The Family Bible Journey Podcast

How does God expect His people to deal with economic desparities that emerge due to human greed and sloth? How do work and worship play nicely together? In these chapters, we reflect on how faith provides the finances to be generous with others, and the time to spend with God in worship and His word.

When Jesus gave His disciples the blessing of His body and blood in communion, was He ushering in a new covenant? Or was He fulfilling the old? Or was He doing both?

God told his people that even if their dearest loved ones tried to lead them astray, they must trust and love the Lord above all others. He goes on to tell them specific ways that they would be distinct as his chosen people. In the purity and dietary laws of God people, we see how he protected them from unseen diseases.

As Israel moved into the Land of Promise, God told them to break idolatrous altars and pillars and to burn Asherah poles. We will learn why these hotbeds of paganism were destroyed in this fashion. We also consider how the "easy way" is still a temptation to God's people today.

Too much time on Christian airwaves is spent speculating on the day of Jesus's return. Instead of worrying about when it happens, how about we live as if today is the day of His return? This way, we make the best use of the time He's given us.

Grandpa Moses encourages God's people to listen to God because He intends to bless them. Common sense laws promote individual and community welfare. God knows what's best for His people and we will do well when we listen to Him.

Grandpa Moses reminds Israel that their goodness flows from the love and mercy of the Lord. They were not chosen for who they were, but rather by God's love, to become His great people. We consider how God's Word forms us as His people, as we seek to walk in His way.

"Work as if everything depends on you. Pray as if everything depends on God." ~Martin Luther. Jesus prepared His disciples for His inevitable departure and their inevitable suffering by blessing them with His Holy Spirit. In this episode we consider how, in one sense, there is nothing for us to do to be prepared for His return. On the other hand, there is a world of preparation for us to do.

As Grandpa Moses lays out God's law, he begins by reminding God's people that who they are flows from who God is. Just as He is the God of love, mercy and justice, so too they are to live lives of love, mercy and justice. Not because that's what they do. But because of who we are.

God blesses His people simply because He loves them. After recounting how the Lord's favor gave Israel victory over past foes, Grandpa Moses encourages Israel to future faithfulness. As God's chosen people, there is tremendous blessing when we listen to the Lord in faith.

Each of the major power players in Jerusalem tried to trick Jesus into saying something they could use to convict Him. Instead, He answered every question perfectly. He was, after all, wisdom and love personified. But in order to prove it, He would need to fulfill God's law by showing them the depth of His love.

Moses speaks to Israel as a loving grandfather, who blesses his grandchildren with his wisdom. We will learn how we are blessed when we listen to the Lord in faith. his law is love. We also learn the consequences of fear and disobedience.

Three classes of vulnerable citizens are given protection in the final chapters of Numbers- the Levites, those accused of murder, and women who are at risk of losing their inheritance. We consider how good governance provides for all people and the wisdom of God in protecting each of these groups.

In reponse to the leaders' hard-hearted rejection of Him, Jesus quotes a familiar parable from the prophet Isaiah and a popular line from a worship song of His day. We consider the unlikely allies who were Jesus's opponents, while we ponder His undaunted determination to fulfill God's will for His people.

Israel's "marches" since the exodus are recounted before God sets the boundaries for Israel in Palestine. Numbers recalled God's faithfulness to His people, and ends with an admonition to drive-out the inhabitants of the land. Israel's faithfulness to God, we are told, will be their success or their undoing.

As Israel inches closer to the Promised Land, Moses has two final battles. In one battle, Israel is avenged on Midian and Balaam. The other battle discussed is yet another internal squabble with leaders of Israel.

Jesus used the fig tree to teach His disciples of the destruction of the Temple, and all sacred institutions that no loger fulfill God's purposes. Church scandal is rampant and it is destructive. Here we learn how sin corrupts even sacred institutions, and how they can be restored in the same way sinful humans are restored.

God's laws about vows provided many protections for women and men. While some may suggest God was putting women into their place, you could also argue women had more protections under the law than men. Here again we see how God's governance protected all parties.

Good governance provides for the needs of all people. This principle is demonstrated when God's laws for inheritance were given to Moses. Too many people blame God for systemic injustice. Here we see how He provides good governance and leadership for His people Israel.

The Palm Sunday praise sung to Jesus was the very same praise the people had been singing to God in their annual ascent to the Temple. For hundreds of years they had sung these songs of worship. When Jesus came on Palm Sunday, they praised Jesus for lifting them up in love and looked for Him to fulfill all of God's promises.

In this chapter we see a repeat of the idolatry Israel commited when they worshipped the Golden Calf at Sinai. Their passionate worship of Baal aroused the Lord's passion. Many died for their adulterous idolatry. We will consider our passion towards the Lord, and our passion for sharing His love with others.

Balaam utters prophecies for Israel that wouldn't be fulfilled for a over a thousand years. We learn how they were fulfilled. We also see that he is not paid for his services, but rather threatened by the king who had hired him to prophecy against Israel.

James and John look like a couple of heels, asking Jesus for positions of power and influence when He comes into His kingdom. They left disappointed. Blind Bartimaeus comes asking for heals and leaves rejoicing in the Lord. Here we get an opportunity to reflect on what we ask the Lord for and the blessing of seeking mercy in Him.

Balaam heeds the Lord's warning and prophecies for, not against, Israel. We learn about some of the practices of ancient Hittite religion as King Balak of Moab tries to buy God's favor. His attempt works about as well as you'd expect.

Balaam is an intriguing character who the King of Moab paid to prophecy against Israel. In this hilarious chapter, Balaam's ass has more sense than her master. When the beast speaks, and Balaam sees the Angel of the Lord, he is warned that he treads a dangerous path by opposing the Lord and His people.