Numbers 22: A Prophet and his Talking Donkey

Balaam said to God, "Balak son of Zippor, king of Moab, sent me this message: 'A people that has come out of Egypt covers the face of the land. Now come and put a curse on them for me. Perhaps then I will be able to fight them and drive them away.' " But God said to Balaam, "Do not go with them. You must not put a curse on those people, because they are blessed."

Chapters 22-24 contains one of the most bizarre stories in the entire Bible. It features a donkey speaking fluent Hebrew who shows more initial insight than the reluctant prophet, Balaam, who was evidently a professional magician of a nomadic clan. He had an impressive reputation: Nearby kings, alarmed by the approaching Israelites, hired him to work magic and get the gods on their side.

Beginning in chapter 23, God clearly chose to speak through Balaam- no less than seven times. Appearing at a solemn occasion that was designed to curse the Israelites, Balaam instead pronounced blessings on them and curses upon their enemies. He gave four stirring messages, which were far different in content from what his king wanted to hear. Through these oracles, Balaam grew bolder and bolder, changing from a sorcerer into a strong prophet for the time being. Tragically, the changes in him were only temporary as New Testament writings indicate that he quickly returned to his treacherous ways and resorted to manipulating the Israelites to worship false gods.

Some have called Balaam the Judas of the Old Testament. Both men came close enough to truth to appear sincere and faithful. For a time, both seemed to serve the true God. But, motivated by ambition and greed, they renounced God and turned against him, with catastrophic results. The importance of this story also illustrates a key event in the Israelite's relationship with pagan cultures. They were about to enter a land where magic and sorcery were used as national weapons. Yet, in a stroke of irony, God selected a spokesman who was both magician and pagan. Through him God rebuked those nations and their false gods.

Life Question: Have you ever been used by God despite your own reluctance?

.

I've had the same student now for two years in my English class- once in American lit and this year for World lit. I remember last year receiving a report from our school counselor that this young man had been diagnosed with a severe learning disability. Shamefully, I wasn't thrilled knowing that I would have to "go the extra mile" with this kid so that he could have a chance at succeeding. I dreaded the extra time outside of class that I knew he would require. But, he has truly blossomed into a great kid, and I have so enjoyed having him as a student. He has come a long way in interacting with the rest of the kids in class, and he has taught me an awful lot in terms of potential.

Numbers 20: Breaking Faith

So Moses took the staff from the Lord's presence, just as he commanded him. He and Aaron gathered the assembly together in front of the rock and Moses said to them, "Listen, you rebels, must we bring you water out of this rock?" Then Moses raised his arm and struck the rock twice with his staff. Water gushed out, and the community and their livestock drank.

The Israelites once again quarrel with Moses and Aaron and accuse them of bringing the community from Egypt, where there was plenty of food, to the wilderness, where there is not even water to drink. All Moses and Aaron can do is turn to God who instructs them to take the staff, assemble the people, and in the presence of the community, “order” the rock to give forth water for all to drink; this miraculous sign would once again stress God’s sanctity.

Rather than doing exactly as God commanded, Moses asks the community a question that suggests doubt and lack of faith: “Are we to bring water for you out of this rock?” Then, using the staff, Moses strikes the rock not once but twice. The rock issues enough water for all to drink, though Moses fails to “order” the rock as God had directed. And it is for this reason that neither Moses nor Aaron would enter the Promised Land. Was it a lack of faith or an act of disobedience? That is somewhat unclear, but this story is told near the end of the journey to prepare for the designation of new leaders for a new generation of Israelites who finally will get to come home.

The scene at Meribah brings a tragic end to a great man's career. After so many displays of loyalty and courage, Moses- footsore and weary- is told that he too will die in the desert, before the new generation of Israelites cross into the promised land. Later in Deuteronomy, God describes the sin as "breaking faith" with him and tells Moses that "he did not uphold my holiness among the Israelites." (32:51)

.

Life Question: Has there ever been a time when God has given you the power to do something, but you decided to take the credit?

.

When I've accomplished something in my life- be it for my career, family, or personal interests- I often times fail to thank God. Just last week in church, Mike kept asking us all to take a deep breath...and simply offer a small thanks to God for giving us that gift of breath and life that many of us take for granted. None of my "earthly" accomplishments would be possible without God...period. I just need to remember to thank him more.

Numbers 14: Open Mutiny

.

That night all the people of the community raised their voices and wept aloud. All the Israelites grumbled against Moses and Aaron, and the whole assembly said to them, "If only we had died in Egypt! Or in this desert! Why is the Lord bringing us to this land only to let us fall by the sword? Our wives and children will be taken as plunder. Wouldn't it be better for us to go back to Egypt?" And they said to each other, "We should choose a leader and go back to Egypt."

This chapter recounts the most decisive event since the exodus from Egypt. The Israelites are poised on the very border of the promised land. If they simply trust God, they can leave the torturous desert and walk into a land abundant with food and water. Military scouts are in the process of delivering their final report on what they have seen.

Yet despite the miracles God has already performed on their behalf, the Israelites distrust once more. They cower at the spies' report of Canaan and loudly bemoan the original decision to leave Egypt. Fear leads to open rebellion, and the nation plots mutiny, even conspiring to stone Moses and his brother, Aaron. At the edge of the promised land, they lose faith and turn away.

God, the real object of their revolt, feels spurned. Convinced at last that this band of renegades is unprepared for conquest of the promised land, God postpones all plans. In the face of such rebellion, God decides to wait for a whole new generation of Israelites. The original slaves will not cross into the promised land. Out of the many thousands who left Egypt, only two adults, Joshua and Caleb, will survive to enter the promised land. All the rest over the age of 20 are destined to die in the desert.

When the Israelites heard how God would punish them for disobeying, they suddenly found the courage to go up and fight the Amalekites and Canaanites. God sought obedience, though, not courage, and obedience meant following directions immediately. Though Moses warned the Israelites that their courage came too late and that God would not support them, they went anyway- and were soundly beaten.

Life Question: Back in chapter 12, even Moses' brother Aaron failed at being a team player in God's plan, as he openly carped about Moses' foreign-born wife and conspired to challenge his brother's leadership. On what "teams" do you participate? What role do you usually play- leader or supporting cast?

I really think our praise band- in conjunction with the orchestra and choir- is an awesome example of team play. Although we have definite leaders for the group- talented ones at that- I truly believe that everyone involved is prompted by God's love, and because of that, blend together extremely well to simply make beautiful music.

Numbers 11: A Tribe of Grumblers

The rabble with them began to crave other food, and again the Israelites started wailing and said, "If only we had meat to eat! We remember the fish we ate in Egypt at no cost- also the cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions and garlic. But now we have lost our appetite; we never see anything but this manna!"

The Book of Numbers tells how a short excursion turned into a 40-year detour. Petty things seem to bother the Israelites most, as their constant complaints about food indicate. With a few exceptions, they eat the same thing every day: manna, which spontaneously comes with the dew each night and appears like frost on the ground each morning.

The rebellion portrayed here is typical of the whole journey. The more childishly the people act, the more their leaders are forced to respond like stern parents. As this chapter shows, Moses and God take turns getting exasperated by the Israelites' constant whining.

True, conditions are rigorous. Facing a constant threat from enemy armies, the tribes have to march under a hot sun through a hostile wilderness region. But the underlying issue is a simple test of faith: Will they trust God to see them through such hard circumstances? Will they follow the terms of the covenant God has made with them and depend on his promised protection?

Life Question: Do you ever "grumble" against God? If so, what tends to trigger your complaints?

.

I have to admit, I did my share of grumbling while I was sitting through the Tribe's opener last Friday...watching the snow come down and pretty much ruin opening day. It's silly things like this that I all too often gripe and complain about, but I need to realize how God has truly blessed me. There are so many folks who have major tragedies to contend with, and so far, God has taken pretty good care of me. That said, it's extremely selfish of me to sit around and grumble about the little things in life. For all I know, God's probably a Yankee's fan.

Numbers 4: God's Holiness-No Compromising!

The Lord said to Moses and Aaron, "See that the Kohathite tribal clans are not cut off from the Levites. So that they may live and not die when they come near the most holy things, do this for them. Aaron and his sons are to go into the sanctuary and assign to each man his work and what he is to carry. But the Kohathites must not go in to look at the holy things, even for a moment, or they will die."

As Numbers opens, the Israelites are gearing up for a great adventure. Free at last from the chains of slavery, they are headed for the promised land. However, weeks, months, and then years in a hostile desert have seemed to melt the spirit of adventure. The Israelites act like people who have lost their moorings. In relentless detail, Numbers records a whole sequence of grumblings and rebellions.

The book begins with a long description of a census and proceeds into lists of laws and rituals. These were the official records of a nation, and each word had great significance for the Israelites. Chapters 1-14 share the same setting as the Book of Leviticus- the foot of Mount Sinai. Beginning with chapter 15, it's worth noting that the Israelites did not wander through the desert as an undisciplined mob. On the contrary, each tribe had an assigned place to camp. At the center of their camp was the Tent of Meeting (the tabernacle)- a visual reminder, each time they pitched their tents, of what should be at the center of their lives.

The precise instructions found in chapter 4 for moving the holy things reflected the awe and respect that were due God alone. Earlier in Leviticus, two of Aaron's sons had died while trying out their own version of worship, ignoring God's directions (Leviticus 10: 1-3, 6). Years later, King David's men flagrantly ignored these instructions, and one man, Uzzah, died as a result. There is no compromising God's holiness.

.

Life Question: Do you think we take God for granted and approach him too casually?

.

I try not to, but there have been times where I've definitely been guilty of this. It's easy for me to get so wrapped up in preparing for Sunday services- sound checks, music prep, instrument tuning, etc...that before I know it, we've already begun the first song of the service and I haven't really stopped for a moment to realize that God is present with us. For me, the one thing that I try to do before each service is to simply take a moment and glance at the big wooden cross that's placed on the platform and say a short prayer of thanks to Christ for all the blessings in my life.

Leviticus 26: National Makeover

If you follow my decrees and are careful to obey my commands...I will walk among you and be your God, and you will be my people. I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt so that you would no longer be slaves to the Egyptians; I broke the bars of your yoke and enabled you to walk with heads held high.

Surely the Israelites sometimes wondered if it was absolutely necessary to follow each and every single law commanded in the Book of Leviticus. The last few chapters of this book answers these questions with finality.

After four centuries in Egypt, the just-freed slaves, who are more Egyptian than anything else, need a comprehensive makeover. That is exactly what God gives them- an identity that will stand out in stark contrast to that of their pagan neighbors. God is determined to create a unique people worthy of carrying his identity. God's laws are not optional for the Israelites.

The reward for obeying the laws will make the Israelites the envy of the world. But what if they disobey? God spells out in frightening detail the punishments they can expect. The choice is literally in their hands.

Today, because of Jesus Christ, we don't live in the world of Leviticus. Jesus' perfect self-sacrifice made the daily sacrifice of animals unnecessary. He replaced the high priest as our representative before God. Jesus cleanses the real source of our sinful nature. Leviticus was meant to teach people some basic truths about God, and when their lessons were complete, they could go on to bigger and better things. The New Testament spells out this graduation.

Life Question: "When approaching a stop sign, come to a complete stop before proceeding." "You are not allowed to pass when a yellow line is on your side of the road." These two laws, in addition to a litany of others, may be a pain to memorize, but without them driving would be absolute chaos. The Book of Leviticus has a similar function. It is primarily a list of laws, rules, and instructions to ensure holiness and order in worship and the people's way of life. When was the last time you had to memorize something that may have been painstaking, but in the end, served a greater purpose?

Hmm...I would like to say the Pentatonic/ Chromatic scales, but unfortunately, I haven't mastered those yet. (sorry, Greg!) I've never been a big fan of rote memory, but the content that I cover in my classes- for the most part- need to be ingrained inside me so that I can hopefully convey the material to the kids in a relaxed, and confident manner. Otherwise, it can make for a very long class. That said, the old adage that the best way to learn something is to teach it...is so incredibly true. I look back at my first couple of years, and wondered how in the world I got through them. Nothing can take the place of a sink or swim experience.