March 14, 2010; Numbers 21:1-22:20, Luke 1:26-56, Psalm 57:1-11, Proverbs 11:9-11

Response to Numbers 21:1-22:20

http://net.bible.org/map.php?map=map12 locate Edom, Hormah, Arad, Negev, Wildernss of Zin, Moab, Zered river, Arnon river

Numbers 21:2 is the first place the term "utterly destroy" is used regarding the Canaanite cultures.  In this instance, it was not God who required the utter destruction, but the promise of the Israelites to God.  As the people have been turned back by Edom, they have crossed the Arabah and are approaching the Negeb (Negev) and the land of Arad.  Atharim may mean "way of the spies" as this is now the 40th year and the history is well known throughout the region.  Arad is mentioned several more times in the Bible, but each time it is in memory, or represented only the region which was now being settled by the Israelites or Moses' father in law's descendants (Judges 1:16). 

By correlating their travels between Numbers 21 and 33, we can assume the snakes attacked the people of Israel during the 40th year near the camps of Zalmonah and Punon.  According to the linked map above, Punon is located on the east of the Arabah at the base of a canyon as the people were attempting to get around Edom. Due to the flatness of the Arabah, I question whether it was part of the king's highway mentioned in Numbers 20. 

Since the garden of Eden, the serpant has been a symbol of evil or sin in the world.  The symbolism of placing the sin on the pole could well be representative of Christ bearing our sin on the cross.  The beauty of this scene when the people are bit by serpants and looking to the serpant on the pole to be saved is symbolic of our own lives when we are bitten by the sin and evil of our lives, we can look to Jesus in confession and repentance and our sins are forgiven.  We are healed.  This symbol is also reflected on the ambulances in my hometown, and perhaps yours as they serve and protect (save) the injured and dying.  This again is a picture of the elect - chosen - children of God in our world.  We are the paramedics - the good Samaritans - out to seek and to save the lost, wounded, and dying in service to our Master and Lord.

On the linked map, the Zared river is found in E-1 - this represents a large canyon that empties near Zoar in the Arabah.  In G-1, there appears to be a valley above the canyon.  Perhaps this is the site mentioned in Numbers 21:12.  The Arnon is found on the grid at C-1 and it empties into the dead sea.  The Arnon is mentioned in Numbers 21:14.  Ar is not mentioned on the map, but Aroer sits atop the the Northern slope of
Arnon River Canyon.  Certainly, the "Ar" is common to the names of the area. 

"The Book of the Wars of the Lord is cited in the mediaeval Book of Jasher Chapter 90:48 as being a collaborative record written by Moses, Joshua, and the children of Israel."  (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Book_of_the_Wars_of_the_Lord)

"Beer" in verse 16 means well.  I do not doubt that this verse has much to do with the purpose of the word in the english language.  There was great cheer when they found the well and could quench their thirst.  The "New International Version (NIV)" also uses the word "beer" in Isaiah 28:7. but all the other translations I am checking (RSV, NASB, KJV, ESV, ASV) all render the word "strong drink" in Isaiah, but render the word "Beer" in Numbers 21:16.  There is obviously a difference in the positive and negative elements of the two passages.

For me, it is doubtful that this well represents the same ones previously called Meribah in Numbers 20:13 or
Exodus 17:7.  The travels of Numbers 21 (see also Numbers 33:41-49) thusfar have left the people of Israel on the east side of the dead sea and those two locations are well west and south of their present location.  Thus, this may have been a third spring or well and may represent one earlier manifested by Abraham in Genesis.  I also cannot help but imagine that this passage may have something to do with the prophecy of Joel chapter 3:18. "In that day the mountains will drip new wine, and the hills will flow with milk; all the ravines of Judah will run with water. A fountain will flow out of the Lord's house and will water the valley of acacias. (or valley of shittim).  Shittim represents the camp of the Israelites where they suffered immorality with the Moabite women and prepared to enter the land of Canaan (reflected in the remainder of Numbers and Deuteronomy).
http://www.sacred-destinations.com/jordan/mount-nebo.htm It is believed Mount Nebo and Mount Pisgah are the same (Numbers 21:20) Present day, this is reached by traveling 25 km south of Queen Alia Airport in Amman Jordan to the city of Madaba (presently considered the King's Highway) then traveling 10 km. west to Moses memorial on Mount Nebo.

http://maps.google.com/?q=31.77691078186035,35.59865570068359%20%28Beth-jeshimoth%29&t=h&z=8 The "desert" (Jeshimon, Beth Jeshimoth) lies north of the Dead Sea.  It can be seen from an overlook from Pisgah (Numbers 21:20; Numbers 23:28, Numbers 33:49). This land streches north from the Dead Sea along both sides of the Jordan.  It is barren and sterile as it is saturated with salt, not unlike the great salt flats of Utah in America. 

http://www.precept.org/site/DocServer/PFL_SC_Jeremiah2_MAP.pdf?docID=2602 this is a fabulous map for today's reading.  Note the following locations highlighted in blue from our reading today - and some of tomorrow.

NEGEV, EDOM MOAB, AMMON, ARABAH, BUZ, JUDAH, ISRAEL, ARAM, SYRIA, EPHRAIM, BASHAN, Mediterranean (Great) Sea, Mt. Nebo, Sea of Galilee, Dead Sea, Yarmuk River, Jabbok River, Jordan River, PHILISTIA, Jerusalem, Zion, Ashdod Ekron, Madmenah?, Tyre, Ramah?, Sidon, Damascus, Samaria, Anathoth, Gibeon, Carmel, Lachish, Dibon, Jazer, Elealeh, Heshbon, Aroer, Sibmah, Gomorrah?, Zoar Luhith?, Kir (Kir-hareseth, Kir-heres), Bozrah, Sodom?, Ashkelon, Brook of Egypt, Mt. Tabor, DAN, BENJAMIN, Kiriath-jearim, Moresheth, Gaza, Holon, ABARIM, Mephaath, Beth-meon, Beth-diblathaim, Kiriathaim, Kerioth, Jahzah (Jahaz), Beth-gamul, Horonaim, Rabbah, Bethel, Ramah, Waters of
Nimrim, Zered Brook, Arnon River, Plains of Jericho, Shiloh, Mizpah, Ai, Mt. Ephraim, Beth-haccerem,
Bethlehem, Tekoa, Azekah, GILEAD, Kishon River, Yarkon River, LEBANON, Shechem, UZ, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Iraq, Persian Gulf, Egypt, MIDIAN, ASSYRIA MEDIA, ELAM, BABYLON, (CHALDEA), ARABIA, Jerusalem, Nile River, Tigris River, Red Sea, DEDAN, Tema, PATHROS, Thebes, MINNI, ASHKENAZ, Euphrates River, HAZOR, Pekod, Merathaim, PERSIA, Carchemish,  Haran, Jordan, ZIMRI,

http://net.bible.org/map.php?map=map1 Galilee and the North

I appreciate that some of the ancient history before the Israelite's invasion as recorded for us in Numbers 21:26-30.  It appears Sihon, King of the Amorites had recently taken lands that are marked as Moab territories on our maps.  The Amorites are not to be confused with the Ammonites to the east of Moab.  It appears the Amorites held territory on the west side of the Jordan between Moab and Bashan.  These first two people groups the Israelites then destroyed were north of Moab from the Arnon river beyond the Sea of Galilee to the land of Uz, or beyond.  These two victories over Sihon, king of the Amorites and Og, king of Bashan became a common theme in Israeli folklore which is represented throughout the Bible.

By following these events of Numbers 21:21-35 and the maps above, you can see that the Israelites were now arrayed against the lands west of the Jordan river from the Arnon River through the land of Bashan, north of the Sea of Galilee as far North as Damascus into the land of Uz.  With that setting, let's begin Numbers 22 and the story of Balaam.

In reading the story and considering the maps, I must assume the Moabites remained in control of the lands east of the Dead Sea (Salt Sea).  The Midianites controled the area to the south around the gulf of Aqaba with Edom resting between them.  Edom was strong enough to the west that they had forced the Israelites to travel around their territory into the wilderness east of the Arabah.  After destroying the Amorites, represented by King Og and King Sihon, a people who had been too strong for the Moabites, they had settled in the valley below the Moabite mountains along the Jordan.  Perhaps their presence was even felt within the land of Moab according to Numbers 22:1.  Balak, King of Moab, suffered "great dread, and he sought allies both from the Midianites to the South, and from Balaam from Amaw to the North. 

Before we go further, let's look at these 7 people groups. Midianites, Edomites, Moabites, Amorites, Ammonites, the land of Bashan, and the land of Amaw; not to mention the people groups west of the Jordan and Salt Sea.  I will list them from North to South.

Balaam the Aram-ean (Genesis 10:22) Balaam may be related to Bela son of Beor, ruler of Edom as mentioned in Genesis 36:32, however he resided in the land Mesopotamia (Deuteronomy 23:4).  He mentions the land of Aram in Numbers 23:7, which is associated with the land of Paddan-Aram (Genesis 25:20) and includes Carchemish http://bibleatlas.org/amaw.htm and Haran (Genesis 11:26), homeland of Abraham  (see Carchemish and Haran highlighted in blue in reference to the map above - in modern day northern Syria). 

Og (perhaps Anak), King of Bashan was an Amorite http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Og%2C_King_of_Bashan Uz can also be found in Genesis 36:28.

Sihon, King of the Amorites; http://www.bible.ca/archeology/bible-archeology-exodus-amorites.htm Genesis 15:16 sons of Ham through Canaan.  (Sihon, Og, and Balaam have references to the Amorites)

Moabites http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moabites Genesis 19:37 (Moab was Lot's grandson through his older daughter. He was cousin to Benammi, father of the Ammonites, Lot's grandson through his younger daughter)

Edomites http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edomites Genesis 36:1 (Son of Isaac, Grandson of Abraham, older brother of Israel (Jacob)) Genesis 36 is rich in the ancestral warrings of these people groups.

Midianites http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Midian Genesis 25:2 Midian was the fourth son by Keturah, wife of Abraham.

If one were willing to work at it, every person on earth could trace their lineage back to someone mentioned in Genesis, the first book of the Bible, perhaps our most ancient recorded documents of God's book of life.

Balaam's reputation as a seer obviously had spread as far south as Moab.  If the locations above are correct, the elders of the Midianites and Moabites travelled over 300 miles (modern flight distance) to request Balaam's services.  Now, according to the story, God also spoke to Balaam, as He did with Moses.  Following first refusal, the elders returned the 300 miles to Balak with their bad news.  Balak then sent princes instead of elders and Balaam returned with them with God's permission.  Moses was not the only man on earth God was conversing with!

Response to Luke 1:26-56

http://www.1010wins.com/Jesus-Era-Home-Unearthed/5942862 We are blessed today with the internet.  Therefore, I feel that if any Jewish prophecy were available which claimed "He would be called a Nazarene," I would be able to locate it, but I cannot.  Luke 1:26 claims Mary was from Nazareth.  Luke 2:4 claims Joseph went up from Nazareth.  Mathew 2:23 claims that after Egypt, Joseph returned to Nazareth.  Mark 1:9 claims that Jesus came from Nazareth.  John 1:45 claims this title "Jesus of Nazareth" was forcast not only by the prophets, but also by Moses in the law.  It seems pretty clear the people referred to Jesus in that community as Jesus of Nazareth. The link above confirms that such a place existed!

If Jesus were not known by this title, I doubt the early Church Fathers would have used such a title especially as there is no law or prophecy which they could have been referring to.  Therefore, common sense would say they were referring the title being used by people of the day.  The scripture they referred to then would have had to be regarding Nazirite as Nazareth was not a city known to the Old Testament prophets.  Therefore, John's statement would make sense as "Nazirite" was written in the law and Judges 13:5 "The boy shall be a Nazirite to God from birth" could certainly have been the scripture referred to as "He shall be called a Nazarene."  Whether or not this assumption on their part or mine was a proper use of prophecy is still open for debate, but the question itself seems to show a strength that there was an actual title that Jesus held that the early gospel writers were attempting to apply or tie into Jewish Scripture - correctly or not!  To have just made it up would have been absurd.

http://www.bible-history.com/geography/ancient-israel/capernaum.html map of Galelee, Nazareth, and Judah

Again, there are books we are missing in many of our canonical Bibles that often can add to the strength of prophecy of what took place.  Book of Wisdom chapter 3:13 states: "blessed is she who, childless and undefiled, knew not transgression of the marriage bed; she shall bear fruit at the visitation of souls."  Some would claim the oracle of Genesis 3:15 first prophecied the virgin birth; "And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel." (KJV).  Isaiah 7:14 states: "Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel. (God with us).  As I have commented on Leviticus 23:10, I have also noted the correlation of a Jewish mother (Shelomith = peaceful) with a Father from outside the Jewish bloodline - which is certainly true of God or the Holy Spirit.

Isaiah 9:6-7; For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David's throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.

Daniel 2:44 "the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that will never be destroyed, nor will it be left to another people. It will crush all those kingdoms and bring them to an end, but it will itself endure forever."

Psalm 89:36-37 "that his line will continue forever and his throne endure before me like the sun; it will be established forever like the moon, the faithful witness in the sky."

The angel Gabriel bringing good news is not a new occurance in the Bible.  This type of vision or experience of Mary's was also seen in Daniel 9:23 Genesis 18:14,

The song of Mary certainly could have been written by Mary or someone close.  It is quite possible Luke recorded a song of the early Church as he shared the song of Mary in Luke 1:46-56.  Similar songs can be found in Biblical literature in Hannah's song of I Samuel 2:1-10 and David's Psalm 34.

Simply put, our passage today lays claim to the fact Mary was a virgin and would have a child who would be the begotten Son of God by the workings of His Holy Spirit.  Mary felt at peace with the news and certainly did not feel abused in any way by the angel or by the conception of the child.  The birth makes sense in light of Jewish law and prophecy (much of which I did not share for lack of space and time).  He fulfills the everlasting Kingdom promised to David!

Having read Luke and Acts numerous times, I have found the author to pay great attention to detail.  As his writings may have been used for legal standing, I am quite sure he limited his liberties considering the intended audiences.  His poetic writings and attention to prophetic fulfillment and Jewish/Christian tradition have been appreciated for centuries.  I expect they will continue to enrich lives into the fullness of time.

Response to Psalm 57:1-11

The heading for today's Psalm states that this Psalm was written when David had fled from Saul into the cave.  This is two of these Psalms, perhaps the Psalm was written before the passage from I Samuel 24 and is what his army referred to as David expresses hope of deliverance in Psalm 57.

I Samuel 22:1-3 David left Gath and escaped to the cave of Adullam. When his brothers and his father's household heard about it, they went down to him there. All those who were in distress or in debt or discontented gathered around him, and he became their leader. About four hundred men were with him.  From there David went to Mizpah in Moab and said to the king of Moab, "Would you let my father and mother come and stay with you until I learn what God will do for me?"

I Samuel 24:1-7 'After Saul returned from pursuing the Philistines, he was told, "David is in the Desert of En Gedi." So Saul took three thousand chosen men from all Israel and set out to look for David and his men near the Crags of the Wild Goats.  He came to the sheep pens along the way; a cave was there, and Saul went in to relieve himself. David and his men were far back in the cave. The men said, "This is the day the Lord spoke of  when he said (Today the Lord is saying) to you, 'I will give your enemy into your hands for you to deal with as you wish.' " Then David crept up unnoticed and cut off a corner of Saul's robe."  Afterward, David was conscience-stricken for having cut off a corner of his robe. He said to his men, "The Lord forbid that I should do such a thing to my master, the Lord's anointed, or lift my hand against him; for he is the anointed of the Lord." With these words David rebuked his men and did not allow them to attack Saul. And Saul left the cave and went his way."

Through the years David was on the run from Saul's jealousy, he spoke of the assurance he had from God that he would be King.  He had been annointed by Samuel, the great prophet and priest of the land who had also given Saul the Kingdom.  Yet, he experienced a real threat and fear for his life and he had no assurances that Saul could not injur any of those people he loved.

I'm sure David asked the question each of us has uttered many times in our life; "why?".  However, our lessons from the Exodus and the grumblings and murmerings of the Israelites in the wilderness remind us to focus on praise and thanksgiving in our prayers and David provides a good example in today's Psalm.  He expresses his confidence that God will fulfill His great promise. 

Today, perhaps that promise is misunderstood as we face peril both physically and spiritually.  We must expect salvation and deliverance! We must express a love for our fellowman and and assurance that one day every knee will bow and every tongue confess.  This theme is much more common in the Bible than a major destruction of mankind so often promoted in end times philosophies and as priests on earth, it is our responsibility to lift up the needs of our fellowman before God and pray for their deliverance just as Moses continued to do in the desert.

Verse 1; "have mercy on me for in you my soul takes refuge" faith in times of peril.
Verse 2; "who fulfills his purpose for me" faith in times of peril.
Verse 3; "sends from Heaven and saves me...sends His Love and Faithfulness" David was saved and God eventually sent the embodiment of His Love and Faithfulness as so many see through Jesus Christ.
Verse 4; "I am in the midst of lions" a prophetic picture of Christ's crucifiction and death in the ongoing battle of good verses evil.  Also a prophetic picture of Daniel, another man after God's own heart in Daniel 6:

Daniel 6: "(vs.3) Now Daniel so distinguished himself among the administrators and the satraps by his exceptional qualities (because an excellent spirit was in him KJV, RSV, NASB, ESV, ASV)... (vs 4) At this, the administrators and the satraps tried to find grounds for charges against Daniel in his conduct of government affairs, but they were unable to do so. They could find no corruption in him, because he was trustworthy and neither corrupt nor negligent. (vs 5) Finally these men said, "We will never find any basis for charges against this man Daniel unless it has something to do with the law of his God."...(vs.11) these men went as a group and found Daniel praying and asking God for help. 12 So they went to the king and spoke to him about his royal decree: "Did you not publish a decree that during the next thirty days anyone who prays to any god or man except to you, O king, would be thrown into the lions' den?"...(vs.16) So the king gave the order, and they brought Daniel and threw him into the lions' den. The king said to Daniel, "May your God, whom you serve continually, rescue you!"...(vs. 19) At the first light of dawn, the king got up and hurried to the lions' den. (vs.20) When he came near the den, he called to Daniel in an anguished voice, "Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to rescue you from the lions?" (vs.21) Daniel answered, "O king, live forever! (vs.22) My God sent his angel, and he shut the mouths of the lions. They have not hurt me, because I was found innocent in his sight. Nor have I ever done any wrong before you, O king." (vs.23) The king was overjoyed and gave orders to lift Daniel out of the den. And when Daniel was lifted from the den, no wound was found on him, because he had trusted in his God.
     (vs.24) At the king's command, the men who had falsely accused Daniel were brought in and thrown into the lions' den, along with their wives and children. And before they reached the floor of the den, the lions overpowered them and crushed all their bones. (vs.25) Then King Darius wrote to all the peoples, nations and men of every language throughout the land: "May you prosper greatly! (vs. 26) "I issue a decree that in every part of my kingdom people must fear and reverence the God of Daniel."

Psalm 57:5 serves as a chorus line of today's Psalm and is repeated in verse 11. Praise and Honor to God.
verse 6 exemplifies confession and prophecy.
verse 7 He lifts his soul out of despair in song renewing his strength in the joy of the Lord.
verse 8 a continuation of verse 7
verse 9 David offers praise and thanksgiving from a faith in the midst of hopelessness and despair
verse 10 "thy steadfast love is great to the heavens, thy faithfulness to the clouds - what a different attitude than the Israelites had in the wilderness.  We should pattern our faith and prayers after this Psalm and our Father will probably respond in kindness.  We just have to know how to push His buttons - with full knowledge of His Power, His Might, His Love - just like we respond better to compliments and acknowledgement of our virtue.
verse 11 chorus line; "Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; let your glory be over all the earth."

Proverbs 11:9-11

Proverbs 9:10 "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.

My comment on todays Psalm above; "We just have to know how to push His buttons - with full knowledge of His Power, His Might, His Love - just like we respond better to compliments and acknowledgement of our virtue."

Today's Proverb reflects that knowledge and relationship with God.  He will bless the righteous if they will acknowledge His goodness before men.  He is mighty to save!

So, push the right buttons and enjoy the good in life!

Until tomorrow

Rick