Mercy & Blessings Through Faithfulness 02.22.08

Hello My Friend/Guest,

It is Friday February 22, 2008 and today we are continuing our studies on the book of Numbers. Please read Numbers 21 -- 22 in your Bible or Click Here. In today's lesson we will read and learn about the fiery serpents; the brass serpent; Israel defeating King Arad, the Amorites, and the Moabites; and Balaam is hired to curse the Israelites.

When the Canaanite's heard that the Israelite's we near they faught against them and took some of them as prisoners. The Israelite's vowed to destroy them should the Lord allow them to do so and defeated King Arad. "And when king Arad the Canaanite, which dwelt in the south, heard tell that Israel came by the way of the spies; then he fought against Israel, and took some of them prisoners. And Israel vowed a vow unto the LORD, and said, If thou wilt indeed deliver this people into my hand, then I will utterly destroy their cities. And the LORD hearkened to the voice of Israel, and delivered up the Canaanites; and they utterly destroyed them and their cities: and he called the name of the place Hormah." (Numbers 21:1-3)

After their defeat the Israelites were near their last encampment and would soon cross the Jordan River to enter into the promised land. Some of these people were children when, with their parents, they had left Egypt; others had been born in the wilderness. Once again they complained against God and Moses, but this time God sent firey serpents among the people and they were bitten by them and many died. However, the remaining repented and Moses prayed and the Lord provided a way for them to be saved. "And they journeyed from mount Hor by the way of the Red sea, to compass the land of Edom: and the soul of the people was much discouraged because of the way. And the people spake against God, and against Moses, Wherefore have ye brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? for there is no bread, neither is there any water; and our soul loatheth this light bread. And the LORD sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people; and much people of Israel died. herefore the people came to Moses, and said, We have sinned, for we have spoken against the LORD, and against thee; pray unto the LORD, that he take away the serpents from us. And Moses prayed for the people. And the LORD said unto Moses, Make thee a fiery serpent, and set it upon a pole: and it shall come to pass, that every one that is bitten, when he looketh upon it, shall live. And Moses made a serpent of brass, and put it upon a pole, and it came to pass, that if a serpent had bitten any man, when he beheld the serpent of brass, he lived." (21:4-9). The brass serpent was a symbol both of God's judgment against their sin and of His mercy and love for all who repent and obey Him.

Many centuries later, Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews said to Jesus we know that You are a teacher come from God and in response Jesus said that the serpent which had been lifted up by Moses in the wilderness illustrated Himself as the One to be lifted up on the cross as the only way for sinners to be saved from eternal death (See John 3). Jesus did not tell Nicodemus how he should live to have eternal life, rather He told him how to be made alive. Being born of the Spirit is far more than changing one's way of life, giving up bad habits, or turning over a new leaf. Each of us was born with our parents' human nature; but, when we receive Christ as our Savior, we are "born again" and receive His spiritual nature.

Now, King Balak was made aware that Israel's God had conquered the Egyptian armies and of all that Israel had done to the Amorites he probably thought he was to be destroyed next so he sent for Balaam. He had heard of Balaam, the prophet, and he hoped that he could persuade him to prophecy against the Israelites. "And the children of Israel set forward, and pitched in the plains of Moab on this side Jordan by Jericho. And Balak the son of Zippor saw all that Israel had done to the Amorites. And Moab was sore afraid of the people, because they were many: and Moab was distressed because of the children of Israel. And Moab said unto the elders of Midian, Now shall this company lick up all that are round about us, as the ox licketh up the grass of the field. And Balak the son of Zippor was king of the Moabites at that time. He sent messengers therefore unto Balaam the son of Beor to Pethor, which is by the river of the land of the children of his people, to call him, saying, Behold, there is a people come out from Egypt: behold, they cover the face of the earth, and they abide over against me: Come now therefore, I pray thee, curse me this people; for they are too mighty for me: peradventure I shall prevail, that we may smite them, and that I may drive them out of the land: for I wot that he whom thou blessest is blessed, and he whom thou cursest is cursed." (Numbers 22:1-6)

Balaam received marvelous prophetic revelations and inspiration that came from God. He was endowed with far more than ordinary knowledge of the one true God. He was aware of the relationship of Israel to God, and he knew he could not curse those whom God had blessed. However, the wealth and prominence King Balak had offered him enticed Balaam to eventually compromise what he knew was God's will. He should have refused Balak, but he coveted the rewards that were offered him.

Balaam belonged to that great number of people who know the right doctrine, sing the right songs, and can even quote the right Scripture but deceive themselves and chose error over what they know the Word of God instructs them to do when they desire things of the world. Covetousness (desire) comes in a variety of forms, their first desires take place over Christ and biblical values not. They long to be popular or wealthy, and enjoy the pleasures of the world, but they have forsaken the Lord's day, tithing, participation in the Lord's Supper, and the support of the only institution that Christ died to establish in order to have these things.

People often mistake the idea that if we accept Jesus into our lives that we can not be prosperous however, that is further from the truth. God wants us to have everything we desire, He just wants us to put His needs above ours. It is when we put God above all other things that we are blessed even more abundantly for it, we can only gain from accepting Jesus.

In today's lesson Jesus Christ is revealed through Moses who was faithful to pray to God for the people (Numbers 21:7). Jesus was faithful to God, as also Moses was faithful. "Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus; Who was faithful to him that appointed him, as also Moses was faithful in all his house." (Hebrews 3:1-2).

Today's Psalm: 37:4
"Delight thyself also in the LORD: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart."

Today's Prayer:
Dear Lord,
Help me to remain faithful to You and your calling upon my life. Strengthen and grow my faith as I daily search Your Scriptures and apply their truths to my spiritual walk. As I go through the trials and experiences of my earthly journey would You fix my eyes and my ever-wandering heart upon You, Jesus. When the howling winds and forceful storms of this life attempt to shipwreck my faith may they instead prove my faith to be more than sufficient to withstand the continual assaults from the enemy. Because I take refuge in You, Jesus my spiritual foundation is firm, always dependable, and leads me to glorious victory. In Your mighty name, Jesus', I pray.....Amen.

Have a great and wonderful day/night and weekend too.
God Bless,
Christina

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