Posts by Josh Moody

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

Numbers 12-14, Psalm 53, Matthew 23:1-12, Romans 5:1-11 Numbers 12-14: Why is it so much harder to believe that God intends good for us rather than that some nefarious evil will befall nonetheless? We are given by our fallen nature to be more likely to believe the worst of God’s intentions than to humbly receive them as best.…

Numbers 9-11, Psalm 52, Matthew 22:34-46, Romans 4 Numbers 9-11: The Passover is celebrated (9:1-14), and is to be celebrated even by those who are ceremonially unclean (9:6-12) and by the sojourner who wishes to celebrate as well (9:14). All this is done according to the Lord ’s command (9:5), and that emphasis on following God’s Word continues…

Numbers 7-8; Psalm 51; Matthew 22:15-33; Romans 3  Numbers 7-8: The tabernacle, having been completed in terms of its setting up, is now consecrated (7:1) with generous, costly offerings to the Lord by the heads of the tribes of Israel (7:2-3). Chapter 7 details the extent of these offerings as consecration of the tabernacle, and…

Numbers 5-6; Psalm 50; Matthew 22:1-14; Romans 2 Numbers 5-6:   The test with which these chapters begin seems passingly strange—a test for adultery (5:11-31) that would not hold up in any court of law, or judgment of peers, or public opinion in any modern context. What is more, the necessity of drinking this “bitter” drink…