12:1-6 Amidst all the details of the conquest of the land under Joshua we are reminded that Moses was the one who conquered the territory to the east of Jordan.

V.1-2 The river Arnon on the south, and Mount Hermon on the north were the respective boundaries of the land given Israel beyond Jordon. Deut 2:24; 36,  Deut 3:3-16

12:7-24 We now read a summary of the work Joshua had conducted so far in conquering the land of Canaan.

12:1   So it is the ‘kings’ of the land which Israel smote. Of course they smote more than the kings but the kings headed up the cities. It is a parable of our struggle against sin. Each king, so to speak, is a sin that besets us. We must systematically resist them. Of course we cannot do it – just as the conquest was of God so it is in us. But we have to do the work also.

V.1 The territory being spoken about lay on the east side of the River Jordan, between Moab in the south and Mt. Hermon in the north.

V.24 Thirty-one kings were conquered (thirty-three counting Sihon and Og).  That means thirty-three cities were conquered.  All the booty from these cities was making the Israelites richer.  Also, the reputation of the Israelites would certainly be broadcast by travellers in the relatively small region.   As national gods were important for protection, the Canaanite tribes in that area would be curious about the powerful God of Israel.

12:3 ‘Chinneroth’ <03672> is the old name for the Sea of Galilee. It means ‘harp’ and maybe was given this name because of the shape of the lake looking like a harp.

The coming woe upon Moab (Chapter15) could be avoided if the proud country (V.6) would humble itself and be under the supremacy of Zion, for that very name tells of the grace that Moab so desperately needed. 

16:14  In making a very specific timed dated prophecy Isaiah is laying himself open to the charge of being a false prophet. If his words did not come to pass in a very short time – 3 years – he would lose all credibility. So what was to happen to Moab would be the guarantee that Isaiah was indeed a true prophet of God.

16:4 The ‘outcasts’ are those that remain of Judah seeking refuge with their kinsmen – being the son of Lot – Gen 19:37.

This chapter carries on without a break from Chapter 15.

V.1 Moab formerly paid tribute to Israel but then reneged (2Kin 3:4,5).  Yahweh urges Moab to start sending tribute again. This is because Moab will need the help of the Jews when it is attacked. It is like the time Jacob wanted to find peace and safety with his brother Esau.  Jacob sent presents ahead of him (Gen 32:13-16).

V.2 When Moab is ransacked, people will try to escape.  They will try to escape across the River Jordan to the west.  But will the pride of Moab prevent them from sending the tribute? Will that in turn prevent any escape route across the Jordan (Isa 16:6)?

Vs.3,4 Yahweh urges His people to shelter the refugees. When Gog and his confederates devastate Israel in the end times, Jews will try to escape to Moab (part of Modern Jordan), as it will be untouched by Gog's invasion  (Dan 11:41).

16:2 The river Arnon is the border between Moab and Amon and discharges into the Dead Sea about half way up its West side.

Links Between 2 Timothy 2 & Numbers

The use of Numbers 12:3 in which, in the context of dealing with rebellion, Moses is presented as the meekest man demonstrates that meekness should not be confused with acquiescence in the behaviour of others. A meek man is not a 'door mat'. Moses knew what was correct and the Lord executed the judgment because He was the one being undermined by the actions of Aaron and Miriam.

2:1  In the use of the affectionate ‘my son’ Paul emphasises Timothy’s responsibilities in a lovely gentle way.

v15 "approved" is Strong's 1384 and is often used of money which is the correct weight (refering to the habit at that time of shaving metal off the rims of the coins). The same word is used in James 1:12 when it is translated "test" in the NIV.

v13 faithfulness is an attribute of God Exo 34:6 & also of the Lord Jesus Isa 11:5

v17 "gangrene" NIV is translated from a Greek word, Strong's 1044 , which comes from a word meaning "to gnaw", and is also translated "canker".  The spread of infection/putrefaction from gangrene eventually overwhelms the body and may cause it to die, & the spread of cancer although locally obvious ( we see the lump growing, for example), is insidious in its spread to affect the rest of the body. Microscopically small particles spread/metastasise, and at the time one is not aware of the spread of the destructive force, but later it becomes obvious. So it is with those who spread falsehood in the Body. It is important to catch the infection/cancer early if the effects are not to be devastating.

2:15 ‘approved’ <1384> is a term which speaks of the integrity of the money merchant. This type of merchant only dealt with true and unadulterated coins.

2:5   How is it that the idea of ‘lawful striving is introduced? It is possible for us to strive unlawfully in our struggle to be like Christ? Well actually it is if our focus is on our own status and position rather than being driven to be like Christ for the glory of God. So when we do things for the glory of men we are striving unlawfully.

2:3 The word translated ‘hardness’ <2553> is translated affliction – 2Tim 4:5 - showing that Paul is reminding Timothy yet again that he should expect persecution – something he experienced from the brethren in Ephesus!

V.13 Jesus will always remain faithful, even if we waiver or fall away.  Any time anyone falls away, He is there ready to gladly receive him/her back into His household. As the brothers and sisters of Jesus, we should also be as welcoming to anyone who has strayed.

V.15 The expression: rightly dividing the word of truth (KJV) is translated in modern versions as: rightly handling (expounding correctly) the word of truth.

Vs.24,25 Followers of Jesus would do well to memorize these two verses. For then, the correct behavior towards others would become reflexive.  The behaviors must: not strive (quarrel, dispute); be gentle (kind); be apt to teach (instructive); instructing in meekness (humility).

2:14 The word 'charging’ <1263> carries the sense of ‘testify – Acts 2:41 – and not the sense of commanding that we might imagine from ‘charge’. The way to deal with those whose practise is astray from the gospel is by instruction not simply command.

The Lord knows those who are His

I've always loved this little verse and it brings great comfort to my heart.

Many people oftentimes claim to be experts on who is a part of the Body of Christ.
The truth is that everyone will ultimately be known by his fruit.
Matthew 7:20 - "Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them."
John 6:44 - "No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him:"
John 10:2, 11, 14 - Jesus Christ is the Good Shepherd of the sheep. The sheep follow His voice (verses 3-4).
1 Corinthians 15:23 - Jesus Christ knows those who are His at His coming

After Paul wrote that the Lord knows those who are His, he wrote: (v.19) “Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity.”
When we let God and His Son do Their job, it helps us to have a clearer focus on our own behavior.
He who has ears to hear let him hear.