Verse for the Day, 8 July 2016.

Numbers 22:1-6, “Then the people of Israel set out and camped in the plains of Moab beyond the Jordan at Jericho.  (2)  And Balak the son of Zippor saw all that Israel had done to the Amorites.  (3)  And Moab was in great dread of the people, because they were many. Moab was overcome with fear of the people of Israel.  (4)  And Moab said to the elders of Midian, "This horde will now lick up all that is around us, as the ox licks up the grass of the field." So Balak the son of Zippor, who was king of Moab at that time,  (5)  sent messengers to Balaam the son of Beor at Pethor, which is near the River in the land of the people of Amaw, to call him, saying, "Behold, a people has come out of Egypt. They cover the face of the earth, and they are dwelling opposite me.  (6)  Come now, curse this people for me, since they are too mighty for me. Perhaps I shall be able to defeat them and drive them from the land, for I know that he whom you bless is blessed, and he whom you curse is cursed."”

Balaam is a rather odd character, there are times when we think he is acting in a godly manner, as one who believes in God, and then times when he is acting foolishly and sinfully. However, we should not allow the oddness of Balaam and his talking donkey to distract from the point and purpose of this event.

Balak, the king of Moab, is fearful now that the people of Israel are approaching his land. News has travelled ahead of the Israelites, bringing reports of how this nation of people had destroyed and defeated numerous others. The people of Moab regard themselves as being a weaker, smaller nation in comparison to the nations the Israelites had already defeated. They fear that the army of Israel will make short work of them, with great ease, just as an ox so easily, even effortlessly licks up the grass. In their minds the only hope of holding off, or even defeating the Israelites is by means of divine intervention. Therefore, they consult with one another and Balaam is perceived to be the right man to speak to the gods and ask for divine help, for the gods to curse Israel and give the victory to Moab. To persuade Balaam to come, he is promised great wealth.

On the first request, God makes it very clear that Balaam is not to go, nor should he curse the people of Israel. A second request is made of Balaam, with even better terms and conditions, at which point God instructs Balaam to go with the men, but he is specifically told by God to only do what God tells him to do.

But this is where it all seems to get a bit confusing, for God has given Balaam permission to go, but then we read that God became angry with Balaam for going! What are we to make of this?

We need to ask ourselves, why Balaam thought he was going, why the princes thought Balaam was coming with them, and why God had permitted Balaam to go and what He had told Balaam to do?

Balaam and the princes believed that they were going to curse the Israelites. Balaam was going to do what Balak was asking him to do, and for great financial reward. But God had made it very clear that Balaam was not to curse the people of Israel, Balaam was to strictly obey God. It appears that Balaam did not have a true idea of who God is, nor how serious God is about obedience. Thus God reveals Himself to Balaam in a supernatural manner so that Balaam might clearly understand who God is and not to trifle with God. Balaam’s stubborn, selfish, arrogant and proud nature is seen in the manner that he treats his donkey. The donkey by turning aside, pushing against the wall and then lying down was acting so as to protect Balaam from the danger the donkey saw. Balaam was rebuking and beating the donkey for not doing what he wanted it to do. His attitude towards God is the same. How foolish and embarrassed Balaam must have felt when first, his donkey rebuked him, and secondly when he saw the Angel of the Lord. His donkey was wiser than he was!

Balaam is once again instructed by God to only speak the words he is given by God. We need to remember that this is easier said than done for Balaam, as Balak might not respond kindly to what God wants Balaam to say, Balaam may lose his life, and will almost certainly lose any form of reward. Balaam has to make a choice, between himself, or God.

It appears that Balaam obeys God, and states at the outset to Balak that he will not speak the words Balak tells him to speak. He will only speak what God tells him to speak.

Numbers 22 teaches us the importance of obedience to God, on God’s terms. There are times that we may think we are obeying God, but we have chosen to go about it via a different route. In the case of Balaam, God’s instructions were specific, which meant they were to be obeyed, not reinterpreted, or carried out according to his discretion. The result was that God had to confront Balaam and warn him clearly. We need to learn from this and apply it to our own lives. When God calls us to obey Him and His instructions are specific we should not ignore them. We cannot allow ourselves to think the end justifies the means, as long as the result is the same it doesn’t matter how it came about. God is perfect in all that He does, and if we desire to show ourselves to be His children then we will seek to follow the way of our Father.

Our Father in heaven, You are perfect in all Your ways, and You call us to walk in obedience to all Your commands. Help us to understand that our attitude towards obedience is as important as obedience itself. Also, help us to remember that we do not have the right to adjust, alter or reinterpret Your commands. May we walk and live as Christ did, in humble, steadfast and faithful obedience. Amen.

Verse for the Day, 6 July 2016.

Numbers 21:4-9, “From Mount Hor they set out by the way to the Red Sea, to go around the land of Edom. And the people became impatient on the way.  (5)  And the people spoke against God and against Moses, "Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? For there is no food and no water, and we loathe this worthless food."  (6)  Then the LORD sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people, so that many people of Israel died.  (7)  And the people came to Moses and said, "We have sinned, for we have spoken against the LORD and against you. Pray to the LORD, that he take away the serpents from us." So Moses prayed for the people.  (8)  And the LORD said to Moses, "Make a fiery serpent and set it on a pole, and everyone who is bitten, when he sees it, shall live."  (9)  So Moses made a bronze serpent and set it on a pole. And if a serpent bit anyone, he would look at the bronze serpent and live.”

One of the many wonders of the Bible is how it prepares us for the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ and reveals what his work shall be. These glimpses, pictures, shadows appear from Genesis 3 onwards. Sometimes we find them in the most unexpected of places, and Numbers 21 is certainly an unexpected place!

This chapter records for us a further portion of Israel wanderings in the wilderness. It tells us of victory in battle, God providing faithfully for the people, further travelling and more victories in battle. But in the midst of this we find a clear picture of Christ being set before us, one that is so clear and strong in its design and purpose that even Jesus used it in reference to Himself in John 3:14-15.

As has been the pattern of the people in Numbers, after God’s provision, they moan and complain once more against God. Food and water is the source of their complaint, their complaint is not that God has failed to provide them with food, rather they have grown tired of the food He gives them. They call the manna and the quail, “worthless food” which they loath. We are seeing yet again that sin, complacency and ungratefulness produces contempt for God.

In response to their contempt and extreme ungratefulness God has to discipline the people again. This time God uses snakes, venomous, deadly snakes and many people died as a result. When the Israelites recognise that it is God’s discipline against their sin and the only means of salvation from these snakes is to seek the grace and help of God, they seek God’s forgiveness.

God’s mercy shines forth as He extends grace and salvation through the means of this bronze snake mounted on a pole. All who had been bitten need only to look upon this bronze snake, with the faith that God would heal them by this means, and they would be healed. All who look up, who look upon this snake that had been lifted up by Moses would be saved.

The links to Christ and the Gospel are clear to see. We see ourselves in the people of Israel, for we too have sinned against God, complaining against Him and showing contempt. As a result, we will all come under God’s hand of just judgement against our sin, a judgement which is death, for, “the wages of sin is death” Romans 6:23. Just as those who were bitten by these venomous and deadly snakes could not save themselves or keep themselves from death, so we cannot save or keep ourselves from death and God’s eternal judgement. We need divine help, we need God to deliver, to save us. God has graciously provided a salvation for us, one far greater than this rescue in Numbers 21. These Israelites were physically saved, but not spiritually, nor eternally saved, for they would all eventually perish in the wilderness. God has provided for us a full salvation, a spiritual and eternal salvation through the Lord Jesus Christ.

How does this salvation come to us? In a manner similar to this passage, all we need do is acknowledge our sinfulness and its consequences and look up to Christ, seeking God’s forgiveness and placing our faith in the person and work of Christ, believing that it can and will save us from sin and bring us into a right and eternal relationship with God. John 3:14-15, “And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, (15) that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.”

What a wonderful passage of Scripture Numbers 21 is, as it reminds us of the salvation we have through Christ! This salvation, the person and work of Christ, was no accident, coincidence or a last minute plan. It was always a part of God’s sovereign plan and works, and He has made the truth of it known hundreds, thousands of years before it came to pass. He gives us glimpse and pictures that point us to the coming Saviour. How grateful we should be for this reminder, and be all the more grateful that we do not await a Saviour from heaven to still come. He has come, He has conquered sin, death and the devil, He has risen from the dead, He is reigning and ruling over all things, and He is coming again in glory to take us to be with Him, where we shall be made like Him.

Eternal God, we thank and praise You today for the wonder of our salvation. We thank You that it was always a part of Your sovereign purposes and plans, and was revealed to us in Your wisdom. Thank You for not leaving us to the consequences of our sins, and extending such undeserved grace to us. Thank You for this reminder of the Gospel in Numbers 21, may You help us to see and think through the Gospel every day, and not just when we read one of the Gospels. We pray that You would cause many more to look to Christ and find salvation in Him. For Your glory we pray this. Amen

Verse for the Day, 1 July 2016.

Numbers 20:6-13, “Then Moses and Aaron went from the presence of the assembly to the entrance of the tent of meeting and fell on their faces. And the glory of the LORD appeared to them,  (7)  and the LORD spoke to Moses, saying,  (8)  "Take the staff, and assemble the congregation, you and Aaron your brother, and tell the rock before their eyes to yield its water. So you shall bring water out of the rock for them and give drink to the congregation and their cattle."  (9)  And Moses took the staff from before the LORD, as he commanded him.  (10)  Then Moses and Aaron gathered the assembly together before the rock, and he said to them, "Hear now, you rebels: shall we bring water for you out of this rock?"  (11)  And Moses lifted up his hand and struck the rock with his staff twice, and water came out abundantly, and the congregation drank, and their livestock.  (12)  And the LORD said to Moses and Aaron, "Because you did not believe in me, to uphold me as holy in the eyes of the people of Israel, therefore you shall not bring this assembly into the land that I have given them."  (13)  These are the waters of Meribah, where the people of Israel quarreled with the LORD, and through them he showed himself holy.”

This chapter brings us to a tragic event. The people of Israel continue on in their complacency and godlessness, once more accusing God of evil and desiring their death. They complain against God, Moses and Aaron. Initially, Moses and Aaron respond in the correct manner, they seek the help of God, asking God to hear their prayer and provide once more for the nation.

God’s grace, mercy, love, faithfulness and patience is revealed as He continues to be good to this rebellious nation. He hears their prayer and tells Moses and Aaron how He will answer and provide water for them. The instructions that God gives to Moses and Aaron are very specific, they should take the staff (Moses’ staff, not Aaron’s as that had been put with the Ark of the Covenant after it blossomed), go to a particular rock, and were to command the rock to yield its water.

Having gathered the people around the rock, Moses struck the rock twice with his staff, at which point water came gushing out the rock. But it was with these actions that both Moses and Aaron came under God’s wrath.

Many may think that this is a small matter, why is God so angered by what Moses and Aaron have done? Why is the punishment so severe, surely Moses deserved to enter into the Promised Land?

Verse 12 helps us to understand why God is angered and punishes Moses and Aaron. There appear to be two offences, a failure to believe and a failure to uphold God’s holiness. Moses and Aaron were to constantly uphold God, His name, glory and holiness, and to always point the people to the fact that God was their God and the provider of their needs. As the leader of the people and as the High Priest, they were to encourage the faith of the people, so that they might learn to trust in God more and more, resting in God’s faithfulness. They were also to serve as examples to the people, examples of what it means to live in faithful obedience of God. Sadly, it is in these areas that Moses and Aaron fall and fail. Psalm 106 gives us further understanding into what happened and why it was a failing on Moses and Aaron’s part. Psalm 106:32-33, “They angered him at the waters of Meribah, and it went ill with Moses on their account,  (33)  for they made his spirit bitter, and he spoke rashly with his lips.”

This passage points us to the words of Moses. Then Moses and Aaron gathered the assembly together before the rock, and he said to them, "Hear now, you rebels: shall we bring water for you out of this rock?" As we look at these words we have to ask if they encouraged faith and dependence upon God? Did they draw the people’s attention to the holiness and power of God? Did it give the people reason to worship God, to serve God, and to trust Him for the future rather than complaining?

The answer is no! Moses and Aaron are frustrated, irritated, worn-down, impatient and angry with this constant bickering and complaining. It is in this attitude and state of mind that they act, instead of one that honoured God. They act and respond in anger and bitterness, rather than in faithful dependence on God and thankfulness towards God.

It is not that Moses and Aaron did not believe in God, or lacked faith in God’s ability to provide water. Rather, they took matters into their own hands, and the manner in which they spoke and acted did not cause the people to grow in their belief of God. Moses states, “shall we bring water…”, referring not to God, but to himself and Aaron. Furthermore, by virtue of Moses’ physical actions of striking the rock twice, it is as though he is providing water by his own strength. Never mind the fact that it was an act of disobedient, contrary to what God commanded Moses to do.

What makes the sin of Moses and Aaron all the more grievous is that they committed these sins whilst serving as God’s appointed men, as God’s servants, ministers, representatives. They should have already learned that any man who serves God in an unworthy and sinful manner will not escape unpunished. They had seen this happen with Nadab and Abihu, Miriam, Korah and those who rebelled with him.

But in a moment of anger, Moses falls and fails, and Aaron does nothing to prevent this. Both men are therefore guilty and have failed to obey God’s instructions given to them. They have failed to encourage, build up and increase the faith of the people in God. They have not set God forth as their faithful, powerful, gracious and glorious God and provider.

Just because Moses and Aaron are God’s appointed ministers, doesn’t mean that God should turn a blind eye to their sin, or allow the rules to be bent. God’s holiness is absolute, any and every violation of it, from the least to the greatest demands God’s justice and punishment. This applies all the more to those whom God appoints to lead and serve amongst His people, for they are to set the example, they are to teach and guide the people towards God and they are to honour God in all that they do. In the case of Moses and Aaron, their sin needs to be dealt with, and as sorry as we may feel, especially for Moses, God’s justice must be satisfied.

This chapter is a sad and tragic one, for we see the fall of both Moses and Aaron, they behave in a sinful manner that is dishonouring to God. They may have been faithful servants who have endured much opposition and had to put up with the constant bickering of the Israelites, but the fact remains that they had sinned. God is serious about sin, so serious that He even disciplines those who are faithful to Him when they sin. He cannot under any circumstances excuse sin, His absolute holiness demands absolute justice. Therefore, we are challenged to keep a close watch on our own lives and how we live in obedience to God and for His glory. God may have granted us forgiveness and salvation through the Lord Jesus Christ. But we must remember that God will always deal with our sin, and if so required that discipline may be severe. This should not surprise us, in fact we should marvel at the grace God extends to us on a daily basis, not treating us as we deserve to be, but continuing to be patient. Let us not test this patience through ungodliness, rather let us show ourselves to be true children of God, who desire to be imitators of Christ.

Holy, holy, holy, LORD God Almighty, the whole earth is full of your glory! There is no man who can stand before You and live. There is no man who can justify himself, or escape Your justice, for Your eyes are all seeing, Your mind all knowing, and You are absolute holiness and perfection. How we praise and thank You for Jesus Christ who has saved us from Your holy, just wrath against our sin and brought us into Your favour. May we learn to follow You faithfully, being as serious towards our sin as You are. Help us to strive after holiness and a life that honours You. Amen.