
Numbers 20 tells us of the death of Miriam. The oldest member of Moses' family. This event signalled to Israel that the generation who pioneered the Exodus, when the LORD delivered His people from Egypt had come to a close. The nation would soon enter the Promised Land under Joshua. We see that, like it was when they first left Egypt, it was the 1st month - but now it begins the 40th year since their departure. The location was the place where Moses had first struck the rock - Kadesh Meribah. The waters that had followed them since that first striking would soon cease. The nation would stay there for one month mourning Miriam's death. Problems for the remnants of that pioneering generation had unfortunately remained the same - they grumbled because of their thirst. Moses had been worn down by their constant grumbling and acts uncharacteristically when God told him to beseech the rock which he had previously struck 37 years earlier. That rock symbolised Christ as we are told in 1 Corinthians 10:4-5. Moses, worn down by the older generation's constant murmurs, in exasperation smote the rock twice and exclaimed to those rebels, "Hear now, you rebels: shall WE bring for you water out of this rock?" (Numbers 20:10 ESV). Moses had failed to give to Yahweh the glory due for the miracle and as a result he was forbidden to enter the Promised Land. A hard, but vital, lesson for Moses and for us also. Our Sovereign MUST never be displaced from our minds, even when we become frustrated. We are told in Psalm 106:32-33 that Moses spoke rashly with his lips. Jesus tells us, in John 12:47-48, that idle words can prevent his followers from entering his kingdom. Pause and ponder. The other great lesson being taught was that our sins have caused our Lord's crucifixion and we need in humble repentance speak peacefully and imploringly when we beg forgiveness from our God - Hebrews 6:4-8; 10:26-31. Numbers 20:14-21 tell of Edom's hostility toward Israel in refusing them passage through Edom, even though Israel promised to pass through that land peaceably and to pay for all food and water which they would consume. The LORD remembers Edom's hostility and reminds Israel about it through Moses' writings in Deuteronomy. Verses 22-31 describe Aaron being laid to rest in the sleep of death by his Almighty Sovereign. Aaron, we are told in those verses, shared Moses' sentiments, in the rash words Moses had said, when God was not glorified. Aaron was stripped of his High Priestly clothes and they were transferred to Aaron's son Eleazar. Moses returned to his nation from Mount Hor and the nation mourned Aaron's death for a whole month.
Numbers 21 outlines a number of events that occurred as Israel neared the Promised Land. Verses 1-3 speak of further opposition, this time from the Canaanitish king of Arad. He came out with his army to fight against Israel. Moses implored for God's help and chased the Canaanites as far as Hormah, meaning "destruction" this being the opposing bookend to chapter 13, 37 years earlier, when the Canaanites chased Israel to Hormah. The tide is now turning and the formerly faithless destroyed now have learnt to be the faithful destroyers of God's enemies. Nonetheless there remained in the minds of the people the remnants of the idolatry to which all of the LORD's people are all too often inclined. The pattern of rebellion against the nation's Omnipotent Sovereign and His divinely appointed authority once more reared its ugly head in criticism of Moses' intentions on God's deliverance of His people. Yahweh's response was to send fiery serpents among the rebels. The adjective "fiery" describes the burning produced by the snake's bite. Faithful Moses demonstrates that, despite his mistake in chapter 20, he is still the compassionate commander who makes intercession for the people of the LORD. Moses is told to make a bronze snake resembling that of the serpents which were destroying the LORD's people with their bite. This symbolises sin which tempts each one of us, so easily to sin and destroys us in the process. How can sin be defeated? Not by us, but by God sending His own Son in a body, which like each one of us, that so easily flares up against our Creator in passionate rebellion and which enflamed lusts we cannot overcome on each an every occasion. Our Lord Jesus Christ was tempted like his brethren, but unlike us he always triumphed over the lusts and passions of his human nature - Hebrews 2:14-18; and 4:15. It was essential for the salvation of each of us that the captain of our salvation had to conquer sin - firstly within his own body and then for each believer -
1 Peter 2:21-25. In order to accomplish this work of saving sinners God sent His own Son in the nature which first produced sin and has from then for ever after vanquished every descendant from Adam - Romans 8:1-11. Returning to the record in Numbers 21 tells us that, according to the Almighty's instructions, Moses made a bronze snake resembling those that were destroying the LORD's people and placed it on a pole. That this spoke of Jesus' crucifixion we have no doubt as John the Apostle wrote in his gospel account in chapter 3:13-18. This action of Moses was not only in response to his Maker's command, but also by way of providing a means of escape from the catastrophe which had overwhelmed the people of God. The key to saving us lay in the Almighty's provision of a Saviour and of our acknowledgment of our total inability to save ourselves and in faith accepting God's mercy and gracious means of salvation, on the only basis of His saving of us - our belief, that is our faith that He can do what we cannot do - see Romans 3 verses 20-31; 5 verses12-21;
6:1 to chapter 8:11. Those who believed were saved from the serpent's bite, whilst those who failed to believe perished.
Verses 10-20 of Numbers 21 describe Israel encamping at Oboth and Beer and their singing of a song of praise to Yahweh composed by Moses which celebrates the bounties of our Sovereign given to His people. Verses 21-35 tell of Israel's defeat of the giants who ruled the kingdoms of the Amorites and the territory of Bashan - Sihon and Og. These kings dwelled on the eastern side of the Jordan River. The defeat of these two kings is also spoken of in Psalms 135 and 136. These man were mighty giants and were in all probability much taller than the Philistine Goliath who was about 3-4 metres high. The book of Deuteronomy tells us that king Og's bed was about 4.5 metres long.
Proverbs 15 verses 1-19 concludes the subsection begun in chapter 10. There verses describe the profitable use of the tongue in bestowing blessings upon the hearers. We are reminded firstly of the need to remain in control of our tempers and always speak softly to others and so avoid strife. Moses would have welcomed these words before he spoke rashly. Wisdom beseeches us to remember our ways and words are constantly before our God's eyes. What a moderating force this should be. Verse 4 tells us that wise words are a "tree of life". Fools fail to understand that. Read through this section and note the repetition and reinforcement of these ideas. Those words ensure that we will understand the consequences of what we say - our Sovereign sees and hears and will judge us for the wisdom, or the folly, of our words. We also need to consider whether we are helping, or hindering, another from being granted the blessing of entry into the kingdom of God on this earth. Chapter 15 verses 20-22 and 16 concludes the second major division of the book of Proverbs to the theme: "A call to listen to the words of the Living God". The theme is introduced in chapter 15 verse 20 - "A wise son makes a glad father, but a foolish man despises his mother" (ESV). Walking in wisdom's ways brings blessings from our Father, but foolishness brings disaster to the speaker, and the hearer, of foolishness alike. These blessings and cursings are not only for now but their consequences are for eternity. The 15th chapter concludes with words which we must constantly keep before our eyes - "The fear of the LORD is instruction in wisdom, and humility comes before honour" (ESV).
The LORD was waiting for the best time for the preaching of the gospel. Acts 19 records the events at Ephesus. The Word of the Lord grew mightily and prevailed in that city and it became Paul's base of operations throughout the then known region of Asia. Chapter 1 contains greetings and the faithful in Ephesus being described as having, in status, been elevated to heavenly places in Christ Jesus. From verses 15-22 the Apostle offers prayer and thanksgiving on the believers behalf. Paul outlines in verses 19-22 the great place Christ occupies to all believers. The Apostle tells the Ephesians that in the Lord Jesus Christ the Almighty's power was seen in producing a righteous man who could then be raised from the dead. All four Greek words for power are used in those verses. Chapter 2 deals with the enlightenment of believers and their salvation by grace - on the basis of their faith. Believers salvation has nothing to do with their merits. However, a life of gratitude is necessitated from believers. In verses 11-18 Paul outlines the faithful's changed status from hopeless nobodies to sanctified believers in Christ Jesus. The chapter concludes with the growth of the body of believers into a holy temple. A dwelling place for the LORD GOD ALMIGHTY. Slowly read aloud verses 17-22 and consider the foundation God has given us and that each of us determine to be a part of the LORD's holy edifice.
Penned by Warwick Rosser and his team, produced by Christadelphianvideo.org
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