Sometimes when you’re watching a serial drama on Netflix they’ll take an episode to tell a back-story or a spin-off from the main story to give context to the overall narrative. That’s exactly what’s happening in today’s passage. The king of Moab, whose name is Balak, hires a man named Balaam who is some kind of diviner or priest, to put a curse on Israel. As Balaam goes to visit king Balak, the Lord speaks to Balaam using a donkey, and if the Lord can use a donkey to speak to a man, he can certainly use Balaam to prophesy to the king. Though not from the nation of Israel, Balaam faithfully proclaims the Lord’s message three times, disregarding the king and his reward. Sadly, by contrast, Israel rushes into idolatry as soon as they can.

Numbers 22 – 1:14 . 

Numbers 23 – 9:24 . 

Numbers 24 – 14:53 . 

Numbers 25 – 20:31 . 

Psalm 35 – 23:36 .

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Christian Standard Bible translation.

All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.

Co-produced by Bobby Brown, Katelyn Pridgen, Eric Williamson & the Christian Standard Bible

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It seems that Israel simply cannot handle the idea that the Lord would place Moses and Aaron in authority over them. Even after signs and wonders, including those wherein the Lord snuffs out the rebellious, they continue to groan and complain. So today, the Lord decides to put their complaints to rest with a unique sign that will stand as a testimony for generations to come. Later, the people rebel again when there is no water to be found. God instructs Moses to speak to a rock so that it will produce water, demonstrating God’s holiness, but Moses fails to trust the Lord’s instruction. In so doing, he is told that he and Aaron will not enter the land with the next generation.

Numbers 17 - 1:08 . 

Numbers 18 - 3:04 . 

Numbers 19 - 10:10 . 

Numbers 20 - 14:32 . 

Numbers 21 – 20:33 . 

Psalm 34 - 26:28 . 

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Christian Standard Bible translation.

All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.

Co-produced by Bobby Brown, Katelyn Pridgen, Eric Williamson & the Christian Standard Bible

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On our last episode, God sent spies into the land of Canaan, the land He promised to give them, but when they saw their foes, they brought back a negative report, and refused to venture onward. Today, God resolves to wipe them out for their rebellion, but Moses intercedes for the people, pleading with God to act with faithful and steadfast love. Instead, God resolves to keep their generation out of the land, promising that their children would inherit it instead. Later, a man named Korah incites a rebellion against Moses, questioning his authority. Armed with the conclusion that the entire community of Israel is holy, he contends that Moses and Aaron have no right to go before the Lord exclusively. Korah and 250 men appear before the Lord, and what happens next is unprecedented.

Numbers 14 - 1:14 . 

Numbers 15 - 9:30 . 

Numbers 16 - 16:26 . 

Psalm 33 - 26:20 .

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Christian Standard Bible translation.

All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.

Co-produced by Bobby Brown, Katelyn Pridgen, Eric Williamson & the Christian Standard Bible

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Just like any family trip to a far away place, everyone starts getting grumpy quick. New questions arise about who may partake of the Passover and who should abstain. After Israel leaves Mount Sinai for the Promised Land they becomes dissatisfied with what the Lord provides, complaining that the food they had in Egypt was better than manna from the Lord. Moses complains to the Lord that these people aren’t his babies and he shouldn’t have to nurse them. Miriam and Aaron get jealous of the authority given to Moses, and criticize him in order to elevate themselves. Finally, their journey could have been over in almost no time, but instead of confronting their enemies as the Lord had commanded, they cower, complain, and make excuses.

Numbers 9 – 1:16 . 

Numbers 10 – 5:13 . 

Numbers 11 – 10:57 . 

Numbers 12 – 18:15 . 

Numbers 13 – 21:07 . 

Psalm 32 – 25:55 .

:::

Christian Standard Bible translation.

All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.

Co-produced by Bobby Brown, Katelyn Pridgen, Eric Williamson & the Christian Standard Bible

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We’re continuing in the book of Numbers today, which has a reputation for putting people off both because of the title and because the first seven chapters (or so) contain a good bit of repetition. You’ll experience some of that today, and if you want to put me on 2x speed for that section, I won’t judge! This repetition is intentional, however. Think of it: they didn’t have a copy/paste function for papyrus or scrolls, so they would’ve been required to hand copy everything we’re reading today. These handwritten details would have also been read aloud, and would have impressed upon the hearer that God had provided for the Israelites lavishly.

Numbers 5 - 1:09 . 

Numbers 6 - 6:46 . 

Numbers 7 - 10:55 . 

Numbers 8 - 22:47 . 

Psalm 31 - 26:51 . 

:::

Christian Standard Bible translation.

All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.

Co-produced by Bobby Brown, Katelyn Pridgen, Eric Williamson & the Christian Standard Bible

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Numbers are boring, right? I mean, who gets excited about counting things? Well, did you ever count your Christmas presents as a kid? Have you ever memorized the stats of your favorite athletes, or checked the number of likes on a post, or rejoiced over the number of people confessing Christ through the work a missionary? The numbers presented in these first few chapters may seem boring to us, but they represent the faithfulness of God to Israel. And don’t worry, the title of this book is a little misleading; while it opens with counting heads, it gets more exciting in coming chapters.

Numbers 1 - 1:13 . 

Numbers 2 - 8:56 . 

Numbers 3 - 13:25 . 

Numbers 4 - 21:20 . 

Psalm 30 - 29:07 . 

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Christian Standard Bible translation.

All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.

Co-produced by Bobby Brown, Katelyn Pridgen, Eric Williamson & the Christian Standard Bible

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The author of Hebrews continues to reference Old Testament Scripture to make a defense for the superiority of Christ over all things. The earthly tabernacle is but a shadow of the heavens, where Christ serves as great high priest. He has made a superior sacrifice, shedding His own blood rather than that of goats, bulls, or rams. He oversees a new covenant, where the law is written on the hearts and minds of those who trust in Him. Men and women of faith who came before Him were waiting for the promise of His coming. In Him, we haven’t come to Mt Sinai, but Mount Zion, where Christ intercedes on our behalf.

Hebrews 10 - 1:15 . 

Hebrews 11 - 8:02 . 

Hebrews 12 - 16:13 . 

Hebrews 13 - 21:58 . 

Psalm 28 - 26:18 . 

Psalm 29 - 27:51 . 

:::

Christian Standard Bible translation.

All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.

Co-produced by Bobby Brown, Katelyn Pridgen, Eric Williamson & the Christian Standard Bible

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How can Jesus be our great high priest if he is from the tribe of Judah rather than the tribe of Levi? The writer of Hebrews quotes Psalm 110 and explains that Jesus is a better high priest, because unlike mere mortal men, he is unstained by sin and unconstrained by death. Additionally, while the earthly high priest had to enter the most holy place in the tabernacle year after year, Jesus has entered the heavens and is seated at the right hand of God Most High, his sacrifice finished once and for all. As a side note, if you’d like a refresher on the original account of Melchizedek, you can go back and listen to Genesis 14, found in episode 4 of Commuter Bible.

Hebrews 6 – 1:10 . 

Hebrews 7 – 4:23 . 

Hebrews 8 – 9:33 . 

Hebrews 9 – 12:14 . 

Psalm 26 – 18:17 . 

Psalm 27 – 19:42 .

:::

Christian Standard Bible translation.

All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.

Co-produced by Bobby Brown, Katelyn Pridgen, Eric Williamson & the Christian Standard Bible

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Now that we’ve completed the book of Leviticus, we’re jumping into the book of Hebrews, a book that emphasizes Jesus’ role as a better great high priest and a better Sabbath. While the writer of the book of Hebrews remains unknown, we do know that this writer can quote the Old Testament Scriptures at length and is very polished in his ability to write and to reason. This letter is unique, as it has no greeting and seems to be directed specifically toward Jewish believers. In today’s passage, the writer argues that Jesus is greater than angels, greater than Moses, a better rest than the Sabbath day, and a better high priest.

Hebrews 1 - 1:13 . 

Hebrews 2 - 3:54 . 

Hebrews 3 - 8:05 . 

Hebrews 4 - 11:03 . 

Hebrews 5 - 14:25 . 

Psalm 24 - 17:00 . 

Psalm 25 - 18:32 .

:::

Christian Standard Bible translation.

All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.

Co-produced by Bobby Brown, Katelyn Pridgen, Eric Williamson & the Christian Standard Bible

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Our time in Leviticus comes to a close today, as the Lord explains the institutions of Sabbath years and the year of Jubilee. Israel is to work the ground for six years, then on the seventh year they are to rest. After 49 years (7x7) they are to celebrate a year of Jubilee where debts are cancelled and Hebrew servants relieved from their service. Finally, if Israel fails to observe the Lord’s commands, they will be cut off from the Lord, and their sacrifices will no longer be pleasing to God. Instead of turning toward the nation of Israel in power and with unmatched favor, the Lord will turn against them in wrath and they will be scattered and overtaken by another nation.

Leviticus 25 - 1:19 . 

Leviticus 26 - 11:04 . 

Leviticus 27 – 19:59 . 

Proverbs 20 - 25:31 . 

:::

Christian Standard Bible translation.

All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.

Co-produced by Bobby Brown, Katelyn Pridgen, Eric Williamson & the Christian Standard Bible

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Moses continues to receive instructions from the Lord, and today’s episode begins with instructions on keeping the sacrifices pure and acceptable before the Lord. Consider that Lord does not want Israel to present anything that is second best or impure in anyway, thereby communicating indifference or irreverence for God in His perfection. We’ll also consider days set aside for celebration include Sabbaths and feasts, the nature of  punishment for violent crimes, the instructions for the bread of the presence, and the steps for executing the death penalty in a case of blaspheming against the Lord.

Leviticus 22 – 1:07 . 

Leviticus 23 – 7:25 . 

Leviticus 24 – 15:44 . 

Proverbs 19 – 19:19 .

:::

Christian Standard Bible translation.

All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.

Co-produced by Bobby Brown, Katelyn Pridgen, Eric Williamson & the Christian Standard Bible

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