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Numbers 23 Commentary The sacrifices that Balaam and Balak make in verse 1 resemble the sacrifices at the Sanctuary. But that’s where the similarity ends. Everything else is different. If the LORD God speaks to Balaam, it won’t be because of these sacrifices. He has been speaking to Balaam without these rituals! Regardless, Balaam knowsContinueContinue reading “Numbers 23b Commentary”

Numbers 23 Commentary The king of Moab (Balak) builds three sets of altars at three different locations, hoping Balaam will curse Israel. Instead, Balaam pronounces a blessing on the nation of Israel. Like a donkey, Balaam is simply a conduit of God’s message. He cannot say anything else.The first set of seven altars are erectedContinueContinue reading “Numbers 23 Commentary”

Numbers 22c Commentary Talking serpents and talking donkeys. The talking serpent of Genesis 3 is an old folktale, so we think. The talking donkey is too off to be factual, so we conclude. But the holy script reports it as a historical fact. Talking animals! Logic versus Fact is an interesting battle. Logic and FactContinueContinue reading “Numbers 22c Commentary”

Numbers 22b Commentary Balak’s mission is stated: “Now come and put a curse on these people, because they are too powerful for me. Perhaps then I will be able to defeat them and drive them out of the land.” Verse 6a. It sounds familiar. “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy.” JohnContinueContinue reading “Numbers 22b Commentary”

Numbers 22 Commentary Location? Plains of Moab, along the Jordan and overlooking Jericho.Sihon: A powerful king of the Amorites who defeats Moab. Israel defeats the powerful Sihon (Chapter 21). Moab and its king know they don’t stand a chance against the conqueror of their conqueror. A solution must be found against the new power inContinueContinue reading “Numbers 22 Commentary”

Numbers 21b Commentary You would expect the LORD God to simply “unsend” the snakes. But He doesn’t. Of course, humans would withdraw the troops to solve a problem like this. Recall the snakes and all is square again, but that’s for humans! This chapter gives us a couple of other questions. Why didn’t God letContinueContinue reading “Numbers 21b Commentary”

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”