Justin Houtz

Numbers 33, 2 Corinthians 1

DateVersionReading Plan
May 30, 2025ESV (2016)OT/NT Plan 2025 – 2027

Numbers 33

Observation & Interpretation

The chapter recounts the Israelites’ journey through the wilderness starting from the land of Egypt, a series of setting out from one location and camping in another (Num. 33:1-37, 41-49). Described in Num. 33:38-40 are the death of Aaron at Mount Hor in the fortieth year the people had come out of Egypt and that the Canaanite king of Arad heard of the coming of the people. “The reference to the king of Arad reminds the reader of the victory over the Canaanite armies (21:1–3) that had once defeated Israel soon after the Israelites refused to enter the promised land (14:39–45).” (CSB Notes).

Then is recorded that the LORD spoke to Moses and gave instruction that the people were to drive out all inhabitants from the land He had given them, destroying all figured stones, metal images and high places (Num. 33:50-52). The people were to take possession of the land they had been given by the LORD and inherit it according to their clans, a small inheritance for a small tribe and a large inheritance for a large tribe (Num. 33:53-54). Moses warned them that if they did not drive out the inhabitants from the land, they would be as barbs in their eyes and thorns in their sides, troubling the Israelites in the land where they dwelt, and the LORD would do to the Israelites what He thought to do to land inhabitants (Num. 33:55-56).

Application

The warning of Moses to Israel of what would happen if they failed to drive out the inhabitants of the land illuminates the consequences of disobedience. The LORD had given them a clear directive that all the inhabitants were to be driven out and that all local idolatrous worship was to be eradicated from the land. Their adherence would lead to exclusive dedication to the LORD and flourishing while disobedience would lead to God’s treatment of His people as what He thought to do to the lands’ inhabitants.

God is gracious to provide for us the means by which we can live in full dedication to Him if we would but respond in faithfulness. In no wise are we able to fulfill this perfectly, but our hearts should be set on this trajectory. The motivation is not avoidance of negative outcomes but, in a response of gratitude to who He is and what He has done, seeking to magnify His honor and glory.

2 Corinthians 1

Observation & Interpretation

Paul opens the letter with a salutation and introduction, a prayer acknowledging the blessedness of God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts the saints in affliction (2 Cor. 1:1-4). We share abundantly in Christ’s affliction but also in Christ share abundantly in comfort (2 Cor. 1:5). Paul understood that his affliction was for their comfort and salvation, encouraging them to patiently endure the same sufferings (2 Cor. 1:6. His hope was that as they shared in his suffering, they would also share in his comfort (2 Cor. 1:7).

Paul speaks of his affliction in Asia and that they were utterly burdened beyond their strength (2 Cor. 1:8). He and his companions felt that they had received the sentence of death but this was to rely on God who raises the dead rather than on themselves (2 Cor. 1:9). He makes clear that it was God who delivered them from such a deadly peril and it is on Him that Paul sets his hope to be delivered again (2 Cor. 1:10). Paul asked for the Corinthian church to help by prayer in order that many would give thanks on their behalf for the blessing granted to them by prayer (2 Cor. 1:11).

Paul’s boast was the testimony of his conscience that he behaved with simplicity and godly sincerity rather than earthly wisdom (2 Cor. 1:12). He was writing to them in the hopes that they would fully understand that on the day of the Lord Jesus the Corinthian church would boast of them and they would boast of the Corinthians (2 Cor. 1:13-14). Paul explains that he wanted to come to them and, by rhetorical question, states that he was not vacillating (2 Cor. 1:15-17). As surely as God is faithful, their word was not Yes and No but in Christ, the One they proclaim, it is always Yes, for all the promises of God find their Yes in Him (2 Cor. 1:18-20). Paul tells of how it is God who establishes them with the Corinthian church in Christ, the One who put His seal on them and given them His Spirit in their hearts as a guarantee (2 Cor. 1:22).

Paul called the church to be a witness against him, that he was refrained from coming again to Corinth. He does not lord it over them but instead works with them for their joy and so that they would stand firm in their faith (2 Cor. 1:23-24).

Application

Paul’s words in 2 Cor. 9 indicate that the hardship he experienced in Asia was intense and yet directly attributed this to God making them rely on Himself rather than themselves. Not many of us will endure the degree of affliction of Paul, but the saints should understand the reasoning that underlies our difficulties. It is a work of God’s grace that we reach the end of ourselves, realizing our utter dependence on Him and His faithfulness to sustain.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for Your Word and for both the blessing You bestow in obedience and correction dispensed in our failure. Father, help me to keep my heart aligned aright, that all I do would not be in selfish pursuit but rooted in the steadfast desire to make Your name great. Father, how great is Your grace that our suffering is not in vain but a means by which we can experience Your power and goodness.

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