Deut 9-20

9.
God guides Israel/us to great victories over impossibly strong enemies/situations, and to possess readily made cities/farms. He goes ahead of us to bring down the enemies/situation and to guarantee success.

10.
What does the Lord require of us?
- to fear/respect Him
- to walk in His ways
- to love Him
- to serve Him with all our heart and with all our soul
- to keep His commandments

11.
The repeated command is to love the Lord (v.1, 13, 22), keep His charge/statutes/judgments/commandments (v.1, 8, 22, 27, 32), to walk in His ways (v.22), to cleave unto Him (v.22), and to serve Him with all our heart and soul (v.13).

In return, we will be strong possessors (v.8, 31) and dwellers (v.9, 21) of the promised fruitful land. The Lord personally takes care of this land (v. 12). He constantly observes it (v.12), and continuously blesses it with rain, fruitfulness, produce, and greenery (v.14, 15). He will defeat stronger enemies for us (v.23), wherever we tread upon will be ours (v.24), and no one can stand before us (v.25).

12.
Blood is sacred- it is life.
But in the Holy Communion, we drink Jesus’ blood and attain life.

13.
We are often curious to know about our unknown future, and there are professionals whose predictions might come true and whom we may be eager to consult. However, God doesn’t want us to listen to these people since these are tests to see whether we love the Lord with all our heart and soul. In the case of prophets, we have to discern whether they are true or false. One way is by evaluating whether they bring people to God or encourages them to backslide.

Again, we are told to do what is right in Lord’s eyes (v.18), to walk after the Lord (v.4), to fear Him (v.4), to keep His commandments (v.4, 18), obey His voice (v.4, 18), serve Him (v.4), and cleave unto Him (v.4).

14.
Even though there are commandments to follow, we are not the slaves but the children of the Lord (v.1). And since we have been chosen to be a peculiar people to the Lord (v.2) and are exalted over all others of this world (v.2), we should be holy (v.2, 21).

The ‘clean flesh’ suggested for consumption have a logical background- these are healthy, whilst the others (if consumed constantly) are not and some are endangered.

We should also tithe/give constantly.

15.
At the end of seven years, we are to forgive every debt. We should help the poor/the needy, especially the poor in the family, and give with a cheerful heart (v.10): then the Lord will bless us in all our works and in everything that we put our hands upon. Again, we must carefully listen to God’s voice (v.5), observe and do all the commandments (v.5), if we want great blessings (v.4, 6), the ability to lend but not to borrow (v.7), and reign over nations with none to reign over us (v.8).

16.
We should give only according to our ability.
We shouldn’t respect person or accept gifts, for gifts makes us blind and perverse.
We should be just.
We are not to have idols- which may be local gods, individuals, or even concepts such as money, wealth, property, gold…

17.
Whatever we give to God must be pure.
God points out that kings are especially likely to be tempted by immorality (v.17), riches (1.17), and pride (v.20). But the reign and continuity of a kingdom will be assured only if these leaders revere the commandments and follow it carefully.

18.
God expects us to be perfect. Again, we are told to shun divination, observing ‘auspicious’ times, witchcraft, enchantment, charms, spirits, wizards, and necromancers.

We can detect false prophets by seeing if what they predict doesn’t happen in the future.

19.
Another repeat which indicates how important it is to keep the commandments (v.9), to love the Lord (v.9), and to walk in His ways (v.9).

20.
We shouldn’t be afraid or faint/tremble/terrified when we/our family go out to battle and observe the enemy’s horses, chariots, and strong army- for the Lord is with us and fights for us so that we will be saved.

God also advocates conservation and sustainable felling! (v. 19-20)

Deut 5-9

5.
God is merciful to all those who follow His commandments. He will bless them with long life (physical and eternal) and all will be well.

The Ten Commandments are reiterated again. The order of these commandments itself indicate how our relationships should be prioritised. The first four relate to our relationship with God, the next with Family, and then our relationships with others.

- Thou shalt not worship other gods.
- Thou shalt not make graven images and worship it.
- Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord in vain.
- Honour the Sabbath and keep it holy.
- Honour thy father and mother, so that your days will be prolonged and you will be blessed.
- Thou shalt not kill.
- Thou shalt not commit adultery.
- Thou shalt not steal.
- Thou shalt not bear false witness.
- Thou shalt not covet.

6.
These commandments, given to the Israelites and to us (who follow the Lord), is to guide us to fear, obey, and serve the Lord, so that our lives will be prosperous and be prolonged- not just on earth, but in heaven also. We should do what is right and good in His sight (and not according to our perceptions, which are often flawed and shortsighted), so that all will be well.

The Lord our God is the only one Lord, for there aren’t any other gods. And our love for the Lord should be wholehearted and committed- with all our heart, all our mind, and all our soul. We shouldn’t tempt Him. This is the primary command.

The Lord’s words should be constantly meditated upon and should accompany us at all times. He will give us possessions which we didn’t build, earn, or toil hard for: cities, riches, wells, and vineyards. But during that time of wealth and prosperity, we shouldn’t forget the Lord who brought us out of the bondage of sin and various difficult times, who fought for us against our enemies, and who gave us all these rich possessions.

7.
When the Lord fights for us, He doesn’t target and vanquish the weak enemies, but those who are stronger and mightier than us. And we aren’t to cower in fright or to sit somewhere, lazily watching the TV, but to go out into the battlefield and to fight with all gusto, knowing that He is supporting us. We shouldn’t ever fear our mighty enemies but remember about the Lord’s strength and how He has helped us so far.

There a bit of ecosystem wisdom (v.22): how the enemies aren’t dealt with at once, but gradually, so that the wild beasts mayn’t increase and attack us!

We shouldn’t stray from the Lord- for He has specifically chosen us as His holy and special people. He chose us not because of any special or strong traits which we had/have (for we have none!), but because He loved us and brought/redeemed us with a mighty hand. He is faithful and merciful to all who love Him. If we follow His commandments, He will love us, bless us, multiply us, and bless all our efforts. Enemies/problems are delivered into our hands so that we can obliterate them.

8.
God rescued us from the bondage and servitude (of sin) and brought us to freedom. This was no easy journey- for He led us through great and terrible wildernesses (with serpents and scorpions) and through lands of drought. Such a journey, if embarked by an individual, would result in an utter failure. However, God sustained us. In the case of the Israelites, He quenched their thirst by providing water out of a rock of flint, he effaced their hunger by feeding them with manna (the realisation that man cannot live by bread or by material goods alone but needs the Word in order to live (v.3)). During that time in the wilderness, their garments didn’t soil neither did the feet hurt with all the walking.

I am sure that, if we glance back at our life, we too have had many experiences which resonate with the Israelites’ journey and how God sustained us through these.

The 40 years of additional wandering in the wilderness was to humble us, to prove us, to know what was in our heart- whether we will follow His commandments or not. It was a time of chastening, a mandatory process which only serves to help later- but only a Father chastens his son. But He brings us to an excellent, well-watered, and fertile land (which lacks nothing), and we are showered with multiple blessings. But we can maintain these blessings only if we follow the Lord’s commandments, walk in His ways, and fear Him. We are warned not to forget God during the time of plenty, not to become proud, nor to think that we achieve fame/power because of our own talents. It is God who gives us power and might to amass wealth, and so we must praise Him when we partake in enjoying all these wealth/material goods.

Numbers 30, 32, 34; Deuteronomy 1-4

30.
There is a stress on the seriousness we should give to our vows to God.

32.
Following the Lord should be done wholeheartedly: this is exactly why Caleb and Joshua were blessed and were invested with God’s power, authority, and the land.

34.
Although God had given a certain inheritance to the Israelites, they never possessed it to the full extent, even during the Age of the Kings. Our inheritance is the promised eternal inheritance which can never perish, spoil, or fade.

Deuteronomy

1.
God faithfully keeps His promises. He had promised the land to the fathers, and not only does He do it, He has also multiplied them. Because of His faithfulness and integrity, we shouldn’t fear, neither be discouraged.

God is just. In fact, He tells the Israelites not to be respecters of persons, and that the large and the small should be treated equally.

In the case of the Israelites, God guided them through the wilderness, just like a father taking care of his son. He went before them, showing the way and finding the perfect and comfortable places to pitch their tents. Even in the wilderness, the Israelites lacked nothing because of God, who had also blessed the works of their hands. Yet, they repeatedly disobeyed and rebelled against God and His advices, with disastrous consequences. The fact remains that God knows the best way and we should obey Him wholeheartedly.

Sometimes, God’s will includes fighting with enemies- but we do so with His obvious encouragement, and thus we should never be discouraged or fearful. But in the Israelites’ dealings with the people of Seir, God advises them not to meddle with them and not to covet their lands, but to buy food and drink.

2.
We might expect a bed of roses with God on our side. It’s a far cry from that. We may expect to make friends and have people rejoice upon seeing us. But there are many who fear and tremble, and thus might try to sting us.

3.
Even when we have fearsome enemies and daunting problems, we needn’t fear- for the Lord will take care of us! This advice is given to Joshua who is told not to fear his mighty opponents, but to realise that the Lord will fight for them.
Now, having God fighting for us doesn’t mean sitting on an armchair and relaxing while He did the fighting- no, Joshua fought and the Lord worked His power through him.

4.
We are a chosen and great nation- for we have God close to us, we have the authority to call upon Him at any time, and we follow righteous commandments instituted by God.

Life (both physical and eternal) and the ability to possess and sustain blessings are ensured by following God’s commandments, taking care of our soul, and cleaving to Him. We shouldn’t amend the commandments according to our whims and fancies. God’s word is wisdom and understanding.

We shouldn’t make and worship graven images. Although this might not be generally applicable in the literal sense in the western world, this also means that we shouldn’t worship the modern graven images such as wealth, fame, power, and the like.

God has brought us out of the captivity of sin so that we will worship Him and claim inheritance. He has constantly appeared in our life so that we will believe in Him. If we seek the Lord, with all our heart and with all our soul, we will find Him. Even in times of trouble and persecution, if we remain obedient and turn to God (instead of turning to solutions which the human mind would ordinarily devise), He being merciful, will not forsake or destroy us, or forget the promise which He made to us. He is with us, so that we can overcome our problems and claim our rightful inheritance.

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.

Numbers 11-20

11.

The Israelites, although free from the captivity, are discontent and reminisce about their past years in Egypt. Forgetting the hardships which they faced, they are happy to remember those luxuries such as flesh, fish, cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions, and garlic. Although God has been supplying them with manna (food in a dry desert!), they are very thankless (wailing and complaining) for they had been eating manna for a while – ground, baked, or beaten. In other words, they faced temptation in the desert.

It’s not just they who faced it, but also everyone who are in such ‘desert’ situations, a time when we are particularly vulnerable. Being a follower of Christ doesn’t eliminate us from being tempted. Even when we are strong, we will always find that the grass is greener on the other side. But instead of finding deficits and causes of complaints, we must thank and praise God for His blessings and mercy.

Moses is fed up with the Israelites and cannot understand why he should be responsible for them. God decides to divide Moses’ responsibility and blesses 70 elders from the 12 tribes with His Spirit. Moses doesn’t feel jealous by this action, although his supporters are miffed.

When the Israelites complain about food, the Lord decides to give them (stuff them, actually!) flesh. God sends quails by using natural elements. So, although He can intervene directly, He does use factors and humans as his vessels of implement.

When Moses assumes that the herds must be slaughtered to provide food, God asks whether His power is limited. But this is what we often do- we picture God as a human with restricted abilities.

12.

Moses’ wife was an Ethiopian.

God usually speaks to prophets via visions and dreams. But to Moses, he spoke directly.

Moses was very meek and enjoyed a close relationship with God- which Aaron and Miriam couldn’t have due to their pride. When the Lord communicated with Aaron and Miriam, they complain to Him about Moses. We can often see this in the ministry scene, where the complaining is motivated by jealousy and spite. When Miriam is punished with leprosy, Aaron admits his sin to Moses and asks forgiveness. Moses not only forgives them, but also cries out to the Lord asking Him to heal her.

14.

Upon hearing about the fearsome Canaanites, the Israelites are scared and resume grumbling that it would have been better if they were dead. They consider appointing a leader and returning back to Egypt. Do we do this when faced with troubles or rumours of troubles? Canaan was a land flowing with milk and honey, chosen by God as the dwelling for His children. It was literally the light at the end of the tunnel, within easy reach. Caleb and Joshua try to encourage them by reminding that since God is with them, they needn't fear the Canaanites.

God has wonderful plans for us, which we tend to be unaware of. But despite the uncertainty, we can either follow His plans or make our own silly moves. In this text, we find that the Canaanites were fearsome and seemingly undefeatable. But the Israelites were to overcome them with God’s help. Just sitting still by the border wouldn’t bequeath Canaan to us - we are to go ahead and make our move, with the fullest knowledge that God is with us. God has made numerous promises and He never breaks any nor does His word change. We are to believe in the same promises and in His guidance- all we need to do is to follow Him.

God is fed up by the disobedience of Israelites, so much that He tells Moses of His plan to disinherit them, and make Moses’ descendants a greater and mightier nation than them. But Moses intercedes for the Israelites, appealing to God’s mercy and forgiveness. God pardons them but is not pleased with the Israelites’ grumblings for they had witnessed God’s miracles and glorious victory and guidance so far. It is these grumblings which condemns them to wander in the desert for 40 years. Those who eventually saw Canaan were those who followed the Lord wholeheartedly.

15.

God wants us to be holy and to be obedient to Him.

17.

God doesn’t like us to grumble.

In the OT, access to Him was via the Levites. After Jesus’ death, we don’t need any such intercessors. Each sin required atonement- usually involving a blood sacrifice. Jesus was the final blood sacrifice who made atonement for all.

20.

The Israelites grumble again! But when God tells Moses to speak to the rock, Moses smites it twice instead.

Leviticus 21-24; Numbers 1, 8-9

21.
This chapter deals with purity in priests. To partake in the passover and to be anywhere near the veil, preists and other individuals should be perfect- not just in character and behaviour, but also physically. Jesus abolished all these requirements and made the table accessible to all. Moreover, when he died, the veil at the Temple of Jerusalem split from top to bottom signifying that there was no longer a division between the Holy of Holies and the rest of the Temple, i.e Jesus’ death on the cross, as the punishment for our sins and for our salvation, gave us direct access to God.

22.
God repeats nine times that He is the Lord.

23.
We are not to work on Sundays/Shabbat - which should be kept holy, as a day totally dedicated to God. The passage again refers to Jesus, the perfect lamb, who is sacrificed so that our sins are forgiven. The Lamb of God was sacrificed on Passover itself.

24.
God doesn’t like sin. Nor does He expect us to sin. The punishments for sinning are harsh. But not only has Jesus forgiven our sins, but he paid the penalty which we should have paid.

Numbers
1.
Levites were given charge of the tabernacle. Anyone else would die if they came near it. This right, given to the Levites, has been transferred to us by Jesus.

Even though God was with them, the Israelites still remained prepared for war. Thus, we too cannot rest on our laurels and wait for God to deal with our problems. On the contrary, we should put in some effort, and be converted into the war implement, used by God, for the Christian life is a battle- both physical, spiritual, and mental.

Nicky Gumbel points out that like Moses, we too must listen to God, even when we are in a godless/desert place or when going through a dry/unfruitful phase.

8.
The Levites are purified by sprinkling water upon them. We are purified by Jesus sprinkling his own blood.

9.
When the people asked a difficult question to Moses, he told them to wait (i.e to pray) so that he could hear from the Lord. We too should present our problems to God, pray, and wait patiently.

Leviticus 4-

4.

Those who commit a sin are (obviously) guilty, but even the God of the OT desires to have mercy rather than punish them. The formula was to confess first, pay the penalty, and make the sacrifice/the atonement. Finally, one is forgiven.

6.

God expects us to be pure and we shouldn’t trespass (including saying lies, deception, and giving false witness) against Him. All of these sins are forgiven by sacrificing animals- later, Jesus transformed himself into the sacrificial animal and died on the cross, as the punishment for our sins.

15.

God establishes more rules for the ancient Israelite community. Although these rules may seem archaic, they were formed to instill obedience, and to preserve good health and lawfulness in a nomadic community, and even later when established as a nation.

16.

The chapter deals with the sacrifices on the Day of Atonement. In the NT, Jesus becomes both the scapegoat (which is chased away into the wilderness, on whom each of their sins are laid upon) and the sin goat (which was slain for the sins of the people).

18.

God reiterates five times that He is the Lord our God. He wants us to obey Him and walk in the path which He shows (v. 4) - for this is the path of life. The chapter mainly deals with sexual purity and the need for God’s children to remain pure. We are exhorted not to follow all that the world does- for the world will deride at our values and we will even be tempted to swim with the tide.

19- 20

In Chapter 19, God reminds us sixteen times of who He is- The Lord our God. In chapter 20, He does so four times. Both chapters are a reprise of the Ten Commandments, instituted because God (for He is holy) wants us to be holy. God institutes laws to control humans who, by nature, are lawless.

Since we have been severed from other nations, we are not expected to be like them. On the other hand, we should:

- fear/respect/honour our parents (no cursing!)

- honour the elders

- worship Him alone (and not turn to idols, in whichever form, or make such)

- wholeheartedly make offerings to Him

- keep the Sabbath

- respect the holy place

- leave some of the harvest for the poor and the stranger

- be good to strangers

- pay everyone promptly

- love our neighbours as ourselves (Jesus echoes this!)

- be just

- not commit adultery (with another’s partner) or abomination (same sex partners or bestiality) or incest

- not steal or rob

- not hate

- not avenge or bear any grudge

- not have any false dealings

- not say lies

- not spread tales

- not swear by using God’s name or profane His name

- not defraud anyone (including in judgment, or measurement)

- not play tricks on the powerless

- not show any discrimination

There are more commandments:

- God doesn’t like inter-breeding, e.g. crossing different breeds with another. Even mixing seeds in the field or weaving garments with mixed material are frowned upon.

- The harvest for 3 years should not be eaten since it is ‘uncircumcised’. In the 4^th year, the fruits are solely offered to God, and from the 5^th year onwards, they can be eaten.

- Nothing with blood (i.e. raw/uncooked) should be eaten.

- One mustn’t use enchantment, observe auspicious times, give importance to familiar spirits, or seek wizards.

- Excess hair on the heads shouldn’t be shaven off, nor should one have tattoos.