Comments for April 15

v.19 - 28 - People chosen directly by name by God. Is this unique? By the end of all their work (Josh.19:51) these are called the 'heads of the fathers of the tribes'.

v. 11 Chinnereth is the ancient name for the Sea of Galilee here Deuteronomy 3:17 Joshua 13:27 After this the name does not occur again.

We see in this chapter the fact that it is God that determines the borders of our kingdoms, as he has ultimate control of all things. There is much emphasis on the borders of lands - land is wealth in the eyes of man. In the eyes of God, all border changes are towards the fulfilment of His ultimate purpose.

We now, on the borders of the land, see the first time that the borders of the inheritance are laid out in general terms.
:3 The south border
:6 The west border
:7 The north border
:10 The east border

:13 The land was to be inherited 'by lot' that is it was not left to the people to vie for the best piece of the land.

There is value, by using a map if necessary, in following the exact line of the borders. It will help to familiarise us with the areas where each tribe settled. After all it is to be our inheritance as well!

The order of the points of the compass given here is 34:3 South 34:6 West 34:7 North 34:10 East This is the only time this order is given in Scripture.  Why would this be? Is it because Israel entered the land in the South?

In this chapter we have the boundary of the inheritance of Israel. We ask the question, did the Children of Israel ever possess all of this area?

Of the twelve princes appointed by God to divide the land, only Caleb of Judah remains of the twelve spies, 38 years previously. God kept His word in Num 14:30.

Some have suggested that the Promised Land includes the Sinai and part of Egypt.  But clearly these boundaries do not go south into the Sinai. Besides, it is a preposterous idea to suggest that the land of slavery and idolatry could be part of the Promised Land. This would mean that the Children of Israel were in the Promised Land even before they were liberated. 

Israel held the Sinai Peninsula but gave it back to Egypt even though the Israelis had built towns there.  The settlers were upset with the government that they had to move out and that their towns had to be destroyed.  However, the rabbis had no problem with it as they stated that the Sinai was not part of the Promised Land and Israel should not occupy it.

34:13    Remember that Moses is planning for the time when Israel would be in the land even though he knew that he would not go in himself. Such was his commitment that he continued to seek the good of the people even though he would not benefit himself. Is this the way that we think of our brethren and sisters?

34:17 In saying it was Eleazar and Joshua who were to divide the land we clearly see the change in leadership from Moses and Aaron who were both dead by the time Israel entered the land.

34:2   Way back in Num 14 as Israel were turned back into the wilderness, God said ‘when ye be come into the land’ – something which might have seemed most improbable at that time, we see now being fulfilled at the end of the wilderness with almost identical words.  God keeps His word! We should always remember that.

34:3 What we call the Dead Sea is always called the Salt Sea in Scripture. Doubtless a comment upon its make up whereas the name we give it is a consequence of the fact that it is high in minerals – nothing, or very little, actually lives in it.

The present-day disputed West Bank is part of the Promised Land (Judea and Samaria).  Also there are territories east of the River Jordan in present-day Jordan and Syria. These are the territories, from north to south, of: Manasseh (east); Gad; and Reuben.  They were the conquered territories, from north to south, of: Bashan; Sihon/Ammon; Moab; and Edom.

34:5 The river of Egypt is not the Nile but a wadi that runs through the Sinai peninsula about half way across the Sinai entering the Mediterranean. However, more significantly, it is one of the boundaries of the land promised to Abraham – Gen 15:18. Significantly the other border – The Euphrates – is not mentioned here in Numbers. This indicates that whilst the entering into the land of Canaan was a fulfilment of the promises to Abraham it was not the complete fulfilment. That must wait until Christ returns and the kingdom is re-established.

34:14 In speaking in the past tense about the inheritance of Reuben we can see that these things were written after the east of Jordan had been conquered.

34:6   The ‘Great Sea’ is the Mediterranean. Remember these borders were being described to a nation who had not seen the land.

Num 34:15 – The Book of Numbers records the commands and judgements that the Lord gave to Moses. This verse (also see, Num 33:2) confirms for us that the Book of Numbers was written down “on this side” (present tense) of the Jordan (i.e. East Bank) and therefore in the hands of the children of Israel before they entered the land. 

34:17,19        Only two of those who had spied the land at the first are still alive to divide the land. Joshua and Caleb. This is a powerful lesson about the dangers of unbelief. 

34:20   Comparing the list inNum 1 with the list here it seems that the princes in this chapter are not the sons of the princes in Num 1. It is as if not only the princes died out but their remembrance was also forgotten.

34:1  The people doubtless would remember that this was the charge That Moses gave – Num 1:4,16 – at the beginning of the journey. The poignancy of the fact that all those – except two – who were named at the beginning of the journey were all dead.

34:2   This is probably the first time that the nation had considered what would happen in the land of Canaan. Not one of those who were alive at this point had ever seen that land, nor did they know its terrain, rivers and cities. So it was all quite new to them. One wonders what they understood from the way the division was described to them.

34:29   One wonders whether the named individuals who were charged with dividing the land appreciated the responsibilities that they were being given. There is no mention that they actually did the work.

34:13-14 So whilst the two and a half tribes had requested what territory they would like the remainder of the nation had to accept what was allocated by lot. However there is no record of any of the tribes complaining about the fact that the tribes who settled on the east of Jordan were able to choose where they lived.

34:3-12 Of those at the border of the land there were only two men who had actually been into the land of Canaan - Joshua and Caleb. The place names would have been meaningless to the rest of the people. But it was their inheritance. They would have to become familiar with the land - we would do well to, likewise, be familiar with the choreography of the land of Israel. Such familiarity with the geography will help us to understand references to locations and their relationship with each other.

34:17 The responsibility to oversee the ensuring that the division was according to God’s direction was given to two me. One from the tribe of Levi – The high priest, the other from the tribe of Judah – the spy who may had led the people in if they had not rebelled and listened to the two spies who were fearful.

The one who will finally take the inheritance is a blend of the two. Jesus of the tribe of Judah who is now the high priest, but of the order of Melchisedec, not Levi.

34  We have to presume that the nation who were about to cross Jordan to take their inheritance did not know where the various places named actually were in the land of Canaan. Their locations would have become clear as they walked through the land and conquered it.

Do we take time to become familiar with the geography of the land of Israel throughout the history of God’s people residing there?

34:17-28 Notice that whilst a man of each of the tribes was chosen to divide the land there is no one from Reuben or Goad. This is because heir inheritance had already been established on the east of Jordan.

v. 2,3 - This concept of there being things that God does not reveal is not exclusive to this passage. Deut.29:29 is quite clear. We are only allowed to know so much at this stage. Job 11:7,8, 38:4-40:2, Rom.11:33,34.

v. 1 The men of Hezekiah copied out some of the proverbs of Solomon. Proverbs 25:1 - 29:27 is the block of proverbs which they copied out. Therefore we should be looking for aspects of these proverbs which answer to Hezekiah's experience. Maybe we should look for instruction on how a king should behave.

v.6,7 - Here is a very simple example of the humility of mind that God requires of man. If we seek humility, as we should, let us praise the Lord our Father regularly, as the action of praise has the recognition of our own frailty paramount in its outworking.

:6-8 uses language which seems to be the basis for Jesus' words [Luke 14:8] in the parable.

SEARCH IT OUT
"It is the glory of God to conceal a matter;
to search out a matter is the glory of Kings."
The Bible is the Word of God. Inspired men wrote as God gave them the message. The word of God is perfect. There are no mistakes in it and it has been preserved for thousands of years and translated into our native languages so that we are able to read the message God had given us. But it is more than just a message from God to man - it is an invitation to become part of the family of God and to live with Him through eternity. Every page and every letter of this amazing book is there for a reason and it carries the signature of God. All the way through the Bible are patterns, types and prophesies that God has hidden from plain view and urges us to search out. The whole message of the Bible can be seen in what seem like simple stories in the text. Even lists of people's ancestors can tell their own incredible story if we just take the time to search out the jewels that God has hidden. Show your worth, honour and glory by searching his word today.

:14 The clouds without rain is quoted (Jude 12) to speak of those who appear to have something to offer - actually they present themselves as having some status. However they are destructive. We must beware of anyone who is drawing attention to himself.

There are many beautiful allusions which can be seen in the Proverbs.

In today's Proverb reading (25:11), a fitly (aptly) spoken word is likened to apples of gold in a picture (framework or border) of silver.

The Song of Solomon uses the figure of apples to describe sweetness, fragrance, and love (Song 2:3; 2:5; 7:8: 8:5). Such attributes befit the aptly spoken word.

But why is there gold in a frame of silver?

Gold is the most precious of metals because it shines brightly and does not tarnish.
Gold represents the metal of tried saints (1 Pet. 1:7). Remember the exhortation to the Laodiceans (Rev.3:18)

Unlike gold, silver will naturally tarnish and if left alone will turn black. Blackness represents sin. The (silver) half shekel of the sanctuary for the ransom of the Children of Israel is indicative of this reality. Silver is also associated with idolatry. For example, the statues of the goddess Diana (who was the Ephesian version of the Babylonian goddess Semiramis) were made of silver (Acts 19:24).

And so we have apples of gold in a framework of silver.

God's saints are found framed in a world of sin. Their responsibility is to shine untarnished amidst the surrounding ungodliness (Phil. 2:15). Their voice should be wholesome and Godly (Col. 3:8; Col. 4:6; 1 Pet. 4:11).

The spoken word should give glory to God (1 Cor. 10:31).

25:24 Hezekiah's men 'copied out' some of Solomon's proverbs Prov 25:1. This one is found earlier in Prov 21:9. Work out why it is re-presented here.

V.4-5  As separating impurities from ore, leaves pure silver, same as gold.(1 Pet 1:7) So taking from a king wicked counsellors leaves a wise ruler. 

SELF CONTROL
 
"Like a city whose walls are broken down is a man who lacks self control."  (Prov 25:28)
 
Self control is one of the backbones of our Christian life.  More than that, it is the basis for any life that is lived in a respectable way.  Self control is what helps us to put our faith into action and to act in the way that we know that we should.  It is also the strength that prevents us from doing the things that we know we should not do.  Self control, then, is our defence against doing what we should not do and keeps us within the boundaries of what we should do.
 
Maybe this is what Solomon meant when he spoke about a lack of self control being like a city whose walls were broken down.  Without it's walls the city is totally unprotected.  Anyone can come in - not just friends - but also enemies.  The enemies who are freely able to enter can wreak havoc on an unprotected city.  The walls also provide boundaries from within, stopping people from straying away from the protection that is offered within the city.
 
Without city walls the residents of the city are as good as dead.  Without self control we have no hope of living a Christ-like life and no hope of the eternal life we have been offered.  Without self control our defences against sin are too weak to have any effect.
 
Let's strengthen our self control and build up the walls in the life we live.

GENTLENESS AND FORCE
 
"Through patience a ruler can be persuaded, and a gentle tongue can break a bone." (Prov 25:15)
 
There is an old story about the sun and the wind.  They were having an argument about who was stronger and as neither could win the argument, they decided to have a competition.  An old man was walking through a park wearing a coat, so the sun and the wind agreed that whoever could get the coat off the old man would be the winner.  The wind began first by blowing a hard, cold wind at the man.  The old man pulled his coat around him and walked on.  So the wind whipped itself up into a hurricane force, but the harder it blew, the tighter the old man gripped his coat.  Finally the wind gave up.
 
Then the sun tried.  Gently it came out and shone on the old man.  Slowly the sun grew warmer and warmer.  The old man loosened his grip on the coat, loosened the buttons and finally took his coat right off.  The strength of gentleness and kindness had won out over the ferocity of the wind.
 
Are we the wind or the sun?  Do we bowl in determined to make change or get our message across whether people like it or not?  Or do we, as Solomon advises, with patience and gentleness watch as people melt to our touch.  We can achieve much more doing it slowly and gently than we can by force.

V.6-7 Do not intrude into the presence of the king, for the elevation of the humble is honorable, but the humbling of the proud disgraceful. (Luke 14:8-10)

The first two verses of today’s chapter, (Prov 25:1,2), gives us a look at two things we might not otherwise have known.  a) Hezekiah’s men actually copied out some of the words Solomon had written – another good work to add to Hezekiah’s list; and b) God purposely hides some of His activities, so that intelligent and godly kings can search them out.  This makes us think of the wonders of nature which some of our clever biologists are discovering, but which have of-course been created in the first place by God.

25:21-22  These verses are quoted – Rom 12:20– as instruction to those of us who want to be acceptable living sacrifices. Now the proverb is not teaching us that we can bring punishment upon others by our actions. Rather, as the verse continues, our behaviour marks a difference between the way that God deals with them and us. The judgment is of God.

V.26 It is a well known fact that one can not get healthy and pure water from a polluted source, likewise, when the righteous are oppressed by the wicked, their ability to do good is lessened, or even possibly destroyed.

V.20 - incongruous and unhelpful behaviors; a person who is deeply sad or depressed doesn't need a tactless person telling them to cheer up and snap out of it. It helps to be in tune with a person's feelings so you can have empathy and better connect with them; Rom 12:15;James 5:13 offer some insights into common sense psychology.

V.22 - "heap burning coals on his head, and the Lord will reward you" (NIV). I've heard it said this likely is an allusion to the smelting/purification/softening of ore with hot coals so fine metals can be extracted. Perhaps it is referring here to softening and refining attitudes/dispositions in enemies (v.21) so as to win them over by treating them well (Matt 5:43-48). In his 1987 book "Bible Studies: An Anthology", p256-7, Harry Whittaker feels the idea appears to be the unresponsive enemy heaps upon himself a fiery judgment from God; but for you, who persevere in the imitation of Christ, there will also be coals of fire from the divine presence to cleanse and purify. Thus: "the Lord shall reward thee" (Eze 10:2;Psa 140:9-10;120:2-4;Isa 6:5-7).

25:9 The wise man’s counsel is to resolve issues with those concerned rather than to go about as a talebearer seeking support from others who are not involved in the dispute.

25:8 The idea of not being hasty to go to strife seems to be the basis of Jesus’ parable – Luke 14:31

V.22 The expression: heap burning coals of fire upon his head is also used in Rom 12:20.  The phrase means to make the individual in question burn with shame. It is hope that the enemy, being shown kindness, will become shamed and repent of his hostility. In Egypt, guilty people were made to carry a pan of burning coals on their head as an indication of shame and repentance.

25:18 The word translated ‘maul’ <04650> is only found in this passage in Scripture However it is derived from the word <06327> which is variously translated ‘scatter’ ‘disperse’ or other similar words. Thus we learn, by looking at the way related words are used elsewhere, what a word which only occurs once in Scripture means.

V.4 When Gog wreaks havoc on Israel two-thirds of the population will die (Zech 13:8). The third that shall be saved by Jesus will realize that He is the messiah. Then their education will begin. Yahweh says that he will refine them as silver (Zech 13:9).

V.16 Everything in moderation. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof (Matt 6:34).

V.17 Don’t overstay your welcome and don’t live in someone’s back pocket. A modern saying: Too much familiarity breeds contempt.

25:5 The principle of the throne being established in righteousness is built into a prophecy of Messiah – Isa 16:5

25:11-12        These two couplets teach us that a wise man will listen to reproof even if he does not like what he is hearing.

Prov 25:21-22

"If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; And if he be thirsty, give him water to drink: For thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, And the LORD shall reward thee."

This passage is not about us, and our hurt feelings, and how we can get back at those who have wronged us by causing them pain.

We find the parallel passage in Rom 12:17-21, "...Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good."

We are commanded to deal kindly with our enemy; its primary purpose in doing so is to bring about his repentance! Adam Clarke's Commentary explains it this way: "Thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head - Not to consume, but to melt him into kindness; a metaphor taken from smelting metallic ores."

To overcome evil, we must be doing good. Imagine the emotional discomfort your enemy will feel when he recalls his conduct toward you, and becomes remorseful! If we are the "salt of the earth" and "light of the world" (Matt 5:13-14), we will love our enemies, pray for them, and do good to them as Jesus commanded his disciples (Matt 5:44).

What a powerful lesson it is to heap coals of fire on our enemy's head! Now we know how we are to love them and why.

Prov 25:14 – We are warned not to boast.  Because those who boast of a gift of falsehood or elevate themselves through what they say are “like clouds and wind without rain”.  Boasting is like clouds that do not produce rain. Clouds with out rain have nothing to contribute to building up and sustaining life.  Plants without water die, similarly, we need the life giving water of life (Isa 55:1) which is the Word of God. 

“Cloud” here is the Hebrew word (<5387>) meaning “exalted” or “rising mist” or “vapour” (also see, James 4:14).  Our lives are like a vapour it is present for a short time then vanishes.

Clouds blown about by the wind remind us of those who are blown about by every wind of doctrine (Eph 4:14).

The Proverbs theme is picked up by Jude in his Epistle, see Jude 1:12.  Some faithless individuals in the first century ecclesia are described as being like “clouds without water, carried about of winds.  

25:13-19       When one is sending a message one should choose carefully the messenger. The message may be given faithfully. However the calibre of the messenger will determine the value of the transmitted message.

25:2     The Scriptures contain many things which are “hidden” from the forward and those who do not wish to know. We have the “honour” to search these things out. Those who “tremble” at the word of God – Isa 66:2– will have the “honour” of finding those things. Is this how we view reading scripture or is it simply an action we take lightly?

1. Prov 25:2 - Prov 29:27 there are 130 proverbs in this section and the numerical value of Hezekiah's name in Hebrew adds up to 130.

2. Prov 25:2 - the role of believersas future kings and priests is to search out a matter (Acts 17:10-11;Rev 1:5-6).

3. Prov 25:3 - the spiritual heights of Solomon when he started and Hezekiah's strength with the invasion of the Assyrian army in contrast to the spiritual depths of Solomon in his latter years and the princes who ruled during Hezekiah's sickness stripping the gold from the temple.

4. Prov 25:4-5 - both verses connected by "take away from"; V4 dross suggests the impurities in an individual or nation (this is the concept); V5 this verse is the application of the concept (Isa 1:4-6,24-27); V5 has possible application to the destruction of the wicked when Christ comes (Dan 12:2;Psa 145:20;1Cor 15:24-28).

5. Prov 25:6-7 (Luke 14:7-11;22:24-27;1Pet 5:5-6).

6. Prov 25:8-10 - (NET) Do not go out hastily to litigation, or what will you do afterward when your neighbor puts you to shame? ⁹ When you argue a case with your neighbor, do not reveal the secret of another person, ¹⁰ lest the one who hears it put you to shame and your infamy will never go away" (Matt 7:2-3;Luke 12:58-59).

7. Prov 25:15 - a soft answer can accomplish much (1Pet 3:15-16).

8. Prov 25:18 - the harm caused by a false witness (1Tim 5:13;Exo 20:16;Matt 26:59-60).

9. Prov 25:19 - basic functions like eating and walking depend on teeth and feet; a bad tooth and a slipping foot are illustrations of someone failing you when you need them most (Isa 36:4-9;Job 6:14).

10. Prov 25:23 - (NET) "The north wind brings forth rain, and a gossiping tongue brings forth an angry look."

11. Prov 25:25 - a thirsty 'soul'<5315> - can the false modern day concept of a ghostlike immortal soul actually thirst? Where would the cold waters be contained? A soul is better rendered a living breathing creature human or animal here or in some cases "life".

12. Prov 25:26 - (1Kin 11:1-10); in contrast to Christ who offers living water (John 4:10-14;7:37-39).

13. Prov 25:27 - eating too much honey will make us physically sick, searching for self glory will make us spiritually sick.

14. Prov 25:28 - both the city and the man are unprotected, susceptible, and easily conquered (Eze 38:11;1Kin 11:1-10).

25:2-3 Whist it is the honour of kings to “search” the heart of the king is “unsearchable” so whilst we can search and search it is only through God’s revelation in His word that we can have wisdom.

25:28  What this Proverb says is so obvious. But do we take heed of it? Sometimes we justify our outbursts by saying we have a “short fuse”. Actually what we are doing when we say such a thing is to acknowledge the truth of the Proverb and acknowledge that we have not controlled our own spirit.

25:26  The wise man is here encouraging the faithful to, as we might say “stick to his guns”. When we know something to be true we should not acquiesce to the error of an opponent.

 25:2    The word “glory” and “honour” are the same Hebrew word. This not just an academic point. The relevance is that we share God’s values in searching out the things He has concealed in His word.

24:18 The word translated “maul” <4650> is only found here in the whole of the Old Testament. It is based on the word <6327> which is often translated “scatter”. We see that is exactly what false witness does. It divides those who hear the slander.

Prov 25:2

“It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honour of kings is to search out a matter.”

Search is the Hebrew word chaeqer, # <2713>, “to penetrate; hence to examine intimately.” Conceal is cathar, # <564>, “to hide (by covering).”

There is a saying that goes like this: “He that would seek for pearls must dive below” (cf. Matt 13:45,46). Many matters in the Bible are concealed in parables, allegories, metaphors, similitudes and similes, lessons not all that apparent on the surface. They must be seriously studied. God conceals and reveals, and only diligent searches bring to light new treasures from His Divine Storehouse. When we strive to uncover a matter, we glorify God and He will reveal the deep matter while covering them from others (cf. Mark 4:11). We cannot possibly phantom the deep things of God if we are merely surface readers.

Rulers, like lawyers, gather all the facts, seek counsel, examine witnesses, review precedence, consider consequences and deliberate before drawing conclusions and making a judgment. God instructed Moses on how to deal with hearsay. They were to make a search, ask diligently, and investigate the matter before executing the appropriate judgment (Deut 13:14-18). The same procedure applied to conflicting testimony, a false accuser, and the judgment executed was not vengeance (Deut 19:15-21)! Kings and rulers need counsel, we need counsel, but God does not.

As future kings, we need to seek now to know how to judge a matter fairly and how to rule righteously (cf. Rev 5:10). It is not enough to be diligent; we need to be righteous too.

TRUSTWORTHY MESSENGER

Emails, mobile phones, social media, instant messaging, teleconferences ... these have all removed the need for the messenger who would run between one person and another to deliver important communication.

So when I read, "Like the coolness of snow at harvest time is a trustworthy messenger to those who send him; he refreshes the spirit of his masters," (Prov 25:13), I didn't think much about it. I had been thinking of the man who runs with news of the battle, or the runner who delivers the news from family members miles away.

Then I read John chapter 7. In that chapter we see the contrast between the people who whispered and gossipped about Jesus, and Jesus who was the faithful messenger from God.

We don't have to run, or ride horses great distances, to pass on messages any more, but there is still a great message of God that needs to be shared. If we want to be the sort of person that refreshes the spirit of God, our Master, then we need to be bold and strong to share this message of hope and love to the world. Let us be a trustworthy messenger like Jesus was.
 

25:4-5  the simple analogies are the most powerful. We can all see the benefit of purifying silver. That lesson is true in matters of rulership.

Prov 25:21,22

“… For thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and the LORD shall reward thee.”