The Bible Study Companion
Reflections, questions, and observations on God’s Holy Word
March
More than a Bible reading plan, the Bible Study Companion goes beyond a mere reading of the Word. The Bible Study Companion asks difficult questions about the text. It searches for a deeper meaning behind the stories and events in the Bible. And it helps bring clarity to some confusing passages in the Bible. The Bible Study Companion is a series of 365 daily readings that walks you through the Bible in Chronological order. How to use the Bible Study Companion: Using the translation of your choice, read the scripture for each day. For insight, observations, and questions about each day’s passages, refer to the study notes in this guide. Make your own notes and ask your own questions as you study through the Bible as well.
Presented by Gregory L. Jones, Pastor West York Church of the Brethren http://www.westyorkcob.org
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March March 1: Numbers 6, Numbers 10 Numbers 6 •
Numbers 6:1-21 Any man or woman of Israel could consecrate themselves for a stated period of time to serve God. They were called a Nazirite. This is what Samuel's parents did for him (1 Samuel 1:11). But most often it was an act of devotion by an adult. The long hair was a "Crown" which signified to the nation that this person had taken a vow.
Numbers 10 •
Numbers 10:2 A series of special signals were prescribed that directed the people. Considering the size of the camp, that would have to be one loud blast. But here I am amazed that these two trumpets were made of silver, not the "Shofar" (or Ram's Horn) that is often depicted. I get an image of something like a trumpet, but it probably looked more like the image below. If so, that's some mighty fine craftsmanship. And you thought those horns at the hockey game were some new invention.
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Numbers 10:12 The Wilderness of Paran crossed the whole north-central
part of the Sinai Peninsula.
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Numbers 10:21 If you want to get an idea of how big this caravan must have been, consider that by the time the Sacred Objects arrived in the new camp, the Tabernacle would already be set up. And considering the size of the Tabernacle, I image it would take a couple of hours to put it in place.
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Okay, here is a text that some use to discredit the Bible. In Numbers 10:29, Moses talks to a man named Hobab. Here it says that he was Moses' Brother-inLaw. He would have been Zipporah's brother. If you'll recall, we have determined that Jethro was also called Reuel (compare Exodus 2:18 and Exodus 3:1). Since the last we heard of Jethro was in Exodus 18:27, where he said he was going back home, it is possible that in the two year span from then until now, Jethro might have died. Then Hobab would have become the Patriarch of the family. I say all of this because in some Bible translations Judges 4:11 calls Hobab the "father-in-law" of Moses. The Hebrew word in that passage can refer to any "in-law" relationship. It could mean brother-in-law. Of course it may actually mean "father-in-law", but even then from a cultural standpoint, that would technically be correct.
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Numbers 10:31 What Moses says here seems odd. I thought God was to be their guide. I don't know. Maybe Moses understood that God also works through people. Maybe he knew that God works through our experiences in life.
March 2: Numbers 11-13 Numbers 11 •
Numbers 11:1 Just after three days into the journey, these people complained (Numbers 10:33-36). Perhaps the fire was simply a fire that burned in the outskirts of the camp. However, that fire was seen as God's wrath against those who complained. One has to wonder if it was a selective fire. In other words, did those on the outskirts of camp who did not complain suffer as well, or were they
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spared just like we saw back in Egypt? The text leads us to believe that it was a divine fire, for fire stopped after Moses prayed (Numbers 11:2). •
Numbers 11:4 This rabble were the non-Israelites who left Egypt with Israel in the exodus. So used to the spicy food back in Egypt, they complained about the blandness of the Manna. Their contentious spirit became infectious, and soon some of the people of Israel began to complain as well.
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Numbers 11:13-14 I don't think Moses quite understood what he was saying here. He actually confessed that the problem was too great for him to solve. And surely it was. But instead of giving this concern to God, he complains as well. His gripe was no different that the people. Both Moses and the nation did not see God's ability to supply their need. This is the same lesson the Apostles needed to learn in Luke 9:13. Pastors, when faced with a problem beyond your ability to solve, don't complain to God, take your concern to God, and wait for Him to supply the need.
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Numbers 11:16 Were these 70 men the same group who ascended Mt. Sinai in Exodus 24:9-11? Maybe. Only maybe. Later we see them doing more than hearing and judging cases. It seems they would help Moses in discerning God's will. This rule of elders was adopted by the early church as well (Titus 1:5).
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Numbers 11:25-26 The 68 elders (or was it 70) prophesied; not foretelling the future but giving praise to God in either speech or song. It would be like proclaiming the glory of the Lord. King Saul did something similar in 1 Samuel 10:9-11. The reason I wonder about the number is because of the two who stayed behind, Eldad and Medad. Were they part of the original 70 or were they an addition?
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Numbers 11:31-35 Here we see the grumblers (those who caused dissension) struck down because of gluttony (Galatians 5:19-21). What's puzzling is that I'm sure some people who did not complain must have eaten some of the quail. Yet the plague appears to be targeted against those who grumbled. It cannot be
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simply explained by saying the birds had some bug that spread to the humans. Perhaps it was in the amount someone collected. Maybe the gluttons collected more than they could process, and the meat spoiled, giving them food poisoning. Or, maybe God was directing things and knew who just to punish. Anyway, the size of the nation continues to dwindle because of these severe punishments. We don't know how many died here or in the fire outside of camp. Already God is pruning the dead branches from the nation (see John 15:2). Numbers 12 •
Numbers 12:1-3 Moses has married a Cushite woman, a descendant of Noah's son Ham (Genesis 10:6). She was probably from Ethiopia, and was probably his second wife. Chances are that she was part of the group that left Egypt with Israel during the exodus. Oh, and some people use verse 3 as an excuse to claim Moses did not write this book. If he was humble, he certainly wouldn't have been proud to say that he was. I disagree. His statement is the strongest possible support for the traditional view that Moses wrote Holy Scripture as an inspired penman. Only one led by the Holy Spirit could make such a statement about himself, probably against his own natural inclination.
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Numbers 12:4-16 Perhaps Miriam and Aaron spoke against Moses out of envy which had been simmering for quite some time. God, however, defends His choice of Moses, and scolds Moses’ brother and sister for questioning his leadership. This is a problem facing many who have been called to lead. People look on the outside and judge, never looking at the person within (1 Samuel 16:7). The truth is, God does not call just the gifted and the talented. He often calls the outcast and the despised. That way He is glorified through our weakness (1 Corinthians 1:26-29).
Numbers 13 •
Spies are selected, one from each tribe, to explore the land of Canaan. But before we get too deep into this section, consider what Moses says
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in Deuteronomy 1:20-23. Sending the spies was not God's idea, but the desire of the people. On a historical note, Canaan was the 4th son of Ham, grandson of Noah. When Ham saw Noah's nakedness, He cursed Canaan (Genesis 9:24-25). Israel is about to deliver this curse . . . well, in about 40 years or so. •
Numbers 13:22 Here's a bit of trivia - Zoan was also known as Tanis. Located in the eastern portion of the Nile Delta, the city was discovered in 1886. According to the Columbia Encyclopedia, the entire city was abandoned in the 6th century B.C. King Shishak of Egypt lived in Tanis. Jeroboam lived with Shishak for a number of years (1 Kings 11:40), until Solomon died. Then for some unknown reason, Shishak invades Judah (the southern kingdom) and captures over 150 cities. These names are listed on a wall in the temple of Amun-Re at Karnak. Jerusalem is absent from this list is because Rehoboam paid tribute to Shishak from the treasures in the Temple and the Royal Palace. Although Jerusalem did not fall, Shishak still attacked the city (2 Chronicles 12:9). All this happened in the 10th Century B.C. Some people believe that all the sacred items of the Temple were plundered in this raid as well, including the Ark of the Covenant. If so, it was probably melted down for the Gold. One other possibility is that the Babylonians melted it down for the gold when they destroyed the Temple in 587 B.C.
Carving on the wall at Amun-Re
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Numbers 13:23-24 Indeed, the Promised Land was flowing with an
abundance of food. It was just as God said it would be (big surprise). But . . . •
Numbers 13:25-29 After traveling about 250 miles in 40 days without any incident, and after seeing that the land is just as God said it would be, and after seeing all that God had accomplished in Egypt, and after seeing how God provided their every need for the past two years, and after witnessing God's punishment for those that rebel, 10 of these spies felt God was too small to do anything about their situation. Really? The same God who parted the waters couldn't deal with a couple of city walls? The God who wiped out the Egyptian army in a moment couldn't handle a few uncircumcised Philistines? What do you do with a generation of unbelievers? Replace them, just as God threatened to do over the Golden Calf incident (Exodus 32:1-4).
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Numbers 13:30 I wonder why Moses didn't listen to Caleb. Why not just march into the land and let God do what He said He would do?
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Numbers 13:31-33 The Nephilim are only mentioned here and in Genesis 6:4. What were these Nephilim, or Giants? According to pagan belief, gods were created when a god had sex with a human. So any person who was influenced by pagan beliefs would look upon a large person (a giant Nephilim) as having divine origin. And if they had divine origin then they must also have immortality. Okay, so maybe the people in the Promised Land were strong and tall. But they were still human. They may have been immoral but they were not immortal. From the way it sounds, the spies saw these big and strong men, believing that they were the product of some Canaanite fertility rite, and believed them to be Nephilim. To the ten it meant “Invincible". But to Joshua and Caleb it simply meant "Fallen Ones".
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March 3: Numbers 14-15 Numbers 14 •
Numbers 14:2 How many times have we heard this same whine rising out of Israel? "Oh, woe is me! My life is so miserable I think I will flee!" Had they not learned the lesson back in Egypt? There is no other god as mighty as Jehovah. Actually, there is no other God but Jehovah, but apparently most of them still didn't get it.
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Numbers 14:10-12 God shows up, and just in time too. I'm sick of all the whining. They sound like a bunch of 16 year old kids who never had to sleep in a covered wagon before. Sheesh!
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Numbers 14:13-23 Once again Moses intercedes on behalf of the nation, and God responds. However, there is a stipulation this time. All but a handful standing there that day will eventually enter the Promised Land. Indeed, almost all of them will die in the wilderness, strangely, just as they requested (Numbers 14:2).
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Numbers 14:29 No one over the age of twenty will enter the Promised Land, except for Joshua and Caleb.
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Numbers 14:34 40 years for the 40 days exploring. A year for each day. It seems the lesson is a bit tough, but they did have ample opportunity to see God's faithfulness. They just didn't accept it.
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Numbers 14:44-45 God says go, and they don't. God says don't go, and they do. When will they learn?
Numbers 15 •
Numbers 15:1-16 The requirements of the Covenant are repeated here possibly for the younger generation's benefit. The difference between what we read here
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and what is found in Leviticus 4:13-21 is that here the sins were of omission (what I forgot) while those in Leviticus were of commission (what I did). •
Numbers 15:22-29 These are instructions for those who sin unintentionally. This would describe most Christians. Seldom does a follower of Christ intend to sin. But sometimes we do. The need to have these sins forgiven still exists, but the means by which that forgiveness happens has changed. In the Old Testament, sacrifices were given to make amends. In the New Testament Christ has been given.
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In Numbers 15:30-31 I see the unforgivable sin mentioned here (compare Mark 3:29). If this person were to admit they were wrong, offer a sacrifice to the Lord, and repent of their behavior, they would find forgiveness. But the attitude of repentance is missing, so they will not be forgiven. They are to be cut off.
March 4: Numbers 16-18 Numbers 16 •
Numbers 16:1-3 Korah, and the rest of those who rebelled, viewed Moses with envious eyes. In their eyes they thought Moses was the leader of the people. Actually God was the leader, Moses was merely His spokesman. This is a view many people hold with Christian Leadership. They fail to realize that those who are in Church Leadership serve because God called them, not because it was the desire of their heart. At least that's the way it should be. The truth is, God should be leading anyone who has been called into His service. He should be the one leading all that we do. Korah's responsibilities to the nation were no less than the ones God gave Moses, just different. God held Moses to the same level of obedience that He held anyone else. However, God placed the highest responsibility for the people upon Moses. And with a higher degree of responsibility comes a higher degree of accountability, and a higher degree of
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anguish. Do you think Korah grieved the way Moses did when the nation rebelled against God? Do you think Korah would have prayed for the people when they grumbled and disobeyed? Probably not, because they were not his responsibility. God had given that task to Moses. •
God instituted a great religious revolution by making Aaron High Priest. The leaders of clans and families used to serve in that capacity, and now God was placing one man above the whole nation. This is partly why Korah, Dathan, and Abiram, along with 250 other leaders, complained that Moses and Aaron had gone too far. They demanded that the old system should be restored. They wrongly assumed that Moses and Aaron had conceived this new religious system on their own, and had gone too far. God dealt severely with this rebellion to demonstrate that He had designed this, not Moses or Aaron.
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Numbers 16:11 At times I think even today's Church needs to be reminded of this truth. When we resort to Christian Civil War within our congregations and try to wrestle power away from those called to leadership, we ultimately are trying to wrestle the church away from God.
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Numbers 16:19 So sure that Moses was the source of their problem, Korah gets the people all stirred up. Yet in the end we find out the truth. There is a lesson here for all of us. People seem eager to identify someone else as the problem, but never take the time to search their own heart. I have heard this over and over again within the Church, sometimes from laity and sometimes from clergy. I've heard people grumble and complain about their pastor, as if he is the one destroying the church. I've heard pastors say that the only way their church can move forward is to conduct a few funerals. Both are demonstrating the wrong attitude. Both blame the problem on someone else. What's missing from these congregations is a sense that together they are God's community, and as God's congregation they must assess the problem together and seek the Lord's help in solving the problem. Chasing someone away does not make the problem go away. And both Leadership and Laity need to learn this.
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Numbers 16:22 The unusual title of God spoken here, "God of the Spirits of all flesh" (NASB) is only used here and in Numbers 27:16. It refers to God's omniscient understanding of all people. Moses reminded God that he knows the hearts of everyone, and surely God knew that only one man had sinned. Korah was the instigator who led others astray.
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Numbers 16:33 Moses had just said that God knew the hearts of all people. And considering what God says in Deuteronomy 24:16, we must conclude that the wives and children of these three men collaborated with them in some way. Even though they were not swallowed by the earth, the 250 rebels were also destroyed. God did indeed search out the hearts of the people.
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Numbers 16:41-50 The next day, the very next day. What do you do with such a rebellious nation? Destroy them, or pray for them. Moses and Aaron decide to pray. The incense that Aaron burnt among the people becomes like a prayer on their behalf (Psalm 141:2). Interesting that one censer in the hand of a man of God did more than 250 in the hands of sinners.
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Numbers 16:49 God continues to remove the dead branches from the nation (See John 15:6). Do you think that God still does this today? Do you think a church goes through this pruning process as well?
Numbers 17 •
Numbers 17:1-11 Here the Lord testifies before each tribe that Aaron is the one anointed by God. Wouldn't it be nice if God did this for pastors today? Even then, I wonder if it would remove the conflict.
Numbers 18 •
Numbers 18:1 For those who aspire to the position of High Priest, may they be warned that the High Priest bears the awesome responsibility of the people and their own family as well, when it pertains to Holiness. Perhaps this was given in light of the recent challenge to Aaron's Priesthood.
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Numbers 18:7 Interesting that God chose Aaron even after he displayed periods of weakness and disobedience (remember the Golden Calf). Perhaps time spent before the Lord changed his attitude a bit. Perhaps God’s rebuke had a greater impact than we may realize (Numbers 12:5-9).
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Numbers 18:8-19 Aaron, and probably the whole nation, are reminded what portion the Priests and the Levites are to receive for their service. Perhaps the rest of the Levites needed to be reminded that God had not forgotten them and their service.
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Numbers 18:20-21 Again we are given the reason for the Tithe. It is to support the Levites in their work. They were given no land to farm, no allotment at all other than a tenth of what is given from the rest of the nation. 600,000 men giving a tithe would support 22,000 Levites (See Numbers 3:39). Wow. God is so cool!
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Numbers 18:22 So how close was too close? I can't find an answer anywhere!
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Numbers 18:25-32 As the Levites received their portion, they were to tithe a tenth of that to support the Priests (Numbers 18:28).
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March 5: Numbers 19-21 Numbers 19 •
Examples of things that made a person unclean are given in this chapter. So for those who did things to make them unclean, God provided a basin of water to wash away that un-cleanliness (Numbers 19:17-19). Of course stipulations are given for those who fail to follow these instructions. They are quite severe (Numbers 19:20).
Remember that there is a gap of about 38 years between Chapter 19 and 20. Numbers 20 •
Numbers 20:1 The reason we give a 38 year time span between chapter 19 and 20 is because the next dated reference is the death of Aaron (Numbers 20:2728). This occurred on the first day of the fifth month of the 40th year after Israel came out of Egypt (Numbers 33:38). The first month in this verse must be understood to be the same year that Aaron died, hence the 38 year gap between chapters.
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Numbers 20:2-11 Kadesh was normally a well-watered oasis, but when Israel returned here it was dry. As he has done in the past, Moses turns to the Lord. Look closely here at what God commanded. He told Moses and Aaron to "Speak to the rock" (Numbers 20:8). But instead Moses struck the rock twice (Numbers 20:11).
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Numbers 20:12 Do you think God's punishment was severe? God was gracious and provided the water, but it's obvious that Moses and Aaron had tried to draw attention to themselves (Numbers 20:10). I suppose they had reached their breaking point. Moses actually called the people rebels. Although the punishment seemed severe, such is the lot for those who have been given much responsibility (Luke 12:48).
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Numbers 20:14-21 This section begins Israel’s press into the promised land. But I want you to see something here. Notice that Moses was quite diplomatic. He did not storm the land by force. He simply asked permission. Here the Edomites actually send out an army against a nation that was just looking for a peaceful journey through the land. This King Road (Numbers 20:17) is a route that passed from the Red Sea (Gulf of Aqabah) north to Damascus through the city of Sela (later called Petra). The attitude we see here in Moses will be mirrored many other times. For those who depict Israel as a nation pillaging and plundering as they traveled, they obviously have skipped over the many references similar to this one.
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Numbers 20:22-29 Aaron concludes his service as High Priest. After passing the priestly Garments to his son Eleazar, Aaron dies. The nation mourns for 30 days.
Numbers 21 •
Numbers 21:1 This is one of the examples I was talking about a little earlier. Here Arad attacks unprovoked. Israel did nothing to deserve this.
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Numbers 21:2 Israel vows to devote any of the cities to the Lord. This does not necessarily involve the destruction of the cities. The word "Destroy" (Haram) means that Israel would devote these cities to the Lord as a kind of offering or tribute, keeping nothing for themselves. Although the people were defeated, the town was not ransacked. Israel did not return with plunder. Anything not destroyed was simply left there.
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Numbers 21:4-9 Traveling northward above the Land of Edom, Israel sets out for the Land of Moab, just east of the Jordan River, the Dead Sea, and the Sea Of Galilee. But in their travels, the same old grumbling begins once again. In anger, God sends poisonous snakes among the nation. Jesus used this event to summarize His crucifixion as He talked with Nicodemus (John 3:14-15).
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Numbers 21:12-13 The Zered Brook (or River) flows into the Dead Sea at its southeast curve. The Arnon River empties into the Dead Sea about halfway along its eastern shore. See marker on the following map.
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Numbers 21:14-15 The Book of the Wars of the Lord is lost. Either it was not preserved, or it was later incorporated into other books. Apparently it was an anthology describing Israel’s victories over their enemies. Its existence was not known even to the Qumran scribes (150 BC - 60 AD).
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Numbers 21:20 Israel wanders into this region that should have belonged to Moab. But apparently this region was under Amorite control at this time. Again, see map below.
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Numbers 21:22 Again we see Moses asking permission to travel through the land. It was a peaceful request that was met with hostility. King Sihon attacked unprovoked. Don't let anyone deceive you; Israel was on a peaceful journey.
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Numbers 21:24 After the victory, Israel took control of King Sihon's land only as far as the Ammonite border. Why they stopped here is most likely because the terrain in the Ammonite frontier was rugged. The Hebrew reads "because the boundary of the Ammonites was strong".
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Numbers 21:32-35 King Og is defeated after attacking Israel. So now this area east of the Jordan River is occupied by Israel. From the Arnon river, north to Mt. Hermon (see Deuteronomy 3:1-11). See marker on the following map.
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March 6: Numbers 22-24 Numbers 22 •
Numbers 22:2 Balak's fears were actually unfounded. As a descendant of Lot (Genesis 19:37) Moab was actually related to Israel. According to Deuteronomy 2:5-6, 9 &19 many of these nations were to be left alone. However, if you'll recall, these nations attacked Israel first.
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Numbers 22:5 Balaam was from Pethor, a city near the Euphrates River. In 1933 a vast number of cuneiform tablets were discovered at Mari, a city in the Euphrates River Valley. They revealed the existence of a complex cult of prophets and seers whose activities precisely resemble those of Balaam. The fact that King Balak specifically request Balaam over and over again indicates that he must have been at the top of his field.
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Numbers 22:8 It seems a bit strange for Balaam to determine the Lord's will, considering who he was and what he did. But these kinds of prophets and seers
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felt they could sway the mind of any god, so why not The God. So Balaam, in effect, was going to see how hard it would be to turn the Lord against His own people. This shows an incredible amount of arrogance, and even more ignorance. Balaam had no idea what the Lord was like. He had no idea what he was up against. He may have been able to coerce demons to work for him in the past (actually, he was working for them but didn't know it), but this night he would encounter the creator of the universe. •
Numbers 22:9 Notice how gracious God appears here. Recognizing Balaam's ignorance, God gives him simple instruction. I would have expected more of a blazing fire falling from heaven to consume this uncircumcised pagan.
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Numbers 22:18 Don't be fooled by Balaam’s remark here, the Lord my God. Based upon his future actions, it's clear that Balaam did not convert to Judaism. More than likely he was impressed with this God of the Jews, and eager to align himself with the most powerful God he'd ever met, he not only associates himself with the Lord, he claims to be the Lord's mouthpiece.
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Numbers 22:21-35 Balaam's ass. Sorry. I just had to say that. God gives this donkey the ability to speak, and Balaam answers! That's the part that amazes me. I'd be looking to see if someone spiked my canteen or something; whether I had reached down and picked up some wild wood weed. So Balaam has a dialog with his donkey and then with the Angel of the Lord. While all of this is going on, Balak's officials were standing nearby (Numbers 22:35). I wonder what they saw or what they heard. Anyway, God was angry with Balaam not because he went (for the Lord had told him to go), but because of the attitude he took with him (see 2 Peter 2:15).
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Numbers 22:40 The sacrifice that Balak made was in no way similar to the sacrifices prescribed by God. This simply meant that an animal was slaughtered as part of a divination ritual. The animal was slaughtered and its internal organs were examined to determine how next to proceed (this is called hepatoscopy).
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Numbers 23 •
Numbers 23:7-10 In Balaam’s oracle, we hear such praise for Israel coming from God; such love. And yet, if we will recall, it was not too long ago that God was grieved by their disobedience. Yes, they grumbled. Yes they disobeyed. Yes some of them had been killed by God Himself. But God had made a covenant, and the people's disobedience would not negate that covenant (See Deuteronomy 7:9 and 2 Timothy 2:13).
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Numbers 23:18-26 The second time Balak asks for a curse, God gets a bit more direct. He tells Balak that none of his pagan ranting will work. The best thing to do is to sit down, shut up, and watch God work through His people. Wow, can I pass this bit of information along to those who curse the church and who are far too eager to pronounce its death sentence?
Numbers 24 •
Numbers 24:3-9 For the third time Balaam speaks the heart of God for His people. And as I was reading this, I wonder how Israel learned of this whole chain of events. Perhaps Balaam went and told Moses about what God had spoken. In whichever way it may have happened, these words would have been quite comforting to hear. It's like overhearing your parents talking about you to their friends. And when they say something nice, it just feels really good.
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Numbers 24:15-19 Just who is this ruler that will crush Moab? Who takes over Edom? Certainly King David fits the description (2 Samuel 8:2,14), but the greater fulfillment is in Christ. For when He returns, Israel's many enemies will be defeated (Luke 1:68-79).
March 7: Numbers 25-26 Numbers 25 20
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Numbers 25:2 The suggestion to invite the men of Israel to this pagan ceremony was made by Balaam (see Numbers 31:16 and Revelation 2:14). Like I said, it seemed tempting to think Balaam had turned to the Lord, but his actions here prove otherwise. He was just looking for money. Impressed with the Lord, he put on a good show for Balak but did not fool God.
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Numbers 25:3 Baal was the fertility god of the region, and Baal worship consisted of fertility celebrations. Cult Prostitution was common, hence the story that unfolds in Numbers 25:6-9. To thrust his spear through the man and into the woman's stomach gives you impression that the two wasted no time in beginning the fertility ritual. The Apostle Paul warns the church in Corinth to avoid this kind of idolatry in 1 Corinthians 10:8.
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In this age when people are telling Christians to become friendly with their spiritual enemies, we need more courageous men like Phinehas who will take a stand for separation and holiness. And somehow I have a hard time believing that what God detested then He would accept now. The worship of God cannot be compromised by blending it with the worship of some wooden idol. To do so defiles the holiness of our God. And yea, I know that's not politically correct.
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Numbers 25:14 Perhaps the name and clan were given here to explain why the drop between the first census (59,300 in Numbers 1:23) and the one after this incident (22,200 in Numbers 26:14).
Numbers 26 •
Remember that the census taken at the beginning of this book happened 38 years ago. So as Israel prepares to enter the Promised Land, new names and new numbers need to be collected.
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The grand total in Numbers 26:51 is 601,730. The sum 38 years earlier was 603,550. Not bad when you consider how many plagues these people had experienced; the 24,000 killed here, those killed in Korah's rebellion, the plague caused by the quail, etc.
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Numbers 26:52-56 The Land of Canaan was to be divided among these clans based upon a sort of Lottery. The size would be fair and just, but by lot they would determine what part of the country that clan would occupy (North, Central, or South). These lots were probably determined using the Urim and Thummim of the High Priest.
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Numbers 26:65 We are reminded that other than Moses, only Joshua and Caleb were the sole survivors of the desert wandering.
March 8: Numbers 27-29 Numbers 27 •
Numbers 27:1-11 These women had a legitimate concern, and Moses had no idea what to do, so he turned to God for help. I like God's solution. I like God's sympathy and tenderness demonstrated here. And the solution becomes a permanent guideline for the nation.
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Numbers 27:12-14 Because of his disobedience, Moses will not be the one to lead this nation into the Promised Land. That would be really tough; to guide them and train them all these years, yet another will reap the benefits. Another will lead the nation into greatness. This is a lesson I believe many Pastor's need to learn. Sometime the task God gives us is preparation while another leader reaps the reward. But, both leaders are necessary. Neither is greater than the other. I know all about the desire to see the rewards of your work; to reap the benefits of all the years grooming a church for greatness. But sometimes God simply asks us to lay the foundation, while another builds upon that foundation (see 1 Corinthians 3:6).
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Numbers 27:23 Not displaying any bitterness, Moses transfers leadership to Joshua. This is a very sacred ritual that is often neglected now days. What a difference it would make to a congregation to see the outgoing pastor lay hands
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on the new pastor, and commission him to lead. Based upon how quickly some pastors come and go, this event would happen every few years in some congregations. Maybe that's why it's not done. But there just seems to be a great deal of wisdom in this. Numbers 28 •
This chapter presents guidelines for the regular offerings God had legislated back at Mt. Sinai. These probably needed to be repeated as a reminder to this younger generation. Daily Offerings, Sabbath Offerings, Monthly Offerings, the Passover Offering, and the Harvest Offering are mentioned here.
Numbers 29 •
Guidelines for offerings continues here with the celebration of the New Year (Festival of Trumpets), Day of Atonement, and The Festival of Shelters (with its required offering sounding much like the 12 days of Christmas. "♫On the First day of Shelters I sacrificed to the Lord, 13 perfect bulls, two fighting rams, 14 precious lambs, and a Grain Offering made with olive oil. On the second day of Shelters I sacrificed to the Lord . . .♫").
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March 9: Numbers 30-31 Numbers 30 •
In this discussion about vows, specific types of vows are not mentioned, but they are in Leviticus 30. Here the topic is discussed simply to teach how important it was that they be kept.
Numbers 31 •
At the Lord's direction, Israel becomes the instrument of God's Wrath against Midian. The obvious reason was their role in leading Israel astray at Baal of Peor (Numbers 25:16-18). Of note is that Phinehas and the articles from the sanctuary went with them. This would have been simply the Silver Trumpets used to signal the nation. Balaam is killed in this battle. Why he was here is unknown. I thought he had left for home.
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Numbers 31:15-18 I know what Moses says here is true, but it would be difficult for me to follow this instruction. Actually, I would have a hard time killing anyone. But, that doesn't mean God's instruction here is wrong. I must remember that I'm reading this 3500 years later. I have no idea what it was like to be in the situation that Israel was in.
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Numbers 31:18 Okay, I was reading this passage and suddenly wondered how someone would be able to tell a girl was a virgin. I mean, I guess you could ask, but that would lead to lying just to keep from being killed. Was there a difference in the way they dressed? Was there a difference in the way they combed their hair? I know by New Testament times a Temple Prostitute in Corinth had short or no hair, but did the Midianite women practice the same thing? I can't seem to find an answer.
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Numbers 31:25-27 Dividing the animals and the objects of plunder seemed fair, but dividing the young girls? At first glance this may seem a bit cruel, taking some 6 year old girl and assigning her to an Israelite family as some sort of
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slave. But considering the future these girls might have had, growing up in Israel would have been a blessing. Midianite girls more than likely would have been groomed for Baal worship, perhaps becoming a Temple Prostitute. The worship of Baal also involved child sacrifice. It has been said that in an effort to appease their god, Baal worshipers would kill a child and bury it in the foundation of their homes (see An Introduction to Biblical Archaeology - Moody Press). And remember, God had given clear instructions on how to treat a servant or slave under Israelite care (Exodus 21:26).
March 10: Numbers 32-33 Numbers 32 •
Numbers 32:1-33 The tribes of Gad and Reuben negotiate for the land east of the Jordon; the section of land recently captured by Israel - from the Arnon River in the south to the Jabbok River in the north.
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Numbers 33 •
Numbers 33 Moses kept a written record of the journey, as commanded by God. That's cool. Although some of the cities in this list no longer can be identified, scholars have offered a rough guess as to what the route would have looked like.
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Numbers 33:38 The death of Aaron is given with very specific dates and location.
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Numbers 33:55 Failure to follow this command led to the people becoming just as God had described; a splinter and a thorn. Please note that God instructed Israel to drive these people out of the Land, not destroy them. That was the initial intent. However, the idols and pagan shrines were to be destroyed.
March 11: Numbers 34-36 Numbers 34 •
Numbers 34:1-29 The division of the land west of the Jordan River is given to the nine and a half remaining tribes. We are reminded that Reuben, Gad, and half of Manasseh have taken their portion east of the Jordan. The land of Israel would roughly stretch from Harrisburg, PA southward to the southern border of Virginia.
Numbers 35 •
Numbers 35:1-8 Although the Levites were given no land as an inheritance, they still did need to live somewhere. So God appoints 48 towns throughout the nation to be cities in which the Levites could live. That way they could assist the people throughout the land in worshiping the Lord. Remember that Israel would not have a capital city because the Lord was their leader. It would be a long time until they had a king who would reign from a single city.
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Numbers 35:9-15 The Lord appoints six of those towns as Cities of Refuge. It is a place a person can stay if there has been an accidental killing until guilt can be determined (Numbers 35:24). These cities would be surrounded by Levites who knew the Law.
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Numbers 35:16-21 is a reminder that the punishment for murder is death. And here we see that the victim's nearest relative is to be the avenger.
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Numbers 35:25 It says those guilty of an accidental killing must stay in a city of refuge until the high priest dies. For some reason, the priest's death must have symbolized a cancellation or remission of the slayer's sin.
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Numbers 35:30-34 As we read over these instructions, it's easy to see that God loved justice. In the case of one who murders, two witnesses were required. If found guilty, the murderer was executed. But even though it might be determined that it was an accidental killing, revenge may still burn in the heart of the deceased's family. So part of the reason these cities of refuge were given was so that no feuding would erupt. This attitude of revenge raises its ugly head later on when David is king. One of the last things David tells Solomon to do is to deal with someone who took revenge as he saw fit (1 Kings 2:5-6).
Numbers 36 •
In addressing the previous instruction to women who inherit property, Moses speaks clear instruction so that inherited land would not be passed from one tribe to another. I don't know about you but the constant questions about this and that would have driven me nuts. It's like trying to explain the rules of Capture the Flag to some 12 year old boy with ADD. "Okay, but what if this happens? What if they drop the flag"? Only through God could Moses offer solutions to all of their questions and problems.
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March 12: Deuteronomy 1-3 •
Deuteronomy is essentially a series of sermons by the greatest Old Testament prophet. Spoken by Moses to the nation at the end of the 15th century BC., here you will find the Law repeated. And just as Israel was about to enter the Promised Land, Moses gives a summary of the events that brought Israel to this place.
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In Deuteronomy you will find words of prophecy about a future dispersion and later re-gathering of Israel. The skeptics who claim this book could not have been written by Moses point to this as evidence it was written much later, perhaps in the 7th century when these events actually happened. But these skeptics do not believe in the inspiration of scripture coming from a God who can foresee these things. As for me, the fact that Deuteronomy says these events would happen, and that they did happen as predicted, is positive proof that God directed the pen of Moses when he wrote these words.
Deuteronomy 1 •
Deuteronomy 1:2 Here we read that a journey which should have taken only 11 days lasted 40 years; a reminder of the consequences of disobeying God. I have to wonder if the reason a church's plans seem to take so long is due to disobedience. Often a church will attribute it to the Lord's timing, but now I'm not so sure that is always the case.
Deuteronomy 2 •
Deuteronomy 2:6 Here Moses informs us that offering to pay Edom for food and water was God's idea. There's nothing wrong in confessing that. It shows the man's character. He is just God's humble servant.
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Deuteronomy 2:10-12 appears to be inserted here at a later time, especially in reading verse 12. A similar editorial comment is made in Deuteronomy 2:20-23.
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Deuteronomy 2:31 As we read about Moses telling Israel to completely kill certain people and nations; as they move in to the Promised Land, we may be tempted to make excuses. I've heard some claim that Moses misinterpreted God’s instructions. “God is all about peace”. They claim. The actions of God’s people, as described in portions of the Old Testament, do not fit within their understanding and concept of God. Here we see clearly and plainly that God does judge the actions and behaviors of people. Not everyone will be spared, not here in Deuteronomy or at a later time. The wicked are judged by God, both then and now. It appears that here in Deuteronomy His judgment and sentence were executed in this life.
Deuteronomy 3 •
Deuteronomy 3:11 King Og, big as he was, not able to withstand God. Although the bed was this big, it does not mean King Og was this big. But even then, if he was slightly shorter, say10 feet tall, that's really something.
March 13: Deuteronomy 4-6 Deuteronomy 4 •
Deuteronomy 4:6-8 I know we don't often say this today but being a person who fears God and obeys His commands does demonstrate significant wisdom. These Laws of God are not in place to restrict us, but to free us from the bondage of sin. I'm not saying the obedient person has an absence of trouble in their lives, but for the most part those troubles are external. In other words when we fear God and obey His commands, we don't add misery to our lives by succumbing to sin and temptation. By obeying God's commands we can live a life free of guilt. It's like driving the speed limit while all those around you are not. And when you come upon a police officer monitoring traffic, you do not panic. But the others brake suddenly, looking sheepishly in their rear view mirror for the
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flashing light. Yes, the Law will make Israel stand out among all the other nations, if they obey. And that is an important point to keep in mind. Although most of these laws and decrees seem perfectly normal today, at this point in history they were not. By obeying these laws Israel would not be like any other nation the world has ever seen. Christians need to do the same. •
Deuteronomy 4:15-20 Crafting an image of God that resembled something He created is just idiotic. How can a wooden idol be God when God created the wood that was carved into the image of a god (see Isaiah 44:9-20). Today we are much smarter. We know better than to put our faith and trust in a piece of wood or carved stone. Or do we? You see, anything that is the center of our lives other than God becomes an idol. It's the thing you think about when you say, "I could not live without ____." And whatever you put in the blank has become your idol.
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Deuteronomy 4:26-32 Yes, this does sound like the exile in Babylon. And it does sound like the return granted by King Cyrus (2 Chronicles 36:23).
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Deuteronomy 4:32-40 Moses does make a really good point here. No other deity humanity has ever conceived took such an active role in caring for His people. Every other deity you can possibly think of is distant and uncaring. Humanity becomes nothing more than an afterthought, if humanity is even considered at all. Name me one other god who took it upon himself (or itself) to do the hard work for us. There is no other. Only Jehovah has done such things.
Deuteronomy 5 •
Deuteronomy 5:6 The Bible Knowledge Commentary says it best. "This verse is crucial for understanding not only the first commandment but also the other nine. The Ten Commandments were given to a people already redeemed to enable them to express their love for and have fellowship with the holy God. The Decalogue was never given to enable them to achieve justification, for that has always been granted freely through faith (see Genesis 15:6; Romans 4). The
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Law was never designed to give people salvation." - The Bible knowledge
commentary : An exposition of the scriptures, Wheaton, IL: Victor Books. •
Deuteronomy 5:8 I had another thought here about making idols. If it is wrong to make an idol in the image of something seen in creation, is it also wrong to make God into something we can imagine? What I mean is that even though we do not craft an image of God with our hands, it seems we are eager to craft Him with our minds; not in a physical likeness but in His attributes and character. People seem far too eager to envision God's character based upon the desires of their heart, not based on the truth which has been revealed in scripture. A person, especially a Christian, must be careful not to conceive God beyond what has been revealed in Scripture. And I think what we see of God in scripture is sufficient to give a person a pretty clear understanding of who God is. Combine that truth with what Paul says in 1 Corinthians 2:16 and a person will come to know God in Spirit and in Truth.
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Deuteronomy 5:22 In some more modern Bible translations we are told that "God spoke these (commandments) to all of you assembled at the foot of Mt. Sinai". But I though all of those people had died? I thought the only people left from the original nation were Joshua and Caleb? Ah, this is why it's important to read other translations of the Bible, preferably one that is as literal as possible. The NASB says that "God spoke to all your assembly at the mountain", which gives this verse a slightly different meaning. God spoke to the entire nation, yes, but not specifically to each individual standing before Moses at this point in time.
Deuteronomy 6 •
Deuteronomy 6:4-9 This passage was one of the major prayers for the Jews. It's called the Shema, and expresses the most important ideas of Old Testament worship.
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Deuteronomy 6:20-25 Even here in the Old Testament there is the command to witness. Here, it is the children who need to be told the promises of God, but the basic idea is still the same. Tell someone about what God has done.
March 14 Deuteronomy 7-9 Deuteronomy 7 •
Deuteronomy 7:2-6 We read this command by God and wonder why it is so severe. And yet what God warned would happen actually did happen. These nations did lead Israel astray. Intermarriage did cause Idol Worship. It almost seems that God knew what would happen with His people, which would explain why His command here was so severe. Isn't this true with most of His commands? He tells us to avoid or abstain not because He is restrictive but because He knows the damage and pain it will cause. It's no different than the loving parent who tells the child not to play with electrical outlets. But do we listen? Of course not. We stick two paper clips in the socket, get shocked, and only then recall what our parents said.
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Deuteronomy 7:5 The destruction of Canaan is ultimately a war between true and false religion. As God looked on the people living in this land, their pagan religious practices angered Him. When Abraham passed through the region, God said that Israel would return and be the instruments through which God would pass judgment (Genesis 15:16). The time had come and judgment was at hand (Deuteronomy 9:5). But we are left with the impression that this judgment would happen only once.
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Deuteronomy 7:7-11 Israel did not earn God's love. God chose to love them. He had made a promise to watch over them and protect them. This is exactly the same thing God does for Christian's today. We did nothing to deserve God's love. And He watches over us and protects us because this is the promise He made to Jesus (Isaiah 42:6, John 17:10-11).
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Deuteronomy 7:17-21 Quite a pep talk here. But I wonder once again why Moses said that these people saw God's mighty hand and outstretched arm when He brought them out of Egypt. Is it possible some in the crowd had witnessed these things, but had not yet died? Those who disobeyed were not to enter the Promised Land. Perhaps they would die within the week. I just don't know.
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Deuteronomy 7:22 This is an indication that the conquest of the land will be slow.
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Deuteronomy 7:25 It almost sound like they could not keep the gold or silver that covered the idol. I guess they were to burn them and just let the metal melt into the ground.
Deuteronomy 8 •
Deuteronomy 8:2 Besides punishment for disobedience, the desert wanderings also provided an opportunity for faith to grow.
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Deuteronomy 8:3 The verse Jesus used against Satan while He was in the wilderness as well.
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Deuteronomy 8:4 This testimony amazes me. God didn't miss a single detail in providing for His people. Think about clothing lasting this long. I'd like to see Wrangler top that! Or Nike (see Deuteronomy 29:5).
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Deuteronomy 8:14,18 Throughout this section is the reminder to not forget. Everything that Israel might accomplish will happen because of God. Christians and churches need to remind themselves of this over and over again. Anything we accomplish or any service we give is because God has provided the means
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and the skill in the first place. Pride and arrogance are two dangerous garments some Christians are far too eager to wear. Deuteronomy 9 •
Deuteronomy 9:4-5 Moses informs us that the Israelites moved in and possessed the land because the nations who lived there were wicked, not because of the righteousness of Israel. Here again we see that a people were destroyed because of their wickedness, much like what God did to the world through the flood. Here again we see God passing judgment upon people in this life. Does God continue to judge today? I believe He does, but it seems He waits to execute judgment later (after death) because of Christ. Or, perhaps He is still passing judgment today but I just can't see it. When we think of the years that passed between God's promise to Abraham and God's judgment through Joshua, my short life is barely a drop in the bucket.
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Deuteronomy 9:9 Again Moses points out that he neither ate nor drank upon Mt. Horeb (Sinai). That's kinda hard to believe. 40 days without water is humanly impossible, but . . . well, you know the answer.
March 15: Deuteronomy 10-12 Deuteronomy 10 •
Deuteronomy 10:1-5 Two new tablets are made, and God places on them the “Ten words”; the same Ten Commandments given earlier. It’s possible the same list was on each tablet. We’ve seen this in other similar cultures during this time period. Two copies of the same document (or covenant) are placed in a sealed chest. One copy for both parties. The Ark mentioned here would have been the same Ark of the Covenant used in the Tabernacle.
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Deuteronomy 10:6-9 This section appears to be inserted at a later time, as an editorial comment. Although Aaron had died on Mount Hor (see Numbers 33:38), the region might have been called Moserah.
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Deuteronomy 10:10-11 Again Moses spends another 40 days and nights on the mountain.
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Deuteronomy 10:12-22 These words again summarize what the Ten Commandments have to say; words echoed by Jesus in Mark 12:29-31. The command to love God and love others is clearly seen in this section.
Deuteronomy 11 •
Deuteronomy 11:1 The command to Love the Lord means that a person chooses God; not chooses Him to be the object of worship, but chooses to have an intimate personal relationship with Him. God is not a totem pole or a golden calf that we turn to during prescribed seasons or certain times of day. God is someone who is allowed into the deepest most private parts of our heart. And because of this, a person demonstrates this intimacy by living a life according to His will and obedient to His commands. This is a love motivated out of desire, not duty.
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Deuteronomy 11:2-7 God was continually revealing Himself to these people in ways that demonstrated His power, His love, His care, and His judgment. But notice how often Moses reminds the elders that the children did not see these things. This is a call for the parents and the elders to be teaching these things to the children. Since the young ones did not witness these events, they needed to be told. The responsibility of passing along the stories of God rested on the family, not the new Youth Pastor serving in the Tabernacle.
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Deuteronomy 11:8-17 Moses paints an image of the Promised Land that would have made any farmer stand up and take notice. Considering how hard it was to grow crops in Egypt, and considering that they had spent the last 40 years wandering in the wilderness eating bread from heaven, the idea of a well-watered
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and fertile land was enticing. All of this could be theirs if they obey one simple command; remain obedient to God. Unfortunately we all know that they don’t. They turn their backs to God, and He does exactly as He promised. I wonder; did this happen because Israel forgot where the blessings came from in the first place? Did they forget that God was still providing for them just as He did in the desert? Oh sure, people turn to God when they need something. They don’t hesitate to worship Him then. But during times of abundance, He is quickly forgotten. And to be that fickle is a clear demonstration that there is no true love for God. To this kind of individual He is no more than a magic totem or a lucky rabbit’s foot. •
Deuteronomy 11:29 When Israel does possess the Promised Land, they were to stand on opposite mountains and shout the blessing from one mountain and echo back with the curse from the other. The good news is that the people obey this command (see Joshua 8:33).
Deuteronomy 12 •
Deuteronomy 12:1-3 God calls the nation to destroy all symbols and places where pagan gods are worshiped. Just as the Law was given to make the people holy and set apart, so too is this command given to make the land holy; a place set apart and sanctified. Does this carry over to the church today? Sure, Christians are to be holy, but is it important that their place of worship be holy as well? I think so. There are certain things that do not belong within a house of worship. I think most Christians would agree with this; but what those “things” are, we do not agree.
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Deuteronomy 12:4-28 Moses points out that a time is coming when worship will change. Presently a Hebrew person would offer a sacrifice in any way they might choose. But one day God would prescribe a certain place where these offerings were to take place. And we see in this section that there is a difference
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between cooking a steak on the grill then offering a prayer of thanks, and taking a portion of that steer and offering it to God. Lunch is lunch, but an offering is something much more different. And it should be treated that way. •
Deuteronomy 12:32 Here is a key condition to this covenant that apparently the Pharisee’s missed. By the time this religious sect came along the list of God’s laws had grown enormous; 613 to be exact. No wonder Jesus was upset with them.
March 16: Deuteronomy 13-16 Deuteronomy 13 •
Deuteronomy 13:1-4 In reading this section two things occur to me. First it seems that God is preparing Israel for the Prophets who will arise in the nation (see Joel 2:28). These prophets will not all be bad. They are Prophets of God when their predictions come true and when they point the people toward God (see verse 2). Second, God is warning the people that not everyone who says "Lord, Lord" is truly His representative. People will rise to speak things that sound spiritual and use religious words, but their ultimate goal is to lead the people astray. The punishment for this is quite severe. I wonder how many televangelists would go off the air if we carried out these commands today. As a Pastor I must be very careful in what I say. I can claim to speak about God, which is mostly what I do. But a person had better be pretty darn sure before they go around claiming to speak FOR God. I feel this is a privilege reserved for the prophets and the apostles. Anytime someone comes along and starts saying things like "God told me to tell you", I listen with the ears of a skeptic.
Deuteronomy 14 •
Deuteronomy 14:1-2 Israel was to be so holy that God did not want them to even follow the pagan mourning rituals. The Canaanites did these things as a way of
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getting their god's attention (see 1 Kings 18:28). To mourn in a pagan religion was to do something that would get the attention of the god of that religion; as if that god did not have its heart and mind on the people in the first place. But it was not so with the God of Israel. Jehovah was actually focused on Israel even when she was not focused on Him (Isaiah 46:3). •
Deuteronomy 14:4-5 The section dealing with animals that are clean and ones that are unclean could possibly have two reasons; some animals were unfit because of sanitary reasons and some were unfit for religious reasons. Take the division in verse 4 and 5 for example. The animals mentioned in Deuteronomy 4 are the animals used for the sacrifice. And the exact Hebrew word is clearly understood. But in Deuteronomy 5 the animals mentioned here, although they are labeled as clean, are not animals that are acceptable for the sacrifice. And the names of the animals in this second listing are unclear in the Hebrew text. The names mentioned are simply a "Best Guess".
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Deuteronomy 14:12 In view of God's command to not eat anything that still has its blood (Leviticus 19:26), the birds mentioned here eat their prey either while there is still blood in the animal or after the animal is already dead. Perhaps these are unclean for two reasons; they eat dead meat and they eat meat with blood still in it, being unclean for health and religious reasons.
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Deuteronomy 14:21 says that anything already dead should not be eaten by an Israelite. But it’s okay to give it to a foreigner. This is an interesting command. If it’s not okay for one person, why is it okay for the next? If we think these food commands are for sanitary reasons only, then the command should extend to everyone. But this does not. Perhaps it’s because this was a pagan custom (to eat animals that were already dead). And God did not want His people practicing pagan customs.
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Deuteronomy 14:28-29 To remind the people of Israel that they are all a family, every three years a great feast was held in each town. Not only did the Levite enjoy this feast, but so did the orphan, the widow, AND the alien. That last part is
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significant. Even a gentile living within the city was shown the same courtesy shown a priest. Deuteronomy 15 •
Deuteronomy 15:1-3 Slightly different than the Year of Jubilee, this practice of the Sabbatical Year goes beyond what we had read before (Leviticus 25:4). Here God instructs the forgiveness of a debt. Since Israel was to be a community of people, and since they were not to charge interest (Exodus 22:25), debts were to be canceled. Loans were purely an act of assistance.
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Deuteronomy 15:7-11 addresses the person who just started thinking about the number of years between this command, and whether it’s fair to loan someone $100.00 this year only to have the debt canceled next year, and never see a penny of that loan paid back.
Deuteronomy 16 •
Deuteronomy 16:5-6 In this summary section of the major feasts of Israel, God begins talking about a special place that these feasts will happen. Although that place had not yet been determined, God did intend this worship to happen in a specific place at a specific time for a specific reason.
March 17: Deuteronomy 17-20 Deuteronomy 17 •
Deuteronomy 17:6 I find instructions like these interesting. Those who think they can keep the Bible out of our government don't realize just how extensive that change would be. We'd have to rewrite many of our laws. Here God says a person is innocent until proven guilty. I'd like to see the ACLU change that one!
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Deuteronomy 17:14-20 Rules for appointing a King over Israel. Long before they had a King, God knew they would want one (1 Samuel 8:5). So He gives them
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these guidelines. Many of the things God said not to do, we see King Solomon doing (Deuteronomy 17:16-17 for example). •
Deuteronomy 17:18-20 I'm sure many of the kings did not practice this. Maybe David did, and perhaps Solomon. But by the time we reach the Divided Kingdom, I seriously doubt it happened until Josiah found the scroll many years later (2 Kings 22:13).
Deuteronomy 18 •
Deuteronomy 18:9-14 People tend to get all bent out of shape because God sent the Israelites into other nations to drive them out, or worse. But here we see that these people were detestable to God. He is appalled by their behavior. He chose to pass judgment on these people, and used Israel to fulfill that judgment. If someone might say that God does not work that way now, then it’s only because of our advocate working on our behalf. It is because of Christ our Lord. How mighty, how vast, how enduring the sacrifice of Jesus must have been! For if God’s wrath against all unrighteousness is quieted now, it is only because of the redemptive work of Jesus.
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Deuteronomy 18:20-22 I've heard people now days being called a “Modern Day Prophet”. This is an interesting scripture that tests those claiming to speak for God. But today it seems these false prophets have gotten quite clever. They don’t often lure us to gods with a name, but a gospel or a biblical interpretation that doesn't quite match the rest of the Bible.
Deuteronomy 19 •
Deuteronomy 19:1-13 These "Cities of Refuge” exist to make sure that anyone accused of murder had a fair trial rather than be exposed to the revenge of the dead person’s relatives. Deuteronomy 19:11–12 seems to indicate that some kind of legal process would take place to determine guilt or innocence.
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Deuteronomy 19:20 Perhaps the punishment for these crimes was severe simply to deter others from doing the same thing. Maybe that's why crime today is so abundant. We let people off the hook on a mere technicality.
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Deuteronomy 19:21 We must read this verse in context of what Moses has just said. This verse is not a license for revenge, but a call to make the punishment of the accuser match the crime of the accused, if the investigation unfolds as described in Deuteronomy 19:18-19.
Deuteronomy 20 •
Deuteronomy 20:4 The main point in this section addresses the fact that Israel's wars are really God's. He is the One who will fight for them, just as He did in Egypt.
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Deuteronomy 20:4-9 Israel was not to have a National Army (of course Solomon disobeyed this. See 1 Kings 10:26). From these verses it appears that the troops were simply common citizens. After all, God was the One doing the fighting for them in the first place.
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Deuteronomy 20:10-15 Here’s an interesting command. God says that when you are at war and you march out to attack a city, make its people an offer of peace. Only if they refuse should you then go to battle. I don’t hear this command mentioned very often, especially by peace advocates.
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But, the nations who lived in the land of Canaan would not be shown such mercy. Deuteronomy 20:16-18 says that all the people in this land must be destroyed. Their sin was so detestable that God would use Israel to dispense God's wrath. They really must have been quite evil.
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The instructions for war in Deuteronomy 20 need to be read from their historical context. The instructions to completely destroy the people mentioned here was a command given to Israel at this period in time. We dare not use this as reasoning today to fight a Holy War. No nation today should ever suppose that God
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marches in its ranks in any war that nation may fight. No other nation has received the direct command that God has given Israel in these verses. A nation may rally against another as an instrument of peace, but that nation needs to practice the principles of restraint, diplomacy, mercy, and respect we see commanded here.
March 18: Deuteronomy 21-23 Deuteronomy 21 •
Deuteronomy 21:10-14 These captive women would not have come from the land of Canaan since they were to be killed. God did not want Israel to be led astray in worshiping their false gods. So the women mentioned here must reflect what Moses has just said in Deuteronomy 20:10-14, defeating enemies in a distant land. Notice how important it was that these women be treated with dignity and respect. The cutting of hair, trimming her nails, and changing of clothes were part of the mourning process.
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Deuteronomy 21:15-17 recalls the story of Jacob, Leah, and Rachel. This is not a new law however, but a reminder to any father who might be tempted to follow his own personal preferences.
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Deuteronomy 21:18-21 Stoning a rebellious son. Wow! It wouldn't take too many examples before some kids get the message.
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Deuteronomy 21:23 When teaching people about what Christ did on the cross, the apostle Paul referenced this verse (Galatians 3:13). Although it says “hung”, the word may mean “impalement upon a pole”.
Deuteronomy 22
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Deuteronomy 22:1-4 Not only does the Law state what we "Should Not" do, it also speaks about what we "Should" do. Here in this section we are given several examples of what "Loving your neighbor" would look like.
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Deuteronomy 22:5 So, is an actor or actress breaking God's laws? Is it wrong for two guys to perform a skit by dressing up like old women and pretend they are in church passing judgment on everyone else? Well just so you know, this text addresses deviant sexual practices, not acting out a skit or a play.
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Deuteronomy 22:9-11 The meaning behind these commands is unclear. Maybe it's because such mixtures were common in Egypt. Who knows? But I seriously doubt God's gonna deny you entrance into heaven because you wore a shirt made from polyester and cotton.
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Deuteronomy 22:17 The question here is which bed sheet (from her old home or her new home) and what might it reveal. It could be blood. Both sheets would reveal her virginity that way; blood from consummating the marriage on the wedding night (I can't believe I just said that) or blood from her last menstruation (ditto) proving that she was not pregnant.
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Deuteronomy 22:22 Read this and then ask yourself where the man was in John 8:3.
Deuteronomy 23 •
Deuteronomy 23:1 Bet you didn't know this was in the Bible! But really, why would this guy be forbidden from worshiping with the rest of the people? Why should he be held accountable for some sort of freakish accident? Actually, there is a good chance this command was meant for the man who participated in some gruesome worship ritual to a pagan god. The new Bible Commentary suggests that this may have been part of the worship of Ishtar. To see the difference between God's commands and the pagan attitude that still exists today, read this article at http://www.ishtartemple.org/history.htm
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Deuteronomy 23:7 Can you believe what God has commanded here? Do not detest the Egyptians! Even after all the slavery, Israel needed to remember that they did flourish while in Egypt.
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Deuteronomy 23:10 Remember that to be ceremonially unclean did not mean a person was permanently denied access to God. It just meant that they had to go through a cleansing ritual. It does not mean they had sinned either. Notice that no sin offering was required. I say this because I've met some people who view passages like this as an indication of sin.
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Deuteronomy 23:13-14 May I ask a rather strange question here. If God created us, then why are certain parts or functions of our bodies unclean? I mean, I think the stuff is unclean, especially after spending a few years working with a Plumbing Contractor. But these are the bodies that God created. He designed us to convert food into waste. He's the One who made us poop in the first place. Why is it unclean? I'm just asking.
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Deuteronomy 23:15 These would be slaves who escaped from a master in some foreign land. Israel's laws show that the Old Testament is opposed to oppressive slavery.
March 19: Deuteronomy 24-27 Deuteronomy 24 •
Deuteronomy 24:1-4 In speaking about divorce, we are given the impression that it was being practiced in Israel. The certificate was given to prove to the next husband that the woman had not been unfaithful. She just didn't make her husband happy. This in no way implies that divorce is okay, these are merely guidelines Moses gives in order to protect the innocence of the woman. It also gives clear instruction to the woman that she is not to return to her first husband.
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Deuteronomy 24:14-15 I sometimes wonder what would happen if today's employers followed the same ethics that God taught Israel. Do you think a business fails because the employer uses the employees? Do you think a business prospers because an employer honors the employees? It's just something to think about.
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Deuteronomy 24:17-22 It is passages like this that make me love God and His word even more. Islam would call both you and me an infidel unworthy of Allah's grace. Muslims believe that Christians have lost their way, and that the Jew is under Allah's anger. Those who disbelieve Muhammad and his message will abide in the fire of hell and are the worst of creatures ( Surat al-Bayyinah, chapter 98 of the Quran). In other words, the Quran says to despise anyone who is not a Muslim. But God says; treat the orphan, the widow, and even the foreigner with dignity and respect. Think about that for a moment - The foreigner; the person who does not believe what you believe. What God commands here is just simply amazing.
Deuteronomy 25 •
Deuteronomy 25:1-3 At stake here is the dignity of the individual. Sure he is guilty of a crime, but he is still your brother. The common practice in New Testament times was apparently to give only 39 lashes just in case someone hast lost count (see 2 Corinthians 11:24).
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Deuteronomy 25:11-12 This punishment may be similar to the instruction of "Eye for eye", but even so, punishing someone through bodily mutation was extremely rare in Israel. Perhaps this addressed the possibility of destroying the man's ability to have children.
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Deuteronomy 25:19 King Saul is commanded to fulfill this decree once Israel is established in the Promised Land (1 Samuel 15:2).
Deuteronomy 26 46
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Deuteronomy 26:1-15 The offering mentioned here is that of the First fruits. This would normally happen at the Feast of Weeks (Leviticus 23:15). Here we see special significance in it being the first time this offering was made in the New Land. There is a "Confession of Faith" the person needed to recite, and then a celebration that involved giving this food to those who were outcasts, those who were poor, and the Levites in their midst. This is significant. To worship God is to care for those around you. To worship God is to love others.
Deuteronomy 27
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Deuteronomy 27:1-4 Mt. Ebal is near Shechem, close to the center of the Promised Land. Did Israel fulfill this command? Does this shrine still exist?
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Joshua fulfilled this command (Joshua 8:30-35). The Altar was discovered in 1980. For more information visit http://www.bible.ca/archeology/bible-archeologyaltar-of-joshua.htm •
Deuteronomy 27:14-26 The curses recorded here are directed against individuals who break various laws.
March 20: Deuteronomy 28-30 Deuteronomy 28 •
In contrast to the curse mentioned in Deuteronomy 27:14-26, the curses mentioned in Deuteronomy 28:15-19 are directed more toward the people as a whole.
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Deuteronomy 28:1-6 Moses is trying to show Israel that it is the Lord and not Baal who provides these things. God will grant these blessings not through the desperate persuasion of magic, ritual prostitution, and idolatry, but in quiet obedience to the word of the one true and just God, whose whole desire is to bless and not to torment.
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Deuteronomy 28:15-68 Some mighty terrible curses mentioned here. What stands out here though is that there is no hope for deliverance. Forsake the Covenant with God and He will withdraw His help
Deuteronomy 29 •
Deuteronomy 29:2-9 Moses points out that even though the remaining people of Israel saw great signs and wonders, they still did not quite understand WHAT they saw or the meaning. Are we any different? Moses also pointed out that during the 40 years in the desert their clothes and sandals did not wear out. And you mean no one noticed this but Moses?
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Deuteronomy 29:19-28 In the midst of disasters most people are tempted to think that God was not powerful enough to protect them. Imagine how a person might feel knowing that the disaster was actually God's way of punishing disobedience.
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Deuteronomy 29:29 The nation does not know its future. But what is known are God's laws. Follow them and they will have abundant life. If the people don't like the punishment for disobedience, then don't disobey!
Deuteronomy 30 •
Deuteronomy 30:1-5 Chapter 28 mentioned terrible curses. Chapter 29 seems to suggest that these curses will likely happen. But here Moses looks to a future time when Israel will return to the covenant and be returned to the land. However, they must show heartfelt repentance (verse 2). Even though they will disobey, God promises grace and mercy to the people who repent.
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Deuteronomy 30:15-16 Life is a matter of choices. Now that we know God's Law we must choose. We either obey it or disobey it, but the choice is up to us. God grants us the right to choose. And He is quite clear on the consequences. We have been offered life or death; Heaven or Hell. We get to decide where we spend eternity. And we make that choice by hearing and obeying, or by hearing and ignoring (Matthew 7:24-27) God does not send someone to hell, we send ourselves there by disregarding what has been made known to us.
March 21: Deuteronomy 31-32, Psalm 90 Deuteronomy 31 •
Deuteronomy 31:1-6 How must Moses have felt here. God gave him a vision, and directed the nation of Israel through him. For 40 years he led these people, all along pointing them to a place and a promise. But God told him he would not be the one to lead them to that place nor would he see the promise fulfilled. This
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is the sign of a true shepherd. He leads the people for their sake and for God’s glory, not because of the perks or the rewards. •
Deuteronomy 31:11 I once thought that Moses was the only one who could read and write. He had learned it from the Egyptians. Here it says that the Priests could as well. Anyway, I wonder if this command was followed. Did they take out the Book of Instruction and read it during the Feast of Tabernacles? I suspect it was one of the early victims of the religious decline that happened in Israel. It is possible that King Josiah tried to revive this when he learned of its existence (2 Kings 23:1-3).
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Deuteronomy 31:16 What encouraging words to give Moses as he is about to die. "Hey Moses, just so you know, all that instruction you gave these people went in one ear and out the other". Really Lord? I don’t know how Moses felt, but that would depress me to no end. I would certainly like to know that all my work and effort did make a difference in the end. Anyway, at least Moses won’t have to deal with this for too much longer.
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Deuteronomy 31:23 God spoke to Joshua near the end of Moses’ life. This would have been significant to Moses, as he saw that God would continue to lead through someone. It would have been significant to Joshua as he would have had Moses there to help him discern Who was speaking to him.
Deuteronomy 32 •
Deuteronomy 32:1-43 The lengthy Song of Moses is quite poetic, and prophetic as well. Although situations and people are not expressed, we are left with the impression that Israel will be disciplined (Deuteronomy 32:20), but then also restored (Deuteronomy 32:43).
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Deuteronomy 32:49-50 Moses is instructed to climb Mt. Nebo and then die. Now, what would have happened if Moses didn't obey? What would have happened if he couldn't find Mt. Nebo (Hah! Finding Nebo!) Would he have lived a little while longer? Maybe the climb gave him a heart attack? I just don't know if I would
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have that kind of faith. But then again maybe if I was 120 years old I'd be ready to go home as well. Psalm 90 •
This Psalm is inserted here since it is a prayer of Moses. In God a mere mortal can find a home, "From everlasting to everlasting, You are God" Moses wrote. Moses, who had just witnessed God's wrath against Israel's unrighteousness, speaks of God's anger consuming Man because of his sin. In light of the short life a man has been given, Moses implored God for wisdom in making the most of that time, serving God in joy and gladness.
March 22: Deuteronomy 33-34, Joshua 1-2 Deuteronomy 33 •
Before he departs for Mt. Nebo, Moses speaks a blessing to the nation.
Deuteronomy 34 •
Deuteronomy 34:1-4 It would be physically impossible to see all the land from Mt. Nebo. Perhaps God opened the Mind of Moses for a moment to "see" the land.
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Deuteronomy 34:5-6 It is possible to translate "the Lord buried him" as "he was buried". But considering that the text continues by saying no one knows the exact place is a pretty clear indication that the Lord alone buried Moses. Jude 9 also seems to confirm this interpretation, although Jude does make a reference to a book not found in the Bible called "The Assumption of Moses", which you can read at http://www.piney.com/Testament-Moses.html. Although the actual site was unknown, it was somewhere in Moab, in the valley opposite Beth-peor.
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Joshua •
Joshua begins where Deuteronomy left off. Moses has passed away and Joshua is now the Lord's Servant. He will be the one to lead Israel into the Promised Land. It is about 1406 B.C. According to Joshua 14:10 the conquest lasted seven years. So the Land was probably occupied around 1399 B.C.
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God promised to give a land to Abraham's descendants (Genesis 12:2-3). He said He would give the land to Israel forever (Genesis 13:15). He gave Abraham the boundaries (Genesis 15:18-21). So the book of Joshua becomes a testimony to the faithfulness of God's word.
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In Hebrew, the name Joshua means "Yahweh is Salvation". In Greek the name Joshua is translated Jesus.
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Joshua lived 110 years (Joshua 24:29)
Joshua 1 •
Joshua 1:1-9 As Joshua stood waiting to hear from God, God spoke words of courage and strength. I suspect Joshua was a bit fearful and timid stepping into Moses' shoes. That’s why God reminded him that Moses was dead and perhaps why God told Joshua to be strong and very courageous.
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Joshua 1:16-18 These words must have brought comfort to Joshua. These three tribes agree to follow Joshua just as they followed Moses.
Joshua 2 •
Joshua 2:1 38 years earlier Joshua had been one of the twelve spies who had explored this land. Jericho lay directly in their path not far across the Jordon River.
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Joshua 2:1 Why these two spies ended up in the house of a prostitute is not known. Perhaps God led them there because He knew this woman needed His grace. It is similar to the encounter Jesus has with a Samaritan woman getting
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water during the heat of the day (see John 4:4). Jesus needed to be there because this woman needed Jesus. Perhaps God knew Rahab knew she needed something more than what the Canaanite gods had to offer. •
Joshua 2:4-6 Was Rahab wrong to lie since it helped protect the spies. Are there situation where lying is acceptable? Anyone want to tackle this question? Some say that if she had told the truth the spies would have been killed. That's probably not true. God could have protected them in another way. Some say she was doing what came natural. Lying was common in Canaan. Should we judge her for lying before she knew the commands of God? More than likely, this is how God viewed things. Just because Rahab lied but is later spared does not mean God approved the lie. It means that in spite of her sin, God spared her life, and then taught her that it is wrong to lie. Doesn't God do the same thing for you and me? While we were still sinners Christ died for us (Romans 5:8). The fact that we are forgiven of sin when we come to Christ is an indication that because of our sin we need Christ. Rahab lied. Paul had done worse. We don't question Paul's salvation. Why should we question hers?
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Joshua 2:21 You gotta wonder if anyone saw this scarlet rope hanging out her window and wondered what it was for. I'm just wondering here. Spies in the room, spies gone, spies not found, but rope out the window! And no one thought to come back and question her?
March 23: Joshua 3-6 Joshua 3 •
Joshua 3:8 So about 4 priests were supposed to march out ahead of the army, all alone, and holding nothing but two poles and a golden chest. Um, do you think they might have been a little nervous? Their instruction was to wade into the water and stop.
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Joshua 3:15-16 So here are these 4 priests marching ahead of everyone else. They come to the bank of the Jordan and guess what, its flooding its banks. It was between March and April, and the winter snows would have been melting in the mountains. The waters did not stop before they touched the water. These men had to get their feet wet. They had to take a huge step of faith before God would begin working in their lives. We need to learn a lesson from these 4 men. Wherever the Lord calls us to go or whatever He calls us to do, we will be stepping into places that will make us uncomfortable or into places we'd rather not go. We'd rather the passage be calm and peaceful before we head out. We wait for the conditions to be just right. We want things already in our favor. Then perhaps we will consider doing something for God. But the example I see most often is that God says take the step, and only then will He do as He promised.
Joshua 4 •
On December 8, 1267 an earthquake caused the high banks of the Jordan to collapse near Tell ed-Damiyeh, damming the river for about 10 hours. On July 11, 1927 another earthquake near the same location blocked the river for 21 hours. Did God use natural causes such as an earthquake and a landslide? Maybe, but I highly doubt it. Everything happened just as God had predicted. That wall of water does not sound much like the river trickling dry over a period of time. That soft, wet river bottom was dry at once. The water returned immediately once the priest stepped out of the river (Joshua 4:18).
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Centuries later the Prophets Elijah and Elisha crossed the same river on dry ground to the east (2 Kings 2:8). Soon thereafter Elisha crossed back over the river on dry ground. If a natural phenomenon is necessary to explain the Israelites’ crossing under Joshua, then one would have to conclude that two earthquakes occurred in quick sequence for Elijah and Elisha, which seems a bit presumptuous.
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Of significance are the pile of twelve stones on the western shore of the Jordan and the pile in the middle (Joshua 4:9). Once the four priests finally get to come
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up out of the riverbed (and who knows how long they had to stand there while the entire nation of people and livestock crossed before them), the water began to flow again. In a matter of moments all was as it had been. A person could not return to the river and see the dry land. But they could see the Memorial that was built there. Twelve stones piles together that testify to the Lord's watchful care. Twelve stones that point to a time when Israel began a new future. From this point, there was no going back.
Joshua 5 •
Joshua 5:1 Just as Rahab had said, the people living in Canaan were terrified of Israel. If they were smart, they would be terrified of Israel's God, for He was the one who was marching toward them in judgment.
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Joshua 5:5 This doesn't make much sense, does it? Was not God's command clear enough in Leviticus 12:3? This is just another clear indication of the Spiritual disobedience of Israel. Kinda makes you wonder how many other commands the people simply ignored.
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Joshua 5:10 This is the first time Passover is celebrated since Israel was at Mt. Sinai 38 years earlier (Numbers 9:1-5). Isn't it interesting that Israel arrived in Canaan just in time for this celebration?
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Joshua 5:13-15 Here’s an interesting response. Joshua looked up and saw a man standing with a drawn sword. “Are you for us or for our enemies” he asked. “Neither”, said the commander of the Lord’s army. So often we think that the Lord is on our side because our cause is just and right. But here is seems that things are not always that simple. This Angel did not pick sides. He was simply an obedient servant of God. He was given the responsibility to lead the Lord's Army. I suspect this Angel had no preference here, but simply did as God commanded.
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He was simply there to do God’s will. So if God commands protection, the angels give protection. If God commands destruction, the angels comply. It is impossible to call upon an angel to do your will. They exist to do God’s will, which is both just & fair. •
Joshua 5:14 Joshua learns something here. He would not be the one leading Israel into battle. It would be God; the Lord's Commander. God would not take the rear flank. God would not be simply directing Israel's army. God would be the one fighting this battle. Instead of God partnering with Israel, Israel would be the one partnering with God, and there is a huge difference between these two perspectives.
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Joshua 5:15 I think I’m beginning to see God’s holiness in a whole new way. God is God. He has revealed Himself to these people. He has shown them His power & love. But for too long Israel has battled the temptation to turn their eyes to gods they did not know, and to gods who did not save. God never once told them that He could be found in other places or in other things. Not once does God lower Himself so that He can be found in other religions. Why then do we think He can be found in other religions today? God will not be found simply by being spiritual. He did not decrease His holiness so that He might be found in things that are not holy.
Joshua 6 •
Joshua 6:1 Of all the walled cities in Palestine, Jericho was probably the most invincible. Israel had no battering rams, no catapults, no moving towers. They had never fought a battle against a fortified city. All they had were slings, arrows, and spears.
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Joshua 6:1-5 I've always thought it odd that Israel had to march around the city of Jericho 13 times. Why the specific instructions? Every day for 6 days they got up and fell into formation just to walk around the city. Could God not have destroyed the city with just a word from His mouth? Sometimes I think there are lessons of
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obedience, patience, and trust that we need to learn through God’s direction and instruction in our own lives. •
Joshua 6:6-7 What prevented Jericho from raining arrows down upon the people as they marched? Who could stop the enemy from rushing out the city gates to break up Israel's army? Maybe they just slept late (Joshua 6:12). And since the People of the city were petrified (Joshua 6:1) I can see why they would be restrained on the first day, and maybe the second. But by the sixth I'd be rolling my eyes. "Stupid Israel. Do they really think all that marching is scaring us?" But maybe, just maybe the people of Jericho could see what Israel could not (2 Kings 6:15-17).
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Joshua 6:10-11 In a silent procession, this strange parade made its way around the eight or nine acres of Jericho. They marched in silence for about 30 minutes, and then returned to camp.
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Joshua 6:20 The great city of Jericho trembled in the presence of the Lord. It fell at the feet of the Almighty.
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Joshua 6:22-23 True to their word, the spies rescue Rahab and her family, taking them to safety within the confines of Israel's camp. This would have been a little awkward for them because just as Israel was destroying the city, here they were in the middle of the camp. What's to keep those in the camp from doing the same thing to them? I'm not saying Israel would do this, but I imagine these thought went through Rahab's mind.
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Joshua 6:24 Archeological evidence for the collapse of Jericho’s walls in Joshua’s day is not as clear as was once supposed. This can be explained by the fact that further excavations have determined that in its long history Jericho has had some 34 walls. (Jericho is one of the oldest cities in the world. Many archeologists hold that it was inhabited as early as 7000 BC.) The many earthquakes in the area, the thoroughness of Joshua’s destruction of the city, and the process of erosion over five centuries until it was refortified in Ahab’s
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time (1 Kings 16:34) also contributed to the meager remains and the extreme difficulty of relating these remains to the time of Joshua’s attack. The most significant evidence seems to be extensive pottery remains found on the mound and in the tombs of the area. These findings point to an occupancy of Jericho until about 1400 BC. Under the pottery is a thick burned layer of ash representing a major destruction. This no doubt points to Joshua’s destruction and burning of the city. (For a thorough discussion of the archeology of Old Testament Jericho, see Leon Wood, A Survey of Israel’s History. Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House, 1970, pp. 94-99.) •
Joshua 6:26 About 500 years later, under the direction of King Ahab, a man named Hiel attempted to rebuild the wall of Jericho. The results were disastrous (1 Kings 16:34).
March 24: Joshua 7-9 •
Many archeologists have identified Ai with the site et-Tell (”the ruin“). Excavations at et-Tell, however, have not yet produced evidence of a settlement there in the time of Joshua. The geography of the area fits perfectly with the details found in Joshua 8. So perhaps the king of Ai was the leader of forces mobilizing for the battle which occurred at a place that was already a ruin rather than a city. Some archeologists, however, are looking for alternative locations of Ai and excavations are underway at the nearby site of Khirbet Nisya.
Joshua 7 •
Joshua 7:1 I'm curious how you feel about this. Is it right to punish the whole nation because of one man's disobedience? Thirty Six died because of what Achan had done (Joshua 7:5). Why not just punish Achan?
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Joshua 7:3 Here we see what happens when men make the decisions as opposed to men letting God make the decisions. Here men decide that two or three thousand could take the city. When Israel finally does go up against Ai, God says take the whole army (Joshua 8:1).
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Joshua 7:10-15 Sometimes I wonder how God communicated with these people. I mean, did all these words just appear in Joshua's mind? I could see how Joshua might be directed in his mind to draw the conclusion that someone has sinned. But that doesn't seem to be the case here. Somehow God clearly communicated His displeasure and His instruction on how to deal with this disobedience. I wonder if Joshua was mourning before the Ark of the Lord, and the Lord spoke to him. Maybe the Lord spoke to the High Priest, and the High priest relayed the message. Anyway, there are times I wish God spoke this clearly to me.
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Joshua 7:16-18 I suspect that the Urim and the Thumin were used here (the two stones placed on the shoulders of the High Priest's vest). But since God knew who was guilty, why didn't He simply reveal this to Joshua? Perhaps it was so the seriousness of this offence would be impressed on the entire nation. And so they would begin to see themselves as a nation instead of a collection of individuals. Also, since this method would have taken time, the guilty person would have had ample opportunity to repent; to throw themselves upon the mercy of God.
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But instead, Achan waits until the lot falls on his family. Only then does he admit it is true (Joshua 7:20). I believe that if Achan had confessed his sin and fallen on his knees before God, he would have been shown mercy, much like David was shown mercy after his confession is Psalm 32:1-5. But Achan simply admits his sin. Not once does he seek the Lord's forgiveness or His mercy. In his confession I see no regret; no remorse for what his sin did to the entire nation.
Joshua 8
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Joshua 8:24-29 I am not a murdering man. I would have had a hard time killing the innocent. I know this is the result of God’s judgment on the wicked people living in Ai, but for myself I’d have a hard time executing such a severe judgment, even if God had commanded it. I wonder if the people living back then (people who did not know the Lord) were much more wicked than the people today who don’t know the Lord. I wonder if the influence of the Holy Spirit has made Man a little less wicked. Maybe the difference between righteousness and wickedness was easier to see then than it is today. Maybe if the wickedness of these people had destroyed all that was good and right in my life, maybe it would be easier to dispense God’s judgment upon them. I just don’t know.
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Joshua 8:30-35 In response to what Moses commanded in Deuteronomy 11:29, Joshua moves up the Jordan Valley to Mt. Ebal and Mt. Gerazim. Here the Lord's Covenant is renewed. This was a march of about 30 miles, and would have been right near the city of Shechem. How did Israel avoid a confrontation with this city? Perhaps they didn't avoid one. This confrontation may not have been recorded. Either that or Shechem may have simply surrendered without resistance.
Joshua 9 •
Joshua 9 Here’s an interesting story about some Gibeonites who trick Joshua and the elders into making an oath of peace. But when their deceit was revealed, Joshua & the Elders let them live. They kept their oath, but made these people slaves. Although Joshua did not consult the Lord about this treaty of peace, he did keep his word, a demonstration that even though he made a mistake he did not make things worse by going back on his word.
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Joshua 9:27 Some Gibeonites helped Nehemiah rebuild Jerusalem's wall (Nehemiah 3:7).
March 25: Joshua 10-12 60
Joshua 10 •
Joshua 10:1-5 The king of Jerusalem is near panic. And what's interesting is that in his panic he gets some of the other kings to go and attack Gibeon, not Israel. I mean, think about this for a moment. Who really was the threat? Gibeon had turned chicken (or maybe they were the wise ones). What threat were they to the rest of the region?
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Joshua 10:6-11 The men of Gibeon ask Israel for help. Perhaps they should have been asking God, because God comes to their defense more than Israel does. God kills more with a hail storm that Israel does with the sword. That’s a good thing too because Israel marched 25 miles overnight up an ascent of 4000 feet just to get to this hill country. The army would have been fatigued.
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Joshua 10:13 Okay scientist. What happened here? We all know the sun is fixed. It is the earth that rotates around the sun. The earth also rotates on an axis that wobbles a bit, but not enough to explain this. For the sun to stay fixed in the sky the earth would have to stop rotating. And if we were paying attention in physics class we know what would happen to gravity if that happened. So what happened? Perhaps the earth only slowed down a bit; making one rotation in 48 hours instead of 24. But still that would have created huge tidal waves and the earth's crust would have shifted creating huge earth quakes. I don't want to sound spiritual here, but I guess God simply took care of all those things and slowed the earth enough so the sun was markedly lethargic that day.
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Joshua 10:13 The Book of Jashar (or the Book of the Upright) appears to be a collection of songs written to honor the accomplishments of Israel's leaders (see 2 Samuel 1:17-27 as an example).
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Joshua 10:26 I guess it's a good thing I am a minister and not a soldier, much like the Levitical Priests were not called to war. I would just have a hard time treating these kings in this way. But, as I've said before, I have no idea what it was like to live back then, and I have no idea just how wicked these kings must
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have been. The truth is, the Lord had spoken a judgment against these people living in Canaan, and it was because of their wickedness that the Lord's anger burned against them. God was using Israel to carry out His discipline. •
Joshua 10:28-43 Israel was the creator of the Blitzkrieg. By the end of this chapter Israel had conquered the entire southern portion of Canaan.
Joshua 11 •
Joshua 11:1-15 After an exhausting campaign in the south, Israel heads north. Here once again all the kings rally against Israel. They rendezvoused a few miles northwest of the Sea of Galilee in a broad plain. But, although their numbers were impressive, and although they had horses and chariots (Josephus speculated that this included 300,000 soldiers, 10,000 cavalry troops, and 20,000 chariots), these armies were soundly defeated by God working through Israel.
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Joshua 11:9 Why burn these chariots and cripple the horses? Perhaps it’s because Israel may have been tempted to trust in these new weapons rather in the Lord (see Psalm 20:7).
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Joshua 11:13 Hazor was burned down while the other cities were not. This might be because of its size. It covered 200 acres, Megiddo covered 14, and Jericho covered 8.
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Joshua 11:21-22 Special mention is made regarding the Anakites, the giants who had terrified the spies 45 years earlier. Who can stand up against them (Deuteronomy 9:2)? Well, against God those supposedly invincible foes were destroyed. Remember how it was assumed that they were the descendants of the gods (Numbers 13:33)? I guess this proves that they were not mightier that God! It's unfortunate that all of these giants were not captured and killed. In David's time Goliath came from Gath to defy Israel and her God (1 Samuel 17).
Joshua 12
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Here is a listing of all the kings defeated by Israel. Although their cities were captured, it is unlikely that Joshua left a garrison behind. He just did not have that kind of manpower. He did probably expect the tribe who settled in that region to occupy those towns.
March 26: Joshua 13-15
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Most of this section reads like a real estate deed. These are legal descriptions of the areas allocated to the 12 tribes. But first there was some unfinished business to attend to.
Joshua 13 •
Joshua 13:1-7 Joshua was probably about 100 years old here, considering that he died at the age of 110 (Joshua 24:29). The nations mentioned here were
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apparently conquered, so the land divisions to the 9 and a half remaining tribes would begin. •
Joshua 13:8-13 Here is a reminder that East of the Jordan were Reuben, Gad, and half of Manasseh. They had already received their land. And a reminder about the tribe of Levi (Joshua 13:14). History will testify that residing east of the Jordan River was not a wise decision. These tribes were constantly exposed to invasions. The King of Assyria first conquered this section of Israel when he invaded (1 Chronicles 5:26).
Joshua 14 •
Joshua 14:6-15 Caleb comes before his old friend and fellow spy to request what God had promised. Caleb was 40 when he was a spy. Israel wandered for 38 years. Now at 85 he is making his request. The 7 year difference between 78 and 85 accounts for the conquest of Canaan. Caleb actually requests the land that struck fear in the nation of Israel. He wants to live in the Land of the Giants, and was ready to fight the Anakites at Hebron.
Joshua 15 •
Joshua 15:13-19 And so Caleb drives out the Anekites, and even enlarges his territory by driving out another town. Well, actually his nephew and future son-inlaw leads the victory.
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Joshua 15:63 Within the boundaries of Judah there was the city of Jerusalem. Although the surrounding towns had been conquered, the Jebusites living in Jerusalem could not be dislodged. My question is whether they "could not" or that they "would not" drive them out. It actually seems that they just kinda ignored this city. Judah left them live there perhaps because they just were not bothering anyone. Not until David was king would Jerusalem finally belong to Israel (2 Samuel 5:6).
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March 27: Joshua 16-17 Joshua 16 •
Joshua 16:5-9 Within the territory of Ephraim was the city Shiloh. The Tabernacle would remain there for about 300 years.
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Joshua 16:10 Like Judah, the tribe of Ephraim did not drive out the Canaanites living in their land. Instead, they made the people of Gezer slaves. But even though they might have been slaves, they could still influence Ephraim with their pagan Canaanite religions. As a matter of fact, in later years we will read that the Canaanites rise up and enslaved the Israelites.
Joshua 17 •
Joshua 17:3-4 Remember these women from Numbers 27:1-11? These women asked to receive their promised land within the territory of Manasseh. This is significant because it shows a concern for the rights of women at a time when most societies regarded them as a mere possession.
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Joshua 17:12-13 Once again we see a tribe not able to fully rid the land of the Canaanite people. At best they made them slaves.
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Joshua 17:14-18 The tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh did not think they had enough room to live. But in reality they did, but they were unwilling to drive out the remaining Canaanites living there. Unlike Caleb who took his land by faith, the two tribes seemed unwilling to do anything to free up their land.
March 28: Joshua 18-19 Joshua 18 •
Joshua 18:1-2 Before dividing up the remaining land, the nation moves from Gilgal northwest about 20 miles to Shiloh. This would put the people near the
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center of the new nation, and would be a convenient location for the Tabernacle. However, it appears Joshua was sensing contentment with these remaining tribes. It seems they would rather continue in their nomadic existence instead of establishing themselves in the land. So . . . •
Joshua gives the remaining tribes instructions on how to divide the rest of the land (Joshua 18:4-6).
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Joshua 18:8-10 Apparently these 21 men were quite skilled as surveyors. Maybe their parents had learned this back in Egypt. Writing all of this on a scroll, they return with their survey, and Joshua allows God to determine who lived in what land (that's the idea behind casting lots. It was thought that God would make things happen according to His will. So apparently it is God's will for a person to lose their money when Casting Lots at a casino).
Joshua 19 •
Joshua 19:1-9 A portion of Judah is given to Simeon. But it didn't take long until Simeon lost its individuality as a tribe. Eventually the land returns again to Judah and many of the inhabitants migrate north to Ephraim and Manasseh (2 Chronicles 15:9). This would explain why when the Kingdom divides after Solomon dies there were 10 tribes to the north and only 2 in the south; Judah and Benjamin.
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Joshua 19:10-16 According to Jacob's prophecy, Zebulun was to live by the sea (Genesis 49:13). Although this land was near the lower portion of the Sea of Galilee, it sure looks to be landlocked. However, it is possible that a strip of land extended to the Great Sea through Issachar's territory. The city of Nazareth is not mentioned as one of the towns within its borders. And the Bethlehem mentioned in verse 15 is not the same village where Jesus was born. That Bethlehem lies further south in the land of Judah.
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Joshua 19:24-31 Although Asher had faded from significance by David's time, people still took their identity from that clan. Anna the prophetess was from the tribe of Asher (Luke 2:36-38).
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Joshua 19:32-39 Naphtali was not very significant in the Old Testament, but as Isaiah promised, their glory would be seen during the life of Christ (Isaiah 9:1-2).
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Joshua 19:40-48 The least desirable portion fell to Dan. Originally Dan was surrounded by Ephraim and Benjamin to the north, and Judah to the south. In Judges 1:34 Dan is conquered by the Amorites. So the tribe migrated to the far north, captured the city of Laish, renamed it Dan, and then settled there.
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Joshua 19:50 You need to know that Joshua could have taken any land he wanted. But instead he demonstrates his humility by taking the rugged hill side section within the land of his tribe (Ephraim).
March 29: Joshua 20-21, 1 Chronicles 6 Joshua 20 •
This chapter repeats the location of the 6 Cities of Refuge, a command given all the way back in Exodus 21:12-13. Cities of Refuge signify the importance of human life. Not just the life of the one killed, but the life of the one who accidentally did kill another. The ancient rite of vendetta was often handed down from one generation to another. And a lot of innocent people were killed. Not too much has changed, unfortunately. I know too many people that continue to harbor ill feeling toward a family, and not because of an accidental killing. So revengeful is our society that entire families are at odds with another simply because two people crossed one another years ago. And these clans grow up hating one another not even knowing why.
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Joshua 21 •
Joshua 21:43 To fulfill the promise made to the Levites (Numbers 35:1-8), the Tribe of Levi is given 48 towns throughout Israel in which to live. Although at this time many of those towns had not yet been conquered. If you compare the list here and the list found in 1 Chronicles 6:54-81, there is a big difference. It seems the Levites were not successful in capturing these towns, and the other tribes didn't offer to help. This kinda makes me wonder if the tribes offered these towns because they were the least desirable. For some reason this reminds me of what some churches do today. They offer their pastor a parsonage, but it is seldom really cared for. And its upkeep becomes the pastor's responsibility.
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I once read that no one in Israel lived more than 10 miles from one of these 48 Levite towns. And every Israelite had a man nearby who could instruct them in the Law, and who could give advice or counsel.
1 Chronicles 6 •
1 Chronicles 6:1-15 The purpose here is to trace a priestly line down through the generations. If you’ll notice in verse 2, the line travels quickly from Levi’s son Kohath to Aaron and Moses. There simply are not enough names here to make the 300 year span. Again, the Chronicler is more interested in helping people connect the dots than filling in the gaps. So instead he mentions Tribe, Clan, Family, and then individual. This is not a complete list. It is a list designed to help the reader understand that when Jehozadak was taken into captivity, the last of the priests who could trace their heritage back to Aaron had left the land. There was no qualified priest living in all of Israel during the exile. This fact was important for the tiny remnant that eventually came home.
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1 Chronicles 6:25 It’s interesting that Samuel the Prophet was a descendant of Levi. Although he did not serve as High priest, God had something else in mind for this Levite. But seeing that he was a Levite of the Priestly line of Kohath (the
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same as Aaron), it does seem fitting that He would be the one to anoint men as kings. •
I Chronicles 6:31-48 All who served in the Tabernacle and later in the Temple were descended from Levi. Again this is important for the remnant that returned from exile. Anyone who was going to serve in the new Temple would need to be able to trace their heritage back to this tribe of Levi. “That’s the way it was before the exile, so that’s the way it’s going to be now that we have returned home.”
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1 Chronicles 6:49-53 Just as only Levites could serve in the Temple, only a descendant of Aaron could serve as a priest. Here, the writer of Chronicles demonstrates how this is the way things were done before the exile, and they will continue to be the same as Israel restructures herself.
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1 Chronicles 6:54-81 This long section lists the towns that were given to the Levites. They did not receive any land as an inheritance, so they were given certain towns within the nation where they could live. As the remnant came stumbling home after Cyrus gave them freedom, each went looking for the land of their inheritance. Perhaps some had forgotten that a Levite had only a city here or there in which to live. So before some clan decides that the city is theirs because it is in their territory, the Chronicler reminds everyone how things were distributed before the exile.
March 30: Joshua 22-24 Joshua 22 •
Joshua 22:1-9 The tribes that lived east of the Jordan were released from their promised service and sent home. I get the impression that they left with a considerable amount of plunder (items taken from the cities that were conquered). It's important to note what is said in Joshua 22:8 about this plunder. It was to be shared with those who had remained at home. Honors and rewards
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do not go only to those who fight, but also to those who stay at home raising the crops and protecting the women. David echoes this mindset in1 Samuel 30:24. It's also important to remember that Israel did not wage war to take things or even take land. God waged the war against the people in this land through Israel. He was passing His judgment upon the wickedness of these nations (see Deuteronomy 9:4-6). •
Joshua 22:10-34 On their way back home, the Eastern Tribes decide to build an altar. The Western Tribes think it is a place to offer sacrifices. Actually it was a memorial altar; a place to remind those east of the Jordan and those west of the Jordan that they all belong to God. The western tribes, thinking it’s a substitute sacrifice site, are ready to wage war. But first Phinehas goes and checks thing out. Smart move. Once the truth was known, there was peace and unity in everyone's heart. At first I wanted to scold the Western Tribes for assuming there was sin. But then I realized that the Eastern Tribes never communicated what they were doing in the first place. And would the Western Tribes have known the truth had they not found out. There was poor communication going on here from both parties. Neither was innocent. It would have been prudent for the Eastern Tribes to say, "Oh, by the way, were going to build this so no one forgets that we are brothers".
Joshua 23 •
Reading through Joshua's final words I sense a deep concern for Israel's growing complacency toward the remnants of the Canaanites still living in the land. Joshua is concerned that they will lure Israel away from the worship of God.
Joshua 24 •
About 10 to 20 years after the conquest, Joshua calls the people together at Shechem. This is significant because it was here, a few miles northwest of Shiloh, that Abraham first received God's promise to give his descendants the land. It's where Abraham built an altar to demonstrate his faith in God (Genesis
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12:6-7). This is where Jacob stopped to bury the idols his family had brought with them (Genesis 35:4). This is where Joshua build an altar inscribed with the Law of God (Joshua 8:30-35). •
Joshua 24:2 Joshua makes an interesting statement here. He says that long ago Israel’s forefathers lived on the other side of the Euphrates and worshiped other gods. I had always thought Abraham had worshiped God. If this is true, then I am even more impressed with Abraham’s obedience to a God he did not know.
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Joshua 24:14 Did Joshua believe the people were secretly holding on to idols and worshiping false gods? It seems he did. Several times in this section he challenges the people to get rid of their idols; the idols of their ancestors.
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Joshua 24:15 As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. Joshua's very famous word; words that should still challenge you and me today. Oh, we may not worship things made out of wood, or bronze, or stone. But we sure do worship little green pieces of linen and cotton that we carry around in our wallet.
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Joshua 24:23 After the people assert that they will only serve the Lord, Joshua says "Alright then, get rid of those idols". This is a truth Jesus speaks in Matthew 6:24. A person cannot have a mixed allegiance. Although the words written in Matthew are often translated as "God and Money", the truth is that a person cannot worship God and anything else. That means we cannot worship God and ourselves.
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Joshua 24:29-33 Joshua is buried when he dies at the age of 110. Joseph's embalmed body is finally buried in Shechem, 400 years after he died in Egypt. This was the land his father had purchased back in Genesis 33:18-20. Eleazar is buried as well.
From Exodus to the end of Joshua we see 72 years unfold for the life of this nation. Two years go by from the time Israel leaves Egypt to when the spies are sent into the Promised Land. At this point Joshua was 40 years old. Israel wanders for 38 years. The 71
conquest of Canaan lasts about 7 years. So for the rest of his years, Joshua led the nation in a time of peace until his death at the age of 110. If the exodus was in 1446 B.C., then Joshua would have died around 1374 B.C.
March 31: Judges 1-3 Judges •
The Book of Judges suggests that it was written sometime after Saul became king (1051 B.C) but before the conquest of Jerusalem by David (1004 B.C.). The book often states, "In those days Israel had no king" (Judges 17:6 for example), implying that it looks backward from a period when Israel did have a king. But it must have been written before David was king because in referencing Jerusalem Judges 1:21 says, "to this day the Jebusites live there". David, or course, conquered the city (see 2 Samuel 5:6-7).
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Though there is no internal evidence identifying the author of Judges, the Talmud credits Samuel as the author of Judges, Ruth, and Samuel. 1 Samuel 10:25 does call Samuel a writer. So Judges seems to have been written between about 1040 and 1020 B.C.
Judges 1 •
Judges 1:1-3 Both Judah and Simeon combine their forces to attack the remaining Canaanites living in the land. Canaanite is probably a generic term used for the inhabitants of the land.
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Judges 1:6 Although this sounds barbaric, cutting off thumbs and big toes would not destroy this man's life, but it would make it difficult for him to hold a weapon and would hinder his footing in combat. Since it was the major function of a king to lead people in battle, this would disqualify him from leading people against Israel.
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Judges 1:8 Judah's initial success in destroying Jerusalem may refer only to the unfortified southwest hill (modern day Mt. Zion). In any case, Judah failed to displace the Jebusites permanently (Joshua 15:63). The tribe of Benjamin was not successful either (Judges 1:21).
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Judges 1:10 Hebron is located about 19 miles southwest of Jerusalem in a valley about 2,800 feet above sea level. Abraham stayed there for a while (Genesis 13:18). Judah attacks these three clans, who were descended from Anak, and defeats them either with Caleb's help (Joshua 15:14 and Judges 1:20), or Caleb had defeated them earlier.
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Judges 1:11-15 This is a repeat of the events recorded in Joshua 15:14-19, not a separate event.
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Judges 1:16 This Jericho was not the destroyed city but an oasis probably near the central mountain region.
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Judges 1:19 In spite of battle victories, Judah was able to displace the inhabitants and occupy the cities. There just weren’t enough people to move in and occupy those cities after the victory. And with the army moving from town to town, there were not enough soldiers to stay behind and defend them.
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Judges 1:21-36 A review of this section indicates a lot of failure, but one success. Only the city of Hebron was fully taken, and that may be because of what is mentioned in Judges 1:22. "The Lord was with them". The real question I have is was the Lord really with this tribe but not the others? And if He was not with those that failed, then why? Perhaps it was because of a growing complacency among the people. Perhaps they had not kept themselves clean. God had been quite clear in this (see Deuteronomy 8:1). In fact . . .
Judges 2 •
Judges 2:2-4 indicates that this is exactly why they were not successful. They had indeed not followed the Lord's commands. This is a valuable lesson many
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people need to learn. To the person who lives a life of wickedness and evil, why should they suppose that God would watch over them; that He would guide and guard them as His very own? Yes the Lord will listen to the repentant sinner, but to those who show no remorse, to those who continue in their wicked ways, I believe God lets their wickedness devour them. You see, God cannot force a person into faith. He does not demand our love. To be genuine, these must be freely given. But just like the Israelites (Judges 2:4), God desires that the person whose life continues to tumble out of control might turn from their wicked ways (Mark 8:34). And I've often wondered how many bumps and bruises it will take until a person notices the outstretched arm of the Savior. •
Judges 2:1 In the Old Testament we often read about "The Angel of the Lord". This was no mere angel. This was an appearance by the second Person of the Trinity. This same "theophany" (Jesus appearing in bodily form before He was born) happened to Moses (Exodus 3:2), to Joshua (Joshua 5:13), to Gideon (Judges 6:11), and to the parents of Samson (Judges 13:3). In each appearance this Angel was able to make decisions and showed divine attributes, unlike an angel who merely did as he was commanded. The New Testament suggests that the "Angel of the Lord" was indeed Jesus Christ (John 12:41, 1 Corinthians 10:4, John 8:56, and Hebrews 11:26).
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Judges 2:8-9 Unlike Moses, Joshua did not name a successor. Well actually God had named Joshua as the successor. So apparently God had not appointed one for Joshua.
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Judges 2:10-15 How quickly people forget when there is no one to guide them spiritually. The fault is not in a person, but in the people as a whole. I mean, where were the fathers who were supposed to be teaching these things to their children? Where were the Levites who were supposed to be leading and guiding these people spiritually?
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Judges 2:16-23 There is a history of over 300 years mentioned in the coming section, beginning with Othniel and ending with Samson. And throughout this
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section we read of a continuing downward spiral that can be seen in these verses. 1) Israel is defiant. 2) Israel is enslaved. 3) Israel repents. 4) Israel is delivered. 5) Israel has peace. 6) Israel is defiant . . . and on and on the spiral continues, with their rebellion getting worse every time. Judges 3 •
Take the story of Othniel for example. As we read his story in Judges 3:7-11 we see these 5 things unfold. Rebellion (Judges 3:7), enslavement (Judges 3:8), repentance (Judges 3:9), deliverance (Judges 3:10), and peace (Judges 3:11). Unfortunately, Israel falls right back into rebellion (Judges 3:12), starting the whole process over again.
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Judges 3:20-23 Ehud, a left handed man (Judges 3:15) stabs a rather fat King Eglon. His fat engulfed the handle of the dagger. This dagger was probably about 18 inches long. Ehud then escapes down the latrine (or through the porch. It's difficult to tell which translation is right). King Eglon was a Moabite, a descendant of Lot by his oldest daughter's incestuous relationship with him (Genesis 19:3038). Its stories like these that appear in Bible trivia questions.
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