Justin Houtz

Numbers 12, Romans 12

DateVersionReading Plan
May 9, 2025ESV (2016)OT/NT Plan 2025 – 2027

Numbers 12

Observation & Interpretation

Miriam and Aaron spoke against Moses because of his Cushite wife and said that the LORD had spoken through them as well as Moses. The LORD overheard this and had the three of them come to the tent of meeting to confront them. The LORD made clear that while he spoke to other prophets through dreams and visions, He spoke to Moses mouth to mouth and not in riddles. The LORD rebuffed their speaking against Moses and Miriam was made leprous. Aaron pleaded with Moses not to punish them for their sin and foolishness and Moses pleaded with the LORD for Miriam’s healing. The LORD responded to Moses, pointing out Miriam’s shame and what was to be done regarding her. Miriam was to be set outside the camp seven days and the people were not to set out in march until she returned. This was performed as instructed and afterward the people set out from Hazeroth and camped in the wilderness of Paran.

Application

Moses was different from other prophets in the way that the LORD spoke to him mouth to mouth. No one can look upon God’s face and live and so the expression in Num. 12:8 “denotes the direct method by which the will of God was communicated through the words of Moses”. (CSB Notes). Understanding this is helpful for appreciating Moses’ unique ministry assigned to him by the LORD but also directs our attention to Jesus as the One who grants direct access to the Father by His propitiatory work. How wonderful it is that through Him and our full surrender in repentance and faith to His sacrificial, propitiatory work we are declared righteous to be in His presence.

Romans 12

Observation & Interpretation

Paul appeals to the brothers by God’s mercies to present their bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is their spiritual worship. He exhorts them not to be conformed to this world but transformed by the renewal of their minds in order to discern the will of God and do what is good, acceptable and perfect.

Paul speaks of the members of the body, being one in Christ but also individually members of one another. The saints have differing gifts which have been given according to the grace given to us. These gifts are to be used in proportion to faith and for the good of others.

Love is to be genuine and we are to outdo one another in showing honor. We are not to be slothful but to serve the Lord in zeal, fervent of spirit, patient in tribulation, constant in prayer, contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.

Believers are to bless those who persecute them, not to curse; to rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep. We are to not repay evil with evil but to give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. Revenge is the domain of God, as it is written “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” Doing good to others who seek your harm will heap burning coals on their head (quoting Prov. 25:21). We are not to be overcome by evil but overcome evil with good.

Application

Paul’s urging to outdo one another in showing honor (Rom. 12:10) brings to mind a conversation from yesterday with someone regarding the application of this principle. It is not a contest to who can be more honorable as if that is the end in itself, but that we spur one another on in honorable brotherly affections. Paul’s words underscore the need for Christian community and how we are to be intentional in our pursuit of mutual encouragement.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, how abundant is Your grace to have made a way through Your Son that we can be close to You. Father, by Your Spirit help me to be active in seeking Your honor in the honoring of others, that my heart in such efforts would be for the glory of Your great name.

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