burnt offering, his meat offering, and his drink offering. 35: On the eighth day ye shall have a solemn assembly: ye shall do no servile work therein: 36: But ye shall offer a burnt offering, a sacrifice made by fire, of a sweet savour unto the LORD: one bullock, one ram, seven lambs of the first year without blemish: 37: Their meat offering and their drink offerings for the bullock, for the ram, and for the lambs, shall be according to their number, after the manner: 38: And one goat for a sin offering; beside the continual burnt offering, and his meat offering, and his drink offering. 39: These things ye shall do unto the LORD in your set feasts, beside your vows, and your freewill offerings, for your burnt offerings, and for your meat offerings, and for your drink offerings, and for your peace offerings. 40: And Moses told the children of Israel according to all that the LORD commanded Moses.

Numbers 30 Women’s Vows

1: And Moses spake unto the heads of the tribes concerning the children of Israel, saying, This is the thing which the LORD hath commanded. 2: If a man vow a vow unto the LORD, or swear an oath to bind his soul with a bond; he shall not break his word, he shall do according to all that proceedeth out of his mouth. 3: If a woman also vow a vow unto the LORD, and bind herself by a bond, being in her father's house in her youth; 4: And her father hear her vow, and her bond wherewith she hath bound her soul, and her father shall hold his peace at her: then all her vows shall stand, and every bond wherewith she hath bound her soul shall stand. 5: But if her father disallow her in the day that he heareth; not any of her vows, or of her bonds wherewith she hath bound her soul, shall stand: and the LORD shall forgive her, because her father disallowed her. 6: And if she had at all an husband, when she vowed, or uttered ought out of her lips, wherewith she bound her soul; 7: And her husband heard it, and held his peace at her in the day that he heard it: then her vows shall stand, and her bonds wherewith she bound her soul shall stand. 8: But if her husband disallowed her on the day that he heard it; then he shall make her vow which she vowed, and that which she uttered with her lips, wherewith she bound her soul, of none effect: and the LORD shall forgive her. 9: But every vow of a widow, and of her that is divorced, wherewith they have bound their souls, shall stand against her. 10: And if she vowed in her husband's house, or bound her soul by a bond with an oath; 11: And her husband heard it, and held his peace at her, and disallowed her not: then all her vows shall stand, and every bond wherewith she bound her soul shall stand. 12: But if her husband hath utterly made them void on the day he heard them; then whatsoever proceeded out of her lips concerning her vows, or concerning the bond of her soul, shall not stand: her husband hath made them void; and the LORD shall forgive her. 13: Every vow, and every binding oath to afflict the soul, her husband may establish it, or her husband may make it void. 14: But if her husband altogether hold his peace at her from day to day; then he establisheth all her vows, or all her bonds, which are upon her: he confirmeth them, because he held his peace at her in the day that he heard them. 15: But if he shall any ways make them void after that he hath heard them; then he shall bear her iniquity. 16: These are the statutes, which the LORD commanded Moses, between a man and his wife, between the father and his daughter, being yet in her youth in her father's house.

In the last Bible reading of this month we read that the Lord specified a number of offerings at various times and the Lord describes the vows peculiar to women. The Lord first outlines the burnt offering. These are to be continually offered to the Lord. One lamb was offered in the morning (Probably 9am) and the other in the evening. (Probably 3pm) It was an offering made by fire and a sweet savour. This was a daily sacrifice. On the Sabbath day two other lambs were offered apart from the daily offerings. This was also a burnt offering made by fire to the Lord. On the first day of each month another burnt offering was to be made but this was to be two young bullocks, one ram and seven lamb ‘yearlings’ perfect specimens plus a meal offering and one kid of the goats for a sin offering. As well as the daily, weekly and monthly offerings there were also annual offerings. The first yearly offering was the Passover. The offerings were similar to the monthly offering except that a goat was offered for a sin offering to make atonement. These offerings were made on top of the daily offerings and they were offered every day of the feast. On the day of the feast of firstfruits a similar set off offerings were made to the Lord. On the feast of trumpets one young bullock, one ram, seven lambs of the first year. Included was a meal offering and one kid of the goats for a sin offering. On the seventh month a holy gathering was to be celebrated. Again the first day there were the same offerings as before but on the second day 12 bullocks, 2 rams, 14 lambs with the meal offerings and drink offerings. On the next day 11 bullocks, 2 rams, 14 lambs with the meal and drink offerings, plus one goat for a sin offering. On the fourth day 10 bullocks, 2 rams, 14 lambs etc etc. On the fifth day 9 bullocks, 2 rams, 14 lambs etc. On the sixth day 8 bullocks 2 rams and 14 lambs. On the seventh day 7 bullocks, 2 rams and 14 lambs. On the eighth day they were to have a solemn assembly and no common work it to be done. Only 1 bullock, 1 ram, 7 lambs plus 1 goat for a sin offering. All these things were over and above the ordinary offerings. In all these things we see a decreasing level of worship. Then the Lord gives to Moses clear instructions regarding the making of oaths. The first thing is that oaths are to be kept not broken. However if a young unmarried woman made a vow and her father hear her, he may absolve her of her oath. The same was true of a wife and widow.

• What were the Regular Offerings?
• What were the Yearly Offerings?
• What were the Womens vows?

AM February 28th Mark 12

February 28^th Mark 12

The Parable of the Vineyard

1: And he began to speak unto them by parables. A certain man planted a vineyard, and set an hedge about it, and digged a place for the winefat, and built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen, and went into a far country. 2: And at the season he sent to the husbandmen a servant, that he might receive from the husbandmen of the fruit of the vineyard. 3: And they caught him, and beat him, and sent him away empty. 4: And again he sent unto them another servant; and at him they cast stones, and wounded him in the head, and sent him away shamefully handled. 5: And again he sent another; and him they killed, and many others; beating some, and killing some. 6: Having yet therefore one son, his wellbeloved, he sent him also last unto them, saying, They will reverence my son. 7: But those husbandmen said among themselves, This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and the inheritance shall be ours. 8: And they took him, and killed him, and cast him out of the vineyard. 9: What shall therefore the lord of the vineyard do? he will come and destroy the husbandmen, and will give the vineyard unto others. 10: And have ye not read this scripture; The stone which the builders rejected is become the head of the corner: 11: This was the Lord's doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes? 12: And they sought to lay hold on him, but feared the people: for they knew that he had spoken the parable against them: and they left him, and went their way.

Question –Taxes

13: And they send unto him certain of the Pharisees and of the Herodians, to catch him in his words. 14: And when they were come, they say unto him, Master, we know that thou art true, and carest for no man: for thou regardest not the person of men, but teachest the way of God in truth: Is it lawful to give tribute to Caesar, or not? 15: Shall we give, or shall we not give? But he, knowing their hypocrisy, said unto them, Why tempt ye me? bring me a penny, that I may see it. 16: And they brought it. And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription? And they said unto him, Caesar's. 17: And Jesus answering said unto them, Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's. And they marvelled at him.

Question – Resurrection

18: Then come unto him the Sadducees, which say there is no resurrection; and they asked him, saying, 19: Master, Moses wrote unto us, If a man's brother die, and leave his wife behind him, and leave no children, that his brother should take his wife, and raise up seed unto his brother. 20: Now there were seven brethren: and the first took a wife, and dying left no seed. 21: And the second took her, and died, neither left he any seed: and the third likewise. 22: And the seven had her, and left no seed: last of all the woman died also. 23: In the resurrection therefore, when they shall rise, whose wife shall she be of them? for the seven had her to wife. 24: And Jesus answering said unto them, Do ye not therefore err, because ye know not the scriptures, neither the power of God? 25: For when they shall rise from the dead, they neither marry, nor are given in marriage; but are as the angels which are in heaven. 26: And as touching the dead, that they rise: have ye not read in the book of Moses, how in the bush God spake unto him, saying, I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? 27: He is not the God of the dead, but the God of the living: ye therefore do greatly err.

Question – First commandment

28: And one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, and perceiving that he had answered them well, asked him, Which is the first commandment of all? 29: And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord: 30: And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. 31: And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these. 32: And the scribe said unto him, Well, Master, thou hast said the truth: for there is one God; and there is none other but he: 33: And to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love his neighbour as himself, is more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices. 34: And when Jesus saw that he answered discreetly, he said unto him, Thou art not far from the kingdom of God. And no man after that durst ask him any question.

The Lord’s Question – David

35: And Jesus answered and said, while he taught in the temple, How say the scribes that Christ is the Son of David? 36: For David himself said by the Holy Ghost, The Lord said to my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool. 37: David therefore himself calleth him Lord; and whence is he then his son? And the common people heard him gladly.

Jesus warns of the Scribes

38: And he said unto them in his doctrine, Beware of the scribes, which love to go in long clothing, and love salutations in the marketplaces, 39: And the chief seats in the synagogues, and the uppermost rooms at feasts: 40: Which devour widows' houses, and for a pretence make long prayers: these shall receive greater damnation.

The Widows mites

41: And Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much. 42: And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing. 43: And he called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury: 44: For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living.

The Lord is bringing his preaching ministry to an end and in doing so he gives the parable of the Vineyard. The owner of the vineyard sends men to the vineyard seeking for fruit but they are badly treated. In the end the owner says to himself l will send my son! When the vinedressers see the son they say let us kill him and take the inheritance to ourselves. The owner of the vineyard comes latter to punish those who have done this wicked thing and he gives the vineyard to those who will give him the fruit in season. This parable describes the History and prophetic course of the Nation of Israel. The Herodias try to catch Christ out politically. But he overcomes their tricky plans by acknowledging the authority of the Romans to extract taxes but points them also to the demands of God on the Jews. The Sadducees come with their most tricky question but again Christ completely overcomes their difficult question. The question is overcome by Christ’s superior understanding of scripture and of the ways of God. Lastly the religious leaders come with their favourite question. Which commandment is the greatest? Christ answers perfectly, that the greatest, commandment is to love God and the second is to love men. So after all the questions were asked – the most difficult questions that the Jews could think of – Christ asks one question. (This question and answer method was the standard form of Jewish learning) Christ asks about the Messiah that David calls his Lord. Then Christ says if the Messiah is David’s son, why does David call his son - his Lord? They are completely stumped. Christ then warned the common people of the perverse teaching of their religious leaders. He describes them as self important, self seeking, self obsessed. Lastly Christ points out where the true religion is - by observing the devotion of a poor widow. What a contrast between the poor widow and the Sadducees.

• If you have a concordance look up the use of the word vineyard in scripture. So what is the vineyard that Christ is referring to in this parable?
• Everybody is asking their key questions. How does Christ answer them?
• What was Christs question all about?

PM February 27th Numbers 26

February 27^th Numbers 26

F. The new generation prepare to enter Canaan

The Second Census

1: And it came to pass after the plague, that the LORD spake unto Moses and unto Eleazar the son of Aaron the priest, saying, 2: Take the sum of all the congregation of the children of Israel, from twenty years old and upward, throughout their father's house, all that are able to go to war in Israel. 3: And Moses and Eleazar the priest spake with them in the plains of Moab by Jordan near Jericho, saying, 4: Take the sum of the people, from twenty years old and upward; as the LORD commanded Moses and the children of Israel, which went forth out of the land of Egypt. 5: Reuben, the eldest son of Israel: the children of Reuben; Hanoch, of whom cometh the family of the Hanochites: of Pallu, the family of the Palluites: 6: Of Hezron, the family of the Hezronites: of Carmi, the family of the Carmites. 7: These are the families of the Reubenites: and they that were numbered of them were forty and three thousand and seven hundred and thirty. 8: And the sons of Pallu; Eliab. 9: And the sons of Eliab; Nemuel, and Dathan, and Abiram. This is that Dathan and Abiram, which were famous in the congregation, who strove against Moses and against Aaron in the company of Korah, when they strove against the LORD: 10: And the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed them up together with Korah, when that company died, what time the fire devoured two hundred and fifty men: and they became a sign. 11: Notwithstanding the children of Korah died not. 12: The sons of Simeon after their families: of Nemuel, the family of the Nemuelites: of Jamin, the family of the Jaminites: of Jachin, the family of the Jachinites: 13: Of Zerah, the family of the Zarhites: of Shaul, the family of the Shaulites. 14: These are the families of the Simeonites, twenty and two thousand and two hundred. 15: The children of Gad after their families: of Zephon, the family of the Zephonites: of Haggi, the family of the Haggites: of Shuni, the family of the Shunites: 16: Of Ozni, the family of the Oznites: of Eri, the family of the Erites: 17: Of Arod, the family of the Arodites: of Areli, the family of the Arelites. 18: These are the families of the children of Gad according to those that were numbered of them, forty thousand and five hundred. 19: The sons of Judah were Er and Onan: and Er and Onan died in the land of Canaan. 20: And the sons of Judah after their families were; of Shelah, the family of the Shelanites: of Pharez, the family of the Pharzites: of Zerah, the family of the Zarhites. 21: And the sons of Pharez were; of Hezron, the family of the Hezronites: of Hamul, the family of the Hamulites. 22: These are the families of Judah according to those that were numbered of them, threescore and sixteen thousand and five hundred. 23: Of the sons of Issachar after their families: of Tola, the family of the Tolaites: of Pua, the family of the Punites: 24: Of Jashub, the family of the Jashubites: of Shimron, the family of the Shimronites. 25: These are the families of Issachar according to those that were numbered of them, threescore and four thousand and three hundred. 26: Of the sons of Zebulun after their families: of Sered, the family of the Sardites: of Elon, the family of the Elonites: of Jahleel, the family of the Jahleelites. 27: These are the families of the Zebulunites according to those that were numbered of them, threescore thousand and five hundred. 28: The sons of Joseph after their families were Manasseh and Ephraim. 29: Of the sons of Manasseh: of Machir, the family of the Machirites: and Machir begat Gilead: of Gilead come the family of the Gileadites. 30: These are the sons of Gilead: of Jeezer, the family of the Jeezerites: of Helek, the family of the Helekites: 31: And of Asriel, the family of the Asrielites: and of Shechem, the family of the Shechemites: 32: And of Shemida, the family of the Shemidaites: and of Hepher, the family of the Hepherites. 33: And Zelophehad the son of Hepher had no sons, but daughters: and the names of the daughters of Zelophehad were Mahlah, and Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah. 34: These are the families of Manasseh, and those that were numbered of them, fifty and two thousand and seven hundred. 35: These are the sons of Ephraim after their families: of Shuthelah, the family of the Shuthalhites: of Becher, the family of the Bachrites: of Tahan, the family of the Tahanites. 36: And these are the sons of Shuthelah: of Eran, the family of the Eranites. 37: These are the families of the sons of Ephraim according to those that were numbered of them, thirty and two thousand and five hundred. These are the sons of Joseph after their families. 38: The sons of Benjamin after their families: of Bela, the family of the Belaites: of Ashbel, the family of the Ashbelites: of Ahiram, the family of the Ahiramites: 39: Of Shupham, the family of the Shuphamites: of Hupham, the family of the Huphamites. 40: And the sons of Bela were Ard and Naaman: of Ard, the family of the Ardites: and of Naaman, the family of the Naamites. 41: These are the sons of Benjamin after their families: and they that were numbered of them were forty and five thousand and six hundred. 42: These are the sons of Dan after their families: of Shuham, the family of the Shuhamites. These are the families of Dan after their families. 43: All the families of the Shuhamites, according to those that were numbered of them, were threescore and four thousand and four hundred. 44: Of the children of Asher after their families: of Jimna, the family of the Jimnites: of Jesui, the family of the Jesuites: of Beriah, the family of the Beriites. 45: Of the sons of Beriah: of Heber, the family of the Heberites: of Malchiel, the family of the Malchielites. 46: And the name of the daughter of Asher was Sarah. 47: These are the families of the sons of Asher according to those that were numbered of them; who were fifty and three thousand and four hundred. 48: Of the sons of Naphtali after their families: of Jahzeel, the family of the Jahzeelites: of Guni, the family of the Gunites: 49: Of Jezer, the family of the Jezerites: of Shillem, the family of the Shillemites. 50: These are the families of Naphtali according to their families: and they that were numbered of them were forty and five thousand and four hundred. 51: These were the numbered of the children of Israel, six hundred thousand and a thousand seven hundred and thirty. 52: And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 53: Unto these the land shall be divided for an inheritance according to the number of names. 54: 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. 55: Notwithstanding the land shall be divided by lot: according to the names of the tribes of their fathers they shall inherit. 56: According to the lot shall the possession thereof be divided between many and few. 57: And these are they that were numbered of the Levites after their families: of Gershon, the family of the Gershonites: of Kohath, the family of the Kohathites: of Merari, the family of the Merarites. 58: These are the families of the Levites: the family of the Libnites, the family of the Hebronites, the family of the Mahlites, the family of the Mushites, the family of the Korathites. And Kohath begat Amram. 59: And the name of Amram's wife was Jochebed, the daughter of Levi, whom her mother bare to Levi in Egypt: and she bare unto Amram Aaron and Moses, and Miriam their sister. 60: And unto Aaron was born Nadab, and Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar. 61: And Nadab and Abihu died, when they offered strange fire before the LORD. 62: And those that were numbered of them were twenty and three thousand, all males from a month old and upward: for they were not numbered among the children of Israel, because there was no inheritance given them among the children of Israel. 63: 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. 64: 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. 65: For the LORD had said of them, They shall surely die in the wilderness. And there was not left a man of them, save Caleb the son of Jephunneh, and Joshua the son of Nun.

Numbers 27 Inheritance law

1: Then came the daughters of Zelophehad, the son of Hepher, the son of Gilead, the son of Machir, the son of Manasseh, of the families of Manasseh the son of Joseph: and these are the names of his daughters; Mahlah, Noah, and Hoglah, and Milcah, and Tirzah. 2: And they 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, saying, 3: Our father died in the wilderness, and he was not in the company of them that gathered themselves together against the LORD in the company of Korah; but died in his own sin, and had no sons. 4: 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. 5: And Moses brought their cause before the LORD. 6: And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 7: 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. 8: 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. 9: And if he have no daughter, then ye shall give his inheritance unto his brethren. 10: And if he have no brethren, then ye shall give his inheritance unto his father's brethren. 11: And if his father have no brethren, 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.

Joshua to lead after Moses

12: 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. 13: And when thou hast seen it, thou also shalt be gathered unto thy people, as Aaron thy brother was gathered. 14: 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. 15: And Moses spake unto the LORD, saying, 16: Let the LORD, the God of the spirits of all flesh, set a man over the congregation, 17: 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. 18: 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; 19: And set him before Eleazar the priest, and before all the congregation; and give him a charge in their sight. 20: And thou shalt put some of thine honour upon him, that all the congregation of the children of Israel may be obedient. 21: 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. 22: And Moses did as the LORD commanded him: and he took Joshua, and set him before Eleazar the priest, and before all the congregation: 23: And he laid his hands upon him, and gave him a charge, as the LORD commanded by the hand of Moses.

As the new generation prepare to enter the promised land a number of things are essential. First the children of Israel are to be counted and secondly there needs to be a change of leader. Once the plague had ended the Lord spoke to Eleazar (the new High priest after the death of Aaron) saying take the sum of the children of Israel from 20 years upward.

1. Reuben, 43,730
2. Simeon, 22,200
3. Gad, 40,500
4. Judah, 76,500
5. Issachar, 64,300
6. Zebulun, 60,500

Joseph –

7. Manasseh, 52,700
8. Ephraim, 32,500
9. Benjamin, 45,600
10. Dan, 64,400
11. Asher, 53,400
12. Naphtali, 45.400

The Tribe of Levi were not counted and they had no land given to them.

Total 600,830.

Then the Lord told Moses how the Promised Land was to be divided between the tribes. The actual portioning of the Land was decided by the casting of lots. All this took place in the plains of Moab near to the Jordan River opposite Jericho. All the children of Israel that had rebelled against the Lord were buried in the wilderness except for two men Caleb and Joshua. Having decided the portioning of the Land the Lord next explains how the land is to be kept in its family. The book of Ruth is all about how the land and inheritance is restored to the succeeding generations. Then we have an interesting incident. The daughters of Zelophehad, came to Moses with a complaint. They were of the tribe of Manasseh. They stood before Moses and Eleazar. This must have been a humbling experience for Eleazar who had taken over from his father Aaron. The princes of Israel and all the people of Israel gathered too. They said that their father died in the wilderness without an heir. He was not part of the rebellion of Korah but he dies of his own sin being part of the generation that perished. They said why should our portion of inheritance perish just because our father had no sons. Moses brought this case before the Lord. The Lord replied that what they are saying is right and that they are to have an inheritance along with the other families of Israel. This not only solved a problem for these women but it set a precedent in Israel in which if a husband or son died or if the family had no male heirs then the continuation of the family inheritance continued through the females of the family. This is exactly what happened in the case of Naomi and Ruth both of whose husbands died. The Lord says that a near kinsman can redeem it and posses the land. Then the Lord told Moses to go up the mountain to view the land. The Lord explained that he would not be able to enter the land because of his rebellion at Meribah in Kadesh. Moses asks the Lord to set a man before them as the leader of the Children of Israel – so that they will not be like sheep without a shepherd. The Lord said take Joshua a man in whom is the Spirit and lay hands on him and put him before Eleazar the priest and before all the congregation and give him a solemn charge in their sight. Moses was to honour him so that the children of Israel might honour him. Eleazar will stand with him using the Urim. He will have complete authority over Israel. And so we see the seriousness of being a leader of Gods people.

• What was the second census all about and how was it different from the first?
• Why were the family lines so important?
• Who did the Lord choose as Moses' successor?

AM February 27th Mark 11

February 27^th Mark 11

Jesus enters Jerusalem

1: And when they came nigh to Jerusalem, unto Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount of Olives, he sendeth forth two of his disciples, 2: And saith unto them, Go your way into the village over against you: and as soon as ye be entered into it, ye shall find a colt tied, whereon never man sat; loose him, and bring him. 3: And if any man say unto you, Why do ye this? say ye that the Lord hath need of him; and straightway he will send him hither. 4: And they went their way, and found the colt tied by the door without in a place where two ways met; and they loose him. 5: And certain of them that stood there said unto them, What do ye, loosing the colt? 6: And they said unto them even as Jesus had commanded: and they let them go. 7: And they brought the colt to Jesus, and cast their garments on him; and he sat upon him. 8: And many spread their garments in the way: and others cut down branches off the trees, and strawed them in the way. 9: And they that went before, and they that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna; Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord: 10: Blessed be the kingdom of our father David, that cometh in the name of the Lord: Hosanna in the highest. 11: And Jesus entered into Jerusalem, and into the temple: and when he had looked round about upon all things, and now the eventide was come, he went out unto Bethany with the twelve.

The Barren Fig tree

12: And on the morrow, when they were come from Bethany, he was hungry: 13: And seeing a fig tree afar off having leaves, he came, if haply he might find any thing thereon: and when he came to it, he found nothing but leaves; for the time of figs was not yet. 14: And Jesus answered and said unto it, No man eat fruit of thee hereafter for ever. And his disciples heard it.

Jesus cleanses the Temple

15: And they come to Jerusalem: and Jesus went into the temple, and began to cast out them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves; 16: And would not suffer that any man should carry any vessel through the temple. 17: And he taught, saying unto them, Is it not written, My house shall be called of all nations the house of prayer? but ye have made it a den of thieves. 18: And the scribes and chief priests heard it, and sought how they might destroy him: for they feared him, because all the people was astonished at his doctrine. 19: And when even was come, he went out of the city.

Have faith in God

20: And in the morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree dried up from the roots. 21: And Peter calling to remembrance saith unto him, Master, behold, the fig tree which thou cursedst is withered away. 22: And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God. 23: For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith. 24: Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them. 25: And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. 26: But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.

Objection – Authority

27: And they come again to Jerusalem: and as he was walking in the temple, there come to him the chief priests, and the scribes, and the elders, 28: And say unto him, By what authority doest thou these things? and who gave thee this authority to do these things? 29: And Jesus answered and said unto them, I will also ask of you one question, and answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I do these things. 30: The baptism of John, was it from heaven, or of men? answer me. 31: And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say, Why then did ye not believe him? 32: But if we shall say, Of men; they feared the people: for all men counted John, that he was a prophet indeed. 33: And they answered and said unto Jesus, We cannot tell. And Jesus answering saith unto them, Neither do I tell you by what authority I do these things.

Christ enters into Jerusalem sitting on an ass. He comes in regal glory as Israel’s Messiah. He enters into the Temple and inspects everything he finds there. On the following day he comes in judgment to clean out the temple. He turns over the tables of the money changers and to turns out the men selling animals. The Temple of God had become a market a place to make money. The religious leaders set out to destroy him. During these events Christ had come to a fig tree to be nourished but he found no fruit and had cursed it. The disciples raised this with him and he tells them that this is a very minor miracle and then he encourages them to greater faith. Then Christ gives them the principle in which they will know forgiveness. God will forgive those under the law in perfect justice. If they forgive then God will forgive them. What a contrast grace is. Under Grace God forgives perfectly finding his motive only in the Grace of God. God expects those who are forgiven under Grace to forgive – not in order to be forgiven but because they are forgiven.

• What is the significance of Christs entrance into Jerusalem?
• What is the significance of the fig tree?
• How did Christ answer questions about his authority?

PM February 26th Numbers 24

February 26^th Numbers 24

1: And when Balaam saw that it pleased the LORD to bless Israel, he went not, as at other times, to seek for enchantments, but he set his face toward the wilderness. 2: And Balaam lifted up his eyes, and he saw Israel abiding in his tents according to their tribes; and the spirit of God came upon him. 3: And he took up his parable, and said, Balaam the son of Beor hath said, and the man whose eyes are open hath said: 4: He hath said, which heard the words of God, which saw the vision of the Almighty, falling into a trance, but having his eyes open: 5: How goodly are thy tents, O Jacob, and thy tabernacles, O Israel! 6: As the valleys are they spread forth, as gardens by the river's side, as the trees of lign aloes which the LORD hath planted, and as cedar trees beside the waters. 7: He shall pour the water out of his buckets, and his seed shall be in many waters, and his king shall be higher than Agag, and his kingdom shall be exalted. 8: God brought him forth out of Egypt; he hath as it were the strength of an unicorn: he shall eat up the nations his enemies, and shall break their bones, and pierce them through with his arrows. 9: He couched, he lay down as a lion, and as a great lion: who shall stir him up? Blessed is he that blesseth thee, and cursed is he that curseth thee. 10: And Balak's anger was kindled against Balaam, and he smote his hands together: and Balak said unto Balaam, I called thee to curse mine enemies, and, behold, thou hast altogether blessed them these three times. 11: Therefore now flee thou to thy place: I thought to promote thee unto great honour; but, lo, the LORD hath kept thee back from honour. 12: And Balaam said unto Balak, Spake I not also to thy messengers which thou sentest unto me, saying, 13: If Balak would give me his house full of silver and gold, I cannot go beyond the commandment of the LORD, to do either good or bad of mine own mind; but what the LORD saith, that will I speak? 14: And now, behold, I go unto my people: come therefore, and I will advertise thee what this people shall do to thy people in the latter days. 15: And he took up his parable, and said, Balaam the son of Beor hath said, and the man whose eyes are open hath said: 16: He hath said, which heard the words of God, and knew the knowledge of the most High, which saw the vision of the Almighty, falling into a trance, but having his eyes open: 17: I shall see him, but not now: I shall behold him, but not nigh: there shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel, and shall smite the corners of Moab, and destroy all the children of Sheth. 18: And Edom shall be a possession, Seir also shall be a possession for his enemies; and Israel shall do valiantly. 19: Out of Jacob shall come he that shall have dominion, and shall destroy him that remaineth of the city. 20: And when he looked on Amalek, he took up his parable, and said, Amalek was the first of the nations; but his latter end shall be that he perish for ever. 21: And he looked on the Kenites, and took up his parable, and said, Strong is thy dwellingplace, and thou puttest thy nest in a rock. 22: Nevertheless the Kenite shall be wasted, until Asshur shall carry thee away captive. 23: And he took up his parable, and said, Alas, who shall live when God doeth this! 24: And ships shall come from the coast of Chittim, and shall afflict Asshur, and shall afflict Eber, and he also shall perish for ever. 25: And Balaam rose up, and went and returned to his place: and Balak also went his way.

Numbers 25 Moabite women seduce Israel

1: And Israel abode in Shittim, and the people began to commit whoredom with the daughters of Moab. 2: And they called the people unto the sacrifices of their gods: and the people did eat, and bowed down to their gods. 3: And Israel joined himself unto Baal-peor: and the anger of the LORD was kindled against Israel. 4: And the LORD said unto Moses, Take all the heads of the people, and hang them up before the LORD against the sun, that the fierce anger of the LORD may be turned away from Israel. 5: And Moses said unto the judges of Israel, Slay ye every one his men that were joined unto Baal-peor. 6: 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. 7: 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; 8: 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. 9: And those that died in the plague were twenty and four thousand. 10: And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 11: 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. 12: Wherefore say, Behold, I give unto him my covenant of peace: 13: 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. 14: 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. 15: 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. 16: And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 17: Vex the Midianites, and smite them: 18: 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.

Today’s reading follows on from yesterday’s narrative. First we see that Balaam sets out to find Israel and discovers them living in tents. The Spirit of God comes upon him and he falls into a trance and blesses God. Having described the wonders of God protection and prevision he says ‘Blessed is he that blesses you, and cursed is he that curseth you’. Balak was not pleased with Balaam at all and he rebuked him but Balaam said, ‘what the LORD says to me, that will I speak?’ Then he prophesied again – There will come a Star out of Jacob, and a Sceptre will rise out of Israel, and he will smite the corners of Moab, and destroy all the children of Sheth. Edom will be occupied and Seir also will be occupied and Israel will fight valiantly. Out of Jacob shall come he that shall have dominion, (Christ himself) and he will destroy anyone that remains of the city. Then he turned his attention to Amalek, and said, Amalek was the first nation to be established but his latter end will be that he perish for ever. Then he prophesied concerning the Kenites, he spoke in a parable saying, your homes are strong and you put your trust in a rock. However the Kenite shall be diminished until the Assyrians capture them. And he said, ships will come from the coast of Chittim, and they will injure Asshur, and Eber, and he will perish forever. Then Balaam and Balak went home. So the evil plans of Balak were totally frustrated God turned his plans for cursing Israel into blessing for Israel. While the Children of Israel camped at Shittim the daughters of Moab sold their bodies to the men of Israel. The children of Israel sacrificed to the idols of Moab and they ate and bowed down to their idols. Israel made an alliance with the god Ball-peor. The anger of the Lord was burning against Israel and the Lord told Moses to hang the heads of the tribes so that the Lords anger would be satisfied. Moses commanded that every man that had been involved was to be executed. While Israel wept before the Lord a Midianitish woman went in to lay with a an Israelite. But Phinehas took a javelin and followed after the Israelite man and speared them both through with the javelin. In this way the anger of the Lord was turned away from the people. 24,000 people had died from this plague. (Nearly 5% of all Israel.) The man and the woman were nobles of Israel and Midian. The Lord told Moses to attack the Midianites because they had tempted Israel with their wives.

• What is the end of the story of Balaam?
• How did the Moabite women seduce Israel?
• How was the solution found?

AM February 26th Mark 10

February 26^th Jesus predicts his resurrection

32: And they were in the way going up to Jerusalem; and Jesus went before them: and they were amazed; and as they followed, they were afraid. And he took again the twelve, and began to tell them what things should happen unto him, 33: Saying, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man shall be delivered unto the chief priests, and unto the scribes; and they shall condemn him to death, and shall deliver him to the Gentiles: 34: And they shall mock him, and shall scourge him, and shall spit upon him, and shall kill him: and the third day he shall rise again.

James and John seek position

35: And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, come unto him, saying, Master, we would that thou shouldest do for us whatsoever we shall desire. 36: And he said unto them, What would ye that I should do for you? 37: They said unto him, Grant unto us that we may sit, one on thy right hand, and the other on thy left hand, in thy glory. 38: But Jesus said unto them, Ye know not what ye ask: can ye drink of the cup that I drink of? and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? 39: And they said unto him, We can. And Jesus said unto them, Ye shall indeed drink of the cup that I drink of; and with the baptism that I am baptized withal shall ye be baptized: 40: But to sit on my right hand and on my left hand is not mine to give; but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared. 41: And when the ten heard it, they began to be much displeased with James and John. 42: But Jesus called them to him, and saith unto them, Ye know that they which are accounted to rule over the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and their great ones exercise authority upon them. 43: But so shall it not be among you: but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister: 44: And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all. 45: For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.

The healing of Bartimaeus

46: And they came to Jericho: and as he went out of Jericho with his disciples and a great number of people, blind Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, sat by the highway side begging. 47: And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out, and say, Jesus, thou Son of David, have mercy on me. 48: And many charged him that he should hold his peace: but he cried the more a great deal, Thou Son of David, have mercy on me. 49: And Jesus stood still, and commanded him to be called. And they call the blind man, saying unto him, Be of good comfort, rise; he calleth thee. 50: And he, casting away his garment, rose, and came to Jesus. 51: And Jesus answered and said unto him, What wilt thou that I should do unto thee? The blind man said unto him, Lord, that I might receive my sight. 52: And Jesus said unto him, Go thy way; thy faith hath made thee whole. And immediately he received his sight, and followed Jesus in the way.

Christ is on his last long journey to Jerusalem and so he takes the time to explain exactly what will happen to him there. It is nearly always forgotten that this was an outstanding prophecy. None of these things were able to be orchestrated by Christ and yet in a few days they will all come true. The most difficult prophecy for anyone to fulfil would be their own resurrection. At this time the disciples are still so self focused that they are planning to out manoeuvre each other into positions of power in the kingdom. How little did they understand of what the future held for them. Then when the rest of the disciples heard what these disciples had asked they were very cross indeed. Why would they be cross? Because they wanted to be in charge too. This was all about power over each other. Christ tells then in no uncertain terms that it is the Gentiles who exercise lordship over the common people but that they are not to act in this way among brethren. The one that is greatest is the one that is servant of all. He then describes his whole course in life - For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many. Christ came not to be served but to serve and to give his life. Christian ministers are not to see themselves in position of power over brethren but they are to see themselves as servants. It’s not their will that’s important it’s the will of those they serve that is important. On the road they pass Bartimaeus who calls out for Christ to heal his blindness. Christ’s simple question is a question that comes to us all. What wilt thou that I should do unto thee? His needs were many but his problem was one single disability. Christ removed the disability and Bartimeasus became a follower of Christ.

• What does Christ predict about his personal future?
• What were James and John wanting?
• What do you notice about the healing of Bar-Timaeus?

PM February 25th Numbers 21

February 25^th Numbers 21

Canaanites defeated

1: And when king Arad the Canaanite, which dwelt 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. 2: And Israel vowed a vow unto the LORD, and said, If thou wilt indeed deliver this people into my hand, then I will utterly destroy their cities. 3: And the LORD hearkened to the voice of Israel, and delivered up the Canaanites; and they utterly destroyed them and their cities: and he called the name of the place Hormah.

The Fiery Serpents

4: And they journeyed from mount Hor by the way of the Red sea, to compass the land of Edom: and the soul of the people was much discouraged because of the way. 5: And the people spake against God, and against 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. 6: And the LORD sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people; and much people of Israel died. 7: 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. 8: 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. 9: 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.

Israel east of Jordan

10: And the children of Israel set forward, and pitched in Oboth. 11: And they journeyed from Oboth, and pitched at Ije-abarim, in the wilderness which is before Moab, toward the sunrising. 12: From thence they removed, and pitched in the valley of Zared. 13: From thence they removed, and pitched on the other side of Arnon, which is in the wilderness that cometh out of the coasts of the Amorites: for Arnon is the border of Moab, between Moab and the Amorites. 14: Wherefore it is said in the book of the wars of the LORD, What he did in the Red sea, and in the brooks of Arnon, 15: And at the stream of the brooks that goeth down to the dwelling of Ar, and lieth upon the border of Moab. 16: 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. 17: Then Israel sang this song, Spring up, O well; sing ye unto it: 18: The princes digged the well, the nobles of the people digged it, by the direction of the lawgiver, with their staves. And from the wilderness they went to Mattanah: 19: And from Mattanah to Nahaliel: and from Nahaliel to Bamoth: 20: And from Bamoth in the valley, that is in the country of Moab, to the top of Pisgah, which looketh toward Jeshimon. 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 hath 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 by 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.

Numbers 22 E. The Prophet Balaam Balak sends for Balaam

1: And the children of Israel set forward, and pitched in the plains of Moab on this side Jordan by Jericho. 2: And Balak the son of Zippor saw all that Israel had done to the Amorites. 3: And Moab was sore afraid of the people, because they were many: and Moab was distressed because of the children of Israel. 4: And Moab said unto the elders of Midian, Now shall this company lick up all that are round about us, as the ox licketh up the grass of the field. And Balak the son of Zippor was king of the Moabites at that time. 5: He sent messengers therefore unto Balaam the son of Beor to Pethor, which is by the river of the land of the children of his people, to call him, saying, Behold, there is a people come out from Egypt: behold, they cover the face of the earth, and they abide over against me: 6: Come now therefore, I pray thee, curse me this people; for they are too mighty for me: peradventure I shall prevail, that we may smite them, and that I may drive them out of the land: for I wot that he whom thou blessest is blessed, and he whom thou cursest is cursed. 7: And the elders of Moab and the elders of Midian departed with the rewards of divination in their hand; and they came unto Balaam, and spake unto him the words of Balak. 8: And he said unto them, Lodge here this night, and I will bring you word again, as the LORD shall speak unto me: and the princes of Moab abode with Balaam. 9: And God came unto Balaam, and said, What men are these with thee? 10: And Balaam said unto God, Balak the son of Zippor, king of Moab, hath sent unto me, saying, 11: Behold, there is a people come out of Egypt, which covereth the face of the earth: come now, curse me them; peradventure I shall be able to overcome them, and drive them out. 12: And God said unto Balaam, Thou shalt not go with them; thou shalt not curse the people: for they are blessed. 13: And Balaam rose up in the morning, and said unto the princes of Balak, Get you into your land: for the LORD refuseth to give me leave to go with you. 14: And the princes of Moab rose up, and they went unto Balak, and said, Balaam refuseth to come with us. 15: And Balak sent yet again princes, more, and more honourable than they. 16: 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: 17: 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. 18: And Balaam answered and said unto the servants of Balak, 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. 19: Now therefore, I pray you, tarry ye also here this night, that I may know what the LORD will say unto me more. 20: 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.

Balaam’s donkey

21: And Balaam rose up in the morning, and saddled his ass, and went with the princes of Moab. 22: And God's anger was kindled because he went: and the angel of the LORD stood in the way for an adversary against him. Now he was riding upon his ass, and his two servants were with him. 23: And the ass saw the angel of the LORD standing in the way, and his sword drawn in his hand: and the ass turned aside out of the way, and went into the field: and Balaam smote the ass, to turn her into the way. 24: But the angel of the LORD stood in a path of the vineyards, a wall being on this side, and a wall on that side. 25: And when the ass saw the angel of the LORD, she thrust herself unto the wall, and crushed Balaam's foot against the wall: and he smote her again. 26: And the angel of the LORD went further, and stood in a narrow place, where was no way to turn either to the right hand or to the left. 27: And when the ass saw the angel of the LORD, she fell down under Balaam: and Balaam's anger was kindled, and he smote the ass with a staff. 28: And the LORD opened the mouth of the ass, and she said unto Balaam, What have I done unto thee, that thou hast smitten me these three times? 29: And Balaam said unto the ass, Because thou hast mocked me: I would there were a sword in mine hand, for now would I kill thee. 30: And the ass said unto Balaam, Am not I thine ass, upon which thou hast ridden ever since I was thine unto this day? was I ever wont to do so unto thee? And he said, Nay. 31: Then the LORD opened the eyes of Balaam, and he saw the angel of the LORD standing in the way, and his sword drawn in his hand: and he bowed down his head, and fell flat on his face. 32: And the angel of the LORD said unto him, Wherefore hast thou smitten thine ass these three times? behold, I went out to withstand thee, because thy way is perverse before me: 33: And the ass saw me, and turned from me these three times: unless she had turned from me, surely now also I had slain thee, and saved her alive. 34: And Balaam said unto the angel of the LORD, I have sinned; for I knew not that thou stoodest in the way against me: now therefore, if it displease thee, I will get me back again. 35: And the angel of the LORD said unto Balaam, Go with the men: but only the word that I shall speak unto thee, that thou shalt speak. So Balaam went with the princes of Balak.

Balaam blesses Israel

36: And when Balak heard that Balaam was come, he went out to meet him unto a city of Moab, which is in the border of Arnon, which is in the utmost coast. 37: 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? 38: And Balaam said unto Balak, Lo, I am come unto thee: have I now any power at all to say any thing? the word that God putteth in my mouth, that shall I speak. 39: And Balaam went with Balak, and they came unto Kirjath-huzoth. 40: And Balak offered oxen and sheep, and sent to Balaam, and to the princes that were with him. 41: And it came to pass on the morrow, that Balak took Balaam, and brought him up into the high places of Baal, that thence he might see the utmost part of the people.

Numbers 23

1: And Balaam said unto Balak, Build me here seven altars, and prepare me here seven oxen and seven rams. 2: And Balak did as Balaam had spoken; and Balak and Balaam offered on every altar a bullock and a ram. 3: And Balaam said unto Balak, Stand by thy burnt offering, and I will go: peradventure the LORD will come to meet me: and whatsoever he sheweth me I will tell thee. And he went to an high place. 4: And God met Balaam: and he said unto him, I have prepared seven altars, and I have offered upon every altar a bullock and a ram. 5: And the LORD put a word in Balaam's mouth, and said, Return unto Balak, and thus thou shalt speak. 6: And he returned unto him, and, lo, he stood by his burnt sacrifice, he, and all the princes of Moab. 7: And he took up his parable, and said, Balak the king of Moab hath brought me from Aram, out of the mountains of the east, saying, Come, curse me Jacob, and come, defy Israel. 8: How shall I curse, whom God hath not cursed? or how shall I defy, whom the LORD hath not defied? 9: For from the top of the rocks I see him, and from the hills I behold him: lo, the people shall dwell alone, and shall not be reckoned among the nations.

Balaam’s prophesy

10: Who can count the dust of Jacob, and the number of the fourth part of Israel? Let me die the death of the righteous, and let my last end be like his! 11: 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. 12: And he answered and said, Must I not take heed to speak that which the LORD hath put in my mouth? 13: And Balak said unto him, Come, I pray thee, with me unto another place, from whence thou mayest see them: thou shalt see but the utmost part of them, and shalt not see them all: and curse me them from thence. 14: And he brought him into the field of Zophim, to the top of Pisgah, and built seven altars, and offered a bullock and a ram on every altar. 15: And he said unto Balak, Stand here by thy burnt offering, while I meet the LORD yonder. 16: And the LORD met Balaam, and put a word in his mouth, and said, Go again unto Balak, and say thus. 17: And when he came to him, behold, he stood by his burnt offering, and the princes of Moab with him. And Balak said unto him, What hath the LORD spoken? 18: And he took up his parable, and said, Rise up, Balak, and hear; hearken unto me, thou son of Zippor: 19: 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? 20: Behold, I have received commandment to bless: and he hath blessed; and I cannot reverse it. 21: 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. 22: God brought them out of Egypt; he hath as it were the strength of an unicorn. 23: 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! 24: 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. 25: And Balak said unto Balaam, Neither curse them at all, nor bless them at all. 26: But Balaam answered and said unto Balak, Told not I thee, saying, All that the LORD speaketh, that I must do? 27: And Balak said unto Balaam, Come, I pray thee, I will bring thee unto another place; peradventure it will please God that thou mayest curse me them from thence. 28: And Balak brought Balaam unto the top of Peor, that looketh toward Jeshimon. 29: And Balaam said unto Balak, Build me here seven altars, and prepare me here seven bullocks and seven rams. 30: And Balak did as Balaam had said, and offered a bullock and a ram on every altar.

In chapter 21 we see victory and defeat and then we see opposition and blessing. But first we see that the Canaanites came against Israel and took some prisoners but Israel called on the Lord and entered into a covenant with the Lord to obey the Lord if the Lord gave them victory. Israel was totally victorious and the children of Israel totally destroyed the Canaanites. This incident and others like it troubles many people. Yet we must remember that Israel had been raised up by the Lord to bring righteousness and judgment into the World. And God used them specifically as his instrument of execution to those nations and peoples whose sin had matured into such proportions that immediate and final judgment was God will. However Israel was not immune to judgment themselves and in the very next passage we see that because the children of Israel were forbidden to pass through the land of Edom they had a very long and deserted journey around them. In the exhaustion of the journey they rebelled against the Lord and the Lord sent snakes among them. The people who were bitten died. The people repented of their rebellion and called on Moses who called on the Lord to deliver them. The Lord did deliver them in a very remarkable way. Moses was commanded to make a serpent of brass and put it on a pole. Those that looked at the serpent lived. This is the incident that Christ quotes in John chapter 3. The Children of Israel drew nearer to the promised land and engaged with a few peoples in battle – these battles are recorded in the book (Numbers) - the wars of the Lord. And so their journey continues. Israel made war against the Amorites and fire from the Lord destroyed them and Israel dwelt in their cities. Og the King of Bashan was a huge man. (His bed is still seen today in a museum in Israel) The king and the whole nation were totally destroyed by the Lord. When the children of Israel camped near to Moab on the eastern side of Jordan just above the Dead Sea, Balak was afraid and sought a way to resist or defeat Israel. So he sent for Balaam to come and curse Israel. The Lord spoke to Balaam forbidding him. At first he was afraid of the Lord but when he was promises fame and wealth he went. In the night the Lord spoke to Balaam saying go with the men but do what l say. in the morning Balaam rose and went with the princes of Moab. The Lord was angry that Balaam was going at the bidding of these men and sent an angel to stand in his way. The donkey carrying Balaam saw the angel, but Balaam didn’t. Three times the Lord blocked his path and the donkey crushed Balaam’s foot against a wall. In the end the donkey sat down a refused to go ahead. Balaam hit the donkey for doing this and then the lord did a wonderful thing he enabled the donkey to speak. The donkey said why did you do this three times. Balaam said if l had a sword l would kill you but the donkey replied l am not your donkey? Have you ever seen me do anything like this before. And Balaam said – ‘Nay’. (God is able to make a donkey speak like a man and a man to answer like a donkey!) Then God opened the eyes of Balaam and he saw the angel of the Lord with the drawn sword. He bowed his head and fell on his face. Then the angel explained what the donkey had been doing and how the donkey had saved his life. Then the angel said go with these men but only do what l tell you to do. Balaam went and met Balak who gave him all his bribes. Then the Lord told Balaam exactly what to say. After a long intercourse Balaam explained that he had to bless Israel because God had blessed them. He said as all true prophets say – ‘All that the LORD speaketh, that I must do?

• How did Israel deal with the King Arad?
• Why did the Lord judge Israel with serpents and How did the Lord provide a cure? See John 3.
• Describe the story of Balaam.