Numbers 21:2 and 5 — Good thing that we’re never as fickle as the Israelites! Yeah … right! We’ve never seen God deliver us from our enemies, restore our prisoners, and then get discouraged?
Numbers 21:8 — The serpent was in existence for 800 years until 2 Kings 18:4 when Josiah had to break it as an idol. But roughly 600 years later Jesus would talk about the serpent in the wilderness in John 3:14.
I’ve a message from the Lord, hallelujah! This message unto you I’ll give, ‘Tis recorded in His word, hallelujah! It is only that you “look and live.”
“Look and live,” my brother, live, Look to Jesus now, and live; ‘Tis recorded in His word, hallelujah! It is only that you “look and live.”
Numbers 22:6 — Was Balaam blessed by Satan, by God, or just a savvy soothsayer? Apparently by God – vs. 8 says that He knew the personal name of the LORD. Was this part of the Abrahamic blessing (Genesis 22:18) that people outside of Israel experienced the LORD?
Luke 1:30 — In today’s Old Testament reading, God told Moses to fear not; in this New Testament passage, He tells Mary to fear not as well.
Luke 1:33 — This is an application of the prophecy of Isaiah 9:7.
Luke 1:51-53 — The God of contrasts is the God of the impossible (vs. 37).
We’re trucking down the Bible Challenge highway! We’ve completed 5 books of the Bible and will begin Luke today!
Red Heifer
Numbers 19:2 — Jimmy DeYoung has some great insights on the red heifer:
The ordinance of the “Red Heifer” was given to the Jewish people, from God, through Moses. This ordinance was for the “cleansing of those desecrated”, desecrated by coming in contact with “death”. Any such contact would make that Jewish person “un-pure” and with the need of “purification”.
The “ordinance of the Red Heifer” was given after the “Ten Commandments”, to Moses as the spokesman for God, to the Jewish people. It is a “prophecy”, in symbolic form, which was fulfilled by Jesus Christ.
As you can see by reading our devotional passage for today, the “red heifer” was to have never worn a “yoke” and was to be without a blemish of any type,verse 2. The “red” color of the young cow must also be without any other spot of any other color. The priest was to lead the red heifer to an “alter without the gate”, meaning 3,000 feet away from the Tabernacle or Temple, and “before his face”,verse 3, meaning to the “east” of the Tabernacle or Temple. “His face” is referring to the “Glory of the Lord” that hovered over the “Ark of the Covenant”. After the priest “ceremonially killed” the red heifer it was placed on a “fire” of cedar wood and reduced to ashes. While that was happening the priest added a “scarlet ribbon” and some “hyssop”, a sponge-like plant, and the ashes of these ingredients were then added to a “stone jar” with “living water”, running water or “rain water”. Then this “ashen-water” was sprinkled on that or those desecrated. This ordinance will be reinstated during the Tribulation Period but is only a prototype of the “purification by the blood of Jesus Christ”, to cleanse each of us from our personal desecration, the result of sin. By the way, there is now a report that a Red Heifer is ready to be used during the Tribulation Period, that yet future time of Judgment on the Earth.
Numbers 19:20 — If you refuse the water of separation (baptism into Christ – Galatians 3:26-27, Ephesians 4:4-6, I Peter 3:21) made possible by the death of the perfect sacrifice, you will be cut off from the congregation. John 3:36 reiterates this.
Numbers 20:8-12 — Moses had been faithful to God for multiple books of the Bible, enduring the murmuring of Israel and much more. Why is God so upset with Moses? Was it that he made himself equal with God (note the ‘we’ in vs. 10)? The problem is that Moses disobeyed. The first time he was commanded to strike the rock (Exodus 17). The second time he was commanded to speak to the rock. What was so important about the rock?
1 Corinthians 10:4 tells us that the Rock was Christ. Christ was sacrificed once (Hebrews 9:28). Unfortunately, many today still attempt to sacrifice Christ afresh (impossible per Hebrews 6:6)! We do not need to crucify Him again. We need to merely speak to Him. As Romans 10:13 says, “Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
Numbers 20:24 — God had demonstrated His Gospel message, and Moses and Aaron destroyed the picture and were judged. Aaron was not punished for making the golden calf or rebelling against Moses with Miriam but for tampering with the Gospel!
Luke 1:17 — John the Baptist would make ready a people prepared for the Lord. All the prophecies we read about today – the Red Heifer and the Rock in the Wilderness – were culminated in the message of John: “Get ready! Jesus is Coming!” Today we have a very similar message: “Jesus is Coming Again!”
Numbers 16:41 — Another day, another rebellion. Good thing that today we never grumble, murmur, rebel, or disobey the Lord! Right? Oh, wait … It’s interesting that Aaron, who had built the golden calf and was jealous of Moses, has now been on the right side in three of the last four rebellions (Aaron is absent from Numbers 14:44). If you want a fun research project, see where Aaron landed in the different rebellions we showed yesterday.
Aaron’s Staff Buds
Numbers 17:8 — Aaron had sinned grievously against Moses and the LORD, leading two rebellions against God. Lucifer was irrevocably punished for leading just one, but Aaron repented and demonstrated his repentance by choosing the right side in the time of mutiny again and again. The LORD chose to publicly honor Aaron with a miracle and permanently preserve it in the Ark of the Covenant (Numbers 17:10), to be stored with the manna and with the Ten Commandments. The only names found within the Ark of the Covenant are the LORD’s and Aaron’s. Aren’t God’s mercies amazing?
Numbers 18:1 — Not only did the LORD preserve Aaron’s name, but He spoke to Aaron again. Moses was able to speak with the LORD mouth to mouth (Numbers 12:8). Aaron was allowed to tag along with Moses on multiple occasions hearing from the LORD (Exodus 6:13, 12:1, 12:43; Leviticus 11:1, 13:1, 14:33, 15:1; Numbers 2:1, 4:1, 4:17, 14:26, 16:20, 19:1, 20:12, 20:23). Sometimes God told Moses to speak to Aaron His words (Leviticus 6:25, 16:2, 17:2, 21:17, 22:2, 22:18; Numbers 6:23, 8:2), but on a few occasions, Aaron heard from God alone (Exodus 4:27; Leviticus 10:8; Numbers 18:1, 8, 20). This communication from God is the first private communication since the rebellion that ended up with Miriam contracting leprosy. Sometimes when you’ve sinned against someone, you’re afraid to see them because you’re afraid they will give you the “silent treatment.” Following Aaron’s repentance, God restored fellowship with him, even in spite of his grievous sins! He tells Aaron that He Himself will be Aaron’s inheritance (vs. 20).
Numbers 18:19 — A covenant of salt? John MacArthur has some insight:
Numbers18:19 a covenant of salt forever. Salt, which does not burn, was a metaphor to speak of durability. As salt keeps its flavor, so the Lord’s covenant with the priesthood was durable. The Lord would provide through the offerings of His people for His priests forever.
Mark 16:4 — Not only was the gravestone rolled away, but every burden of my heart was rolled away. All my sin had to go, ‘neath the crimson flow!
Psalm 55:12 — A foreshadowing of Judas betraying his friend, Jesus.
Psalm 55:17 — How often do you pray?
Psalm 55:22 — Interesting that this Old Testament theme is repeated in I Peter 5:7.
Proverbs 11:7 — Wicked men have only decades left to accomplish their desires. Are you living for this century or the next million years?
_____ Image Credit: Aaron’s Staff Buds, 1860 woodcut by Julius Schnorr von Karolsfeld. Julius Schnorr von Carolsfeld, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
The arrangement of the threads and knots, to which the Jews attached the greatest importance, was so adjusted as to set forth symbolically the 613 precepts of which the Law was believed to consist. In our Lord‘s time the Pharisees enlarged their fringes Matthew 23:5 in order to obtain reputation for their piety.
Numbers 13:32 – Ten Spies, Wilderness of Paran, Canaan Report
Numbers 14:2 – Israelites, Wilderness of Paran, Canaan Report
Numbers 14:40 – Israelites, Wilderness of Paran, Post-Canaan Report vs. Amalekites
Numbers 16:3 – Korah and 250 princes, rebellion
Numbers 16:41 – Israelites, upset about Korah’s death
Numbers 20:3 – Israelites, Kadesh, thirst (Moses struck the rock)
Numbers 25:1 – Shittim, Israelites, whoredom with the daughters of Moab
Numbers 31:14 – Officers and Captains, Battle of Midian, saving the women alive
Mark 15:1 — We see another Hebrew trial of Jesus. This was an attempt at legality (a daylight trial). However, according to some even this attempt violated the custom of waiting until after the morning sacrifice (for more see the great old classic, The Trial of Jesus from a Lawyer’s Standpoint).
Mark 15:18 — The One they mocked as King, they will kneel before as Lord (Romans 14:11, Philippians 2:10).
Psalm 54 — Did you catch the rhyming poetry?
save me/judge me
hear/give ear
strangers/oppressors
God/Lord
reward evil/cut them off
freely sacrifice/praise thy name
delivered me/desire upon enemies
Proverbs 11:5-6 — The rewards of righteousness are intrinsic.
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Numbers 14:4 — Interesting that even though this crowd is mutinying, they soon realize they need a leader. Thankfully Aaron is on the right side (vs. 5), even when he and the other leaders were almost stoned (vs. 10)!
Numbers 14:18 — Is Moses more just than God? Or is God seeing if Moses has remembered the character of God? In this verse, Moses is recalling Exodus 34:6-7 and claiming the promises that God has made.
Numbers 14:27 — God says they murmured against Him, but vs. 2 says they murmured against Moses and Aaron. When we grumble against the leaders God has allowed to be over us, are we grumbling against God?
Mark 14:64 — We have a grave error in the mistrial of Jesus.
By contrast, Jewish law prevents a confession from being used as evidence in a criminal proceeding. A commonly cited basis for this rule is the biblical verse prescribing that a person is to be convicted of a crime upon the testimony of two witnesses, thereby excluding other types of evidence. Because a party to litigation is ineligible to testify, reliance on the testimony of witnesses bars the use of confessions.
http://www.jlaw.com/Commentary/crimconfess.html
I’ve had the opportunity in Sunday School to present the “Necessity of the Trial of Jesus.” When we get to Luke’s account of the trial, I’ll share more on why this was an incredibly important event.
Psalm 53:1 — National Atheist’s Day is coming up (April 1st)!
I dreamed that the great judgment morning Had dawned, and the trumpet had blown; I dreamed that the nations had gathered To judgment before the white throne.
The rich man was there, but his money Had melted and vanished away; A pauper he stood in the judgment, His debts were too heavy to pay.
The souls that had put off salvation – “Not tonight; I’ll get saved by and by; No time now to think of religion!” At last they had found time to die.
And O, what a weeping and wailing, As the lost were told of their fate; They cried for the rocks and the mountains, They prayed, but their prayer was too late.
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Numbers 13:23 — Caleb saw the land at age 40 (Joshua 14:7), and yet he would not possess it for 45 more years – age 85 (Joshua 14:10). Caleb would ask Joshua, his fellow spy, for the mountain (Joshua 14:12). Interesting contrast to the insurrection of Numbers 12:1 where Aaron and Miriam felt equal to Moses; Caleb who travelled with Joshua and stood with Moses (Numbers 13:30) would voluntarily submit and seek permission from Joshua, his peer. By the way, there’s a song based on this incident – “I Want That Mountain!”
Mark 14:24 — Remember, Jesus is not talking about the blood of the last twenty-seven books of the Bible (the portion of the Bible we often refer to as the New Testament), rather He’s referring to a testament as in the “last will and testament” variety. Hebrews 9:16 tells us, “For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator.”
Mark 14:31 — Many will claim to be willing to die for Jesus, but few will live for Jesus, or even just pray for an hour (vs. 37).
Mark 14:51 — Many scholars think this is a secret reference to the author.
Psalm 52 — We have a clear contrast between the actions, thoughts, methods, desires, preferences, affections, and the end of the “mighty man” compared to the “righteous man.”
Proverbs 11:1 — God cares how we conduct our business.
_____ Image Credit: Hult, Adolf, 1869-1943; Augustana synod. [from old catalog], No restrictions, via Wikimedia Commons
Numbers 10:26 — Ever thought about why lists of names seem unimportant? I worked on political campaigns in the past and heard that people would pour through mailers that had long lists of names. What’s the difference between the biblical lists of names and a campaign mailer? If you’re a voter, you may check a list of endorsers of an unfamiliar candidate to see if there is anyone you know or have heard of. Unfortunately, we don’t know or haven’t heard of the people on these biblical lists – Pagiel the son of Ocran, etc. – but these were real people who really lived and were recognized by God for their faithfulness in leadership.
Gold Strip Inscribed in Latin with a Biblical Version1
Mark 14:5 — I’ve thought about different events in church history where someone used their financial resources to make a significant gift for ministry, e.g. imagine if you owned a printing press and were friends with William Tyndale. This definitely makes the list. Talk about a legacy of giving (vs. 9), but it seems to have played into Judas’ different financial priorities (vs. 10)!
Psalm 51 — Patch the Pirate (Ron Hamilton) recorded a song based on Psalm 51:3 – “My Sin is Ever Before Me, Lord.” May we take our sin as seriously as David did.
Proverbs 10:31-32 — The mouth seems to be powerful, and we’re not even to James 3 – the classic passage on the tongue! You can still listen to a Patch the Pirate song on the tongue.
Numbers 8:2 — Ever wonder where the Menorah came from? Not just for Hanukkah, the Menorah was designed to light the Temple. The seven lamps from one candlestick make up the Menorah. This Menorah is made for the coming Third Temple that will be built someday on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem. On my trips to Israel, I’ve seen it, but it’s hard to miss. It sits in view of the Temple Mount near the headquarters of the Temple Mount Institute.
Numbers 8:12 — Do you think sin is important and offensive to God?
Numbers 8:25-26 — An interesting take on retirement. You may need to change your field of service, but you can’t check out from service.
Numbers 9:8 — Great words of wisdom when we don’t know what to do. Unfortunately, others did not always follow.
Mark 13:35 — Are you watching and ready for the return of the Lord?
Psalm 50:10 — Does God need our sacrifices? We merely offer to God a portion of what He has given us.
Psalm 50:15 — Very similar to the verse that has been called “God’s Telephone Number” (Jeremiah 33:3).
Proverbs 10:30 — Are you living for this century or the next century?
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_____ Image Credit: ariely, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Numbers 6 — According to John MacArthur, there were three people in the Bible who were lifelong Nazirites: Samuel, Samson, and John the Baptist. So, what is the purpose of the Nazirite vow? John MacArthur preached a great message on this subject:
Now, let’s look at Numbers chapter 6 and I’ll show you that not only the kings and the princes and the priests and the high priests but there were certain people in the congregation of Israel who chose this standard, too. Anybody could choose to step up to this standard – this was the highest standard. And you’ll remember in Numbers chapter 6 verse 1, the Lord spoke to Moses saying, “Speak to the children of Israel and say unto them, when either man or woman shall separate themselves to vow a vow of a Nazirite, to separate themselves unto the Lord.”
Numbers 7:3-5 — God is blessing them with the gift of technology for the use of the ministry, but in vs. 9 we find that there is some technology that can’t be used in ministry. There are times I am unable to be at my church, and I appreciate the livestream that lets me watch it online. But if I can be at church, I shouldn’t use the livestream as an excuse to avoid Hebrews 10:25.
Numbers 7:89 — The inventory of the offering is over, now Moses enters into the tabernacle, and the LORD God of Heaven has chosen to locate His presence in a human creation.
Mark 13:1 — If you’ve been to Jerusalem, you’ve seen the ruins of the Temple’s foundation, but the Temple is no more. All that’s left is a model outside of the Israel Museum.
Model of the Temple
Psalm 49:3 — The opening structure of this psalm is similar to the Book of Proverbs: the calling for attention to wisdom. Roughly 3,000 years ago, the psalmist had to warn his people that trust in wealth and riches cannot save a soul from death. But God can redeem me! I’ll never be on the Forbes Real-Time List of the Richest People in the World. I may be poor for the next 50 years or so, but I can be rich for the next million years!
Proverbs 10:27-28 — Interesting how this passage matches up with the psalm passage. Long days and gladness are the results of following God.
Share how reading through the Bible has been a blessing to you! E-mail us at 2018bible@vcyamerica.org or call and leave a message at 414-885-5370.
_____ Image Credit: FOTLbill, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
