A list of names might seem like an old skeleton, but don’t be shocked if it makes some exciting moves! Numbers 26 is the second longest chapter in the book. At first glance, it may be as uninteresting as an old phone book—all cast and no plot! But, on closer examination, that isn’t the case […]
Only two men are included in both lists—the faithful octogenarians, Joshua and Caleb. As we look at the list of the tribal populations in Numbers 26, we see some startling evidence that things have changed since the children of Israel left Egypt. Some have an obvious increase, others a decided decrease. We see that Aaron […]
Remember that the book called Numbers gets its name from census-takings at the start and finish. The book of Numbers began with a census of all the men of fighting age who came out of Egypt. But due to their rebellion and unbelief, the Lord declared, “I was angry with that generation, and said, ‘They […]
James tells us that sin looks like a cute baby at first, but it grows into a monster and kills us! Do you see the horrible danger of the sin of Israel in the plains of Moab? If the men could stand up to giants like Og but fall before the women of Moab, the […]
I hope you didn’t miss the miracle of inspiration in the previous lessons. Look who’s listening! Did you wonder how Moses recorded the dignitaries’ conversation to Balaam in far-off Mesopotamia? Or heard the mountaintop arguments between Balak and Balaam? God was standing by, of course, and dictated it all to Moses. Just a reminder: God […]
Balaam gave Balak a bonus prophecy, one which he didn’t want: all who defy God will be losers! From the heights of Peor, Balaam concluded his third pronouncement, saying, “Blessed is he who blesses you, and cursed is he who curses you” (Num 24:9). Enough! “Balak’s anger was aroused against Balaam, and he struck his […]
“He saved others!” “This Man receives sinners!” That’s honey from Satan, the defeated lion’s carcass. As Balak heard Balaam’s so-called “curse” over the children of Israel, it sure sounded like a blessing to him. “What have you done to me?” he yelled. “I took you to curse my enemies, and look, you have blessed them […]
Don’t be wishy-washy about your eternal destiny. Jesus must be your Savior or Judge. You choose! The most remarkable thing about Balaam’s donkey speaking is that Balaam answered him! The donkey was more aware of the situation than this false prophet. “Now the donkey saw the Angel of the Lord standing in the way with […]
Read More… from October 5, 2022 — A Fatal Flaw: Spiritual Ambivalence