Numbers 22:21-31

Sinners are blind. They do not see the drawn sword of divine judgment awaiting them in their dangerous path. Divine instructions and obstructions do not delay or divert them. Even when God narrows their path with difficulties they press on (vv24-25). The lesson of Balaam is the warning that we may so defy God or attempt to manipulate him that we fall into irredeemable insensibility to his will and voice.

Jewish opinion was not favorable to Canaanites, yet the distraught mother was not averse to calling upon the one she believed to be Israel’s Messiah, the Son of David, and her faith in him was more firm and fervent than the majority of David’s nation.

Jesus intimates and then discloses his Messianic destiny to his chosen twelve as they stride forth to Jerusalem. The blindness of our insight without Jesus' revelation is aptly mirrored in the act of the blind beggar receiving his sight.

A Memorial Service for Jean Arthington.

The Bible in its entirety is the Book of Christ. The things averred by Isaiah about Jesus, for instance, are riddles that incite a sense of profound mystery and delicious intrigue. The Messianic figure is referred to as a shoot "that will come up from the stump of Jesse," the father of King David. The Christ will emerge from Royal background, and yet a Royalty that far exceeds mere earthly dignity. The human and divine natures of Israel's Redeemer are predicated in the One who is both the Base and the Branch of the Royal tree; its producer and product of the Lord's saving grace, the fruit of divvine efficiency. How beguiling this wondrous insight happens to be.

In this comprehensive outburst of prayer David sums up many reasons in both God, and his actions, that are worthy of our whole-hearted praise. This wonderful God, David affirms, is the owner of everything.

Paul exhorts believers to hold firmly to the Gospel. He knows nothing can be denied and that every fact must be declared. "For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance."

An ambassador has no right to alter his master’s message. The ambassadors of Christ are attuned to the words of the Lord to Jeremiah: Tell them every word I command you; do not omit a word (v. 2). The message to be delivered is the doctrine of Holy Scripture with all the exactitude that the Spirit and his guidance enable.

The knowledge of our nature is essential to our faith in God. From our creation the assessment of the human constitution is that we are weak. Since the event of the Fall this weakness has now fallen prey to the influence of sin. Detached from God we have no protection from it as an invading and driving impulse. Holiness is the commencement of abiding in the Lord, strengthening our association with him until we are fully compatible with his nature and made fit for his fellowship. The result of living to and with God is the sublime reality of eternal life - pure gift.

Entitlement, feeling special, is a common human trait indulged by most of us in various circumstances. There can be no allowance for personal ambition in attachment to Christ. Kinship to Jesus in the flesh rendered no advantage to his natural relatives. For real and saving connection to him each of them would have to be born from above. Nothing human brings credit. Grace alone admits us to divine favor through trust in the Redeemer. Servant-hood is the key characteristic of the true child of God and their nurturers in the faith. Jesus disarms and dispels our foolish pride through his self-revelation as the Son of Man who came to serve in the most ultimate way possible - to give his life as a ransom for many. He frees us from enslavement to satan, self, and sin.