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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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ONE OF the great mysteries of the Bible is the sacrifice of the red heifer. According to Numbers 19, it is required to purify those who come into contact with corpses. In Jewish tradition, the sacrifice of an unblemished red heifer is required before the prophesied Third Temple can be built.Continue Reading