Introduction Let's remember that it's the fortieth year since the Israelites left Egypt; and it's the final year of their wilderness wanderings. They're very near the end of their journey; and soon they'll be crossing over the River Jordan to enter the Promised Land. But still there are obstacles in the way. Last week, we … Continue reading Numbers 25 →

Introduction Last week we read how Balak -- the king of the Moabites -- sent messengers to Balaam in order to hire him to curse the people of Israel. Balak was afraid that Israel would destroy his people as they had done to the Amorites; but he hoped that -- if Balaam cursed the Israelites … Continue reading Numbers 23+24 →

Introduction Verse 1 of today's chapter tells us that the Israelites have reached the plains of Moab; and they've camped along the River Jordan and across from the city of Jericho. That tells us that their journey is almost over, because we know that after they crossed the Jordan, they attacked the city of Jericho … Continue reading Numbers 22 →

Introduction Today's passage can be divided into two parts. There's verses 10 to 20 which recounts part of the Israelite's travel itinerary. And then there's verses 21 to 35 which tells us about the defeat of Sihon, the king of the Amorites and of Og, the king of Bashan. As the people made their way … Continue reading Numbers 21(10–35) →

Introduction We've been going through the book of Numbers for a number of months now; and it tells the story of what happened in the wilderness after God rescued his people from Egypt and as they made their way to the Promised Land of Canaan. In the opening chapters, the Lord commanded Moses to count … Continue reading Numbers 21(01–09) →

Introduction Last week we read how the people once again complained to Moses and Aaron because there was no water for them to drink. And instead of trusting in the Lord to help them, they assembled against Moses and Aaron and began to quarrel with them. Well, when Moses and Aaron turned to the Lord, … Continue reading Numbers 20(14–29) →

Introduction We've been reading about the Israelites in the wilderness as they made their way from Egypt -- the land of their captivity -- to the Promised Land of Canaan. And one of the striking things has been how often the people grumbled and complained and rebelled against the Lord and his leaders. As soon … Continue reading Numbers 20(01–13) →

Introduction I mentioned last week that the book of Numbers alternates between history and law; or between historical narrative and legal instruction; and that the legal instructions are normally connected in some way to the historical narrative which precedes them. So, chapters 16 and 17 contain the narrative account of the rebellion by Korah and … Continue reading Numbers 19 →

Introduction We've been studying the book of Numbers for a number of weeks now. I've explained before that it's called 'Numbers' because it contains a lot of numbers. Right at the beginning of the book, the Lord commanded Moses to take a census of all the men -- apart from the Levites -- who were … Continue reading Numbers 18 →

Introduction Moses has recorded for us three great rebellions by the people of Israel in the wilderness. First of all, Miriam and Aaron complained about Mosses because they believed they were equal to him and anything he could do, they could do as well. That was in chapter 12. Then, in chapters 13 and 14 … Continue reading Numbers 16(41)–17(13) →