Numbers 21:1-22:20

Core Claim

God is sovereign over all nations, including Israel and her enemies, and He blesses and judges them according to His will.

Commentary

The passage begins with Israel's conquest of the Canaanites and their vow to devote their cities to destruction (Numbers 21:1-3).

The Israelites then set out from Mount Hor and go around the land of Edom, but the people become impatient and speak against God and Moses (Numbers 21:4-9).

The LORD sends fiery serpents among the people, but Moses makes a bronze serpent to save them (Numbers 21:4-9).

Israel sends messengers to Sihon king of the Amorites, but he refuses to let them pass through his land, and Israel defeats him and takes possession of his land (Numbers 21:21-35).

Balak the son of Zippor sees what Israel has done to the Amorites and is afraid, and he sends messengers to Balaam to curse Israel, but God tells Balaam not to go with them (Numbers 22:1-14).

Balaam refuses to curse Israel and tells Balak's princes to go back to their own land (Numbers 22:15-21).

God is with Israel and blesses them, while Balak and the Moabites are afraid of them (Numbers 22:22-35).

The bronze serpent is a symbol of God's power and salvation, and it saves the people of Israel from the fiery serpents (Numbers 21:4-9).

Doctrinal Links

• The passage highlights the doctrine of God's sovereignty and justice.

• The passage also highlights the doctrine of God's covenant with Israel and His relationship with other nations.

• The passage touches on the doctrine of God's redemption and salvation, as seen in the bronze serpent.

• The passage also highlights the doctrine of God's judgment and punishment of sin.

Common Objections

<objection>

Response: The passage seems to portray God as being capricious and arbitrary in His judgments, as He blesses Israel and curses their enemies without any apparent reason.

> Response: While it is true that God's ways are not always easy to understand, the passage actually highlights God's sovereignty and justice. God blesses Israel because they are His chosen people, and He judges their enemies because they are rebellious and oppressive.

Response:

<objection>

Response: The passage seems to suggest that God is a tribal deity who only cares about Israel and not about other nations.

> Response: This objection misunderstands the nature of God's covenant with Israel. While God does have a special relationship with Israel, He is not a tribal deity who only cares about one nation. God's covenant with Israel is a model of His relationship with all nations, and He desires to bless and redeem all people.

Response:

<objection>

Response: The passage seems to portray Balaam as a reluctant prophet who is forced to obey God's commands.

> Response: While it is true that Balaam is reluctant to curse Israel, the passage actually highlights his obedience to God's commands. Balaam is a complex character who is torn between his loyalty to Balak and his obedience to God, but ultimately he chooses to obey God's will.

Response:

Tensions

The passage raises questions about God's justice and fairness in His judgments.

The passage also raises questions about the nature of God's relationship with other nations and cultures.

The passage highlights the tension between God's sovereignty and human free will.

Application Questions

1. How can we apply the doctrine of God's sovereignty and justice to our lives?
2. How can we understand God's relationship with other nations and cultures?
3. What can we learn from the story of Balaam and his obedience to God's commands?
4. How can we apply the doctrine of God's redemption and salvation to our lives?

Luke 1:26-56

Core Claim

The angel Gabriel announces to Mary that she will conceive Jesus, the Son of God, through the Holy Spirit.

Commentary

The passage begins with Gabriel's announcement to Mary, emphasizing God's sovereignty and initiative in Jesus' birth.

Mary's virginity is highlighted, contrasting with the typical conception of children at that time.

The angel's greeting, "Greetings, O favored one," emphasizes Mary's unique status as the chosen vessel for God's work.

Gabriel explains that the Holy Spirit will overshadow Mary, making Jesus' conception a miraculous and supernatural event.

Mary's visit to Elizabeth and the baby's leaping in her womb demonstrate the Spirit's presence and Elizabeth's recognition of Mary's special role.

Mary's hymn of praise, the Magnificat, emphasizes God's mercy, power, and justice, highlighting the significance of Jesus' birth.

The passage concludes with Mary's return home, reflecting on the significance of her encounter with Gabriel and Elizabeth.

Doctrinal Links

• The passage emphasizes the importance of the Holy Spirit in Jesus' conception, linking to the doctrine of the Trinity and the role of the Spirit in salvation.

• The passage highlights the significance of Jesus' birth as a fulfillment of God's promises to David and his descendants, linking to the doctrine of the covenant and God's faithfulness.

• The passage emphasizes the importance of faith and obedience, linking to the doctrine of justification and the role of faith in salvation.

Common Objections

**"How can a virgin conceive a child?"

Response: ** The passage emphasizes the supernatural nature of Jesus' conception, highlighting the power of the Holy Spirit and God's sovereignty.

**"Why does God choose Mary, and not someone else?"

Response: ** The passage suggests that God chooses Mary because of her humility and faith, making her a suitable vessel for His work.

**"What about the problem of Mary's sinless nature?"

Response: ** The passage implies that Mary's sinless nature is not the primary reason for her selection, but rather her willingness to obey God's word.

Tensions

The passage raises questions about the nature of God's sovereignty and human free will, particularly in relation to Mary's choice to obey God's word.

The contrast between Mary's virginity and the typical conception of children at that time may be seen as problematic by some readers.

The passage's emphasis on God's power and sovereignty may be seen as diminishing human agency and responsibility.

Application Questions

1. How can we, like Mary, respond with faith and obedience to God's word, even when it seems impossible or unclear?
2. In what ways can we, like Elizabeth, recognize and celebrate the significance of God's work in others' lives?
3. How can we, like Mary, reflect on the significance of our own experiences and encounters with God, and how can we use them to praise and glorify Him?

Psalm 57:1-11

Core Claim

God is a refuge and a deliverer for His people, and His steadfast love and faithfulness are sent out to save them.

Commentary

The psalm is a prayer of David, who is fleeing from Saul and seeking refuge in God.

The psalm highlights the contrast between God's steadfast love and faithfulness, and the destructive forces of human enemies.

The psalm also emphasizes the importance of trusting in God's purpose and plan, even in the midst of danger and uncertainty.

The psalm uses the imagery of a storm to describe the destructive forces of human enemies, but also to highlight God's power and deliverance.

The psalm is structured around the repeated refrain of "Be merciful to me, O God" and "Be exalted, O God", which emphasizes the psalmist's dependence on God and his desire for God's glory to be revealed.

The psalm also includes the use of rhetorical markers such as "Selah", which emphasizes the importance of pausing and reflecting on God's greatness.

The psalm highlights the importance of trusting in God's steadfast love and faithfulness, even when surrounded by enemies.

The psalm also emphasizes the importance of giving thanks and praise to God, even in the midst of difficulty and danger.

The psalm uses the imagery of music and instruments to emphasize the importance of praising and worshiping God.

The psalm highlights the greatness of God's steadfast love and faithfulness, which goes beyond human understanding.

Doctrinal Links

• The passage emphasizes the importance of the Holy Spirit in Jesus' conception, linking to the doctrine of the Trinity and the role of the Spirit in salvation.

• The passage highlights the significance of Jesus' birth as a fulfillment of God's promises to David and his descendants, linking to the doctrine of the covenant and God's faithfulness.

• The passage emphasizes the importance of faith and obedience, linking to the doctrine of justification and the role of faith in salvation.

Common Objections

<objection> God is not always present or active in the midst of danger and uncertainty

Response: <response> The psalm highlights the importance of trusting in God's purpose and plan, even when we do not see His immediate presence or action.

<objection> The psalm seems to emphasize the psalmist's own strength and steadfastness, rather than God's power and deliverance

Response: <response> The psalm emphasizes the importance of the psalmist's heart being steadfast, but also highlights God's power and deliverance as the ultimate source of the psalmist's strength.

<objection> The psalm seems to be overly focused on the psalmist's own personal struggles and concerns, rather than on the broader themes of God's glory and majesty

Response: <response> The psalm does emphasize the psalmist's personal struggles, but also highlights the importance of giving thanks and praise to God, and of trusting in His steadfast love and faithfulness.

Tensions

The tension between trusting in God's purpose and plan, and experiencing the reality of danger and uncertainty.

The tension between the psalmist's own strength and steadfastness, and God's power and deliverance.

The tension between the psalmist's personal struggles and concerns, and the broader themes of God's glory and majesty.

Application Questions

1. How can we trust in God's purpose and plan, even when we do not see His immediate presence or action?
2. How can we balance our own strength and steadfastness with our dependence on God's power and deliverance?
3. How can we give thanks and praise to God, even in the midst of difficulty and danger?
4. How can we emphasize the importance of trusting in God's steadfast love and faithfulness, even when surrounded by enemies?

Proverbs 11:9-11

Core Claim

The righteous are delivered through knowledge, while the godless man would destroy his neighbor with his words.

Commentary

The passage highlights the contrast between the godless and the righteous, emphasizing the destructive nature of the former and the redemptive power of the latter.

The use of "godless" (Hebrew: _'evel_) in Proverbs 11:9 emphasizes the individual's separation from God and their lack of reverence for Him.

The phrase "by knowledge" (Hebrew: _da'at_) in Proverbs 11:9 suggests that the righteous are delivered through their understanding and application of God's wisdom.

The passage also emphasizes the impact of the righteous and wicked on the city, highlighting the importance of individual character in shaping the community's well-being.

The use of "rejoices" (Hebrew: _simchah_) and "shouts of gladness" (Hebrew: _qol qol_) in Proverbs 11:10-11 emphasizes the celebratory nature of the righteous and the mournful nature of the wicked.

The phrase "by the blessing of the upright" (Hebrew: _b'rachah 'emunim_) in Proverbs 11:11 emphasizes the positive impact of the righteous on the city, while "by the mouth of the wicked" (Hebrew: _b'p'ei 'r'sh_) highlights the destructive nature of their words.

Doctrinal Links

• The passage is linked to the doctrine of the image of God, which emphasizes the importance of human character and actions in reflecting God's nature (Genesis 1:26-27).

• The passage is also linked to the doctrine of the atonement, which emphasizes the redemptive power of God's wisdom and knowledge (Romans 3:24-25).

• The passage highlights the importance of individual character and actions in shaping the community's well-being, which is linked to the doctrine of the covenant, which emphasizes the reciprocal relationship between God and humanity (Genesis 12:1-3).

Common Objections

The wicked seem to prosper in this life, so how can we be sure that the righteous will be delivered?

Response: This objection overlooks the fact that the wicked may experience temporary success, but ultimately their actions will lead to their downfall (Proverbs 11:10-11).

Why does the passage emphasize the importance of knowledge, when it seems that the righteous are simply blessed?

Response: This objection misunderstands the role of knowledge in the passage, which is not simply a matter of being blessed, but rather a means of deliverance and redemption (Proverbs 11:9).

How can we apply this passage to our lives, when it seems to be focused on the collective impact of the righteous and wicked on the city?

Response: This objection overlooks the fact that individual character and actions have a direct impact on the community, and that the righteous and wicked are not simply abstract concepts, but real individuals with real consequences (Proverbs 11:9-11).

Tensions

The passage seems to suggest that the righteous are delivered through knowledge, but what about those who are not knowledgeable or educated? -> This tension highlights the importance of understanding and applying God's wisdom, but also acknowledges the limitations of human knowledge and the need for faith.

The passage emphasizes the impact of the righteous and wicked on the city, but what about those who are caught in the middle, neither fully righteous nor fully wicked? -> This tension highlights the complexity of human nature and the need for individual character to be shaped by God's wisdom.

Application Questions

1. How can we apply the principle of being delivered through knowledge in our own lives?
2. How can we balance the importance of individual character with the need for collective action and community?
3. How can we respond to the wicked and their destructive words in our communities?