Author: preacherpollard

preacher,Cumberland Trace church of Christ, Bowling Green, Kentucky

The Tower Of Borsippa

Dale Pollard

Once the Bir Cylinders were translated, its claims raised the eyebrow of many Biblical skeptics. The set of clay cylinders (600 b.c.) would serve as further proof that what some consider to be one of the most bizarre and barely believable accounts— actually happened. They were discovered by Sir Henry Rawlinson during the mid-19th century at the Babylonian site of Borsippa. The cylinders, covered in parallel inscriptions, were found inside the walls of a gigantic, heavily damaged tower at the site. This tower—a type of the Mesopotamian ziggurat —had been repaired extensively during the reign of the infamous King Nebuchadnezzar. Bricks were unearthed that were stamped with the name of the king but the cylinders inside those ancient walls were what stole the spotlight. Rawlinson (known as the father of Assyriology) translated the inscriptions as follows:

“I am Nebuchadnezzar, King of Babylon … my great lord has established me in strength, and has urged me to repair his buildings … the Tower of Babylon, I have made and finished … the Tower of Borsippa had been built by a former king. He had completed 42 [cubits?], but he did not finish its head; from the lapse of time it had become ruined … the rain and wet had penetrated into the brickwork; the casing of burnt brick had bulged out … Merodach, my great lord, inclined my heart to repair the building. I did not change its site, nor did I destroy its foundation platform; but, in a fortunate month, and upon an auspicious day, I undertook the rebuilding … I set my hand to build it up, and to finish its summit. As it had been in ancient times, so I built up its structure..”

There’s another translation of this text that’s even more direct. This one was done by Rawlinson’s contemporary Assyriologist, Julius Oppert. He would translate a few of lines with a slight, but illuminating variation: 

“… the most ancient monument of Babylon; I built and finished it … A former king built it—they reckon 42 ages [ago]—but he did not complete its head. For a long time, people had abandoned it without order expressing their words ….”

But Wait, There’s More 

The Tower of Babel Stele is an inky black colored ceremonial stone and it’s only about 20 inches tall. It was discovered over a century ago among the ruins of the city of Babylon. Since then, it has been kept as part of a private Norwegian Collection. 

The tablet, belonging to King Nebuchadnezzar, dates to around 600 b.c. and it includes an illustration of the king standing next to a diagram of a large, seven-storied tower; above it, a separate floor plan of the massive “temple” that crowned the top. The lower part of the tablet contains an inscription, describing Nebuchadnezzar’s tower-building strategy. What could be translated from the partial text is as follows:

“Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon am I: In order to complete [the towers] Etemenanki and Eurmeiminanki, I mobilized all countries everywhere … the base I filled in to make a high terrace. I built their structures with bitumen and baked brick throughout. I completed it raising its top to the heaven ….” 

The Etemenanki ziggurat (the Borsippa tower) as described by fifth-century b.c. historian Herodotus: 

“In the middle of [Babylon’s] precinct there was a tower of solid masonry … upon which was raised a second tower, and on that a third, and so on up to eight. The ascent to the top is on the outside, by a path which winds round all the towers. … On the topmost tower there is a spacious temple … There is no statue of any kind set up in the place, nor is the chamber occupied of nights by any one but a single native woman, who, as the Chaldeans, the priests of this god, affirm, is chosen for himself by the deity out of all the women of the land.”

IMG_2130.jpeg

The ‘Tower of Babel Stele’ 

Reason #31 To Love The Church…

#31-Wonderful Words of Life

Numbers: Preparing A People To Conquer (XXXII)

Setting Boundaries (34:1-29)

Neal Pollard

God through Moses lays out the boundary lines for their Promised Land. The Lord was not trying to give them a vast, expansive empire. This was not about world domination. It was about fulfilling His word to Abraham and furthering His overarching plan to bring a Savior through His seed.

The boundaries were precise and specific (southern, 3-5; western, 6; northern, 7-9; eastern, 10-12). The men who were to coordinate the allotments by tribe were hand picked by God and called by name (13-29) to receive their land by Eleazar and Joshua.

They had not lifted a finger against a single city or fought over an inch of ground but they were being led to plan and possess. God had already given it to them. Now, they simply had to work the plan.

Isn’t that just the way it is under Christ? Our reward is promised, specific and laid out for us. He’s told us who He wants to lead us, who the enemy is, and what His plan calls for. He simply tells us to take possession!

Voices From The Grave

Neal Pollard

Recently, Kathy and I were walking through the beautiful Fairview Cemetery, with its over 1,000 graves. There are well-known people buried there, like Duncan Hines, confederate general William Perry, members of the powerful Underwood family, and congressman William Natcher (for whom the Kentucky parkway is named). According to our friend and renowned church historian, Scott Harp, such restoration movement figures as James Harding, M.L. Moore, and Benjamin Franklin Rogers are also buried there, as well as those later well-known to our brotherhood like Raymond Hazelip and J. Pettey Ezell.

But, I was struck by some things I saw on the headstones of seemingly ordinary “residents” we encountered along our walk. They suggest a view that there is more to the person than what lies beneath that patch of ground. They also echo true ideas from Scripture.

“We will meet again.” Those who have gone are not gone forever. We may not see them physically on this earth again, but Scripture speaks of the occasion where we all will be gathered before the throne of judgment (Mat. 25:31-34). Fellowship with one another is implied in various activities in which we will engage and glimpses we get of those who have gone beyond the grave (Rev. 21:3; 22:3). Certainly, our songs express an anticipation that we will see each other again.

“His work lives on.” Think of how that is certainly true, even in the secular realm. Scholarships and endowments are set up in the name of and to honor those who have died. Many wealthy donors have their names on buildings in cities, universities, and businesses long after they have died (Rockefeller Plaza, J.P. Morgan; George Washington has 127 places named after him and Abraham Lincoln has 70). The Bible tells us that though Abel is dead, he still speaks through his obedient faith (Heb. 11:4). John hears the blessed assurance from heaven that those who die in the Lord may rest from their labors, “but their works follow them” (Rev. 14:13). All of us are leaving a posthumous legacy.

“Beloved father, son, and friend.” Variations of this can be found in this and other cemeteries. It is a reminder that we are making and building relationships. How will they be remembered? In what way are we impacting and influencing those who will follow after us? God makes us stewards over various areas of life, and we touch others’ lives. Paul writes, “For none of us lives to himself, and none of us dies to himself” (Rom. 14:7).

We are audibly speaking now, But even from the grave, we will continue to speak. What are we writing with our lives? They will be read when we have died!

Numbers: Preparing A People To Conquer (XXXI)

The Highlight Reel Of Forty Years (33:1-56)

Neal Pollard

Israel has come to the point that the wandering is nearly completed. Aaron has died and Moses will soon follow. So, the inspired Moses looks back at the “stages” (NAS, “journeys”) of this arduous journey. It began so “triumphantly” with their departure from Egypt (1-4). As they were exiting that land, they were heading toward the land of promise. 

In Numbers 33:5-50, we get the entire scope of the forty year journey. This is more than a long list of camp sites, identified by villages and places. It marked the site of the highlights (and lowlights) of this period which saw the demise of a faithless generation (14:27-31). The miracle at the Red Sea is only implied (8). Marah is the place, three days beyond the Red Sea, where Israel murmured for water (8-9; Ex. 15:25-27). Rephidim is mentioned (14), where Moses struck the rock for water as God commanded him (Ex. 17:1ff). Sinai is mentioned (15-16), where Moses receives the Law and the area where the Golden Calf was made (Ex. 19:1ff). Kibroth-hattaavah (16) is the place God struck down the greedy who wanted meat to eat (11:30-35). He marks the death of his brother, Aaron (38-39). Finally, he lists Abel-Shittim (49), where Balaam successfully enticed Israel into immorality with the Moabite women (25:1ff).

So much is condensed into the travelogue that we read for roughly 40 verses. Afterward, the Lord speaks with Moses at the strategic point of the Jordan where they looked across and saw Jericho. God repeats instructions about what will come for the next generation. What this generation had rejected, Moses was to challenge the next one to do. Notice how the actions stack one on the other, instructions to follow: pass over Jordan (51), drive out the inhabitants (52), destroy their places of idolatrous worship (52), take possession of the land (53), possess the land by lot (54), or suffer the consequences of disobedience (55-56). This is a pretty good outline of the book of Joshua!

I am thankful that God communicates clearly and perfectly with us today. As we mark our journey through the wilderness of this world, there will be a succession of highlights and lowlights. Yet, He holds out for us a “promised land” to inherit and gives us clear instructions about how to succeed! 

Numbers: Preparing A People To Conquer (XXX)

“He Spoke” (A Special Request) (32:1-42)

Neal Pollard

You sense Israel’s nearness to the conquest as the book of Numbers draws toward its close. Here, two tribes, Gad and Reuben (later, half the tribe of Manasseh would join them, 33-42) approach Moses, Eleazar, and the leaders of the nation with a request. The lands of Jazer and Gilead are prime pasturelands and the people of these tribes wished to conquer and occupy it for their livestock (2-5). They do not want to go with the rest of the nation westward across the Jordan River.

Moses is upset and gives multiple reasons why. He says that the request revealed dereliction of duty (6), discouragement of brethren (7-9), a duplication of their fathers’ disobedience (9-13), and the risk of the displeasure of God (13-15). However, it appears that Moses’ assessment is hasty.

The leaders of these tribes draw near and justify their request. They will build holding pens for their animals and houses for their wives and children (16-17) while they go to war with the rest of the nation (18-19). Moses says that if they keep their word, this is an acceptable plan (20-22). However, if they renege on this promise, Moses warns, “behold, you have sinned against the Lord, and be sure your sin will find you out” (23). Numbers 32:24-33 summarizes the plan and arrangements Moses sets between these requesting tribes and the rest of the nation. The remainder of the chapter records the building of the various cities in that territory by Gad, Reuben, and half the tribe of Manasseh (34-42). 

By way of application, a few things stand out. First, we should avoid presumptions in dealing with our brethren. It is understandable why Moses would be sensitive to actions tantamount to repeating the fatal past they were still enduring, but it appears this great leader jumped the gun. It is always preferable to give our brethren the benefit of the doubt, to have faith in them. That’s even true if their track record is less than perfect! Among other things, love “bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things…” (1 Cor. 13:7). 

Second, “you may be sure your sin will find you out” (23, NLT). It may happen in this life, but even if it does not it will certainly happen in eternity (1 Tim. 5:24). If we opt for hypocrisy in our Christian lives, we may think we are getting away with it. Scripture makes clear that this will not be the case (Rom. 14:12). 

Finally, God’s work succeeds when brethren help each other out. The plans of the tribes who want to possess the land east of the Jordan include going to war with their brethren to help them conquer their territory. Their brethren had helped to subdue and conquer those who were in the land they planned to inherit. How pleased God is when His children work together in unity. As David put it, “Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity” (Psa. 133:1). 

Loving Difficult People

Nick Dubree

If I asked for a show of hands if you had at least one person in your life that you found difficult to love, some of us, if not all of us would have both hands and both feet in the air. There is no doubt that all of us have people in our lives that are “difficult to love.” This is a natural part of our lives and even more so as followers of Christ because we have different standard of “loving people” than what you find in the world.

I want to dive a little deeper than what usually talk about when this topic comes up. Usually, when he hear this topic, our minds selfishly start pointing blame at others. We may have thoughts like, “Well if they would just have the same opinion as me, everything would be better”, or “man I wish they would get their life together, they’d be a lot easier to be  around.” 

However, when we observe Matthew and Mark’s account of what Jesus says to the Pharisees in Matthew 22:36-40 and Mark 12:29-31, we find that when Jesus is asked “Which is the greatest commandment?” He says “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind. And the second is like it, You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”.

There is a greater context here, but I find it very interesting that when Jesus is asked this question, even though it’s coming from a Lawyer trying to test Him, of all the commandments, Jesus answers with these two. Obviously Jesus find these to be greatly important. First and foremost, you have to Love God. Second, you have to love your neighbor as yourself.

And if we do a little reverse psychology with the second commandment Jesus mentions here, you gotta love your neighbor. To love your neighbor right, you gotta love your neighbor as yourself. To love your neighbor as yourself, you gotta love yourself.

Webster defines the word difficult as -hard to do, make, or carry out; hard to deal with, hard to manage, overcome, or understand. Loving difficult people is……difficult, but loving yourself is a constant challenge. It’s a lifelong battle. If we were honest with ourselves, our disappointment and or disapproval of others originate with that of ourselves. The first step to loving difficult people. In fact, loving yourself is the first step to loving people in general.

Jesus gave us a reason to love ourselves, not in a selfish, prideful way, but in light of our salvation. Our salvation and hope should shine through in love for others. I believe if we study ourselves on a regular basis, cultivating that love that Jesus has shown us, it will bring forth a spirit of natural love for people, no matter how difficult they may be.

Numbers: Preparing A People To Conquer (XXIX)

Defeating The Midianites (31:1-54)

Neal Pollard

How many of the men who participated in the battle against Midian will be in Joshua’s army is unclear, but these wanderers are enlisted to conquer the people who dragged them into sin earlier (see 25:1ff). He is foreshadowing a lesson that will be important during the conquest, a lesson Israel will disobey and fail to learn to their own hurt and difficulty:  “Purge the evil influence of the world around you from among you.” Notice what is found in this chapter. 

THE SUCCESSFUL WAR (1-8). They killed every Midianite male, the five kings, and Balaam (remember him?). The Lord spoke (1) and the army, comprised of a thousand from each tribe (5), warred (7) and killed (8) the Midianites. 

THE SPOILS (9-12). They captured women, children, livestock and goods. Though they destroyed their cities (10), they brought the aforementioned back to the leadership, the congregation, and the camp. 

THE REBUKE (13-16). Moses is angry with the warriors for sparing the women who caused Israel to sin in the matter of Peor through Balaam’s counsel. While women would customarily be part of the “spoil,” these women were known agents of immorality. 

THE REMEDY (17-24). The command is specific. Kill every male child, kill every woman not a virgin, keep virgins for themselves, purify themselves (warriors), purify by fire everything that can withstand fire, wash clothes, and be clean after seven days. The High Priest passes these commands of the Lord along to them (21). 

THE TAX (25-54). The total tribute was divided between the warriors and the congregation, a portion given to Eleazer as an offering to God. It is fitting for a people who have become enriched in battle, a battle which the Lord enabled to happen. Their gift should have been prompted by gratitude. 

God is seeking to teach the Israelites (and us) some valuable lessons. 

1. Sin cannot go unpunished (the Midianites’ influence had been a spiritual detriment)

2. Instructions must be followed (Israel is rebuked for arbitrarily choosing to spare women and children)

3. Giving to God comes first, before using and spending for self

4. Those who do the work (warriors) should be rewarded accordingly

5. You reap what you sow (Midian and Balaam)

Numbers: Preparing A People To Conquer (XXVIII)

Rules About Vows (30:1-16)

Neal Pollard

Vows preceded the Law of Moses (Jacob commits to give a tenth of his possessions to God, if He delivered him, Gen. 28:20). A vow “connotes the act of verbally devoting to the service of God, i.e., vowing to perform, to make an offering, or to abstain from something” (TWOT 557). God reinforces how serious such commitments are, and later we will see some who make some costly ones (like Jephthah and Saul). Here, God prepares the conquerors-to-be by helping them master their words.

GOD MAKES THE LEADERSHIP ACCOUNTABLE (1ff). This command was spoken “to the heads of the tribes” (1). Notice how God holds a man accountable for his vow (2). It is binding, cannot be violated, and must do “according to all that proceeds out of his mouth” (2). 

GOD MAKES PROVISION FOR AN UNMARRIED OR BETROTHED WOMAN WHO MAKES A VOW (3-8). Her father could nullify her vow on the same day if he hears it (3-5). So could her husband, after the same manner (6-8). If neither did this on her behalf, she was bound to her vow. 

GOD’S PROVISION FOR WOMEN WHO ARE OR HAVE BEEN MARRIED (9-15). Widowed and divorced women who vowed were bound to such, just as men were. Wives’ vows fell into two categories, much like the unmarried or engaged woman. Her vow could be made void by her husband without penalty (10-12). But, if he said nothing on the day of her vow, the vow was in force and he shares her guilt (13-15). 

Vows were binding unless someone who had recognized authority over her nullified it. This was a matter of “forgiveness” or “guilt.” God listens to our words. They matter to Him, how ever much or little they mean to us. Jesus would teach His disciples that their word alone should be sufficient and need no oath (Mat. 5:33-37). He would also warn, ” “But I tell you that every careless word that people speak, they shall give an accounting for it in the day of judgment. For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned” (Mat. 12:36-37). There’s an old children’s song that counsels, “Oh be careful little mouths what you say….” That is sage advice for big mouths, too!

Intentional Design

Carl Pollard

Everyone on earth was intentionally designed by God. This fact should help us to remember that every person we meet is an opportunity to serve someone made in the image of God. 

God created us by making a deliberate choice to design us based on what He desired. Basically, who we are is no mistake. Who we are is intentional. Who we are is by design. 

Genesis 1:27 says, “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him;  male and female he created them.” Both men and women are equally created in the image of God. Not just male, or just female; both are created in His image. 

Nothing else on earth can be what we are. God intentionally designed us this way, and that means we matter to God! Men and women were created to be a reflection of the community God has had from the beginning. Complementary in function and design, equal in value, and created to create. 

God could have made a fresh batch of humans each time one died.  God could have made us like self reproducing amoebas. Instead, God designed humans to multiply and fill the earth. He designed us for community. There would be a lot less division if we would remember this. 

Though he designed us perfectly, our decision to reject God’s path brought brokenness into this world–affecting bodies, gender relationships, and even the ability to have healthy families. But God loved the world. He desires for all people to know him because all are equally valuable in his sight. 

So God sent his son into the world. Jesus was the perfect image of the invisible God. As we saw Jesus’ perfect love, we learned of God’s perfect love and nature. He died to create a family, a spiritual family made up of every age, race, and culture and a family formed into a church who is like his bride (A bride he died to save so that we could be united with Him for all eternity). 

May we never forget that we are the product of intentional design. A design created by Almighty God! 

Numbers: Preparing A People To Conquer (XXVII)

Holy Days (29:1-40)

Neal Pollard

The seventh month of the Jewish calendar was (and to modern Jews who still observe the days as holidays today) especially important. The first day of that month (Tishrei) is “The Day of Remembrance” (Yom Teruah)(1-6). The tenth day of that month is “The Day of Atonement”(Yom Kippur)(7-11). The fifteenth day of that month is “The Feast of Booths” (Sukkot)(12-38). The seventh month on the Jewish Calendar is actually their new year.

While Jews today still observe these holidays (inexplicably and inconsistently without animal sacrifice), we understand that the law that commanded them has been nailed to the cross (Col. 2:14; Eph. 2:15). But at the time when Moses writes this to the generation that is about to conquer, in Numbers 29, these are binding observances that required so much sacrifice, specifically laid down concerning the animals, the grain, and the drink for each day of sacrifice.  The point of all of this is summarized in verses 39-40: “You shall present these to the Lord at your appointed times, besides your votive offerings and your freewill offerings, for your burnt offerings and for your grain offerings and for your drink offerings and for your peace offerings. Moses spoke to the sons of Israel in accordance with all that the Lord had commanded Moses.” 

The Lord commanded Moses to command Israel. Why these tedious commands regarding sacrifice? Perhaps the best answer is the inspired one given by the writer of Hebrews (10:1-4–“For the Law, since it has only a shadow of the good things to come and not the very form of things, can never, by the same sacrifices which they offer continually year by year, make perfect those who draw near. Otherwise, would they not have ceased to be offered, because the worshipers, having once been cleansed, would no longer have had consciousness of sins?But in those sacrifices there is a reminder of sins year by year. For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.”

Sin is still terrible and despicable to God. His just requirement for atonement is still as great. The joyful truth today is that Jesus satisfied that requirement once for all (Heb. 10:10). Would you take time today to thank God for His “indescribable gift” (2 Cor. 9:15)? 

Only What Cannot Be Shaken Will Remain

Gary Pollard

Political divide in the church is not new. I’m sure, to some degree, idealogical division has existed since the church’s conception. It’s not a coincidence that Jesus chose a militant political activist and an enemy of that political activist to be among his apostles. He expected them to set aside their differences in favor of a truth that transcended anything earth-based.

We understand this intellectually, but it’s hard for most of us to see how that’s relevant when American political issues are so different from first century issues. Most of us think (rightly so in many cases) that the intrinsic differences between conservatives and progressives are moral rather than merely ideological. How could anyone claiming to be a Christian vote for a leftist politician when theirs is the party of abortion, hedonism, and (which is ironic and paradoxical) restrictions on fundamental freedoms? 

Conservative values do intersect with Judeo-Christian morals far more than progressive ones. But our values can (and have — I’ve witnessed it myself many times) cause us to ignore or blatantly violate scriptural principles. Are we ugly to people who’ve been deceived, or who tell themselves that they’re voting on an issue-by-issue basis? Do we love our enemies and pray for them? Have we determined that — even in matters not covered in scripture — we will defy governing authorities that God put in place? Do we elevate certain political or ideological figures to deity by how we perceive them? The number of conservative Christians who have conflated faith with flag is staggering. More than a couple of times, I’ve heard a Christian say something to the effect of, “God expects me to fight for my faith and my family.” Where is that even implicitly taught in scripture?

But this is not new. The overwhelming majority of Americans before (and during and after) the Civil War were reliable church-attendees.1 Brother excluded brother on the basis of ideology and ethnicity.2 I’ve preached at some old churches whose ancestral members (during the Civil War) brought their rifles to church so that they could fight their fellow countrymen after services. The odds of a believer leaving worship to slaughter a believer on the other side were quite high. 

This year has been tense, to grossly understate reality. We are divided over legitimate issues of national identity and security, individual freedoms, and behavioral regulation. Christians all over the country wait with bated breath to see if the “right” political figures are installed in the next election. To conservatives and progressives alike, this is seen as a fundamentally existential election. The future of our country depends on it! 

This may be true. We do live here, and we have legitimate concerns about our future and about the sanity of our culture. But many American Christians put the principles of their supposed faith in the back seat once before — at the cost of 620,000 lives (equivalent to roughly 7,000,000 Americans today by percentage of population3). 

Don’t read, “Gary doesn’t think these issues are important,” or, “He doesn’t understand how bad things have gotten.” I’m far more plugged in to these issues than I should be as a die-hard conservative who professes belief in Jesus. We’ve gotten to the point, though, that we can’t have both: it’s time to choose. 

Are we Christians, or are we conservative Americans? Or even progressive Americans? Don’t fall into the trap of conflating faith with flag, or faith with political issue(s)! This planet is not our home. We are not American Christians. We are Christians who happen to live in the United States! Our view of people is supposed to be colored by how Jesus would treat them — not by how friendly or hostile they are to our Constitution or Bill of Rights or natural laws! God expected his people to show patience, love, humility, and altruistic care to godless, hedonistic, depraved people who illegally put them to death (cf. Mt 5.44; I Pt 2.12-14, 3.9, 3.15, 4.7; Rom 12.14, 12.17-19). 

We could legitimately say that our political opponents are, in every sense of the word, enemies. Existential, moral, ideological enemies. Do we love them? Do we pray for them? Are we kind to them? Do we bless them? Would we turn the other cheek? Do we want, more than anything, to see them saved on the last day? We do not have a monopoly on salvation — in fact, Jesus will determine who leaves with him and who stays behind by how we treat each other (cf. Mt 25.32ff). No “Christian” who fails to live by Jesus’s principles of godly love will be saved on the last day (Hb 12.14). 

“Try to live in peace with everyone. And try to keep your lives free from sin. Anyone whose life is not holy will never see the master. … You have come to the meeting of God’s firstborn children. Their names are written in the heavens. You have come to God, the judge of all people. And you have come to the spirits of good people who have been made perfect. You have come to Jesus — the one who brought the new agreement from God to his people. You have come to the sprinkled blood that tells us about better things than the blood of Abel. Be careful and don’t refuse to listen when God speaks. Those people [the Israelites] refused to listen to him when he warned them on earth [not to touch the holy mountain]. They did not escape. Now God is speaking from the heavens. So now it will be worse for those who refuse to listen to him. When he spoke before, his voice shook the earth. But now he has promised, ‘Once again I will shake the earth, but I will also shake the sky.’ The words ‘once again’ clearly show us that everything that was created will be destroyed — that is, the things that can be shaken. And only what cannot be shaken will remain. So we should be thankful because we have a kingdom that cannot be shaken. And because we are thankful, we should worship God in a way that will please him. We should do this with respect and fear, because our God is like a fire that can destroy us” (Hb. 12:14,22-29).

 1 Irons, C. Religion during the Civil War. (December 07, 2020). In Encyclopedia Virginia. https://encyclopediavirginia.org/entries/religion-during-the-civil-war

 2 Verboon, C. (August 14, 2020). Irregular secession: The political nature of religious space in the reconstruction-era south. In The Journal of the Civil War Era. https://www.journalofthecivilwarera.org/2020/08/irregular-secession-the-political-nature-of-religious-space-in-the-reconstruction-era-south/

 3 Civil war casualties. (September 15, 2023). American Battlefield Trust. https://www.battlefields.org/learn/articles/civil-war-casualties

Numbers: Preparing A People To Conquer (XXVI)

The Sacrifices (28:1-31)

Neal Pollard

Crucial to the people’s impending conquering of Canaan was seeing to their spiritual welfare. Their priests had to make “a continual burnt offering every day” (3). The Hebrews writer references this and the events of Numbers 29 (9:6-7), with his point being that Christ appeared and “entered the holy place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption” (9:12). So, while they were about to inherit the land promise made to Abraham (Gen. 12:7), they would still have to make these continual sacrifices to atone for their sins. 

Think of all the death, the blood, the time, the inconvenience, just to cover their daily, weekly, and yearly sins. We’ve never had to live that way. We don’t have such a graphic reminder under Christ, but a chapter like Numbers 28 can help us put the seriousness of sin into proper perspective. The Lord says, “You shall be careful to present My offering, My food for My offerings by fire, of a soothing aroma to Me, at their appointed time” (2). Specific offerings, a specific way, at a specific time. God is a God of details. It matters. 

1. The daily burnt offering (2 male lambs, one in the morning and the other at twilight, with the grain offering and the drink offering (1-8)

2. The sabbath day offering (2 male lambs, with grain and drink offering)(9-10)

3. The monthly burnt offering (2 bulls, 1 ram, 7 male lambs of specific age and without defect, with grain offering and drink offering, and one male goat)(11-15)

4. The annual Passover offering (14th day of 1st month followed by a feast week, no work the first day, an offering of 2 bulls, 1 ram, 7 male lambs, 1 male goat with grain offering and drink offering)(16-25)

5. The annual Feast of Weeks offering (offer first fruits of new grain plus 2 young bulls, 1 ram, 7 male lambs, and 1 male goat with grain offering and drink offerings)(26-31).

Doing the math, that’s a lot of time, expense, trouble, and inconvenience. How long before this got to be laborious, before the people lost sight of the seriousness of their sin in the chore of bringing these animals and the food and drink offerings over and over again? 

I see a couple of challenges for us: (1) Appreciating the sufficiency of Christ’s one-time sacrifice and the better covenant, (2) Keeping focus, with gratitude, on the Lord during the Lord’s Supper each week, and (3) Living daily with the knowledge that we’ve been so favored by God to be in Jesus Christ. How will this change our relationship with God each day and our sense of urgency to share this with people whose sins are not covered by the blood of the Perfect Lamb?

The Precious Stones Of Revelation

Dale Pollard

In Revelation 21, there are 12 gemstones listed that are believed to be the same gemstones from the Mountain of God. 

These are the 12 gemstones mentioned in Revelation: 

Jasper, Sapphire, Chalcedony, Emerald, Sardonyx, Sardius, Chrysolite, Beryl, Topaz, Chrysoprasus, Jacinth, and Amethyst.

Interestingly, the gems of Revelation are inorganic. Most of the rocks and stones you see in the natural world around you today are organic and were created through a process of death. Plants, animals, and microorganisms died and their remains were crushed down through various processes before eventually turning into rock. 

Inorganic stones would be the only stones Adam and Eve would have been familiar with. These aren’t made up of deceased creatures, they’re made by a fascinating chemical process within the earth. Meaning, the components that make up inorganic stones were never alive and therefore nothing had to die in order for them to exist. 

Not every gem is inorganic, but all twelve precious stones mentioned in Revelation are. How fitting that in God’s city, death has never been a visitor. Death is not allowed in heaven, even in the construction material. 

This can be appreciated even if the gems weren’t meant to be taken literally. God was the one who had John record those specific gems. Death isn’t even allowed in His symbolic city! Either way— how satisfying. 

Another blessing of the Lord’s church

#30-Learning from Each Other

Numbers: Preparing A People To Conquer (XXV)

Preparing Conquerors (27:1-23)

Neal Pollard

As the book of Numbers gets nearer to the end of the forty years of wandering, plans for conquering ramp up. The previous generation were slaves whose masters provided places for them to settle and live, as subpar as it must have been. This generation were wanderers with no home who at least knew what freedom felt like. God has purged and refined His people. 

Establishing the right of inheritance (1-11). The test case are the daughters of Zelophehad (1-7). The ultimate rule established was a line of succession for inheritance–sons, daughters, brothers, uncles, then near kinsmen (8-11). This rule would come into play in Ruth’s life, resulting in marriage to a near kinsman named Boaz, in the lineage of Christ. 

Entrusting the rule of the people (12-23). It is time for Moses to die soon. He cannot lead the conquering because of his sin at the waters of Meribah (12-14). The Lord will appoint a man over the congregation (15-17). He will be qualified, a man in whom is the Spirit. He will be appointed, God telling Moses, “lay your hand on him,” have Eleazar “commission him in their sight,” and “put some of your authority on him…that…the sons of Israel may obey him.” As such, he would have delegated authority (21).

Enacting the requirement of God (22-23). This was all about doing what God knew was best and what He wanted done. Thus, they did “just as the Lord commanded” and “just as the Lord had spoken.”

No matter what the issue is, God has an answer for us. Whether it is how we handle the material or the spiritual, we should seek His will and then humbly and completely submit to it. We should be seeking to know what He has to say and what He wants us to do. There is no conquering without this mindset.

Watch Your Mouth!

Neal Pollard

When a people are described with “everyone did what was right in his own eyes” (17:6), they are apt to say whatever comes out of such a heart and mind. We cannot be surprised to see the hero as well as the villains in this account getting in trouble through their words. Back at the very beginning of Judges eleven, the Gileadites foolishly speak words rejecting Jephthah because of his unseemly origins (11:2). They would eventually have to eat those impetuous words (11:7-8). The events involved in turning back the Ammonite oppression would lead to words with deadly consequences!

Jephthah spoke reckless and rash words (11:30-31). On the one hand, his vow demonstrates a faith in God that made him throw all caution to the wind. He so desperately wanted victory over God’s enemy that he vowed to sacrifice the first living thing that passed through the door to meet him. While many ancient cultures, including Israel, frequently kept livestock in their houses (cf. 2 Sam. 12:3), Jephthah at least ran the risk that it would be a loved one or at least a servant who met him upon his return. Yet, in apparent passion, he vowed to offer whatever it was as a burnt offering to the Lord. God did not ask for or expect human sacrifice; in fact, His strongest words of condemnation were reserved for false worship that included it (Deut. 12:31; 2 Ki. 17:17; Jer. 7:31). God granted this deliverer victory and upon his return home, his only child, a daughter, came out to greet him celebrating his great victory (34). Both the daughter and her father understood the absolute seriousness of his vow (Num. 30:2; Ecc. 5:4-5). There was no breaking it, so Scripture says he “did with her according to his vow that he had made” (39). How many words have been spoken in the heat of passion, anger, or zeal that were not carefully thought through and went on to hurt God, ourselves, and others? How many promises have been made that proved costly to keep? We ought to taste our words, chewing on them before we say them, to make sure they are words thoughtfully and wisely spoken. Otherwise, they may prove to be bitter! 

The Ephraimite spoke words that betrayed them (12:5-6). This started with their threatening and taunting speech, viciously (and apparently dishonestly, 12:2-3) accusing Jephthah, “Why did you cross over to fight against the Ammonites and did not call us to go with you? We will burn your house over you with fire” (12:1). They also insulted the Gileadites, whom Jephthah led, calling them “fugitives” rather than brethren (12:4). The Gileadites took control of the Jordan River, monitoring all who sought to cross it. Any Ephraimite who tried to cross, they killed. In the end, they killed 42,000 Ephraimites. How could they distinguish them from everyone else? Their speech. The Ephraimites’ speech led to their downfall. They could not pronounce “Shibboleth.” They said “Sibboleth.” It was literally a dead giveaway! What about our speech, on the job, at school, at home, or out with our friends? Do those words proclaim to others that we are followers of Christ, or do we sound just like the world? We are wise to listen to Jesus’ words of warning about our words: “You brood of vipers! How can you speak good, when you are evil? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. The good person out of his good treasure brings forth good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure brings forth evil. I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned” (Mat. 12:34-37). We don’t need anybody’s affirmation or approval so badly that we would neglect this warning!

Those of us who are prone to think out loud or practice “ready, fire, aim” with our speech do well to remember Jephthah and the Ephraimites. Let’s watch our words. Let’s make sure they are pure and profitable, not poor and pitiful! 

Numbers: Preparing A People To Conquer (XXIV)

A New Census Of The Conquerors (26:1-65)

Neal Pollard

Even as God is thinning out the population of the faithless wanderers, He’s readying the up and coming generation for the daunting task of conquest. The Lord saw it necessary to get Israel to number “whoever is able to go out to war in Israel” (2). “Numbers” refers to this task of counting the people at God’s prompting. 

WHO DID THE NUMBERING (1-4). Eleazar The High Priest was tasked with this duty. Verse one connects this with the foregoing plague (25:9). 

WHO WAS NUMBERED (5-61). The twelve tribes, here called “the sons of Israel” (4b), who came out of Egypt are the subjects of this census. Reading through, there are a couple of notable sidebars.

First, the Reubenites were missing the sons of Eliab (Nemuel, Dathan, and Abiram, who were swallowed up by the earth). The sons of Korah did not die, and they would pen some of the Psalms (9-11). 

Second, the Manassehites included Zelophehad, who had only daughters (including one named Noah). God provided for the unusual, allowing the daughters to have an inheritance (ch. 27; Josh. 17:1-4)(33). 

The total number of the sons of Israel were 601,730. Therefore, the children of Israel continued to have families and grow them while sojourning through the wilderness. They were replacing the tens of thousands of Israelites who died or were struck dead by God for their disobedience. 

HOW THE NUMBERING WAS UTILIZED (52-65). The land would be divided according to the number of names, with larger groups getting more and smaller groups getting less (53-54). The land would also be divided by lot (55-56), with God choosing where each tribe would settle within Canaan. The Levites would not receive a land inheritance in a specific geographical region (62), living in 48 cities throughout the promised land instead of (35:1-8). Only Caleb and Joshua, of their generation, would live to go in and conquer Canaan. 

This day must have been exciting, but also sobering. An entire generation was prevented from conquering because they refused to do what God said. But out of this spiritual refinery, the next generation was more ready to conquer than ever. They did not carry the emotional, spiritual, and social baggage of Egypt, and they had been made ready to accept what God promised. 

Numbers: Preparing A People To Conquer (XXIII)

The Strange Case Of Balaam (23:1-25:18)

Neal Pollard

On the surface, Balaam seems like the great prophet Micaiah who once told wicked Ahab, “What the Lord says to me, that I shall speak” (1 Ki. 22:14; see Num. 23:26; 24:13, for example). But, three different New Testament writers make clear that Balaam was wicked. “He loved the wages of unrighteousness” (2 Pet. 2:14). He “rushed headlong into error” (Jude 11). He “taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols and to commit acts of immorality” (Rev. 2:14). 

Balak has hired Balaam to curse Israel. What happens is incredible. You can almost see his giddiness as Balaam instructs him to build him seven altars and they sacrifice (25:1-3), then watch his expression change when Balaam speaks. But, though God is fighting for them, Israel will find a way to fight against themselves. Notice.

  • BALAAM’S FIRST PROPHECY (at Bamoth-Baal) (23:1-12)–Israel will flourish and grow
  • BALAAM’S SECOND PROPHECY (at the top of Mt. Pisgah)  (23:13-24)–Israel will defeat all its enemies
  • BALAAM’S THIRD PROPHECY (at the top of Peor) (23:25-24:9)–Those who bless Israel will be blessed; Those who curse Israel will be cursed
  • BALAAM’S UNPROMPTED DISCOURSE (24:10-24)–He prophesies of the destiny of God’s enemies’ destruction and a possible Messianic Prophecy (24:17; “The Qumran sectarians interpreted this passage as having Messianic import, as did other Jewish sources of the period between the mid-second century b.c. and the first century a.d” (Cole, NAC, 426). He curses the Amalekites, the Kenites, and Assyrians. 
  • BALAAM’S IMPLIED INFLUENCE (25:1-18)–Here is where New Testament passages help us understand that Balaam was trying his best to curse Israel and get Balak’s honor and money. Also note Numbers 31:16, where Moses blames Balaam for this sin. Also see Deuteronomy 23:5 and Joshua 13:22 and 24:10. There, it appears Balaam is advising Balak on how to seduce Israel. Apparently, Israel engages in full scale idolatry and sexual immorality with “the daughters of Moab.” It is urgent that Israel not only desist from this, but punish the guilty. 24,000 Israelites die as the result of this wickedness. Phinehas, Aaron’s grandson, is praised by God for his zeal in defending God’s honor on this horrible occasion.  Apparently, they also slaughtered Balaam on this very occasion, too (31:8). 

I encourage you to read these three chapters, rich with details and some excellent points and ideas (God is not a man, that He should lie–for example).  Balaam knew God’s Word. But even after hearing it, he hoped it would be something different. He knew the right answers, but it didn’t seem to truly penetrate and affect his own heart. How tragic to know and even tell others the truth, then fail to internalize it and let it guide your own life (1 Cor. 9:27). 

Numbers: Preparing A People To Conquer (XXII)

The Unwilling Prophet (22:1-41)

Neal Pollard

With Israel’s wilderness victories, word begins to travel and new enemies began to emerge. The Moabites are afraid of God’s people, and instead of trying to battle them head on they come up with an unconventional plan. King Balak, the mastermind of this plan, forgets one important factor: The One who is causing Israel to succeed.

THE PROPOSITION (1-7). The Moabites saw what Israel did to the Amorites and were afraid (1-3). Moab conspires with the Midianites (4). As part of this, Barak sends for Balaam and asks him to curse Israel (5-6). All we know of Balaam is that who he blessed was blessed, and who he cursed was cursed (6). Messengers arrive with payment and the words of Balak (7). 

THE REVELATION (8-13). God tells Balaam not to curse Israel, a message he conveys to the messengers. Surely Balaam knew it would be wrong to curse Israel, and a righteous man would have spoke from that conviction. Instead, he refuses to go because God will not him. Yet, he knew for sure that God had spoken. 

THE DETERMINATION (14-21). Barak sends a more impressive delegation to get him to go. The Moabites and Midianites offer to make him rich. God allows it, but only to speak what He says. Balaam saddles up his donkey to go with them. God has already spoken definitively, but he holds out hope that He would say “more” to him (19). Some will not be satisfied until they hear what they want to hear. 

THE MIRACULOUS OPPOSITION AND PRESERVATION (22-36). God was angry Balaam was going. It appears Balaam wants to curse Israel though he says all the right things. Balaam’s donkey sees the Angel of the Lord and changes course. It ultimately speaks to Balaam, which incredibly does not seem odd to the prophet. Then, God allows Balaam to see the angel, who rebukes him. Balaam apologizes, offers to turn back, but is permitted to go. God will not let a covetous prophet subvert His overarching purpose.

THE PREPARATION (36-41). Barak is impatient, ready for Balaam to curse Israel. The prophet reminds the pagan king that he can only speak God’s message. The two ascend the heights of the area and look over the part of Israel that they could see, a fraction of them (41).

This text really intrigues us. We don’t fully understand Balaam’s relationship with God, his mysterious ability, or even Balaam’s true motivation and intention. He says all the right things, but there’s obviously something very different going on in his own intention and motivation. God will use this whole situation to reveal His glory, though this generation of Israel will show their true religious colors ultimately. We do know God wants us to do the right things, and He wants us to do them for the right reasons. Our motive must be His glory and our desire to submit to His perfect will, crowding out any ulterior motive that serves our fleshly desires.