Year: 2024

26/04/2024

前言：

今天如果要送出五十张巨星演唱会的票，你会期待你是其中的一位吗？神的应许地只留给旷野里的新一代，你会期待被数入新一代的名单里吗？

一、神亲自拣选新生代

1.神吩咐再数点人数（V1-4）

这次是神第二次要求以色列人进行数点人数，这是为了备战进入应许之地，得神应许的产业。过去四十年里，有怨言、背叛和诽谤，上一代都在旷野中消亡。这一代是神拣选的，是一个预备进入应许之地的的一代，换句话来说是要去争战得着神所应许的产业的。

2.预备前进的新一代 （V5-51）

首先被统计的是南面安营的流便营，其中包括流便、西缅和迦得支派。值得注意的是，神在这次数点中记录了可拉一族的情况，即之前背叛神的一支族群。尽管如此，神的慈爱并没有将他们全灭，而是继续施恩。因此，在这次数点人数中，他们首先被数点的。

数点的结果显示西缅族的人口锐减，这是因为前一章中心利撒路的儿子，西缅一个宗族的首领公然与米甸女人行淫。通过这些结果，我们可以看到，经过四十年的时间，流便族、迦得族和西缅族的人口都没有增加，反而减少了，因为他们虚度了时间。

生活上的过失导致了他们的减少。尽管可拉族在违抗神时受到了惩罚，我们本以为他的后代已经全部灭绝，神仍然选择了保留他们的后代。我们看到，神在审判中彰显了恩典，不仅可拉的后代没有被彻底消灭，甚至让他们有机会成为敬拜者，编写诗歌，回归并被神使用和祝福。他们经历了旷野的考验，最终回归至神，而神也继续使用并祝福他们。

二、兴起前进承受产业 （V52-65）

数点也是为了分配地业。神有一个原则，就是按照人口比例来分配土地。南营的三个支派的人口都减少了，这意味着他们的后代虽然能够进入应许之地，但所分得的土地将会减少。相反，东面的犹大营（包括犹大族、以萨迦族、西布伦族）的人口都增加了，这意味着他们进入应许之地后将会分得更多的土地。

西面的以法莲支派的人数减少了，约减少了八千人，而玛拿西支派和便雅悯支派的人数都有增加，几乎抵消了减少的人数，因此进入应许之地后所得的土地基本持平。北面的拿弗他利支派的人数减少了，但亚设支派和但支派的人数增加了，同样抵消了减少的人数，使得土地的分配基本保持平衡。

总结：涌入成为被拣选的一代

即使我们可能一无所有，但当我们甘愿放下自我，积极回应，并怀着谦卑的心来到神面前时，神必定会施恩慈爱于悔改的我们。祂以永远的爱来爱我们。

Numbers Chapter 26: “A New Generation that Arises and Advances
GK611 Morning Devotion
26/4/2024
The Morning Devotion Speaker: IP Asher Chang

Introduction:

If fifty tickets to a superstar’s concert were to be given away today, would you expect to be one of them? God’s Promised Land is reserved only for the new generation in the wilderness. Do you expect to be counted in the list of the new generation?

1. God personally chooses the new generation

(1) God commanded to count the number of people again (V1-4)

This was the second time that God asked the Israelites to conduct a head count. This was to prepare for war to enter the Promised Land and receive the inheritance promised by God. Over the past forty years, there have been complaints, betrayals, and slander, and the previous generation perished in the wilderness. This generation is chosen by God. It is a generation that is ready to enter the Promised Land. In other words, it is going to fight to receive the inheritance promised by God.

(2) A new generation is ready to advance (V5-51)

The first to be counted was the camp of Reuben encamped in the south, which included the tribes of Reuben, Simeon, and Gad. It is worth noting that God recorded the situation of the tribe of Korah in this number, that is, a tribe that had previously rebelled against God. Despite this, God’s love did not destroy them all but continued to show mercy. Therefore, in this counting of people, they were numbered first.

The numerical results show that the population of the tribe of Simeon has dropped sharply. This is because Zimri the son of Salu in the previous chapter, the leader of a Simeon clan, openly committed adultery with a Midianite woman. From these results, we can see that over forty years, the populations of Reuben, Gad, and Simeon did not increase but decreased because they wasted their time.

Mistakes in life contribute to their diminution. Even though Korah was punished for disobeying God, and we would have thought all his descendants were extinct, God still chose to preserve their descendants. We see that God showed grace in judgment. Not only were the descendants of Korah not completely wiped out, but they were even allowed to become worshippers, write songs, return, and be used and blessed by God. They experienced the trials of the wilderness and ultimately returned to God, who continued to use and bless them.

2. Arise and advance, receive the inheritance (V52-65)

The counting is also to allocate land property. God has a principle, which is to allocate land in proportion to population. The population of the three tribes in the southern camp has decreased, which means that although their descendants can enter the Promised Land, their allotment of land will be reduced. On the contrary, the population of the camp of Judah to the east (including the tribes of Judah, Issachar, and Zebulun) has increased, which means that they will be allocated more land after entering the Promised Land.

The tribe of Ephraim in Simeon decreased in number, by about eight thousand, while the tribes of Manasseh and Benjamin both increased in number, almost offsetting the decrease, so what was gained after entering the Promised Land is nearly equal. The tribe of Naphtali in the north had a decrease in numbers, but the tribes of Asher and Dan had an increase in numbers, which also offset the decrease, leaving the distribution of the land roughly balanced.

Conclusion: Flow in and become the chosen generation

Even though we may have nothing, when we are willing to let go of ourselves, respond positively, and come before God with a humble heart, God will surely show mercy and kindness to us who repent. He loves us with an everlasting love.

25/04/2024

前言：摩押平原的什亭

一、百姓淫乱伤透神的心（V1-3）

以色列百姓到来到什亭，被摩押女子色诱，在巴力的庙里与庙妓行淫苟合，还拜起他们的偶像和吃祭物。

神多次全然的保护心爱的选民不被巴勒咒诅，转而让巴兰宣告祝福在他们身上。没想到走了将近40年，还没进入应许地，他们就行淫乱、拜假神。真的伤透了神的心。

二、领袖起来带头制止罪（V4-5）

神吩咐摩西将百姓中所有的族长对着日头悬挂起来示众，以止息神的怒气。但摩西只吩咐审判官处死那些与巴力·毗珥连合的人。

神为什么要惩罚族长？多给谁，就向谁多取；多托谁，就向谁多要。作为领袖的有责任起来带头制止罪。即使没有与巴力行淫，但看到百姓犯罪却没有严禁阻止，包庇也一样有罪，须负起受罚的责任！

在人看来，只惩罚犯罪的人是更合理的做法。但实际上只有鉴察人心的神知道。就如心利，就没有被摩西和以色列的审判官发现，但却逃不过神。所以当神指示我们当怎么做时，就算通不过我们的逻辑理性，让我们都顺服的遵行。

三、忌邪的心止息神愤怒（V6-13）

1.后悔不能止息神的愤怒（V6-9）

因着摩西没有果断地惩罚族长，结果不但没有立刻阻止罪恶，反而越来越严重。唯有当亚伦的孙子非尼哈，用枪将行淫的男女由腹中刺透。这场瘟疫才止息。

罪如果不认真对付，是会从外到内的影响人的生命。当罪在心中生根时，要拔出是不容易的。

后悔哀哭并不能止息神的忿怒。当百姓犯罪后，瘟疫就已经开始了。虽然摩西和以色列全会众在会幕门前后悔哀哭，但瘟疫依然继续蔓延。唯有当我们按神所吩咐的去对付时，罪才有办法根除，也能止息神的怒气。

2.忌邪之心使神愤怒消退（V10-11，14-15）

神赞赏亚伦的孙子，以利亚撒的儿子非尼哈。虽然心利和哥斯比都是有头有面的人。但非尼哈以神的忌邪为心，勇敢的杀死了他们。结果V10-11，非尼哈不但使神向以色列人所发的怒消了，也止息了正在发生的瘟疫，避免了更多人被神除灭。

作为神的儿女，我们要以神的忌邪为心。不止要与罪恶相争、抵挡到底不妥协。我们忌邪的心更要成为让神对弟兄姐妹、对还没信主的人、对国家止息愤怒的原因。

3.忌邪之心带来平安之约（V12-13）

平安的约指的是，神应许让非尼哈和他的子孙永远继承大祭司的职分，为神的百姓献祭赎罪，平息神的忿怒，使神与人和睦相安。非尼哈后来继承以利亚撒担任大祭司。圣经记载也让我们看到，这个家族的大祭司职位一直延续到新约时代。

我们也是这平安之约的继承。我们已经被托付使人与神和好的义务。（Alpha，12祝福培训外展义工）

四、对待罪恶要斩草除根（V16-18）

耶和华接着要摩西扰害，击杀米甸人。因为神要根除罪恶的源头，好让神的百姓继续在地上完成祂的计划。

正所谓，斩草不除根，春风吹又生。对待罪要斩草除根。如果我们不毁灭罪，罪就会毁灭我们。

总结：要敬畏神

•不要在安逸中以假神代替爱我们的主
•领袖要起来带头制止罪
•以神的忌邪为心，杜绝生命中的罪恶
•成为让神止息怒气的器皿，使人与神和好 ！

Numbers 25 With God’s Zeal in Mind
GK611 Morning Devotion
25 April 2024
The Morning Devotion Speaker: Ps Deborah Tan

Introduction: Acacia Grove in the Plains of Moab

1. The people’s fornication breaks God’s heart (V1-3)

When the people of Israel came to Acacia Grove, they were seduced by Moabite women and committed adultery with temple prostitutes in the temple of Baal, worshipped their idols and ate the sacrifices.

God had many times protected the beloved chosen people from Baal’s curse and turned to Balaam to pronounce a blessing upon them. I didn’t realise that after almost 40 years of traveling, before they entered the Promised Land, they would practice fornication and worship false gods. It really broke God’s heart.

2. Leaders rise up and take the lead to stop sin (V4-5)

God commanded Moses to hang all the tribe leaders of the people out in the sun and show them to the public in order to stop God’s anger. But Moses only commanded the judges to execute those who were in league with Baal- Peor.

Why did God punish the tribe leaders? To whom much is given, from him much will be required; and to whom much has been committed, of him they will ask the more. It was incumbent on those who were leaders to rise up and take the lead in stopping the sin. Even if one did not commit adultery with Baal, but saw the people sinning but did not forbid it and stop it, harbouring it is just as sinful and must be held responsible for the punishment!

To man, it seems more reasonable to punish only those who sin. But in reality, only God, who is the discerner of hearts, knows. For example, the heart was not discovered by Moses and the judges of Israel, but it did not escape God. So when God shows us what to do, even if it doesn’t pass our logical reasoning, let us all obey and do it.

3. A heart of zeal stops God’s wrath (V6-13)

(1) Repentance does not stop God’s wrath (V6-9)

Because Moses did not decisively punish the tribe leaders, the result was that instead of immediately stopping the evil, it got worse and worse. Only when Aaron’s grandson, Phinehas, stabbed the adulterous man and woman through the belly with a spear. Only then did the plague stop.

Sin, if not dealt with seriously, can affect a person’s life from the outside to inside. When sin takes root in the heart, it is not easy to pull out.

Regret and weeping do not stop the wrath of God. The plague had already begun when the people sinned. Though Moses and the whole congregation of Israel wept with regret at the door of the Tabernacle, the plague continued to spread. Only when we deal with God as He has commanded us to do, can sin be eradicated and God’s wrath be stopped.

(2) The heart of zeal causes God’s anger to subside (V10-11, 14-15)

God appreciated Aaron’s grandson, Phinehas son of Eleazar. Though both Zimri and Cozbi were men of honour. But Phinehas, with God’s zeal of evil in mind, bravely killed them. As a result V10-11, not only did Phinehas make God’s anger toward Israel subside, but he also stopped the plague that was going on and prevented more people from being wiped out by God.

As children of God, we are to be mindful of God’s zeal against evil. Not only should we fight against evil and resist it to the end without compromise. Our fear of evil should be a reason for God to stop His wrath against our brothers and sisters, against the unbelievers, and against the nation.

(3) A heart of zeal brings a covenant of peace (V12-13)

The covenant of peace refers to God’s promise to allow Phinehas and his descendants to inherit the high priesthood forever, to offer sacrifices for the atonement of the sins of God’s people, to appease God’s wrath, and to bring peace between God and man. Phinehas later succeeded Eleazar as High Priest. The biblical record also shows us that the high priesthood of this family continued into the New Testament era.

We too are heirs of this covenant of peace. We have been entrusted with the duty of reconciling people to God. (Alpha, 12 Blessings training for outreach volunteers)

4. To eradicate the roots of sins (V16-18)

The Lord then asked Moses to disturb and kill the Midianites. This was because God wanted to eradicate the root of sin so that God’s people could continue to fulfill His plan on earth.

As the saying goes,If you cut the weeds without digging up their roots, they’ll grow again when the spring breeze blows. Sin has to be dealt with by eradicating its roots. If we do not destroy sin, sin will destroy us.

Conclusion: Fear God!

• Don’t substitute false gods for the Lord who loves us in idleness.
• Leaders need to rise up and take the lead in stopping sin
• Stop sin in your life with God’s zeal against evil
• Become a vessel for God to stop His wrath and reconcile people to God !

24/04/2024

引言：巴兰到底是什么人？

一、外邦先知看见以色列的神（24:1-9）

1.巴兰从以色列子民的居住看见神（V1-2）

巴兰再三的看见神祝福以色列，过去的理解是按照异教占星术的作法。如今他在高处望向旷野的平原；观看以色列民的扎营阵容，这是一个很荣耀壮观的队伍。神的会幕在中央，上头有神荣耀的云彩。排列整齐的12支派分东西南北，四个方向的并列于荣耀的会幕。从山上宏观这阵容正是十字架的排列，哪怕当时尚未有十架的真理，但是圣灵此时已经降临在巴兰身上。叫人忽然看见神的作为。

2.歌颂赞美预言雅各之华美与祝福（V3-9）

先知巴兰口这时不断发出对以色列的歌颂与赞美，用了许多美言述说着以色列的荣耀····。如果从外邦人和本想敌对以色列的角度来说，这简直是“长他人志气、灭自己威风”。这是神的奇妙作为，就像是“巫师变牧师”，一个让人始料不及的转化。由此可见，神是无所不能，也是无所不在的神。

祝福以色列的必蒙祝福、咒诅以色列的必遭咒诅。这应许早在亚伯拉罕的年代已经是如此。我们既然有这样的神，我们也是祂的儿女，再加上我们也祝福以色列，我们岂能不经历神迹呢？

二、外邦先知听见神指示未来（24:10-13）

神定意祝福自己的子民，仇敌想咒诅都不行。巴兰不但是把咒诅变成祝福，就连自己原本想得钱财的奖赏都说成自己才不在乎王的奖赏，只要一心照着神的指示做事。这和新约圣经所描述的【贪财的巴兰】似乎很不同？其实巴兰的心确实是贪财的，只是神让巴兰的口一发言，就被神给扭转纠正了。

神是有能力扭转乾坤的，但是神如今更愿意我们因为明白了真理，给我们选择‘对的回应’，那才更宝贵不是吗？因为当年的巴兰不像我们有了这许多的了解和真理。

到目前为止虽然没有说明巴兰是否犯罪或真的贪财，但是新约却明显以巴兰作为贪财、不义、引人至灭亡的先知。因此巴兰的结局是死于以色列的刀下（民31:8）。原因是他献祭引诱以色列民去犯奸淫，随从巴力的廟妓行淫，大大惹怒神而遭瘟疫而死了两万多人。（就在下一章经文里）

三、外邦先知预言掌权的王（24:14-25）

神借着这位外邦人的先知发预言，特别说到‘有星要出于雅各、有仗要兴于以色列···必掌大权’（V17，19）。这显然是指着将来有王要在以色列中兴起，而且是大有权柄，而且要勇敢的除灭敌人，得地为业。甚至原本如同诸国之首的亚玛力都要沉沦。

预言很常有着多层次的意思，意思说以色列中将有强而有力的王兴起，这王要制伏列国。当然这预言更是可以指向几位博士所看到的东方之星（太2:2），这是关于耶稣基督的降生。政权必担在祂的肩上（赛9:6）。甚至说到将来的再来之主，祂是明亮的晨星（启22:16）、祂是万王之王（启17:14）。

知道神很重要，信靠神才更重要，否则又有什么关系呢？

V23 巴兰又题起诗歌说：“哀哉，神行这事，谁能得活？”
意思说，犯罪的、抵挡神的、和以色列作对的，将来都得面对以色列所兴起的王，谁能抵挡得住呢？

总结：我们是属神的‘外邦人’！

感谢神，全地的万王之王，祂竟是我们的神、我们的主、我们的父、我们的良人···何等美好！

Numbers 24 God will reign in the nations
GK611 Morning Devotion
24 April 2024
The Morning Devotion Speaker: Rev David Tan

Introduction：What was Balaam really like?

1. The Gentile prophets saw the God of Israel (24:1-9)

(1) Balaam saw God in the dwelling of the children of Israel (V1-2)

Balaam saw God blessing Israel again and again, which used to be understood according to pagan astrological practices. Now he looks out over the plains of the wilderness from an higher position; viewing the encamped array of the people of Israel, a glorious and spectacular procession. The tabernacle of God is in the centre with the cloud of God’s glory above it. The twelve tribes were neatly arranged in four directions, east and west, north and south, side by side in the glorious Tabernacle. This formation from the mountain was exactly the arrangement of the cross, and even though the truth of the cross had not yet been realised at that time, the Holy Spirit had already descended on Balaam at that time. The Holy Spirit had descended on Balaam at this time, and the people suddenly saw the works of God.

(2) Singing and praising the beauty and blessing of Jacob’s prophecy (V3-9)

The mouth of the prophet Balaam at this time continued to sing and praise Israel, and spoke in many beautiful words of the glory of Israel —-. From the point of view of the Gentiles and those who wanted to be hostile to Israel, this was simply a case of “growing up and destroying one’s own strength”. This was a marvelous act of God, like a “sorcerer turned priest”, a transformation that no one expected. This shows that God is omnipotent and omnipresent.

Whoever blesses Israel will be blessed, and whoever curses Israel will be cursed. This promise was already true back in the days of Abraham. Since we have such a God and we are His children, plus we also bless Israel, how can we not experience miracles?

2. Gentile prophets hear God’s instructions for the future (24:10-13)

God’s will is to bless His people, and His enemies cannot curse them. Not only did Balaam turn the curse into a blessing, but he even said that he didn’t care about the king’s reward as long as he followed God’s instructions. This seems to be very different from the [money-grubbing Balaam] described in the New Testament? In fact, Balaam’s heart was indeed covetous of money, only that as soon as God allowed Balaam’s mouth to speak, it was turned around and corrected by God.

God has the power to turn things around, but God prefers today that we choose the ‘right response’ for us because we understand the truth, and that’s more valuable isn’t it? For Balaam back then was not like us with this much understanding and truth.

So far while it is not stated whether Balaam sinned or was really greedy for money, the New Testament clearly uses Balaam as a prophet who was greedy for money, unrighteous, and drew people to perdition. Thus Balaam’s end was death by the sword of Israel (Num. 31:8). The reason for this was that he had offered to seduce the people of Israel into committing adultery by following Baal’s temple prostitutes, greatly angering God and causing a plague that killed more than 20,000 people. (In the next chapter)

3. The Gentile prophet foretells of the reigning king (24:14-25)

God prophesied through this Gentile prophet, specifically saying, ‘A Star shall come out of Jacob; a Scepter shall rise out of Israel,–shall have dominion’ (V17, 19). This clearly refers to a future king who will rise up in Israel and be powerful, and who will boldly destroy his enemies and gain the land for his inheritance. Even Amalek, who had been the head of the nations, was to sink.

Prophecies often have multiple levels of meaning, meaning that a powerful king will rise up in Israel who will overpower the nations. Certainly this prophecy could point to the star in the east seen by several doctors (Matt. 2:2), which is about the birth of Jesus Christ. The power shall be upon His shoulders (Isa. 9:6). It even speaks of the future Lord of the Second Coming, who is the bright morning star (Rev. 22:16) and who is the King of kings (Rev. 17:14).

Knowing God is important, trusting Him is more important, otherwise what does it matter?

V23 he took up his oracle and said: “Alas! Who shall live when God does this?
Meaning, those who sin, resist God, and fight against Israel will have to face the king raised up by Israel in the future, who can resist?

Conclusion: We are ‘Gentiles’ who belong to God!

Thank God, the King of kings of all the earth, that He is our God, our Lord, our Father, our beloved – how wonderful!

23/04/2024

引言：

这章记载了巴兰两次想诅咒、但神却借着他的口祝福以色列子民，让我们看见神奇妙的祝福作为！

一、神第一次传话给巴兰（V1-12）

1. 神迎见巴兰传话给他（V1-6）

巴兰的献祭不是神所喜悦的，因为他的献祭不是谦卑寻求神的心意，而是在巴结、利用神，要神做他想要做的事。于是神将祂的话传给巴兰，让巴兰的诅咒转变成了祝福。

我们如果为了要满足自己的私慾，达成自己的目标，而献祭敬拜神，其实是在利用神。神知道我们的心，祂也不会让我们利用！

2. 神没咒诅的谁能咒诅（V7-8）

本来巴兰是来咒诅以色列民的。现在他却说：神没有咒诅的，我焉能咒诅。

3. 以色列是神独特选民（V9-12）

神通过巴兰祝福以色列，宣称他们是神独特的选民，他们将要成为一个大国，神看他们为义，因此咒诅不得落在他们。

神奇妙地借着巴兰在向以色列人说出祝福的话来。这让我们看到，神看他们是独特宝贵的选民，一直在保护他们。我们都是神的选民，当我们看到这一点，我们就应该对神完全的信靠！

二、神第二次传话给巴兰（V13-26）

虽然巴勒要求巴兰换个地点继续咒诅，但神的旨意并没有因此有任何改变。在新的献祭的地方，结果神又传话给巴兰，再一次将诅咒变成了祝福。

1.神所应许的必要成就（V19-21）

神发言岂不要成就呢？神所赐福的，他必将继续祝福，所以巴兰也要为以色列祝福。他只能说神命令他说的话。神的话语是永恒不变的，祂与祂的百姓同在，永远祝福他们。

2.神要为以色列行大事（V22-26）

神已将以色列人带出埃及，现在宣告要保护他们免受一切法术和占卜所害，并要使他们成为强盛勇猛的百姓，让外邦人震撼地说，神为以色列民行了何等的大事。

神透过这次的诅咒变祝福，告诉我们神的计划没有人可以改变，祂在我们生命的计划也不会被改变，而且要为我们行大事。祂所应许的，就一定会成就。

三、蒙蔽来自不相信真神 (V27-30)

巴勒和巴兰仍然一再的转换地方，要咒诅以色列。他们如此的蒙蔽，因为不相信神的传话，以至一再按自己的方式做错事。

我们有时候也会这样，事情不顺利时，总以为是环境、或是别人的问题，没有思想自己所做的，是否合神心意，而陷入一错再错。

总结：

今天我们要带着‘神的应许必成就’的信心，来经历‘神奇妙的祝福作为’在我们的生命！

Numbers 23 God’s wonderful works of blessings
GK611 Morning Devotion
23 April 2024
The Morning Devotion Speaker: Ps Daniel Kew

Introduction：

This chapter records that Balaam wanted to curse twice, but God blessed the children of Israel through his mouth. Let us see God’s wonderful works of blessings!

1. God sent a message to Balaam for the first time (V1-12)

(1) God met Balaam and sent him a message (V1-6)

Balaam’s sacrifice was not pleasing to God, because his sacrifice was not humbly seeking God’s will, but flattering and using God to make God do what he wanted to do. So God gave His Word to Balaam, turning Balaam’s curse into a blessing.

If we sacrifice and worship God to satisfy our selfish desires and achieve our own goals, we are using God. God knows our hearts, and He won’t let us take advantage of them!

(2) Who can curse what God has not cursed (V7-8)

Originally, Balaam came to curse the Israelites. Now he said: How can I curse those whom God has not cursed?

(3) Israel is God’s uniquely chosen people (V9-12)

God blessed Israel through Balaam and declared that they were God’s uniquely chosen people. They would become a great nation. God regarded them as righteous so no curse could fall on them.

God miraculously spoke blessings to the Israelites through Balaam. This allows us to see that God sees them as unique and precious chosen people and has been protecting them. We are all God’s chosen people. When we see this, we should have complete trust in God!

2. God sent a message to Balaam for the second time (V13-26)

Although Balak asked Balaam to change places to continue the curse, God’s will did not change in any way. At the new place of sacrifice, God sent another message to Balaam, once again turning the curse into a blessing.

(1) God’s promise will come to pass (V19-21)

Shouldn’t God’s Words come true? What God has blessed, He will continue to bless, so Balaam will also bless Israel. He could only say what God commanded him to say. God’s Word is eternal and unchanging, and He is with His people and blesses them forever.

(2) God will do great things for Israel (V22-26)

God has brought the Israelites out of Egypt, and now He declares that He will protect them from all magic and divination, and will make them strong and brave people so that the Gentiles will be shocked to say what great things God has done for the Israelites.

God turns this curse into a blessing, telling us that no one can change God’s plan, and His plan for our lives will not be changed, and He will do great things for us. What He promises will surely come true.

3. Deception comes from not believing in the true God (V27-30)

Balak and Balaam still changed places again and again to curse Israel. They were so deceived because they did not believe God’s message that they repeatedly did wrong things in their way.

Sometimes we are like this. When things don’t go well, we always think it’s the environment or other people’s problems. We don’t think about whether what we do is in line with God’s will, and we fall into making the same mistakes again and again.

Conclusion：

Today we must experience God’s wonderful works of blessings in our lives with the confidence that God’s promises will come true!

19/04/2024

一、世界的诱惑 – 使我们忘神（V1-20）

1.摩押王巴勒 – 因惧怕选择自己的方式（V1-7）

摩押人看到以色列如何击败亚摩利王西宏和巴珊王噩，感到非常恐惧，觉得自己受到了威胁，于是开始密谋对付以色列人。摩押人并不知道，如果他们没有主动招惹以色列人，其实他们不会遭受以色列人的攻击，因为以色列人的目的地是进入迦南地。然而，由于恐惧，摩押王巴勒却选择成为以色列人的敌人，并采取了当时世界闻名的方式，即请来了巴兰。因为当时人们都认为巴兰很“灵”，他为谁祝福，谁就会得到祝福；他对谁咒诅，谁就会受到咒诅。

弟兄姐妹们，实际上，巴勒本来不会受到以色列人的攻击，只是因为他自己的恐惧而开始疑神疑鬼，结果采取了自己的方法来解决问题，但其实是自己陷入了困境。我们今天是否因为恐惧而紧张地做出了许多决定来解决问题呢？如果每个人都在使用这种方式，我也可以这样做吗？我们真的应该留心世界的潮流，因为这可能会让我们远离神。

2.巴兰 – 心中的贪婪大过神 （V8-20）

巴兰是一个认识耶和华名的人，他知道耶和华是以色列人的神。神的话也向巴兰显现，他能听到神与他交谈。巴兰看起来似乎很正义，但他没有打发那些使他得到极大尊荣的使者离开，反而请他们留宿，并且在心中期望着神或许会改变主意。巴兰心里是有神的，他知道只有以神的名行事才会成功！但他心里更是想要满屋的金银！他舍不得放弃满屋的金银，他想要得到满屋的金银，也想要更大的尊荣，因此他舍不得让这些人离开。

我们需要留心，因为若我们不定义放下我们自己的自我时，世界的诱惑会继续来向我们进攻。也要小心当我们常说要“等待神的旨意”时，心里是否会和巴兰一样，已经心知肚明神的旨意，只是因为神的旨意不符合我们的心愿，所以我们想“等待”神改变祂的心意！甚至还期待神按照我们的意愿行事！

让我们真实来到神的面前，谦卑放下自己，完全跟随神的旨意

二、内心的自我 – 使我们蒙蔽（V21-33）

巴兰不理会神的话，仍然坚持要去。神的使者三次站在巴兰的路上拦阻他，并且要夺取他的命。尽管面对三次阻挠，巴兰仍然无法意识到神的阻拦，没有意识到是神在对付他，甚至以为是那只驴在戏弄他。神让巴兰的驴看见神的使者，但先知巴兰却‘看不见’！尽管巴兰明知道神不想让他去，但他的内心仍然被金钱所驱使，以至于连驴都能看见的危险，巴兰却视而不见。贪婪使得巴兰成为了‘属灵的瞎子’！当人不顺从神时，他注定会走向死路。

三、无心的悔改-使我们堕落（V34-41）

当巴兰终于看见神的使者时，他向使者承认自己有罪，但他并没有真正地认罪！因为他仍然想随着自己的心意去行动！尽管明知道神不喜欢他去，他仍然说：“你若不喜欢我去，我就转回。”

当他的心不顺从神，而是顺从世界时，最终他成为破坏者（巴勒名字的原意）的假先知！但在人的面前却无所作为，甚至还为以色列祝福。眼前那些诱人的丰厚名利很容易让人忽视真理，把神的话放在脑后！愿主帮助我们，不要被诱惑所迷惑，成为最终随从世界的有名无实的基督徒！

总结：人的肆意改变不了神的旨意，让我们可以至死自我，进入无我的生命跟随神。

Numbers 22: “Die to oneself, live a selfless life “
GK611 Morning Devotion
19/4/2024
The Morning Devotion Speaker: IP Asher Chang

1. The temptation of the world – makes us forget God (V1-20)

(1) Balak, King of Moab – Choosing his own way out of fear (V1-7)

When the Moabites saw how Israel had defeated Sihon, king of the Amorites, and Og, king of Bashan, they were so frightened that they felt threatened, and began to plot against the Israelites. The Moabites did not know that if they had not actively provoked the Israelites, they would not have been attacked by the Israelites because the Israelites’ destination was to enter the land of Canaan. However, out of fear, Balak, the king of Moab, chose to become the enemy of the Israelites and took a method that was world-famous at the time to invite Balaam. Because people at that time believed that Balaam was very “spiritual”. Whoever he blessed would be blessed; whoever he cursed would be cursed.

Brothers and sisters, Balak would not have been attacked by the Israelites, but because of his fear, he became suspicious and ended up taking his approach to solving the problem, but he got himself into trouble. Are we nervously making many decisions today to solve problems because of fear? If everyone is using this, can I do the same? We should be vigilant to the trends of the world because they can lead us away from God.

(2) Balaam – The greed in his heart is greater than God (V8-20)

Balaam was a man who knew the name of Jehovah. He knew that Jehovah was the God of Israel. The Word of God also appeared to Balaam, and he could hear God speaking to him. Balaam seemed to be righteous, but instead of sending away the messengers who had brought him great honour, he invited them to stay overnight, hoping in his heart that God might change his mind. Balaam had God in his heart, and he knew that only by acting in the name of God would he succeed! But in his heart, he wanted a house full of gold and silver! He was reluctant to give up the house full of gold and silver. He wanted to get the house full of gold and silver and also wanted greater honour, so he was reluctant to let these people leave.

We need to be careful because if we don’t define and let go of our ego, the temptations of the world will continue to attack us. We must also be careful when we often say we need to “wait for God’s will.” In our hearts, we are like Balaam. We already know God’s will, but because God’s will does not conform to our wishes, we want to “wait” for God. Change His mind! We even expect God to do what we want!

Let us truly come before God, humbly let go of ourselves, and fully follow God’s will.

2. The inner self-centredness – blinding us (V21-33)

Balaam ignored God’s Words and still insisted on going. Three times the angel of God stood in Balaam’s way to stop him and try to take his life. Although he faced three obstacles, Balaam still could not realize God’s obstruction, did not realise that God was dealing with him, and even thought it was the donkey teasing him. God allowed Balaam’s donkey to see the messenger of God, but the prophet Balaam could not see it! Although Balaam knew God did not want him to go, his heart was still driven by money, so much so that even the donkey could see the danger, but Balaam turned a blind eye. Greed made Balaam ‘spiritually blind’! When man disobeys God, he is destined to die.

3. Unintentional repentance-making us fall (V34-41)

When Balaam finally saw the messenger of God, he admitted his sin to the messenger, but he did not confess his sin! Because he still wants to act according to his own heart! Although he knew that God did not like him to go, he still said: “If you don’t like me to go, I will turn back.”

When his heart obeyed not God but the world, he eventually became a false prophet of the Destroyer (the original meaning of Balak’s name)! But he did nothing in front of people and even blessed Israel. The tempting fame and fortune in front of us can easily make people ignore the truth and put God’s Words behind their heads! May the Lord help us not to be tempted and become nominal Christians who end up following the world!

Conclusion: Man’s wantonness cannot change God’s will, which allows us to die to ourselves and enter a selfless life to follow God.

18/04/2024

引言：过关斩将

一、与神同行重拾信心（V1-3）

1.谦卑回转，与神同行（V1-2）

21章记载的是以色列人在旷野中漂泊了38年后，来到加底斯。在进入应许地前，神允许迦南人亚拉得王出其不意的掳走了他们当中的几个人，目是要借着这样的挫折，催促百姓谦卑的来仰望祂，并向祂发愿。

神岂不也常透过问题和困难来把我们偏差了的生命出挽回，催促我们重新仰望祂的慈爱？

2.祷告依靠，重拾信心（V3）

38年前，以色列百姓因听了窥探应许地的探子所报恶讯被神审判不得入应许之地后，又不听摩西的劝勉，在神没有同行下擅自与亚玛力和迦南人争战。结果被杀得落花流水，一直杀退到何珥玛。而今天他们愿意来寻求神的心意，神就让他们在当年失败过的何珥玛得胜。

每个世代都有他的何珥玛要面对。只是我们是选择逃避，还是祷告并靠神去面对？神也不会让我们永远处在失败和蒙羞里，祂一定会让我们在跌倒的地方重新站立起来。重新建立我们的信心。

二、信心仰望进入窄门（V4-9）

1.不要选容易的路（V4-6）

百姓从何珥山继续前行来到以东地。在申命记2章，神允许以东王不容以色列人从他的境界经过，又吩咐摩西不可与他们争战，结果他们不得不绕过以东地。因为路途艰难，百姓心中甚是烦躁，因此又再抱怨。结果耶和华使火蛇进入他们当中咬死许多人。

因此，作为神的儿女我们，当生活不容易，路不好走的时候，我们不要选容易的路，更不要走回世界的路。耶稣在马太福音7:13-14说的：“你们要进窄门；因为引到灭亡，那门是宽的，路是大的，进去的人也多；引到永生，那门是窄的，路是小的，找着的人也少。” 弟兄姐妹，让我们竭力进入窄门。

2.要信心仰望铜蛇（V7-9）

百姓知道自己又得罪神了，很快来到摩西那里认罪求救。信实的神便叫摩西制造一条铜蛇，挂在杆子上。凡被蛇咬的人，一望这铜蛇就得存活了。 从约3:14-15的记载，铜蛇其实是预表耶稣基督。

人往往是在痛苦危难中，最容易想起神来，也想起自己的罪来。求神赐我们敬畏祂的心。不要等到患难临到，被火蛇咬后，才转向祂。更不要选择走世界那容易走的路。反之，在我们日常的生活中，无论顺境逆境都要以信心来仰望铜蛇！

三、走出旷野争战得胜（V10-35）

经过了火蛇的事件后，以色列进入了一个新世代的开始。让我们来看这新世代的以色列百姓，在走出了旷野迈向应许地时，如何得胜一场场的战役。

1.跨越局限同心行（V10-15）

之前百姓一遇到路难走就埋冤。从约旦高原下到死海，还有从亚嫩河谷、一直到靠近摩押的境界，不是旷野，就是一大片陡峭的斜坡。虽然路途艰辛，但新世代的百姓跨越了生命的局限，同心合一的跟随云彩，快速的不断起行、安营；起行、安营，往神所应许的迦南地前进。

2.喜乐跟随得活水（V16-20）

来到比珥，以色列百姓跟上一代一样，同样面对没有水喝的问题。但是，新一代的百姓在这次的反应是截然不同的。首领和民中的尊贵人就带头，用他们的圭和杖来挖井。并且是喜乐的一边挖、一边赞美神。全民高歌欢呼“井阿，涌上水来！”

遇到困难时，我们可以有很多不同的反应。可以抱怨、指责领袖、也可以一起来想办法、一起来赞美神！没有什么比赞美更能叫神喜悦。在患难中赞美是我们对神信心的凭据。

3.不凭眼见不再怕（V21-35）

按地理位置，进迦南并不需要经过巴珊。但神却特意引导百姓向北与巨人巴珊王噩交战。目的是为了除去他们心中的惧怕，消除亚衲族巨人在他们心中留下的阴影。操练他们不再凭眼见，而是在每场争战中，拥有单单依靠神的信心。

你心中有什么巨人令到你惧怕的吗？求神让我们的眼目不再注目环境，而是望定信实的神。

总结：

认罪悔改、祷告赞美、走出旷野。在每场争战中靠神过关斩将的持续得胜！

Numbers 21 Get out of the wilderness and win consistently!
GK611 Morning Devotion
18 April 2024
The Morning Devotion Speaker: Ps Deborah Tan

Introduction: Getting Through

1. Walking with God to regain Faith （V1-3)

(1) Humbly turning around and walking with God （V1-2)

Chapter 21 records the arrival of the Israelites after 38 years of wandering in the wilderness. Before entering the Promised Land, God allowed King Arad the Canaanite to take a few of them captive by surprise, in order to use such a setback to urge the people to come humbly to look to Him and make their desires known to Him.

Doesn’t God often use problems and difficulties to restore our deviated lives and urge us to look to Him again for His love?

(2) Relying with prayer and regaining faith （V3)

38 years ago, the people of Israel, after being judged by God for not entering the Promised Land because of the bad news reported by the spies, disobeyed Moses and fought against Amalek and the Canaanites without God with Him. As a result, they were killed and retreated all the way to Hormah. And today they were willing to come and seek God’s heart, and He allowed them to be victorious in Hormah, where they had failed.

Every generation has its Hormah to face. It’s just a matter of whether we choose to run from it, or whether we pray and lean on God to face it. God will not leave us in defeat and dishonour forever either, He will surely allow us to stand up again where we have fallen. To re-establish our faith.

2. Looking up with faith to enter the narrow gate （V4-9)

(1) Do not choose the easy way （V4-6)

The people continued on from Mount Hor to the land of Edom. In Deuteronomy 2, God allowed the king of Edom not to allow the Israelites to pass through his realm, and commanded Moses not to fight with them, with the result that they had to bypass the land of Edom. Because of the difficult road, the people were very annoyed in their hearts, so they complained again. As a result, the Lord caused fiery serpents to enter into their midst and bite many of them to death.

Therefore, as God’s children we should not choose the easy way when life is not easy and the way is not good, and we should not go back to the way of the world. What Jesus said in Matthew 7:13-14, “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and [d]difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.” Brothers and sisters, let us make every effort to enter the narrow gate.

(2) Looking confidently to the bronze serpents （V7-9)

The people knew they had sinned against God again and quickly came to Moses to confess their sins and ask for help. The faithful God then told Moses to make a bronze serpent and hang it on a pole. Anyone who was bitten by the serpent would survive as soon as he looked at the bronze serpent. From Jn. 3:14-15, the serpent was actually a sign of Jesus Christ.

It is often in the midst of pain and distress that people are most likely to think of God, as well as their own sins. Pray that God will give us hearts to fear Him. Don’t wait until trouble comes and you are bitten by a fiery serpent before you turn to Him. And don’t choose to take the world’s easy way out. Instead, look to the bronze serpent with faith in our daily lives, in good times and bad!

3. Out of the wilderness to fight and win （V10-35）

After the event of the fiery serpents, Israel entered into the beginning of a new generation. Let us see how this new generation of Israelites won battles as they came out of the wilderness into the Promised Land.

(1) Walking with one heart across limitations （V10-15)

Previously the people had complained of their grievances whenever they encountered a difficult road. From the Jordan plateau down to the Dead Sea, and from the valley of the brooks of Arnon, all the way to the realm close to Moab, it was either a wilderness or a vast expanse of steep slopes. Though the road was difficult, the people of the new generation crossed the limitations in life, followed the cloud with one heart and one mind, and quickly and continuously set out and encamped; set out and encamped, and marched toward the land of Canaan that God had promised.

(2) Joyfully following and receiving the living water （V16-20)

Coming to Beor, the people of Israel faced the same problem of having no water to drink as the previous generation. However, the response of the new generation of people was very different on this occasion. The chiefs and the honourable men of the people took the lead, digging wells with their kuihs and staffs. And they did so joyfully, praising God as they dug. The people sang and rejoiced, “Spring up, O well!”

There are many different ways we can react to difficulties. We can complain, blame the leaders, or we can come together to figure it out and praise God! Nothing pleases God more than praise. Praise in times of trouble is the evidence of our faith in God.

(3) No more fear by sight （V21-35)

Geographically, it was not necessary to pass through Bashan to enter Canaan. However, God purposely guided the people northward to fight against the giant Bashan, the king of Bashan. The purpose was to remove the fear from their hearts, and to remove the shadow of the Amalekite giants from their minds. They were trained not to rely on what they saw, but to have the faith to rely on God alone in every battle.

Do you have any giants in your heart that you fear? Ask God to take our eyes off our circumstances and set them on a faithful God.

Conclusion:

Confess and repent, pray and praise, and come out of the wilderness. Keep winning in every
battle by relying on God to get through it!