2023—Week08: Numbers19-35; Mark07-10

Numbers 19-35: Upon review of large sections covered, it’s easier to see that God is not just the Author of Scripture; He’s also the Composer of the orchestral arrangement of it and the Director of History itself. In Scripture, it’s edited and presented to best reveal Him to us, (and us to us). For instance, it’s no coincidence that Moses’ act of dishonor at Meribah in Numbers 20 follows the revelation and remedy for uncleanness (Numbers 19). The people’s hostility toward God is followed by Edom’s hostility toward them, forcing them to go around their territory. Bitterness persists and even affects their victories in chapter 21, leading to the fiery serpent judgment. But God still makes a way of escape: if they believe, they can look to the serpent on the bronze pole and be made whole. Jesus Himself compares this to His crucifixion in John 3:14. 

The New Testament has numerous references to the corrupt prophet Balaam. His “error” (Jude 11) seems to be thinking God changed His mind or is indifferent to what He initially denied. His “way” (2 Peter 2:15) is  ongoing presumption upon God’s permissive will, leading to God commanding him to go forward, but to speak only what God tells him to speak.  This infuriates king Balak. And his “doctrine” (Revelation 2:14) may have resulted from fear of Balak: Numbers 31:16 says it was through Balaam’s advice (doctrine/teaching) that the cult prostitutes seduced the Israelites

As they prepare to enter the Land, God sets the terms of their worship, their inheritance, their civil leadership and law and sums up the wanderings. The names of the places are highly significant. Then, a census shows the generation that refused to begin the conquest almost 40 years earlier had all died out, with the exception of Joshua and Caleb, indicating the time has come. 

Mark 7-10: Likewise, the New Testament reading shows signs of an editorial plan: why had Jesus’ compassion been aroused for the people in the previous chapter? “they were as sheep not having a shepherd” (Mark 6:34). Leadership had been a problem in various places in the Old Testament. Jeremiah calls this problem out many times. When the Pharisees complained about Jesus’ disciples failure to observe tradition, it gave Jesus the opportunity to highlight a specific ways their tradition benefited them and gave cover for people whose heart wasn’t right with the Lord. Then He departed for a city of the Decapolis, which probably would have had majority gentile population. When a gentile woman sought Him, He pressed her. Calling her a “dog” was pointing out that she was excluded from the camp and covenant of God’s people like an unclean animal would be. (Revelation 22:15) But her faith that God would make a way for her persists in spite of this, as does many in the region. 

The spiritual leaders really needed bread from heaven, but their eyes were set on things of earth, as indicated by how the next chapter lays the feeding of the four thousand alongside the “leaven of the Pharisees” warning. Even New Testament believers can receive revelation from heaven one moment (as Peter did in the Great Confession and the Transfiguration) and drift into such deep error that they need sharp rebuke the next moment (as Peter did the moment after his Great Confession and in the midst of the Transfiguration [“Let’s make three tabernacles."]). We should deny ourselves, not the Lord, as Jesus warns. Prayer and fasting prepares us better for the spiritual battles we may face. In contrast to the disciples’ personal ambitions is the cross Jesus was about to face. Like the rich young ruler, they (and we) should prize Jesus’ love for us above everything else and embrace the path He has for us. (Note that John’s favorite name for himself is “the disciple whom Jesus loved” - I think he learned to do this and not to worry about how much Jesus loved others.)