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Day 222 - Numbers 21

From: Chapter-A-Day: Volume 1 By: Norman W. Berry

• 1 min. read • grade level: 7

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V.1-3 Israel makes an agreement with the Lord.

V.4-9 All works well. But are the people of Israel happy? (1) They spoke against God and Moses; (2) they ask why they were ever delivered out of Egypt; (3) Told an untruth — they had bread, the manna — they had water Numbers 20:11¹¹And Moses lifted up his hand, and with his rod he smote the rock twice: and the water came out abundantly, and the congregation drank, and their beasts also. (Numbers 20:11) and (4) they loathed (despised) the manna. The Lord sends fiery serpents; when the people were bitten, they died. The people confess, “we have sinned.” How seldom we believers say this to the Lord, finding other things to blame, seldom ourselves. The whole story is a remarkable picture of sin and salvation through the Lord Jesus being lifted up on the cross (read John 3:14-15¹⁴And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: ¹⁵That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. (John 3:14‑15)). One look to Christ is life; one look at the serpent was healing. Jesus was made sin for us who believe (2 Cor. 5:21).

V.16 How gracious of the Lord. He loves to gather people together!

V.17 The result — they sing. The Lord Jesus is our well (John 4:14-15¹⁴But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life. ¹⁵The woman saith unto him, Sir, give me this water, that I thirst not, neither come hither to draw. (John 4:14‑15)).

V.21-35 The different races of people feared, resented, hated and were jealous of the Israelites. Each enemy had one of these characteristics. We believers find ourselves surrounded by spiritual enemies today (2 Cor. 10:3-6; Eph. 6:10-17¹⁰Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. ¹¹Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. ¹²For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. ¹³Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. ¹⁴Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; ¹⁵And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; ¹⁶Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. ¹⁷And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: (Ephesians 6:10‑17)). Even other believers criticize us when we speak or write the truth (Gal. 4:16¹⁶Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth? (Galatians 4:16)). But let us not fear. Notice what the Lord did in these verses for Israel.

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Chapter-A-Day: Volume 1

• Numbers 9, Day 209 -

• Numbers 10, Day 210 -

• Numbers 11, Day 211 -

• Numbers 12, Day 212 -

• Numbers 13, Day 213 -

• Numbers 14, Day 214 -

• Numbers 15, Day 215 -

• Numbers 16, Day 216 -

• Numbers 17, Day 217 -

• Numbers 18, Day 218 -

• Numbers 19, Day 219 -

• Numbers 20, Verses 1-13, Day 220 -

• Numbers 20, Verses 14-29, Day 221 -

• Numbers 21, Day 222 -

• Numbers 22, Day 223 -

• Numbers 23, Day 224 -

• Numbers 24, Day 225 -

• Numbers 25, Day 226 -

• Numbers 26, Day 227 -

• Numbers 27, Day 228 -

• Numbers 28, Day 229 -

• Numbers 29, Day 230 -

• Numbers 30, Day 231 -

• Numbers 31, Day 232 -

• Numbers 32, Day 233 -

• Numbers 33, Day 234 -

• Numbers 34, Day 235 -

• Numbers 35, Day 236 -

• Numbers 36, Day 237 -

• Philippians 1, Verses 1-10, Day 238 -