The Ultimate Inheritance [2025.02.09 Evening Sermon in Numbers 36]

The Lord gives Himself as our ultimate inheritance, and teaches us to live in a way that treasures Him as that ultimate inheritance.

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The Most Important Inheritance [Family Worship lesson in Numbers 36]

Why conclude this book with regulations about inheritance? Numbers 36 looks forward to the evening sermon on the coming Lord’s Day. In these thirteen verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that inheritance for Israel mattered so much because YHWH Himself is our ultimate inheritance.(click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

2025.02.07 Hopewell @Home ▫ Numbers 36

Read Numbers 36

Questions from the Scripture text: Which family’s chiefs, from which tribe,  come near to whom (Numbers 36:1)? Of what two commands do they remind them (Numbers 36:2)? About which eventuality are they concerned (Numbers 36:3)? What would finalize this (Numbers 36:4)? What does Moses answer, according to Whose Word (Numbers 36:5)? Whom does YHWH say the daughters of Zelophehad must marry (Numbers 36:6)? Who else must do this (Numbers 36:8)? What will this help to ensure (Numbers 36:7, Numbers 36:9)? What is the outcome of this instruction (Numbers 36:10)? Who marry whom (Numbers 36:11)? What remains with whom (Numbers 36:12)? How does Numbers 36:13 conclude this passage and this book?

Why conclude this book with regulations about inheritance? Numbers 36 looks forward to the evening sermon on the coming Lord’s Day. In these thirteen verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that inheritance for Israel mattered so much because YHWH Himself is our ultimate inheritance.

Why this particular passage is in this particular location. This passage serves as an inclusio (bookends) with the beginning of chapter 27, marking off chapters 27–36 as a conclusion to Numbers as a whole. The great theme of the final section has been that YHWH Himself is the inheritance of the people, even more than the land is. And this has just been emphasized in Numbers 35:33–34. 

That YHWH is our true inheritance is all the more obvious in the gospel age. For, it is YHWH Himself in the flesh Who has redeemed us for Himself and given Himself to us. We receive many other things together with the Lord Jesus (cf. Romans 8:32), but it is God Himself—in the Lord Jesus, and through the Lord Jesus—that is our great inheritance (cf. Genesis 15:1, Psalm 16:5–6, Psalm 73:25–26, Romans 5:2, 1 Peter 1:3–5). 

What the real problem is. Under the Mosaic administration, the inherited land is a palpable display of their inheriting the Lord Who gave it and dwells among them. This is why it was so urgent that land stay within each tribe: it is an inheritance from Him Who is their true inheritance. This is what was threatened by the possibility of a daughter of Zelophehad marrying away her inheritance (Numbers 36:7, Numbers 36:9). 

What the solution is. In part, the solution is prudence in marriage choices. This applies to believers as a whole (cf. 1 Corinthians 7:39, 2 Corinthians 6:14). Contrary to contemporary marriage indoctrination, finding a spouse is not about finding the one that your heart falls for. In the case of the daughters of Zelophehad, and of every believer, a good marriage choice is much more about marrying someone by whom, and with whom, you are all the more enabled to enjoy the Lord as your portion.

At another level, the solution is the Word of God. It is His Word that came previously (Numbers 36:2), and it is His Word that speaks now (Numbers 36:5-6), and it is His Word that both prescribes and produces the daughters’ obedience (Numbers 36:10), resulting in the preservation of the inheritance of their father’s family (Numbers 36:12). Indeed, it is the Word of the Lord that is their solution not just to this but to all things (Numbers 36:13).

How has your own marriage helped you treasure YHWH as your portion (or how do you hope that it will)? What (Who!) is your great inheritance? What else will you inherit, along with Him? How is treasuring/valuing those things a part of treasuring/valuing Him as your inheritance? How are you making use of His Word to help you do whatever is consistent with belonging to Him? How does His Word help you?

Sample prayer:  Lord, thank You for giving Yourself to be our portion. You have given Christ both for us and to us. And, by joining us to Him, You have given to us to have His inheritance, which is to have You Yourself as our inheritance! Grant unto us the ministry of Your Spirit, Who is a seal unto us of our inheritance, and Who makes us to know our adoption to the Father and our union with the Son. Bless Your Word to us, and produce in us the obedience that walks in the way of treasuring You, we ask through Christ, AMEN!

Suggested songs: ARP98 “O Sing a New Song to the Lord” or TPH471 “The Sands of Time Are Sinking”

Provision for God’s Presence [2025.02.02 Evening Sermon in Numbers 35]

The people among whom God dwells must be holy, and He provides it.

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God’s People’s Good Inheritance [2025.01.26 Evening Sermon in Numbers 33:50–34:29]

God wants His people to understand that they are receiving both Him Himself, and good gifts that He gives them the honor of participating in obtaining.

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Remedy for the Defilement of Murder [Family Worship lesson in Numbers 35]

Why must murder be dealt with so carefully in Israel? Numbers 35 looks forward to the evening sermon on the coming Lord’s Day. In these thirty-four verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that Israel are a people among whom the Lord dwells, and must guard the holiness of His image in man.(click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

2025.01.31 Hopewell @Home ▫ Numbers 35

Read Numbers 35

Questions from the Scripture text: Who spoke to whom in Numbers 35:1? Where? Whom is he to command (Numbers 35:2)? To give what to whom? And what else? What are each of these for (Numbers 35:3)? How much common land (Numbers 35:4-5)? What special cities will be found among these cities (Numbers 35:6)? How many of each (Numbers 35:6-7)? How are the cities to be selected (Numbers 35:8)? For whom are the cities of refuge (Numbers 35:9-11)? In order to keep what from happening (Numbers 35:12)? Until when? Where will they be located (Numbers 35:13-14)? What people will be eligible to use these cities (Numbers 35:15)? What are some cases in which the killing is murder (Numbers 35:16-18, Numbers 35:20-21a)? And another (Numbers 35:17)? And another (Numbers 35:18)? What penalty is required in each of these cases? Who is to administer it (Numbers 35:19, Numbers 35:21b)? When? What are some cases in which the killing is not murder (Numbers 35:22-23)? Who are to make the evaluation according to these standards (Numbers 35:24)? What are they to do if he is innocent of murder (Numbers 35:25)? Until when? And what if he leaves, what can who do (Numbers 35:26-28)? How many witnesses are necessary for determining a case (Numbers 35:29-30)? What can be paid to spare a murderer from death (Numbers 35:31)? Or a manslayer from restriction to a city of refuge (Numbers 35:32)? What is one primary reason that all of this is necessary (Numbers 35:33)? Why—who inhabit it (Numbers 35:34)? And Who dwells in the midst of it? 

Why must murder be dealt with so carefully in Israel? Numbers 35 looks forward to the evening sermon on the coming Lord’s Day. In these thirty-four verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that Israel are a people among whom the Lord dwells, and must guard the holiness of His image in man.

Why this is necessary. As Israel possesses the land of their inheritance (Numbers 35:2), there is a matter of vital importance: that they do not pollute the land by failing to execute murderers (Numbers 35:33, cf. Genesis 9:6). We’ve just read that this is the land that the living God is bequeathing upon His heirs (cf. chapter 34), and when He brings them into it, He Himself will dwell in the midst of it, among the children of Israel (Numbers 35:34). Such a land cannot be permitted to be defiled with unavenged blood.

Whom God appoints as judges for murder cases. Nestled in this passage is the fact that the Levites are to receive forty-eight cities (Numbers 35:7), but this is included primarily for the sake of the six cities of refuge (Numbers 35:6, Numbers 35:13). Each of the 48 Levitical cities includes a 2000 cubit by 2000 cubit (or slightly larger, to include the length of the city walls) square of pasture lands, with the city at its center (Numbers 35:4-5). The cities as a whole are spread evenly throughout the population of Israel (Numbers 35:8), but the disproportion in the distribution of the cities of refuge, with fully half of them on the other side of the Jordan with the two-and-half tribes. This implies that there is an emphasis upon geographical access, in the interest of justice. Ultimately, this means that the Lord has appointed the Levites as the administrators of the justice procedure in the case that someone has been killed. Furthermore, in cases of manslaughter, the death of the high priest releases him from the threat of vengeance. 

What happens when a man is killed. When a man is killed, the nearest of kin has the responsibility of redressing the death. The word ‘avenger’ (Numbers 35:12) is the word that readers of Ruth will know as “kinsman redeemer.” Another of his responsibilities is to pursue the manslayer to a city of refuge, so that the congregation (of Levites) may render judgment before there is any execution. 

The main duty of this assembly of Levites is to distinguish between murder and manslaughter. In order for a case to proceed at all, there must be multiple witnesses (Numbers 35:30). In cases where there is an intentional strike with a deadly weapon (Numbers 35:16-18), or if  there was intent or premeditation (Numbers 35:20-21), the killing is a murder, and the murder must be put to death. The execution is to be done by the avenger (Numbers 35:19), but it is the Levitical assembly that hears from the manslayer and avenger of blood (Numbers 35:24) to render a verdict. If they conclude that there was no enmity, premeditation, or hand-to-hand attack (Numbers 35:22-23), it is manslaughter not murder, and the manslayer comes under the protection of that Levitical city (Numbers 35:25). If he leaves the place of protection, he forfeits that protection (Numbers 35:27-28).

Finally, in the case of death, there can be no alternative penalties. Not only is the penalty for murder non-negotiable (Numbers 35:31), so also is the penalty for manslaughter (Numbers 35:32). From this, we understand that man’s blood is sacred. How greatly we ought to regard the image of God upon men! And, how important it is that those who gather to a holy God maintain holy lives—not only individually, but especially as a community. This applies more than just to maintaining church discipline (cf. 1 Corinthians 5). It applies to the civil society in which that church is located; it must have regard for the holiness of the people who live there, and the LORD Who dwells among them. How much more this is the case, when the people themselves are adopted by the Father, united to the Son, and indwelt by the Holy Spirit!

In what ways might you need to be having more regard for the image of God in others? In what areas of your life do you need to be giving more consideration to the fact that you are consecrated to God?

Sample prayer:  Lord, You are the infinitely glorious, only true God, and You have honored us above all other creatures by making us in Your own image. Forgive us for how we have disregarded that image in others, cleanse our conscience, and reform our character. And grant that our church and society would deal with murder in such a way that we would not be defiled before You or provoke You to wrath. By Your redemption, You have given us the even greater honor of being adopted by the Father, united to the Son, and indwelt by the Spirit. Grant that we would conduct ourselves in such holiness as befits a people whom You have thus consecrated. For, we ask it all through, and in, Christ, AMEN!

Suggested songs: ARP8 “LORD, Our Lord” or TPH174 “The Ten Commandments”

Israel's Land Inheritance [Family Worship lesson in Numbers 33:50–34:29]

What instruction does the Lord give for when they come into Canaan? Numbers 33:50–34:29 looks forward to the evening sermon on the coming Lord’s Day. In these thirty-six verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that the Lord teaches them the part that He has assigned to them in His gracious giving of Canaan to them as an inheritance.(click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

2025.01.24 Hopewell @Home ▫ Numbers 33:50–34:29

Read Numbers 33:50–34:29

Questions from the Scripture text: Who speaks to whom in Numbers 33:50? Where? To whom is Moses to speak (Numbers 33:51)? Concerning when? What must they do to whom (Numbers 33:52)? What must they do to each of which three things? Then what must they do with the land (Numbers 33:53)? How will the land be assigned (v54Numbers 33:54)? What will the inhabitants do, if Israel does not drive the out (Numbers 33:55)? And what will YHWH do (Numbers 33:56)? Who speaks to whom in Numbers 34:1? Whom is Moses to command (Numbers 34:2)? Concerning what time? How does the land fall to them? What is it called? What is the southern border (Numbers 34:3)? Southwestern (Numbers 34:4-5)? Western (Numbers 34:6)? Northern (Numbers 34:7-9)? Eastern (Numbers 34:10-12)? Who commands whom in Numbers 34:13? Whose inheritance does he define/command? By what method? What about the other two and half (Numbers 34:14-15)? Who speaks to whom in Numbers 34:16? Whose names does He give him (Numbers 34:17)? Who are to oversee this? Whom else are they to enlist (Numbers 34:18)? Which men, from which tribes (Numbers 34:19-28)? Which tribe is listed first? How does Numbers 34:29 summarize all of this?

What instruction does the Lord give for when they come into Canaan? Numbers 33:50–34:29 looks forward to the evening sermon on the coming Lord’s Day. In these thirty-six verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that the Lord teaches them the part that He has assigned to them in His gracious giving of Canaan to them as an inheritance.

The Lord Who faithfully preserved them in the wilderness now gives instruction for their coming into the land. Numbers 33:51, Numbers 34:2, and Numbers 34:29 tie this entire section together as the “Canaan” conclusion to the journey detailed in Numbers 33:1-49. What are they to inherit?

A cleansed land (Numbers 33:51-56). It must be cleansed both of the wicked and of their wickedness. The inhabitants must be driven out (Numbers 33:52a), or else they will be “irritants in your eyes and thorns in your sides” (Numbers 33:55). Additionally, God’s people must not tolerate even the presence of the remnants of idolatry (Numbers 33:52). But if the wicked, or the remnants of their wickedness, are permitted to remain, then Israel will be in the same position with God that the Canaanites had been (indeed, worse, since they would sin against more grace and more knowledge). And the Lord will expel Israel, in wrath, instead (Numbers 33:56).

An inherited land (Numbers 33:54; Numbers 34:2, Numbers 34:13-17, Numbers 34:29). The repeated language of “inheritance” in these verses emphasizes that this land is a gift from God, according to His promise. For, these lands did not previously belong to Israel, as if they are coming into what had been their birthright. Rather, the implication is that the whole world belongs to God, and He gives whatever He wishes to whomever He wishes. In particular, in an earth filled with idolatry, the Lord has separated a people unto Himself, and designated a particular land in which they shall be holy and set apart. 

A defined land (Numbers 34:1-12). The Lord, to Whom the whole earth belongs, has selected a place for His redemptive plan to advance among His consecrated people. He very specifically defines the borders of this land by geographical features. This, of course, is a small tract of land for a temporary period. It is not as though the Lord will permit the rest of the earth to be filled with idolatry forever. One day, there will be a new heavens and new earth in which righteousness dwells (cf. 2 Peter 3:13; Romans 8:21; Revelation 21:1), in which the knowledge of YHWH covers the earth as the waters cover the sea (cf. Habakkuk 2:14). And this whole world will be inherited by His people (cf. Matthew 5:5, Romans 4:13). Believers, still today, are heirs to a land promise.

A providentially customized land (Numbers 33:34, Numbers 34:13-29). The wisdom and kindness of the Lord is emphasized in His directing them to assign the correct size land for each tribe (Numbers 13:54). But then He blends an emphasis upon their responsibility and His sovereign providence. Their responsibility is emphasized in that the tribes must be assigned a region according to size, but then also that specific, named leaders (Numbers 34:19–28) are to divide each tribe’s land. Still, it is plain that the Lord is the One making the ultimate decision and giving each family its particular portion, because the division is done by lot. This is one reason why it is so important that the inheritance never pass out of their family. For, it is the Lord Who has selected each family’s portion. So also, in many things in which the Lord is sovereignly working and sovereignly giving, He yet gives us a responsibility by means of which He will do that working and giving. 

What remnants of false worship need to be eliminated from your life and worship? What has the Lord designated to give you by gift/inheritance? What is the significance of the fact that it is by inheritance? How can you know that whatever you receive in this life and the next will be perfectly suited to you?

Sample prayer:  Lord, we thank You for giving to us the sure hope of an inheritance that is being kept for us in heaven. Grant unto us to ruthlessly expunge all remnants of false worship from our lives. And, give us to rejoice in the hope of Your glory, and the expectation of all of our inheritance—including the new earth. So, grant unto us to continue to serve You by Your own grace in this life. And give us to be diligent in all of the responsibilities that You have assigned to us as means by which You bring us to that glory, we ask through Christ, AMEN!

Suggested songs: ARP98 “O Sing a New Song to the Lord” or TPH471 “The Sands of Time Are Sinking” 

A History of Faithfulness [2025.01.19 Evening Sermon in Numbers 33:1–49]

The church's story is the story of her Lord's faithfulness

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Faithful, Powerful God of Grace [Family Worship lesson in Numbers 33:1–49]

What does the Lord emphasize, when giving us Israel’s itinerary through the wilderness? Numbers 33:1–49 looks forward to the evening sermon on the coming Lord’s Day. In these forty-nine verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that the Lord emphasized His own faithfulness and power, which would come to a climax for His people in Christ, even as He reviewed Israel’s itinerary through the wilderness. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

2025.01.17 Hopewell @Home ▫ Numbers 33:1–49

Read Numbers 33:1–49

Questions from the Scripture text: What does Numbers 33:1 begin to summarize? How did these journeys begin? Who wrote them down (Numbers 33:2)? When had they departed (Numbers 33:3)? In what manner? Why were they able to do this (Numbers 33:4)? Upon whom had YHWH executed judgments? What movements do Numbers 33:5-9 cover? What did they have at Elim? What movements do Numbers 33:10-14 cover? What didn’t they have at Rephidim? What movements do Numbers 33:15-37 cover? What happened at Mount Hor (Numbers 33:38)? In what year, month, and day of their exodus? How old was Aaron (Numbers 33:39)? To what event does Numbers 33:40 refer (cf. Numbers 21:1–3)? What movements do Numbers 33:41-49 cover? What is special about the last location in Numbers 33:47 (cf. Deuteronomy 34:1–8)? 

What does the Lord emphasize, when giving us Israel’s itinerary through the wilderness? Numbers 33:1–49 looks forward to the evening sermon on the coming Lord’s Day. In these forty-nine verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that the Lord emphasized His own faithfulness and power, which would come to a climax for His people in Christ, even as He reviewed Israel’s itinerary through the wilderness.

Zooming out to see the Lord’s faithfulness. When we are zoomed-in to the history found in these verses, as we do in the rest of the book, we are overwhelmed by the sin of Israel throughout the wilderness. And the passage reminds us of this, ever so gently, by the reference to the water at Elim and the lack of it at Rephidim. Although the goodness of God never changes, it comes in varying providence. And because His people are not only finite, but sinners, their conduct often varies with His providence. But when we zoom out, what we see is the power and providence of God, faithfully taking Israel through all of these journeys. The story of the “numbers” of the book of Numbers is that, despite all opposition in creation and from men, and even/especially their own provoking the wrath of God… despite all of this, the Lord has completely replaced the first generation, and brought them into the land. His perfect faithfulness is the story of all of history. 

Zooming in to see the Lord’s power. We’ve already noted the extra details about Elim and Rephidim. In a chapter in which very few details are given, the ones that are included are magnified. And we have especially details about Egypt (Numbers 33:3-4), which is expected, and then about the king of Arad (Numbers 33:40), which is surprising, considering how little text was spent on that incident even in the main narrative of the book (cf. Numbers 21:1–3). By drawing our attention back to that passage, we are reminded not only of the Lord’s hearing the voice of His people (cf. Numbers 21:3), and enabling them to destroy this king whose domain included many cities, but also the vow between Israel and the Lord (Numbers 33:2) that anticipates what they must now do, when they enter the land. The Lord had not just judged and defeated the Canaanite king (Numbers 33:40), and even Egypt itself (Numbers 33:4a), but even Egypt’s gods (verse 4b). In every instance, as He established His visible church in the earth, the Lord exercised almighty power over the kingdoms and idolatries of men.

Looking forward for the Lord to use servants. There are a couple more details that stand out against the rest of the chapter. The language of v1 is interesting, when it says “by the hand of Moses and Aaron.” Clearly, it was ultimately by the hand of the Lord. But the point is that He is a Lord Who uses servants. And the details in Numbers 33:38-39 and Numbers 33:47 bring us back to that idea. The servants by which the Lord leads His people die, and must be replaced. Aaron was 123 years old, when He died, so there is an emphasis here on the Lord miraculously upholding him. This is also the case with the off-hand mention of Nebo, one of the names for the location at which Moses died. But in connection with this name, the Holy Spirit would give us Deuteronomy 34:1–9, where Numbers 33:7 also emphasizes the age and upholding of the Lord’s servant, “Moses was one hundred and twenty years old when he died. His eyes were not dim nor his natural vigor diminished.” 

One day, the Lord Himself would come as a Servant, Who has life in Himself (cf. John 5:26). He is not prevented by death from continuing forever in His priesthood (cf. Hebrews 7:23–25). Not only is the Lord faithful and powerful, but the Lord Himself has come as the Servant by Whose hand He leads His people. In times of plenty and want, facing enemies of whatsoever difficulty, even facing our own sin: we may rest in Him, and follow Him, with all confidence. 

Which of the types of things that Israel faced in the wilderness do you most need the faithfulness and power of the Lord to overcome? What is an example of each type of challenge that the church faces today? How does baptism, as a sign that the church now has Jesus as her Prophet, Priest, and King, encourage you about both what will come of the church and what will come of you yourself?

Sample prayer:  Lord, we praise You for Your faithfulness and power in which You have always led Your people. It is You Who overcome all of the challenges in our weakness, our circumstances, our enemies, and even the guilt of our sin and the power of our sin. And, we are all the more confident of this, for You have given us to have Christ as our Prophet, Priest, and King. By His intercession, through the power of His resurrection life, save us to the uttermost, we ask in His Name, AMEN!

Suggested songs: ARP46 “God Is Our Refuge and Our Strength” or TPH246 “Though Troubles Assail Us” 

Faith-full Church Members [2025.01.12 Evening Sermon in Numbers 32]

Believers must participate faithfully, before God’s face, by faith, in the life of the church.

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God’s Generosity in Christ [2025.01.05 Evening Sermon in Numbers 31:25–54]

Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift, Who supplies all our needs (namely Himself!) according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

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2025.01.10 Hopewell @Home ▫ Numbers 32

Read Numbers 32

Questions from the Scripture text: Which two tribes had what (Numbers 32:1)? What did they see? To whom did they come (Numbers 32:2)? What cities did they name (Numbers 32:3)? What did they say about them (Numbers 32:4)? Whom did they say had defeated these cities (cf. Numbers 21:34)? What do they request in Numbers 32:5? How does Moses respond (Numbers 32:6)? Against what does he warn (Numbers 32:7-12, cf. Numbers 13:26–14:4)? Of what does he accuse them (Numbers 32:14)? What does He say would happen (Numbers 32:15)? But what do they propose to do (Numbers 32:16-18)? And what place do they intend to take in the battle (Numbers 32:17)? Why (Numbers 32:19)? Before Whom does Moses say they must arm themselves (Numbers 32:20)? Until what happens before Him (Numbers 32:21)? And what else, before Him (Numbers 32:22)? Then what must they return and be, before Him? But what does Moses warn them against in Numbers 32:23? What will happen then? So, what does Moses tell them to do (Numbers 32:24), and what do they say that they will do (Numbers 32:25-27)? To whom does Moses give instructions about this (Numbers 32:28-29)? What if there is no follow-through (Numbers 32:30)? Who reaffirm what, in Numbers 32:31-32? Who are now mentioned in this inheritance in Numbers 32:33? What do the two-and-a-half tribes receive? Who build what in Numbers 32:34-36? Who build what in Numbers 32:37-38? Who build what in Numbers 32:39-42?

What must members of God’s people do? Numbers 32:1–42 looks forward to the evening sermon on the coming Lord’s Day. In these forty-two verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that members of God’s people must participate faithfully in the church’s corporate life, in addition to their household’s life, before the Lord’s own face, dependence upon the Lord’s own power, and diligence in the Lord’s assigned duties.

The importance of not discouraging the hearts of God’s people. The initial request of Reuben and Gad (Numbers 32:1-5) raises questions because it sounds, at first, like they do not wish to send their warriors with Israel across the Jordan (Numbers 32:6, Numbers 32:14-15). This would “discourage the heart of the children of Israel” (Numbers 32:7), when the spies’ “discouraging the heart of the children of Israel” at Kadesh Barnea (Numbers 32:9) had led to the avowed wrath of God against them (Numbers 32:10-12). An entire generation had been executed in judgment (Numbers 32:13), which became a sign of warning to God’s people even to this day (cf. Psalm 95:10–11; 1 Corinthians 10:1–5; Hebrews 3:7–4:11). 

If the Lord considers the non-participation of 20% of His people a discouraging of the hearts of His people that leads to wrath, then each of us must seriously consider the extent to which we are participating in the life of our own congregation. He especially gives us to continue steadfastly in apostolic teaching, apostolic fellowship, the Lord’s Supper, and corporate prayer (cf. Acts 2:42). 

When the church is hearing apostolic preaching, am I there, or are am I discouraging the hearts of God’s people? 

When the church is gathered for the purpose of that apostolic fellowship that is especially a speaking the truth to one another and building one another up (cf. Ephesians 4:15–16; Hebrews 10:25b), am I not just there but intentionally doing that? Or am I discouraging the hearts of God’s people? 

When the church is gathered for the purpose of taking the Lord’s Supper, am I coming to the table prepared, eagerly expecting others’ partaking, partaking by faith myself, and making improving use of that partaking afterward? Or am I discouraging the hearts of God’s people?

When the church is gathered for the purpose of corporate prayer, am I there and lifting holy hands to help lead as appropriate (if I’m a man, cf. 1 Timothy 2:8), and joining with those who lead as one who has come adorned with good works (cf. 1 Timothy 2:9–10)? Or, when the church is gathered for corporate prayer, is my (however well-intentioned for other things, like the proposal of Reuben and Gad) absence discouraging the hearts of God’s people?

The reality of being before the face of the Lord. The men of Reuben and Gad propose to set their wives and children up in their inheritance (Numbers 32:16), but then go armed “before the children of Israel until we have brought them to their place” (Numbers 32:17). But Moses takes that language and turns it to its proper object. It is “before YHWH” that they are to arm themselves (Numbers 32:20). It is “before YHWH” that they are to cross the Jordan (Numbers 32:21a). It is “before YHWH” that He will drive out His own enemies (verse 21b). It is “before YHWH” that the land will be subdued (Numbers 32:22a). It is “before YHWH” that they must return and be blameless (verse 22b). It is “before YHWH” that the land shall be their possession (verse 22c). In all of our dealings with others, we must conduct ourselves, first and foremost, before the Lord Himself. It is He with Whom we must deal in all things.

Your sin will find you out. The fact that we are always before the face of the Lord means that we must always seek God’s grace to be and do, in reality, what we have pledged before Him with our hearts and mouths. You must not fake your way along. Whether in this life (almost always, in this life!), or in the next (absolutely always, in the next!), your sin will surely find out (v23b), because it is against YHWH Himself that you have sinned (Numbers 32:23a).

Provision and diligence. Through all of this, YHWH is giving His people the land of Sihon and Og, captured back in Numbers 21:21–35. He promised the land. He gave victory. And He now gives the land that was promised. But Numbers 32:33-42 are also a flurry of activity. While it is He Whose sovereign intent determines, and Whose sovereign power accomplishes, He gives His people the privilege and responsibility of laboring diligently. So it is in your life, dear believer. You are to labor diligently, counting it as a privilege—not as if it depends upon You, but precisely because it depends upon Him!

What gatherings of the church, for its Spirit-commanded activities, could you attend, but are choosing not to? When you are there, how is the quality of your participation encouraging (or discouraging) God’s people? In what situations in your life are you aware of being before others but forgetful of being before God’s face? What sin might you be trying to keep hidden from others, even though it will surely find you out? What labors has the Lord given you to do? In those labors, do you most need to grow in diligence or in dependence?

Sample prayer:  Lord, thank You for granting unto us a part in Your work among Your people. Grant to us that we would participate in the corporate life of Your church with such diligence, faithfulness, and sincerity as to encourage their hearts. Please make us always to live before Your face, following through on all that we have promised to You. In all of this, make us to know Your abundant generosity and almighty power, which we ask through Him Who is Your wisdom, power, and generosity unto us—even Your Son, Christ Jesus, our Lord, AMEN!

Suggested songs: ARP24 “The Earth and the Riches” or TPH405 “I Love Thy Kingdom, Lord”

Christ's Divine Provision [Family Worship lesson in Numbers 31:25–54]

What does the Lord show by the distribution of the plunder from the battle? Numbers 31:25–54 looks forward to the evening sermon on the coming Lord’s Day. In these thirty verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that the Lord demonstrates great generosity and mercy in His provision for His people by the plunder from the battle.(click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

2025.01.03 Hopewell @Home ▫ Numbers 31:25–54

Read Numbers 31:25–54

Questions from the Scripture text: Who spoke to whom in Numbers 31:25? What did He tell him to do (Numbers 31:26)? With whom? And divide it into how many parts (Numbers 31:27)? For which two groups? From which group, would how much be taken for Whose portion (Numbers 31:28)? And given to whom to do what with it (Numbers 31:29)? And from which group, would how much be taken, for Whose portion (Numbers 31:30)? And given to whom to do what with it? So who did what? How many sheep were there (Numbers 31:32)? Cattle (Numbers 31:33)? Donkeys (Numbers 31:34)? Persons (Numbers 31:35)? Which persons, specifically? How many sheep did the warriors receive (Numbers 31:36)? How many for YHWH (Numbers 31:37)? Cattle (Numbers 31:38)? And for YHWH? Donkeys (Numbers 31:39)? And for YHWH? Persons (Numbers 31:40)? And for YHWH? What did Moses give to whom (Numbers 31:41)? According to what? Whose half does Numbers 31:42 begin to detail? Separated from what? How many sheep (Numbers 31:43)? Cattle (Numbers 31:44)? Donkeys (Numbers 31:45)? Persons (Numbers 31:46)? How many did Moses give to whom (Numbers 31:47)? Of what did they keep charge? According to what pattern did they do all this? Who came near in Numbers 31:48? What did they report (Numbers 31:49)? How are they responding (Numbers 31:50)? Who do what in Numbers 31:51? How much did it all weigh (Numbers 31:52)? What had who done (Numbers 31:53)? And who brought what, where, as what (Numbers 31:54)? 

What does the Lord show by the distribution of the plunder from the battle? Numbers 31:25–54 looks forward to the evening sermon on the coming Lord’s Day. In these thirty verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that the Lord demonstrates great generosity and mercy in His provision for His people by the plunder from the battle.

Disproportional Generosity for Participation. We noted, in the earlier part of the chapter, how comparatively few of Israel’s warriors were sent to the battle. Now, we see that fully half of the spoil is to go to just these twelve thousand men. How great is the generosity of God!

Disproportional Generosity for the Priesthood. The priestly family, though much smaller than one tenth the size of the rest of the Levites, receives one tenth as much as the rest of that tribe. They are to receive it in YHWH’s behalf and bear the weight of it in their hands before Him as a heave offering. Just as He gave a disproportional amount of the spoil to the warriors, to whom He gave to be the people’s special representatives in the war; so also, He gave a disproportional amount the priestly family, to whom He gave to be the people’s special representatives in the tabernacle, before God.

Generous Bounty for All. The amount received by everyone else is, taken by itself, very generous. Half a sheep per household, beside cattle, donkeys, and maidservants. Just as in Jesus’s parable (cf. Matthew 20:1–16), which treated a different point, God’s exceeding generosity to others was not a reason to be ungrateful for His rich generosity, even if proportionally smaller. The Lord even gives them the generosity of the opportunity and occasion to be generous themselves—something He continues to do, as He employs His people in providing for His preachers and for the poor among them. In all of this, His richest provision is Himself.

Miraculous/Divine Preservation. Again, we have noted how less than two percent of Israel’s warriors were sent to the battle. How vastly they must have been outnumbered! But God didn’t just give them to win the battle. He gave them to do so without losing a single man! Realizing that they had tried to keep maidservants for themselves, from among those who had brought the plague upon Israel, they now recognize the amazing patience of God with them. 

Those who had taken spoil for themselves (Numbers 31:53) bring a very generous amount of the most valuable spoil (Numbers 31:50-52) to make “atonement” for themselves by giving it to the Lord. It becomes a memorial before YHWH for the children of Israel (Numbers 31:54), a reminder that He had not only given them success but spared them from His own wrath.

Gracious Production of Gratitude. Finally, let us not leave this passage without seeing what a wonderful work of grace is this gratitude and generosity in the hearts of these men. They go from lust and selfishness to recognizing God’s great mercy to them and desiring to be reconciled with Him. This, of course, can come only by the Spirit of God. What a merciful work He did in them!

How has God been generous with you? How, perhaps, has He been even disproportionately generous beyond what He gives most of His people? How have you responded to this generosity? 

Sample prayer:  Lord, thank You for Your great generosity to us. Truly, we had deserved Your wrath, just as the Israelite troops did. But You have given us not just plunder from battle but Your Son Himself, together with all other things. And You have given to us to give ourselves to You as living sacrifices. So, forgive us our sin for Christ’s sake, and continue Your gracious work in our hearts, we ask through Him, AMEN!

Suggested songs: ARP32AB “What Blessedness” or TPH128B “Blest the Man Who Fears Jehovah”

Holiness Satisfied in Wrath and Mercy [2024.12.29 Evening Sermon in Numbers 31:1–24]

God's holiness must be satisfied—either in wrath or in mercy.

(click here to DOWNLOAD video/mp3/pdf files of this sermon)

Holy Wrath and Holy Mercy [Family Worship lesson in Numbers 31:1–24]

What is required against all sin? Numbers 31:1–24 looks forward to the evening sermon on the coming Lord’s Day. In these twenty-four verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that God’s vengeance is required against all sin.(click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

2024.12.27 Hopewell @Home ▫ Numbers 31:1–24

Read Numbers 31:1–24

Questions from the Scripture text: Who spoke to whom (Numbers 31:1)? What did He tell him to take (Numbers 31:2)? Upon whom? For whom? Then what will happen? Who spoke to whom in Numbers 31:3? What did he tell them to do to themselves? In order to take what? For Whom? Upon whom? How many does he say to send from each tribe (Numbers 31:4)? What was the result (Numbers 31:5)? Who sent these 12,000 to war (Numbers 31:6)? With what else with them? What did they do (Numbers 31:7)? In exact accordance with what? Whom did they kill? Especially which five men (Numbers 31:8)? And especially which man? Whom did they take as captive (Numbers 31:9)? What did they take as spoil? What did they do to the cities (Numbers 31:10)? And to what else? What does Numbers 31:11 repeat? To whom do they bring what in Numbers 31:12? Where? Across from where? Who mee them, where (Numbers 31:13)? How does Moses respond with regard to whom (Numbers 31:14)? Why (Numbers 31:15)? What the women done (Numbers 31:16)? Who had counseled this? Against Whom? With what result? Whom does he say to execute (Numbers 31:17)? And whom to keep alive (Numbers 31:18)? Who else must do what, for how long (Numbers 31:19)? Why? What else must be purified (Numbers 31:20)? Who, then, speaks to whom in Numbers 31:21? Whose ordinance does he give them? To whom was it originally commanded? What items of the unclean must be cleansed in what ways (Numbers 31:22-24)? 

What is required against all sin? Numbers 31:1–24 looks forward to the evening sermon on the coming Lord’s Day. In these twenty-four verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that God’s vengeance is required against all sin.

When the Midianites had turned the Israelites against the Lord in harlotry and idolatry, the Lord had commanded them to attack and strike them (cf. Numbers 25:17–18). Now, it is the one loose end left in Moses’s life’s work (Numbers 31:2, cf. Numbers 27:13). God’s justice may come slowly, but it surely comes. The Lord does this both for His people’s sake (Numbers 31:2) and for His own holiness’s sake (Numbers 31:3). So shall it be with His judgment in the last day.

It is interesting that the number of men required is one thousand from each tribe (Numbers 31:4-5). First, this number seems small on the whole. But in a war of the Lord’s vengeance, it is not the size of the contingent that determines the outcome. Second, this number is a greater proportion of some tribes than of others. This has been a book of numbers, and the largest tribes were more than double the size of the smallest. This is a covenantal sharing of vengeance. The representation is not according to census, but identification as the people of God; no tribe will be more identified as such than the other.

The fact that this is a “holy war” is indicated by the accompaniment of the high priest and the tabernacle furnishings (Numbers 31:6). This is not a superstitious use, like that which will cause Israel to be chastened in 1 Samuel 4. In this case, it is a recognition that the Lord Himself has commanded this action—and that, although He has required their participation, it will be the Lord Himself that completes this action.

The people execute the soldiers (Numbers 31:7), the kings (Numbers 31:8), and even Balaam, whose counsel had led to this dreadful condition. But they stop short at the women (Numbers 31:9). It seems that the people do not understand the judicial nature of the military action that God has commanded. Or, worse, they don’t care. After all, it was desire for these women that had caused them to stumble in the first place. By lumping the women in with the spoil, the implication seems to be that they wished to be able to have the women for themselves to marry (or, worse, otherwise enjoy). So Moses is furious (Numbers 31:15), because the women were Balaam’s chief agents in turning Israel against the Lord, in order to obtain the reward from Balak (Numbers 31:16, cf. chapters 22–25). 

There is much ritual purification that must take place (Numbers 31:19-20), but repentance (moral purity) must proceed religious rites (ceremonial purity). They must first repent of the failure to carry out the Lord’s vengeance (Numbers 31:3). If we understand the punishment on the adulteresses who ensnared Israel by harlotry, but balk at the instruction concerning the male children (Numbers 31:17), that is because we are a generation that does not think covenantally. There must be no household in Israel that arises from the sin of Peor, and each male child among them presents just such a possibility. This is the repentance. The ritual purification is according to God’s law from chapter 19 and Leviticus 11.

The repentance and ritual purification are important for remembering that the offense that we take to such a passage is not due to modern sensibilities or genuine love. Rather, it is because we do not understand the greatness of the holiness of God. If we take His holiness and our sinfulness into account, the shock of the passage is not the execution of Midianite women and boys. Rather, the shock of the passage is that the sinful, Israelite men may be ritually purified instead of summarily executed. Of course, this is not something that has actual atoning effect. It is faith in the promised Christ—indeed, it is the promised Christ Himself—that accomplishes this miracle of God’s-holiness-defiling, and God’s-vengeance-deserving, sinners being granted repentance (cf. Acts 11:18) and holiness (cf. Revelation 5:9–10)!

When you have difficulty with the truth about God’s wrath, what must you remember about God? What must you remember about men, generally? How must you take this to heart, regarding your own desserts, personally? How must you take this to heart, regarding your own salvation? How should you respond to God? What should you pray for others and do for others?

Sample prayer:  Lord, we thank You for Your mercy to us. For, we have deserved the full outpouring of Your hot wrath. But, You have expended that wrath upon Your Son for those whom You are saving. Forgive us from shrinking from this true doctrine of Your holiness and the wrath that it requires and expresses. Grant that we might not only affirm Your wrath, but that by doing so, we might rejoice all the more over Your redemption in Christ, through Whom we ask it, AMEN!

Suggested songs: ARP45B “Daughter, Incline Your Ear” or TPH128B “Blest the Man Who Fears Jehovah”