March 21, 2010; Numbers 32:1-33:39, Luke 4:31-5:11, Psalm 64:1-10, Proverbs 11:22

Lord and Father, With our tongues we praise you and turn around and curse our brother who has been made in your likeness.  We know this should not be and request your forgiveness.  Speak to us today and speak through us as we minister to one another.  May your Name be praised to the glory of your Kingdom.  Amen.  

Response to Numbers 32:1-33:39

Numbers 32 (Establishment of the promised land begins to unfold)

Following the conquests of the Amorites and the Moabites who have apparently been allied with the Midianites, Reuben and Gad see the opportunity to request land and settle their tribes east of the Jordan river.  Through deliberations, it is agreed that this will be fine as long as the men cross the Jordan with the other tribes and help in the conquest to establish all the tribes and conquer the Canaanites. 

I found two maps which are shown below.  The first shows a topographical view of the land where the pastureland is quite easy to see.  Notice as the two maps are considered that the cities which were built up by Gad and by Reuben do not necessarily allign with the eventual boundaries of the tribes. 

Note also that the land of the Moabites which they had not lost to the Amorites as noted before the conquests of Sihon and Og remained in the possession of Moab south of the Arnon river.  This also may have something to do with routine references to Midianites instead of Moabites as the territory of Sihon may have been mixed following the military exploits mentioned in Numbers 21:13-15: "They set out from there and camped alongside the Arnon, which is in the desert extending into Amorite territory. The Arnon is the border of Moab, between Moab and the Amorites. That is why the Book of the Wars of the Lord says:
'...Waheb in Suphah and the ravines, the Arnon and the slopes of the ravines that lead to the site of Ar and lie along the border of Moab.'"

http://net.bible.org/map.php?map=map8 Plains of Reuben and Gad (Note the compass is set SE) Find Heshbon and Nebo (and Medeba) on the plain of Reuben and Aroer and Dibon on the plain of Gad.


http://www.biblestudysite.com/ispal.htm Eventual Tribal Distribution Map

God's plan was at work.  His people were beginning to fulfill His promise and establish themselves in the land.  It was not happening as they expected, but it was happening through the work of His people as they sought His will.  We too must seek to honor the will of God and seek that will through devotion and prayer. 

Numbers 33:1-39 (Summary of 40 years of the Exodus in the wilderness)

Numbers 33 appears to be a recording of the log kept by Moses through the stages of the Exodus.  Although much has been written of the law and of various occurances along the way, this listing is more detailed of the journey itself than anything yet seen.  Although many of the locations have been lost in time, many maps have been suggested as possible routes. The following website is a great way to check cross references of the biblical history of the Exodus.

http://net.bible.org/bible.php?book=Num&chapter=33&tab=xref  "Treasury of Scripture Knowledge Cross-References:"

A great study of the crossing of the Red Sea and a proposed route of the Exodus with maps is provided in this website: http://www.bible.ca/archeology/bible-archeology-exodus-route-migdol.htm Blow up the white map for great detail.

Brief synopsis of God's fulfillment of his promise

Genesis 12:4-7 "So Abram left, as the Lord had told him; and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he set out from Haran. He took his wife Sarai, his nephew Lot, all the possessions they had accumulated and the people they had acquired in Haran, and they set out for the land of Canaan, and they arrived there. Abram traveled through the land as far as the site of the great tree of Moreh at Shechem. At that time the Canaanites were in the land. The Lord appeared to Abram and said, "To your offspring I will give this land." So he built an altar there to the Lord, who had appeared to him."

Genesis 46:2-4: "And God spoke to Israel in a vision at night and said, "Jacob! Jacob!" "Here I am," he replied. "I am God, the God of your father," he said. "Do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for I will make you into a great nation there. I will go down to Egypt with you, and I will surely bring you back again. And Joseph's own hand will close your eyes."

Exodus 3:7-10: (God speaking to Moses) "The Lord said, "I have indeed seen the misery of my people in Egypt. I have heard them crying out because of their slave drivers, and I am concerned about their suffering.  So I have come down to rescue them from the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land into a good and spacious land, a land flowing with milk and honey - the home of the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites. And now the cry of the Israelites has reached me, and I have seen the way the Egyptians are oppressing them. So now, go. I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people the Israelites out of Egypt." 

God has remained true to his word.  As the land of the Amorites were mentioned, yet not the Moabites, so the people have begun to settle the lands North of the Arnon.  Our recap of their journey today in Numbers 33 has taken us to Mt. Hor and the death of Aaron.  The baton has passed to Eleazar, and Moses is mentoring Joshua.  Tomorrow, we will continue their journey as they continue to follow their leader, Moses, as he continues to seek the will of God.

Response to Luke 4:31-5:11

Luke 4:31-37 Jesus of Nazareth (Luke 4:31-37, Matthew 4:12-17, Mark 1:21-28, John 2:12)

Allow me if you will to address the concerns about the location of the city of Nazareth in Jesus day.  If you do not wish to reflect on this study, please drop down to the paragraph highlighted in green below:

http://encyclopedia.stateuniversity.com/pages/15753/Nazareth.html The etymology of Nazareth from as early as Eusebius up until the 20th century has been said to derive from netser, a "shoot" or "sprout", while the apocryphal Gospel of Phillip derives the name from Nazara meaning "truth".

We have dealt with this controversy before, but allow me to bring it up again.  "Jesus of Nazareth." Claims are that there was no such city in Jesus day, however, excavations as recent as December 2009 have claimed to have found remains of one such city.  It has been my earlier conclusion that this was a common title of the people for Jesus - and it is true the title was used in this passage and in Mark.  However, Mark continues to use the phrase "Son of God" and in Mark 1:24 places the words "Holy One of God" in the mouth of the demon.  As the title "Son of God" was misunderstood in Jesus day and was eventually used to crucify him on claims of blasphemy, Jesus often requested that the title not be used.  Thus, the term "Jesus of Nazareth" was a much safer title.  As reflected through prophecy of the books of the law and prophets, the term would have to be understood as "Jesus the Nazirite" which would also depict this title of "Holy One of God."

Another interesting consideration is that the present day city of Nazareth lies in the tribal region of Zebulun. Matthew 4:13 states: "Leaving Nazareth, he went and lived in Capernaum, which was by the lake in the area of Zebulun and Naphtali" According to the tribal map http://www.biblestudysite.com/ispal.htm we looked at above, present day Nazareth (not to be confused with #45 'Naarath) already lies within the territory of Zebulun.  We might assume that the tribal boundaries may have moved so that Zebulun reached all the way to the sea of Galilee with a border touching Naphtali along the northern shore at Capernaum (#13).  We might also consider that Joseph's Nazareth might not be located within the area of present day Nazareth: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nazareth "some scholars to question whether "Nazareth" and its cognates in the New Testament actually refer to the settlement we know traditionally as Nazareth in Lower Galilee" http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Galilee "Jesus was from the Galilee. According to the Bible, Solomon rewarded Hiram I for certain services by giving him the gift of an upland plain among the mountains of Naphtali. Hiram called it "the land of Cabul". In Isaiah (8:23/9:1),(This verse is Isaiah 8:23 in the Tanakh) the region is referred to as "the District of the Nations" (גְּלִיל - הַגּוׁיִם; lit:Glil HaGoyim), with much of this name being retained in its present name of Galil or HaGalil."

Isaiah 9:1; "Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those who were in distress. In the past he humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the future he will honor Galilee of the Gentiles, by the way of the sea, along the Jordan" References to (2 Kings 15:29 and 2 Chronicles 16:4) in in the Harper Study Bible by (Zondervan Bible Publishers). Footnote in the same states: "In the former time, 734 B.C., Tiglath-pileser III deprived Israel of Ephraim, Zebulun, and Naphtali (2 Ki 15.29); in the latter time, looks forward to a time of restoration Mt 4.13-17 sees a fulfilment of these words in Jesus' preaching in Galilee.

Ok, back to Luke 4:31-37: According to the study above, Jesus coming down to Capernaum which is found along the northern shore of Galilee would assume Nazareth was within the mountains of Naphtali to the north.  He is found teaching in the synagogue with authority, amazing the hearers.  As often found in Mark, Jesus cast out a demon who claimed that Jesus had come to destroy demons.  His reputation spread and it comes to us today also.  A belief in Jesus grants you a power through the Love of God that will allow you to remove the demons from your life.  Do you believe? Do you want to be healed?

Healings and the purpose of His Ministry (Luke 4:38-44, Matthew 8:14-17, Mark 1:29-34)

As Jesus left the synagogue in Capernaum, he healed the sick and those who were held captive by the adversary through unclean 'demon's.  Beginning with Peter's mother, Jesus healed all those who came to him with health issues and spiritual issues.  He rebuked those who rebelled against him, mocking his relation to God and inciting the skeptics. Following this draw towards His ministry, the crowd would have had him stay in this region focusing his ministry on the power of healing.  However, Jesus informed them that he must go out into all the world preaching the good news of the Kingdom of God, for this was the purpose he had been sent.  He then moved on and was found evangelizing in the synagogues of Judea, south of Galilee.

Even in modern times, few seem to comprehend that the healings and the power over the demons exemplified in the ministry of Jesus were meant to bring glory to God the Father.  Jesus routinely attempted to focus the people's attention off of himself and back onto the Father.  It was through his son, Jesus,  that the Father ministered to the sick and afflicted.  It is the same today.  Through faith - whether that is through the word or a man of God today, through faith, we can find healing from our creator and Father.  Hebrews 11:6 states: "And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him." 

Jesus had an astounding faith.  God had sent this man into the world as a sign and a seal of His Love and His promise of redemtion of all that is His.  Through Jesus faith and ministry, many truly believe that He was sent by God and have found - and continue to find - healing in His name.

Fishers of Men (Luke 5:1-11, Matthew 4:18-22, Mark 1:16-20, John 1:35-51)

Luke 5 finds Jesus back along the northern banks of the sea of Galilee.  http://net.bible.org/map.php?map=map1 Note the location of Gennesaret is west of Capernaum along the northern shore.  Luke's account shows Jesus teaching the people along the shore and even getting into a boat and preaching from the sea.  Luke's account is the most detailed of the four gospels and appears to stem from a possible interview with Peter (Simon).  According to Luke, this was not Peter's first association with Jesus as he had visited Simon's home and healed his mother-in-law in Luke 4:38.  This also means that Simon Peter was a married man!

As Simon was in the boat with Jesus as he was teaching the people, Jesus asked him to put out further into the water as I am quite sure the people looked on.  Perhaps the coming sign had to do with Jesus message that day.  Peter was concerned that this would not be a fitting finish to the day's lesson as they had been out all night and had caught nothing.  However, he did as Jesus requested, and the resulting catch was gave more meaning than any words could have inspired.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zy9YXys4gnk

Perhaps Jesus spoke that day from Jeremiah 32:17-18; "Ah, Sovereign Lord, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you.  You show love to thousands...O great and powerful God, whose name is the Lord Almighty,"

After such a great catch, the sons of Zebedee, James and John rushed out into the water to help bring the boat in.  Peter believed! He probably had been cussing through the night as fishermen do - and he suddenly felt very unworthy as He stood on Holy Ground!  "Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!" Jesus responded with laughter; "Don't be afraid; from now on you will catch men." The life of these four would never be the same as they chose to follow Jesus and would later carry on His ministry.

Some three years later, Simon's exhilaration would come to a screeching halt as they took his Lord and master, his best friend, away.  He would deny that he even knew him in the face of danger.  He would weep bitterly and his life would be crushed.  He would return to his occupation of fisherman with his friends on this same sea of Galilee. And then, a man would stand on the shore and call out to them: John continues this story in John 21:6-9; "He said, "Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some." When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish.
     Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, "It is the Lord!" As soon as Simon Peter heard him say, "It is the Lord," he wrapped his outer garment around him (for he had taken it off) and jumped into the water. The other disciples followed in the boat, towing the net full of fish, for they were not far from shore, about a hundred yards.(about 90 meters) When they landed, they saw a fire of burning coals there with fish on it, and some bread.

Such are our lives.  We catch on to the light of the good news that flows from the life of a friend.  Our lives continue to be refined as our evil nature burns away and leaves the treasure of the goodness within!  We partake of His bread and wine and take part in this fellowship with the children of God and we are saved! We are saved! Praise to the Lord God Almighty, We are saved! Hallelu Yaw

 Response to Psalm 64:1-10

Psalm 64:1-6 Man is afflicted by the adversary  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x8VOc_gJB1E

Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord!  If you are like me, although we are saved, life is still filled with adversity!  David struggled with that daily.  Annointed by God, acknowledging God's promise of tremendous blessing and glory! - and yet, constantly needing to run from the enemy and being forced into prayer, where he coulf feel the presence of the Rock. 

Hear this Psalm again through similar passages

Psalm 54:2 "Hear my prayer, O God; listen to the words of my mouth."; Psalm 61:2 "From the ends of the earth I call to you, I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I."; Psalm 59:2 "Deliver me from evildoers and save me from bloodthirsty men."; Psalm 56:6 "They conspire, they lurk, they watch my steps, eager to take my life."; Psalm 11:2 "For look, the wicked bend their bows; they set their arrows against the strings to shoot from the shadows at the upright in heart." Job 22:13 "They say; "What does God know? Does he judge through such darkness?";  Psalm 140:2 "they devise evil plans in their hearts and stir up war every day.Psalm 141:9; "Keep me from the snares they have laid for me, from the traps set by evildoers."

Psalm 64:7-10 Man is cleansed by God

James 3:9-10 "With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God's likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be. Psalm 7:12 "If a man does not relent, God will sharpen his sword; he will bend and string his bow"; Proverbs 18:7 "A fool's mouth is his undoing, and his lips are a snare to his soul; Psalm 22:7 "All who see me mock me; they hurl insults, shaking their heads: Exodus 15:2 "The Lord is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation. He is my God, and I will praise him, my father's God, and I will exalt him.

Response to Proverbs 11:22

Without discretion, an individual will lose control of their own life and will be forced to follow another's will.
Roman's 2:8-10a; "for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger. There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil...but glory, honor and peace for everyone who does good:"

I'll opt for honor and peace with glory!

Until tomorrow

Rick