Numbers 21:10 -22:1
The children of Israel then jorneyed on toward the land of Moab, and it is beautiful here to see the grace of God. They had learned (in figure) of Christ lifted up (the serpent of brass). This is the ground of all blessing, and so now God Himself sees their need and meets it, without their even asking Him to do so. How good it is to know that He cares for us and knows our needs. We need not murmur, but count on Him. He said to Moses, “Gather the people together and I will give them water.” Then they came together, and the nobles of the people dug and found this sprinng well of water which caused them all to break forth into song. It takes spiritual energy to dig for these refreshing springs in the wilderness, but how much better it is than murmuring, and what refreshment they bring.
Dear fellow Christian, are we digging for these springs? Are we finding daily refreshment in our wilderness journey by occupation with Christ. We notice here that the very one who gave the law (Moses) told them of this springing well, and so now, since the Lord Jesus has been lifted up for us and taken our guilty place, the very. God who once thundered at Sinai giving the law, now says, “Whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely,” Revelation 22:17. Yes, I say, it is the same God who now can come out in all the goodness and grace of His heart and bless us, because of remdemption’s work.
After this they would have passed peaceably through the land of Sihart, king of the Amorites, but he would not allow them to do so. He, as well as Og, king of Bashan, came out to fight against Israel, but God gave Israel a complete victory over them, and they possessed their land. We, too, most not allow anything to hinder us from going in to possess our heavenly portion, and if it causes conflict, as it surely will at times, we must be willing to fight the Lord’s battles. God’s peace is not peace at any price, for He Himself paid a mighty price, even the blood of His own dear Son, in order to purchase peace for us. Should we then draw back from the conflict necessary to “possess” what He has already won for us at such a mighty cost? Let us hear His word to Israel in our chapter, “Fear him not: for T have delivered him into thy hand, and all his people, and his land.” His word to us today is “God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power and of love, and of a sound mind.” 2 Timothy 1:7. Soon our conflict will be over and we will see our blessed Saviour face to face in that land of eternal rest! Let us keep on the whole armor of God until that day.
The story of Balaam and his prophecies in connection with Israel is full of deep interest and instruction, and cannot fail to refresh our hearts when we consider it. Forty years of unbelief and sin, murmuring and complaining on the part of the children of Israel were just about at an end, and yet God. would not allow Balaam to say one word against them or curse them. How could this be! How could he say, “He (the Lord) hath not beheld iniquity in Jacob, neither hath he seen perversess in Israel?” Numbers 23:21. It was most assuredly not by what Israel had done, but the answer is found in the words, “It shall he said of Jacob and of Isreal, What hath God wrought!” All depended upon God—upon His work alone.
ML 12/23/1951