Numbers – Page 4 – Be Still…

Numbers 22:1-40 – Donkeys Can Talk?

Read Numbers 22:1-40

What an exciting time in the history of God’s people. They didn’t know how close they were to entering the Promised Land. Taking root in Canaan was such a victory for them, yet simply a stepping-stone, one of the blessings they had experienced. Their time in the wilderness proves God never leaves his people when they cry out to him.

After being turned away from Edom, their only other choice to get to the Promised Land involves Moab. It’s not surprising we would meet up with Moab’s king. As the story goes, Balak, the Moabite king, was using Balaam to get control of the hoard of people coming his way with a curse. God knew that Balak would want to destroy them, not help them, so it makes sense God protects them in this way. Continue reading “Numbers 22:1-40 – Donkeys Can Talk?”

Numbers 21:21-35 – Fighting our Battles

Read Numbers 21:21-35

The pattern of God protecting his people and fighting their battles continues here. The Israelites are marching their way through foreign lands on their way to the Promised Land. Two more kingdoms have now fallen as a result of God’s hand of protection.

I never like to dwell on the reality that lots of people died in these verses. Why does it somehow seem okay because that’s what God allowed to happen? It was a means to an end. God’s people were granted victories over these ruling kings because of God’s power, that’s what God wanted them to see. Continue reading “Numbers 21:21-35 – Fighting our Battles”

Numbers 21:1-20 – The Bronze Snake

Read Numbers 21:1-20

News must be getting out that the Israelites are on the move. If there was any doubt whether God was with them, what happened to the people of Arad should speak volumes. The Israelites were attacked, they asked God to deliver them, and God gave them victory. That type of pattern seems to follow God’s people throughout Scripture.

Then we have the story of the deadly snakes and yet another account of how the Israelites grumbled against God and their leader, Moses. It’s easy for us to point fingers at them, wondering why they seem to never be satisfied with life. Have you ever blamed God for something less than desirable that happened to you? This time, God sent their rescue as a lesson in the form of poisonous snakes. Continue reading “Numbers 21:1-20 – The Bronze Snake”

Numbers 20:22-29 – Aaron’s Death

Read Numbers 20:22-29

We will all pass from this world, and this was Aaron’s time to be called to rest. The first high priest himself could not escape God’s wrath. He, too, would not personally see the Promised Land. Aaron’s death sentence for the spectacle involving the water at Meribah has now been accomplished. Earlier in the chapter we learned that Moses’ other sibling, Miriam had also died in the wilderness.

God commanded that Aaron’s death be preceded by a ceremony passing the priestly garments to Aaron’s son, Eleazar. The people were able to witness this transfer of power, yet the details of how Aaron joined his ancestors in death is not revealed here. It was important that the people understand what happened so they would give Eleazar the same respect they had had for Aaron. Continue reading “Numbers 20:22-29 – Aaron’s Death”

Numbers 20:14-21 – Turned Away

Read Numbers 20:14-21

Moses was polite and considerate in asking permission of Edom’s king. I thought the reply back was a little harsh, didn’t you? If the trek was to begin to the Promised Land, the best route would have taken this mass of people through the lands of Edom and Moab. Apparently there was even a “highway” that would make the journey even easier. But the king said, “No way!”

Moses believed they would have had a warmer welcome because they were “relatives.” After all, the Israelites and the Edomites were from the same ethnic background. The Bible stories of Jacob (the Father of Israel) had a brother, Esau, who became the father of Edom. Continue reading “Numbers 20:14-21 – Turned Away”