“On the next day Moses went into the tent of the testimony, and behold, the staff of Aaron for the house of Levi had sprouted and put forth buds and produced blossoms, and it bore ripe almonds.” (Numbers 17:8, ESV) Because Aaron’s priestly authority was challenged, the Lord commanded the head of each of theContinue reading “The Branch”
Author Archives: Steve Hankins, Th.D.
Atonement
“And he stood between the dead and the living, and the plague was stopped.” (Numbers 16:48, ESV) After the Lord brought judgment on Korah and those actively engaged in the rebellion, the people grumbled against Moses and Aaron saying they had “killed the people of the Lord” (v41-42). In making this statement, the people disregardedContinue reading “Atonement”
Dangerous Entanglements
“And he spoke to the congregation, saying, “Depart, please, from the tents of these wicked men, and touch nothing of theirs, lest you be swept away with all their sins.”” (Numbers 16:26, ESV) The context of this verse has to do with Korah’s rebellion where Korah seems to have been the leader. The situation isContinue reading “Dangerous Entanglements”
Significant Clothing
“And it shall be a tassel for you to look at and remember all the commandments of the Lord, to do them, not to follow after your own heart and your own eyes, which you are inclined to whore after.” (Numbers 15:39, ESV) The Lord commanded that the people of Israel wear tassels on theirContinue reading “Significant Clothing”
The First Fruits
“Some of the first of your dough you shall give to the Lord as a contribution throughout your generations.” (Numbers 15:21, ESV) Giving to the Lord is a precept that we find throughout the Scriptures. Here, the Lord commands that the people should give of the first of their dough, the product of the grainContinue reading “The First Fruits”
Faith Not Presumption
“But they presumed to go up to the heights of the hill country, although neither the ark of the covenant of the Lord nor Moses departed out of the camp. Then the Amalekites and the Canaanites who lived in that hill country came down and defeated them and pursued them, even to Hormah.” (Numbers 14:44-45,Continue reading “Faith Not Presumption”
True Compassion
“Please pardon the iniquity of this people, according to the greatness of your steadfast love, just as you have forgiven this people, from Egypt until now.” (Numbers 14:19, ESV) It is an awesome picture of compassion as Moses interceded for the very people who rebelled against his leadership. If we know the story, the LordContinue reading “True Compassion”
Superior Versus Inferior
“And they said to one another, “Let us choose a leader and go back to Egypt.”” (Numbers 14:4, ESV) “If the Lord delights in us, he will bring us into this land and give it to us, a land that flows with milk and honey.” (Numbers 14:8, ESV) What a contrast in opinions. Here weContinue reading “Superior Versus Inferior”
Faith Challenges
“The Lord spoke to Moses, saying, “Send men to spy out the land of Canaan, which I am giving to the people of Israel. From each tribe of their fathers you shall send a man, every one a chief among them.”” (Numbers 13:1-2, ESV) If you remember the story, ten of the spies came backContinue reading “Faith Challenges”
Humility is Strength
“Now the man Moses was very meek, more than all people who were on the face of the earth.” (Numbers 12:3, ESV) The world’s standards equate meekness with weakness. The passage states that Moses was the meekest person on the face of the earth. Meekness or humility is a virtue of the great servants ofContinue reading “Humility is Strength”
Renewing the Heart 