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Numbers 21 Commentary Arad is completely destroyed as an answer to Israel’s prayer. How does this prayer stand in the light of Israel’s standing order to destroy Canaanites? The prayer is positive because it aligns with the LORD’s stated purpose. It’s a prayer that the LORD was always going to answer. The prayer is negativeContinueContinue reading “Numbers 21 Commentary”

Numbers 20 Commentary Miriam dies at Kadesh. It’s been a very long trip for her. We all remember the young Miriam cooperating with God to save baby Moses from the Nile. Later, she led the women in a praise song as the nation left Egypt. Next, we shall mourn the death of Miriam’s brother AaronContinueContinue reading “Numbers 20 Commentary”

Numbers 19 Commentary The Water of Cleansing is a shortcut to a lengthy and complicated cleansing process. By using this water, an individual will have undergone the entire process! The Water of Cleansing works like a substitute. Behind this substitute is a complex web of activities and objects. It can never be practical for anContinueContinue reading “Numbers 19 Commentary”

Numbers 18 Commentary Probably because of recent events, Korah’s rebellion, the LORD God reviews the roles of the priests and the Levites concerning the Sanctuary. The Levites will take care of the entire Sanctuary but the core components of the Sanctuary are reserved for Aaron and his sons.We see layers of responsibility. Aaron is to bearContinueContinue reading “Numbers 18 Commentary”

Numbers 17 Commentary In this very short chapter, the LORD God does one thing: Confirm Aaron’s priesthood. A simple but miraculous test of approval is devised. Staffs from tribal leaders with identity markings are placed before the LORD God. Aaron’s staff is selected (elected).The hope is that the matter of leadership is settled. But theseContinueContinue reading “Numbers 17 Commentary”

Numbers 16b Commentary Korah’s punishment doesn’t mean leaders cannot be criticized when they go wrong. But Korah’s criticism of Moses is premised on wrong motives. It doesn’t arise from a discomfort that Moses lacked the required zeal for the LORD.On the contrary, Korah’s assertion that the “whole community” is holy contradicts God’s assessment of theContinueContinue reading “Numbers 16b Commentary”

Numbers 16 Commentary Now this feels like it. Chapter 15 feels out of place given the absorbing events in chapters 13 and 14. With Chapter 16, normal business resumes. It’s Korah’s turn for rebellion. While the Sanctuary was open for worship to everyone, the conduct of its business was exclusively in the hands of theContinueContinue reading “Numbers 16 Commentary”

Numbers 15 Commentary The LORD God looks to the future. There is a generation to invest in. The older, sinful, and stiff-necked generation must be phased out. The new generation must learn the ways of the LORD. So, the laws are repeated.Of course, Chapter 15 is strange. It pretends like nothing happened in chapters 13ContinueContinue reading “Numbers 15 Commentary”

Numbers 14 Commentary We have a very low point here. You thought the golden calf experience was bad enough, but here we are again! Israel no longer wants to proceed into the Promised Land. They want to choose another leader and go back to Egypt. Real mutiny in the Camp! God’s view of everything isContinueContinue reading “Numbers 14b Commentary”

Numbers 14 Commentary Chapter 14 defines a couple of terms.Fear of enemy (in the presence of God): Contempt of God.Doubt (regardless of evidence of divine ability): Contempt of God.In Chapter 13, we discussed the words “fear” and “doubt.” We had our own view.Chapter 14 gives us God’s view of what we call fear. We haveContinueContinue reading “Numbers 14 Commentary”