“Take a census of all the congregation of the people of Israel, from twenty years old and upward, by their fathers’ houses, all in Israel who are able to go to war.” (Numbers 26:2, ESV) After the plague the Lord asks Moses to take a census to number the people. This is the second census.Continue reading “Numbering the People”
Author Archives: Steve Hankins, Th.D.
Removing Temptations
“And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, “Harass the Midianites and strike them down, for they have harassed you with their wiles, with which they beguiled you in the matter of Peor, and in the matter of Cozbi, the daughter of the chief of Midian, their sister, who was killed on the day of theContinue reading “Removing Temptations”
Champions Needed
” And the Lord said to Moses, “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. Therefore say, ‘Behold, I giveContinue reading “Champions Needed”
Be Not Unequally Yoked
“So Israel yoked himself to Baal of Peor. And the anger of the Lord was kindled against Israel.” (Numbers 25:3, ESV) While we learn from Balaam’s words that he could not curse Israel because God had blessed them, Israel could create their own problems by participating in gross idolatry. This is the case here. TheyContinue reading “Be Not Unequally Yoked”
Our King
“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) In Balaam’s final oracle, the imagery speaks of a rulerContinue reading “Our King”
Joining His Work
“Behold, I received a command to bless: he has blessed, and I cannot revoke it.” (Numbers 23:20, ESV) In the second oracle of Balaam, we see a key theological principle. God is sovereign and what God decrees man cannot override. Balak offered Balaam money to curse Israel to which Balaam responds that it is impossibleContinue reading “Joining His Work”
Absolute Unchanging Truth
“God is not man, that he should lie, or a son of man, that he should change his mind. Has he said, and will he not do it? Or has he spoken, and will he not fulfill it?” (Numbers 23:19, ESV) This passage, from Balaam’s second oracle, presents some obvious but vital theology. “God isContinue reading “Absolute Unchanging Truth”
Fear Not
“How can I curse whom God has not cursed? How can I denounce whom the Lord has not denounced?” (Numbers 23:8, ESV) The situation was that Balak, king of Moab made an allegiance with Midian because of the perceived threat of Israel. Balak, summoned Balaam, a non-Israelite prophet, and asked him to curse Israel. WhileContinue reading “Fear Not”
Devotion In Life
“Then the Lord opened the mouth of the donkey, and she said to Balaam, ‘What have I done to you, that you have struck me these three times?’ And Balaam said to the donkey, ‘Because you have made a fool of me. I wish I had a sword in my hand, for then I wouldContinue reading “Devotion In Life”
Spiritual Blindness
“But God’s anger was kindled because he went, and the angel of the Lord took his stand in the way as his adversary. . . When the donkey saw the angel of the Lord, she lay down under Balaam. And Balaam’s anger was kindled, and he struck the donkey with his staff. Then the LordContinue reading “Spiritual Blindness”
Renewing the Heart 