Old Testament
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Title: Preparing For War INTRODUCTION This is a chapter which you would expect to find in the book of Numbers and from which it draws its English name, “Numbers.” Remember, the Hebrew name is “In The Wilderness” Undoubtedly most of us reading it are extremely thankful that the whole book isn’t like this. So here
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Title: No Other Gods INTRODUCTION The first commandment is the greatest. We often focus on the sins of the flesh as being the worst, sins like fornication, stealing, murder etc. But the primary sin in the Bible is denying God. “Thou shall have no other gods before me.” Thus God spoke to Israel at Sinai
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Title: Impenitent Miracle Workers ? INTRODUCTION Numbers 22-24 contain a story about a man named Balaam and should be considered as a unit. Therefore we will consider them together and use a different approach in this study. But, who was Balaam? There is a consensus that Balaam was of the same ilk as Melchizedek, outwardly
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Title: The Path to Victory INTRODUCTION In this chapter we see the beginning of the conquest of Canaan. We therefore also see the prerequisites for success in battle. By implication we see from the physical realm what we need in our spiritual struggles. This narrative naturally divides into three stages. As believers we pas through
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Title: Who’s In Charge? INTRODUCTION This is the last chapter in Part one of Numbers. Israel is again at Kadesh where they sent forth the spies into the promised land 40 years earlier. They have been wandering the entire time, and no doubt everyone is stressed to the point of being short tempered. The passage
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Title: Washed and Renewed Introduction In Israel there were no undertakers. There also was no World Health Organization to advise on the spread of contagion. One might think therefore that this chapter is giving public health advice. One cannot question that the laws had that effect, but there is a deeper spiritual significance to their
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Title: Wilderness Holiness Introduction Israel’s time in the wilderness was a time for them to learn who Jahweh was. God has recorded it in Numbers for our admonition because although we can quote the Westminster Catechism, ”God is infinite, eternal, and unchanging in his wisdom, power, holiness, justice, goodness, and truth,” we do not appreciate
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Title: Honor the Ruler INTRODUCTION Right now as I am writing, our nation is in another election cycle. People are trying to make up their minds. God is not. We don’t know what He has already decided, however we are part of the earthly process. We must consult the Lord. We need to pray, not
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6 The Contempt, Text: 16:1-50 INTRODUCTION The great value of studying Numbers, or “In the Wilderness,” as we have pointed out previously is that it teaches us lessons about the need for sanctification and perseverance in the Christian life. This present evil age is a wilderness for us. What chapter 16 focuses on is the
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5 The Consecration, Text: 15:1-41 Introduction Numbers 15 deals further with the preparations of Israel to enter the Promised Land. These are ordinances to be obeyed after they have entered the Promised Land, and that means that they carry with them the assurance that God will bring the next generation into the land. Like all
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4 The Cowardice, Text: 13:1-14:45 INTRODUCTION Fear is the root of cowardice and it is a common experience. We are anxious and fearful about many things in life to the point where some people are literally scared to death. Phobias abound too numerous to list, but some people fear certain colors, others fear sitting or
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3 The Complaints Text: 11:1-12:16 INTRODUCTION According to one commentator Israel just started their journey and almost immediately there were three rebellions. The whole history of Israel in he wilderness is a story of murmuring and complaining. Unfortunately, we are guilty of the same thing, and often in less stressful conditions. Observing this, Mark Twain
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2 The Constitution, Text:10:11-36 INTRODUCTION When I was younger I used to love adventure. Several times our young family set out on a journey with a tent or a tent-trailer. We had a month’s vacation, and no particular route. We had a goal but no exact timetable. We set up camp every evening and then
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1 The Cloud, Text: 9:15-10:10 INTRODUCTION Today if a Christian wishes to discern the will of God he must look at three things. First we look at the Word of God to insure that our actions are in accord with God’s laws. Second, we look at our heart’s desire to make sure that our motives
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4 The Communion, Text: 9:1-14 INTRODUCTION Our Jewish friends celebrate 4 major holidays in the 21st century. The first three are Rosh Hashanah, or the “Head of the Year,” Yom Kippur, or the “Day of Atonement, and Chanukah or the “Dedication” at the time of the Christian Christmas which refers to the rededication of the
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