Justin Houtz

Hi. I’m Justin. I write code ‘n other things, but enough about that…

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  • Daily Bible Study

    Numbers 11, Psalm 48, Isaiah 1, Hebrews 9

    DateVersionReading Plan
    @May 4, 2024ESV (2016)M’Cheyne Plan 2024

    Numbers 11

    Numbers 11:21–23 (ESV) 21 But Moses said, “The people among whom I am number six hundred thousand on foot, and you have said, ‘I will give them meat, that they may eat a whole month!’ 22 Shall flocks and herds be slaughtered for them, and be enough for them? Or shall all the fish of the sea be gathered together for them, and be enough for them?” 23 And the LORD said to Moses, “Is the LORD’s hand shortened? Now you shall see whether my word will come true for you or not.”

    The people were grumbling that they only had manna to eat and yearned for meat, remembering the fish of Egypt that cost nothing along with cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions and garlic. Moses responded with complaint that he was given charge over a complaining people (Num. 11:11). The LORD first replies was to Moses’ complaint, telling him to appoint seventy elders (Num. 11:16) and then replies to request of the people by saying that He will provide meat (Num. 11:18). But then Moses questioned the LORD and where the meat would come from (Num. 11:21-22). The LORD responded to Moses with rhetorical question and assured him that he would see whether LORD’s word is true.

    We see so much of the fickleness of humanity in this chapter—even with Moses—and the LORD’s longsuffering and provision for His people. God’s Fatherly heart is on display as He deals graciously with His capricious children.

    Psalm 48

    Psalm 48:10 (ESV) 10 As your name, O God, so your praise reaches to the ends of the earth. Your right hand is filled with righteousness.

    The psalmist gathers with the faithful to consider the far reaching praise for God’s name. It is not limited to Zion, but instead extends to the ends of the earth. So this should be for us, to reflect often on the LORD’s unlimited and unfailing covenantal love. He is intimately involved with His creation, drawing the hearts of His elect to Himself and executing a grand work of redemption with His righteous right hand.

    Isaiah 1

    Isaiah 1:2–3 (ESV) 2 Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth; for the LORD has spoken: “Children have I reared and brought up, but they have rebelled against me. 3 The ox knows its owner, and the donkey its master’s crib, but Israel does not know, my people do not understand.”

    The Believer’s Bible Commentary summarizes well the opening of Isaiah’s vision “concerning Judah and Jerusalem in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah.” and is worth quoting in its entirety:

    The whole universe is summoned to attend a trial with God as the Judge, and with Judah and Jerusalem as defendants. The indictment charges the people with being intractible sons who have rebelled against God and fail to show the natural gratitude and devotion that could be expected of a domestic animal!

    Hebrews 9

    Hebrews 9:11–12 (ESV) 11 But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things that have come, then through the greater and more perfect tent (not made with hands, that is, not of this creation) 12 he entered once for all into the holy places, not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption.

    Contrasting the priestly proceedings of the tabernacle—its gifts, sacrifices and offerings which could not deal with the conscience of the worshiper—Christ appeared through the greater and more perfect tent, entering once by His own blood and securing eternal redemption. Jesus is the true Lamb to which all other sacrifices merely point, the only One able to accomplish permanently what no earthly sacrifice could achieve. It is in Him we place our faith and cry, “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain”.

    Carson on Psalm 48

    Jerusalem was bound up not only with the fact that from David on, it was the capital city (even after the division into Israel and Judah, it was the capital of the southern kingdom), but also with the fact that from Solomon on it was the site of the temple, and therefore of the focus of God’s self-disclosure.

    Carson speaks of the importance of Jerusalem both as the capital city of Judah but also as the location of the temple where God disclosed Himself. He goes on to say that the psalmist recognized it as “the city of our God, his holy mountain” [not only as] “beautiful” but “the joy of the whole earth” (Ps. 48:1–2). In God’s presence there is fullness of joy, rightfully making this location in the OT the focal point of all the earth.

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