Who is God? And, how can we find God - Bible answers.

By Joseph MalekaniReligion & Spirituality Christianity

Who is God? And, how can we find God - Bible answers. episodes

July 20, 2021 Numbers 25 Commentary
This episode is also available as a blog post: http://lovingscripture.com/2021/07/20/numbers-25-commentary/
Numbers 25 Commentary
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A combination of Moabite women and Israel's unfaithfulness is the main subject here. Sexual infidelity is an outward manifestation of spiritual infidelity - clearly on display here.

Israel has quickly forgotten her LORD. We want to suspect we have the same formula as in Exodus. When Israel substituted her LORD with a golden calf, the result was revelry and wild conduct - pagan indulgence without moral restraint.

Idolatry is always the first step. Idolatry and then adultery. It is always the same formula. One must first forsake his God and after that you have the physical manifestation of sin. The LORD'S response is swift. The penalty of sin is death. 24,000 people die before Phinehas' quick action saves the day.

The LORD is happy with Phinehas' zeal. This is so strange. The LORD is happy that someone moved quickly to stop mass murder, but this is murder by the LORD Himself! It is the mystery of Mercy and Justice combining once again. Justice nearly got its way! But mercy prevailed eventually. Importantly these lines point us to the cross. It took the death of one important sinner for peace to reign again. He carried our sins; then Zimri and Cozbi don't have to die in their sexual sin.
24,000 is an important number in the book of numbers. Deaths. It represents yet another wave of deaths as a result of sin. The wages of sin is death. We hear it very loudly in this book.
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2 min
July 19, 2021 Numbers 24 Commentary
This episode is also available as a blog post: http://lovingscripture.com/2021/07/19/numbers-24-commentary/
Numbers 24 Commentary
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The chapter starts with Balaam's third message. We have a total of 7 messages and 5 of them are in this chapter.

Balaam is momentarily so possessed by the Spirit of God that he likens himself to one who hears the very words of the LORD. He has seen. He has heard. Now he communicates the messages - statements reminiscent of patriarchal blessings.

In anger (and frustration) the king orders Balaam out of his presence. Regardless of the dismissal, Balaam has time to deliver 4 other messages.

At this point Balaam stands tall as a man of godly integrity. He has despised the promised rewards in order to honor the LORD, at least on the face of it. Balak's big bribe hasn't moved him to sin, at least for now.

In Balaam's 4th message we find a messianic prophecy. In the immediate context we find references to Judah's blessing of the scepter. But it's in the distant shores of time that we see the real fulfillment of Balaam's prophecy. Jesse's son was a pretender star foreshadowing the real star, the LORD Jesus Christ.

The 5th, 6th and 7th messages speak of Israel's conquest of Canaan and beyond. It actually represented the lands that roughly can be likened to the vast lands that the LORD had given to Abraham.

Balak must have had enough of Balaam at this point. "Then Balaam got up and returned home, and Balak went his own way," verse 25. And the chapter ends.
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2 min
July 18, 2021 Numbers 23 Commentary
This episode is also available as a blog post: http://lovingscripture.com/2021/07/18/numbers-23-commentary/
Numbers 23 Commentary
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The king of Moab (Balak) has three sets of altars built, at three different locations, from which he hopes Balaam can curse Israel. Instead of cursing Israel Balaam pronounces a blessing on the nation of Israel. Like a donkey, Balaam is simply a conduit of God's message. He cannot say anything else.

The first set of seven altars are erected at Bamoth Baal. From there Balaam is able to see part of the Israelites down in the valley (Chapter 22). The first prophecy or oracle comes from this place: "How can I curse those whom God has not cursed? How can I denounce those whom the Lord has not denounced?" Numbers 23 verse 8.

Having failed to secure a curse on Israel, Balak shifts camp. Perhaps the results would be different from a different location. Another set of seven altars is setup. From here Balaam gives us his second prophecy:" God is not human, that he should lie, not a human being, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill? Numbers 23:19 NIV. It is from the mouth of this witchdoctor that we hear these great declarations concerning the character of God.

It is difficult to guess what this incident meant to Israel at the time. But for Israel shortly after this and for us today, we can look back and appreciate the LORD'S tender-loving watch over Israel. The LORD using a donkey and a witchdoctor to speak, is indicative of Israel's failure. It is Israel that should have stood up to make these declarations about a God they had experienced in person. It is even more damning of Israel that a pagan prophet should be wishing to have a life and privileges that Israel hardly appreciated.

Verses 19-24 contain some very deep declarations the saint today needs to reflect on regularly. There is no witchcraft against Israel. There is no misfortune against Israel...these are great foundational statements concerning the saints. Israel stood protected from witchcraft. All these transactions were happening without Israel knowing about them. The LORD was busy at work on the mountain, contending with Balak and directing the witch Balaam...even making the donkey speak! May the LORD contend with your enemies today!

Angry Balak cannot stand this anymore. He orders Balaam to neither curse nor bless Israel. The project has failed. But we still have another location and another set of seven altars. This takes us into chapter 24.
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3 min
July 17, 2021 Numbers 22 Commentary
This episode is also available as a blog post: http://lovingscripture.com/2021/07/17/numbers-22-commentary/
Numbers 22 Commentary
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Location? Plains of Moab, along the Jordan and overlooking Jericho.

Moab had been defeated by Sihon King of the Amorites. When Moab heard that the conqueror of their conqueror was approaching, fear gripped them. A solution must be found very quickly. So Balaam comes into the picture.

Now Balak was king of Moab at the time while Balaam is thought to have been a false prophet who lived by divinations. Balak sought the services of this witch doctor to put a curse on Israel in order to save his country. Both Balak and the Midianite leaders thought Balaam possessed powers to bless or curse. So the mission to see Balaam had one purpose - curse Israel so that Moab can win the military battle against Israel.

This chapter has strange occurrences, none stranger than the donkey speaking to Balaam. The LORD speaking to Balaam is just as strange. We pick a couple of items from this chapter. The LORD prevails over all - including animals and bad prophets. Balaam's wanting to ask the LORD over a matter that the LORD had made very clear at the very beginning is instructive. It reveals man's tendency to begin to entertain doubt as to what the LORD'S word means even when we know very well what it means. It is done in the hope that perhaps the LORD would bend and allow us to have our way.

And so here the LORD does bend but the reason is for purposes greater and wider in scope than the immediate Balaam vanities. It is a case of the LORD drawing out jewelry out of Balaam's mud.

Balaam eventually meets Balak but Balaam isn't the same man Balak had expected. He would only say what the LORD orders him to say. The chapter of extremes explains itself. As the LORD had used the donkey to speak to Balaam so the LORD would use a witchdoctor to communicate His eternal word. Indeed it is through these interactions with Balaam that these lines are credited with some of the greatest and deepest universal declarations about the nature of the LORD, God Almighty.
This chapter has immerse value today as it unpacks for us backstage details of the underworld. There is a world out there that meets and schemes to destabilize and derail the saint. Unknown to the community of God’s people down the valley, things are happening behind the scenes that eventually define their destiny. The LORD provides the required protection and the community is saved. We actually just don’t know; the LORD is putting in a full shift to ensure that you woke up every morning and get by without being hurt by determined evil forces all around us.
More resources visit www.lovingscripture.com
3 min
July 16, 2021 Numbers 21 Commentary
This episode is also available as a blog post: http://lovingscripture.com/2021/07/16/numbers-21-commentary/
Numbers 21 Commentary
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Arad is completely destroyed as an answer to Israel's prayer. How does this prayer stand in the light of Israel's standing order to destroy Canaanites? The prayer is positive in the sense that it aligns with the LORD'S stated purpose. It's a prayer that the LORD was always going to answer. The prayer is negative in the sense that it reflects doubt. The LORD didn't need incentives from Israel to act on what was purposed long before they even started off from Egypt.

The book of Numbers gives us a sad feeling because of the high frequency of low moments. Here again we have Israel complaining about hardships in the wilderness. We do agree that the nation faced multiple problems but it's the way they reacted which brought them trouble.

The complaining is easily understood. It is almost always happening with this community. It is the nature of the punishment and the nature of the 'solution' which are very strange. Because the solution is clearly outside the normal remedial measures at the Sanctuary, we suspect it belongs to 'special symbols' meant to highlight the unique nature of the cross. But with what we now know, we can read into these events with the cross in mind. The snakes represented the evil that was destroying Israel. It would take the same evil to be lifted up at the cross for mankind to be saved. Indeed at the cross the LORD Jesus became sin and carried our punishment. All who look to the cross find Salvation.

They traveled to Moab, passing and stopping at several other points. Verse 14 and 27 give us a picture that the narrator incorporated material from other existing sources of the time. From this base Israel would go on to defeat the Amorites and occupy their land. Bashan with its king, Org was also defeated and the land occupied by Israel. It looks like a great start! But the Ammonites were too strong. So even here you can easily tell that the LORD grants victory according to the measure of our faith. Israel half-believed and therefore Israel half-conquered.
More resources visit www.lovingscripture.com
2 min
July 15, 2021 Numbers 20 Commentary
This episode is also available as a blog post: http://lovingscripture.com/2021/07/15/numbers-20-commentary/
Numbers 20 Commentary
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Miriam dies at Kadesh. It's been a very long trip for her. We all remember the young Miriam cooperating with God to save baby Moses out of the Nile. She later on led the women in a praise song as the nation left Egypt. Next we shall mourn the death of Miriam's brother Aaron - the High priest. But we have a couple of items in between.

The nation on the move once again encounters water problems. The LORD provides for the people but only at a huge cost to both Moses and Aaron. Instead of speaking to the rock, Moses says and does stuff that brings them the same punishment as the rest of the people. God's standards are rigidly high!

The land of promise is nearly there but we have Edom in between. Ancient hostilities between the two brothers (Jacob and Esau) are renewed. Frightened Israel must take another route. We would expect Israel to easily sort out Edom having seen what the LORD did to Egypt. But years of doubt and importantly the recent issues of spies have left Israel devoid of faith and confidence. So the approaching military machinery of Edom was enough trouble to make them detour.

A life of constant doubt, a life of short memory, a life of lack of appreciation of the mighty works of the LORD, a life of fear even when the presence of the LORD is visibly present, it is a life that poorly prepares the saint for real battles. Faith isn't a light switch you easily turn on or off at will. It must be developed over time as we live a life reflecting the victories of the LORD over battles on a daily basis. These could be battles in small things like telling the truth or saying thanks to the LORD for a meal provided.

The message Moses sent to Edom reminds us of Jacob sending messages to Esau as they prepared to face each other. In a moment of great fear Jacob had turned to the LORD in prayer and the situation was saved. But this Jacob has transformed into doubt and fear. He no longer knows the character of his God.
More resources visit www.lovingscripture.com
2 min
July 14, 2021 Numbers 19 Commentary
This episode is also available as a blog post: http://lovingscripture.com/2021/07/14/numbers-19-commentary/
Numbers 19 Commentary
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The chapter opens with some very strange instructions. Moses is commanded to arrange a red cow which Eleazer has to burn completely outside the camp. The instruction is a unique procedure for producing water and ash for purifying one who comes in contact with a dead body.

The picture we get here is that death is to be feared. Rather than a peaceful transition into eternity, death represents a darkness that Israel should be afraid of. Throughout the Torah death presents a consequence of sin. It is a separation from one's God and not exactly a return to one's maker, as we understand it today.

So having formulated the cleansing material, now the holy script turns its attention to details of application. Again we see that you still needed to purify yourself even if a contact with death was purely accidental. Here is the point: electricity will shock you even when you unintentionally touch it. The holiness of the LORD is something like that. It is part of the LORD'S nature. The worshiper should be aware of this holiness at all times.

An emphasis to stay pure underlines the need to seek life. It's a reflection of a search for life which Adam lost in the garden. We can see it as an attempt to awaken man to the realities of death that the LORD pronounced on sinful Adam. So man is encouraged to seek life and that is only made possible by the life-giver Himself. It's the work that the LORD models here but completed by the same LORD at Calvary.

Again we see the detailed rituals as pointing to the cross. The color of the cow and the quality of the animal all point to the need for a perfect process. The details are too much and truly difficult to keep. But that gives us a picture of what it takes to draw closer to the LORD. It never came on the cheap. How grateful the saint should be for the work at the cross!
More resources visit www.lovingscripture.com
2 min
July 13, 2021 Numbers 18 Commentary
This episode is also available as a blog post: http://lovingscripture.com/2021/07/13/numbers-18-commentary/
Numbers 18 Commentary
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Probably because of recent events, Korah's rebellion, the LORD repeats the roles of the priests and the Levites concerning the sanctuary. The Levites will take care of the entire Sanctuary but the core components of the sanctuary are reserved for Aaron and his sons.

We see layers of responsibility. For any violations in the inner chambers, Aaron is to bear responsibility. These rules are needed as the LORD is determined to ensure that the unfortunate events of Korah's rebellion and the subsequent deaths are not repeated.

We can clearly see the reason for the law. While traffic rules are meant to encourage order on our roads, the law here serves a very different purpose. Finally it is the only reason the saint should have for keeping the law. The LORD doesn't want people to die. Sin brings death. The law is meant to prevent death. In his letter to the Romans the Apostle states: “for the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord”. Looking at how easily the LORD pronounces the death sentence for just about every sin, we easily understand what Paul meant. The law is repeated endlessly in these pages to ensure that people don’t die. Who can claim that the Holy Spirit doesn’t warn them each time they sin?
Then we have details of gifts from the LORD to Aaron as he works in and around the sanctuary. The main point we easily see is that the LORD is sharing with Aaron. The LORD'S portion is burnt while Aaron's portion is consumed by Aaron and his sons. The gifts of the LORD are holy. It points to the generosity of the LORD.

The Lord said to Aaron, “You will have no inheritance in their land, nor will you have any share among them; I am your share and your inheritance among the Israelites.
Numbers 18 verse 20.

The saint today may draw on this statement to think of material possessions as less important compared with his or her relationship with the LORD. He is our portion - our everything. With this thought you can go on and have property but you will know its place in your life.
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3 min
July 12, 2021 Numbers 17 Commentary
This episode is also available as a blog post: http://lovingscripture.com/2021/07/12/numbers-17-commentary/
Numbers 17 Commentary
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In this very short chapter, the LORD is doing one thing: confirming Aaron’s priesthood. A simple but miraculous test of approval is devised. Staffs from tribal leaders with identity markings are placed before the LORD. Aaron's staff is selected.

The hope is that the matter of leadership is settled. But these lines show us more. The LORD is equally unhappy about the deaths. Again it is hoped that by settling the issue of leadership more deaths would be avoided. This is the merciful side of the LORD. It is the work of salvation. But salvation from what? In this case, it's salvation from rebellion which is the real cause of deaths.

The approval process is very interesting. It is not an aptitude test nor a skills test. It is best described as an official communique - the LORD'S work of election. The staffs presented before the LORD are not CVs. The LORD qualifies the called. They go on to produce fruit. It is the fruit of the Holy Spirit, for the saint today.
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2 min
July 11, 2021 Numbers 16 Commentary: Korah, Dathan and Abiram oppose Moses
This episode is also available as a blog post: http://lovingscripture.com/2021/07/11/numbers-16-commentary/
Numbers 16 Commentary
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Now this feels like it. Chapter 15 feels out of place given the absorbing events in chapters 13 and 14. With chapter 16 normal business resumes. It's Korah's turn for insolence. The holy script hasn't given us detailed reasons why Korah and his friends opposed Moses and Aaron. I think we can guess.

Moses is executing the commands of the LORD faithfully and it’s these commands that have landed him in deep trouble. The more faithful you become the more removed you are from normal human existence. You become the target of opposition. The uprising is meant to remove Moses from his post as leader of the people. The humble Moses leaves it in the hands of the LORD. Who wouldn’t feel for Moses?
It appears Moses' view of Dathan and Abiram (fellow rebel leaders) was that these two men had been wrongly influenced by the Levite Korah. Moses attempts to clear the air by dialogue. But Moses is shocked by their response. The problem was bigger. It wasn't just the Levites.

Dathan and Abiram respond very rudely. The LORD responds in anger and wants to clear the rot - an entire community. But Moses and Aaron intercede and only the ring leaders and their families are punished. The earth opens and swallowed Korah and his friends. The end is swift and horrible!

The community reacts in anger against Moses and Aaron for 'killing God's people'. The LORD'S latest reaction is wholesale clear out and doesn't even wait for Moses' opinion. Moses knows the consequences and quickly dispatches an aged Aaron to intercede. The plague is stopped but only after 14700 deaths. What a sad situation!

It is very clear that the role of an intercessor had become more important. The need for one to stand in the gap for Israel was anticipated here. It points to the cross and how Calvary stands between the dead and the living. The real High priest would stand between life and death - not with a censer but with his own blood.
More resources visit www.bibleproject.com
3 min

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