Commuter Bible

Looking back on our time in the book of Numbers we notice a few things. First, God is faithful to keep His promises. Even when His chosen people, those whom he rescued, redeemed, and restored by majestic acts of compassion and power, are supremely unfaithful, God fulfills His promises. Second, God does not take grumbling and complaining lightly, punishing those who forget His salvation, choosing instead to focus on their immediate discomfort and challenges. Third, sometimes data can be boring, but when it comes to counting the blessings of God, we shouldn’t grow weary of seeing His hand multiply grace upon grace.

Numbers 34 - 1:04 . 

Numbers 35 - 4:26 . 

Numbers 36 - 10:32 . 

Psalm 38 - 13:15 . 

Psalm 39 - 16:01 . 

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Christian Standard Bible translation.

All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.

Co-produced by Bobby Brown, Katelyn Pridgen, Eric Williamson & the Christian Standard Bible

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Remember the Peor incident, where the men of Israel prostituted themselves to Baal along with the women of Moab? Turns out that was led by Balaam, the same Balaam who spoke oracles from the Lord against Moab. After defeating Midian, they begin to divide the spoils of war. When the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and the half tribe of Manassah, see that this land is good for cattle, they ask if they can settle there. Moses assumes that they are trying to avoid going to war with their brothers. By the end of the conversation, they cut a deal with Moses, assuring him that they, too, will go to war with the rest of Israel before coming back to settle in the land.

Numbers 30 - 1:12 . 

Numbers 31 - 4:02 . 

Numbers 32 - 11:48 . 

Numbers 33 - 18:30 . 

Psalm 37 - 24:04 . 

:::

Christian Standard Bible translation.

All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.

Co-produced by Bobby Brown, Katelyn Pridgen, Eric Williamson & the Christian Standard Bible

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When we last left Israel, they had just prostituted themselves with the women of Moab as an act of Baal worship. The Lord sent a plague among them that was only stopped when Phinehas impaled a fornicating couple through with his spear. In the wake of this tragic display of unfaithfulness, the Lord tells Moses that he will soon die because he didn’t obey the Lord’s command at the water of Meribah. Later, the Lord prepares Moses for his death, giving directions on how Moses would pass the mantle of leadership on to Joshua, son of Nun. But first, we begin with a census that will establish how the Israelites are to divide the land once they cross the Jordan.

Numbers 26 – 1:13 . 

Numbers 27 – 10:23 . 

Numbers 28 – 14:01 . 

Numbers 29 – 19:10 . 

Psalm 36 – 25:04 .

:::

Christian Standard Bible translation.

All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.

Co-produced by Bobby Brown, Katelyn Pridgen, Eric Williamson & the Christian Standard Bible

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Sometimes when you’re watching a serial drama on Netflix they’ll take an episode to tell a back-story or a spin-off from the main story to give context to the overall narrative. That’s exactly what’s happening in today’s passage. The king of Moab, whose name is Balak, hires a man named Balaam who is some kind of diviner or priest, to put a curse on Israel. As Balaam goes to visit king Balak, the Lord speaks to Balaam using a donkey, and if the Lord can use a donkey to speak to a man, he can certainly use Balaam to prophesy to the king. Though not from the nation of Israel, Balaam faithfully proclaims the Lord’s message three times, disregarding the king and his reward. Sadly, by contrast, Israel rushes into idolatry as soon as they can.

Numbers 22 – 1:14 . 

Numbers 23 – 9:24 . 

Numbers 24 – 14:53 . 

Numbers 25 – 20:31 . 

Psalm 35 – 23:36 .

:::

Christian Standard Bible translation.

All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.

Co-produced by Bobby Brown, Katelyn Pridgen, Eric Williamson & the Christian Standard Bible

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It seems that Israel simply cannot handle the idea that the Lord would place Moses and Aaron in authority over them. Even after signs and wonders, including those wherein the Lord snuffs out the rebellious, they continue to groan and complain. So today, the Lord decides to put their complaints to rest with a unique sign that will stand as a testimony for generations to come. Later, the people rebel again when there is no water to be found. God instructs Moses to speak to a rock so that it will produce water, demonstrating God’s holiness, but Moses fails to trust the Lord’s instruction. In so doing, he is told that he and Aaron will not enter the land with the next generation.

Numbers 17 - 1:08 . 

Numbers 18 - 3:04 . 

Numbers 19 - 10:10 . 

Numbers 20 - 14:32 . 

Numbers 21 – 20:33 . 

Psalm 34 - 26:28 . 

:::

Christian Standard Bible translation.

All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.

Co-produced by Bobby Brown, Katelyn Pridgen, Eric Williamson & the Christian Standard Bible

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On our last episode, God sent spies into the land of Canaan, the land He promised to give them, but when they saw their foes, they brought back a negative report, and refused to venture onward. Today, God resolves to wipe them out for their rebellion, but Moses intercedes for the people, pleading with God to act with faithful and steadfast love. Instead, God resolves to keep their generation out of the land, promising that their children would inherit it instead. Later, a man named Korah incites a rebellion against Moses, questioning his authority. Armed with the conclusion that the entire community of Israel is holy, he contends that Moses and Aaron have no right to go before the Lord exclusively. Korah and 250 men appear before the Lord, and what happens next is unprecedented.

Numbers 14 - 1:14 . 

Numbers 15 - 9:30 . 

Numbers 16 - 16:26 . 

Psalm 33 - 26:20 .

:::

Christian Standard Bible translation.

All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.

Co-produced by Bobby Brown, Katelyn Pridgen, Eric Williamson & the Christian Standard Bible

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Just like any family trip to a far away place, everyone starts getting grumpy quick. New questions arise about who may partake of the Passover and who should abstain. After Israel leaves Mount Sinai for the Promised Land they becomes dissatisfied with what the Lord provides, complaining that the food they had in Egypt was better than manna from the Lord. Moses complains to the Lord that these people aren’t his babies and he shouldn’t have to nurse them. Miriam and Aaron get jealous of the authority given to Moses, and criticize him in order to elevate themselves. Finally, their journey could have been over in almost no time, but instead of confronting their enemies as the Lord had commanded, they cower, complain, and make excuses.

Numbers 9 – 1:16 . 

Numbers 10 – 5:13 . 

Numbers 11 – 10:57 . 

Numbers 12 – 18:15 . 

Numbers 13 – 21:07 . 

Psalm 32 – 25:55 .

:::

Christian Standard Bible translation.

All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.

Co-produced by Bobby Brown, Katelyn Pridgen, Eric Williamson & the Christian Standard Bible

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We’re continuing in the book of Numbers today, which has a reputation for putting people off both because of the title and because the first seven chapters (or so) contain a good bit of repetition. You’ll experience some of that today, and if you want to put me on 2x speed for that section, I won’t judge! This repetition is intentional, however. Think of it: they didn’t have a copy/paste function for papyrus or scrolls, so they would’ve been required to hand copy everything we’re reading today. These handwritten details would have also been read aloud, and would have impressed upon the hearer that God had provided for the Israelites lavishly.

Numbers 5 - 1:09 . 

Numbers 6 - 6:46 . 

Numbers 7 - 10:55 . 

Numbers 8 - 22:47 . 

Psalm 31 - 26:51 . 

:::

Christian Standard Bible translation.

All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.

Co-produced by Bobby Brown, Katelyn Pridgen, Eric Williamson & the Christian Standard Bible

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Numbers are boring, right? I mean, who gets excited about counting things? Well, did you ever count your Christmas presents as a kid? Have you ever memorized the stats of your favorite athletes, or checked the number of likes on a post, or rejoiced over the number of people confessing Christ through the work a missionary? The numbers presented in these first few chapters may seem boring to us, but they represent the faithfulness of God to Israel. And don’t worry, the title of this book is a little misleading; while it opens with counting heads, it gets more exciting in coming chapters.

Numbers 1 - 1:13 . 

Numbers 2 - 8:56 . 

Numbers 3 - 13:25 . 

Numbers 4 - 21:20 . 

Psalm 30 - 29:07 . 

:::

Christian Standard Bible translation.

All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.

Co-produced by Bobby Brown, Katelyn Pridgen, Eric Williamson & the Christian Standard Bible

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The author of Hebrews continues to reference Old Testament Scripture to make a defense for the superiority of Christ over all things. The earthly tabernacle is but a shadow of the heavens, where Christ serves as great high priest. He has made a superior sacrifice, shedding His own blood rather than that of goats, bulls, or rams. He oversees a new covenant, where the law is written on the hearts and minds of those who trust in Him. Men and women of faith who came before Him were waiting for the promise of His coming. In Him, we haven’t come to Mt Sinai, but Mount Zion, where Christ intercedes on our behalf.

Hebrews 10 - 1:15 . 

Hebrews 11 - 8:02 . 

Hebrews 12 - 16:13 . 

Hebrews 13 - 21:58 . 

Psalm 28 - 26:18 . 

Psalm 29 - 27:51 . 

:::

Christian Standard Bible translation.

All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.

Co-produced by Bobby Brown, Katelyn Pridgen, Eric Williamson & the Christian Standard Bible

facebook.com/commuterbible

instagram.com/commuter_bible

twitter.com/CommuterPod

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[email protected]