The Field is the World (Matt. 13:38)

How do these three chapters fit with Jesus' claim that the "volume of the book is written about me?" (Psalm 40:8, Hebrews 10:7) Deuteronomy 16 (like Exodus 23, Leviticus 23, Numbers 28) describes the three major feasts of Israel: Passover , which prefigures the Lord's death (1 Corinthians 5:7) and the redemption of the Church Weeks , which begins with Pentecost , prefiguring the Lord's ascension and the gift of the Spirit (Ephesians 4:8), the birth of the Church Tabernacles , the picture of the Marriage Supper of the Lamb (Revelation 19:7-9) Deuteronomy 17 describes the character of the obedient King of Israel, and specifically rules out Solomon , (2 Chronicles 1:14-17; 1 Kings 10:14-21, 28, 11:1-3) whose reign Jews might otherwise be tempted to identify as Messianic because he built the Temple, was "Son of David," and brought so much peace and wealth. Deuteronomy 18 describes the " Prophet like Moses " who will speak God's words in His na...

In these three chapters there are laws about paganism (even what to do in the case of fulfilled prophecy and/or miracles associated with paganism), dietary laws and laws concerning the poor and enslaved. If Israel had followed these laws scrupulously, would it not have made them radically different from other nations? God would have prospered them far above what they ended up enjoying (Deuteronomy 15:4-6). So-called inclusion, diversity and equity as understood in the modern way, are revealed to be a weakness and not a strength when it comes to false religion, partiality and uncleanness. On the other hand, prejudice in the modern sense is strictly forbidden and kindness to "strangers" is extolled. The "stranger" (Like the widow and fatherless) are to share in the offering of the tithe to the Lord (Deuteronomy 14:28-29) and inherent in the (permitted) institution of slavery/indentured servitude is the ethic, "remember that thou wast a bondman in the land of Egyp...

We already know that "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?" (Numbers 23:19) And yet, Genesis 6:6 tells us that "it repented the LORD that He had made man on the earth, and it grieved Him in His heart." In the context of His omniscience and love, He always elects to do what is best and never reverses Himself or changes His mind. But He is also a Person, with mind, will and emotion. Does He not experience the feeling  we would call regret, even though He would not change His mind or actions? Likewise, from these two chapters, am I right in seeing both delight and regret in His relationship with Israel? I see His delight in extolling the virtues of the land they're about to inhabit, almost like a father, proud to give his child a gift he has carefully selected and prepared. "A land which the LORD thy God careth for: the eyes ...

Doesn't Deuteronomy 10:12-13 seem so reasonable in context? In light of everything God had done for them, everything He promised to do for them in the future (Deuteronomy 8:7-10, 9:3) to fear God, walk with Him, love Him and serve Him seems reasonable, modest and doable. Romans 12:1-2 likewise seems modest and reasonable and yet it is so hard to remain yielded.

When God says, "O that there were such an heart in them, that they would fear me, and keep all my commandments always, that it might be well with them, and with their children for ever," (Deuteronomy 5:29), is that an expression of regret about the future He knows will come to pass? "They have well said all that they have spoken," He says. (Deuteronomy 5:28) God knows what could be , as well as what will come to pass. As sad as that makes me for the many shortcomings of my own walk with Him, it also reminds me of Romans 11:29, which in context is also about Israel, the Apostle Paul saying that God does not take back His calling or gifts because His wisdom, knowledge, judgments and ways are so deep. My own assurance of salvation, then, is grounded in this principle of mercy, omniscience and love for the Biblical characters I'm reading about, the fact that He still has Israel's future in mind . May the assurance of this generation of Christians , in spi...

Will the tribulation Israelites recall these words (Deuteronomy 4:30) when they see their pierced Messiah? (Zechariah 12:10) Will they all be saved at once? (Romans 11:26)

How would I have felt, if I'd been among the generation about to enter the Promised Land, only to hear Moses give the divine perspective on the wilderness wandering? It makes me think of a Life Review. It's common for someone going through a Near Death Experience to experience a review of their entire life, including an understanding of the impact on other people from the perspective of those other people in incredible, 3-D detail. One thing that's said to be a common result of the experience is a type of repentance from materialism and selfishness . To have Moses summarize the 40-year history of the wilderness wanderings must have had this effect on the generation that entered Canaan.

Who is the manslayer? I am. ( Romans 7:9 ) Satan deliberately  laid the trap for all mankind, and is a "murderer from the beginning" ( John 8:44 , cf., Numbers 35:16-21 ) Who is the Avenger of Blood? This word is the same word in Hebrew as Redeemer ( ga'al) It has to be someone:  Of biological kinship  to you Unencumbered by personal guilt/debt Able to redeem and the same person who could Buy back your sold/defaulted property, Buy you back  if enslaved / sold into indentured servitude Raise up seed on behalf of/in the name of a dead relative Jesus became flesh ( John 1:14 ,  Hebrews 10:5 ) in order to become my Redeemer. He is also my city of Refuge. ( Psalm 46:1 ) as well as my High Priest ( Hebrews 4:14-16 ). Isaiah 44:6 pulls His deity and His kinship-redeemer status together into one passage:  "Thus saith the Lord the King of Israel, and his redeemer the Lord of hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God."( https://www.bible.c...

Did the people fully understand that they were acting as God's agents in judgment? He had predicted this in His covenant with Abraham in Genesis 15:16, 18-21. In 33:55-56, we see the first of the predictions of what will happen to Israel if they fall short of the judgment God has in mind.

What made Balaam counsel Balak to get the cult prostitutes of Midian to seduce the Israelite men? He boldly blessed Israel while being paid and commanded to curse them from chapters 23-24. Balaam "rose up and returned to his place" in Numbers 24:25 and afterward the plan of Balaam is implemented , leading to the Lord's command to smite them (Numbers 25:16-18). I've always assumed there was an untold story of a threat by Balak that Balaam was unprepared for. Being outside of God's will he could not count on God's protection so he offered advice. But this is reading into the text.

Does the explicit description of sacrifices and holy convocations help solve the problem of how Jesus was "in the heart of the earth" three days and nights (Matthew 12:40)? These sabbaths are counted from days of the month, not days of the year. (John 19:31 explicitly says "that sabbath was an high day") Christ rose  on Sunday morning ( Mark 16:9). So He must have been crucified on Thursday, spent Thursday night and Friday morning, Friday night and Friday morning, Saturday night and Sunday morning in the grave, with Thursday being the seventh day of Passover and Luke 23:56 describing the Saturday Sabbath.

Why does Moses, in effect, suffer the same penalty as the generation which provoked God at Kadesh-barnea? According to God, it was unbelief in both cases (Numbers 14:11, 20:12, cf., Hebrews 3:7-19). Unbelief is serious; we must continually REST in our trust of God (Hebrews 4:9-11) that our hearts do not grow hard and rebellious against Him.

 Is there a more mysterious character than Balaam in the book of Numbers? Despite his perverse "way",  (22:32, 2 Peter 2:14), his great "error", (22:34, Jude 11), and his corrupting "doctrine" (25, 31:16, Revelation 2:14), the gentile prophet Balaam made accurate predictions about the future of Israel (24:7, 22) and even Christ. (24:17)

Is there a unifying theme to these three chapters? Moses misrepresents God and disobeys Him. His error costs him entry into the Promised Land. Balaam persists in a perverse way before the Lord (22:32). His error costs him a death like that of the people he had blessed. (23:10) What stands between? The serpent on the pole, to which Christ Himself referred as a type of His propitiating sacrifice (John 3:14, 12:32-33). The way for those who have corrupted themselves to nevertheless be blessed and enter the promised land.

How many Old Testament observances were symbolic of resurrection? Some are explicitly said to be (Genesis 22:5 / Hebrews 11:19) but others, like the dead rod of Aaron, though mentioned in the New Testament (Hebrews 9:4) are not called out as such. Does this mean we can look forward one day to a Bible lesson like the one in Luke 24:27?

How easily are people caught up and swayed by passionate words? gThey fled from the death of Korah and his followers, concerned that the ground would swallow them up as well (16:34) but then gathered to threaten Moses after the burning of the 250 who held censers. (16:42) God had literally appeared to them in a cloud before the tabernacle (19) and executed judgment exactly as predicted by Moses. (28-30)

(Numbers 13:28-33) Is there a positive example in Scripture of a democratic vote? Sometimes people point to Acts 15:23: 'Then pleased it the apostles and elders, with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; namely, Judas surnamed Barsabas, and Silas, chief men among the brethren: ' (Acts 15:22 https://my.bible.com/bible/1/ACT.15.22 ) What I notice is that the decision happened before this (v. 19) and the people agreed, in order: Apostles, elders and the whole church. It's troubling to me that the word Laodicea can be translated, the assembly's judgment.

In Numbers 9:18, what was "the commandment of the LORD?" This reminded me of the Experiencing God principle, that God loves us and is at work all around us. When we become aware of His work that is an invitation to join Him. So the Israelites joined Him when He departed, and remained with Him when He stayed, no matter how long the journey and no matter how long the encampment. May I have eyes to see His work and the will to join Him in it always.

Would Jacob have made such a testimony as 48:15-16 before coming to Egypt? Does this prefigure Isa. 66:8, Zech. 3:9, 12:10?

I wonder if the priests thought about the threefold nature of the blessing God prescribed to "put His name upon the children of Israel?" In doing this they formed their hands into a letter "shin" with three prongs, and their practice (as shown on ancient gravestones) left a triangle in the negative space.