2024.10.04 Hopewell @Home ▫ Numbers 22:13–40

Read Numbers 22:13–40

Questions from the Scripture text: What did Balaam tell whom to do (Numbers 22:13)? What reason did he give them? But how do the princes of Moab explain it (Numbers 22:14)? What does Balak now do (Numbers 22:15)? What message did they deliver from Balak (Numbers 22:16)? What did they promise in his behalf (Numbers 22:17)? What request did they repeat? What did Balaam suggest Balak could give him (Numbers 22:18)? But what did he say that he still could not do? What does he call YHWH? But what does he ask them to do (Numbers 22:19)? For what purpose? What does God permit Balaam to do (Numbers 22:20)? On what condition? What does Balaam do in the morning (Numbers 22:21)? But what was God’s disposition to Balaam’s going (Numbers 22:22)? So, Who stood in his way? As what? What/who was with him? Of these four, who saw Whom (Numbers 22:23)? Doing what? How did the donkey respond? Then how did Balaam respond to the donkey? Where did the Angel of YHWH stand next (Numbers 22:24)? Who saw (Numbers 22:25)? How did it respond? With what effect? And what response from Balaam? Where did the Angel of YHWH stand next (Numbers 22:26)? Now what did the donkey do (Numbers 22:27)? With what response from Balaam? Who opened what (Numbers 22:28)? What does the donkey say? To whom? How does Balaam respond to a donkey talking to him (Numbers 22:29)? What did he wish? Why? What argument does the donkey present (Numbers 22:30)? Who caves in to the other’s argument? Now Who opens what (Numbers 22:31)? What does Balaam see? How does he respond? Whose question does the Angel of YHWH now repeat (Numbers 22:32)? What does He say that He has done? Why—what does He say about Balaam’s way? Before Whom? What does He say the donkey has seen and done (Numbers 22:33)? What does He say would have happened if she didn’t? What does Balaam confess in Numbers 22:34? What does he finally consider at the end of verse 34? How does the Angel of YHWH’s response in Numbers 22:35 compare to Numbers 22:20? What does Balak hear (Numbers 22:36)? What does he do? At which city does he meet him? What three questions does he ask (Numbers 22:37)? But what does Balaam again explain to Balak in Numbers 22:38? Who now goes with whom to where (Numbers 22:39)? What does Balak do there (Numbers 22:40)? And to whom does he give the meat? 

What do we learn from a talking donkey? Numbers 22:13–40 looks forward to the evening sermon on the coming Lord’s Day. In these twenty-eight verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that the Lord opens the mouth, opens the eyes, and sees the heart.

It is the Lord Who opens the mouth. This much Balaam keeps telling Balak (Numbers 22:8, Numbers 22:18, Numbers 22:38). This the Lord also repeats to Balaam (Numbers 22:20, Numbers 22:35). This the Lord emphasizes by even doing it for a donkey (Numbers 22:28)! Our words belong to Him, and we must use them well. Not only must they always keep the third and fifth and sixth and seventh and ninth commandments (and all the rest of them!), but our words must always be with grace (Colossians 4:6), and we must never speak idle words (Matthew 12:36). 

It is the Lord Who opens the eyes. The language of Numbers 22:31 with respect to Balaam’s eyes is almost the same as that in Numbers 22:28 with respect to the donkey’s mouth. The Lord literally opens Balaam’s eyes, so that he can see Jesus… and Balaam is duly terrified! Of course, it is implied that it was YHWH Who had been opening the donkey’s eyes ever since Numbers 22:23. But we read nothing of the two servants’ eyes being opened. What a marvel it must have been to them, first to hear the donkey (Numbers 22:28), then to hear their master arguing back to a donkey (Numbers 22:29), then to hear their master yielding to the donkey’s argument (Numbers 22:31), and finally to see their master hastily throwing himself upon his face (end of verse 31)! 

Of course, the reason that he was on his face is the Christophany in front of him. This Angel of YHWH, with sword drawn, is YHWH Himself. He accepts the worship that is offered (Numbers 22:31). He judges Balaam’s actions as “before Me” (Numbers 22:32, literally “opposite Me”). And the strongest proof of all is that He identifies Himself in Numbers 22:35 as the same speaker as in Numbers 22:20. 

We need our eyes opened, the veil to be removed, the scales to fall. We need the Lord to give us to see Him, to see the danger of our sin before Him, and to see Him offering us forgiveness and life by His grace. 

The Lord Who sees the heart. Why is it wicked for Balaam to go in Numbers 22:21, but acceptable in Numbers 22:35? Balaam’s heart is different. In Numbers 22:21, he has obtained permission, but goes because it pleases himself (especially because it pleases him to obtain the riches, cf. 2 Peter 2:15, Jude 11). But that’s his own way, and it is perverse before the Lord (Numbers 22:32). Only when Balaam is going not because it pleases himself, but because it pleases the Lord (Numbers 22:34), is it permissible. It is the man’s heart upon which the Lord especially sets His eye. We must make our hearts the priority before Him, looking to Him for grace to maintain them (cf. Psalm 19:14, Psalm 139:23–24).

In what situations have you most needed to remember that it is the Lord Who has opened your mouth? What does He use to open our eyes, and what use are you making of it? What have you seen of your sin? What have you seen of Christ? What is your habit, in relating to the Lord, for maintaining your heart before Him?

Sample prayer:  Lord, thank You for giving to us the privilege of speech. Grant that we would serve You with all of our words. And give us to see ourselves rightly, to see our sin rightly, and especially to see Christ rightly. Help us to offer unto You not just our behavior, but especially our hearts—not living to please ourselves as much as we can get away with, but pleasing You as much as we possibly can. Grant all of this through Christ, we ask in His Name, AMEN!

Suggested songs: ARP23B “The Lord’s My Shepherd” or TPH216 “Praise to the Lord, the Almighty”

Examples That Warn Against Backsliding [Family Worship lesson in Jude v5–7]

How does God remind us of the urgency of obeying Jesus as our Lord? Jude v5–7 looks forward to the second serial reading in morning public worship on the coming Lord’s Day. In these three verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that those who do not obey Jesus as their Lord will suffer under His wrath forever. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

2024.10.03 Hopewell @Home ▫ Jude 5–7

Read Jude 5–7

Questions from the Scripture text: What is Jude doing to them in Jude 5? What used to be their condition? What had the Lord done to whom? But what did He do later to whom? And who did not do what (Jude 6)? What did they do instead? And what has the Lord done to them? Until what? And what two cities make up a third example (Jude 7)? And what other cities in like manner? To what did they all give themselves over? By going after what? As what are they set forth? What are they suffering? 

How does God remind us of the urgency of obeying Jesus as our Lord? Jude 5–7 looks forward to the second serial reading in morning public worship on the coming Lord’s Day. In these three verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that those who do not obey Jesus as their Lord will suffer under His wrath forever.  

The need of reminder (Jude 5a). Jude’s readers are not suffering amnesia. What is lacking is the experiential knowledge of the necessity for perseverance in righteousness. Even genuine believers, like those to whom he is writing (cf. Jude 1b), can go through periods of complacency and backsliding. But now that these men are creeping into the churches, encouraging professing Christians to use “grace” as an occasion for sin (Jude 4), it is all the more urgent that Christ’s prophet remind his readers of what comes of those who had blessing from God but threw off His authority.

The destruction of church members (Jude 5b–c). The Lord saved a people out of the land of Egypt (verse 5). They experienced wonders and spiritual privileges (cf. 1 Corinthians 10:1–4). These were members of the church in the wilderness (cf. Acts 7:38), but many of them grumbled and rebelled, and the Lord killed that generation before they entered the promised land (Jude 5c; cf. Acts 7:39–51, 1 Corinthians 10:5–11). But these were examples for us (cf. 1 Corinthians 10:5), so that we who think we stand would keep taking heed, lest we fall (cf. 1 Corinthians 10:12). Have you enjoyed great spiritual experiences, and great spiritual privileges, including membership in Christ’s church and participation in His sacraments? Then bless God for His goodness to you! But also look to Him for grace to maintain you, lest it be discovered that all of your hearing and seeing has not been mixed with faith (cf. Hebrews 4:2 in Hebrews 3:6–4:13).

The destruction of authorities (Jude 6). So, we have seen how even church members can fall. Now we see how far one may fall. Whatever heights of obedience or ability we have attained, we will not in this life reach those of the angels. But there were angels who did not keep their own authority, but fell from even there. And how great was their fall! From spiritual power to chains of darkness. And the judgment day that is coming will not remove those chains, but add to them the lake of fire (cf. Matthew 25:41; Revelation 19:21, Revelation 20:10, Revelation 20:15). Let us never become complacent, as if we have achieved holiness in this life (cf. Hebrews 12:4). And let us never think that we will be protected by any office that we hold or esteem that we have in the church. No, we must continue to contend earnestly for the faith once delivered. We must continue to be zealous for Jesus, our Lord.

Everlasting destruction (Jude 7). In order to understand well what verse 7 is adding to these illustrations, we must note the word “eternal.” For, the smoke of Sodom and Gomorrah was not still rising on the earth at the time that Jude wrote the letter. Rather, verse 7 tells us that these two cities (and the cities around them, that were like them) were destroyed in a manner that is an “example.” By sinning against God’s design for man and marriage (“strange flesh” was their specific sexual immorality), they provoked the wrath of God, in Whose image they were made. 

Just as church members may provoke God by their unbelief, and those who are in exalted place may fall even from there to the very pit, so also all humanity has sinned against God’s glory and are subject to the fire of God’s fury (cf. Romans 1:18–26). What happened to Sodom and Gomorrah in a moment of history is a microscopic picture of what will happen to unsaved humanity forever—including, and especially, church members and church officers whose words and lives denied the Lordship of Christ. Do not underestimate the greatness of Hell. The Lord has given examples that urge you not to do so!

How can you use wrongly the good gift of being a church member? What sorts of things are you tempted to think are making you safe, other than belonging to the Lord Jesus? Why is being untroubled by sin incompatible with belonging to the Lord Jesus? How much, and how long, can you expect to suffer, if you come to the last day outside of Jesus Christ?

Sample prayer:  Lord, please forgive us and help us. We have sometimes felt that we were safe from judgment because we are members of Your church and have received the sign of baptism or eaten the spiritual food of the supper. Many of us have felt safe before You, because You have given us places of esteem and authority. But You have reminded us of the church that was judged in the wilderness, and of the angels who fell from their authority. Forgive us for sliding into sin as a consequence of our false security. Grant that we would not take our sanctification or perseverance for granted. And make us to remember how great Your wrath is against our sin, so that we would dread to indulge it or mess with it at all. For indeed, the fire of Sodom and Gomorrah was but a token of the eternal fire of Your justice! So, give us to see sin as You see it, and to find safety from Your wrath in Jesus Christ, Who has suffered the fullness of Your wrath for us who believe in Him, we ask in His Name, AMEN!

Suggested songs: ARP32AB “What Blessedness” or TPH389 “Great God, What Do I See and Hear!”

2024.10.02 Midweek Meeting Livestream (live at 6:30p.m.)

Click below for the:

October 2 Prayer Meeting Folder

Proverbs 3:19–25 sermon outline

We urge you to assemble physically, if possible, with a true congregation of Christ's church. For those of our own congregation who may be providentially hindered, we are grateful to be able to provide this service.

Each week we LIVESTREAM the Lord's Day (Sabbath School, Morning Public Worship, and p.m. Singing and Sermon) and Midweek Meeting (sermon and prayer). For notifications when Hopewell is streaming live, install the CHURCHONE APP on your [Apple], [Android], or [Kindle] device, and enter hopewellarp for your broadcaster

God's Gracious Roaring [Family Worship lesson in Amos 1:1–2]

How does God address His people’s sin? Amos 1:1–2 looks forward to the first serial reading in morning public worship on the coming Lord’s Day. In these two verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that God Himself addresses His people with a powerful, redeeming Word, even through unimpressive men. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

2024.10.02 Hopewell @Home ▫ Amos 1:1–2

Read Amos 1:1–2

Questions from the Scripture text: Whose words are these (Amos 1:1)? What was his primary occupation? Where did he raise sheep? How did he get these words? Whom did the words concern? In the days of which two kings of which two kingdoms? At what time? What did he say YHWH does (Amos 1:2b)? From where? And what else (verse 2c)? From where? What are the shepherds’ pastures doing (verse 2d)? What is withering (verse 2e)? 

How does God address His people’s sin? Amos 1:1–2 looks forward to the first serial reading in morning public worship on the coming Lord’s Day. In these two verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that God Himself addresses His people with a powerful, redeeming Word, even through unimpressive men.  

YHWH roars like a lion (Amos 1:2b) through a sheepbreeder (and sycamore fruit farmer, cf. Amos 7:14e). These are the words of a man (“the words of Amos,” Amos 1:1), but they are ultimately the words of God. They are words not which Amos came up with himself, but “which he saw.” 

He was not heeded at first (cf. Amos 7:12–13), but two years later, there was an earthquake (end of Amos 1:1) and drought (cf. Amos 1:2d–e) of such significance that Amos’s claims were verified, and the writing of his prophecy recognized as holy Scripture. 

The days of Uzziah in the south, and Jeroboam II in the north, were days of great wealth, military strength, and political influence throughout Israel. But they were also days of great sin. The people of God were a living contradiction. The rest of the nations were under God’s judgment, but it was an unique blasphemy to be His covenant people but just as immoral as anyone else.

The north was particularly guilty—not only because of the false worship set up in Bethel and Dan, but because the wealth and power, and corresponding corruption, of Israel exceeded that of Judah. Now, YHWH sends a sheepbreeder from Tekoa (between Jerusalem and Bethlehem) to roar YHWH’s Word in the north. Thank God for using such a weak vessel, so that the power of the Word may be shown to be from Him and not from the preacher (cf. 2 Corinthians 4:2, 2 Corinthians 4:7). 

The location of Zion and Jerusalem doesn’t just affirm that the Lord continues to honor the place of His true worship; it reminds us that the One Who is roaring has provided atonement for sinners and a way of drawing near to God in worship. The covenant curse of drought (pastures mourning and Carmel withering) was a consequence of covenant unfaithfulness, of sin against God. But the offer of forgiveness and fellowship remained, and God’s Word would call them back to it.

It is a mercy to us, when we drift away, almost carefree, but then the Lord’s Word roars into our lives. In His mercy, He proclaims that Word especially within the context of His public worship. The preached Word comes at the intersection of our lives with drawing near to God through the provision of the sacrifice of Christ. Doesn’t this urge upon us to be thankful for His Word, and to heed it, even (especially!) when it is correcting and rebuking us?

Through whom has the Lord addressed you with His Word? In what days do you live? What are the particular dangers, sins, and temptations of your days? In what context do you especially hear His Word preached? What other things does the Lord set before you and emphasize in that context? How have you been responding to His worship? How have you been responding to His Word?

Sample prayer:  Lord, we thank You for bringing us the treasure of Your Word through the earthen vessels of unimpressive men. Forgive us for when we have responded more to the unimpressiveness of the preacher rather than the roaring of Your Word. And we thank You that You especially send us corrections and rebukes from within Your worship—with the atonement of Christ at the heart of that worship. Forgive us for when we treat such loving correction and rebuke as hostile and offensive. How just You are in all Your doings, and how kind You are in all Your corrections and rebukes! Forgive us our sins for the sake of Christ, Your Son, which we ask in His Name, AMEN!

Suggested songs: ARP29 “You Sons of the Gods” or TPH141 “O LORD, to You I Call”

Loving God—His Way [Westminster Shorter Catechism 52—Theology Simply Explained]

Pastor walks his children through Westminster Shorter Catechism question 52—especially explaining how the God presents worshiping Him only in His way as the litmus test for genuinely loving Him.

Q52. What are the reasons annexed to the second commandment? The reasons annexed to the second commandment are, God’s sovereignty over us, His propriety in us, and the zeal He hath to His own worship.(click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

How the Kingdom Comes [Children's Catechism 113—Theology Simply Explained]

Pastor walks his children through Children’s Catechism question 113—especially explaining how the kingdom is coming through the gospel and its effects.

Q113. What do we pray for in the second petition? That the gospel may be preached in all the world, and believed and obeyed by us and all men.(click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

Reasoning with God in Prayer [Family Worship lesson in Psalm 119:153–160]

With what arguments can believers plead to be revived? Psalm 119:153–160 looks forward to opening portion of morning public worship on the coming Lord’s Day. In these eight verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that believers can plead with God to be revived upon the basis of the gracious work that He has begun in them, and upon the basis of the abundance of His perfections which can never change. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

2024.10.01 Hopewell @Home ▫ Psalm 119:153–160

Read Psalm 119:153–160

Questions from the Scripture text: What does the psalmist ask God to consider (Psalm 119:153a)? What else does he ask God to do? Why (verse 153b)? What three things does he ask God to do in Psalm 119:154? According to what? What is far from whom (Psalm 119:155a)? How do we know (verse 155b)? What are great in Psalm 119:156a? What does verse 156b ask YHWH to do? According to what? Who are many (Psalm 119:157a)? Yet, what does the psalmist not do (verse 157b)? What does he see these many to be (Psalm 119:158)? With what response? Why? 

With what arguments can believers plead to be revived? Psalm 119:153–160 looks forward to opening portion of morning public worship on the coming Lord’s Day. In these eight verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that believers can plead with God to be revived upon the basis of the gracious work that He has begun in them, and upon the basis of the abundance of His perfections which can never change.  

Revive me by grace. Revive me! Cause me to live! That is the repeated refrain (Psalm 119:154b, Psalm 119:156b, Psalm 119:159b) of this stanza. Here is the cry of the person who knows that even all of his physical life comes by God’s grace, and especially any spiritual life in him must come entirely by God’s grace.

Reasoning from previous grace. If we do not forget God’s law (Psalm 119:153b), that is by God’s grace. Men are already the work of His hands, but how much more the believer has claim to that title. Do you remember His law (verse 153b)? Do you seek His statutes (Psalm 119:155b)? Then surely this is because He has done this in you. This is the work of His hands. You are the work of His hands. He will not neglect or abandon you. 

So, the Spirit teaches believers to pray for God’s consideration (“Consider my affliction,” Psalm 119:153a), deliverance (“deliver me”), advocacy (“plead my cause,” Psalm 119:154a), redemption (“redeem me”), and reviving (“revive me,” verse 154b) by reasoning from this other work of His (“for I do not forget Your law,” Psalm 119:153b). This is what His Word has taught us to expect for those whom He has brought into righteousness (“according to Your Word”). 

The converse, however, is true for the wicked. As those who do not seek God’s statutes (Psalm 119:155b), there is no “work begun” to which they can appeal in their distresses. Deliverance is far from them (verse 155a). 

Reasoning from God’s character. “Great” in Psalm 119:156 and “many” in Psalm 119:157 are translating the same word. There is a competition here between two multitudes: a multitude of YHWH’s tender mercies, and a multitude of persecutors and enemies. 

The believer needn’t downplay how bad things are getting in his situation (or in the community, the church, the nation, etc.). 

However multitudinous is the evil, it can never outnumber or outdo the Lord’s compassions. 

Though the wicked be loathsome (Psalm 119:158a), let the believer turn his attention more upon YHWH’s tender mercies (Psalm 119:156a), judgments (verse 156b), and lovingkindness (Psalm 119:159b).  

The psalmist asks the Lord to act in accordance with His own character, not because the outcome is in doubt, but precisely because the outcome is not in doubt. The head (“entirety” in NKJ, Psalm 119:160a) of YHWH’s Word is truth, and unto eternity are the judgments of His righteousness (verse 160b). 

When we pray, we are not attempting to “change” the outcome, but rather laying hold of God Himself, and His character, and the good that He has planned to do, even by/through response to our prayers.

What evidence is there in your life that you love God’s Word? From where could this have come? What is your practice of reasoning with the Lord in your prayers? What are some attributes of God from which you could/should reason more? How are you working on improving that? 

Sample prayer:  Lord, how great Your love has been to us! It is by Your grace that we have come to love Your law. And that same grace gives us strength, and hope, and joy as we draw near to You now to call upon Your Name. We do not have life in ourselves; we must have life from You. And it is with great confidence that we ask for that life. For, You are abundant in compassion and faithfulness and power and justice and steadfast love. Though our troubles and enemies be many, they are not to be compared with the multitude of Your mercies. So, in Your own unchanging perfections, gather us unto Yourself and give us life to worship and serve You, we ask, through Christ, AMEN!

Suggested songs: ARP119U “My Grief Regard” or TPH119T “See My Distress, and Save Me”