Nathan Whitley's Blog, page 22
February 21, 2020
Daily Readings in the Bible Numbers 23-25
The king of Moab, Balak, grew in fear as he beheld the large Hebrew population. Moab, apparently, didn’t have a large enough army to engage Israel in battle. Balak resorted to hiring a soothsayer to curse them. Balak sent dignitaries from Moab and Midian to a man named Balaam. Balaam operated in familiar spirits, and offered his services of blessing and cursing.
Balaam is a mysterious figure. He practiced divination using omens (Num. 24:1). On the other hand, he also consulted the Lord....
February 20, 2020
Daily Readings in the Bible Numbers 21-22
Scripture records the children of Israel complaining at least fourteen times during their wilderness wandering (Ex. 5:1-22; 14:11-12; 15:22; 16:1-4; 17:1-4; 32:28; Num. 12:1-12; 14:1-10; 14:10; 16:1-40; 41-50; 20:1-5; 21:4-5).
Chapter twenty-one has the last recorded complaint in the wilderness. Israel, again, bemoans the wilderness and their food (Num. 21:4-5). The Lord, without warning, sent fiery serpents into the camp. As the snakes began to bite the people they cried out and said, “We...
February 19, 2020
Daily Readings in the Bible Numbers 18-20
Numbers chapter 20 is a sobering chapter. It includes the death of Miriam and Aaron, and the failure of Moses.
Rest is a significant theme in the Old Testament. The Lord rested after His creative activity (Gen. 2:2). The Sabbath was to be a day of rest (Ex. 31:15). The Promised Land was to have rest every seventh year (Lev. 25:4). Consequently, rest was tied to the promises of God with Israel.
Rest finds it true fulfillment in the New Testament. Jesus promises rest to the weary (Mt....
February 18, 2020
Daily Readings in the Bible Number 16-17
Korah was from the tribe of Kohath. The Kohathites were responsible for carrying the sacred furniture from the Tabernacle. Such a solemn task came with great responsibility. Though the Kohathites were Levites, they were different from the Aaronic priesthood, which included offering sacrifices.
Korah, unfortunately, thought he and some of the other Levites should have more responsibility than simply carrying holy furniture. Korah influenced two hundred and fifty men of renown and rebelled...
February 17, 2020
Daily Readings in the Bible Numbers 14-15
Scripture describes the Promised Land as a land “flowing with milk and honey” at least nineteen time (Lev. 26:3–12; Num. 13:23, 28; 14:7; 24:3; Deut. 6:3; 11:9; 26:9, 15; 27:3; 28:2–7, 11–12; 31:20). Canaan didn’t have rivers of milk and ravines filled with honey. Rather, this was a hyperbolic way of describing the rich abundance of the land of Canaan. The twelve spies, who inspected the Promised Land, testified to the fact that it was in fact a land flowing with milk and honey (Num. 13:27)....
February 16, 2020
Daily Readings in the Bible Numbers 11-13
Let’s recount all that has happened to Israel thus far. God had freed them from Egypt’s bondage with the shed blood of a lamb. They crossed over the Red Sea on dry ground when the Egyptians pursued them. When they were thirsty, God provided water in the desert. Their hunger was abated when the Lord gave them manna from heaven. The Lord graciously entered into a covenant with them, and gave them the Law. God decided to dwell among them through the Tabernacle. Furthermore, in the two years...
February 15, 2020
Daily Readings in the Bible Numbers 8-10
The wilderness wasn’t Israel’s destination. Their stay in the wilderness served as an interval between their redemption from Egypt and the possession of the Promised Land. Israel was a pilgrim nation in the wilderness, on their way to their promised destination. For this purpose the Tabernacle and their encampment were not stationary.
In Numbers 9-10 we see how God guided Israel from place to place. God used the pillar of cloud and the pillar of fire as a means for direction. The pillar of...
February 14, 2020
Daily Readings in the Bible Numbers 7
Israel had generously brought offerings for the building of the Tabernacle (Ex. 25:1-8; 35:4-36:7). Now that the Tabernacle had been erected, Israel was bringing offerings in support of the ministry and the maintenance of the Tabernacle (Num. 7:1-2).
Numbers chapter 7 is the longest chapter in the Pentateuch (the first five books of the Bible).The twelve tribes of Israel, represented by heads of each tribe, brought offerings in six covered wagons drawn by two oxen each. A total of 240...
February 13, 2020
Daily Readings in the Bible Numbers 5-6
The first four chapters of Numbers outline the layout of the camps, and the duties of the Levites. Instructions for life in the camp begins with chapter five. If the Lord was going to dwell with His people then it was important that Israel kept themselves from any defilement (Num. 5:3). Instructions included lepers being quarantined outside the camp; dishonest gain being confessed and offended parties being repaid; and suspected immorality being tested before God. Purity, honesty, and truth...
