Numbers 21-29

21.

We always find the Israelites grumbling against God and Moses, especially during unsavoury stints in deserts, valleys, and wastelands. Although our lives may not feature such physical/geographical areas, we do have emotional/spiritual times of depression, troubles, unproductivity and separation from God.

In this chapter, the Israelites grumble and God sends fiery serpents which bites and kills many. When the people admitted their sins and asked for forgiveness, Moses intercedes for them. God commands him to make a fiery serpent (of brass) and hang it on a pole so that if anyone bitten by the snakes looks at it, they will live. The onus was on the people to look up at the brass serpent and claim healing. Jesus too was crucified for our sins (the fiery serpent of brass on the pole is symbolic of sin being nailed to the cross during Jesus’ crucifixion) - he died and resurrected. We should look at him, accept this sacrifice, and believe in him. We did not ask God for this, but He had mercy on us.

God gives them water to quench their thirst during their tough times in the desert- as for us, we should drink from the eternal waters which won’t make us thirsty ever again.

Despite God being with them, the Israelites had to go through problems. But God helped them to deal with it. Whoever came to fight against them were defeated.

This chapter refers to two (presumably lost?) books: book of the wars of the Lord (v. 14) and proverbs (v. 27).

22.

Balaam doesn’t seem to be a false prophet- for his divination was from God. However, he demanded fees for divination (v. 7) and is condemned in the NT for loving the wages of wickedness (2 Peter 2:15) and rushing for profit (Jude v.11). When the elders visited Balaam, he obeys God who tells him not to go. When the princes visit him with more rewards, God tells him to go with them if they come to call him. Nonetheless, Balaam gets up in the morning and leaves. Perhaps he misinterpreted God’s message, or maybe he thought that he was permitted to leave. In any case, God was angry with him since he left without being invited.

The faithful ass sees the angel standing against them and tries to deviate, and is treated badly by Balaam. This animal could see something which wise Balaam couldn’t.

The angel seems to be angry at the ill-treatment of the ass too! God does love animals!

Are we like Balaam when our determined plans meet obstacles? Are these posed by God because He doesn’t want us to take that route? Or is it an hindrance by the devil which we need to surmount? Pray!

23.

God’s words never change- neither does His blessings. No enchantment or divination will happen against us because God is with us.

24.

Balaam used to seek/practice enchantments/sorcery (which certainly doesn’t come from the Lord), but he decides not to do this against the Israelites since the Lord is with them. Thus Balaam conveys the Lord’s blessings, ‘Israel shall be like peaceful valleys, well-watered gardens, well-watered trees, and strong as unicorn’. He also prophesises about Jesus- the star coming out of Jacob, a scepter rising out of Israel, and a ruler coming out of Jacob.

25.

The Israelites again become unfaithful. They worshipped other Gods and were sexually depraved.

27.

Zelophehad’s daughters stood up for their rights. Thus, we too should courageously stand up and claim what’s ours. Instead of pooh-paahing their requests, Moses gave this true weightage.

Joshua is appointed as a shepherd of the flock, an authority given by God since he is willing, eager to serve Him, and an appropriate example to the flock.

My thoughts on: Exodus 14-20

15.

This very song of praise is sung in Revelations:
- In the impossible situation, when the Israelites faced annihilation, the Lord (the man of war) fought for them and threw the Egyptians (a mighty force- in strength, manpower, and military advancement, when compared to the Israelite slaves) into the sea.
- He (the Lord) is glorious.
- He is merciful.
- He guides us (the redeemed), accompanies us, and plants us in the appropriate place which He Himself has made for us to dwell in (the Sanctuary).
- He does wonders.
- He triumphs.
- He is our strength.
- He is our song.
- He is our salvation.
- He overthrows those that rise up against Him.

But the Israelites start grumbling again, when they reach the bitter waters of Marah after not finding water for three days. But the Lord uses a natural object (a tree’s bark) to transform the bitter water into a sweet one.

He also gives the following 3 guidelines for those who want prevention, healing, and deliverance from the plagues and diseases:-
- listen to His commandments,
- obey His commandments, and
- do what is right according to Lord’s views.

Then, they reach the very fertile Elim.

16.
Even though the Lord takes care of them, the Israelites persist in grumbling, especially when they reminiscence about the culinary delights at Egypt. The Lord listens to their grumblings, and sustains them in the desert, for 40 years, by sending the ‘daily bread’ (and not more) of manna and quails, of which only a specific amount should be collected (to see if the Israelites obey Him). More of Lord’s glory is shown to strengthen their faith.

The Lord takes care of our needs (spiritual, physical, and material), but provides only the essential amount of that which is absolutely indispensable, i.e He doesn’t give us more than we need. But even when times are tough, when our faith is buffeted, we should trust that He will provide for us- daily, monthly, and annually. In our lives, Jesus is our manna (as he says in John 6: 48-51).

17.
Again, the Israelites complain when they reach a droughty place. Water is provided out of a rock when it was smote with Moses’ staff.

The question is whether they should have complained? Should they have trusted that the Lord will provide?

The power of the staff/prayer is again demonstrated in Joshua’s battle against Amalek.

18.
Although he was not an Israelite, Jethro perceives God’s power, and makes burnt offerings. Jethro’s advices are heeded by Moses. Sometimes, God does use humans to guide us!

19.
God protects and delivered us. But if we obey and keep God’s commandments, He will:
- consider us as a peculiar treasure over all the inhabitants of the world. For the earth is the Lord’s.
- make us into a kingdom of priests, and a holy nation.

The Lord’s presence makes any place holy.

20.
God gives the Ten Commandments.
The first four commandments are about us loving the God who loves us. Our love for Him should be exclusive and reverential.

1. God delivered the Israelites out of slavery and a hopeless state (as for us, we have been delivered out of the slavery of sin and the disillusionment of a corporeal life). We should have no other gods apart from Him. Therefore, we should not worship other deities, nor should we have any influence/factors in our lives which occupies a higher position (than God).

2. We should not make any graven images (i.e any sculptures, resembling any object- alive or otherwise), worship (or even bow before it), or serve these. In our modern lives, we may not worship graven images, but their position might be occupied by anything (e.g. money, status) which we give much importance to.

3. We shouldn’t take the name of the Lord in vain (as someone who often exclaims ‘Oh my God’….. I feel quite guilty!).

4. We should remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy.

The next six commandments relate to our love for others- our parents, husbands/wives, and neighbours.

5. We should honour our father and mother, in order to get long life.

6. We should not murder.

7. We should not commit adultery.

8. We should not steal.

9. We should not give false witness.

10. We should not covet anything of anyone.

Jesus summarised the 10 commandments into two:
- Love the Lord,
- Love thy neighbour.