HEAR, O ISRAEL, the LORD our God, the LORD is one. We continue our study of Deuteronomy with a discussion of the Shema, the promises and warnings from Yahweh to the Israelites, and how these passages relate to prophecies fulfilled and yet to be fulfilled.Continue Reading

MOSES CONTINUES his review of the Law and the history of the Israelites from the time Yahweh brought them out of Egypt. We discuss the land of Bashan and its evil reputation, hints in the text that argue for its authenticity, and the prophecy of Israel’s future dispersal among the nations.Continue Reading

PEOPLE BEING what we are, the Lord had to set rules for dealing with the shedding of human blood. We discuss the avenger of blood, the kinsman-redeemer, and Jesus Christ–our kinsman-redeemer and the future Avenger of Blood on all who reject his offer of salvation.Continue Reading

THE ISRAELITES time in the wilderness is drawing to a close. Today, we discuss instructions from Yahweh to Moses about vows to the Lord, the military operation against the Midianites, and the death of the prophet-for-hire, Balaam son of Beor.Continue Reading

JUST AS Israel seemed to be on a spiritual high, the people again found a way to squander the blessings of God. The Israelites began to worship Baal of Peor, which provoked the wrath of Yahweh. Then a prince from the tribe of Simeon brought a Midianite princess into the camp and had relations with her–possibly inside the Tent of Meeting itself.Continue Reading

Balaam son of Beor was a prophet for profit. The frightened king of Moab hired him to curse Israel so that his tiny nation would not be overrun. Instead, Balaam blesses Israel three times. We also discuss the incident in the desert with the fiery serpents (saraph nachash) and the Israelites’ defeat of the giant kings Sihon and Og.Continue Reading