Heavenhigh

Consequences and Faithfulness!

# 35 2026 Dev. Numbers 25-26 Consequences and Faithfulness! Read all of chapter twenty-five and twenty-six first. We invite you into God’s space, to read His Word, to think on and interact with. This is God’s Story. Do you believe that this may also be part of our story, in our time? All passages are taken from the NIV.

Nu. 25 Moab Seduces Israel.

Vs.1-5 “While Israel was staying in Shittim, the men began to indulge in sexual immorality with Moabite women, who invited them to the sacrifices to their gods. The people ate the sacrificial meal and bowed down before these gods.”

Apparently, this was the result of Balaam’s advice to Balak after God prevented him from cursing the Israelites. Rev. 2 :14 Moses ordered the leaders to kill all those who participated in sexual sins and in spiritual adultery. This is still a temptation today to many people and to some of the people of God.

Vs.6-9 “Then an Israelite man brought to the camp a Midianite woman right before the eyes of Moses and the whole assembly of Israel while they were weeping at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting.” This was not just any woman, she was a Midianite chief’s daughter and the man was “Zimri son of Salu, the leader of a Simeonite family.” Two people who should have stood for justice and righteousness. “When Phinehas son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron, the priest, saw this, he left the assembly, took a spear in his hand and followed the Israelite into the tent. He drove the spear into both of them, right through the Israelite man and into the woman’s stomach. Then the plague against the Israelites was stopped; but those who died in the plague numbered 24,000.” When leaders defy the Word of God the country and the church is in trouble. But the faithful will stand!

Vs.10-15 “The Lord said to Moses, ’Phinehas son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron, the priest, has turned my anger away from the Israelites. Since he was zealous for my honor among them…”’ God makes a covenant of peace with him and a lasting priesthood. Faithfulness, a fruit of the Spirit.

Vs.16-18 God brings punishment on the Midianite’s as well. God is not mocked.

Nu 26 The Second Census

Vs.1-51 “These were the Israelites who came out of Egypt … Reuben: 43,730. Simeon: 22,200. Gad: 40,500. Judah: 76,500.Issachar: 64,300. Zebulun: 60,500. Manasseh: 52,700. Ephraim: 32,500. Benjamin: 45,600. Dan: 64,000. Asher: 53,000. Nephtali: 45,400. Total: men of Israel, 601,730.

Vs. 52-56 This was how the land would be allotted to them, by the number count of each tribe, larger tribe a larger allotment but it all must be done by lot. By lot, that is how God will designate where each tribe will live in the land.

Vs. 57-65 The Levites were counted separately, they did not get an allotment of land. “All the male Levites a month old or more numbered 23,000… Not one of them was among those counted by Moses and Aaron the priest when they counted the Israelites in the Desert of Sinai. For the Lord had told those Israelites they would surely die in the wilderness, and not one of them was left except Caleb, son of Jephunneh and Joshua, son of Nun.” As faithful as Moses was he would not enter the land, but God’s grace was sufficient for him.

Good News!

# 34 2026 Dev. Isa.52:13-15 Suffering and Glory! Read all of chapter fifty-two first. We invite you into God’s space, to read His Word, to think on and interact with. This is God’s Story. Do you believe that this may also be part of our story, in our time? All passages are taken from the NIV.

Isaiah 52 continues from Ch.51, the release of Israel from Babylon. It is the release from slavery in Egypt and now the release from Babylon, foreshadowing the salvation we now have in Christ Jesus.

Vs.1-6 “Awake, awake, Zion, clothe yourself with strength!” God is calling His people, captive, in a foreign land, look up, look to the Lord and be free “…from the chains on your neck.” So, also, God calls us today, He wants to set us free from all that entangles us today! “You were sold for nothing and without money you will be redeemed. For this is what the Sovereign Lord says ‘At first my people went down to Egypt to live; lately, Assyria has oppressed them. And now what do I have here? declares the Lord. And all day long my name constantly blasphemed. Therefore, my people will know my name; therefore in that day they will know that it is I who foretold it. Yes, it is I.” Apply this to today and draw your own conclusion.

Vs.7-12 “How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, ‘Your God reigns!”’ As we have already mentioned the release of the people and the announcement of that is equated as “Good News” by the preaching of the Word; “…And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”’Rm. 10:15. Paul was called to present God’s salvation to all people, Jews and Gentiles alike. The whole point of church is to not only to encourage the attenders but to actively reach out to those who are not yet saved. People question outreach, “if God wants to save someone He does not need us or the church to do it.” Yes, but God wants to empower us by the Holy Spirit to accomplish His purpose of evangelizing the world. Working to that end, and experiencing people who find Jesus is the greatest privilege one can have in this this life. “But you will not leave in haste or go in flight; for the Lord will go before you, the God of Israel will be your rear guard.” This applies to those leaving Babylon and all those coming out of a life without Christ. Praise the Lord!

The Suffering and Glory of the Servant

Vs.13-15 “See, my servant will act wisely; he will be raised and lifted up and highly exalted.” Jesus Christ, is exalted before time. “Just as there were many who were appalled at him—his appearance was so disfigured beyond that of any human being…”Christ is exceedingly exalted after suffering on the cross to redeem mankind. Thanks be to God!

Bessings and Curses!

# 33 2026 Dev. Numbers 24. Blessings and Curses. Read all of chapter twenty-four first. We invite you into God’s space, to read His Word, to think on and interact with. This is God’s Story. Do you believe that this may also be part of our story, in our time? All passages are taken from the NIV.

Nu. 24 Balaam continues his Prophesies.

Vs.1-12 “Now when Balaam saw that it pleased the Lord to bless Israel, he did not resort to divination as at other times, but turned his face toward the wilderness.” When he saw the camp of the Israelites stretched out before him the Holy Spirit came upon Balaam. At that point Balaam gives up divination. The next two prophecies include an introduction, by Balaam, an introduction that gives him the credit for this prophecy, instead of humility, the donkey experience gave him pride and arrogance. Yet, in the power of the Spirit, God used him to bless the Israelites. The leader, Joshua, is like a lion. “May those who bless you be blessed and those who curse you be cursed!” This was a promise to Abraham as well. Balak, realizing he was not going to get a curse from Balaam, sent him packing. But Balaam was not finished prophesying.

Vs.15-19 “Balaam’s fourth message” Same arrogant introduction but he speaks an undeniable truth. “I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near.” Is he speaking of David? He goes on, “A star will come out of Jacob; a scepter will rise out of Israel.” Is he speaking of Jesus? He is speaking of David and Jesus. We are in a battle in Jesus’ name, by our faith in Him the enemy will be destroyed, Satan will not prevail against our God’s love, praise Him!

Vs.20-25 Balaam’s fifth, sixth and seventh message. This covers a lot of history, Amalek, the grandson of Esau, attacked the Israelites at a time when they were weak. God wanted them eliminated. Saul, the first king of Israel, failed to do that. The sixth message involves the Kenites. Moses stayed with Jethro, a priest in Median, a Kenite, who became his father in law. Yet, by Ashur, the Assyrians would destroy them. The seventh message, “Alas! Who can live when God does this.” Yes, God does this, He is control of history, also, today. Here Balaam moves ahead about 1500 yrs. The Greeks, Alexander the Great, puts an end to the Medes and the Persian kingdom. What do we take away from “Blessings and Curses” Does God bless? Yes, but blessings do not always mean physical healing, or prosperity but it always means spiritual healing. Curses are reserved for those who reject God, those who will not recognize Jesus as the Savior and do not listen to the Holy Spirit.

Salvation Forever!

# 32 2026 Dev. Isa.51:1-3. Salvation-Forever! Read all of chapter fifty-one first. We invite you into God’s space, to read His Word, to think on and interact with. This is God’s Story. Do you believe that this may also be part of our story, in our time? All passages are taken from the NIV.

Isaiah 51. “Listen to me, you who pursue righteousness who seek the Lord: Look to the rock from which you were cut and to the quarry from which you were hewn…” As the prophet continues with the promise of salvation, he sends them back to the beginning, how God called Abraham and Sarah. He is calling us as well, Christians, back to our roots, we are part of God’s plan starting with Abraham; God said: “Abraham will surely become a great and powerful nation, and all nations on earth will be blessed through him.For I have chosen him, so that he will direct his children and his household after him to keep the way of the Lord by doing what is right and just…Gn.18:18-19.” Many of us look back and we thank God!

“Everlasting Salvation…”

Vs.1-3. “Listen to me, you who pursue righteousness and who seek the Lord:” The prophet is also speaking to us. Look back to your history. Salvation will renew the people and the land, the earth. “Joy and gladness will be found in her, thanksgiving and the sound of singing.”

Vs.4-8 “Listen to me, my people; hear me, my nation: Instruction will go out from me; my justice will become a light to the nations.” We take comfort in our God. “But my salvation will last forever, my righteousness will never fail.” Our God is faithful, we must not despair, God has promised: “But my righteousness will last forever, my salvation through all generations.” Look around today; there is a revival going on, thank God! But Satan is raising his ugly head, increasingly so, into every area of our lives. But we trust God!

Vs.9-16 “Awake, awake, arm of the Lord, clothe yourself with strength!” Here the prophet takes them back to all the miraculous works of God for His people. These are some of what God has in store for us and for the people the prophet is speaking to; “the Lord has rescued…enter Zion with singing…everlasting joy…sorrow and sighing will flee away. I, even I, am He who comforts you…those oppressed will be set free…nor will they lack bread…I have put my words in your mouth and covered you with the shadow of my hand…” He is speaking of our new life in Jesus. Salvation begins here but ends up in heaven.

“The Cup of the Lord’s Wrath”

Vs.17-23. “Awake, awake! Rise up, Jerusalem, you who have drunk from the hand of the Lord the cup of his wrath… you will never drink again.” Does God discipline? Yes, obviously. Still today? Yes, those who are unrepentant. “But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.”Eph.2:4-5 Thanks be to God!

God Blesses!

# 31 2026 Dev. Numbers 22-23. God Blesses! Read all of chapter twenty-two and twenty-three first. We invite you into God’s space, to read His Word, to think on and interact with. This is God’s Story. Do you believe that this may also be part of our story, in our time? All passages are taken from the NIV.

Nu. 22 Balak Summons Balaam

Vs.1-13 “Then the Israelites traveled to the plains of Moab and camped along the Jordan across from Jericho.” They are ready to enter the land, but not yet. “The Moabites said to the elders of Midian, “This horde is going to lick up everything around us, as an ox licks up the grass of the field.” The King of Moab summoned Balaam, a man of God. Balak wanted Balaam to curse the people of Israel because he feared them. “The elders of Moab and Midian left, taking with them the fee for divination. When they came to Balaam, they told him what Balak had said. “Spend the night here,” Balaam said to them, “and I will report back to you with the answer the Lord gives me.” God told him not to go with them. “You must not put a curse on those people, because they are blessed.”

Vs.14-20 “Then Balak sent other officials, more numerous and more distinguished than the first.They came to Balaam and said:” come to me “I will reward you handsomely and do whatever you say. Come and put a curse on these people for me.” God told Balaam to go with them but to say only what I tell you.

Balaam’s Donkey

Balaam went with them but “God was very angry when he went, and the angel of the Lord stood in the road to oppose him.” The text does not tell us why God apposed Balaam on the way, was it his motivation, a great reward? He was known to be able to divine God’s will, potentially, he could cast a curse on God’s people. His donkey saw what Balaam should have seen, three times his donkey warned him but he did not heed the warning, only after the donkey talked to him and God opened his eyes to see the angel did Balaam repent and acknowledge his sin. What about us today? Are there angels to warn us, to save us from a major transgression? Yes, I believe in guardian angels, and I believe in the guidance of the Holy Spirit! Are we aware, hearing and seeing?

Numbers 23. The Balak, Balaam story continues.

Vs.1-12. Balaam said, “Build me seven altars here, and prepare seven bulls and seven rams for me.” Balak did as Balaam said, and the two of them offered a bull and a ram on each altar. After that Balaam withdrew from them to seek God’s will. Balaam gave the answer “…How can I curse those whom God has not cursed? How can I denounce those whom the Lord has not denounced?” Balak said to Balaam, “What have you done to me? I brought you to curse my enemies, but you have done nothing but bless them!” He answered, “Must I not speak what the Lord puts in my mouth?”

Vs.13-26. Then Balak said to him, “Come with me to another place where you can see them; you will not see them all but only the outskirts of their camp. And from there, curse them for me.” The same procedures were followed at the new site, 7 alters, sacrifices, seeking God’s will. Here is the answer “Arise, Balak, and listen; hear me, son of Zippor. God is not human, that he should lie, not a human being, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill? I have received a command to bless; he has blessed, and I cannot change it.” We also need to understand that God is not human, he is the Creator of the universe and the Holy and Sovereign God over all. Then Balak said to Balaam, “Neither curse them at all nor bless them at all!” Balaam answered, “Did I not tell you I must do whatever the Lord says?”

Vs.27-29. “Then Balak said to Balaam, ‘Come, let me take you to another place. Perhaps it will please God to let you curse them for me from there.” What was he thinking? God just let him know that He, God blessed them and no human can change God’s will. We do well to remember that today! God’s grace is sufficient for us. Thank be to God!

The Promise!

# 30 2026 Dev. Isa.50:2 The Promise! Read all of chapter fifty first. We invite you into God’s space, to read His Word, to think on and interact with. This is God’s Story. Do you believe that this may also be part of our story, in our time? All passages are taken from the NIV.

Isaiah 50. “This is what the Lord says” the prophet is speaking for God and speaking of the future, he is speaking in the Spirit of Christ. “Because of your sins you were sold…” Because of their sin the Israelites were sent to Babylon. But God will redeem; “How beautiful… are the feet of those who bring good news…” Also see Rm 10:15Vs.1-3. “…When I came, why was there no one? When I called, why was there no one to answer? Was my arm too short to deliver you?” They had forgotten how God rescued them from Sennacherib. The people has lost all sense of the true God, they could not hear or recognize God because of their sin. Who discerns the Holy Spirit today, our leaders, our pastors, you?

Vs.4-9 The prophet, speaking in the Spirit of Christ; “The Sovereign Lord has given me a well-instructed tongue, to know the word that sustains the weary…The Sovereign Lord has opened my ears; I have not been rebellious, I have not turned away. I offered my back to those who beat me, my cheeks to those who pulled out my beard; I did not hide my face from mocking and spitting… It is the Sovereign Lord who helps me. Who will condemn me?” Christ suffered to set us free!

Vs.10-11 “Who among you…” this is a question we must answer today. “Who among you hears the Lord and obeys the word of his servant?” His Son Jesus Christ? There is darkness all around, “let the one who walks in the dark, who has no light, trust in the name of the Lord and rely on their God.” Today, we try to make our own light like in those days. Our own efforts can’t save us, can’t put us on the right path, Jesus alone is the light that guides us and saves us! Amen!

Conquest and Punishment!

# 29 2026 Dev. Numbers 21. Connquest and Punishment! Read all of chapter twenty-one first. We invite you into God’s space, to read His Word, to think on and interact with. This is God’s Story. Do you believe that this may also be part of our story, in our time? All passages are taken from the NIV.

Nu. 21. In this chapter God allows the Israelites to attack people who oppose them, but they have not learned anything about being thankful for God’s care, or God’s promise to give them land.

Vs.1-3 “When the Canaanite king of Arad, who lived in the Negev, heard that Israel was coming along the road to Atharim, he attacked the Israelites and captured some of them.” The Israelites vowed to dedicate Arad, his people and towns to the Lord; Arad and all that was his was destroyed.

The Bronze Snake.

Vs. 4-9 “They traveled from Mount Hor along the route to the Red Sea, to go around Edom.” The people complained, “There is no bread! There is no water! And we detest this miserable food!” They were talking about manna. What did they think would happen? God had been bringing them food every morning and their clothes and sandals did not wear out. “Then the Lord sent venomous snakes among them; they bit the people and many Israelites died.” The people came to Moses and said we have sinned, pray for us. “The Lord said to Moses, ‘Make a snake and put it up on a pole; anyone who is bitten can look at it and live.’” Jesus mentions this event as foreshadowing of faith in Jesus on the cross, that whoever believed on Him would be saved. Jn. 3:16-18

The Journey to Moab

Vs.10-20. “The Israelites moved on and camped at Oboth.” On to “Iye Abarim, in the wilderness that faces Moab toward the sunrise.” On to the Zered Valley, and they “camped alongside the Arnon, which is in the wilderness extending into Amorite territory… That is why the Book of the Wars of the Lord says:. . . Zahab in Suphah and the ravines, the Arnon and the slopes of the ravines that lead to the settlement of Ar and lie along the border of Moab. From there they continued on to Beer, the well where the Lord said to Moses, ‘Gather the people together and I will give them water.”’ They avoided Moab all together as they avoided Edom because of their blood ties, Esau and Lot.

The Defeat of Sihon and Og

Vs.21-36. “Israel sent messengers to say to Sihon king of the Amorites: ‘Let us pass through your country. We will not turn aside into any field or vineyard, or drink water from any well. We will travel along the King’s Highway until we have passed through your territory.’” But they would not allow them to pass and wanted to prevent them by sending out the army. Israel engaged and defeated them and occupied their land. “Heshbon was the city of Sihon, king of the Amorites, who had fought against the former king of Moab and had taken from him all his land as far as the Arnon.” After the Israelites captured the settlements surrounding Jazar, “they turned and went up along the road toward Bashan, and Og king of Bashan and his whole army marched out to meet them in battle at Edrei. “The Lord said to Moses, ‘Do not be afraid of him… So, they struck him down, together with his sons and his whole army, leaving them no survivors. And they took possession of his land.”’ This was God’s plan, to give the land of Canaan to His people, a promise starting with Abraham. God also addressed the sexual abominations of the people of Canaan, including child sacrifices. What does God think about our country today? How do you see it?

Happy Birthday to my wonderful and my beautiful wife Gremar, God’s gift to me!

The Lord’s Servant!

# 28 2026 Dev. Isa.49:1. The Lord’s Servant! Read all of chapter forty-nine first. We invite you into God’s space, to read His Word, to think on and interact with. This is God’s Story. Do you believe that this may also be part of our story, in our time? All passages are taken from the NIV.

Isaiah 49. There is a radical shift in this chapter. The first verse sets the tone; “Before I was born the Lord called me; from my mother’s womb he has spoken my name… I will also make you a light for the Gentiles, that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth.” This reminds us of Gen. 18:18 “Seeing that Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him.”

Vs.1-6 The prophet speaks for God’ “Listen to me, you islands; hear this, you distant nations… He made my mouth like a sharpened sword, in the shadow of his hand he hid me; he made me into a polished arrow and concealed me in his quiver.” Here Isaiah refers to Rev. 1:16 and Rev 19:15, where God is addressing the whole world. The prophet answers; “But I said ‘I have labored in vain… Yet what is due me is in the Lord’s hand, and my reward is with my God.’” Many of us, who’s work is to labor for God, can identify the struggle is real, the work is demanding, the rewards are minimal, yet it is a great blessing to be called by God!

V.7. “This is what the Lord says—to him who was despised…Kings will see you and stand up…because… the holy one of Israel, who has chosen you.”

Restoration of Israel

Vs.8-13 “This is what the Lord says: In the time of my favor I will answer you, and in the day of salvation I will help you… He who has compassion on them will guide them and lead them beside springs of water. I will turn all my mountains into roads and my highways will be raised up… Shout for joy…rejoice…burst into song… For the Lord comforts His people.” Israel is the underlying people for God’s salvation, Jesus, is a Jew as well as the Son of God. We are so blessed in this time of God’s salvation time line. In Christ, by His grace and love, we are able to experience God freely. Think about that!

Vs14-21. “But Zion said, ‘the Lord has forsaken me, the Lord has forgotten me.”’ The Prophet answers for God; “Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you!” Thank you, Lord Jesus! “Your sons hasten back, and those who laid you waste depart from you. Lift up your eyes and look around; all your sons gather and come to you.” God will restore all those lost by persecution, by unjust rulings, by illness and war brought on by Satan and everything else that Satan dishes out. Praise be to God!

Vs.22-26. “This is what the Sovereign Lord says: See, I will beckon to the nations, I will lift up my banner to the peoples; they will bring your sons in their arms and carry your daughters on their shoulders…Then you will know that I am the Lord; those who hope in me will not be disappointed… Yes, captives will be taken from warriors, and plunder retrieved from the fierce…Then all mankind will know that I, the Lord, am your Savior, your Redeemer, the Mighty One of Jacob.”

The promises of God are true and they can be relied on through the ages, it came true then and it is true today!

Consequences

“And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus. Php. 4:19.”

# 27 2026 Dev. Numbers.19-20. Consequenced! Read all of chapters nineteen and twenty first. We invite you into God’s space, to read His Word, to think on and interact with. This is God’s Story. Do you believe that this may also be part of our story, in our time? All passages are taken from the NIV.

Nu.19 “The water of Cleansing.”

Vs.1-8 “…the Lord has commanded: Tell the Israelites to bring you a red heifer without defect or blemish and that has never been under a yoke.” It was to be slaughtered outside the camp, all of it burned, and while burning, “The priest is to take some cedar wood, hyssop and scarlet wool and throw them onto the burning heifer.”

Vs.9-10 The ashes were to be gathered and stored outside the camp, and used to add to the water for cleansing.

Vs.11-16 “Whoever touches a human corpse will be unclean for seven days. They must purify themselves with the water on the third day and on the seventh day; then they will be clean. But if they do not purify themselves on the third and seventh days, they will not be clean.”

Vs.17-22 This is how it was done. “For the unclean person, put some ashes from the burned purification offering into a jar and pour fresh water over them.” After that a ceremonially clean person sprinkles the water using hyssop on the tent, the furniture and all the people who were there. Today, we do more than being ceremonially clean; we strive to be clean of heart, but we know that is not possible for us humans in our broken condition. Do not despair, Jesus, by His grace, makes us clean, thanks be to God!

Nu. 20 “Water from the Rock”

Vs.1-11 “In the first month the whole Israelite community arrived at the Desert of Zin, and they stayed at Kadesh. There Miriam died and was buried.” But there was no water for them or their flocks. They complained bitterly to Moses and Aaron, blaming them, they forgot that God was leading them and they forgot how God had taken care of them ever since they had left Egypt. How often don’t we forget how God has taken care of us? Moses and Aaron fell facedown before the Lord. God answered “Take your staff, and you and your brother Aaron gather the assembly together. Speak to that rock before their eyes and It will pour out its water.” But Moses did not do as the Lord had commanded; “Moses said to them, ‘Listen, you rebels, must we bring you water out of this rock? Then Moses raised his arm and struck the rock twice with his staff. Water gushed out, and the community and their livestock drank.”’

Vs.12-13 “But the Lord said to Moses and Aaron, ‘Because you did not trust in me enough to honor me as holy in the sight of the Israelites, you will not bring this community into the land I gave them.’”

Vs.14-21 Twice Moses sent a request to the King of Edom, giving him their history of slavery and persecution, but the King would not let them go through his land on the King’s Highway that ran from Egypt to Bagdad. “Since Edom refused to let them go through their territory, Israel turned away from them.” The conflict between Jacob and Esau continues to this day. Not only Esau, but many other people around the world despise the Jews, even in our own country. Satan cannot stop his attack on the people of God, those who participate in their persecution are guilty. The New Israel is the Christian church but the people of God (Jews) are still His!

The Death of Aaron

Vs.22-29. “The whole Israelite community set out from Kadesh and came to Mount Hor.” Because both Aaron and Moses had rebelled at Meribah, Aaron was to die on the mountain. God said to Moses; “get Aaron and his son Eleazar and take them up Mount Hor. Remove Aaron’s garments and put them on his son Eleazar, for Aaron will be gathered to his people; he will die there.” The whole community, mourned for him thirty days. Aaron was forgiven but he would not get to the promised land in this life. How many times have we rebelled against the Lord? Many times, but by faith, by the love and sacrifice of Jesus, we are forgiven and we are saved to enter the land (heaven). Praise Him!