Archive for March 2024
Deuteronomy 4-5: Law
Deuteronomy 4-5, Psalm 63, Matthew 26:17-35, Romans 10 Deuteronomy 4-5: Two great chapters are before us which defy easy summary in a few words, and yet at the same time must be understood simply if we are to obey their basic thrust, which is, “do not forget.” Deuteronomy 4:9, “lest you forget,” underpins much of the instruction of…
Read MoreDeuteronomy 1-3: Do Not Fear
Deuteronomy 1-3, Psalm 62, Matthew 26:1-16, Romans 9:19-33 Deuteronomy 1-3: The Book of Deuteronomy, the “second law,” is a series of Moses’ sermons given to Israel as they are on the verge of entering the Promised Land that recount the story of God’s rescue, God’s Word, and their needed obedience of that Word. “These are the words of…
Read MoreNumbers 33-36: The Lord’s Commands
Numbers 33-36, Psalm 61, Matthew 25:31-46, Romans 9:1-18 Numbers 33-36: The Book of Numbers, or the wandering in the wilderness, is coming towards the end. It finishes on a note that captures the spirit of the book in some ways: “These are the commandments and the rules that the LORD commanded through Moses to the people of Israel in…
Read MoreNumbers 31-32: Promise and Judgment
Numbers 31-32, Psalm 60, Matthew 25:14-30, Romans 8:18-30 Numbers 31-32: These are not easy words to read. “Vengeance” is commanded (31:1-3), and does indeed ensue, upon the Midianites (31:4-12). In fact, when it is discovered that the victory over the people of Midian has been insufficiently thorough or harsh, Moses commands that every male child and every adult…
Read MoreNumbers 28-30: Feasting and Vows
Numbers 28-30, Psalm 59, Matthew 25:1-13, Romans 8:1-17 Numbers 28-30: Numbers 28 and 29 are a wonderful description of the intended rhythm of the ancient people of God with regard to their festivals, feasts, sacrifices, from daily, to weekly, to the great annual feasts as well. Each of them is intended to remind God’s people to give…
Read MoreNumbers 26-27: Who Can Enter?
Numbers 26-27, Psalm 58, Matthew 24:34-51, Romans 7:13-25 Numbers 26-27: Numbers 26 is another census, but its significance should not be overlooked. Whereas when David counted God’s people, he sinned—for God had not commanded the census, and by so counting, he was, as it were, assessing or putting to the test God’s original promise that his people would…
Read MoreNumbers 23-25: Strange Blessing and Atonement
Numbers 23-25, Psalm 57, Matthew 24:15-35, Romans 7:1-12 Numbers 23-25: Now we get to hear what Balaam actually says. This strange figure, some sort of necromancer, diviner, but at the same time one insisting that he can only speak what God says. How are we to understand him? Balaam’s donkey is the best clue. If God can speak…
Read MoreNumbers 21-22: Blessing from an Unexpected Direction
Numbers 21-22, Psalm 56, Matthew 24:1-14, Romans 6:15-23 Numbers 21-22: Israel continues to journey and is first opposed in their movements by the Canaanites. When they promise to “devote their cities to destruction,” God guarantees that they will be victorious. Again, we must remember that the Old Testament people of God were a theocracy, a divine agent of…
Read MoreNumbers 18-20: Complaining and Faith
Numbers 18-20, Psalm 55, Matthew 23:25-39, Romans 6:1-14 Numbers 18-20: The chapters begin with a reaffirmation of the priestly role which had so recently been challenged. Aaron and the Levites have a highly significant role, and chapters 18 and 19 reaffirm this in various ways that are not only core to the identity of Israel, but central to…
Read MoreNumbers 15-17: Sacrifice and Authority
Numbers 15-17, Psalm 54, Matthew 23:13-24, Romans 5:12-21 Numbers 15-17: The section begins innocuously enough with laws about sacrifices (15:1-21)—perhaps indicating an intended return to normal after the people’s rebellion previously, or a pointer to the means of atoning for such sins. The most remarkable part of chapter 15 is the insistence that the same rules of sacrifice…
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