The Bible by David Alley

In this video listen to Numbers 33 read by David Alley, followed by comments and prayer.In Numbers 33 Moses recounts the journey from Egypt to the plains of Moab, where they are about to enter the promised land, and he does so step by step, location by location.THe starting location is the region of Rameses, which is modern day Tel Daba, or the ancient city of Avaris. Most of the locations are known to us today, but commentator Cole has 14 of them listed as unknown, which makes complete sense for something that happened thousands of years ago in a desert.This video will comment on a few of the more interesting locations, and then finally on the significant of the number of them, being 42. This is the same number of the generations from Abraham to Jesus, and gives us a symbolic picture of our salvation, from slavery through to freedom.

In this video listen to Numbers 32 read by David Alley, followed by comments and prayer.In Numbers 32 the tribes of Reuben and Gad request land be given to them east of the Jordan.This was in the territory they had conquered from the eastern kings. (see previous chapters of Numbers) Moses was wary of repeating the problem of 40 years earlier, of shirking the fight because of a lack of faith.But these 2 tribes don’t shirk the fight, and promise to settle and then send the men to keep the fight, and Moses is happy with that. It was beneficial because it provided a chance to settle where they were guaranteed to get land they liked (because of their cattle) and also to settle their families, and not take them into further warfare.. But there were two issues:First of faith, were they shirking? And second being mindful of others. Would they fight not just for themselves, but for others? After being given permission, the tribe of Manasseh is also assigned land east of the Jordan too.

In this video listen to Numbers 31 read by David Alley, followed by comments and prayer.In Numbers 31 They are now taking on the source of their temptation, and going to war against the forces which led Israel into sin and temptation previously. Phinehas is chosen to be the leader. This is hugely sensible because he is resistant to the potential for temptation that exists and other Israelites succumbed to earlier in the book of Numbers.In our spiritual lives, when we have faced temptation and been defeated, we must overcome, but to go straight into the battle in the same state as before is a disastrous idea. Instead we must rally behind one that has not succumbed to temptation, which is Christ. Jesus said the evil one “has nothing in me.” Jesus also overcame the devil during forty days of testing in the wilderness and overcame, unlike the Israelites whose 40 years of testing in the desert was a disaster. We should take on those things that affect us in prayer, humility and bedding the guidance and leadership of Christ.Our prayer should be that we “love righteousness, and hate wickedness.” Everything captured is destroyed except animals and unmarried women, essentially the girls. Passages like these sound horrific to the modern worldly mind, but spiritually the lesson is apt. We must not fall again into the same sin which previously entrapped us. We must be careful to remove all the sources of future temptation. The modern mind doesn’t really equate how abhorrent sin is to God, and how he sees all things from an eternal perspective.God could easily have destroyed the Midianites via an earthquake or some other method, but in using Israel, we are taught a valuable lesson in confronting sin. These numbers of captured items are huge. 675000 sheep, 72000 cattle, 61000 donkeys, 32000 unmarried women.The plunder from the defeat of the one who antagonised is a picture of what treasures are available to those who overcome sin. The rewards and treasury of Christ are huge when we press in and defeat the adversary who holds us back.

In this video listen to Numbers 30 read by David Alley, followed by comments and prayer.In Numbers 30 we consider making vows. God took vows seriously, and here indicates vows shall not be broken. In the New Testament we are told by Jesus to simply let our yes be yes and our no be no, everything beyond this comes from the evil one. (Matt 5:37) Making vows doesn’t make us holier, but instead binds us into legalism, from which we are surely bound to fail.John Alley (my father) has a great teaching on the danger of vows and covenants. In particular the great Jonathan Edwards had overseen a wonderful revival in Northampton (I believe from memory) that he wanted to protect. He covenanted with the people to do certain things to preserve the revival, where it immediately ceased.The vows were the death blow. John encourages us to simply cling to Christ’s words and not make our own. Making vows out of sincerity to help enhance our walk with the Lord only hinders instead. The rest of the chapter is about vows that women make, which can be overridden by the men in her life. Firstly here a father can override a daughter’s vow.But if a woman had taken a vow and then later married, her husband can now override the vow and release her. A husband can override a wife who makes a new vow, but if he doesn’t it stands, but a divorced or woman who is widowed is bound by her vows. Is this similar to Adam, when learning of Eve’s sin, doesn’t overrule it, but accepts it, and thus it becomes his sin? Forever it is the sin of Adam.Rather than the modern way of thinking which sees this as ‘patriarchal’ and a curse to women, instead this should be seen as a blessing. Rather it is the men who foolishly make vows and bind themselves with no voice to override their momentary words. Christ’s words to not make vows, because they are from the evil one, (Matt 5:37) seems to be relevant here to both men and women.

In this video listen to Numbers 29 read by David Alley, followed by comments and prayer.In Numbers 29 the summary of sacrifices in the feasts continues. Confusingly for those not in the know, there were two years in the Jewish calendar, There was the usual year and the religious or ceremonial year. This is similar to Australians who have the normal year, and the financial year. Here the feast of trumpets is described as happening in the seventh month, but is also the first day of the normal year. It is a kind of day for new years resolutions. It depends on which calendar is being discussed. The day of atonement is the tenth day of the normal year. After this, the three great feasts are summarised in this video.Firstly of the three great feasts is Passover, which equates with our salvation, and represents the outer court of the temple where we come to God.The second of the feasts is Passover and represents the giving of the spirit, or the baptism into power, and represents the holy place in the temple. Believers who have experienced the spirit are drawn closer to God.Finally the third great feast is tabernacles, which represents a true knowing of God, that is dwelling with him, an intimacy. This is represented by the holiest place, being in the very presence of God. The huge number of sacrifices at tabernacles represent the hugeness of the gift of God to all people in bringing us to Himself, but also represent the sacrifice required by those who truly want to know God. John the apostle writes in his short letters of children, young men and fathers, representing the three stages of christian life, and symbolised by the three feasts.Those who have come to “know Him” have experienced tabernacles and really dwell with God.

In this video listen to Numbers 28 read by David Alley, followed by comments and prayer.In Numbers 28 and the next chapter, all the offerings and feasts of Israel are summarised. This video considers a couple of things in this chapter. First, on the daily sacrifices. The daily sacrifice was two lambs, one in the morning at 9am, and the other in the afternoon at 3pm.These coincide with the time Christ was nailed to the cross, and the time that he died. Second about Passover & the Feast of Unleavened Bread Passover is the night of the last supper, most likely to be Wednesday April 25th, 31AD according to my own calculations.The feast of unleavened bread was a seven day feast starting the day after Passover. Because Jesus died on Passover (sundown of April 25th to sundown of April 26th 31AD) it meant the next day was the start of the feast of unleavened bread and a Sabbath by default, and a Friday. The next day was the usual sabbath giving two in a row.Matthew 28:1 records (in greek) the resurrection occurred ‘after the sabbaths.’ What is important isn’t whether Jesus died on any particular day of the week, or that we even know what the date was, but that he died for us.

In this video listen to Numbers 27 read by David Alley, followed by comments and prayer.In Numbers 27 two points are covered. First, How exactly does a father keep his family name, and his inheritance, when he has only daughters? This chapter explains how.Some of the specific details as to how this would happen were ironed out in Numbers 36 where the daughters would be required to marry within their tribe only. Spiritually this is a precursor to the New Testament position where if you are in Christ you receive an inheritance. According to Paul there is no greek or jew, no male or female, and no slave or free.In Christ inheritance is for everyone. Second, Moses does as the Lord commands and anoints his successor, passing on his authority. Such a godly thing alleviates a succession struggle afterwards, and also allows grace to pass from father to son in the Lord.It is now going to be Joshua and Eleazar instead of Moses and Aaron. The laying on of hands is a real thing, because the Lord decrees it. The New Testament says not to lay hands on someone hastily, not only because of what people will think, or because of the danger of pride to the individual, but because of the spiritual power that is attached.An amateur in such a position is ill equipped to handle the opinions of others, the pride and the power. But Joshua is hardly an amateur. Aside from Moses, only Caleb is older than 40 years old. He has served faithfully for 40 years, and was one of only two to keep the faith during the years of testing. Joshua is a type of Christ.

In this video listen to Numbers 26 read by David Alley, followed by comments and prayer.In Numbers 26 we find the second census. The first was taken about one year into the wilderness time in the early chapters of Numbers, and the second at the end of 40 years. This provides the opportunity for comparison.Reuben: Down 2,270 (-6%)Simeon: Down 37,100 (-63%)Gad: Down 5,150 (-11%)Judah: Up 1,900 (+2.5%)Issachar: Up 9,900 (+18%)Zebulun: Up 2,100 (+5.5%)Ephraim: Down 8,000 (-20%)Manasseh: Up 20,500 (+63%)Benjamin: Up 10,200 (+29%)Dan: Up 1,700 (+2.5%)Asher: Up 11,900 (+28%)Naphtali: Down 8,000 (-15%)--------------------------------TOTAL: Down 1820 (less than -1%)Firstly we note that the grand total is roughly the same, slightly less. Usually one would expect modest growth over a forty year period, of at least 2-3%. However in this case, given the plagues in the wilderness, the judgements of God, and the harsh terrain, its actually remarkable that it didn’t decline more. Interestingly, inheritance is based on fruitfulness.Those tribes which obeyed the Lord had greater populations and were more fruitful. Certain tribes which complained and rebelled, such as Simeon which was key in the Baal-peor problem, had less people.They were thus allocated less inheritance. Levi is counted separately and the males (1 month+) grew by 1000.

In this video listen to Numbers 25 read by David Alley, followed by comments and prayer.Numbers 25 is a continuation of the Balaam story from the previous chapter. At first this seems at surface value to have no connection with Balaam, yet what happens in this chapter is the result of his advice to Balak. Balaam instinctively knew that God would be displeased with his own people if they sinned against him, so he enticed them to sin. This incident is recorded in Micah 6:5 and elaborated further in Revelation 2:14Moabite and Midianite women tempt the Israelites into sexual sin, and it displeases God. Israel had been in the desert for 40 years, where following the ten commandments was simpler, absent from temptation. But the rest of the pagan world was heavily involved in sexually oriented religious practices, and this mingling with Moab was too tempting.Such was the same for the Corinthian believers, and for many people all through history and even today. Why is a Midianite woman involved when a plan of Moab is underway? Simply because King Balak the king of Moab was a Midianite, ruling over both groups.Various individuals may be one or the other, but both tribes are cooperating at this point. Phinehas becomes zealous for God, and kills Zimri and Cozbi, two of the perpetrators. God then makes a covenant with this individual, as he did with Abraham.However, through the cross, he has made this same covenant of peace with us all. May we all be jealous for God as Phinehas was. Zimri and Cozbi are people of high ranking. This suggests a deliberate planned event here, not just giving into temptation that comes by occasion.Coffman’s commentary says the name Cozbi means “voluptuous” in its language. This adds another element to the discussion.

In this video listen to Numbers 24 read by David Alley, followed by comments and prayer.In Numbers 24 we have the last 5 of 7 prophecies by Balaam who was wrongly motivated, but spoke truly. Unlike the previous two prophecies, the Holy Spirit now comes upon the very unholy Balaam. This point is notable for a few reasons. Firstly, the idea that the Holy Spirit will not come on an unholy person is shown to be untrue.Even the gross sin, and evil motivations of Balaam were not more powerful than the intentions of God to work through him. Secondly, this demonstrates that having the gift of prophecy is not a guarantee that one is themselves holy. Not only in this example, but later with King Saul, we see that even the unholy have prophesied, even accurately.Prophecy number 4 is the standout of Balaam’s seven messages. This must also be one of the most remarkable of all the Old Testament prophecies, even though coming from a false prophet. In that prophecy it speaks of Christ. Even Jews who don’t acknowledge Jesus, do acknowledge that this is a Messianic prophecy. King David, who came a few hundred years later, was a type of precursor of the Messiah, and there is a partial fulfilment of some parts of the prophecy in him, but the fulness is in Jesus Christ.Balaam didn’t actually return to Aram, as the next chapter shows. He presented to Balak an alternate strategy to undermine Israel, despite knowing God had determined to bless them. He set himself against the Lord, and died on the Moabite side as Joshua 13:22 records.

In this video listen to Numbers 23 read by David Alley, followed by comments and prayer.In Numbers 23 the story of Balaam’s attempt to curse Israel continues. He is determined to go through with his attempt, even though he knows God doesn’t approve. He tries various ways to get God to speak evil, but only good comes out each time.Out of his mouth come some of the most profound prophetic blessings in the entire Bible, despite him being a false prophet. Chapter 23 contains the first two of seven prophecies by Balaam. He is a false prophet not in the sense that his words were false, but in that his motivations were false. In verse 24, it says for example: “Behold, a people rises up as a lioness.As a lion he lifts himself up. He shall not lie down until he eats of the prey, and drinks the blood of the slain.” The Israelites are compared to a lioness, and then it says a “lion” will lift himself up and will not lie down until he eats of the prey and drinks the blood of the slain. Here we have a reference to Christ who will rise and humiliate Satan at Calvary.The New Testament puts is even more cleary when Paul wrote that Christ “having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross” (Colossians 2:15) Some of the greatest Messianic prophecies have come through the prophetic voice of a man whose heart was far from God.One wonders, why does God use such people? The truth is that like the donkey in the previous chapter, God can use anyone, oor anything, even Judas Iscariot. Even Satan unwittingly played into the hands of the Almighty bringing glory to His name through his own rebellion.

In this video listen to Numbers 22 read by David Alley, followed by comments and prayer.In Numbers 22 the nation of Moab is terrified of the Israelites. In the last 40 years they defeated the Egyptian Empire, and then brought down the two big kings on the east side of the Jordan, Sihon and Og.They didn’t engage with the Edomites because of God’s requirement to leave them alone, but they also defeated the Amalekites and the King of Arad. They have a history with God’s help of mighty military accomplishments. The King of Moab has realised there is spiritual power at work and he is going to endeavor to counter it spiritually too. So he hires Balaam and the next few chapters cover what happens.Some have asked how Moses knew all of these details so as to include it in his writings. The answer is simple. After the Israelites ultimately defeat Moab, this information became available to them from presumably both conversations with people, and from official archives, giving Moses information he needed to include in the written story of what happened.Some commentators such as Bill Creasy from Logos have suggested that Balaam was just playing a clever bartering game pretending to not want to help, so as to up the financial stakes and earn more, but this isn’t right. Here clearly God is recorded as saying he refuses Balaam permission, so the increasing financial stakes simply show that Balaam is crooked and willing to compromise, but it just takes a higher amount of money to make it happen.Then the incident happents with the talking donkey and the angel. Such an unusual event as this demonstrates that God uses unintelligent creatures for his purposoes. That we are used by God is not an indication of our usefulness, or our own intelligence or any other redeeming quality, but rather that God can be glorified by our willingness to be used.

In this video listen to Numbers 21 read by David Alley, followed by comments and prayer.In Numbers 21 the Israelites come to the south of Canaan and engage in a battle with the King of Arad, who they defeat. They then endeavor to shortcut through Edom to the main part of Canaan, but Edom refuses and they have to go the long way around.They end up complaining and God sends a plague of venomous snakes. God tells Moses to setup a snake on a pole, and anyone who looks at it will be healed. It is here we get one of the great items famous in the book of Numbers, and which is now used in medicine as the symbol of healing. And this symbol is also a picture of Christ right here in the Torah.Jesus himself referred to this passage in John 3:14 when Jesus was speaking with Nicodemus. How though is Jesus like a snake? He isn’t, but the snake represents sin which had to be placed on Christ on the cross, for it to be dealt with. Later in 2 Kings 18:4, King Hezekiah had the bronze snake destroyed, which had been preserved somehow until that later time. It had become an object of worship against the Lord. Where was it kept all of that time?Either way, there was a foreshadowing of the cross physically in their midst for about 700 years from this point until Hezekiah.

In this video listen to Numbers 1 read by David Alley, followed by comments and prayer.In Numbers 1 we start the fourth book of Moses, which in reality is the fourth section of one big book. In Hebrew it is named Bemidbar which means wilderness. This entire book is placed in the desert and starts about 14 months after leaving Egypt.The Israelites could have in theory gone directly to Canaan, a walk of just eleven days or so, but they were not in the frame of mind to have done so. The process from Egypt to this point has formed them into a nation, and put God in his place as the leader, but they are still far from capable as a force to take the promised land. The wilderness is their boot camp as this book shall explain.Chapter 1 starts with a census of the men able to fight, which is also renumbered later. We find a great fighting force, but they are not yet (as we shall find out later in Numbers) mentally ready for a fight. The number is at 600000 fighting men, giving us maybe 2 million people in total.This number is so great that skeptics claim the desert could not have supported them. Clearly this is true, which is why God supported them with manna and water. This was a forty year miracle.Finally we conclude by realising that we too are supported by God every moment of our lives. We should not take God for granted, or grumble or complain for we occupy the same position as these Israelites.

In this video listen to Numbers 19 read by David Alley, followed by comments and prayer.In Numbers 19 we meet the red heifer. A heifer is a female cow that hasn’t had a calf yet, so is technically a virgin cow. This is an interesting symbol which represents both Christ and the Church. First of Christ because it is a sacrifice that happens outside the camp, just as Christ was sacrificed outside the city. But secondly of the Church because this is a female heifer without spot and wrinkle, and is red. The church is also described as the wife of Christ, pure and spotless and red meaning under the blood of Christ.As Christ dies for the Church, symbolised by the sacrifice of the red heifer, the church is also dead in him in the same symbolism. In baptism we are told that we died with Christ, so this symbol is both of these things. Numbers 19 describes how the ashes of this sacrificed heifer are for cleansing when a dead body was touched. It was to be used on day three and day seven after becoming unclean. As believers, when we die with Christ we are now a new creature, and we must let go of our old dead man, but sometimes we want to dig him up again.But if we dig him up again, we become unclean. So we must go to Christ again. And as Christ was raised on the third day for our redemption, and in creation the seventh day is also the day of rest, we find our redemption and our rest in Christ. This is an example of a powerful Old Testament symbol. Do you keep digging up your old man? The answer is to go to Christ.

In this video listen to Numbers 18 read by David Alley, followed by comments and prayer.In Numbers 18 Aaron and his sons are told they have to “bear the iniquity” or carry the responsibility of the administration of God’s holy things. Thus they were accountable for things that others were not accountable for. In the preceding chapters Korah and others with him had aspired to this role and perished because of their terrible attitude, but this reminds Aaron not to be proud or presumptuous, but rather careful with the things of God.This is also a reminder of James 3:1, “Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness.” It speaks to us of those serving God today that a similar weight rests on them. The priests also made a living from the offerings of the people. The benefits of this are two-fold.Firstly who would serve in this highly responsible position at their own expense? And secondly, the priest can do the best job when his mind is given to it, and not concerned with supporting his family. This is also a reflection of the modern ministry, that those who serve God should be able to focus on service, and not be concerned about the welfare of their families. Some churches pay their pastors poorly thinking it is godly to do so, but such a thing is wicked.Later in the scriptures, Paul DID work at his own expense, and many ministers do for varying reasons. Paul didn’t want to be paid for his work, because he wanted it to be a gift to God. Paul also didn’t want to be obliged to people, and gifts given must be obligation free, with no strings attached This video considers these things.

In this video listen to Numbers 17 read by David Alley, followed by comments and prayer.In Numbers 17 we have a continuation of the former chapter which relates the story of Korah’s rebellion. Here God is going to settle the question once and for all who he has chosen.God initiates a test. The twelve leaders of the twelve tribes placed their staffs in God’s presence, and God said the staff of the leader he had chosen would bud. The following morning the rod of Aaron not only budded, but produced almonds. This was a grand gesture to demonstrate God had chosen the sons of Aaron to minister as priests. Even despite such a grand sign the complaining didn’t stop. The problem with people is like this, when our heart is set against something, no amount of reason or evidence is enough.After this, further complaining ensued as is seen later in Numbers. And in fact after seeing this sign, the people cried out that they would perish. Why? Coffmans says that their reaction was a sign of their lack of repentance. Clearly they believed they were still right, and somehow God was wrong.What should have been their reaction? And what should our attitude be towards a leader God has chosen? We have a clear biblical example in seeing David’s attitude to King Saul.

In this video listen to Numbers 16 read by David Alley, followed by comments and prayer.In Numbers 16 we find the story of Korah, a Kohathite responsible for moving the tabernacle. He was not a priest, because he was not a son of Aaron. He wanted elevated responsibility, and wanted a position not assigned to him. He had ministry jealousy.The need for recognition is something we all have. Why God chose Moses who didn’t want to be chosen, and didn’t choose Korah and others who did want to be chosen is not something we have been told, but it is almost certainly something to do with the inner workings of the heart. As a pastor I have long trusted people who have a big heart for the ministry, but are not self promoters.On the other hand, when someone pushes themselves forward, even if they are talented, it's hard to feel good about trusting them. What is needed is the spirit of sonship in God’s people, which is the attitude Christ had towards his father in Heaven. We need this sonship towards the leaders over us here and now, because how we love and serve them that we can see, IS how we love and serve God that we cannot see.Joshua and Caleb were two individuals who displayed a heart of sonship towards Moses, supporting and serving with a big heart. Joshua inherited the ‘ministry’ from Moses despite not asking for it, whereas in this story, the rebels were cut off despite seeking the ministry.This video discusses ministry jealousy, the calling of God, and how to love your spiritual leaders with a spirit of sonship, that is the attitude that Christ had towards his father.

In this video listen to Numbers 15 read by David Alley, followed by comments and prayer.In Numbers 15 we consider defiant sin, the tassels on the clothing of Jews, and whether the law was excessive when it killed a sabbath breaker for collecting wood. FIrstly, defiant sin is not only wilful, but deliberately wilful. All people at some time have committed willful sin, but in their minds they were not rejecting God, even if practically they were doing so.Defiant sin is the deliberate chosen rejection of God and it bears consequences. The Law seems at times to us overly tough. Yet the law was a precious gift to not just Israel, but to all humanity. Without the law grace could never have been given. If God wanted to give grace, against a backdrop of no law, that is against a backdrop of lawlessness, then there would never be anyone righteous. Nobody would know of the seriousness of sin, nobody would know how righteous living was needed, and nobody would feel bad after doing anything at all.Without the law grace would just be what was already there, it would be an approval of lawlessness. So the law had to come, and it had to be a real law, that is it had to have real consequences. This passage shows us that the law of God did have real consequences, and during the forty years in the desert the Lord applied the law not just for the benefit of those there at the time, but for all humanity to follow. Later in the Psalms, especially in Psalm 119, the Law of the Lord is extolled. It is a lamp unto our feet. This remains true to this very day.Finally we consider the tassels worn by the Israelits, and we note that the Lord Jesus wore such tassels. In Matt 9:21 the story is told of a woman who had been bleeding for 12 years, and who touched the “hem” of his garment. In greek it seems it was the tassel that she touched.

In this video listen to Numbers 14 read by David Alley, followed by comments and prayer.In Numbers 14 the problem with the Israelites wasn’t the realisation they couldn’t take the land, but not trusting God who could do it. Joshua and Caleb had it figured out, they knew the Lord was with them, and He is with you. It is a fact that when God is with you, you STILL go to difficult places, but you go through them with him. It is a mistake to think that if God is with you, there will not be problems.There may be even greater problems, but this is to teach us that we trust in Him. The NT scriptures say, “But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.” (2 Corinthians 4:7) It is precisely in our weakness, and in danger, and in trouble that God is able to shine, and so he takes us to those places deliberately.So God is displeased and has to punish. He decides that everyone twenty or older will not inherit the promised land, with the only exceptions being Caleb and Joshua. By the time they do come to conquest in another 39 years or so, the new groups of Israelites are going to think differently. They will not think like slaves, and will be ready to inherit what God promised.There is nothing more insulting to God than refusing to receive his promises, that is refusing to trust Him for them. God has made promises to you too and he wants to take you the hard way to get there and in doing so show himself to you.

In this video listen to Numbers 13 read by David Alley, followed by comments and prayer.In Numbers 13 we finally come to the moment when the spies are going into the land. Its well over a year since they have left Egypt. Moses is going to name the twelve spies from the twelve tribes.We should keep in mind that all of these people had been born into slavery and served thier entire lives as slaves. They have now been free just over one year, having come out of Egypt and seen what God did in great majestic power. They were also all leaders, so very influential.The problem for them was Nephilim. In Genesis 6 it also talks of Nephilim, and all sorts of wild theories have abounded about this “super race” etc. It’s not magical, these were just bigger people, or giants.In African today in the nation of Uganda and nearby nations such as Rwanda there are tribes with taller people like the Watusi (the Tutsi) living near tribes with smaller people such as the Pygmy. All of this is just natural variation in humanity, and the Nephilim were big people.Their report was one of pessimism. After having seen what God did to the Egyptians, one wonders why more of the spies didn’t feel they could enter the promised land.The problem here, and also the problem of grumbling and complaining in the earlier chapters, is that their eyes were on themselves. Eyes should be on the Lord.

In this video listen to Numbers 12 read by David Alley, followed by comments and prayer.In Numbers 12 we hear that Moses had an Ethiopian wife, and it's a bit surprising. Josephus tells us her name was Tharpa. Previously when he was serving Pharaoh in Egypt, Moses had gone on a military campaign to Ethiopia and conquered. He had taken a princess to be his wife. Now Moses’ family complains about him, but it is really an attempt to make themselves more prominent. This chapter explains what happens with this. Notably it includes Moses’ own statement about how humble he was.What is humility? Can someone say this about themselves and still be humble? This video is going to answer this question with a yes, and explain why.God then got very angry with Moses’ family when they complained against Moses, but why? Because it was effectively complaining against Him. When we complain against God’s leaders, it is a complaint directly against the Lord. Leaders have faults, but God uses them anyhow and their weaknesses can be a great highlight to God’s strength.This chapter is a lesson in humility and thankfulness What would have happened if the people had thanked God for Moses? Watch the video and learn.

In this video listen to Numbers 11 read by David Alley, followed by comments and prayer.In Numbers 11 and in the following chapters, are going to outline a LOT of complaining from people, including Moses’ own family. There is not doubt that life was tough in the desert, but it was a test. And in the same way, we are also tested by tough things. As believers we must REFUSE to blame God. The NT scriptures tell us in 1 Thessalonians 5:18 to “give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you.”We all sympathise with how tyresome manna would have become, but rather than complaining, a simple request of the Lord with faith would have provided the meat and also pleased Him. The complaining assumes that God is opposed to you. The Israelites despite having seen all that God had done for them, had interpreted his intentions towards them negatively. But the NT scriptures tell us in Romans 8:32 that “He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all--how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?” So, finally they got meat, but they died. It is possible that we can push God for things, but they're NOT good for us ultimately.Later in the chapter Moses tells God that he cannot handle the workload, so God puts the Holy Spirit on 70 others, but two miss the meeting but yet still receive the Spirit despite being in the camp elsewhere. Moses comments on this that “I wish all God’s people would receive the Spirit.” This is now a NT reality, and if you do not have the Spirit, it cannot be blamed on others, only on your own lack of knowledge, or lack of desire.

In this video listen to Numbers 10 read by David Alley, followed by comments and prayer.In Numbers 10 we have instructions about how to use two silver trumpets. These were for summoning the people to gatherings, and to signalling them when the entire group was about to set off for travel.Trumpets are everywhere in the Bible used for many purposes. Firstly, earlier in Exodus when the people were at Mt Sinai, and after that used for warnings, going into battle, summoning people, announcement of judgement and more. The idea of a trumpet blast before the entire congregation moving on to a new place (as in this chapter) is like the last trumpet before all God’s people are called home. Trumpets are very symbolic.Trumpets used 114 times in the NIV including:Giving of the Law An annual feast - Rosh Hashanah (Feast of Trumpets) for ReconciliationCall to WarUsed in the Story of GideonUsed in Joel’s Pentecost Prophecy (Aka Giving of the Law again)Summons for a Gathering of PeopleEnd time JudgementsThe Last Trumpet is Christ’s returnThe Day of the LordAnd Finally, the trumpets blow and they Leave Sinai for the first time. They have been here for over a year since leaving Egypt and God has done many things with them, and they are now going to Canaan. Except, they don’t trust God and are going to wander for another 38 years.Paul would later write in 1 Corinthians 10:11 - “Now these things happened unto them by way of example, and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages are come.” After all God had done, why didn’t they trust him?

In this video listen to Numbers 9 read by David Alley, followed by comments and prayer.In Numbers 9 some people missed being able to celebrate the passover because they had touched a dead body and were ceremonially unclean. Moses sought the Lord and they were required to celebrate a week later.This demonstrated the importance of making it a priority. This also meant that people would not deliberately touch a dead body so as to miss out on having to celebrate Passover. We see parallels to church attendance:People who don’t want to go, doing things to have an excuse not to gooWe should be making attendance a priority.The Church is also God’s people, so we make them a priority.There is much to say about this.Later in the chapter we see God’s leading of the Israelites by a pillar of cloud and fire.This was a very obvious and tangible way that God used to lead his people.God starts with tangible to explain non tangible, and this happening from the Old Testament informs us about the nature of our life and faith now. Each of us is to be led, but as a group we are also to be led of the Lord.But how?We need to discern God’s will and Romans 12:2 speaks to that. We also need to abound in God’s love and Philippians 1:10 speaks to that. Love and truth as described above and both representative of Christ, who like the pillar of cloud and fire guides us today.

In this video listen to Numbers 8 read by David Alley, followed by comments and prayer.In Numbers 8 the scriptures talk again about the candlestick. The discussion of the menorah has been spread out in many places. First in Exodus 25:31-40, where it is planned.Second in Exodus 37:17-34, where it is made. Third in Exodus 40:24,25, where it is set up. Fourth in Leviticus 24:2, where talks about the sacred oil and now here we find the actual lighting described. Interestingly, God seems to not say everything about one subject in one place, and in fact the entire Bible is like this, it requires searching out to understand, and nobody can quickly know everything.The bible requires more than a mind, it requires heart and will. This means that those with mind only either are hardened in pride, or give up thinking the Bible is foolish. They are prevented from finding the greatest of treasures. In the scriptures the lampstand represents three things: Christ himself who is our light The word of God…. “my word is a lamp unto they feet” (Psalm 119:105) The church - see Revelation 1The reality is that without Christ, his word and the church we do not have proper light. Some people think they can in theory have one without the others but it doesn’t work as intended. Some think they can have Church or the Word without Christ, but that leads to heresy, or apostasy, or strange misunderstandings. But likewise people are not supposed to pursue Christ and ignore his people the church, somehow they miss Christ when they do this thinking they have him.Finally the chapter ends discussing the commissioning of the Levites for service. There was a difference between Levites and Priests. Priests were Levites descended from Aaron, of the tribe of Kohath, but the Levites were a much bigger group. The ages when people could start working were

In this video listen to Numbers 7 read by David Alley, followed by comments and prayer.In Numbers 7 we have the third longest chapter in the Bible with 89 verses. It is narrowly beaten by Deuteronomy 28 which has less verses but more words, and significantly beaten by Psalm 119. One of the things that makes this chapter long is the repetition. You would think that there is no point repeating the same thing twelve times.But it is a clue about the dating of the book, being dated to the time of Moses, when all the literature of that point was repetitive in this manner. Some people think the book was written later, made up by priests after the Babylonian exile, but they wouldn’t have included repetition like this. The repetition is a dead giveaway that its old. Also, the writing is in prose.All ancient writing was poetry with the exception of that coming out of Egypt. This is a dead giveaway that it was written by someone trained in Egypt writing. Obviously Moses. But spiritually, why all the repetition? God notices the things you individually bring to Him, and do for hIm. God doesn’t just look at the collective good happening in the world, but he knows each and every person’s involvement.God knows your heart and your involvement, and a chapter like this demonstrates that what each person does specifically has purpose. Two things are worth stating. First do not be disheartened as though nobody has noticed. One of the great tests of this lifetime is how we handle the lack of recognition. Most people will not be recognised, but the Lord knows.Second, it is a reminder that each of us has a part to play and not to look at the huge amount of good done by others, and think there is no need for our own contribution. That thought is a trap that renders your life meaningless.

In this video listen to Numbers 6 read by David Alley, followed by comments and prayer.In Numbers 6 This chapter has two things Rules about nazarites The priestly blessing for IsraelFirstly NaziritesA Nazirite is not the same as a Nazarene, which is a person from Nazareth. Nazir is a hebrew word that suggests consecrated or separated.Only three lifetime Nazarites are listed in the Bible being Sampson, Samuel and John the Baptist. All three of them had special circumstances where their mothers could not have children and the children were dedicated to God at birth. And in Acts 24, Paul paid for a few men who were finishing off their Nazirite vows, this was to demonstrate he was not an enemy of the Law of Moses. As believers we are all supposed to be consecrated to God. This is not about our hair or not touching dead bodies, but rather about keeping our hearts clean before him.Secondly, The Priestly BlessingThe oldest piece of scripture found…. The aaronic blessing. God has always blessed his people…. But we have often turned our backs on his blessing. Sometimes problems have brought us back to him. The last year the world has been terribly shaken by COVID, many have died, but at the same time, these words have inspired many people and strengthened many hearts.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y9EK8dAXl6I

In this video listen to Numbers 5 read by David Alley, followed by comments and prayer.In Numbers 5 we find the test for an unfaithful wife. This seems unfair to modern people, but this is actually remarkable progressive and this video will explain why.In the ancient near east culture at the time, trial by ordeal was common. Women suspected of adultery could be thrown into water with weights attached. If they floated, they must be guilty, but if they drowned, alas they were innocent. Or they could be tested by fire. Their hand was plunged into the flames and if it burned, they were guilty, but if it wasn’t burned they were innocent and could be released. In these cases everything was against them.But this Bible passage flips it around completely, putting the matter in the hands of God, not in the hands of people. A miracle is required to prove guilt, rather than prove innocent. And in the case that the woman is vindicated, which is more likely, the jealous husband is shown to have unfounded suspicion, and not trust his own wife.This was a huge step forward because it protected women’s rights. Dr Creasy says it should be called the test of a jealous husband, not the test for an unfaithful wife.If God didn’t put things like this in place back then, we would never think the way we did now, about equality and the like. These type of rules have changed the way the world thinks and brought us to today. We should be amazed at our God who knew what was needed at what time.Finally, symbolically we are the Lord’s wife, and must be careful of being unfaithful to Him. Such unfaithfulness will eat us away from the inside and make us fruitless.

In this video listen to Numbers 4 read by David Alley, followed by comments and prayer.In Numbers 4 we have a census of the working Levites from the ages of 30-50. Priestly workers were unable to start their service to God until they were 30, and this is something we see with Jesus who came to serve as our great High priest. He didn’t minister until he was 30.But these people also gave the prime of their lives to God’s service. Some people think that they should give the prime of their lives to their careers and only serve God later in life when they have more time. But this passage shows that we serve god in all we do, and that we should give him time, love and energy in our prime.This chapter contains the instructions for packing the moving the tabernacle. The Kohathites were to pack it up, and were responsible for moving the furnishings. The other two mini tribes, the Merarites and the Gershomites were to move everything else such as the walls, veil, roofing, fencing and more.Everything is packed up properly and covered in cloth and leather, no doubt this is how things are made to last in the desert.But we note that some items are packed with blue cloth, some with scarlet and one with purple. Why these colors? These are the same colors repeatedly used in the descriptions of the building of the tabernacle in Exodus.Blue is the colour of heaven, of holiness, of healing Red is blood, of atonement, reminiscent of our sin and also of flesh and man Purple is royalty (a mixing of man and of heaven…. Atonement of Christ)The symbolism right through the Bible is huge and one can hardly pick up on most of it. For example we see that the altar is the only item covered in purple. Hebrews tells us that Christ is our altar. And in Mark 15:17, Christ is covered in a purple robe when going to the cross just as it is here. So we see both the altar, and Christ who is our altar clothed in purple.

In this video listen to Numbers 3 read by David Alley, followed by comments and prayer.In Numbers 3 the tribe of Levi missing from the chapter 1 census is now counted, and they are placed in their position in the camp now.Levi has three mini tribes, of Kohath, Gershom and Merari which are placed around the tabernacle as such:Westward side (which is the back) GershomSouthern side: KohathNorthern side: MerariEastward side: Moses and his family, Aaron, his two remaining sons and their families.What is interesting here is the comment in verse twenty three that the Gershonites shall camp behind the tabernacle, which is westward. This shows that for them the East is the most significant point in the compass, and is the top of their layout. Thinking back to the last chapter, this means that the Eastward three tribes, led by Judah is at the top of the layout, not the right.Who cares?God obviously cares and detail matters to him. Imagine your own camping situation setting up just one tent for one family with no organisation. Now imagine setting up tents for millions of people. Systems are needed.In the same way our lives matter to him. We can trust he has the details in hand, and so when things are not as ordered as we want, we need to make sure we are doing things the Lord’s way.

In this video listen to Numbers 2 read by David Alley, followed by comments and prayer.In Numbers 2 scripture explains the marching and the campaign layout of the Israelites. All 12 tribes are placed in 4 groups of 3 as follows:First Group to march out (East Camping Group) led by Judah is the strongest.Second Group to march (South camping group) led Reuben is the third strongestThird Group to march (West camping group) led by Ephraim is the weakestLast Group to march (North camping group) led by Dan is the second strongest The tribe of Levi is with the tabernacle right in the middle. Each of the groups, representing three of the twelve tribes, would march out in the order above, putting the strongest two groups and the front and the rear. The tribe of Judah is the leader here.There are various drawings of what this looks like in camp. Some have rendered it like a big rectangle around the tabernacle. Others think it looks like a cross coming out from the tabernacle. But it could also have been more of cross with the arms running up and down instead of left to right.One thing is certain, the camp setup in the same way every time, and so everyone followed a pattern and order and knew where they were. Dr Creasy observes that everyone knew their position in relation to God. Because the tabernacle was in their midst in the same place, Do you know your position in relationship to God?

In this video listen to Numbers 1 read by David Alley, followed by comments and prayer.In Numbers 1 we start the fourth book of Moses, which in reality is the fourth section of one big book. In Hebrew it is named Bemidbar which means wilderness. This entire book is placed in the desert and starts about 14 months after leaving Egypt.The Israelites could have in theory gone directly to Canaan, a walk of just eleven days or so, but they were not in the frame of mind to have done so. The process from Egypt to this point has formed them into a nation, and put God in his place as the leader, but they are still far from capable as a force to take the promised land. The wilderness is their boot camp as this book shall explain.Chapter 1 starts with a census of the men able to fight, which is also renumbered later. We find a great fighting force, but they are not yet (as we shall find out later in Numbers) mentally ready for a fight. The number is at 600000 fighting men, giving us maybe 2 million people in total.This number is so great that skeptics claim the desert could not have supported them. Clearly this is true, which is why God supported them with manna and water. This was a forty year miracle.Finally we conclude by realising that we too are supported by God every moment of our lives. We should not take God for granted, or grumble or complain for we occupy the same position as these Israelites.

In this video listen to Leviticus 27 read by David Alley, followed by comments and prayer.In Leviticus 27 this chapter is about the redemption of things vowed to God. Various prices are set for the redemption of people depending on their age and gender. This is not discriminatory, but due to market value and how much work they could perform for their age and gender and societal status.This chapter also opens up on the general tithe. There were three tithes in the OT, the general tithe, the special tithe and the tithe for the poor. Some have refused to tithe in modern times because they have dispensed with the law. Is that a biblical position? David will explain Finally, we have come to the end of LeviticusWe covered The 5 sacrifices all of which reflect parts of Christ’s work The five are the Burnt offering, meal offering, sin offering, peace offering, guilt offering Consecration and service of the High Priest The sins of Aaron’s sons - 2 being presumptuous, and 2 being accidental. We learned about being clean and unclean ceremonially and what this means today. We saw Leprosy as a symbol of sin.We’ve learned about being holy and dedicated to God The Day of atonement was seen in the light of Christ’s work. We’ve learned about not eating blood. Blood is a major theme in this book. We covered laws against sexual behaviour and other laws to keep Israel different from other nations. The feasts of Israel were explained, all of which also demonstrate Christ And finally here the tithe. Is Leviticus as boring as you first thought?

In this video listen to Leviticus 26 read by David Alley, followed by comments and prayer.In Leviticus 26 we find one of the most frightful fulfilled prophecies in the Bible. It outlines exactly what will happen to the Israelites if they don’t follow God properly, and it is historically the precise thing that did in fact happen to them.The chapter begins by listing things the people are promised if they obey including:bountiful harvests,peace and securityfruitfulness and increase, andThese things are ironically what they are chasing by not following the Lord. Happiness is not something you obtain by chasing it, but a product of chasing the Lord. From verse 14 onwards it outlines ever increasing curses which later parts of the Bible and history show us occurred.These things are reminders to us about walking with the Lord.

In this video listen to Leviticus 25 read by David Alley, followed by comments and prayer.In Leviticus 25 we find the sabbath year concept, that land was to be given a break every seven years and not planted. This sounds great in theory, but in practice how would this work, and how would the owner feed themselves?David answers this question here using both scripture and also with the practical things that Jews actually do today who follow this law. Historically though the Israelites didn't properly follow this law and the land didn’t have its sabbaths.During the Babylonian exile, the tribe of Judah was exiled for 70 years (see JEremiah 29:10 and Daniel 9:1-2) to make up for the 490 years that the sabbath year was missed. Then Jubilee is also considered.This is a celebration each 50th year, a release of debt, return of property and freedom for slaves. This video explains how Christ is our jubilee today.

In this video listen to Leviticus 24 read by David Alley, followed by comments and prayer.In Leviticus 24 we find a chapter containing the story of a blasphemer, who was stoned to death. It is a story which raises questions about the character of God, but only by people who already question God’s love and wisdom.This video explains why this was a necessary action at the time. It was essential that the nation see the severity of the sin of despising God, because the truth is that the long term result of this is death in its worst sense.The blasphemer was of a mixed multitude - in this video David explains what that means. Some hearts are beyond saving, not because there is a deficiency in God, but because those hearts are beyond repentance. God in his wisdom knew that this action was justified, and would also lead to good for the entire community.Ironically, this blasphemy law was what Jesus was accused of and was killed for in the gospel accounts. He of course was being truthful. Here we learn, not to take God lightly, to keep a soft heart before God and the way to do that is to maintain our repentance.

In this video listen to Leviticus 23 read by David Alley, followed by comments and prayer.In Leviticus 23 are outlined the feasts of Israel - but Purim & Hanukkah are not included because they don’t occur in history until later. There are seven here, but eight in total from the Bible counting Purim, and nine in total if Hanukkah is included, which is a feast Jesus participated in according to John’s gospel.Sabbath - Christ is our rest, he is our sabbathPassover (Pesach) - Christ is our Salvation (a day)Unleavened Bread - starts the day after Passover.Pentecost - (Shavuot) - Christ is the giver of the Holy Spirit and the law is written on our hearts.Feast of Trumpets (Rosh Hashanah) - Christ is our reconciliation.Day of Atonement - Christ is our atonementFeast of Tabernacles (Sukkoth)- Christ dwells among us by His Spirit - we have fellowship with God. All the six feasts here point to Christ and what Christ has done.

In this video listen to Leviticus 22 read by David Alley, followed by comments and prayer.In Leviticus 22 What type of sacrifices please the Lord? It would be easy to take a disabled animal from your flock and kill it as a sacrifice because it wasn’t really going to help you much, but this type of thing dishonors God.In Malachi 1 the prophet says “where is the respect due me?” in regards to this very thing. If anyone had money stolen from them, they wouldn’t declare it their tithe to God, and in the same way, we should willingly offer to God our best. He is well able to bless in return. In New Testament times, our offerings and sacrifices are of time and financial, not of animals.God is wanting us to give our full hearts, and of whatever else we give, to not give it half-heartedly. Financially we are not to give of our leftovers, but from our firstfruits. We should give to the Lord first, with a whole heart financially. We are also to give him our time, love, prayers, and service which includes our willingness to serve others.So sacrifices, which today are financial, time and service related are:Willingly givenWhole heartedMust cost us somethingDeclares Christ the Lord

In this video listen to Leviticus 21 read by David Alley, followed by comments and prayer.In Leviticus 21 we have a chapter with rules for high priests.For example, in verse 5 they were not to shave their heads. This seems so odd. Some people think this is an example of how irrelevant Leviticus is, but this misses the point entirely. This was a rule for High Priests which teaches us something today. THey were not to copy the example of Egyptians who shaved their heads. They were not to be like others in the world around them. It still informs us now.A High Priest also had to marry “among his own people.” This meant from the tribe of Levi because all High Priests had to have a genealogical history to be eligible to serve. Today this is impossible to recreate, and there would not be a pure tribe of Levi remaining. This is undoubtedly because the real High Priest Christ has now superseded these things, and done away with them.Although some would like to establish these things, it seems God has deliberately made it impossible. Later in the chapter it lists twelve physical defects which rules out someone from serving as a High Priest. This isn’t discriminatory as it might first seem, but rather a picture and shadow of the perfection of Christ and how none other is able to do what He did.Listen as David explains more on this, and also talks about Hycanus II who had his ears chopped off to remove his eligibility as High Priest.

In this video listen to Leviticus 20 read by David Alley, followed by comments and prayer.In Leviticus 20 we read many similar things as in chapter 18 but now in more detail, especially with punishment. The death penalty is ascribed for so many of these things. For some of these, such as sacrificing one’s children to the demon Molech, it makes more sense, but for others, our modern minds have washed away the seriousness of the sin.Why are the punishments so severe?One key reason is that God wanted to reinforce to the Israelites in advance, how bad these things were before they were confronted by them in Canaan. Parents do this with their own children today on occasion when they are going into a situation unfamiliar.For example child sacrifice was not really an Etyptian thing, but a Canaanite thing. The Israelites were going to see evil practices they had only heard about before, and were not at all to be tempted to participate in them. So the stakes were set high by the Lord. Those who didn’t obey, would be punished by God and be cut off, even if they were not punished by the nation. Most likely being cut off was a reference to the eternal consequences of their sins.Even though we don’t live in ancient Israel, and are not under the civil laws of the nation at that time, we still need to walk before God and carry His priorities.

In this video listen to Leviticus 19 read by David Alley, followed by comments and prayer.In Leviticus 19 we get to the high point of God’s requirements in the law. And along with that we find the central statement of the law. God says to “be holy, because I am holy.” Modern society thinks it can be moral without God, but it's clear to any objective observers, that morality declines when the Lord is removed.The ultimate question that is asked by anyone when given a law to follow is “why?” If we are commanded to be holy because God is holy, and he also requires it, that is a sufficient answer. This is one reason for the rise in the popularity of atheism, because if no God exists, there is no moral obligation to Him.This chapter then goes on to list many laws for the Israelites, which include the ten commandments in other ways, plus many other things. There is much to learn and emulate here, and even though we are not under the law, our hearts should desire to please God in following him, setting an example to others in holiness.Some examples of the laws included here are the ten commandments again, and other laws about how to treat the poor, how to treat refugees, not to tattoo your body, to conduct business fairly, and more.

In this video listen to Leviticus 18 read by David Alley, followed by comments and prayer.In Leviticus 18 God’s people are told they should not copy the behaviour of those in the world around them, very specifically the sexual practices of the world around us. The Coffman commentary explains that to “uncover their nakedness” was a figure of speech meaning to get married to. Here the Israelites were told not to intermarry with close relatives.This was common in the ancient world, and there are previous examples of it in the Bible with the patriarchs. It was certainly common in ancient Egypt in the royal family of the 18th dynasty. Here in Leviticus, God steps in to stop this practice. Now this type of law is common worldwide, taking a leaf from scripture.After the rules against marrying relatives, it then gives other rules about sexual behaviour, all of which are based on the physical act. But later in the sermon on the mount, Jesus increases the moral responsibility to include what the heart desires. So if a person wants to commit adultery, even if they don’t physically do so, they are now guilty of having committed adultery. The love of sin is also a sin.St Augustine in his book City of God used negative reasoning to explain this. He said a women who is raped is not guilty of rape, becasue she did not desire to commit adultery. Then in the same way a person who does desire adultery, even though they physically do not participate, actually is guilty of that sin.Later in scripture, in Psalm 45:7 and in Hebrews 1:9 it says we should love righteousness, and hate wickedness, and this is the example Christ sets for us. So we don’t just strive to obey God, we strive to love the things God loves. We are to be God’s holy people, not like the world around us.

In this video listen to Leviticus 17 read by David Alley, followed by comments and prayer.In Leviticus 17 two things are highlighted clearly. First that sacrifices MUST be done at the tabernacle/temple, and that blood must NOT be eaten.First on the tabernacle, we see this is important because it makes a clear differentiation from the other worship in the land of Canaan which was under every spreading tree. It was a strengthening of the holy priesthood. It made people dependent on God, and it helped strengthen a nation. All the twelve tribes of Israel had the tabernacle as their central point and this rule was useful not just for worship, but politically.Of course, later King Jeroboam the first deliberately built two golden calves to purposely undermine this rule, and cement his political control over ten of the tribes. This undermined everything God was highlighting in this chapter. But God still worked miraculously just the same to bring about his ends, through Christ who was the real meaning behind all these symbols.Today, we must come to Christ who is our temple, and not try to work out our own righteousness any other way. We cannot go anywhere else except to Him, adn this is the key lesson here. But secondly on blood. Nowhere in the scripture is it more strongly prohibited than here. But contrastingly in John 6, Jesus said to drink his blood. This was a ghastly thought and the greek word scandalo described the idea of it.Other nations consumed blood in their meat, but God wanted them separate. He also wanted them to consume his blood metaphorically as it contained the true life that would last forever. Later in the New Testament in Acts 15, the prohibition against blood continues as one of just a few remaining instructions from the Law, still relevant for all believers.

In this video listen to Leviticus 16 read by David Alley, followed by comments and prayer.In Leviticus 16 we come to the central point of the book of Leviticus, and the high point of the entire Torah. This is Yom Kippur, or the Day of Atonement. This was a ritual atonement for the sin of the entire community, which occurred once a year ritual on day ten of the month of tishri.The highpriest had a 21 step process, which included among other things, washing, changing into simple clothes, offering sacrifices for himself, and then cleansing the tabernacle, and then finally offering sacrifices for the nation. Part of this included casting lots over two goats, one for God which was killed as a sacrifice, and the other a scapegoat. The sins of the nation were laid on the scapegoat which was sent away into the wilderness.Christ is the picture of both the sacrifices and the High Priest in this. Firstly as High Priest he laid aside his fancy heavenly position and took a humble position as a human, copying the task of changing into simple clothes.Later he represented both goats. On the one hand, he died for our sins, at calvary, and on the other hand he took our sins on himself and carried them away, just as the scapegoat did.But while this ritual is an annual thing, the work of Christ was once for all time. His death on Calvary represents THE DAY OF ATONEMENT for us all. The book of Hebrews has many things to say about Christ as both our High Priest and as our offering.

In this video listen to Leviticus 15 read by David Alley, followed by comments and prayer.In Leviticus 15 the discussion of things that make one clean or unclean continues. This isn’t a consideration of what is moral or immoral, but what is appropriate for coming before God. Essentially it is a big lesson about the level of seriousness we need to take about the holiness of God.In my family there have been occasions where my children said something highly inappropriate at the wrong time. For example making a burp at the dinner table in front of an important guest. After an incident like that, we would make the child apologize in front of everyone. If we didn’t follow through on this, in front of our guests, they would end up thinking it was us, the parents, who were inappropriate.And so there are things, such as in this chapter which teach that God is to be approached appropriately. The individual things, such as burping in front of guests, may not be sinful in themselves. Of course things like that become sin, if the motive of the heart, after being aware of what God wants, or parents have asked, isn’t right in obedience. So, what is appropriate and inappropriate today?For example, what is our attitude while in prayer? And, what is the context of our lives, that prayer is in? A good example is in our prayers for forgiveness. It would not be appropriate to ask for that, if we ourselves were not forgiving others. We are not under law, but grace, and yet this passage shows us that we need to approach God in all seriousness.

In this video listen to Leviticus 14 read by David Alley, followed by comments and prayer.In Leviticus 14 we continue thinking about leprosy, but this time the aftermath of healing and the cure. This is the second longest chapter in Leviticus with 57 verses. Leprosy is really a symbol of sin, which is so pervasive in our lives and hard to remove. And with that in mind, we now realise that we should be excluded from the camp. We are all lepers in God’s sight and not safe to include. We are in need not just of forgiveness from sin, but cleansing.In 1 John 1:8-9 it says that he will “forgive AND cleanse” us from all unrighteousness. In the blood of Christ is both the power to forgive us and to heal. For our healing from sin we have to go to God alone. There is no human way that this can be achieved, only on our knees at the foot of the cross.Once again, like so many other times in Leviticus Christ makes an appearance. He is the offering of the two birds. One is killed and one flies away. Christ was killed and his blood atoned for us, but then Christ was also raised and flew away from the grave. Both of the birds symbolise what Christ does for us. He provides for us in his death, and for us in his life.If we are truly to be not just forgiven, but cleansed of sin, so that we overcome its power in our lives, the only way this can happen is if the power of Christ’s death and resurrection are both at work in us.

In this video listen to Leviticus 13 read by David Alley, followed by comments and prayer.In Leviticus 13 we talk about skin diseases, and the general category of leprosy. This isn’t necessarily the leprosy we know of today as Hansen’s disease, but a group of skin diseases which include that.In 2021 the world is in the grip of the COVID pandemic and governments have very strict rules about how to live, so as to prevent the disease from spreading. So looking back at this chapter we see God’s wisdom at work to protect the nation of Israel from infectious diseases too. As tough as it is being under restrictions, with social distance, face masks, sanitization, quarantining and much more, and we can all relate to that, we also see the wisdom of it.Father Damien was a catholic priest who ministered on Molokai Island in Hawaii among lepers and ended up dying from the disease himself. We know that God cares for everyone, including lepers, but in this chapter we see the aspect of God's care for the entire group. Because there were no doctors in the camp, following these rules, with the priests in charge, was important.As priests under the New Covenant, we also have a responsibility before God to keep our lives, our families, and the people of God free from things that are impure. This isn’t just the job of a church leader, but rather we see that we all have this job.These chapters not only show us God’s care and provision for the health needs of a nation back then, but also the importance of spiritual purity now.

In this video listen to Leviticus 12 read by David Alley, followed by comments and prayer.In Leviticus 12 a woman who gives birth to a boy is unclean for 40 days. The number forty appears regularly in the Bible associated with the idea of trial or testing, and often ending with new life, or new blessings. For example Jesus tested for 40 days and then he entered into ministry in the power of the Spirit. So here we see this in the life of a mother and a new boy. This uncleanness isn’t moral, but ceremonial.This is actually a hugely considerate move by God. When a mother gives birth she needs rest, and it's hard to get sufficient rest, and still remain involved while normal life beckons. But during a period of ritual uncleanness, she is unable to wash, cook, clean or do other tasks, as her unclean state forbids her. So she is required to rest. So this period of forced rest is good for her, and good for the baby boy she is bonding with, and also a time of trial for the rest of the family who have to do more than usual, but it will result in new life and blessing. So we see there are practical benefits to this command.But why was she unclean twice as long after giving birth to a girl? At first it sounds like female babies are not as valuable, but what this double period of uncleanness meant, was that the mother was able to have twice as long resting if she had a daughter. It's possible that while society celebrated the birth of a son, because culturally they felt it was better, the mother inwardly was also very happy at having a daughter and was able to spend twice as long bonding with this little person, imparting love and value to her. It shows that God highly values women, and is far more considerate than we imagine. It wasn’t a double curse, but a double blessing.And the sacrifice at the end of the period is the same for boys and girls indicating they have equal value.Spiritually this chapter reinforces the idea that being clean is important, and the spiritual aspect is the real truth that the entire book of Leviticus is pointing at. Jesus said to his disciples in John 15, “you are clean” because of my word in you. This teaches us that we need to get Jesus’ words inside of us.

In this video listen to Leviticus 11 read by David Alley, followed by comments and prayer.