Blog

And you shall say to them, This is the food offering that you shall offer to the LORD: two male lambs a year old without blemish, day by day, as a regular offering. Numbers 28:3 (ESV)

All these sacrifices find their ultimate fulfilment in Jesus, with the different types of sacrifice pointing towards various aspects of Jesus atoning work on the cross. In this case we can also see a message for us directly. We should dedicate ourselves to consistent, daily, repeated (within one day, possibly the morning and the evening) times of prayer and reading the Bible (thinking it over and studying it too). See Romans 12:1 and 1 Thessalonians 5:16–18

“All things are lawful,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful,” but not all things build up. Let no one seek his own good, but the good of his neighbor. 1 Corinthians 10:23–24 (ESV)

The Corinthians were very much concerned with their rights and freedom to do what they wanted to do and what pleased them. Paul reverses this and explains to them and us that the freedom and rights we have in Christ are not for our own benefit but so that we can be become servants of all (Mark 9:35), purposefully building up fellow believers. Paul bases this thinking on the teaching and example left to us by Jesus in his sacrificial suffering and death on the cross. Let’s lay down our rights, freedom and lives to serve and build others.

So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. 1 Corinthians 10:31 (ESV)

Paul was dealing with a new question in the church about eating meat that had been used in pagan sacrifice, this seemed like a grey area to the Corinthians which is why they asked the questions and contended over the issue. Paul gives us a great test for all things we are not sure about… we can ask ourselves this question “Will this bring glory to God”. We need to ensure this is the overarching motivation in our hearts for everything we do. We can not compartmentalise our life so that a part of it brings glory to God and the rest is for our own pleasure… Our entire life should bring glory to God.

just as I try to please everyone in everything I do, not seeking my own advantage, but that of many, that they may be saved. 1 Corinthians 10:33 (ESV)

Another guiding principle for our thinking and behaviour is the desire to see others saved

“The daughters of Zelophehad are right. You shall give them possession of an inheritance among their father’s brothers and transfer the inheritance of their father to them. Numbers 27:7 (ESV)

The bible makes it very clear that God’s heart for women is one of love and justice. In the ancient world and in may cultures around the world today women have no rights and are treated like possessions. This makes the boldness of these 5 daughters and Gods positive response so important. Men and women are of course different but in Christ we all share the same promises and inheritance. God has a purpose for every woman’s life including those with no male covering. We must be bold in approaching God too to claim the inheritance he has for us. see Ephesians 1:3 and Hebrews 11:6

So the LORD said to Moses, “Take Joshua the son of Nun, a man in whom is the Spirit, and lay your hand on him. Numbers 27:18 (ESV)

The baton of leadership would pass fromMoses to Joshua. One of the qualifications for a godly leader is that they are filled with the Holy Spirit, Joshua is. The laying on of hands was symbolic of the transferring or impartation of authority (or negatively the transferring of sins). This continues in the church, see Acts 6:6, 13:3, 1 Timothy 4:14, Hebrews 6:2

Now these things took place as examples for us, that we might not desire evil as they did. 1 Corinthians 10:6 (ESV)

This gives us a context for reading the Old Testament. Here and in other place in the New Testament, we are told that the things recorded in the scriptures are there as examples and warnings for us to learn from. See Romans 15:4 and 2 Timothy 3:16. The lesson to be learned here is that we should not follow our cravings and lusts which lead to sin and rebellion (and then to disciple or judgement) but to submit to God in joy

Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall. 1 Corinthians 10:12 (ESV)

Paul warns us against the pitfalls self confidence in our own knowledge or standing. We need to humbly rely on God or we risk falling

No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. 1 Corinthians 10:13 (ESV)

In this particular case the tempting was the alluring power of idolatry and suffering and persecution abandoning it’s practise in Corinth would bring. Our examples today may not be so obvious but we too are commonly tempted by our own selfish desires and held hostage by thoughts of being maligned socially among friends, family and at work if we do not compromise and join them in the celebration of sin.

We must remember that God is faithful, he will give us strength to endure and a way of escape when we are under pressure to conform to the world. So as the next verse says take the way out and flee idolatry or whatever the compromising / challenging sin is tempting you or piling pressure on you.

For dogs encompass me; a company of evildoers encircles me; they have pierced my hands and feet— Psalm 22:16 (ESV)

One of the clearest prophecies of the crucifixion that Jesus would endure, this is mentioned in a time when crucifixion was not practised by the people of Israel (even in Jesus time it was a Roman form of execution)

they divide my garments among them, and for my clothing they cast lots. Psalm 22:18 (ESV)

The fulfilment of this prophecy is recorded in all 4 Gospel accounts see Matthew 27:35, Mark 15:24, Luke 23:34 and John 19:23

they shall come and proclaim his righteousness to a people yet unborn, that he has done it. Psalm 22:31 (ESV)

This points forward to Jesus finishing the work on the cross John 19:30

This was the list of the people of Israel, 601,730. Numbers 26:51 (ESV)

The total number in the new generation are not far from that of the first census (603,550 in the first compared to 601,730 in the second). If we are unfaithful to the Lord it will not reduce the size of the Lord’s army but it will cause the size of our reward to be diminished or completely lost. Gods plans and purposes always come to pass.

But among these there was not one of those listed by Moses and Aaron the priest, who had listed the people of Israel in the wilderness of Sinai. For the LORD had said of them, “They shall die in the wilderness.” Not one of them was left, except Caleb the son of Jephunneh and Joshua the son of Nun. Numbers 26:64–65 (ESV)

It has been 40 years since the last census and all the unbelieving generation has died in the wilderness. God has proven himself faithful in three ways, 1) he has passed judgement as declared, 2) he has preserved the people through the wideness journey and 3) he has kept the faithful Joshua and Caleb alive. As believers in Jesus we are warned against being unbelieving and so never entering his rest in Hebrews 3:7–4:2. We also learn we lose nothing through faithfully waiting on God. We must find ourselves counted with the new believing and conquering generation, not the unbelieving, wandering one.

Now concerning food offered to idols: we know that “all of us possess knowledge.” This “knowledge” puffs up, but love builds up. 1 Corinthians 8:1 (ESV)

Paul is teaching the Corinthians that true Christianity is founded in love, not knowledge. Knowledge without love can lead to an elitist type of faith community where those in the know are seen as superior to the ignorant…. This is the opposite to the teaching of God’s word. Self sacrificial love patterned after the love of Christ (shown in his death on the cross) builds up the church. Just because we know something dose not mean we should act on that knowledge, we must first ask, “will this build up or hinder my fellow believer(s)”. Our culture tells us knowledge is power and power gives us rights but the bible teaches that the real power is in serving one another in love.

yet for us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we exist. 1 Corinthians 8:6 (ESV)

In an increasingly pluralistic society where it is popular to say all religions lead to God or that there are many gods, or even that we are gods this verse is a refreshing reminder that the lying demons, false religions and wicked men are not really gods and are can not be compared to the one true God. Idols are empty and without power, except over those that believe or fear them and the spirits behind them.

My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, from the words of my groaning? Psalm 22:1 (ESV)

Jesus quoted this verse from the cross and in doing so he points us to look at this psalm as prophetic and to understand his suffering in light of it

“He trusts in the LORD; let him deliver him; let him rescue him, for he delights in him!” Psalm 22:8 (ESV)

This is said to the Lord Jesus when he is on the cross in Matthew 27:39–44. This points to the fulfilment of prophecy again. Also we can learn a lesson from Jesus’ response to those who dealt so cruelly with him

God brings him out of Egypt and is for him like the horns of the wild ox; he shall eat up the nations, his adversaries, and shall break their bones in pieces and pierce them through with his arrows. Numbers 24:8 (ESV)

The first two oracles of Balaam spoke of Gods unique covenant relationship with Israel, these last two are prophetic and point to Israel’s future kingdom and victory in the land of Canaan. God leads his people into victory just as Jesus alway leads us in victory. see Romans 8:37, 1 Corinthians 15:57, 2 Corinthians 2:14 and 1 John 5:4

I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near: a star shall come out of Jacob, and a scepter shall rise out of Israel; it shall crush the forehead of Moab and break down all the sons of Sheth. Numbers 24:17 (ESV)

Without really knowing it Balaam was prophesying about the Messiah which reminds us that the bible was inspired by God and is without error regardless of the tools God used to proclaim or record his word. The star and sceptre point to a future king and find their messianic fulfilment in Jesus.

Jesus’ birth is marked by the appearance of a star in Matthew 2:2 and in Revelation 22:16 Jesus is called the bright and morning star. The sceptre always spoke of authority and rule, in Genesis 49:9-10 Jacob said that the sceptre would never leave Judah, so the royal line from Judah would be eternal, this is also fulfilled by Jesus as the incarnate and risen king.

“Phinehas the son of Eleazar, son of Aaron the priest, has turned back my wrath from the people of Israel, in that he was jealous with my jealousy among them, so that I did not consume the people of Israel in my jealousy. Numbers 25:11 (ESV)

We should like Phinehas have great zeal for the Lord to see his name honoured. Phinehas actions are a great example to us of the type of Spirit we should have in killing sin (in particular, compromise, rebellion and lust as 1d earlier in the chapter) in honour of God’s holiness. Jesus cleansed the temple in John 2:13-17 in fulfilment of Psalm 69:9 and we should be violent and ready to act in our spirit for the Lord’s glory too. see Matthew 11:12 and 2 Corinthians 9:3

For neither circumcision counts for anything nor uncircumcision, but keeping the commandments of God. 1 Corinthians 7:19 (ESV)

Circumcision was a sign of God’s covenant with Abraham and the law given to Moses which have now been fulfilled and surpassed by Jesus. The main point of this entire section is that when we are called to faith in Jesus we do not need to do anything externally like changing jobs, changing our marital status or cultural / ethnic identity (circumcision), God can use and often does use us in the situation in which he called us initially to reach those around us. No matter what our situation is or how it changes we should be faithful in our devotion to the Lord.

His glory is great through your salvation; splendor and majesty you bestow on him. For you make him most blessed forever; you make him glad with the joy of your presence. Psalm 21:5–6 (ESV)

This glorious king finds its ultimate fulfilment in Jesus, the Messiah King. In Jesus we see this glory and majesty in John 13:31 and Revelation 5:12. The Joy spoken of in verse 6 is fulfilled in him too, see Hebrews12:2

How can I curse whom God has not cursed? How can I denounce whom the LORD has not denounced? Numbers 23:8 (ESV)

God is the sovereign king of the universe, his decrees stand and his will is accomplished, mans words are impotent and without any real power unless empowered by God. This is why we pray in line with Gods word and declare his word because our own words have no power but Gods words and thoughts are powerful and effective achieving God’s desired ends. see Isaiah 55:11

For there is no enchantment against Jacob, no divination against Israel; now it shall be said of Jacob and Israel, ‘What has God wrought!’ Numbers 23:23 (ESV)

Because as it says in verse 19 God is not a liar and brings his word to pass we can be confident just like Israel that no witchcraft can work on us because God has decreed that we will be blessed and not cursed in Christ. See Colossians 3:3

Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body. 1 Corinthians 6:18 (ESV)

This should go without saying but must be said because of the deceptive allure of sexual sin.

Sexual sin is different to other sins because it makes those involved joined in a spiritual way and breaks union with Christ, it destroys relationship, warps God given sex into a tool of the enemy and warps the mind and spirit of those involved, not to mention the offence this causes the Holy Spirit, the destruction it causes in families and society and the sexually transmitted diseases that can be contracted.

Paul makes clear here and in the next chapter that God intends dignity and honour for us and so Sex is a gift within the commitment and sanctification of marriage only… this flies in the face of everything our culture thinks about sex.

(but if she does, she should remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband), and the husband should not divorce his wife. 1 Corinthians 7:11 (ESV)

Our culture seems to treat marriage like a temporary item of clothing that is put on and then thrown off when another shirt becomes fashionable, this attitude is one of the reasons the divorce rates are so high. Strictly, married Christian couples should never get divorced.