Player FM - Internet Radio Done Right
446 subscribers
Checked 17h ago
Added nine years ago
Konten disediakan oleh Jacob D. Gerber. Semua konten podcast termasuk episode, grafik, dan deskripsi podcast diunggah dan disediakan langsung oleh Jacob D. Gerber atau mitra platform podcast mereka. Jika Anda yakin seseorang menggunakan karya berhak cipta Anda tanpa izin, Anda dapat mengikuti proses yang diuraikan di sini https://id.player.fm/legal.
Player FM - Aplikasi Podcast
Offline dengan aplikasi Player FM !
Offline dengan aplikasi Player FM !
Free Daily Bible Study Podcast
Tandai semua (belum/sudah) diputar ...
Manage series 98249
Konten disediakan oleh Jacob D. Gerber. Semua konten podcast termasuk episode, grafik, dan deskripsi podcast diunggah dan disediakan langsung oleh Jacob D. Gerber atau mitra platform podcast mereka. Jika Anda yakin seseorang menggunakan karya berhak cipta Anda tanpa izin, Anda dapat mengikuti proses yang diuraikan di sini https://id.player.fm/legal.
A Daily Journey Through the Unfolding Story of the Bible Based on the M’Cheyne Bible Reading Plan
…
continue reading
365 episode
Tandai semua (belum/sudah) diputar ...
Manage series 98249
Konten disediakan oleh Jacob D. Gerber. Semua konten podcast termasuk episode, grafik, dan deskripsi podcast diunggah dan disediakan langsung oleh Jacob D. Gerber atau mitra platform podcast mereka. Jika Anda yakin seseorang menggunakan karya berhak cipta Anda tanpa izin, Anda dapat mengikuti proses yang diuraikan di sini https://id.player.fm/legal.
A Daily Journey Through the Unfolding Story of the Bible Based on the M’Cheyne Bible Reading Plan
…
continue reading
365 episode
Semua episode
×F
Free Daily Bible Study Podcast


1 May 19th: Bible Meditation for Numbers 28 4:28
4:28
Putar Nanti
Putar Nanti
Daftar
Suka
Menyukai4:28
F
Free Daily Bible Study Podcast


1 May 18th: Bible Meditation for Numbers 27 4:37
4:37
Putar Nanti
Putar Nanti
Daftar
Suka
Menyukai4:37
Bible Readings for May 18th Numbers 27 | Psalms 70 – 71 | Isaiah 17 – 18 | 1 Peter 5 Because Moses will not remain with Israel forever, we find Moses making more and more preparations for his looming absence as we continue to read through the end of the Pentateuch. Here in Numbers 27, we find Moses making preparations for his departure in two important ways. First, in Numbers 27:1–11, Moses clarifies the inheritance rights of the daughters of Zelophehad, who had died without any sons to whom he could leave his inheritance. According to the standard law, their father’s name and their family’s heritage would be blotted out from Israel without any inheritance to pass down, unless Yahweh made a different provision. Moses, then, inquires about the case with Yahweh, who makes what would have been an extraordinary decree according to the customs of the day: Yahweh commands that if a man dies without a son, his daughters should receive his inheritance (Num. 27:8)—and if there are no daughters, then the inheritance should pass to the man’s brothers or to his father’s brothers or to his nearest kin (Num. 27:9–11). This law provides some of the background to the story of Ruth, who seeks Boaz as her kinsman redeemer when Ruth’s husband dies along with his brother and his father, leaving behind only the women: Ruth, Ruth’s sister-in-law, Orpah, and Ruth’s mother-in-law, Naomi (Ruth 1:1–5). Second, Yahweh commands Moses to commission Joshua to take over the leadership of Israel after he is gone, investing Joshua with the same authority that Moses has held so that the entire nation of Israel would obey him (Num. 27:18–20). To commission Joshua for leadership, Moses lays his hands on Joshua, a ritual that carries into the New Testament practice for ordaining both deacons (Acts 6:6) and elders (1 Tim. 4:14, 5:22; 2 Tim. 1:6). Sometimes, we think about Christian leadership in terms of the indispensability of the leader. So, when a leader in the church dies and the ministry falls apart, we draw the conclusion that the leader must have been extraordinarily special. While the Bible does acknowledge the tragedy of seeing great leaders die (cf. Deut. 34:8–12), it also teaches that part of Christian leadership means preparing for the next generation. The Apostle Peter wrote specifically about this point. He writes this: “And I will make every effort so that after my departure you may be able at any time to recall these things” (2 Pet. 1:15). When his time grew short, he sought to prepare the next generation for following Christ. In your ministry, are you seeking to make yourself indispensable or do you labor with the humility to exalt Christ above yourself? Meditate on the words of John the Baptist, the final and greatest prophet of the old covenant (Matt. 11:11): “[Jesus] must increase, but I must decrease” (John 3:30). Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.…
F
Free Daily Bible Study Podcast


1 May 17th: Bible Meditation for Numbers 26 4:21
4:21
Putar Nanti
Putar Nanti
Daftar
Suka
Menyukai4:21
Bible Readings for May 17th Numbers 26 | Psalm 69 | Isaiah 16 | 1 Peter 4 The reason our English Bibles call this the book of “Numbers” is that two national censuses are taken—one in the first chapter and another here: “Among these the land shall be divided for inheritance according to the number of names. To a large tribe you shall give a large inheritance, and to a small tribe you shall give a small inheritance; every tribe shall be given its inheritance in proportion to its list” (Num. 26:53–54). Even though the people of Israel had not yet begun to enter into the Promised Land, Yahweh begins to prepare them for taking their inheritance. Now, the people are not quite ready to enter into the Promised Land. Still, there are two important observations we should make at this point, before Israel begins the conquest for their inheritance. First, the Israelites have not flourished during their wilderness wanderings, but in fact have shrunk. The original census numbered the people of Israel at 603,550 (Num. 2:32), but this census discovers only 601,730 people within Israel’s ranks. Yahweh has been gracious to Israel, but they have brought harsh consequences on themselves through their sin so that all those who rebelled against entering into the Promised Land have died in the wilderness (Num. 26:64–65). Second, do not miss the fact that this census is given to number the people who were able to go to war (Num. 26:2). God will give Israel miraculous victory as they enter into the Promised Land, but the people will be required to fight, following Yahweh into battle by faith. It is interesting, then, to see that the New Testament also speaks of a census and an inheritance. We read about a book of life, in which the names of God’s people are written for judgment on the last day (Rev. 20:12–15). Also, we are promised that we will inherit salvation if we believe on Christ, who is the heir of all things (Rom. 8:17; Heb. 1:2, 14). But we are also warned that the inheritance we have obtained through Christ (Eph. 1:11) will come by battle—not by warfare against flesh and blood, but against the cosmic powers of evil in this present darkness (Eph. 6:10–20). God has promised us victory in Jesus Christ, but we should not be surprised that being numbered among the people of God—that is, having our names written in the book of life—is less like receiving a pass to avoid suffering and struggle and more like being drafted into the army of the Lamb. Brothers and sisters, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God and stand firm against Satan and his schemes (Eph. 6:10–11). Why? Because we stand to inherit Christ himself and all of creation with him through the gospel . Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.…
F
Free Daily Bible Study Podcast


1 May 16th: Bible Meditation for Numbers 25 4:20
4:20
Putar Nanti
Putar Nanti
Daftar
Suka
Menyukai4:20
Bible Readings for May 16th Numbers 25 | Psalm 68 | Isaiah 15 | 1 Peter 3 As we discussed in our meditation for Numbers 22, the book of Numbers describes Israel’s descent. In the beginning of Numbers, we see the perfect system Israel received that made it possible for Yahweh to dwell in their midst, but then the rest of the book traces Israel’s fall all the way down to extremely dark places of rebellion. Here, in Numbers 25, things continue to get worse as Israel begins to worship the gods of the Moabites and the Midianites. Numbers 25:3 is the tragic statement of the passage: “So Israel yoked himself to Baal of Peor.” 1 This is the nightmare of the golden calf all over again, with Yahweh’s people worshiping false gods. But just as Yahweh gave the order for Israel’s judges to go through the camp and slaughter any men who had begun to worship the Baal of Peor (Num. 25:5), an Israelite brought a Midianite woman into his tent. Phinehas, the grandson of Aaron, rose up, took a spear, and pierced the man and his whore (Num. 25:1) through their bellies, and Yahweh relented from his wrath against Israel (Num. 25:7–8). Yahweh was pleased that Phinehas had been jealous for Yahweh, and he blessed all Israel because of what Phinehas did. It is fascinating, though, that when Jesus Christ came, he did not come to punish evil-doers and the worshipers of false gods. We do not find Jesus piercing sinners to wipe away the sins of Israel; instead, we see Jesus submitting to being pierced in order to take upon himself the wrath of God against our sin. Ultimately, the work of Phinehas addressed one problem at one time in Israel’s history. When Jesus Christ gave up his life as a sacrifice on the cross, however, he offered himself up as a once-for-all sacrifice for the people of God. Therefore, in Numbers 25, we can almost hear God hinting at the great work of his Son, saying that the Lord Jesus Christ “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 give to him my covenant of peace, and it shall be to him and to his descendants after him the covenant of perpetual priesthood, because he was jealous for his God and made atonement for the people of Israel’” (Num. 25:11–13). Today, do not be yoked with the false gods of this world (2 Cor. 6:14), but instead, remember the words of your kind Savior who was pierced for you: “Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light” (Matt. 11:29–30). 1 This is not likely the same Baal whom the prophet Elijah confronts later in Israel’s history. The word Baal simply means “Lord,” and it was a general word used as a title for many gods—including Yahweh, at times (e.g., Hos. 2:16). Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.…
F
Free Daily Bible Study Podcast


1 May 15th: Bible Meditation for Numbers 24 4:28
4:28
Putar Nanti
Putar Nanti
Daftar
Suka
Menyukai4:28
Bible Readings for May 15th Numbers 24 | Psalms 66 – 67 | Isaiah 14 | 1 Peter 2 Numbers 24 contains the final two of Balaam’s four prophetic oracles, and they take us from the beginning of the Bible all the way to the end, tying together the whole story at once. In his third oracle, in Numbers 24:5–6, notice that Balaam describes Israel in terms of a garden: “How lovely are your tents, O Jacob, your encampments, O Israel! Like palm groves that stretch afar, like gardens beside a river, like aloes that the LORD has planted, like cedar trees beside the waters.” We have discussed many times that Yahweh is establishing the tabernacle to be the new Garden of Eden where he can dwell with his people on the earth, but Balaam helps us to see the true significance of Yahweh’s arrangement with his people—by dwelling in their midst, Yahweh wants to make Israel the new, flourishing Garden of Eden. 1 See also the phrase that Israel is “like cedar trees beside the waters.” This is a loaded phrase, as it comes up again in the Psalms to describe the blessed man: “He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers” (Ps. 1:3). Ultimately, this image shows up in the New Jerusalem: “also, on either side of the river, the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit each month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations” (Rev. 22:2). This is the reason, then, why Balaam reiterates the blessing that Yahweh had promised to Abraham back in Genesis 12:3: “Blessed are those who bless you, and cursed are those who curse you” (Num. 24:9). Balaam recognized that God was raising up Israel to heal the nations in order to fulfill his promise. And remarkably, Yahweh uses Balaam to announce that he would not do this through the collective righteousness of the nation but through a single figure who would rise up out of Israel. In Numbers 24:17, Balaam prophesies this: “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.” Yahweh had called Israel to be a light to the nations, but like Adam, they failed in the task that they were given. Israel’s failure, however, did not catch Yahweh off guard—as we discussed yesterday, the disobedience of Israel was apparent even by this point in history. In fact, Yahweh had planned from the beginning to raise a single star out of Israel—his own, beloved Son—who would give his people eternal healing in the New Jerusalem. Blessed is the one whose delight is in the Son of the Lord. 1 For more information on the links between Balaam’s prophetic oracle and Israel’s temple as the new Garden of Eden, see G. K. Beale, The Temple and the Church’s Mission (Downers Grove, IL: IVP Academic, 2004), 124–26, 162, 243. Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.…
F
Free Daily Bible Study Podcast


1 May 14th: Bible Meditation for Numbers 23 4:19
4:19
Putar Nanti
Putar Nanti
Daftar
Suka
Menyukai4:19
Bible Readings for May 14th Numbers 23 | Psalms 64 – 65 | Isaiah 13 | 1 Peter 1 In the mind of Balak, the arrangement he was making with Balaam was simple. Balaam would prophetically curse Israel, and Balak would make Balaam rich as a reward. Balak’s mistake is understandable, although certainly not excusable. He genuinely thought about prophets like Balaam in the way that we might think of a gifted salesperson—that a skilled prophet could convince the gods to do whatever he asked of them. Balaam, for his part, is not innocent in this matter. Yahweh did give him permission to go with Balak in Numbers 22, but with a strict condition: “If the men have come to call you, rise, go with them; but only do what I tell you ” (Num. 22:20). Apparently, Balaam immediately violated Yahweh’s commandment in some way, since Yahweh’s anger was kindled against him as he went (Num. 22:22), leading to the scene where Balaam’s donkey speaks to him after refusing to pass beyond an angel with a drawn sword—an image reminiscent of the cherubim guarding the entrance to the Garden of Eden with a flaming sword. In the New Testament, we read that Balaam abandoned himself “for the sake of gain” (Jude 1:11). In other words, Balaam must have conspired in his heart to do whatever was necessary to gain the large reward that Balak was promising to him. What both of these men fail to recognize is that Yahweh is a real person, with his own thoughts, his own intentions, and his own desires. What’s more, Yahweh’s thoughts, intentions, and desires are governed not by some desperate attempt to gain something that he needs, but rather they are the outflow of his own infinite, eternal resources. So, as Balaam begins to prophesy on behalf of Yahweh, the oracles he receives cut through both Balak’s desperation and Balaam’s greed by insisting that “God is not man, that he should lie, or a son of man, that he should change his mind” (Num. 23:19). We deeply need to hear this message in our culture today. As the Bible has slipped from its once-central place in the church as the authoritative word of God, we have felt a false freedom to rewrite what God has spoken. When we find his thoughts objectionable, we simply ignore what he says, or we find ways to raise the same question that the serpent did in the Garden: “Did God actually say…?” (Gen. 3:1). Whether we do this because we feel that God threatens our lifestyles or because we see an opportunity for greedy personal gain, we fail to recognize that God is not impressed by our ability to squirm out from under his word any more than he was impressed with the foolishness of Balak and Balaam. When God speaks—especially in the final word he has provided in his Son (Heb. 1:1–2)—do you listen? Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.…
F
Free Daily Bible Study Podcast


1 May 13th: Bible Meditation for Numbers 22 4:29
4:29
Putar Nanti
Putar Nanti
Daftar
Suka
Menyukai4:29
Bible Readings for May 13th Numbers 22 | Psalms 62 – 63 | Isaiah 11 – 12 | James 5 The book of Numbers begins with a system—a perfect system that Yahweh gave to his people to regulate how they conducted themselves in his presence so that he could live in their midst. Yahweh had set precise boundaries, with promises of blessing for obedience and warnings that whoever transgressed the space of Yahweh’s holiness would be put to death. But as the book of Numbers progresses, the themes change significantly. No longer is there any suggestion that Israel might keep the law and thereby maintain their standing before Yahweh. Rather than grow in obedience, the people of Israel falter in many ways: frequent complaints about their provisions (e.g., Num. 11:1–15), the opposition of Miriam and Aaron against Moses (Num. 12), the bad report of the cowardly spies and the faithlessness of the people (Num. 13:25–14:12), the capital crime of the Sabbathbreaker (Num. 15:32–36), Korah’s rebellion (Num. 16), Moses’s failure to uphold Yahweh as holy in the eyes of the people (Num. 20:10–13), and even more complaining that prompted Yahweh to send fiery serpents into the midst of his people (Num. 21:4–9). The introduction of Yahweh’s perfect law has not reformed Israel; rather, Israel seems to be growing progressively worse . The big theological question that hangs in the background of Numbers 22, then, is this: Given the chance, will Yahweh turn away from his people? They have completely failed, from the least of them all the way up to the great Moses himself. So, will Yahweh curse them, abandon them, and raise up a new people to start over? There is real drama when the messengers of Balak come to Balaam, a prophet, asking him to curse the people of Israel—at this point, Yahweh would have legitimate reasons for listening to Balaam and taking this opportunity to reject his people once and for all. But as though to mark his absolute, unbreakable, covenantal resolve to protect his people, Yahweh moves heaven and earth to prevent the curse of his people. The story of Balaam’s donkey speaking in Numbers 22:22–41 is not a cute embellishment given for the purpose of entertaining children on flannelgraph boards in Sunday School classrooms; instead, it is intended to underscore that fact that Yahweh will not abandon his people, no matter how far they have fallen. We will explore more of the story of Balaam and Balak over the next few days, but meditate on the character of Yahweh as revealed in this passage. If even here we see Yahweh refusing to abandon his people, what better assurance do we have that he will be faithful to us in Jesus Christ? Reflect on Romans 5:10: “For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life.” Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.…
F
Free Daily Bible Study Podcast


1 May 12th: Bible Meditation for Numbers 21 4:13
4:13
Putar Nanti
Putar Nanti
Daftar
Suka
Menyukai4:13
Bible Readings for May 12th Numbers 21 | Psalms 60 – 61 | Isaiah 10 | James 4 As though they had already forgotten that they had just provoked Moses to disqualify himself from entering into the Promised Land in Numbers 20, the people of Israel fall right back into their old habits, saying to Moses, “Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? For there is no food and no water, and we loathe this worthless food” (Num. 21:5). Where Yahweh had largely been patient with their complaints over their provisions in the wilderness, he now sends fiery serpents that bite the people. God had provided for their life up to this point, and now he sends an instrument of death into their midst. To their credit, the people cry out to Moses, acknowledging their sin and asking for Moses to intercede with Yahweh for them to remove the serpents from their midst (Num. 21:7). Yahweh’s response is gracious in two ways. First, he instructs Moses to fashion an image of a serpent out of bronze and to lift that image up in the sight of all the people, explaining that “everyone who is bitten, when he sees it, shall live” (Num. 21:8). Through looking upon this bronze serpent, the people of Israel were healed from the poison of the serpent. Second, Yahweh continues to provide for his people, and we read that as the people traveled on, they came to a well called Beer, where Yahweh told Moses, “Gather the people together, so that I may give them water” (Num. 21:16). The Israelites, rather than looking upon Yahweh’s gift to them with contempt, respond with gratitude by singing a song to commemorate the occasion (Num. 21:17–18). The New Testament encourages us to read stories like this to recognize that Yahweh was indeed gracious to his people but that his grace was of a temporary nature. Even though Yahweh provided for his people water in the wilderness, and even though he healed them when they looked upon the bronze serpent, the Israelites still fell dead in the wilderness, so that none of them entered into the promised land except for Joshua and Caleb. Yahweh’s intentions were never purely temporary, however. In Numbers 21, Yahweh’s ultimate intention was to set the stage for the coming of a greater redeemer and healer than Moses. Jesus, in his conversation with Nicodemus, explains this: “And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life” (John 3:14–15). And as we today look upon the Son of Man, who was lifted up on the cross for us, Yahweh heals us from the curse that we inherited through the poison of the serpent’s lies in the Garden of Eden, and through Christ’s righteousness, God qualifies us to enter into his Promised Land with him forever. Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.…
F
Free Daily Bible Study Podcast


1 May 11th: Bible Meditation for Numbers 20 4:32
4:32
Putar Nanti
Putar Nanti
Daftar
Suka
Menyukai4:32
Bible Readings for May 11th Numbers 20 | Psalms 58 – 59 | Isaiah 9 | James 3 It takes only four verses here in Numbers 20 to disqualify the great Moses from entering into the Promised Land. It wasn’t that there was anything wrong with Moses’s striking the rock with his staff to bring forth water, since he had previously done that in strict accordance with God’s own commandment back in Exodus 17:1–7. But this time was different. We don’t know what provoked his frustration, but Moses and Aaron rise up to defy the people of Israel, saying, “Hear now, you rebels: shall we bring water for you out of this rock?” (Num. 20:10). In a moment of hot anger, Moses and Aaron stole the glory from Yahweh as the holy God who gave his people water to drink. The two essentially said, “You ingrates! Do you not recognize how much we have given to you these long years?” And in response, Yahweh swore that Moses and Aaron would never enter into the Promised Land because of what they had done. As we reflect on this story, we should first be reminded to pray for our spiritual leaders. Do not too quickly overlook Moses’s longsuffering patience throughout his leadership of Israel through the wilderness, despite their many grumblings and personal attacks against him along the way. Up to this point, through everything Moses had endured, he had never failed to uphold Yahweh as holy. Similarly, our pastors, elders, and deacons carry a heavy burden, and yet they labor selflessly for years to present us complete in Christ on the last day. Nevertheless, a long, faithful ministry can fall to pieces in a single, sinful moment. Pray that God would give our leaders grace not to stumble as Moses did. Second, we should take heed of the fact that not even Moses escaped judgment for profaning Yahweh’s holiness. Moses was not an indispensable part of God’s plan for this world, and if he wasn’t, then you and I should recognize that we aren’t either. God knows all that we do—especially if he has granted us positions of leadership—and his judgment will surely come for those who do not repent. But finally, we should not miss the glimmer of gospel light shining from this story. Moses sealed his fate by striking the rock so that water poured out, but Paul tells us that Jesus was the Rock (1 Cor. 10:4). John, then, bears witness that when Jesus was struck while on the cross, water poured out from his side along with his blood (John 19:31–37). Because Jesus has ultimately succeeded, we cannot fail, because God credits his Christ’s righteousness to the account of all who believe on him. Therefore, those who trust in Christ will never be excluded from the ultimate promised land—that is, the New Jerusalem that will come down from heaven on the last day (Rev. 21). Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.…
F
Free Daily Bible Study Podcast


1 May 10th: Bible Meditation for Numbers 19 4:15
4:15
Putar Nanti
Putar Nanti
Daftar
Suka
Menyukai4:15
Bible Readings for May 10th Numbers 19 | Psalms 56 – 57 | Isaiah 8 | James 2 As in Numbers 5:1–4, Yahweh commands again here in Numbers 19 that anyone who has any contact with the dead must remain outside the camp until he or she has been purified. The context of Numbers 19 is interesting, since in the next chapter, Numbers 20, we read about the deaths of both Miriam and Aaron. It is possible that the older generation of people who set out from Egypt are beginning to die off, and Yahweh wants the people of Israel to know exactly how they are to deal with their increasing contact with the dead. So, in Numbers 19, Yahweh offers the solution for how Israelites who have come in contact with the dead may be cleansed: although the Israelites were still considered unclean for seven days (Num. 19:11), they could be cleansed by washing with water on the third and seventh days of their uncleanness (Num. 19:12). This would not be just any water, but water mixed with the ashes of a burnt red heifer (Num. 19:10)—and not just any red heifer, but a red heifer “without defect, in which there is no blemish, and on which a yoke has never come” (Num. 19:2). As we have already seen a few times in the books of Leviticus and Numbers, Yahweh hates death, and death defiles his holiness. Death was never meant to be a part of creation, but rather it invaded God’s creation as a horrific byproduct of sin. Providing for the ashes of the unblemished red heifer, then, is yet one more layer to the complex framework of purity and holiness, since it is no small thing to dwell in the presence of God. Yahweh saw that cleansing from contact with the dead would be a frequent need, and so he commanded that his people have ready access to a pile of red heifer ashes, which served functionally as an “instant sin offering,” available in a clean place outside the camp (Num. 19:9). 1 But even though the system Yahweh establishes is perfect, Yahweh’s people are not. They are unable to keep the demands placed on them by this rigorous plan for cleanness in the presence of Yahweh, and Yahweh will eventually see fit to introduce a better, more permanent solution for making his people clean and holy before him. Therefore, the author of the book of Hebrews addresses the ashes of the heifer directly: “For if the sprinkling of defiled persons with the blood of goats and bulls and with the ashes of a heifer sanctifies for the purification of the flesh, how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God” (Heb. 9:13–14). Through Christ, you have been cleansed so that you might serve the living, holy God. 1 Gordon J. Wenham, Numbers , TOTC (Downers Grove, IL: Intervarsity Press, 1981), 164. Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.…
F
Free Daily Bible Study Podcast


1 May 9th: Bible Meditation for Numbers 17–18 4:14
4:14
Putar Nanti
Putar Nanti
Daftar
Suka
Menyukai4:14
Bible Readings for May 9th Numbers 17 – 18 | Psalm 55 | Isaiah 7 | James 1 In the first ten chapters of Numbers, Yahweh established multiple physical boundaries to protect his holiness. But Israel’s many rebellions—capped off by the rebellion of Korah in Numbers 16—raise serious questions about whether Yahweh would allow the same protocols to continue. Since Korah had been a Kohathite, would the Kohathites retain their call to ministry? Would Yahweh elevate the other clans of Levi, or would he scrap the system altogether and start with something new? We find the people of Israel in a panic, asking Moses, “Everyone who comes near, who comes near to the tabernacle of the LORD, shall die. Are we all to perish?” (Num. 17:13). So, Yahweh commands that each of the twelve tribes provide a staff marked with their tribe’s name, except that Yahweh instructed the tribe of Levi to write the name Aaron on their staff (Num. 17:1–3). Then, Moses takes the staffs from each tribal chief and deposits them overnight in the tabernacle (Num. 17:6–7). To display beyond any shadow of a doubt that Yahweh had indeed chosen the sons of Aaron alone to come near to him as priests in his tabernacle, Yahweh causes Aaron’s staff—and only Aaron’s staff—to sprout with buds, blossoms, and ripe almonds (Num. 17:8). The specific sign that Yahweh selects to demonstrate his choosing the sons of Aaron alone to be priests is fascinating. Here, we see Yahweh literally giving new life to a dead tree branch (i.e., a wooden staff) by causing it to sprout, and every other dead branch is removed from Yahweh’s presence. This story sheds light on what Jesus meant in John 15 when he explained that he was the true vine: “I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in me he is like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned” (John 15:5–6). We never approach God on our own terms; God sets the terms for the way in which we may draw near. Formerly, God called a small group of people, all descended from one man, Aaron, as those who had the unique privilege of drawing near to him. And still today, Jesus warns that any who do not abide in him will be gathered up and taken away, just like the eleven other staffs of Israel’s tribes—and more, such people will be cast into the fire and burned. But Jesus also announces the good news of the gospel here: anyone who abides in Jesus will bear much fruit, sprouting with buds and blossoms and almonds like Aaron’s staff. Jesus came to give new, supernatural life to dead branches like you and me. And so, little children: Abide in him . Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.…
F
Free Daily Bible Study Podcast


1 May 8th: Bible Meditation for Numbers 16 4:34
4:34
Putar Nanti
Putar Nanti
Daftar
Suka
Menyukai4:34
Bible Readings for May 8th Numbers 16 | Psalms 52 , 53 , & 54 | Isaiah 6 | Hebrews 13 In Numbers 4, Yahweh had given privileges to the Kohathites above all Israel—and even above the other clans of the tribe of Levi, Gershon and Merari—but he had also given them specific limitations. While the Kohathites were never classified as holy, they alone held the responsibility to carry the holy furniture within the tabernacle from campsite to campsite, but they were forbidden from looking upon the furniture under any circumstances, lest they die (Num. 4:15, 17–20). And yet in Numbers 16:1, we see a mutiny led by none other than a Kohathite, a man named Korah, who challenges the position and authority of Moses directly: “You have gone too far! For all in the congregation are holy, every one of them, and the LORD is among them. Why then do you exalt yourselves above the assembly of the LORD?” (Num. 16:3). Moses understands that their criticism is leveled not only at him but also at Aaron, who was made holy for the sake of his priestly duties, and then ultimately at Yahweh himself (Num. 16:11). To prove his innocence, Moses tells Korah and the 250 prominent Israelites who joined the rebel to bring near ( qarab , Num. 16:17) an incense censer. This is exactly the situation that Yahweh had warned against, where outsiders ( zûr , Num. 16:40) who were unauthorized to approach Yahweh march right into his presence, insisting on their own holiness. Indeed, if anyone ought to have understood this principle, the Kohathites should have, since they were charged with putting to death outsiders who approached the tabernacle (Num. 1:51). Outraged, Yahweh opens up the earth to swallow some of the rebels alive (Num. 16:28–34), and he sends fire from his presence to consume the 250 who presumed to offer incense in his presence (Num. 16:35). The next day, another 14,700 die as a plague sweeps through a group of people who murmured against Moses that he killed “the people of the LORD” (Num. 16:41) until Aaron himself can make atonement for the people. From this story, we learn first that Yahweh is deadly serious about the sanctity of his holiness. Anyone who dares to presume upon his holiness is guilty of a wicked crime. Second, we learn that Yahweh’s people—and especially the leaders whom Yahweh has appointed—need to prepare themselves for personal attacks from people who dishonor Yahweh’s holiness. But more than anything, we learn how distant we are from Yahweh’s holiness. The better we see how far short we fall of the holiness of God, the more clearly we recognize the mercy of Jesus who died to make us holy. The fact that Jesus came to make you holy doesn’t give you the right to reject authority he has set up over you. Our privileges in Christ should lead us to grateful humility, never to prideful, power-hungry entitlement. Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.…
F
Free Daily Bible Study Podcast


1 May 7th: Bible Meditation for Numbers 15 4:17
4:17
Putar Nanti
Putar Nanti
Daftar
Suka
Menyukai4:17
Bible Readings for May 7th Numbers 15 | Psalm 51 | Isaiah 5 | Hebrews 12 In our meditation for Leviticus 4, we observed that sin offerings (Lev. 4:2, 13, 22, 27) and guilt offerings (Lev. 5:14, 17; 6:4) only atoned for unintentional sins—that is, the kind of sins that were committed either without the knowledge that a particular action was forbidden or without the knowledge that an action was defrauding or hurting someone. For other sins—that is, for sins committed in full knowledge of both the sinfulness of an action as well as the harm that was being inflicted upon someone else—God did not provide any atoning sacrifice. These were classified as “high-handed” sins, as though someone were lifting up his hands to flip off God in heaven while committing the sin: “But the person who does anything with a high hand, whether he is a native or a sojourner, reviles the LORD, and that person shall be cut off from among his people. Because he has despised the word of the LORD and has broken his commandment, that person shall be utterly cut off; his iniquity shall be on him” (Num. 15:30–31). This passage about high-handed sins helps to explain the story that immediately follows in Numbers 15:32–36, where Yahweh commands that a man who is caught gathering sticks on the Sabbath should be put to death. Having just received the law from Sinai, there is no possibility that this man was unaware of the commandment to rest from work on the Sabbath. And beyond that, by working on the Sabbath, this man was defrauding Yahweh of his rightful glory by refusing to rest. This man had lifted his hands in contempt against Yahweh, and his swift and severe punishment was totally just. But we must compare this passage with Psalm 51, one of the other readings for today from the M’Cheyne Bible Reading Plan. There, we see David’s prayer when he is caught in the high-handed sin of taking Bathsheba, Uriah’s wife. In this prayer, David recognizes that no sacrifice exists to atone for his sins: “For you will not delight in sacrifice, or I would give it; you will not be pleased with a burnt offering” (Ps. 51:16). Nevertheless, Yahweh extends mercy to David. Why? Ultimately, because of nothing more than Yahweh’s free grace toward a wretched sinner, but also because David humbled himself before Yahweh: “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise” (Ps. 51:17). David threw himself at the mercy of Yahweh, knowing that he deserved death, but pleading for forgiveness anyway. If David had no assurance that he could be forgiven but entrusted himself to Yahweh anyway, then what excuse do we have if we refuse to come before Yahweh’s ultimate, once-for-all sacrifice of his Son Jesus Christ to ask forgiveness for our own high-handed sins? Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.…
F
Free Daily Bible Study Podcast


1 May 6th: Bible Meditation for Numbers 14 4:22
4:22
Putar Nanti
Putar Nanti
Daftar
Suka
Menyukai4:22
Bible Readings for May 6th Numbers 14 | Psalm 50 | Isaiah 3 – 4 | Hebrews 11 If things started to fall apart in Numbers 12, it’s in Numbers 13 and 14 that the situation in Israel completely unravels. Ever since Yahweh promised Abraham he would give Abraham’s offspring the land of Canaan as an everlasting possession (Gen. 12:7, 15:7–21, 17:8), there had really only been one objective for Israel: to take possession of the inheritance Yahweh was giving to them. Yet somehow, when the time comes for the spies sent into the land to inspire the people of Israel to take hold of their inheritance, they instead rebel against Yahweh, refusing to enter into the land because of their fear of its inhabitants. They even go so far as to claim that the Nephilim from Genesis 6:4 still exist in the land, ready to stomp on Israel like grasshoppers (Num. 13:33). Certainly, there were seven nations who existed in Canaan, all of whom were more numerous and stronger than Israel (Deut. 7:1), and the peoples of Canaan did live in fortified cities. But , these same Israelites had seen Yahweh deliver them out of Egypt through great signs and wonders, declaring war on Egypt through plagues and shattering the mighty Egyptian army in a single blow in the Red Sea. It is no wonder that we read Yahweh exclaiming, “How long will this people despise me?” and “How long shall this wicked congregation grumble against me?” (Num. 14:11, 27). Still, two bright spots shine in this story. First, two of the spies—Caleb and Joshua—do not go along with the other spies but instead give a good report, encouraging Israel to move forward and take possession of their inheritance. For this, only Caleb and Joshua will eventually enter into the Promised Land, leaving the other spies to die in the wilderness along with the rest of Israel (including Moses), and Joshua will in fact take over leadership of Israel from Moses. This story is an important part of his development and preparation for leading Israel, as we will see in the book of Joshua. Second, Moses once again intercedes on behalf of Israel, keeping Yahweh from wiping them out and starting over with only Moses. Moses’s prayer in Numbers 14:13–19 is a masterclass in prayer, and worthy of careful study. And in doing this, Moses also gives us a picture of what it looks like for the Son to intercede on our behalf before the Father. Despite the horrible sin they had just committed, Israel’s advocate successfully intercedes for them and secures their pardon. Meditate, then, on Romans 8:34: “Who is to condemn [us]? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.” The gospel announces this good news: We have a mediator who is even greater than Moses. Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.…
F
Free Daily Bible Study Podcast


1 May 5th: Bible Meditation for Numbers 12–13 4:21
4:21
Putar Nanti
Putar Nanti
Daftar
Suka
Menyukai4:21
Bible Readings for May 5th Numbers 12 – 13 | Psalm 49 | Isaiah 2 | Hebrews 10 Numbers 12 is where things start to fall apart. Through all of Numbers—and through Exodus and Leviticus before that—we have seen Yahweh establish a highly organized arrangement in the camp of Israel, allowing his holiness to dwell in the midst of sinful people. To keep his holiness free from desecration—and to keep the Israelites from being destroyed by his holiness—he has called certain people to be near to him in different degrees. But beginning in Numbers 12, various factions begin to challenge the system Yahweh has established—and specifically, they direct much of their criticism to Moses out of envy for the privileged nearness to Yahweh he enjoys. What’s worst about this situation is that the criticism of Moses begins with those closest to him: his brother, Aaron, and his sister, Miriam. The specific challenge that Miriam and Aaron raise relates to Moses’s prophetic ministry, arguing that Yahweh has spoken through many people, and not only through Moses (Num. 12:2). It seems, though, that their criticism stems from their disapproval of Moses’s Cushite wife (Num. 12:1). Yahweh had no problem with Moses’s marriage, as he makes clear, so this is most likely a petty, personal issue that Miriam and Aaron had with Moses’s wife. Yahweh responds partially by defending Moses, but the main thing Yahweh does is to reestablish his boundaries for dwelling in the midst of Israel. If anyone will serve as prophet, Yahweh insists that he will make that calling known to the prophet (Num. 12:6). In fact, that is exactly what had happened in Numbers 11—Yahweh made seventy of the elders of Israel to be prophets, even overlooking the fact that Eldad and Medad hadn’t gone outside the camp as they were supposed to do. It is Yahweh’s prerogative—and Yahweh’s alone—to put his Spirit on someone so that that person may speak in his name. And that is what Yahweh found so offensive. From all people, Yahweh had appointed Moses alone to serve a special role as the mediator of the covenant he was forming with Israel. With Moses, Yahweh had chosen to speak mouth to mouth—not like a common prophet who has an occasional dream or vision, but as a friend (Ex. 33:11). To criticize Moses was to criticize Yahweh for his choice of mediator. For Yahweh, this criticism was personal. In this we see a glimpse of how the Father feels about his Son. Where Moses was faithful in the house (Num. 12:7), we’re told that Jesus is the builder of the house (Heb. 3:3). Not only has the Father chosen Jesus to be the mediator of the new covenant, but Jesus is the Father’s beloved, only begotten Son. This is why all religions cannot be equal. Infinitely more than even with Moses, the Father takes the honor and glory of his Son personally . Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.…
Selamat datang di Player FM!
Player FM memindai web untuk mencari podcast berkualitas tinggi untuk Anda nikmati saat ini. Ini adalah aplikasi podcast terbaik dan bekerja untuk Android, iPhone, dan web. Daftar untuk menyinkronkan langganan di seluruh perangkat.