~Reading: Numbers: Chapters 21-24
Chapter 21: Israel defeats those who live in Negeb. As they travel, they request from the Amorites simple passage through the land. They refuse and the Israelites defeat them. Chapters 22 through 24 cover a period of time when the Israelites are camped on the Plains of Moab. Balak, the king of Moab, was fearful of the Israelites after he saw what they had done to the Amorites. Therefore, he summoned a magician/soothsayer, Balaam, to curse the Israelites. Chapter 22: 6-15, 20-21, 36-38 (6-15) [Balak to Balaam] "Please come and curse this people [the Israelites] for us; they are stronger than we are. We may then be able to defeat them and drive them out of the country. For I know that whoever you bless is blessed and whoever you curse is cursed." Then the elders of the Moab and of Midian left with the divination fee in hand went to Balaam. When they had given him Balak's message, he said to them in reply, "Stay here overnight, and I will give you whatever answer the Lord gives me." So the princes of Moab lodged with Balaam. Then God came to Balaam and said, "Who are these men visiting you?" Balaam answered God, "Balak, son of Zippor, king of Moab, sent me the message: 'This people that came here from Egypt now cover the face of the earth. Please come and lay a curse on them for us; we then be able to give them battle and drive them out.'" But God to Balaam, "Do not go with them and do not curse this people, for they are blessed." The next morning Balaam arose and told the princes of Balak, "Go back to your own country, for the Lord has refused to let me go with you." So the princes of Moab went back to Balak with the report, "Balaam refused to come with us." Balak again sent princes, who were more numerous and more distinguished than the others. (20-21) That night God came to Balaam and said to him, "If these men have come to summon you, you may go with them; yet only on the condition that you do exactly as I tell you." So the next morning when Balaam arose, he saddled his ass, and went off with the princes of Moab. (36-38) When Balak heard that Balaam was coming, he went out to meet him at the boundary city Ir-Moab on the Arnon at the end of the Moabite territory. And he said to Balaam, "I sent an urgent summons to you! Why did you not come to me? Did you think I could not reward you?" Balaam answered him, "Well, I have come to you after all. But what power have I to say anything? I can only speak was God puts in my mouth." Chapter 23: 11-12, 25-26 (words in brackets are my paraphrases) [Balaam builds alters and then gives voice to his first oracle, which blessed the Israelites] (11-12) "What have you done to me?" cried Balak to Balaam. "It was to curse my foes that I brought you here; instead, you have even blessed them." Balaam replied, "Is it not what the Lord puts in my mouth that I must repeat with care?" [They go to another place and Balaam gives voice to his second oracle] (25-26) "Even though you cannot curse them," said Balak to Balaam, "at least do not bless them." But Balaam answered Balak, "Did I not warn you that I must do all that the Lord tells me?" Chapter 24: 10-13, 25 [They go to another place, build alters, and then Balaam gives voice to his third oracle] (10-13) Balak beat his palms together in a blaze of anger at Balaam and said to him, "It was to curse my foes that I summoned you here; yet three times now you have even blessed them instead!" Be off at once, then to your home. I promised to reward you richly, but the Lord has withheld the reward from you!" Balaam replied to Balak, "Did I not warn the very messengers whom you sent to me, 'Even if Balak gave me his house full of silver and gold, I could not of my own accord do anything, good or evil, contrary to the command of the Lord'? Whatever the Lord says I must repeat." [Balaam gives voice to his fourth oracle] (25) Then Balaam set out on his journey home and Balak also went on his way.
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“Since salt is also a necessary part of the daily diet, and salt was always used in sacrifices to the Lord (Lev 2:13), it was not long before people saw a connection between salt and covenant making. To “eat salt with” a person meant to share his or her hospitality. When covenants were made, they were usually confirmed with sacrificial means, at which salt was always present.”
Source: Note on Numbers 18:19. p. 221. Archaeological Study Bible. 2005. The Zondervan Corporation. Grand Rapids, MI. ~~~~~Lesson: Numbers: Chapters 17-20
1) Again, we find the Israelites raising up their voices against Moses for the situation they are in. We can be forgiven for believing that complaining and blaming is all they did for 40 years...I'm sure there were times of great faith, it probably is simply that the "unrest" times were different enough to be recorded (see last section of lesson). It is easy to look at their situation and say what they were doing wrong. Can you look at your life and find one thing that you change today to make your life more for God? 2) It is still debated among scholars exactly what Moses and Aaron did wrong: was it actually striking the rock instead of simply standing before it and/or the actual words that they used. Question: Which (or both) "feels right" to you? Why? How can we avoid the sin of Moses and Aaron (taking credit for God's work/false pride)? Question (for fun): imagine wandering around the desert living for even just a year....what would you miss most? What would you dislike most? 3) Simply take note of 20:20-21...we will read a lot about Edom later. 4) When Aaron dies, he is first stripped of his garment (his priestly robe). This is not intended as an insult, so please don't read it that way. If a dead body touches a garment, it becomes unclean. It would be improper for a priestly garment (which was what Aaron wore) to touch a dead body. Therefore, it was passed on to his son before he actually died to avoid uncleanness. 5) When Aaron dies, the whole community mourns, showing that most of the time there was good faith, love between neighbors, and basically, just a "good community." And clearly, Moses and Aaron were respected most of the time as great people, as shown by the 30 days of mourning done by the entire community. Question: When reading about the wanderings, does it sometimes seem every story is about rebellion? Why do you think this is? (Or why don't you think this is a true statement?) ~Reading: Numbers: Chapters 17-20
Chapter 17 covers the leaders of the twelve tribes putting forth their staffs before God. God causes the staff of Aaron (the Levite tribe) to not only sprout, but have blossoms and ripe almonds, showing the Israelites that it IS Moses and Aaron he wants in charge of them. Chapter 18 covers the priests' share of the sacrifices, the tithes due the Levites, and the tithes paid by the Levites. Chapter 19 covers the burning of the red heifer and the use of the ashes. Chapter 20:1-13, 20-21, 27-29 (1-13) The whole Israelite community arrived in the desert of Zin in the first month, and the people settled at Kadesh. It was here that Miriam died, and here that she was buried. As the community had no water, they held a council against Moses and Aaron. The people contended with Moses, exclaiming, "Would that we too had perished with our kinsmen in the Lord's presence! Why have you brought the Lord's community into this desert where we and our livestock are dying? Why did you lead us out of Egypt, only to bring us to this wretched place which has neither grain nor figs nor vines nor pomegranates? Here there is not even water to drink!" But Moses and Aaron went away from the assembly to the entrance of the meeting tent, where they fell prostrate. Then the glory of the Lord appeared to them, and the Lord said to Moses, "Take the staff and assemble the community, you and your brother Aaron, and in their presence order the rock to yield its waters. From the rock you shall bring forth water for the community and their livestock to drink." So Moses took the staff from its place before the Lord, as he was ordered. He and Aaron assembled the community in front of the rock, where he said to them, "Listen to me, you rebels! Are we to bring water for you out of this rock?" Then, raising his hand, Moses struck the rock twice with his staff, and water gushed out in abundance for the community and their livestock to drink. But the Lord said to Moses and Aaron, "Because you were not faithful to me in showing forth my sanctity before the Israelites, you shall not lead this community into the land I will give them." These are the waters of Meribah, where the Israelites contended against the Lord, and where he revealed his sanctity among them. (20-21) But Edom (the king of) still said, "No, you shall not pass through," and advanced against them with a large and heavily armed force. Therefore, since Edom refused to let them pass through their territory, Israel detoured around them. (27-29) Moses did as the Lord commanded. When they {Aaron, Moses, and Eleazar} had climbed Mount Hor in view of the whole community, Moses tripped Aaron of his garments and put them on his son Eleazar. Then Aaron died there on top of the mountain. When Moses and Eleazar came down from the mountain, all the community understood that Aaron had passed away; and for thirty days the whole house of Israel mourned him. For those of you who don't already know, I'm a writer. I've gotten non-fiction articles, devotionals, and reviews published, along with running my three websites (this one of them).
I'm also working on my second book. The first was a murder mystery/thriller, and I'm still looking for an agent for it. I cannot decide what to do now. I had pretty much decided to go with number 3 and then today I got another (surprise) check in the mail for a devotion I sent out months ago. So I don't know if the "Christian writing ro- here are my choices: 1) I have a book started that is based on the (fictional) story of a woman in the first century who was a disciple of Christ. She goes and spreads the word of Christ to other women in some of the same cities that the apostles visited. I have done a ton of research, and feel comfortable writing it. 2) I have a another murder mystery half-done. But to be honest, writing about the same topic is getting a bit stale for me. But I am talented at that type of writing. 3) A third book, not started except for a vague outline, based in the future. It's not sci-fi, it's more a "consequences of our actions, sociology viewpoint" book about how human behavior while sometimes cruel and pointless can also be inspired and amazing under certain circumstances. I've prayed and simply cannot decide which of these three to pursue. I need to focus on one of them, as I am busy with other writing (non-fiction articles, devotionals, stories, etc). What is your opinion? Pick an option or give me advice or whatever. Thank you in advance, God's blessings, Jennie I finally have all of the content from my old blog switched over to the new website. Feel free to browse around and check it out. All of our past Bible readings and study are sorted by book. Bible facts and our "beyond the Bible" lessons are also under their own section above.
If you want to contact me, there is also a page for that. In Biblical times, the land of Canaan was not desert, rocky, and desolate. It had heavy forests, orchards, and fields. Over time however, the bounty of the land was reduced. Invading armies cut down trees and burned crops. Overuse and misuse of the land hurt much of its fertility.
~~~~~Lesson: Numbers: Chapters 15-16
1) First we read of a person who breaks the Sabbath and is stoned to death as punishment. Do you think stoning someone to death was an appropriate punishment for gathering fire wood? Why or why not? Why do you think this punishment is no longer appropriate? 2) At the beginning of the rebellion, Korah says "The whole community, all of them, are holy." Do you think that in any group of people that large, every single one them is holy? Why or why not? 3) Moses then goes and talks to two other men of the group who are rebelling. They accuse Moses of being at fault for them not receiving the land of Canaan, when we know it was a lack of faith on part of the people that caused this. Question: Do we, as a society, sometimes refuse to accept blame for what we ourselves have caused? Do you occasionally do this on a personal level? 4) The Lord has the earth swallow up the people in rebellion. Question: Do you think He was angry to the insult proffered to Moses and/or do you think He was angry over their lack of faith? ~Reading: Numbers: Chapters 15-16 (15:32-36) While the Israelites were in the desert, a man was discovered gathering wood on the Sabbath day. Those who caught him at it brought him to Moses and Aaron and the whole assembly. But they kept him in custody, for there was no clear decision as what should be done with him. Then the Lord said to Moses, "This man shall be put to death; let the whole community stone him outside the camp." So the whole community led him outside the camp and stoned him to death, as the Lord had commanded Moses. (16:2-5) Two hundred and fifty Israelites who were leaders in the community, members of the council and men of note. They stood before Moses, and held an assembly against Moses and Aaron, to whom they said, "Enough from you! The whole community, all of them, are holy; the Lord is in their midst. Why then should you set yourselves over the Lord's congregation?" When Moses heard this, he fell prostrate. Then he said to Korah and to all his band, "May the Lord make known tomorrow morning who belongs to him and who is the holy one and whom he will have draw near to him! Whom he chooses, he will have draw near him!" (16:8-9) Moses also said to Korah, "Listen to me, you Levites! Is it too little for you that the God of Israel has singled you out from the community of Israel, to have you draw near him the service of the Lord's Dwelling to to stand before the community to minister for them? (16:12-14) Moses summoned Dathan and Abiram, sons of Eliab, but they answered, "We will not go. Are you not satisfied with having led us here away from a land flowing with milk and honey, to make us perish in the desert, that you must now lord it over us? Far from bringing us to a land flowing with milk and honey, or giving us fields and vineyards for our inheritance, will you also gouge out our eyes? No, we will not go." (16:20-24)...and the Lord said to Moses and Aaron, "Stand apart from this band, that I may consume them at once." But they fell prostrate and cried out, "O God, God of the spirits of all mankind, will one man's sin make you angry with the whole community?" The Lord answered Moses, "Speak to the community and tell them: Withdraw from the space around the Dwelling" [of Korah, Dathan and Abiram]. (16:28-33) Moses said [to the people], "This is how you shall know that it was the Lord who sent me to do all I have done, and that it was not I who planned it: if these men die an ordinary death, merely suffering the fate common to all mankind, then it was not the Lord who sent me. But if the Lord does something entirely new, and the ground opens its mouth and swallows them alive down into the nether world, with all belonging to them, then you will know that these men have defied the Lord." No sooner had he finished saying all this than and ground beneath them split open, and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them and their families [and all of Korah's men] and all their possessions. They went down alive to the nether world with all belonging to them; the earth closed over them, and they perished from the community. The “giants” referred to in Numbers, chapter 13, have been a source of argument for centuries. Some sources claim they were descendants of Cain (but have no explanation on how they survived the floor). Others claim that they were the descendants of renegade angels who had fallen to earth and had “giant children.”
Response to question/comment: the giant children they had went on to become the "giants" that the scouts who went into Canaan saw and were so afraid of. Supposedly, part of the land of Canaan at the time was filled with a race of people who were giants. ~~~~ Lesson: Numbers, Chapter 14
1) In this chapter, the Israelites once again refer to Egypt, and even start to make plans to return there, even knowing that they will surely be slaves again. Question: Can you name one sin that our society often becomes "slaves" to? 2) The Lord is very wrathful and filled with anger when he hears the Israelites and their ungratefulness and lack of faith. Moses, however, pleads on their behalf that they not be destroyed. God listens and instead of destroying them punishes them by 40 years of wandering in the desert. Question: Do you think if we pray for someone else to receive forgiveness that God will/might grant them forgiveness, even if they don't ask for it? Why or why not? 3) Some of the Israelites decide, belatedly, to go and try to take the land of Canaan. Moses warns them not to go, that it is no longer "their" land but that the promise will be fulfilled in their children's generation. They ignore him and then are defeated. Question: If we belatedly do what God wants us to do: do we suffer the same fate as them or different? Why? |
Jennifer Becker Landsberger
Who am I? Freelance writer (magazines, websites, & copywriting), Catholic, military wife, and Mensan. Double Bachelor's in History & Psychology. Witnessing by charity and love are above all. Studying the Bible and beyond helps me on this quest. Feel free to join my walk into the Bible.
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If you found the information helpful, even a small donation would be wonderful! Thank you & God bless you. ~~~Prayer before Writing-
Oh creator of the universe, who has set the stars in the heavens and causes the sun to rise and set, shed the light of your wisdom into the darkness of my mind. Fill my thoughts with a loving knowledge of you, that I may bring you like to others. Just as you can make even babies speak your truth, instruct my tongue and guide my pen to convey the wonderful glory of the Gospel. Make my intellect sharp, my memory clear, and my words eloquent, so that I may faithfully interpret the mysteries what you have revealed. Categories
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To my readers & fellow writers,
I promise: 1. I will pray that God's grace helps illuminate all of our interactions- both those of simple reading and more active conversations. 2. I will communicate with you respectfully and civilly. These are (rightly) issues which we feel passionate about. But even in disagreements, I will respect you fellow "seekers of truth." 3. I will not fall into negative behavior or words, such as insinuations, exaggerations, blames, or personal attacks. I respectfully ask you to do the same. 4. I will pray we will all find the truth and strive to fulfill the two greatest commandments: "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these." (Mark 12:30-31) This site will occasionally feature paid posts! I always 100% verify everything I endorse. You will not see posts for products or sites I would not use myself.
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