Today’s reading: Num 27:1–23, 1 Cor 10:1–22, Ps 22:14–31

Today’s theme: A way of escape

God has made a way of escape for every temptation facing His children, this should give us confidence and bring us comfort as we persevere. Other lessons today include God’s heart for His daughters to receive an inheritance, made available through the cross of Jesus, which is prophesied in today’s psalm reading.

Numbers 27:1–23

God’s daughters

“The daughters of Zelophehad are right. You shall give them possession of an inheritance among their father’s brothers and transfer the inheritance of their father to them. Numbers 27:7 (ESV)

The bible makes it very clear that God’s heart for women is one of love and justice. In the ancient world and in many cultures around the world today, women have no rights and are treated like possessions. This makes the boldness of these 5 daughters and God’s positive response so important.

Men and women are of course different, but in Christ we all share the same promises and inheritance. God has a purpose for every woman’s life, including those with no male covering.

We must be bold in approaching God to claim the inheritance He has for us. See Ephesians 1:3 and Hebrews 11:6.

Laying of hands

So the LORD said to Moses, “Take Joshua the son of Nun, a man in whom is the Spirit, and lay your hand on him. Numbers 27:18 (ESV)

The baton of leadership would pass from Moses to Joshua. One of the qualifications for a godly leader is that they are filled with the Holy Spirit, Joshua was.

The laying on of hands was symbolic of the transferring or impartation of authority (or negatively the transferring of sins). This continues in the church, see Acts 6:6, 13:3, 1 Timothy 4:14, Hebrews 6:2.

1 Corinthians 10:1–22

Examples to learn from

Now these things took place as examples for us, that we might not desire evil as they did. 1 Corinthians 10:6 (ESV)

This gives us a context for reading the Old Testament. Here and in other places in the New Testament, we are told that the things recorded in the scriptures are there as examples and warnings for us to learn from. See Romans 15:4 and 2 Timothy 3:16.

The lesson to be learned here is that we should not follow our cravings and lusts which lead to sin and rebellion (and then to discipline or judgement), but to submit to God in joy.

The pitfall of self-confidence

Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall. 1 Corinthians 10:12 (ESV)

Paul warns us against the pitfalls of self-confidence in our own knowledge or standing. We need to humbly rely on God or we risk falling.

A way of escape

No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. 1 Corinthians 10:13 (ESV)

In this particular case the tempting was the alluring power of idolatry, because of the suffering and persecution that abandoning its practise in Corinth would bring.

Our examples today may not be so obvious but we too are commonly tempted by our own selfish desires and held hostage by thoughts of being maligned socially among friends, family and at work, if we do not compromise and join them in the celebration of sin.

We must remember that God is faithful, He will give us strength to endure and provide a way of escape when we are under pressure to conform to the world. As the next verse says; take the way out and flee from idolatry or from whatever the compromising /challenging sin is that is tempting you or piling pressure on you.

Psalm 22:14–31

The Messiah would be pierced

For dogs encompass me; a company of evildoers encircles me; they have pierced my hands and feet— Psalm 22:16 (ESV)

This is one of the clearest prophecies of the crucifixion that Jesus would endure, it is mentioned in a time when crucifixion was not practised by the people of Israel (even in Jesus’ time, it was a Roman form of execution).

Gambling at the cross

they divide my garments among them, and for my clothing they cast lots. Psalm 22:18 (ESV)

The fulfilment of this prophecy is recorded in all 4 Gospel accounts, see Matthew 27:35, Mark 15:24, Luke 23:34 and John 19:23.

The finished work

they shall come and proclaim his righteousness to a people yet unborn, that he has done it. Psalm 22:31 (ESV)

This points forward to Jesus finishing the work on the cross. John 19:30

Most of the above post is a copy of the original notes from the same date in 2014.

Additional resources

Desiring God on 1 Corinthians 10