Numbers 22-23
Commentary reference material
In the story of Balaam we see that even people who follow God in the Old Testament are tempted to "go with the flow", or to please all or pacify in the interests of non-confrontational conflict resolution. With the advent of the people of Isreal coming close to the Moabites, Balak recognizes the virtue Balaam can use and requests him to curse and rid him of the Isrealites. This is because if Balaam was a man of God as the text suggests, he may have an inkling that what the princes asked was wrong to do.
When Balaam asks God what to do God clearly gives Balaam two directives:
- Don't go with them
- Do not curse His people
However, when pressed again a second time at a following visit from Moab, Balaam asks God again instead of being obedient clearly to God's commmand. God relents (not compromises) and allows Balaam to leave with the guests; He later is angry at Balaams wavering and sends an angel to block his progress and kill Balaam if he doesn't stop. Even the donkey tries to save Balaams life and get's beaten mercilessly for it by his rider until Balaam's eyes are opened to the danger and repents.
How many times are we to be questioning what we should do in daily circumstances, sometimes in the face of certain temptation, when we clearly know God is against it? (Romans 1:18-20) Don't we deserve the hard knocks that may result when we have fallen short of Him in sin?
And yet, as in the story of Balaam, God even persuades us to be spared and given a second chance in spite of His anger for our disobedience. He always is just and holy, yet merciful and gives opportunitity for grace if we will receive it. Just as he gave Balaam a second chance to not sin against His will and go against His people He aslo gives us a chance through Jesus Christ to accept his forgiveness through repentance of our sins and receiving Him as Lord of our lives.
These posts are to elborate on classes and chapel sermons given past and present; esoterical topics using Old Testament history and prophecy and New Testament history to reveal the promise of redemption (and salvation) through Christ.Topics will cover love, forgiveness, mercy, sin, purpose of life, and the like. Examples and exogesis from historical figures such as Abraham, Ruth, Jonathan, Elisha, Jeremiah, and more.
Intro
As the new year progresses in the very starting stage, we have all possibly given our resolutions in the celebration of the new year. What was yours? To get better? To lose weight? To stave off a certain vice? (smoking, drinking, etc.) How many of you still have kept your resolutions so far? How many of you haven’t made any new resolutions at all?
Time
We have been in a change of History. In no other previous period or age has there been so much that man has seemed to achieve, yet so much peace-less-ness still abounds in and among the nations and peoples.
Iraq
Indonesia (tsunami)
Afghanistan
Violence and Death among society
Time is getting short. You can no longer think that Social Security will support you, or that anything will last for long.
Action
We need to get our act together and recognize where we can trust our help from.
Proverbs 15
Psalm 1& 2
Ecclesiastes 3 ?
Examples:
- Abraham
- Eli (his son’s perditions)
- David (Absalom)
It is time also to accept the peace and forgiveness that Christ offers; accept it with trust that if He is who He says he is, and He’s done what He said He did, that He will come to change our lives. We cannot do it ourselves at all.
Romans 3:10-24
Romans 10:9-11
If we accept him then we are able to with his strength “be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, 2to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people. 3For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another. 4But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, 5he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, 6whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. 8The saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works. These things are excellent and profitable for people.”
Titus 3:1-8
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