Numbers 36 "The Conclusion Of The Book"

"These are the commandments and the judgments which the Lord commanded the children of Israel by the hand of Moses in the plains of Moab by the Jordan, across from Jericho." (v.13) 

The Book of Numbers began in the wilderness (Numbers 1:1). It now finishes as close to the Promised Land as you can get without actually being there. As the Children of Israel stood across from the city of Jericho, consider what it took to take them from Egypt to this place.

Through the book, we have seen how the nation actually set out from Mount Sinai to the Promised Land, but found themselves struggling with the flesh – they murmured, complained, and rebelled; most of all, they failed to enter into what God had set before them by faith – and a generation of unbelief was condemned to perish in the wilderness. 

After that, the new generation set out towards the Promised Land again and faced the same challenges of the flesh – but through faith, they dealt with them better this time - until they made their way to the threshold of the Promised Land, across from the Jordan.

By spiritual analogy, many Christians die in the wilderness because they will not trust God and will not enter into what He has set before them. Many Christians also see the evidence of that lack of faith display itself in a weakness towards the things of the flesh. Sadly, many Christians live more in the wilderness than on the threshold of the Promised Land.

Now consider what it would take to move the Children of Israel into the Promised Land from across the river. Staying on the shores of the Jordan River is better than being in the middle of the wilderness; but it isn’t the Promised Land. They came this far by faith and will need faith to take them the rest of the way. 

Again we see how this analogy could fit many Christians today. We must keep moving forward in faith in our walk with the LORD in order to receive everything He has in store for us. Thank God Moses didn't lose his faith...his temper, "Yes" his faith "No". 

The Truth: "By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be known as the son of Pharaoh’s daughter. He chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. He regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking ahead to his reward. By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the king’s anger; he persevered because he saw him who is invisible. By faith he kept the Passover and the application of blood, so that the destroyer of the firstborn would not touch the firstborn of Israel. By faith the people passed through the Red Sea as on dry land; but when the Egyptians tried to do so, they were drowned." (Hebrews 11:24-29) 

Numbers 35 "Cities of Refuge"

“Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, “Speak to the sons of Israel and say to them, ‘When you cross the Jordan into the land of Canaan, then you shall select for yourselves cities to be your cities of refuge, that the manslayer who has killed any person unintentionally may flee there. ‘The cities shall be to you as a refuge from the avenger, so that the manslayer will not die until he stands before the congregation for trial.” (v. 9-12)

In the ancient culture of Israel, it was not left entirely up to the government to avenge a murder. Each extended family had a recognized avenger who would ensure that one who murdered a family member would likewise be killed. This practice was based upon a correct understanding of Genesis 9:6: Whoever shed’s man’s blood, by man his blood shall be shed; for in the image of God, God made man. This, if properly understood and applied, could be an effective deterrent to murder and not a bad institution. Yet, the system had a fatal weakness: What if a death was accidental, yet difficult to prove that it was accidental? 

Therefore, there were six cities of refuge (which might be reached in less than a day's journey from any part of the land) to which a manslayer might flee and be safe till they had a fair trial. Anyone – a stranger or a citizen of Israel – anyone who needed to find protection in the cities of refuge could. And protection was not limited to the children of Israel.

The Bible makes a clear distinction between killing and murder. All murder is killing; but not all killing is murder. Therefore, every society needs laws to establish the principles that decide a death to be either; an unfortunate killing, or true murder. 

In our text, if a manslayer was acquitted from the charge of murder, they were protected from the avenger of blood; yet they must continue to live within the walls of the city of refuge until the death of the high priest. If the man who sought protection in the city of refuge wandered outside the walls of the city, he was fair game for the avenger of blood – only within his place of refuge was he safe. On the other hand, if proved guilty on sufficient evidence, he would be condemned and punished as a murderer, without the possibility of deliverance.

These cities, ordered by the LORD, show His compassion/protection of the innocent and established that both humanity and justice would be met.

The Truth: “The Lord also will be a refuge for the oppressed, A refuge in times of trouble.” (Psalm 9:9)

Numbers 34 "Missed Opportunities"

Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, “Command the children of Israel, and say to them: ‘When you come into the land of Canaan, this is the land that shall fall to you as an inheritance; the land of Canaan to its boundaries.’” (vv.1-2)

God is about to describe the borders of the Promised Land to Moses and the children of Israel. Though the lands on the eastern side of the Jordan River belonged to Israel (and two and one-half tribes settled on the eastern lands), those lands were not considered to be the “Promised Land” – that is, Canaan.

Israel was going to have to take control of the Promised Land by conquest; they would have to drive out the Canaanites to take possession. Yet, they should never consider that the land was given to them because they earned it. It was given to them by God as an inheritance. Inheritances are freely given, not earned. The division of the land was, in fact, a potentially divisive – even explosive – issue among the people of Israel. It was right to take the two most godly and prominent leaders of the nation, Eleazar the priest and Joshua the son of Nun, to direct this essential and controversial duty. (vv.16-17)

However, the Israelites never came close to taking all of the territory God had given them because of their lack of faith. This was a pattern with them from the very moment they left Egypt. Everything was fine until a test of their faith came, then they would fall right back into their old habits.

Habits are very difficult to break, especially bad ones. Oh we’re ok for a while but when the trial comes, it becomes easy to fall back into them. And for the children of Israel, it was complaining or blaming Moses for their problems. We all probably have some area in our lives that is being tested. An area that God is saying, "trust Me." Those trials are intended to strengthen us and make us more like the person God intended us to be. However, if we lack faith, we are missing out on opportunities He has for us. 

I remember pastor Chuck Smith saying, "Whatever we face, we need to remember to focus on Him and His power, not upon the problem." I don’t want to possess just a fraction of what God has for me, nor miss out on any of His plans for me. I want as much as I can get and so should you. But that depends upon our faith. Trust in Him all you people and He will direct your path.

The Truth: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” ( 2 Corinthians 5:17)

Numbers 33 "Review of the Exodus"

These are the journeys of the children of Israel, who went out of the land of Egypt by their armies under the hand of Moses and Aaron. Now Moses wrote down the starting points of their journeys at the command of the Lord. And these are their journeys according to their starting points. (vv.1-2)

Chapter 33 is divided into two major accounts of the exodus; looking back at what God had already done (vv.1-49), and the command to the new generation concerning the future conquest and possession of the land of Canaan (vv.50-56). 

A quick look back shows us that though the Israelites were slaves in Egypt, upon their departure they did not have to shrink out of Egypt; God gave them the boldness to leave as conquerors, not as escaping slaves. The plagues the Lord brought upon Egypt were not randomly chosen; they were specifically intended to humble the people and rebuke their belief in the bizarre and demonic Egyptian deities. Their journey from Egypt to Mount Sinai took them more than a year, yet most of the time was not spent traveling, but in receiving the law at Mount Sinai. 

However, from Mount Sinai to the shores of the Jordan River took them some 38 years; not because the distance was so long, but because God led them in wanderings. Why?  Because the generation of unbelief had to die in the wilderness before a generation of faith could be raised up to take possession of the Promised Land (vv.16-49).

At this point the LORD spoke to Moses in the plains of Moab by the Jordan, across from Jericho, saying, “Speak to the children of Israel, and say to them: ‘When you have crossed the Jordan into the land of Canaan, then you shall drive out all the inhabitants of the land from before you, destroy all their engraved stones, destroy all their molded images, and demolish all their high places; you shall dispossess the inhabitants of the land and dwell in it, for I have given you the land to possess’” (vv.50-53). 

God had a unique role for the nation of Israel in regard to the people of Canaan. He used them as a unique instrument of judgment against the Canaanites. This unique purpose explains why Israel was commanded not only to defeat them militarily, but to erase the remains of the idolatrous culture. Modern archaeology has documented the corrupt and demonic worship practices of the Canaanites. They were truly a culture ripe for the judgment of God. God’s intent was not only to bring judgment on this corrupt culture, but also to give the land to Israel to possess. 

Therefore, if Israel failed to drive the Canaanites out of the land completely, and allowed a small remnant to still occupy the Promised Land – their corrupt practices would find a place among the hearts of Israel. Then Israel itself would eventually be driven out of the land by God's promised warning ("it shall be that I will do to you as I thought to do to them" vv.55-56). Unfortunately, this became true of Israel’s history. They did not fully drive out the Canaanites, and though they possessed the land, the corruption of the Canaanites continued among Israel until eventually God allowed Israel to be driven out of the land in exile. 

It is of no use for the church today to succeed in the eyes of man – as Israel had succeeded when they occupied the land and became a legitimate nation, instead of an enslaved people – if it merely allows the corrupt practices and attitudes of the world to take root. If this happens, the church should expect to be eventually driven from its place of success. As, "A little leaven leavens the whole lump." (Galatians 5:9)

The Truth: “I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars; and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name’s sake and have not become weary. Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place—unless you repent." (vv.2-5)

Numbers 32 "Stoping Short"

They said (the sons of Reuben and the sons of Gad), “If we have found favor in your sight, let this land be given to your servants as a possession; do not take us across the Jordan (river).” (v.5)

How often do WE stop short of God's revealed will for our lives? Stopping on our journey of faith, substituting programs or in this case negotiating a deal, instead of having simple, saving faith in our Lord and trusting in the intentions of our God. We, like the sons of Ruben and the sons of Gad, stop short of crossing the river.

So, what happened to Gad and Reuben for going their own way? Gad was later taken captive by Assyria and the Ammonites seized their lands and territories. A similar fate awaited the Reubenites. The half-tribe of Manasseh settled near them but more to the north, and they, too, were ultimately lost to captivity in Assyria. They got what they wanted and then lost—everything.

What looks good to us, what is attractive, what we can work out in some kind of negotiation, is not necessarily what we need. What is in front of us may seem desirable, but we cannot see the future. Only God can, because He is already there.

The Truth: “By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going.” (Hebrews 11:8) 

Numbers 31 "Vengeance on Midian"

 And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying: “Take vengeance on the Midianites for the children of Israel. Afterward you shall be gathered to your people.” (vv.1-2)

The Midianites were a nomadic people, at this time associated with the people of Moab. God commanded they be attacked in retribution for their seduction of Israel into sexual immorality and idolatry (Numbers 25). 

We are generally uncomfortable with the idea of vengeance because it doesn’t seem consistent with God’s love. Yet, in the right context, vengeance is something good that God is interested in. The Scriptures repeatedly speak of the vengeance of God as a positive thing. Evil comes when we take vengeance into our own hands.

In this circumstance, Israel was in a unique place – with a special call to be an instrument of God’s vengeance. This is something no person should take upon themselves today. Vengeance belongs to God, not to man. Can God use man as His instrument of authority? Absolutely!  And when He does, we as Christians can be at peace, knowing that good has been done when vengeance has been executed.

The Truth: "Vengeance is Mine; I will repay." (Deuteronomy 32:35) 

Numbers 30 "The Keeping of Vows"

Then Moses spoke to the heads of the tribes concerning the children of Israel, saying, “This is the thing which the Lord has commanded: If a man vow a vow to the LORD, or swears an oath to bind his soul with a bond; he shall not break his word, he shall do according to all that proceeds out of his mouth.” (vv.1-2)

 A vow before God is no small thing. Therefore, this instruction was given to the leaders of the tribes of Israel, for them to communicate to all the others in Israel. God expressly commanded that Israel should be careful to keep its vows, and to fulfill every oath made. Yet in many circles today, the breaking of an oath is just standard business practice – but before God, it is sin. 

Some today believe that vows or oaths are not permitted for a Christian. They think this because of what Jesus said in Matthew 5:34-37 (see also James 5:12). However, in context of the rest of Scripture, we see that Jesus was not forbidding oaths, as much as telling us that we should be so filled with integrity in our words, that an oath is unnecessary. Furthermore scripture tells us that Jesus answered under oath in a court (Matthew 26:63-64), and that even God Himself swore oaths (Luke 1:73, Acts 2:30, Hebrews 3:18, 6:13, 17). So I think we can safely say vows by Christians are permitted but come with expectations. 

Because God takes our vows so seriously, sometimes it is better not to make a vow. Yet when one does make a vow to God, do not delay to pay it; for He has no pleasure in fools. Pay what you have vowed. It is better not to vow than to vow and not pay (Ecclesiastes 5:4-5). Example, “If You will just get me out of this mess, I’ll never do that again” is a foolish vow, and it is foolish and unwise to demand such a vow from someone else too. Our humanity, our sinful nature, our individual weakness set us up for failure. And it is only through His power (not our own) that one is able to break the cycle of his or her foolish actions that lead to unfulfilled vows. 

As one grows in Christ, they become something better, something more. Their vows become more heart felt, truth becomes their watchword, and love the foundation of their intentions, not some unintentional outburst. As such, their word becomes their bond and they do not break it. And He can do the same for you if you'll let Him. (see connect with God prayer to the right of this page). God bless.  

The Truth

“Again you have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform your oaths to the Lord.’ (Matthew 5:33)

“But above all, my brethren, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or with any other oath. But let your “Yes” be “Yes,” and your “No,” “No,” lest you fall into judgment.” (James 5:12)

Numbers 29 "The Sacrificial System - Continued"

"So Moses told the children of Israel everything, just as the Lord commanded him" (v.40).

This chapter is a continuation of Numbers 28. Moses was soon to leave the scene and these verses would remind his successors that the religious laws applied to Israel were to continue after he was gone. For Israel to obey what God commanded in Numbers 28-29 meant that every year the priests would sacrifice; 1,086 lambs, 113 bulls, 32 rams, more than a ton of flour, and some 1,000 bottles of oil and wine on behalf of the nation. The most prominent animal of sacrifice was the lamb. This is an obvious prophetic reference to Jesus, who is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29).

All this sacrifice did not include the sacrifices made by individuals or households. The priests and Levites were clearly busy with the job of sacrifice, and it was fulfilled at considerable expense. In the days of Jesus, there is record of 255,600 Passover lambs being sacrificed at one Passover just by individuals and households. Significantly, none of it was enough! Not one of these hundreds of thousands of sacrifices over the centuries could ever take away a person’s sin; that had to wait until a perfect sacrifice was offered – the sacrifice of Jesus.

This section of Scripture is also the continuation of a revelation, a parable showing what we all need: Forgiveness, God's rest, a celebration of the Lord, a Sacrifice acceptable to Him, and His Holy Spirit. In short, this passage of scripture is about the simple act of expressing "YES" to the Lord, abandoning self-trust and instead, trusting in Him. 

The Truth: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.” (Proverbs 3:5-6)

Numbers 28 "The Sacrificial System"

Here in chapter 28 God saw fit to repeat the law of sacrifices because they had been generally discontinued for thirty-eight years. This was a new generation of men that needed to be instructed about them, as their parents were.

Offerings to the Lord are an expression of love and faith in Him and in this culture were continually presented before the Lord. When we give something to Him (no matter how small) there is a recognition of His existence and that we recognize and appreciated His workings in our lives.

However, be careful to give with a willing heart and the right frame of mind. For everything we have has been given to us out of His grace and really belongs to Him. Just as the priests gave back to the Lord out of what was given to them, so should we offer gifts to the Lord out of love and appreciation for what He has done for us.

The Truth: “Then one poor widow came and threw in two mites, which is a fraction of a penny. So He called His disciples to Himself and said to them, Assuredly, I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all those who have given to the treasury; for they all put in out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all that she had, her whole livelihood.” (Mark 12:42-44) 

Numbers 27 "The Appointment Of A New Leader"

And the Lord said to Moses: “Take Joshua the son of Nun with you, a man in whom is the Spirit, and lay your hand on him; set him before Eleazar the priest and before all the congregation, and inaugurate him in their sight. And you shall give some of your authority to him, that all the congregation of the children of Israel may be obedient. He shall stand before Eleazar the priest, who shall inquire before the Lord for him by the judgment of the Urim. At his word they shall go out, and at his word they shall come in, he and all the children of Israel with him; all the congregation.” So Moses did as the Lord commanded him. He took Joshua and set him before Eleazar the priest and before all the congregation. And he laid his hands on him and inaugurated him, just as the Lord commanded by the hand of Moses. (vv.18-23)

Here in chapter 27 God tells Moses to, “Go up into this Mount Abarim, and see the land which I have given to the children of Israel. And when you have seen it, you also shall be gathered to your people, as Aaron your brother was gathered. For in the Wilderness of Zin, during the strife of the congregation, you rebelled against My command to hallow Me at the waters before their eyes.” (vv.12-14) 

Moses was first told he would die before coming to the Promised Land in Numbers 20. It was still many months until Moses would climb to the top of the mountain, able to see the Promised Land but not able enter it and die there (Deuteronomy 34). Yet God told him of it here, so as to prepare his heart for the right time.

After hearing of his coming fate, Moses does not try to talk God out of it or complain – his only concern seems to be for the congregation, for the people, not for himself. That they would have someone to lead them out and bring them in, that is, to give guidance and direction for the sheep to follow. (Jesus was also moved with compassion when He saw the people as sheep without a shepherd: Mark 6:34). Moses is modeling the nature of Jesus here by his concern for God's people.

God then tells Moses to, "Take Joshua the son of Nun with you, a man in whom is the Spirit, and lay your hand on him: Up to this point, Joshua was mostly known by his servant-like association with Moses (Exodus 24:13). That time as Moses’ humble servant prepared him to take the leadership he was now called to. This public presentation and laying of hands on Joshua was important. It let the whole nation know that Joshua was now the leader and the nation should expect to follow him. And so we see the new generation taking over. Joshua and Eleazar are now to work together (vv.21-22), as did Moses and Aaron.

Replacing a spiritual leader, teacher, pastor and shepherd is never easy. And, it is usually not the most obvious person that God has in mind for the job. King Saul seemed the obvious choice to be a great leader yet it was David, a shepherd boy, the runt of the litter, that became the man after God's own heart. So when replacing someone in leadership always pray for God's wisdom and give Him the chance to save you from the tragic consequences of a bad decision. 

The Truth: "For the LORD sees not as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7) 

Numbers 26 “A New Census”

And it came to pass, after the plague, that the LORD spoke to Moses and Eleazar the son of Aaron the priest, saying: “Take a census of all the children of Israel from twenty years old and above, by their fathers’ houses, all who are able to go to war in Israel.” (vv1-2)

The results of this second census revealed that those who came out of Egypt were now dead. A generation was gone due to their lack of faithfulness except Joshua and Caleb. 

The primary purposes for numbering the people a second time (according to most commentaries) was again for military purposes. However this time not so much for organization, but for determining the strength in numbers of their fighting force, which numbered some 601,730 able to go to war (not including women, children under 20 years of age, the elderly, and those unable to fight).

Our goal as Christians today should be to take stock of our own preparedness of His Word and remain faithful to Him, that we may be found in His eternal census when our time here is completed. 

The Truth: “After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, saying, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” (Revelation 7:9-10)

Numbers 25 "The Sin of Israel"

“And Israel stayed in Shittim, and the people began to commit prostitution with the daughters of Moab. And they called the people to the sacrifices of their gods: and the people did eat, and bowed down to their gods.” (vv.1-3)

The women of Moab, coming among the men of Israel, seduced them to both sexual sin and idolatry (and bowed down to their gods). The two were commonly connected in perverse forms of idol worship in the ancient world. Israel's sin here did that which all Balaam's enchantments could not do; it set God against them.

Baal was the great Canaanite fertility god, and the worship of Baal was a constant enticement for the children of Israel. Baalam prophesied from the high places of Baal (Numbers 22:41), possibly from the same place mentioned in our text – Baal Peor. 

Balak could never pay enough money to Balaam to make God curse Israel. In the previous chapter, Balaam tried to curse Israel and could not; but now, they are cursed because of their sin against the Lord. The anger of the Lord showed itself in a plague that began to strike down thousands among Israel and seemed as if it would continue until the whole nation was consumed. 

What an enemy could never accomplish against Israel, Israel did to itself through disobedience. The same principle works among the people of God today. The mightiest attack of Satan against us can never do as much damage as our own sin and rebellion against the Lord.

Twenty and four thousand died in the plague for sinning against God (v.9), proving that Israel did not understand this basic command that, “Thou shall have no other God’s before Me.”

Today not much has changed, there are many that call themselves Christians and put other God’s (money, power, pleasure, etc) before Him. Open their eyes Lord before it is too late.

The Truth: “For the Lord your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God.” (Deuteronomy 4:24)

Numbers 24 “The Lord’s Prophecy Through Balaam”

"Now when Balaam saw that it pleased the Lord to bless Israel, he did not go as at other times, to seek to use sorcery, but he set his face toward the wilderness. And Balaam raised his eyes, and saw Israel encamped according to their tribes; and the Spirit of God came upon him." (v.1-2)

What’s amazing here is that "the Spirit of God came upon" this false prophet (Balaam) at all. Meaning, God speaks to and through mankind at His good pleasure to accomplish His purposes. 

In Numbers 22:21-33, the Lord spoke to Balaam through a donkey, and here in this chapter, God speaks through this donkey of a man, to the coalition leaders of Moab and Midian, letting them know their days were numbered. 

We live because God ordains it (v.23). His purpose is to give all a chance to be "born again," to be "born of the Spirit," to "believe," to have "everlasting life,” as Jesus later revealed and encouraged all in John Chapter 3. That is why you live. 

The opportunity is yours through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, that you may have everlasting life. 

The Truth: “He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.” (John 3:18-19)

Numbers 23 “God’s Counsel Shall Stand”

“And he (Balaam) answered and said, Must I not take heed to speak that which the LORD has put in my mouth?” (v.12)

Though Balak pushed for his own way many times in this chapter alone, Gods’ message through Balaam never changed. The requested curse of Israel by Balak, was turned into a blessing by the Lord through Balaam.

Men change their minds, and break their words; but God never changes his mind, and therefore never recalls his promise. Though there are many evils in man's heart, God's counsels shall stand.

The Truth: “The counsel of the Lord stands forever, the plans of His heart to all generations.” (Psalm 33:11)

Numbers 22 “Balaam’s Eyes Open”

Balaam's Eyes Opened 

“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.”  (v.31)

God has many ways to bring down the hardened and un-humbled heart. He has ways to wake us up, to let us see the dangerous path we are traveling. Then when our eyes are opened and we shall see the danger of our sinful ways, what should our response be? 

Because we are all sinful, we are all capable of making bad choices. However, the question is, when our eyes are opened and our hearts tell us something is wrong here, what do we do? Do we continue in sinful ways or do we fall on our faces and ask for forgiveness?

Balaam had the correct response. He bowed his head, fell on his face and asked for forgiveness (v.34). If you are going down what you know to be the wrong path today, follow Balaam’s response to God.

The Truth: If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9)