As Israel inches closer to the Promised Land, Moses has two final battles. In one battle, Israel is avenged on Midian and Balaam. The other battle discussed is yet another internal squabble with leaders of Israel.

Jesus used the fig tree to teach His disciples of the destruction of the Temple, and all sacred institutions that no loger fulfill God's purposes. Church scandal is rampant and it is destructive. Here we learn how sin corrupts even sacred institutions, and how they can be restored in the same way sinful humans are restored.

God's laws about vows provided many protections for women and men. While some may suggest God was putting women into their place, you could also argue women had more protections under the law than men. Here again we see how God's governance protected all parties.

Good governance provides for the needs of all people. This principle is demonstrated when God's laws for inheritance were given to Moses. Too many people blame God for systemic injustice. Here we see how He provides good governance and leadership for His people Israel.

The Palm Sunday praise sung to Jesus was the very same praise the people had been singing to God in their annual ascent to the Temple. For hundreds of years they had sung these songs of worship. When Jesus came on Palm Sunday, they praised Jesus for lifting them up in love and looked for Him to fulfill all of God's promises.

In this chapter we see a repeat of the idolatry Israel commited when they worshipped the Golden Calf at Sinai. Their passionate worship of Baal aroused the Lord's passion. Many died for their adulterous idolatry. We will consider our passion towards the Lord, and our passion for sharing His love with others.

Balaam utters prophecies for Israel that wouldn't be fulfilled for a over a thousand years. We learn how they were fulfilled. We also see that he is not paid for his services, but rather threatened by the king who had hired him to prophecy against Israel.

James and John look like a couple of heels, asking Jesus for positions of power and influence when He comes into His kingdom. They left disappointed. Blind Bartimaeus comes asking for heals and leaves rejoicing in the Lord. Here we get an opportunity to reflect on what we ask the Lord for and the blessing of seeking mercy in Him.

Balaam heeds the Lord's warning and prophecies for, not against, Israel. We learn about some of the practices of ancient Hittite religion as King Balak of Moab tries to buy God's favor. His attempt works about as well as you'd expect.

Balaam is an intriguing character who the King of Moab paid to prophecy against Israel. In this hilarious chapter, Balaam's ass has more sense than her master. When the beast speaks, and Balaam sees the Angel of the Lord, he is warned that he treads a dangerous path by opposing the Lord and His people.