READINGS FOR OCTOBER 29, 2024: NUMBERS 33, HEBREWS 9, PSALM 113
Numbers 33
Chapter 33 begins with a list of the significant places in the journey of the Israelites during the Exodus. There are forty (40) sites listed between their leaving Egypt and arriving at the plains of Moab. Many of the places listed were more encampments than cities and would be difficult to locate with any certainty.
The number forty (40) is significant in the Bible. It is the amount needed for something to be complete. For example, the Israelites spent forty years in the desert; Jesus spent forty days in the wilderness early in his ministry; Jesus spent forty days with the disciples after his resurrection (to name a few). The importance of the number is that the people of Israel have completed their journey and are now ready to enter the Promised Land.
The chapter ends with a warning to the Israelites. God tells them to drive out the inhabitants of the Promised Land and to destroy everything that has to do with their religion. If the Israelites do not do this, God warns:
“But if you do not drive out the inhabitants of the land, those you allow to remain will become barbs in your eyes and thorns in your sides. They will give you trouble in the land where you will live.” (Verse 55)
It is a warning and foreshadowing of the history of the people of Israel when they inhabit the land that God gave them.
Hebrews 9
It is important to remember that the author is writing to a predominately Jewish audience. His use of Jewish religious practices is because his audience would be familiar with them. He is trying to introduce the Christian faith by showing how it is both similar to and different from the Jewish religion.
In this chapter, the author compares the rituals of worship in the sanctuary in the Jewish temple with the way in which Jesus perfected them and made them no longer necessary. Since Jesus’ sacrifices and priestly actions moved to the heavenly sanctuary, the sacrifices done in the Jewish temple are no longer necessary. Just as the new covenant replaced the old covenant (the one given to Moses on Mt. Sinai) the sacrifice of Christ replaced the sacrifices in the temple.
The temple was a place of animal sacrifice. You can look at the charts in the discussion of Numbers Chapters 28 & 29 to see the sheer number of sacrifices made by the priests. This does not count the other offerings made by individuals for any number of sins. The blood of goats, rams, and sheep were continually poured out in the Holy Place of the Temple as a way of seeking forgiveness for sins. In addition, these offerings were given to show that an adherent to the faith acknowledged that God was in control.
Through the blood of Jesus, the sacrifice was made once and for all. The sacrifice was not made in the earthly “copy” Temple (see yesterday). It was made in the heavenly temple. Through this sacrifice, those who believe in the risen Christ may be cleansed “so that we may serve the living God!” (V.14).
READINGS FOR OCTOBER 29, 2024 (CONTINUED): NUMBERS 33, HEBREWS 9, PSALM 113
The author then uses the analogy of a “last will and testament.” The word translated as “will” in verse 16 is the same Hebrew word that is translated as “covenant” (diatheke). It is used here to denote a document that distributes a person’s possessions after death (a will).
A person does not receive their heritance from a will until the death of the person who made the will. It is only through the death of Jesus, that those who have faith in him are beneficiaries on the new covenant (remember – same word in Hebrew for “will” and “covenant”). In the gospel of Luke, Jesus tells his disciples at the Last Supper:
In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you. (Luke 22:20, NIV)
Jesus gave his life so that we could have everlasting life in his name. His blood was shed to pay for your sins and mine.
Psalm 113
Psalm 113 is a hymn of praise to God. It celebrates God’s majesty and his great mercy. It has three stanzas of three verses each.
Verses 1-3 – A four-fold call to praise God. 1) A call to praise God (Hallelujah!); 2) God’s servants are to praise; 3) God is to forever be praised; 4) The entire world is to praise God.
Verses 4-6 – God is enthroned in Heaven. God is to be exalted above all things. In verse 5, the psalmist asks a rhetorical question. Of course, the answer is NO ONE is like God. God is above all things.
Verses 7-9 – God lifts-up those who are in need. God may be above all things; God may be worthy of all praise; yet he is with those who are most in need of God’s love, grace and mercy. God is with the poor and the needy. God is with those who are in distress and grief (in the ash heap). God is with those do not have children.
A symbol of using ashes as a tradition for mourning can be found in Job 30:19 and other places. It signifies deep distress.
In the ancient world, barrenness was the greatest disgrace for a woman. (see Genesis 30:1, 1 Samuel 1:6-10).
