READINGS FOR OCTOBER 10, 2024: NUMBERS 20, ACTS 24, PSALM 106:1-12
Numbers 20
We believe that this chapter begins in the fortieth year after the Exodus from Egypt. It begins with the death of Miriam (Moses’ sister) and ends with the death of Aaron (Moses’ brother). First Miriam. She caused Moses a problem when she criticized his marriage to the Cushite woman and in general questioned his authority. Yet, remember how God used her to watch over Moses as an infant in the Nile and her fast thinking and initiative to allow Moses’s mother to nurse him? May the Lord use us in such strategic ways for His kingdom purposes.
The people have encamped at Kadesh, the place of their worst act of rebellion against God (see Exodus 17). By now, the people who were adults at the time of the exodus from Egypt would have died. And yet, their children’s complaints echo grumbling against God from 40 years earlier. Access to drinkable water in the desert region where they were encamped was a real necessity.
God instructs Moses to take his staff with him, gather the people together, and speak to a rock to make water to pour out. Moses had the people assemble to receive the water, even before the water had appeared. Certainly, this required great faith. He also, however, identified them as rebels. This is never a good term with which to be associated: “Evildoers foster rebellion against God; the messenger of death will be sent against them” (Prov. 17:11). Maybe it was frustration; maybe it was anger, but Moses defies God order. When he speaks to the people, he strikes the rock with his staff twice. Unfortunately, as sometime happens, right after he accused the people as being rebellious, Moses, himself, failed to follow God exactly as directed. For such a seemingly small deviation of hitting the rock instead of speaking to the rock the consequence for Moses was immense: not entering the promised land. No one is too big not to obey precisely as He directed.
There are a few reasons why God is displeased with Moses. 1) Moses’ action was a mistrust of God. As if Moses believed that speaking to the rock would not be enough. 2) Moses’ rash action was offensive to God.
| When Israel reached Kadesh in the Wilderness of Zin, Moses politely asked the king of Edom for permission to pass through their land. He addressed them as brothers. Israel/Jacob was indeed the brother of Esau, the progenitor of Edom. Moses gave assurances that none of Edom’s resources would be taken or damaged. Yet, after two respectful requests, passage was denied. One wonders if Edom still held a grudge over Jacob’s stealing Esau’s blessings. This refusal caused Israel to detour to the south to Ezlon-gerber, just north of Midian. It was during this detour that God informed them that the time of Aaron’s death had come. It is interesting that God cites Moses’s sin of striking the rock for the timing of Aaron’s death. Sin has surprising consequences-never positive. |
READINGS FOR OCTOBER 10, 2024 CONTINUED: NUMBERS 20, ACTS 24, PSALM 106:1-12
Acts 24
Paul has been brought to Herod’s palace in Caesarea to face trial against the charges of the religious leaders. The High Priest, Ananias, a lawyer, Tertullus, and some others come to present their charges to the Roman governor, Felix. The charges against Paul are vague and nothing concrete is given for their request to have him punished.
When Paul is given his chance to speak, he defends his position. He explains that he did not do anything against the law of Rome. Verse 16 can be seen as a motto that we could all strive to attain:
“So I strive always to keep my conscience clear before God and man.” (NIV)
We should strive to be truthful in all things.
For some reason, Felix waits to rule on Paul’s case. He frequently invites Paul into conversation. After two years, Felix is recalled to Rome. We know from historical sources that he was called to Rome to respond to accusations about his governing. His “shady” dealings might explain why he became afraid when Paul “talked about righteousness, self-control, and the judgement to come” (V25, NIV).
The gospel can sound accusatory. When you begin to talk about what it means to follow Christ, people who are living sinful lives may think you are pointing out their faults. It may just be their conscience. When you are confronted with the truth, it is hard to live a lie.
Psalm 106:1-12
Psalm 106 is a salvation history hymn. It stresses Israel’s history of rebellion and a prayer for God to once again save them from their enemies. The hymn begins and ends with a call to praise God (“Praise the LORD” in Hebrew is “Hallelujah”).
Verses 1-5 is an introduction to the hymn. The psalmist gives praise to God. The psalm gives thanks for the way God blesses those who act justly. Then, it asks for God’s favor and blessing. The psalmist reminds God of the requirements for blessing and then asks that the psalmist be able to receive them (be righteous and just).
Verse 6 sets the stage for the rest of the psalm. The people of Israel have again sinned. They have rejected the will and law of God. They are again in need of rescuing.
Our section for today concerns the crossing of the Red Sea. God saved the people of Israel by drying up the Red Sea, allowing them to cross over, and then drowning the Egyptians as they attempted to follow. The saving act of God brought the Israelites to praise God for the blessings. The rest of the psalm will detail how short that praise lasted.
How easy is it for us to praise God when we have been blessed? How often do we forget to praise God when times are good? How often to we turn to God when we are facing struggles and then ignore God when the trouble passes?
