Second Bible Read Thread

[SarahsKnight]

I had the question that apparently many had concerning Balaam's story in Numbers 22, that if God gave Balaam permission to go to Balak (so long as Balaam spoke only the words God intended for him to speak, even if it meant Balak and the Moabites' detriment), then why did it say in the next passage that when Balaam rose to go meet Balak the next morning the Lord became angry and sent the angel to block his way with the sword?

Well, apparently it's the little things we easily miss in the written word. I think this gives us a satisfactory answer =>
Q/A: Why Was God Mad at Balaam for Going If He Said He Could?

 

[Multifavs]

Does anyone have any insight as to what Moses calls the "Book of the Wars of the Lord" refers to in Numbers 21:14?

According to my Bible's footnotes, this book is a collection of Israelite writings that is now lost.

 

[SarahsKnight]

Day 63: Apr 1

Happy Easter morning (here in about 20 minutes for us Central Zone folk, anyway
^-^).

This morning we will be reading Numbers 23 through 25.

 

[SarahsKnight]

Day 64: Apr 2

Numbers 26 and 27

 

[SarahsKnight]

Day 65: Apr 3

Numbers 28 through 30

 

[SarahsKnight]

Day 66: Apr 4

Numbers 31 and 32

 

[SarahsKnight]

Day 67: Apr 5

Numbers 33 and 34

__________

This still doesn't have anything to do with today's reading, but rather goes back to Balaam's story in chapter 22, but it still fascinates me for some reason, especially Balaam's four prophecies told to Balak of the Midianites (in summary that Balaam would not curse Israel so that they would fall to Midian, for God had blessed Israel). Balaam speaks in his fourth prophecy in Numbers 24 of "a star of Jacob" and a "scepter to rise out of Israel" that will "crush the borderlands of Moab". The MEV tells me to refer to Genesis 49:10 and 2 Samuel 8:2, and Psalms 45:6, as they all use some similar language. I wondered who Balaam was referring to in his fourth prophecy as the star and the scepter that will take down Moab (at the time in Numbers remember that Moab was yet another nation that tempted Israel to false gods away from the one true God who rescued them out of Egypt, and apparently later on by Numbers 31 Moab and Midian became somewhat teamed up*). I thought it might be Jesus Christ, but from the words of the three cross-reference verses here it seems it could fit King David, too.Both Jesus and David are descended from Judah after all, right?

Does anyone know of a point in the four gospels when Jesus had been referred to as a star or a scepter? And particularly as belonging to Israel, Judah, or Jacob?




* But I feel inclined to add: see here that this is yet another example of God perhaps having taken (what one of us mortals might think of) as extreme action against an enemy nation, commanding the Israelites to destroy Midian/Moab down to the man, in Numbers 31, and yet He still does not "cast off forever". This nation which had apparently seduced some Israelites into bowing down to false gods, as had so many others along the way to the Promised Land, is where Ruth, the widowed woman who won Boaz's heart with her beauty and character, had come from originally, yes? Ruth the Moabitess. Also ... an ancestor of Jesus Christ Himself. Quite an honor God gives to a woman who was born in a nation of pagans intent on turning Israel away from God, huh?

 

[Multifavs]

Does anyone know of a point in the four gospels when Jesus had been referred to as a star or a scepter? And particularly as belonging to Israel, Judah, or Jacob?

According to my NAB Bible's footnotes, this has been commonly seen as a Messianic prophecy but is not mentioned in the New Testament at all. The star symbolizes Christ, and the staff symbolizes Him as the staff of Israel. It is likely not related to the star that led the Magi to the Nativity.

 

[SarahsKnight]

Day 68: Apr 6

Numbers 35 and 36

 

[SarahsKnight]

Day 69: Apr 7

We start Deuteronomy today.

The MEV prefaces the book of Deuteronomy as follows:
"Deuteronomy was probably written in 1410 BC. Jewish tradition and the New Testament writers attribute this book to Moses. The book records Moses' speeches to the children of Israel, and there are additions by an unknown editor in chapters 1-5 and 34. Its theme to the reminder to obey God's instructions (Torah or Law) before they enter the land under Joshua's leadership. Deuteronomy is the last of the five books of Moses, called the Pentateuch. It opens with a survey or short prologue, and then focuses on some of the basic laws of the preceding books. Its conclusion includes Moses' final words to the people, which provide warnings about the dangers of apostasy and judgment, as well as reminders of God's mercy. Before his death, Moses blesses the tribes in a series of prophetic words. The book concludes with Joshua succeeding Moses."

Deuteronomy 1 and 2

 

[TheGirlOnFire]

I think God can speak to us to take the land and move us metaphorically. We can moan and be afraid, or refuse to move.

I think the part of the not believing in God and then God does not help them take the land is interesting.

 

[SarahsKnight]

Day 70: Apr 8

Deuteronomy 3 and 4

 

[SarahsKnight]

Day 71: Apr 9

Deuteronomy 5 through 7

 

[SarahsKnight]

Day 72: Apr 10

Deuteronomy 8 through 10

 

[Multifavs]

I liked the part about how there was no food or water in the desert but God provided for the Israelites to help them survive. This shows that God can take care of us even when nothing on Earth does.

 

[SarahsKnight]

Day 73: Apr 11

Deuteronomy 11 through 13

 

[SarahsKnight]

Day 74: Apr 12

Deuteronomy 14 through 16

 

[SarahsKnight]

Day 75: Apr 13

Deuteronomy 17 through 20

 

[SarahsKnight]

Day 76: Apr 14

Deuteronomy 21 through 23

 

[SarahsKnight]

Day 77: Apr 15

Deuteronomy 24 through 27