Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions

Today’s devotion comes from Numbers 27:1-11. 

“Then the daughters of Zelophehad, the son of Hepher, the son of Gilead, the son of Machir, the son of Manasseh, of the families of Manasseh the son of Joseph, came near;  and these are the names of his daughters:  Mahlah, Noah and Hoglah and Milcah and Tirzah. 2 They stood before Moses and before Eleazar the priest and before the leaders and all the congregation, at the doorway of the tent of meeting, saying, 3 “Our father died in the wilderness, yet he was not among the company of those who gathered themselves together against the Lord in the company of Korah;  but he died in his own sin, and he had no sons.  4 Why should the name of our father be withdrawn from among his family because he had no son?  Give us a possession among our father’s brothers.”  5 So Moses brought their case before the Lord. 

6 Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 7 “The daughters of Zelophehad are right in their statements.  You shall surely give them a hereditary possession among their father’s brothers, and you shall transfer the inheritance of their father to them.  8 Further, you shall speak to the sons of Israel, saying, ‘If a man dies and has no son, then you shall transfer his inheritance to his daughter.  9 If he has no daughter, then you shall give his inheritance to his brothers.  10 If he has no brothers, then you shall give his inheritance to his father’s brothers.  11 If his father has no brothers, then you shall give his inheritance to his nearest relative in his own family, and he shall possess it; and it shall be a statutory ordinance to the sons of Israel, just as the Lord commanded Moses.’”  Numbers 27:1-11. 

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Many complain and reject Reformed Doctrine (which includes predestination), because it seems unfair and unjust to them that God alone unconditionally elects whomever He wants to save.   

Today’s Scripture shows God’s concern for justice.  Not only did God specifically give justice to the daughters of Zelophehad, God generally provided justice to all in the form of establishing a law of inheritance. 

“He loves righteousness and justice;  The earth is full of the lovingkindness of the Lord.”  Psalm 33:5.   

“Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne;  Lovingkindness and truth go before You.”  Psalm 89:14. 

“The works of His hands are truth and justice;  All His precepts are sure.”  Psalm 111:7. 

So, let us look a little closer at God’s work of predestination (“Unconditional Election” in “TULIP”, the Five Points of Calvinism, the Reformed Doctrine of Salvation). 

Article 1.  As all men have sinned in Adam, lie under the curse, and are deserving of eternal death, God would have done no injustice by leaving them all to perish, and delivering them over to condemnation on account of sin, according to the words of the apostle, Romans 3:19, “that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.”   And verse 23:  “for all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.”   And Romans 6:23:  “for the wages of sin is death.”  FIRST HEAD OF DOCTRINE  Of Divine Predestination of the Canons of Dordt. 

In other words, just because God saved some does not mean that God is unjust for not saving all or more.  God is concerned with both justice and mercy (lovingkindness).  

“Thus says the LORD, “Let not a wise man boast of his wisdom, and let not the mighty man boast of his might, let not a rich man boast of his riches;  but let him who boasts boast of this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD who exercises lovingkindness, justice and righteousness on earth;  for I delight in these things,” declares the LORD.” Jeremiah 9:23-24. 

God demonstrated His lovingkindness by saving His Elect.  

God demonstrated His justice both by punishing the reprobates by sending them to hell but by also sending His precious only begotten Son Jesus Christ to suffer and die on the cross, because Christ took on Himself the sins of the Elect.  If ever there was a time for God to refrain from justice, it was when Christ was on the cross.  But, God perfectly demonstrated His justice by even punishing Christ who took on the sins of the Elect.  

God demonstrated His righteousness by imputing the righteousness of Christ to the Elect and by sanctifying the Elect, causing them to be slaves of righteousness. 

God delights in lovingkindness, justice, and righteousness, and God perfectly exercises them.  We exult in total perfect triumph in Christ. 

“But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and manifests through us the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place.”  2 Corinthians 2:14

Today’s devotion comes from Numbers Chapter 26.  Here is a link to this Scripture – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Numbers+26&version=NASB 

I quote the following verses. 

“Then it came about after the plague, that the Lord spoke to Moses and to Eleazar the son of Aaron the priest, saying, 2 “Take a census of all the congregation of the sons of Israel from twenty years old and upward, by their fathers’ households, whoever is able to go out to war in Israel.”  3 So Moses and Eleazar the priest spoke with them in the plains of Moab by the Jordan at Jericho, saying, 4 “Take a census of the people from twenty years old and upward, as the Lord has commanded Moses.” 

Now the sons of Israel who came out of the land of Egypt were:  

5 Reuben, Israel’s firstborn, the sons of Reuben: of Hanoch, the family of the Hanochites; of Pallu, the family of the Palluites;  6 of Hezron, the family of the Hezronites; of Carmi, the family of the Carmites.  7 These are the families of the Reubenites, and those who were numbered of them were 43,730.  … 

51 These are those who were numbered of the sons of Israel, 601,730. 

52 Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 53 “Among these the land shall be divided for an inheritance according to the number of names. 54 To the larger group you shall increase their inheritance, and to the smaller group you shall diminish their inheritance;  each shall be given their inheritance according to those who were numbered of them.  55 But the land shall be divided by lot.  They shall receive their inheritance according to the names of the tribes of their fathers.  56 According to the selection by lot, their inheritance shall be divided between the larger and the smaller groups.”  … 

63 These are those who were numbered by Moses and Eleazar the priest, who numbered the sons of Israel in the plains of Moab by the Jordan at Jericho.  64 But among these there was not a man of those who were numbered by Moses and Aaron the priest, who numbered the sons of Israel in the wilderness of Sinai.  65 For the Lord had said of them, “They shall surely die in the wilderness.”  And not a man was left of them, except Caleb the son of Jephunneh and Joshua the son of Nun.”  Numbers Chapter 26:  Verses 1-7 and 51-55 and 63-65. 

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At a very quick count (maybe slightly inaccurate), the word family or families appeared 93 times in Numbers Chapter 26.  Such repeated emphasis of the family deserves to be the subject of this devotion even though the format of this devotion only allows me to make a few points.  Hopefully, this devotion will at least whet the appetite of the reader to consider this subject and to search the Scripture and other good sources to study this subject.   

Why is there such the emphasis of family, not only in Numbers Chapter 26, but elsewhere in Scripture?  

Isn’t salvation granted individually?  

What about Romans Chapter 9 which sharply separates the two brothers.  “Just as it is written, “Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.”  Romans 9:13?  

What about this Numbers Chapter 26 which reminded us that “To Aaron were born Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar.  But Nadab and Abihu died when they offered strange fire before the Lord.”  Numbers 26:60-61?   

And in this same chapter, what about the difference in what happened to Korah versus what happened to his sons:  “and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them up along with Korah, when that company died, when the fire devoured 250 men, so that they became a warning.  The sons of Korah, however, did not die.”  (Numbers 26:10-11)? 

In ESSENTIALS OF REFORMED DOCTRINE  A Guide in Catechetical Instruction by Rev. H. Hoeksema (revised by Prof. H. Hanko), Rev. Hoeksema shows us in his following “Lesson 18:  The Covenant of Grace” that God does establishes His covenant of grace “only with His elect people in the line of continued generations”.  There is that emphasis of family in Scripture.

Lesson 18: The Covenant of Grace

How does God save His people?
By means of a living faith in the Mediator of the covenant, our Lord Jesus Christ.

What is the fruit of the work of Christ?
That God maintains, restores, and perfects His covenant through Him. Jeremiah 31:33 .

What is the covenant?
It is the gracious relation of living fellowship and friendship between God and His people in Christ, wherein He is their God and they are His people. Genesis 17:7 ; Psalm 16:5 ; Psalm 33:22 .

How many covenants are there?
There is only one covenant in both the Old and New Testaments established with God’s people throughout all time.

Did not Adam stand in a covenant relationship to God?
Yes, but he violated the covenant through his sin so that the covenant must be restored through Christ.

How does God establish His covenant?
God establishes His covenant by His own work of grace whereby He takes His people into His own covenant fellowship. Ephesians 2:8 .

Does God establish His covenant with all men?
No, He establishes His covenant only with His elect people in the line of continued generations. Galatians 3:16, 29.

What does God do for His people in that covenant?
He forms them to be His people, makes them partakers of all the benefits of Christ, and leads them on to eternal glory. Ephesians 1:23 .

Through Whom does God make us partakers of all Christ’s benefits?
Through the Holy Spirit, Who dwells in Christ as the Head and in His people as members of His body. Ephesians 1:23 .

EXTRA WORK:

There are some who teach that the covenant is an agreement between God and man. How does an agreement differ from a bond of friendship and fellowship?

Some teach that, because the covenant is an agreement, it is bilateral (two-sided). Prove from Genesis 15:7-18 that the covenant is unilateral (one-sided).

Prove from Psalm 89:28-34 that God not only establishes His covenant, but that God also preserves it by His own work.

How is the protevangel in Genesis 3:15 a promise of the coming of Christ the Head of the covenant?

Prove from Psalm 25:14 that the covenant is a bond of friendship between God and His people.

Prove from Genesis 17:7 that God establishes His covenant in the line of continued generations.

Read the doctrinal part of the Baptism Form and explain from it what is our “part” of the covenant.   

In conclusion, neither Rev. Hoeksema, nor his Protestant Reformed Churches denomination nor most Reformed denominations maintain that everyone is necessarily saved in a family where most of the family members are Christian.  In other words, not everyone is elect in a family where most (or everyone else) in the family is elect.  But, as someone said (and I paraphrase), God likes to fish using the line of continued generations.  “And I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee.” Genesis 17:7 (KJV).  “For the promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off, as many as the Lord our God will call to Himself.”  Acts 2:39.  There is that emphasis of family in Scripture.  There is that hope that encourages us to raise our children as covenant children in the Christian faith accordingly.    

Today’s devotion comes from Numbers 25:10-18. 

“Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, “Phinehas the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, has turned away My wrath from the sons of Israel in that he was jealous with My jealousy among them, so that I did not destroy the sons of Israel in My jealousy.  Therefore say, ‘Behold, I give him My covenant of peace;  and it shall be for him and his descendants after him, a covenant of a perpetual priesthood, because he was jealous for his God and made atonement for the sons of Israel.’” 

Now the name of the slain man of Israel who was slain with the Midianite woman, was Zimri the son of Salu, a leader of a father’s household among the Simeonites.  The name of the Midianite woman who was slain was Cozbi the daughter of Zur, who was head of the people of a father’s household in Midian. 

Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, “Be hostile to the Midianites and strike them;  for they have been hostile to you with their tricks, with which they have deceived you in the affair of Peor and in the affair of Cozbi, the daughter of the leader of Midian, their sister who was slain on the day of the plague because of Peor.”  Numbers 25:10-18. 

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What the LORD spoke to Moses about Phinehas makes us think of Christ.  Like Phinehas, Christ “has turned away My wrath from the sons of Israel”.  Like Phinehas, Christ received “a perpetual priesthood”.  Like Phinehas, Christ “made atonement for the sons of Israel”. 

But, whereas Phinehas only received “a covenant of peace”, and Moses was commanded:  “Be hostile to the Midianites and strike them”, Christ reconciled and made peace for many, Jews and Gentiles:  “And although you were formerly alienated and hostile in mind, engaged in evil deeds, yet He has now reconciled you in His fleshly body through death, in order to present you before Him holy and blameless and beyond reproach”.  Colossians 1:21-22. 

Whereas Midianites and all other Gentiles had no hope and were without God in the world, Christ brought the elect Gentiles near to Himself and became their peace:  “remember that you were at that time separate from Christ, excluded from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world.  But now in Christ Jesus you who formerly were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.  For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups into one and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall, by abolishing in His flesh the enmity, which is the Law of commandments contained in ordinances, so that in Himself He might make the two into one new man, thus establishing peace, and might reconcile them both in one body to God through the cross, by it having put to death the enmity.”  Ephesus 2:12-16.

Today’s Scripture comes from Numbers 25:1-9. 

“1 While Israel remained at Shittim, the people began to play the harlot with the daughters of Moab.  2 For they invited the people to the sacrifices of their gods, and the people ate and bowed down to their gods.  3 So Israel joined themselves to Baal of Peor, and the Lord was angry against Israel.  4 The Lord said to Moses, “Take all the leaders of the people and execute them in broad daylight before the Lord, so that the fierce anger of the Lord may turn away from Israel.”  5 So Moses said to the judges of Israel, “Each of you slay his men who have joined themselves to Baal of Peor.” 

6 Then behold, one of the sons of Israel came and brought to his relatives a Midianite woman, in the sight of Moses and in the sight of all the congregation of the sons of Israel, while they were weeping at the doorway of the tent of meeting . 7 When Phinehas the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, saw it, he arose from the midst of the congregation and took a spear in his hand, 8 and he went after the man of Israel into the tent and pierced both of them through, the man of Israel and the woman, through the body.  So the plague on the sons of Israel was checked.  9 Those who died by the plague were 24,000.”  Numbers 25:1-9.  

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Today’s Scripture is summarized in the following Psalm 106:28-31. 

“28 They joined themselves also to Baal-peor,
And ate sacrifices offered to the dead.
29 Thus they provoked Him to anger with their deeds,
And the plague broke out among them.
30 Then Phinehas stood up and interposed,
And so the plague was stayed.
31 And it was reckoned to him for righteousness,
To all generations forever.” 

Phinehas hated evil and was praised for his bold decisive action.  Faith is not just shown by quietly sitting in a church pew.  “And what more shall I say?  For time will fail me if I tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets, who by faith conquered kingdoms, performed acts of righteousness, obtained promises, shut the mouths of lions, quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, from weakness were made strong, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight.”  Hebrews 11:32-34.  

We are not only commanded to love good.  We are also commanded to hate evil.    

“Hate evil, love good,
And establish justice in the gate!
Perhaps the Lord God of hosts
May be gracious to the remnant of Joseph.”  Amos 5:15. 

Phineas hated evil and took bold decisive action, and the LORD indeed was “gracious to the remnant of Joseph”, so to speak, by stopping the plague.  

“Hate evil, you who love the Lord,
Who preserves the souls of His godly ones;
He delivers them from the hand of the wicked.”  Psalm 97:10. 

As New Testament Christians, we are certainly not called to pierce anyone with a spear nor otherwise kill anyone.  That should be understood without saying it.  But, we are called to have and use proper church discipline and procedure by the elders to remove those heretics and other evildoers from within our churches. 

“You have become arrogant and have not mourned instead, so that the one who had done this deed would be removed from your midst.”  1 Corinthians 5:2. 

“But those who are outside, God judges.  Remove the wicked man from among yourselves.”  1 Corinthians 5:2.  

In conclusion, we see Christ evaluate the church in Ephesus by how they hated evil and could not tolerate evil men within their churches.  

“‘I know your deeds and your toil and perseverance, and that you cannot tolerate evil men, and you put to the test those who call themselves apostles, and they are not, and you found them to be false;  and you have perseverance and have endured for My name’s sake, and have not grown weary.  But I have this against you, that you have left your first love.  Therefore remember from where you have fallen, and repent and do the deeds you did at first;  or else I am coming to you and will remove your lampstand out of its place—unless you repent.  Yet this you do have, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.  He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will grant to eat of the tree of life which is in the Paradise of God.’”  Revelation 2:2-7.

Today’s Scripture comes from Numbers 25:10-25. 

“10 Then Balak’s anger burned against Balaam, and he struck his hands together;  and Balak said to Balaam, “I called you to curse my enemies, but behold, you have persisted in blessing them these three times!  11 Therefore, flee to your place now.  I said I would honor you greatly, but behold, the Lord has held you back from honor.”  12 Balaam said to Balak, “Did I not tell your messengers whom you had sent to me, saying, 13 ‘Though Balak were to give me his house full of silver and gold, I could not do anything contrary to the command of the Lord, either good or bad, of my own accord.  What the Lord speaks, that I will speak’?  14 And now, behold, I am going to my people; come, and I will advise you what this people will do to your people in the days to come.” 

15 He took up his discourse and said, 

“The oracle of Balaam the son of Beor,
And the oracle of the man whose eye is opened,
16 The oracle of him who hears the words of God,
And knows the knowledge of the Most High,
Who sees the vision of the Almighty,
Falling down, yet having his eyes uncovered.
17 “I see him, but not now;
I behold him, but not near;
A star shall come forth from Jacob,
A scepter shall rise from Israel,
And shall crush through the forehead of Moab,
And tear down all the sons of Sheth.
18 “Edom shall be a possession,
Seir, its enemies, also will be a possession,
While Israel performs valiantly.
19 “One from Jacob shall have dominion,
And will destroy the remnant from the city.”

20 And he looked at Amalek and took up his discourse and said, 

“Amalek was the first of the nations,
But his end shall be destruction.”

21 And he looked at the Kenite, and took up his discourse and said, 

“Your dwelling place is enduring,
And your nest is set in the cliff.
22 “Nevertheless Kain will be consumed;
How long will Asshur keep you captive?”

23 Then he took up his discourse and said, 

“Alas, who can live except God has ordained it?
24 “But ships shall come from the coast of Kittim,
And they shall afflict Asshur and will afflict Eber;
So they also will come to destruction.”

25 Then Balaam arose and departed and returned to his place, and Balak also went his way.”  Numbers 25:10-25. 

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“Thus says the Lord, “Let not a wise man boast of his wisdom, and let not the mighty man boast of his might, let not a rich man boast of his riches;  but let him who boasts boast of this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the Lord who exercises lovingkindness, justice and righteousness on earth;  for I delight in these things,” declares the Lord.”  Jeremiah 9:23-24. 

Although we don’t want to be like Balaam, we do want to be one who “who hears the words of God, And knows the knowledge of the Most High, Who sees the vision of the Almighty”.  Verse 16.  

But, we should not think of this ability as some mystical gift that one receives it altogether at once.  Although there is nothing that we have, that we did not receive, (1 Corinthians 4:7), and although there are spiritual gifts such as knowledge and faith, (1 Corinthians 12:8-9), there usually is a progression in going from ignorance to hearing, and going from hearing to knowing, and going from knowing to seeing.  There is growth.  

“but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  To Him be the glory, both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.”  2 Peter 3:8. 

There is the example of Timothy.  “For I am mindful of the sincere faith within you, which first dwelt in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am sure that it is in you as well.  For this reason I remind you to kindle afresh the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands.  For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline.”  2 Timothy 1:5-7. 

And, we see the example of Christ.  “The Child continued to grow and become strong, increasing in wisdom;  and the grace of God was upon Him.”  Luke 2:40. 

“I will meditate on all Your work And muse on Your deeds.”  Psalm 77:12.

So, let us be diligent.  

“Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.”  2 Timothy 2:15. 

“Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge, and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness, and in your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, love.  For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they render you neither useless nor unfruitful in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.  For he who lacks these qualities is blind or short-sighted, having forgotten his purification from his former sins.  Therefore, brethren, be all the more diligent to make certain about His calling and choosing you;  for as long as you practice these things, you will never stumble;  for in this way the entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be abundantly supplied to you.”  2 Peter 1:5-11. 

“Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus.  Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do:  forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”  Philippians 3:12-14. 

But, even though there is the need to grow, to be diligent, to press on, let us not view it as some dreary duty, let us be eager to do these things.   

Let us be like the Bereans.  “Now these were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so.”  Acts 17:11. 

“But his delight is in the law of the Lord, And in His law he meditates day and night.”  Psalm 1:2.

“But if we hope for what we do not see, with perseverance we wait eagerly for it.”  Romans 8:25. 

“For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ;”  Philippians 3:20.  

In conclusion, the growth, diligence, pressing on, and eagerness is summarized in the following two parables of Jesus:  “The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in the field, which a man found and hid again;  and from joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.  “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking fine pearls, and upon finding one pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had and bought it.”  Matthew 13:44-46. 

Today’s devotion comes from Numbers 23:25 to Numbers 24:9.  This Scripture spans two chapters.  Here is are two links to the two chapters – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Numbers+23&version=NASB

and https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Numbers%2024&version=NASB 

I quote the following verses in Numbers Chapter 24. 

“1 When Balaam saw that it pleased the Lord to bless Israel, he did not go as at other times to seek omens but he set his face toward the wilderness.  2 And Balaam lifted up his eyes and saw Israel camping tribe by tribe; and the Spirit of God came upon him.  3 He took up his discourse and said, 

“The oracle of Balaam the son of Beor,
And the oracle of the man whose eye is opened;
4 The oracle of him who hears the words of God,
Who sees the vision of the Almighty,
Falling down, yet having his eyes uncovered,
5 How fair are your tents, O Jacob,
Your dwellings, O Israel!
6 “Like valleys that stretch out,
Like gardens beside the river,
Like aloes planted by the Lord,
Like cedars beside the waters.
7 “Water will flow from his buckets,
And his seed will be by many waters,
And his king shall be higher than Agag,
And his kingdom shall be exalted.
8 “God brings him out of Egypt,
He is for him like the horns of the wild ox.
He will devour the nations who are his adversaries,
And will crush their bones in pieces,
And shatter them with his arrows.
9 “He couches, he lies down as a lion,
And as a lion, who dares rouse him?
Blessed is everyone who blesses you,
And cursed is everyone who curses you.”  Numbers 24:1-9. 

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“Blessed is everyone who blesses you, And cursed is everyone who curses you.” comes from the covenant that God made with Abraham in Genesis 12:1-3. 

“1 Go forth from your country,
And from your relatives
And from your father’s house,
To the land which I will show you;

2 And I will make you a great nation,
And I will bless you,
And make your name great;
And so you shall be a blessing;
3 And I will bless those who bless you,
And the one who curses you I will curse.
And in you all the families of the earth will be blessed.”  Genesis 12:1-3. 

Galatians Chapter 3 also refers to this blessing.  “Even so Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness.  Therefore, be sure that it is those who are of faith who are sons of Abraham.  The Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, “All the nations will be blessed in you.”  Galatians 3:6-8. 

And just like there is the contrast between the blessing and the cursing in today’s Scripture, there is the contrast between the blessing and the cursing in Galatians Chapter 3. 

“For as many as are of the works of the Law are under a curse;  for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who does not abide by all things written in the book of the law, to perform them.”  Now that no one is justified by the Law before God is evident;  for, “The righteous man shall live by faith.”  However, the Law is not of faith;  on the contrary, “He who practices them shall live by them.”  Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law, having become a curse for us—for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”— in order that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we would receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.”  Galatians 3:10-14. 

So, when we read today’s key sentence (“Blessed is everyone who blesses you, And cursed is everyone who curses you.”), the blessing and the cursing are not just about saying either nice words about Christians or bad words about Christians, but more importantly, the blessing arises when we have faith and build up faith in our Savior Jesus Christ, and the cursing arises when we live by the Law and raise up the Law.   

“You have been severed from Christ, you who are seeking to be justified by law;  you have fallen from grace.  (The Curse)  For we through the Spirit, by faith, are waiting for the hope of righteousness. (The Blessing)  … I have confidence in you in the Lord that you will adopt no other view;  but the one who is disturbing you will bear his judgment, whoever he is.  (The Curse)  …  I wish that those who are troubling you would even mutilate themselves.  (The Curse)”  Galatians Chapter 5:  Verses 4, 5, 10, and 12. 

“So then those who are of faith are blessed with Abraham, the believer.”  (The Blessing) Galatians 3:9.

Today’s devotion comes from Numbers 23:13-24. 

“13 Then Balak said to him, “Please come with me to another place from where you may see them, although you will only see the extreme end of them and will not see all of them;  and curse them for me from there.”  14 So he took him to the field of Zophim, to the top of Pisgah, and built seven altars and offered a bull and a ram on each altar.  15 And he said to Balak, “Stand here beside your burnt offering while I myself meet the Lord over there.”  16 Then the Lord met Balaam and put a word in his mouth and said, “Return to Balak, and thus you shall speak.”  17 He came to him, and behold, he was standing beside his burnt offering, and the leaders of Moab with him.  And Balak said to him, “What has the Lord spoken?”  18 Then he took up his discourse and said, 

“Arise, O Balak, and hear;
Give ear to me, O son of Zippor!
19 “God is not a man, that He should lie,
Nor a son of man, that He should repent;
Has He said, and will He not do it?
Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good?
20 “Behold, I have received a command to bless;
When He has blessed, then I cannot revoke it.
21 “He has not observed misfortune in Jacob;
Nor has He seen trouble in Israel;
The Lord his God is with him,
And the shout of a king is among them.
22 “God brings them out of Egypt,
He is for them like the horns of the wild ox.
23 “For there is no omen against Jacob,
Nor is there any divination against Israel;
At the proper time it shall be said to Jacob
And to Israel, what God has done!
24 “Behold, a people rises like a lioness,
And as a lion it lifts itself;
It will not lie down until it devours the prey,
And drinks the blood of the slain.”  Numbers 23:13-24. 

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Reformed Doctrine “pounds the table” to proclaim God’s sovereignty, because the Bible  “pounds the table” to proclaim God’s sovereignty.  “Has He said, and will He not do it?  Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good?”

When we understand more of God’s sovereignty, we will also trust God more:  “He is for them like the horns of the wild ox.”  

The imagery of “horns of the wild ox” conveys God’s focus, force, passion, and persistence.  God focuses on His chosen people as we seen in the devotion yesterday.  God’s force (sovereignty) insures that what God intends to do will be accomplished.  God’s passion is shown in Christ Who loves the church and gave Himself up for the church as a husband loves and is devoted to his wife.  God’s persistence is shown by His faithfulness and preservation of the saints despite their repeated unfaithfulness, rebellion, and other sins.    

God is for them! 

“God brings him out of Egypt,
He is for him like the horns of the wild ox.
He will devour the nations who are his adversaries,
And will crush their bones in pieces,
And shatter them with his arrows.”  Numbers 24:8. 

“6 The Lord is for me;  I will not fear;
What can man do to me?
7 The Lord is for me among those who help me;
Therefore I will look with satisfaction on those who hate me.
8 It is better to take refuge in the Lord
Than to trust in man.
9 It is better to take refuge in the Lord
Than to trust in princes.”  Psalm 118:6-9. 

“31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us?  32 He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things?  33 Who will bring a charge against God’s elect? God is the one who justifies;  34 who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us.  35 Who will separate us from the love of Christ?  Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?  36 Just as it is written, 

“For Your sake we are being put to death all day long;
We were considered as sheep to be slaughtered.” 

37 But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us.  38 For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”  Romans 8:31-39.

Today’s devotion comes from Numbers 22:36 to Numbers 23:12.  Today’s Scripture spans parts of two chapters.  Here are two link to the two chapters – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Numbers+22&version=NASB and https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Numbers%2023&version=NASB 

I quote the following verses from Numbers Chapter 23. 

“5 Then the Lord put a word in Balaam’s mouth and said, “Return to Balak, and you shall speak thus.”  6 So he returned to him, and behold, he was standing beside his burnt offering, he and all the leaders of Moab.  7 He took up his discourse and said, 

“From Aram Balak has brought me,
Moab’s king from the mountains of the East,
‘Come curse Jacob for me,
And come, denounce Israel!’
8 “How shall I curse whom God has not cursed?
And how can I denounce whom the Lord has not denounced?
9 “As I see him from the top of the rocks,
And I look at him from the hills;
Behold, a people who dwells apart,
And will not be reckoned among the nations.
10 “Who can count the dust of Jacob,
Or number the fourth part of Israel?
Let me die the death of the upright,
And let my end be like his!” 

11 Then Balak said to Balaam, “What have you done to me?  I took you to curse my enemies, but behold, you have actually blessed them!”  12 He replied, “Must I not be careful to speak what the Lord puts in my mouth?”  Numbers 23:5-12. 

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We focus on the observation and blessing of Balaam:  “Behold, a people who dwells apart, And will not be reckoned among the nations.”  

We see similar Scripture in the Song of Moses in Deuteronomy 32:8-10. 

“8 “When the Most High gave the nations their inheritance,
When He separated the sons of man,
He set the boundaries of the peoples
According to the number of the sons of Israel.
9 “For the Lord’s portion is His people;
Jacob is the allotment of His inheritance.
10 “He found him in a desert land,
And in the howling waste of a wilderness;
He encircled him, He cared for him,
He guarded him as the pupil of His eye.”  Deuteronomy 32:8-10. 

These Scriptures and other Scriptures focus on the uniqueness and preciousness of God’s chosen people.  God singles and separates out His chosen people to be the sole recipients of His grace.  There is no common grace here nor support for the thought that “God loves everybody.”  

Like a husband only loves his wife, “… Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her, so that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing;  but that she would be holy and blameless.”  Ephesians 5:25-27.  

“1 But now, thus says the Lord, your Creator, O Jacob,
And He who formed you, O Israel,
“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
I have called you by name; you are Mine!
2 “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
And through the rivers, they will not overflow you.
When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched,
Nor will the flame burn you.
3 “For I am the Lord your God,
The Holy One of Israel, your Savior;
I have given Egypt as your ransom,
Cush and Seba in your place.
4 “Since you are precious in My sight,
Since you are honored and I love you,
I will give other men in your place and other peoples in exchange for your life.”  Isaiah 43:1-4. 

“But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;  for you once were not a people, but now you are the people of God; you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.”  1 Peter 2:9-10. 

“What if God, although willing to demonstrate His wrath and to make His power known, endured with much patience vessels of wrath prepared for destruction?  And He did so to make known the riches of His glory upon vessels of mercy, which He prepared beforehand for glory, even us, whom He also called, not from among Jews only, but also from among Gentiles.”  Romans 9:22-24.  

“Thus you are to be holy to Me, for I the Lord am holy;  and I have set you apart from the peoples to be Mine.”  Leviticus 20:26 

“But know that the Lord has set apart the godly man for Himself;  The Lord hears when I call to Him.”  Psalm 4:3.

Today’s devotion comes from Numbers 22:22-35.

“22 But God was angry because he was going, and the angel of the Lord took his stand in the way as an adversary against him.  Now he was riding on his donkey and his two servants were with him.  23 When the donkey saw the angel of the Lord standing in the way with his drawn sword in his hand, the donkey turned off from the way and went into the field;  but Balaam struck the donkey to turn her back into the way.  24 Then the angel of the Lord stood in a narrow path of the vineyards, with a wall on this side and a wall on that side.  25 When the donkey saw the angel of the Lord, she pressed herself to the wall and pressed Balaam’s foot against the wall, so he struck her again. 26 The angel of the Lord went further, and stood in a narrow place where there was no way to turn to the right hand or the left.  27 When the donkey saw the angel of the Lord, she lay down under Balaam;  so Balaam was angry and struck the donkey with his stick.  28 And the Lord opened the mouth of the donkey, and she said to Balaam, “What have I done to you, that you have struck me these three times?”  29 Then Balaam said to the donkey, “Because you have made a mockery of me! If there had been a sword in my hand, I would have killed you by now.”  30 The donkey said to Balaam, “Am I not your donkey on which you have ridden all your life to this day?  Have I ever been accustomed to do so to you?”  And he said, “No.”

31 Then the Lord opened the eyes of Balaam, and he saw the angel of the Lord standing in the way with his drawn sword in his hand; and he bowed all the way to the ground.  32 The angel of the Lord said to him, “Why have you struck your donkey these three times? Behold, I have come out as an adversary, because your way was contrary to me.  33 But the donkey saw me and turned aside from me these three times.  If she had not turned aside from me, I would surely have killed you just now, and let her live.”  34 Balaam said to the angel of the Lord, “I have sinned, for I did not know that you were standing in the way against me.  Now then, if it is displeasing to you, I will turn back.”  35 But the angel of the Lord said to Balaam, “Go with the men, but you shall speak only the word which I tell you.”  So Balaam went along with the leaders of Balak.”  Numbers 22:22-35.

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There are those who are Godly who will warn us and try to get us back on the right way.  They may be a minister, elder, other member of the church, parent, sibling, other family relative, or friend.  Seek out the Godly!  Be with the Godly!  Listen to the Godly!

Don’t be like Balaam!  Scripture compares Balaam with the unrighteous who “forsaking the right way, they have gone astray, having followed the way of Balaam, the son of Beor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness;  but he received a rebuke for his own transgression, for a mute donkey, speaking with a voice of a man, restrained the madness of the prophet.”  2 Peter 2:15-16.

“The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, But a wise man is he who listens to counsel.”  Proverbs 12:15

“The righteous is a guide to his neighbor, But the way of the wicked leads them astray.”  Proverbs 12:26

“He who walks with wise men will be wise, But the companion of fools will suffer harm.”  Proverbs 13:20

Today’s devotion comes from Numbers 22:15-21.

“15 Then Balak again sent leaders, more numerous and more distinguished than the former.  16 They came to Balaam and said to him, “Thus says Balak the son of Zippor, ‘Let nothing, I beg you, hinder you from coming to me;  17 for I will indeed honor you richly, and I will do whatever you say to me.  Please come then, curse this people for me.’”  18 Balaam replied to the servants of Balak, “Though Balak were to give me his house full of silver and gold, I could not do anything, either small or great, contrary to the command of the Lord my God.  19 Now please, you also stay here tonight, and I will find out what else the Lord will speak to me.”  20 God came to Balaam at night and said to him, “If the men have come to call you, rise up and go with them; but only the word which I speak to you shall you do.”

21 So Balaam arose in the morning, and saddled his donkey and went with the leaders of Moab.”  Numbers 22:15-21.

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Balaam’s reply to the servants of Balak reminds us of the sovereignty of God.  Balaam may have been willing to satisfy Balak by cursing Israel for a number of different reasons.  Balaam may not have been a “fan” of Israel.  Balaam may have feared what Balak would do to him if he refused.  Balaam may have desired all the wealth that Balak could give him if he complied.  Balaam may have generally viewed cursing as not that difficult of a thing to do.  But, in summary, it is not a question of “would”;  it is a question of “could”.  “Though Balak were to give me his house full of silver and gold, I could not do anything, either small or great, contrary to the command of the Lord my God.”  Verse 18.

God’s sovereignty, specifically over our enemies, should bring us comfort.

Here is some of what the Psalms states.

“Arise, O Lord;  save me, O my God!  For You have smitten all my enemies on the cheek; You have shattered the teeth of the wicked.”  Psalm 3:7

“All my enemies will be ashamed and greatly dismayed; They shall turn back, they will suddenly be ashamed.”  Psalm 6:10

“I call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised, And I am saved from my enemies.”  Psalm 18:3

“He delivers me from my enemies;  Surely You lift me above those who rise up against me;  You rescue me from the violent man.”  Psalm 18:48

“You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;  You have anointed my head with oil;  My cup overflows.”  Psalm 23:5

“I will extol You, O Lord, for You have lifted me up, And have not let my enemies rejoice over me.”  Psalm 30:1

“For He has delivered me from all trouble, And my eye has looked with satisfaction upon my enemies.”  Psalm 54:7

“Then my enemies will turn back in the day when I call;  This I know, that God is for me.”  Psalm 56:9

“Though I walk in the midst of trouble, You will revive me;  You will stretch forth Your hand against the wrath of my enemies, And Your right hand will save me.”  Psalm 138:7

Here is some of what the Heidelberg Catechism states.

Question 1.  What is thy only comfort in life and death?

Answer.  That I with body and soul, both in life and death, am not my own, but belong unto my faithful Savior Jesus Christ; who, with his precious blood, hath fully satisfied for all my sins, and delivered me from all the power of the devil; and so preserves me that without the will of my heavenly Father, not a hair can fall from my head;  yea, that all things must be subservient to my salvation, and therefore, by his Holy Spirit, he also assures me of eternal life, and makes me sincerely willing and ready, henceforth, to live unto him. 

Question 28.  What advantage is it to us to know that God has created, and by his providence doth still uphold all things?

Answer.  That we may be patient in adversity; thankful in prosperity; and that in all things, which may hereafter befall us, we place our firm trust in our faithful God and Father, that nothing shall separate us from his love; since all creatures are so in his hand, that without his will they cannot so much as move.

Question 51.  What profit is this glory of Christ, our head, unto us?

Answer.  First, that by his Holy Spirit he pours our heavenly graces upon us his members;  and then that by his power he defends and preserves us against all enemies.

Question 52.  What comfort is it to thee that “Christ shall come again to judge the quick and the dead”?

 Answer.  That in all my sorrows and persecutions, with uplifted head I look for the very same person, who before offered himself for my sake, to the tribunal of God, and has removed all curse from me, to come as judge from heaven:  who shall cast all his and my enemies into everlasting condemnation, but shall translate me with all his chosen ones to himself, into heavenly joys and glory.