BIBLE 2202 2302

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BIBLE 2202 / 2302

• THE PENTATEUCH
• Lect. 25 Thurs.. 11-30-06

LECTURE 18 FORWARD WILL BE INCLUDED IN THE FINAL
EXAMINATION December 14, 800 A.M.
2
Two Bring a Good Report

• 30. And Caleb stilled the people before Moses,
  and said, Let us go up at once, and possess it
  for we are well able to overcome it.
• NU. 14 6. And Joshua the son of Nun, and Caleb
  the son of Jephunneh, which were of them that
  searched the land, rent their clothes
• 7. And they spake unto all the company of the
  children of Israel, saying, The land, which we
  passed through to search it, is an exceeding good
  land.
• 8. If the Lord delight in us, then he will
  bring us into this land, and give it us a land
  which floweth with milk and honey.
• 9. Only rebel not ye against the Lord, neither
  fear ye the people of the land for they are
  bread for us their defence is departed from
  them, and the Lord is with us fear them not.

3
The people nearly revolt

• 1410. But all the congregation bade stone them
  with stones. And the glory of the Lord appeared
  in the tabernacle of the congregation before all
  the children of Israel.
• 11. And the Lord said unto Moses, How long will
  this people provoke me? and how long will it be
  ere they believe me, for all the signs which I
  have shewed among them?

4
The Punishment

• 14 30. Doubtless ye shall not come into the
  land, concerning which I sware to make you dwell
  therein, save Caleb the son of Jephunneh, and
  Joshua the son of Nun. 32. But as for you, your
  carcases, they shall fall in this wilderness.
• 33. And your children shall wander in the
  wilderness forty years, and bear your whoredoms,
  until your carcases be wasted in the wilderness.
• 34. After the number of the days in which ye
  searched the land, even forty days, each day for
  a year, shall ye bear your iniquities, even forty
  years, and ye shall know my breach of promise.
• 35. I the Lord have said, I will surely do it
  unto all this evil congregation, that are
  gathered together against me in this wilderness
  they shall be consumed, and there they shall die.

5
(No Transcript)
6
Regret is not Faith but Foolishness

• 1440. And they rose up early in the morning,
  and gat them up into the top of the mountain,
  saying, Lo, we be here, and will go up unto the
  place which the Lord hath promised for we have
  sinned.
• 41. And Moses said, Wherefore now do ye
  transgress the commandment of the Lord? but it
  shall not prosper.
• 42. Go not up, for the Lord is not among you
  that ye be not smitten before your enemies.
• 43. For the Amalekites and the Canaanites are
  there before you, and ye shall fall by the sword
  because ye are turned away from the Lord,
  therefore the Lord will not be with you.
• 44. But they presumed to go up unto the hill
  top nevertheless the ark of the covenant of the
  Lord, and Moses, departed not out of the camp.
• 45. Then the Amalekites came down, and the
  Canaanites which dwelt in that hill, and smote
  them, and discomfited them, even unto Hormah.

7
More Rebellion

• Nu. 163. And they gathered themselves together
  against Moses and against Aaron, and said unto
  them, Ye take too much upon you, seeing all the
  congregation are holy, every one of them, and the
  Lord is among them wherefore then lift ye up
  yourselves above the congregation of the Lord? 9.
  Seemeth it but a small thing unto you, that the
  God of Israel hath separated you from the
  congregation of Israel, to bring you near to
  himself to do the service of the tabernacle of
  the Lord, and to stand before the congregation to
  minister unto them?
• 10. And he hath brought thee near to him, and
  all thy brethren the sons of Levi with thee and
  seek ye the priesthood also?

8
1628. And Moses said, Hereby ye shall know that
the Lord hath sent me to do all these works for
I have not done them of mine own mind. 29. If
these men die the common death of all men, or if
they be visited after the visitation of all men
then the Lord hath not sent me. 30. But if the
Lord make a new thing, and the earth open her
mouth, and swallow them up, with all that
appertain unto them, and they go down quick into
the pit then ye shall understand that these men
have provoked the Lord. 31. And it came to
pass, as he had made an end of speaking all these
words, that the ground clave asunder that was
under them 32. And the earth opened her
mouth, and swallowed them up, and their houses,
and all the men that appertained unto Korah, and
all their goods. 33. They, and all that
appertained to them, went down alive into the
pit, and the earth closed upon them and they
perished from among the congregation.
9
The People Murmur, Aarons rod buds

• 1641. But on the morrow all the congregation
  of the children of Israel murmured against Moses
  and against Aaron, saying, Ye have killed the
  people of the Lord.
• 172. Speak unto the children of Israel, and
  take of every one of them a rod according to the
  house of their fathers, of all their princes
  according to the house of their fathers twelve
  rods write thou every man's name upon his rod.
• 3. And thou shalt write Aaron's name upon the
  rod of Levi for one rod shall be for the head of
  the house of their fathers.
• 4. And thou shalt lay them up in the tabernacle
  of the congregation before the testimony, where I
  will meet with you.
• 5. And it shall come to pass, that the man's
  rod, whom I shall choose, shall blossom and I
  will make to cease from me the murmurings of the
  children of Israel, whereby they murmur against
  you.

10
6. And Moses spake unto the children of Israel,
and every one of their princes gave him a rod
apiece, for each prince one, according to their
fathers' houses, even twelve rods and the rod of
Aaron was among their rods. 7. And Moses laid
up the rods before the Lord in the tabernacle of
witness. 8. And it came to pass, that on the
morrow Moses went into the tabernacle of witness
and, behold, the rod of Aaron for the house of
Levi was budded, and brought forth buds, and
bloomed blossoms, and yielded almonds. 9. And
Moses brought out all the rods from before the
Lord unto all the children of Israel and they
looked, and took every man his rod. 10. And the
Lord said unto Moses, Bring Aaron's rod again
before the testimony, to be kept for a token
against the rebels and thou shalt quite take
away their murmurings from me, that they die not.
11
The People Murmur Again.

• 204. And why have ye brought up the
  congregation of the Lord into this wilderness,
  that we and our cattle should die there?
• 5. And wherefore have ye made us to come up out
  of Egypt, to bring us in unto this evil place? it
  is no place of seed, or of figs, or of vines, or
  of pomegranates neither is there any water to
  drink.

12
God Supplies Water - But Moses sins

• Nu. 208. Take the rod, and gather thou the
  assembly together, thou, and Aaron thy brother,
  and speak ye unto the rock before their eyes and
  it shall give forth his water, and thou shalt
  bring forth to them water out of the rock so
  thou shalt give the congregation and their beasts
  drink.
• 9. And Moses took the rod from before the Lord,
  as he commanded him.
• 10. And Moses and Aaron gathered the
  congregation together before the rock, and he
  said unto them, Hear now, ye rebels must we
  fetch you water out of this rock?

13
WHAT WE SHOULD LEARN I Cor. 10 4. And did
all drink the same spiritual drink for they
drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them
and that Rock was Christ. 5. But with many of
them God was not well pleased for they were
overthrown in the wilderness. 6. Now these
things were our examples, to the intent we should
not lust after evil things, as they also lusted.
7. Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of
them as it is written, The people sat down to
eat and drink, and rose up to play. 8. Neither
let us commit fornication, as some of them
committed, and fell in one day three and twenty
thousand. 9. Neither let us tempt Christ, as
some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of
serpents. 10. Neither murmur ye, as some of
them also murmured, and were destroyed of the
destroyer. 11. Now all these things happened
unto them for ensamples and they are written for
our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world
are come. 12. Wherefore let him that thinketh
he standeth take heed lest he fall.
14
Moses Sin and Punishment

• Nu 2011. And Moses lifted up his hand, and with
  his rod he smote the rock twice and the water
  came out abundantly, and the congregation drank,
  and their beasts also.
• 12. And the Lord spake unto Moses and Aaron,
  Because ye believed me not, to sanctify me in the
  eyes of the children of Israel, therefore ye
  shall not bring this congregation into the land
  which I have given them.
• 13. This is the water of Meribah because the
  children of Israel strove with the Lord, and he
  was sanctified in them.

15
Moses Was Formerly told to Smite the Rock

• Back in EX. 173-7. And the people thirsted
  there for water and the people murmured against
  Moses, and said, Wherefore is this that thou hast
  brought us up out of Egypt, to kill us and our
  children and our cattle with thirst?
• 4. And Moses cried unto the Lord, saying, What
  shall I do unto this people? they be almost ready
  to stone me.
• 5. And the Lord said unto Moses, Go on before
  the people, and take with thee of the elders of
  Israel and thy rod, wherewith thou smotest the
  river, take in thine hand, and go.
• 6. Behold, I will stand before thee there upon
  the rock in Horeb and thou shalt smite the rock,
  and there shall come water out of it, that the
  people may drink. And Moses did so in the sight
  of the elders of Israel.
• 7. And he called the name of the place Massah,
  and Meribah, because of the chiding of the
  children of Israel, and because they tempted the
  Lord, saying, Is the Lord among us, or not?

16
The Nature of the Sin IN NU. 20

• 1. God said speak to the rock. They spoke to the
  people and smote the rock.
• 2. Moses presumed to take glory unto himself for
  the miracle Must we fetch water?
• 3. It is said that they did not sanctify God.
  They did not give Him the glory that was His.
• 4. Unbelief was the chief transgression You
  believed me not. This is called rebellion in
  2714.

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The Incident

• 1. The rod that opened the Red Sea
• 2. Assemble them to see and be ashamed
• 3. Speak to the rockthe rock will respond to the
  spoken word, they were rebels to it. Their hearts
  were harder than this rock.
• 4. God promised water, and it came out abundantly
• NOTE NOW THE DEEPER LESSONS FOR CHRISTIANS

18
THAT ROCK WAS CHRIST 1 CR. 104 REV. 21 6. And
he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and
Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give
unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the
water of life freely. John 410. Jesus answered
and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of
God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to
drink thou wouldest have asked of him, and he
would have given thee living water. John 414.
But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall
give him shall never thirst but the water that I
shall give him shall be in him a well of water
springing up into everlasting life. John 7 38.
He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath
said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of
living water.
19
H.R. Trickett IN THE DESERT OF SORROW AND SIN IN
THE DESERT OF SORROW AND SIN, LO! I FAINT AS I
JOURNEY ALONG WITH THE WARFARE WITHOUT AND
WITHIN, SEE MY STRENGTH AND MY HOPE NEARLY
GONE. IN MY WEAKNESS I TURN TO THE FOUNT, FROM
THE ROCK THAT WAS SMITTEN FOR ME AND I DRINK,
AND I JOYFULLY COUNT, ALL MY TRIALS A BLESSING TO
BE, O THOU GOD OF COMPASSION I PRAY, LET ME EVER
ABIDE IN THY SIGHT LET ME DRINK OF THE FOUNT DAY
BY DAY, TILL I JOIN THEE IN MANSIONS OF LIGHT, I
THIRST, LET ME DRINK, OF THE LIFE GIVING STREAM
LET ME DRINK, TIS THE ROCK, CLEFT FOR ME, TIS THE
WATER, THE WATER OF LIFE.
20
Again the people complain

• BACK IN NU. 21 4. And they journeyed from mount
  Hor by the way of the Red sea, to compass the
  land of Edom and the soul of the people was much
  discouraged because of the way.
• 5. And the people spake against God, and
  against Moses, Wherefore have ye brought us up
  out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? for there
  is no bread, neither is there any water and our
  soul loatheth this light bread.
• 6. And the Lord sent fiery serpents among the
  people, and they bit the people and much people
  of Israel died.
• 7. Therefore the people came to Moses, and
  said, We have sinned, for we have spoken against
  the Lord, and against thee pray unto the Lord,
  that he take away the serpents from us.

21
The Bronze Serpent of Healing

• 8. And the Lord said unto Moses, Make thee a
  fiery serpent, and set it upon a pole and it
  shall come to pass, that every one that is
  bitten, when he looketh upon it, shall live.
• 9. And Moses made a serpent of brass, and put
  it upon a pole, and it came to pass, that if a
  serpent had bitten any man, when he beheld the
  serpent of brass, he lived.
• JESUS VIEWS HIMSELF AS THE HEALING EMBLEM
• John 314. And as Moses lifted up the serpent in
  the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be
  lifted up
• 15. That whosoever believeth in him should not
  perish, but have eternal life.

22
Jesus and the Brazen Serpent

• 1. Sin is the fiery biting serpent.. Painful to
  the conscience, poisonous to the soul. Satans
  temptations are called fiery darts. (Eph. 616)
• 2. God prescribed the remedyCalvary lifting up
  Christ for all to look upon for healing
• 3. Seemed foolish..I Cor. 121
• 4. The healing was an image of the disease
• So Christ was made in the likeness of sinful
  flesh (Rom. 83)
• 5. They looked and lived. The brazen serpent
  lifted up would not heal unless looked
  upon..Jesus will not heal if not believed upon
  (Jno. 824)

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Summary BOOK OF NUMBERS

• The fourth book of the Pentateuch, continues the
  redemptive history of Israel where Exodus leaves
  off. As Genesis is the book of origins, Exodus
  the Book of redemption, and Leviticus the book of
  Worship and Holiness, Numbers is the book of the
  service and walk of Gods redeemed people. It
  continues the journey to the promised land as
  begun in Exodus. It is a warning against the
  dangers of unbelief, showing how all but two of
  the originals died in the wilderness

24
Moses Was Not to Enter the Prom. Land

• NU. 2712. And the Lord said unto Moses, Get
  thee up into this mount Abarim, (Nebo is at the
  north end) and see the land which I have given
  unto the children of Israel.
• 13. And when thou hast seen it, thou also shalt
  be gathered unto thy people, as Aaron thy brother
  was gathered.
• 14. For ye rebelled against my commandment in
  the desert of Zin, in the strife of the
  congregation, to sanctify me at the water before
  their eyes that is the water of Meribah in
  Kadesh in the wilderness of Zin.

25
Moses Pitiful Prayer is Denied

• DEUT. 325. I pray thee, let me go over, and see
  the good land that is beyond Jordan, that goodly
  mountain, and Lebanon.
• 26. But the Lord was wroth with me for your
  sakes, and would not hear me and the Lord said
  unto me, Let it suffice thee (Paul, 2 Cor.
  129) speak no more unto me of this matter.
• 27. Get thee up into the top of Pisgah, and
  lift up thine eyes westward, and northward, and
  southward, and eastward, and behold it with thine
  eyes for thou shalt not go over this Jordan.
• 28. But charge Joshua, and encourage him, and
  strengthen him for he shall go over before this
  people, and he shall cause them to inherit the
  land which thou shalt see.

26
The Death of Moses

• DT. 341 And Moses went up from the plains of
  Moab unto the mountain of Nebo, to the top of
  Pisgah, that is over against Jericho. And the
  Lord shewed him all the land of Gilead, unto Dan,
• 2. And all Naphtali, and the land of Ephraim,
  and Manasseh, and all the land of Judah, unto the
  utmost sea,
• 3. And the south, and the plain of the valley
  of Jericho, the city of palm trees, unto Zoar.
• 4. And the Lord said unto him, This is the land
  which I sware unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto
  Jacob, saying, I will give it unto thy seed I
  have caused thee to see it with thine eyes, but
  thou shalt not go over thither.

27
5. So Moses the servant of the Lord died there
in the land of Moab, according to the word of the
Lord. 6. And he buried him in a valley in the
land of Moab, over against Bethpeor but no man
knoweth of his sepulchre unto this day. 7. And
Moses was an hundred and twenty years old when he
died his eye was not dim, nor his natural force
abated. 8. And the children of Israel wept for
Moses in the plains of Moab thirty days so the
days of weeping and mourning for Moses were ended.
28
Michael and Satan Dispute over the Body of Moses

• JUDE 9. Yet Michael the archangel, when
  contending with the devil he disputed about the
  body of Moses, durst not bring against him a
  railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke
  thee.

29
Moses Missed only the Earthly Promised Land.

• MATT 171. And after six days Jesus taketh
  Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth
  them up into an high mountain apart,
• 2. And was transfigured before them and his
  face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was
  white as the light.
• 3. And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses
  and Elias talking with him.
• 4. Then answered Peter, and said unto Jesus,
  Lord, it is good for us to be here if thou wilt,
  let us make here three tabernacles one for thee,
  and one for Moses, and one for Elias.
• 5. While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud
  overshadowed them and behold a voice out of the
  cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in
  whom I am well pleased hear ye him.

30
Nu. 22 Balaam and Balak

• 4. And Moab said unto the elders of Midian, Now
  shall this company lick up all that are round
  about us, as the ox licketh up the grass of the
  field. And Balak the son of Zippor was king of
  the Moabites at that time.
• 5. He sent messengers therefore unto Balaam the
  son of Beor to Pethor, which is by the river of
  the land of the children of his people, to call
  him, saying, Behold, there is a people come out
  from Egypt behold, they cover the face of the
  earth, and they abide over against me
• 6. Come now therefore, I pray thee, curse me
  this people for they are too mighty for me
  peradventure I shall prevail, that we may smite
  them, and that I may drive them out of the land
  for I wot that he whom thou blessest is blessed,
  and he whom thou cursest is cursed.

31
227. And the elders of Moab and the elders of
Midian departed with the rewards of divination in
their hand and they came unto Balaam, and spake
unto him the words of Balak. 8. And he said
unto them, Lodge here this night, and I will
bring you word again, as the Lord shall speak
unto me and the princes of Moab abode with
Balaam. 9. And God came unto Balaam, and said,
What men are these with thee? 10. And Balaam
said unto God, Balak the son of Zippor, king of
Moab, hath sent unto me, saying, 11. Behold,
there is a people come out of Egypt, which
covereth the face of the earth come now, curse
me them peradventure I shall be able to overcome
them, and drive them out.
32
2212. And God said unto Balaam, Thou shalt not
go with them thou shalt not curse the people
for they are blessed.13. And Balaam rose up in
the morning, and said unto the princes of Balak,
Get you into your land for the Lord refuseth to
give me leave to go with you. 14. And the
princes of Moab rose up, and they went unto
Balak, and said, Balaam refuseth to come with
us. 15. And Balak sent yet again princes, more,
and more honourable than they. 16. And they
came to Balaam, and said to him, Thus saith Balak
the son of Zippor, Let nothing, I pray thee,
hinder thee from coming unto me 17. For I will
promote thee unto very great honour, and I will
do whatsoever thou sayest unto me come
therefore, I pray thee, curse me this people.
33
18. And Balaam answered and said unto the
servants of Balak, If Balak would give me his
house full of silver and gold, I cannot go beyond
the word of the Lord my God, to do less or more.
19. Now therefore, I pray you, tarry ye also
here this night, that I may know what the Lord
will say unto me more. 20. And God came unto
Balaam at night, and said unto him, If the men
come to call thee, rise up, and go with them but
yet the word which I shall say unto thee, that
shalt thou do. 21. And Balaam rose up in the
morning, and saddled his ass, and went with the
princes of Moab.
34
22. And God's anger was kindled because he
went and the angel of the Lord stood in the way
for an adversary against him. Now he was riding
upon his ass, and his two servants were with him
23. And the ass saw the angel of the Lord
standing in the way, and his sword drawn in his
hand and the ass turned aside out of the way,
and went into the field and Balaam smote the
ass, to turn her into the way. 24. But the
angel of the Lord stood in a path of the
vineyards, a wall being on this side, and a wall
on that side. 25. And when the ass saw the
angel of the Lord, she thrust herself unto the
wall, and crushed Balaam's foot against the wall
and he smote her again. 26. And the angel of
the Lord went further, and stood in a narrow
place, where was no way to turn either to the
right hand or to the left.
35
27. And when the ass saw the angel of the Lord,
she fell down under Balaam and Balaam's anger
was kindled, and he smote the ass with a staff.
28. And the Lord opened the mouth of the ass,
and she said unto Balaam, What have I done unto
thee, that thou hast smitten me these three
times? 29. And Balaam said unto the ass,
Because thou hast mocked me I would there were a
sword in mine hand, for now would I kill thee.
30. And the ass said unto Balaam, Am not I thine
ass, upon which thou hast ridden ever since I was
thine unto this day? was I ever wont to do so
unto thee? And he said, Nay. 31. Then the Lord
opened the eyes of Balaam, and he saw the angel
of the Lord standing in the way, and his sword
drawn in his hand and he bowed down his head,
and fell flat on his face.
36
32. And the angel of the Lord said unto him,
Wherefore hast thou smitten thine ass these three
times? behold, I went out to withstand thee,
because thy way is perverse before me 33. And
the ass saw me, and turned from me these three
times unless she had turned from me, surely now
also I had slain thee, and saved her alive. 34.
And Balaam said unto the angel of the Lord, I
have sinned for I knew not that thou stoodest in
the way against me now therefore, if it
displease thee, I will get me back again.
37
35. And the angel of the Lord said unto Balaam,
Go with the men but only the word that I shall
speak unto thee, that thou shalt speak. So Balaam
went with the princes of Balak. 36. And when
Balak heard that Balaam was come, he went out to
meet him unto a city of Moab, which is in the
border of Arnon, which is in the utmost coast.
37. And Balak said unto Balaam, Did I not
earnestly send unto thee to call thee? wherefore
camest thou not unto me? am I not able indeed to
promote thee to honour?
38
38. And Balaam said unto Balak, Lo, I am come
unto thee have I now any power at all to say any
thing? the word that God putteth in my mouth,
that shall I speak. 39. And Balaam went with
Balak, and they came unto Kirjath-huzoth. 40.
And Balak offered oxen and sheep, and sent to
Balaam, and to the princes that were with him.
41. And it came to pass on the morrow, that
Balak took Balaam, and brought him up into the
high places of Baal, that thence he might see the
utmost part of the people.
39
NU 23 5. And the Lord put a word in Balaam's
mouth, and said, Return unto Balak, and thus thou
shalt speak. 6. And he returned unto him, and,
lo, he stood by his burnt sacrifice, he, and all
the princes of Moab. 7. And he took up his
parable, and said, Balak the king of Moab hath
brought me from Aram, out of the mountains of the
east, saying, Come, curse me Jacob, and come,
defy Israel. 8. How shall I curse, whom God
hath not cursed? or how shall I defy, whom the
Lord hath not defied? 9. For from the top of
the rocks I see him, and from the hills I behold
him lo, the people shall dwell alone, and shall
not be reckoned among the nations. 10. Who can
count the dust of Jacob, and the number of the
fourth part of Israel? Let me die the death of
the righteous, and let my last end be like his!
40
11. And Balak said unto Balaam, What hast thou
done unto me? I took thee to curse mine enemies,
and, behold, thou hast blessed them altogether.
12. And he answered and said, Must I not take
heed to speak that which the Lord hath put in my
mouth? 13. And Balak said unto him, Come, I
pray thee, with me unto another place, from
whence thou mayest see them thou shalt see but
the utmost part of them, and shalt not see them
all and curse me them from thence. 14. And he
brought him into the field of Zophim, to the top
of Pisgah, and built seven altars, and offered a
bullock and a ram on every altar.
41
15. And he said unto Balak, Stand here by thy
burnt offering, while I meet the Lord yonder.
16. And the Lord met Balaam, and put a word in
his mouth, and said, Go again unto Balak, and say
thus. 17. And when he came to him, behold, he
stood by his burnt offering, and the princes of
Moab with him. And Balak said unto him, What hath
the Lord spoken? 18. And he took up his
parable, and said, Rise up, Balak, and hear
hearken unto me, thou son of Zippor 19. God is
not a man, that he should lie neither the son of
man, that he should repent hath he said, and
shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall
he not make it good?
42
15. And he said unto Balak, Stand here by thy
burnt offering, while I meet the Lord yonder.
16. And the Lord met Balaam, and put a word in
his mouth, and said, Go again unto Balak, and say
thus. 17. And when he came to him, behold, he
stood by his burnt offering, and the princes of
Moab with him. And Balak said unto him, What hath
the Lord spoken? 18. And he took up his
parable, and said, Rise up, Balak, and hear
hearken unto me, thou son of Zippor 19. God is
not a man, that he should lie neither the son of
man, that he should repent hath he said, and
shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall
he not make it good?
43
20. Behold, I have received commandment to
bless and he hath blessed and I cannot reverse
it. 21. He hath not beheld iniquity in Jacob,
neither hath he seen perverseness in Israel the
Lord his God is with him, and the shout of a king
is among them. 22. God brought them out of
Egypt he hath as it were the strength of an
unicorn. 23. Surely there is no enchantment
against Jacob, neither is there any divination
against Israel according to this time it shall
be said of Jacob and of Israel, What hath God
wrought!
44
24. Behold, the people shall rise up as a great
lion, and lift up himself as a young lion he
shall not lie down until he eat of the prey, and
drink the blood of the slain. 25. And Balak said
unto Balaam, Neither curse them at all, nor bless
them at all. 26. But Balaam answered and said
unto Balak, Told not I thee, saying, All that the
Lord speaketh, that I must do? 27. And Balak
said unto Balaam, Come, I pray thee, I will bring
thee unto another place peradventure it will
please God that thou mayest curse me them from
thence. 28. And Balak brought Balaam unto the
top of Peor, that looketh toward Jeshimon. 29.
And Balaam said unto Balak, Build me here seven
altars, and prepare me here seven bullocks and
seven rams. 30. And Balak did as Balaam had
said, and offered a bullock and a ram on every
altar.
45
10. And Balak's anger was kindled against
Balaam, and he smote his hands together and
Balak said unto Balaam, I called thee to curse
mine enemies, and, behold, thou hast altogether
blessed them these three times. 11. Therefore
now flee thou to thy place I thought to promote
thee unto great honour but, lo, the Lord hath
kept thee back from honour. 12. And Balaam said
unto Balak, Spake I not also to thy messengers
which thou sentest unto me, saying, 13. If
Balak would give me his house full of silver and
gold, I cannot go beyond the commandment of the
Lord, to do either good or bad of mine own mind
but what the Lord saith, that will I speak? 14.
And now, behold, I go unto my people come
therefore, and I will advertise thee what this
people shall do to thy people in the latter days.
46
The End of Balaam

• Joshua 1322. Balaam also the son of Beor, the
  soothsayer, did the children of Israel slay with
  the sword among them that were slain by them.
• 2 Pet. 213. And shall receive the reward of
  unrighteousness, as they that count it pleasure
  to riot in the day time. Spots they are and
  blemishes, sporting themselves with their own
  deceivings while they feast with you
• 14. Having eyes full of adultery, and that
  cannot cease from sin beguiling unstable souls
  an heart they have exercised with covetous
  practices cursed children
• 15. Which have forsaken the right way, and are
  gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son
  of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness

47
What Jude says about Balaam

• 11. Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way
  of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of
  Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying
  of Core.
• Rev. 2 14. But I have a few things against
  thee, because thou hast there them that hold the
  doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a
  stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to
  eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit
  fornication.

48
Summary Balaam knew that Israel was invincible
because they walked with God His successful
strategy was to entice them to sin and their
banners would drag in the dust.

• Nu. 3116. Behold, these caused the children of
  Israel, through the counsel of Balaam, to commit
  trespass against the Lord in the matter of Peor,
  and there was a plague among the congregation of
  the Lord.

49
The Congregation sins Horribly

• NU. 25 1. And Israel abode in Shittim, and the
  people began to commit whoredom with the
  daughters of Moab.
• 2. And they called the people unto the
  sacrifices of their gods and the people did eat,
  and bowed down to their gods.
• 3. And Israel joined himself unto Baalpeor and
  the anger of the Lord was kindled against Israel.
• 4. And the Lord said unto Moses, Take all the
  heads of the people, and hang them up before the
  Lord against the sun, that the fierce anger of
  the Lord may be turned away from Israel.

50
5. And Moses said unto the judges of Israel,
Slay ye every one his men that were joined unto
Baalpeor. 6. And, behold, one of the children
of Israel came and brought unto his brethren a
Midianitish woman in the sight of Moses, and in
the sight of all the congregation of the children
of Israel, who were weeping before the door of
the tabernacle of the congregation. 7. And when
Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron
the priest, saw it, he rose up from among the
congregation, and took a javelin in his hand 8.
And he went after the man of Israel into the
tent, and thrust both of them through, the man of
Israel, and the woman through her belly. So the
plague was stayed from the children of Israel.
9. And those that died in the plague were twenty
and four thousand.
51
10. And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, 11.
Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron
the priest, hath turned my wrath away from the
children of Israel, while he was zealous for my
sake among them, that I consumed not the children
of Israel in my jealousy. 12. Wherefore say,
Behold, I give unto him my covenant of peace 13.
And he shall have it, and his seed after him,
even the covenant of an everlasting priesthood
because he was zealous for his God, and made an
atonement for the children of Israel. 14. Now
the name of the Israelite that was slain, even
that was slain with the Midianitish woman, was
Zimri, the son of Salu, a prince of a chief house
among the Simeonites. 15. And the name of the
Midianitish woman that was slain was Cozbi, the
daughter of Zur he was head over a people, and
of a chief house in Midian.
52
Miscellaneous Laws in the Pentateuch Because of
the multiplicity and variety of religious, civil,
social and economic laws outlined in the
Pentateuch, most persons have omitted any study
of the same. However, the more diligent student
will find such research most rewarding in
obtaining insight into, the rites and practices
of ancient Israel. To his surprise, he will find
many principles which are pertinent today to
faithful Christians, although the rituals
obviously are not necessary. To facilitate this
type of study, a number of categories will be
listed and general principles given in some
cases. The following will be examined more
closely for spiritual principles of great value
to the Christian (1) Idolatry (2) Personal
relationships (3) Sex relationships (4) Vows,
Tithes, First Fruits and First Born (5) Priests
(6) Leprosy (7) Miscellaneous Laws (8) The
Blessings and Curses.
53

• IDOLATRY
• The mention of the name of idols
  prohibited-Ex.2313
• B. All idols in the promised land were to be
  destroyed
• -Ex. 2323-33, Deut. 121-3
• Punishment of those who worshiped idols-Ex.
  2220, Deut. 172-
• Punishment of those who worshiped
  Molech-Lev.1821, Lev. 201f
• Punishment of those who blasphemed God's
  name-Lev. 2410-16.
• Punishment of those who suggested the worship
  of idols-Deut. 131-18
• SPIRITUAL MEANING
• Idolatry was the initial sin because it
  placed man (the creature) over God (the Creator).
  In every instance, the idolater soon committed
  every other sin because he was his own god.

54

• IDOLATRY
• The mention of the name of idols
  prohibited-Ex.2313
• B. All idols in the promised land were to be
  destroyed
• -Ex. 2323-33, Deut. 121-3
• Punishment of those who worshiped idols-Ex.
  2220, Deut. 172-
• Punishment of those who worshiped
  Molech-Lev.1821, Lev. 201f
• Punishment of those who blasphemed God's
  name-Lev. 2410-16.
• Punishment of those who suggested the worship
  of idols-Deut. 131-18
• SPIRITUAL MEANING
• Idolatry was the initial sin because it
  placed man (the creature) over God (the Creator).
  In every instance, the idolater soon committed
  every other sin because he was his own god.

55
Therefore, God outlined extremely strict
retribution upon the idolater. If it was
practiced or tolerated as future generations of
Israel unfortunately so graphically depicted, it
destroyed body, soul and spirit. How it behooves
Christians to flee from.every form of idolatry (I
Cor. 1014). One which is often practiced is the
terrible sin of covetousness which is idolatry
(Eph. 55 Col. 35). Let all Christians never
make money or things an end but always a means.
Let us give liberally, loving God and man rather
than money or things (I Tim. 610).
56

• PERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS
• These cover the relationships of man to man and
  man to animals, insects, blood, land,
  fruit and measures.
• A. Striking or cursing one's parents-Ex.
  2115,17 Lev. 209 Deut. 271-16.
• Cursing a ruler-Ex. 2228.
• C. Protecting Life -Ex. 2319 Lev. 2228 Deut.
  226-8.
• D. Policies for Hebrew slaves and their
  emancipation -Ex. 211-11 Lev. 2539-55 Deut.
  1512-18.

57
E. Cities of refuge for those who killed another
man accidentally punishment of those who killed
with hate in their hearts oppressing of widows
evidence of witnesses death of a per son from
unknown reasons and appropriate rites-Ex.
2112-14,16, 18-21, 26-27 Ex. 2221-24 Ex.
231-3, 6-9 Lev. 193, 11-18, 32-34 Num. 35
Deut. 191-13,15-21 Deut. 211-9. F.
Relationship to animals, your own or others-Ex.
2128-35 Ex. 221-15 Ex. 234-5, 19 Lev.
1919, Deut. 221-4, 6-10.
58
G. Eating of blood prohibited-Lev. 317 Lev.
726-27 Lev. 17lb-16 Lev. 1926 Deut.
1216,23. H. Relationship to clean and unclean
animals-the holiness of Israel-Lev. 11 Lev.
192 Lev. 207, 25-26 Deut. 143-21. I.
Proper weights and measures-Lev. 1935-37 Deut.
2513-16.
59
SPIRITUAL MEANING These laws clearly indicated
the dignity and worth of the individual. Man was
created in the image of God and should never be
degraded. Each law was designed in one way or
another to help man, in spite of sin, to esteem
highly his fellow man and realize his superiority
and separateness in regard to animals and
inanimate creation.
60

All Christians should apply these principles in
their association with fellow saints and other
men. God so prizes the individual that Christ
died for each one. If You had been the only
sinner, God values you so much that Christ still
would have given his life to redeem you. Let us
never degrade our fellow man. Christ loved him as
much as you and paid the supreme price for all.
Regard each man as you would yourself in love.
(Lev. 1918-19). With respect to unclean animals
and insects, it seems apparent from a number of
scriptures that the earth and all its creatures
suffered as a result of the sin of Adam and Eve.
61
The original creation was very good (Gen. 131).
However, when sin entered, corruption through the
curse and subsequent misuse, by man caused the
creation to be ruined (Gen. 314-19 Rom.
819-22). If creation had a soul, it would cry
out for redemption and proper use by the children
of God. Thus, the prohibition regarding the
unclean was to constantly remind Israel of sin
and its consequences spreading throughout the
whole of man's environment.
62

• FRUITS, FIRST BORN, TITHES AND VOWS
• The first fruits, first born of men and animals
  and tithes were to be the Lord's by direct
  command the vows were made voluntarily.
• The first fruits of the ground to be given to God
  -Ex. 2229 Ex. 2319 Ex. 3426 Deut.
  261-11.
• The first born of men and animals consecrated
  to God-Ex. 131-2, 11-15, Ex. 2229-30 Ex.
  3420 Num. 1815-18.
• The Levites were consecrated to God in place of
  the first born-Num. 311-13, 45-51 Num. 814-18.
• Israel instructed to give tithes of grain and
  animals to GodrLev. 2730-32 Num. 1821-24
  Deut. 1422-29 Deut. 2612-15.

63

• E. The Levites commanded to give tithes of the
  tithes given them-Num. 1825-32 Neh. 1038
• F. Voluntary nature of vows-not sinful to
  refrain from vows-Deut. 2322.
• All vows mast be fulfilled-Deut. 2321,23.
• The Nazarite vow-Num. 61-21.
• Vows concerning people-Lev. 271-8 Num. 301-16.
  
• Vows concerning animals, houses, and land-Lev.
  279-29.

64
SPIRITUAL MEANING The command to give the first
born and the first fruits to God seems to imply
the principle of keeping God, who is first,
pre-eminent in the hearts of the people. Since
God provided everything, it was in such giving of
the first that the Israelites were constantly
reminded that they were not self sufficient, but
dependent upon Him who alone could and did supply
their every need. Giving of tithes to the Levites
who served in lieu of the first born, who in turn
gave tithes of the tithes, deepened the
impression and kept everyone .God-conscious. The
supply of their needs was not an end in
itseTf,but a means whereby they might serve God.
God did not need the tithes since all was His
anyway, but Israel and the Levites needed to give
the tithes to remain aware of Providence.
65
Although the people were God's own possession
(Ex. 198), He allowed, permitted, and in the
very provision for vows, encouraged the spiritual
minded to dedicate themselves and the material
things in their stewardship to God voluntarily.
Thus, one who had a grateful attitude and desired
to express the same to God for His marvelous
grace in every aspect of life could vow self or
things to specific service in appreciation. Christ
ians can gain some excellent principles from
these laws. Every child of God should give
himself at conversion without reservation and
continue to do so throughout his life (II Cor.
85). If he does, he will-always put God first in
his life it follows that he will properly use
things as a means, not an end, even as did the
Macedonians (II Cor. 81-5). When this occurs,
Christians always will be giving enough money,
time, and energy to do God's will throughout the
earth. May it be so.
66
LEPROSY This particular disease was singled out
for detailed description as to the nature, tests
to determine extent, infection of garments and
houses, appropriate tests for those healed of the
disease, rituals of cleansing and recurrence of
the disease. These are outlined in Lev. 13 and
14. SPIRITUAL MEANING The selection of leprosy
for special consideration seems to indicate that
God deemed it as best able to portray the awful
nature of sin. The very nature of the
disease-putrefying corruption of the body, its
terrible contagiousness, its destruction of the
will to live in order to escape from the misery
incurredall seem to graphically depict sin and
its ravages among men.
67
As the disease was loathsome and to be avoided at
all costs, so is sin in every form. As special
tests were made to determine the nature of the
disease, its extent, and possible healing in
seven days (Lev. 134ff) or more sure diagnosis
(Lev. 135), so sin should be carefully
scrutinized as to its nature, extent, and
forgiveness. Paul's admonition to the
Thessalonians is appropriate. Test everything and
abstain from anything that has the appearance of
evil (I Thess. 521). Certainly all men are
extremely careful in the physical realm to
quarantine contagious diseases and take great
pains to stay as far from them as possible.
68
Then why should Christians not take even greater
cognizance of the spiritual realizing that any
sin, however small, can condemn the immortal soul
if it is not cleansed. It behooves every saint to
make it his purpose in life to live above
reproach in every way possible as he presses on
toward the goal of the high calling of God in
Christ. Leprosy could and did destroy the body
sin can and does destroy the body and SOUL
forever. May we apply the lesson well.
69

• THE PRIESTS
• Conduct and marriage laws concerning priests-Lev.
  211-15.
• Physical qualifications of priests-Lev. 2116-24.
  
• Their relationship to holy things -Lev.
  221-9.
• Their relationship to their fellow man-Lev.
  2210-. 16.

70

• SPIRITUAL MEANING
• The regulations concerning the priest clearly
  indicated that as the Lord's servants, they were
  to be as perfect in every phase of life as
  possible in order that they might portray to the
  people the concept of purity and separateness,
  uncontaminated by the world, to God alone. Such
  should also be the desire of every Christian. He
  is a priest and should offer pure and holy
  service to his Creature and Redeemer.
• MISCELLANEOUS LAWS
• The laws of war and booty of battle-Deut. 20.
• Laws concerning theft, fire, borrowing, grazing
  cattle, crops and seed-Ex. 221-15, 25-28.
• C. Appeals to Levites regarding difficult
  decisions-Deut. 178-13.
• Future appointment of a king-Deut. 1714-20.
• E. Witchcraft, wizards, and augury-Ex. 206,27
  Ex. 2218 Lev. 1926,31 Deut. 1810-11.

71

• Putting tassels on the corners of garments (for
  remembrance of God after the man picked up
  sticks on the Sabbath-Num. 1537-41 Deut.
  2212).
• SPIRITUAL MEANING
• Not only should the laws be kept outwardly but
  also inwardly. The Pharisees made a large border
  on garments with tassels or blue thread woven
  into the garment to give the appearance of
  extreme piety. Simultaneously, Jesus denounced
  them for not practicing what they preached (Matt.
  232-5). It was done for self exaltation (Matt.
  2311-12). Let us never be guilty of hypocrisy,
  appearing to be one person but really being
  another. God sees all (Heb. 413).

72
BLESSINGS AND CURSES After the giving of such a
large and varied number of laws, God outlined the
benefits to be obtained by adherence and the
sorrows to be suffered by disobedience. Even
after disobedience, opportunity was' given for
repentance. A. Blessings-Lev. 263-13 Deut.
281-14. B. Curses-Lev. 2614-39 Deut. 27
Deut. 2815-68. C. Repentance, Confession of
sin, and Restoration-Lev. 2640-45.
73
SPIRITUAL MEANING Because man has a free will,
God outlined to him the consequences of his
choices (Deut. 1126-32 Deut. 29,30 and 31). God
through Moses urged the Israelites to choose the
blessings of obedience rather than the curses
(Deut. 3019). The very details of the blessings
should have enabled the people to see that God
who had provided so richly for them was simply
amplifying his grace for coming generations of
obedient people. Likewise, the exact details of
the curses should have caused the people to shun
every tendency to disobey. If they disobeyed,
they would sink to the very bottom of evil and
become cannibals of their own children (Lev.
2629 Deut. 2853-57). It is hard to believe,
but it actually was fulfilled because of
treacherous disobedience during the siege of
Samaria prior to its fall in 722 B.C. (H
Kmgs"6T28-29). In Jer. 199 and Ezekiel 510, the
prophets warn again that the people will follow
this heinous practice. Tragically, it was
fulfilled as recorded in Lamentations
74
after the ruin of Jerusalem in 586 B.C. (Lam.
220, 410). Likewise all the other curses were
fulfilled because of Israel's chronic
disobedience. From these recorded experiences,
every Christian should learn many profitable
lessons. We shall reap what we sow. Let us always
obey God and enjoy His rich blessings. May we
never allow the idea of disobedience to enter our
thinking. If we are busy doing His will, we will
not have time to disobey.
75

SUMMARY The number and variety of laws seemingly
are for one great purposeto benefit man. The
creator God knows the creature in every way.
Thus, He shows before hand what are the joys of
following the Creator's beneficial commandments
simultaneously, the horrors of disobedience are
listed. Since man was created in God's image, he
has a free will. God does everything to encourage
and enable man to choose the blessings except
actually make his choices. Thus, God is free from
any blame. Man has only to blame
76
himself when he tries to play God and disobey the
Creator by making his own standard. The history
of man shows the folly of self-will. Every
Christian should be like John and by obedience
agree that "his commandments are not
grievous-burdensome-heavy" (I John 53). If we
love God, we joyfully want to keep his commands
(Deut. 306,9,10,11). As Paul stated in Rom.
154, all these are for our admonition and
learning. May our lives be full of faith and
love. May we endeavor to give as many reasons as
possible for obeying God rather than ever search
for even one excuse for not obeying. Such a life
will lead to growth and joy in Christ, new
experiences of service increasingly satisfying,
climaxing in the everlasting blessingfellowship
with the faithful in God's heaven. Be it so.
77
See Lect 13, summer series