The revchristruelsen’s Podcast

Greater Than All Mighty Men

Text for discussion: 

Deuteronomy 3.  

We have heard of ages upon the earth when lived gigantic flora and fauna-they are recorded in the fossil record.  But what about giant peoples?  Deuteronomy 3 records a time when Moses and Israel defeated many Rephaim, giants-which were like the pre-Flood Nephilim.  This was only with God's aid.  

 

They hymn: A Mighty Fortress 

The photo: A Meganeura from the Museum of Toulouse.  The photographer: Didier Descouens.  [Used with permission under the Wikimedia Commons license: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Meganeura_monyi_au_Museum_de_Toulouse.jpg]

Cousins and Conflicts

Text for discussion: Deuteronomy 2.  

Israel had its own Promised Land.  Certain peoples were off limits to their warfare and plunder leading up to their conquest of the Promised Land.  These peoples were in actuality "cousin" peoples.  See how it all ties together . . . . 

The engraving:  (Moses and the Ten Commandments) by Dore.

The hymn: When Peace Like a River.  (Public domain).  

(podcast message revised 9/23/25)

A Second Law?

Text for discussion: Deuteronomy 1.  

The children of Israel get ready to go into the Promised Land for the second time.  Deuteronomy 1 begins with a significant speech of Moses.  What is a significant speech that shaped your life?  

The hymn: When I Survey the Wondrous Cross. (public domain).  

The engraving: (the subject is Moses with the tablets of the Ten Commandments) by Gustave Dore, public domain.  

Ownership

Text for discussion: Numbers 36. 

Here we close out the fourth of the five Books of Moses.  How do you determine what belongs to who when an inheritance is being administered?  In allotting the parcels of the Promised Land to the 12 tribes, the daughters of one man named Zelophehad were the only heirs for this man, yet, the land generally went to sons.  The problem was solved when these daughters were allowed to be next of kin in receiving an inheritance, but the greater tribe wanted to make sure that tribal lands would stay with the tribe of Manasseh if they should marry.  Tune in to see how they solved the problem . . . . 

The hymns: Blest Be the Tie that Binds, What is the World to Me? 

The engraving: Gustave Dore - Moses Breaks the Tablets of the Law 

The Perfect Society

Text for discussion: 

Numbers 35.  

 

The perfect society . . . doesn't exist.  Not on earth.  Yet, God established bounds of society in which the children of Israel could live and even thrive.  The Levites did not have a territory specifically allotted to them, but they were given cities in which to live, and this chapter also specifically speaks of ways in which the Fallen world problem of manslaughter was handled.  

The hymn: When Peace, Like a River (public domain).  

The illustration: The Allotment to the Levites by Philip de Vere.  used by permission in accordance with its license:

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:The_allotment_to_the_Levites._Vorleser.png

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Story of Your Inheritance

Text for discussion: Numbers 34. 

 

God had an inheritance for Israel: the Promised Land-promised in the time of Abram/Abraham.  God has an inheritance in store for you.  This is the story of their inheritance, and your inheritance.  

 

The hymn: For All the Saints (Public domain).  

Painting: Noah's Dankgebet by Domenico Morelli (Noah's thank offering).  Public domain.  by 1901. 

 

If Something Wasn't True, Why Would You Believe It?

Text for discussion: Numbers 33.  

Life presents us with countless claims which we have to evaluate as "true" or "not true."  Numbers 33 presents us with the itinerary of the Exodus and wanderings in the desert of Israel.  The account takes us deep into history, and finding the path of the Exodus in modern times proves a challenge-the "footprints" seem long ago erased.  Did it really happen?  Yes, we believe so, but what was the route, and how do we evaluate the case for the Exodus?  

The hymn: Jesus, Savior Pilot Me.  (Public domain.) 

 

The painting: Passage of the Jews Through the Red Sea.  1891.  by Aivazovsky.  (Public domain) 

No One Can Finish the Race for You, Revisited

This week we take a short break from Numbers and revisit a previous podcast from August 12, 2022 . . . . 

Matthew 10.  

While no one can finish the race for you, Christ did pay the price for all our sins, taking up His cross that we might have life.  

Jesus tells us that we may also have to take up the cross in this life . . . 

This life's rewards are temporary, but we have an imperishable reward in Christ . . . . 

Hymn: What is the World to Me?  

The Trouble with Livestock

Text for discussion: Numbers 32

The tribes of Reuben, Gad, and Manasseh did not want to cross over into the Promised Land.  They saw the land of Gilead as much more favorable for their livestock.  Moses it seems was not happy with them, but he changed his tune . . . .  What to do with livestock?  

The hymn: My Soul Now Praise Your Maker

Photo: entitled, "Lascaux Painting" 

The author/artist of the photo is reported as EU X and permits others to use the work when mentioned.    (at https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Lascaux_painting.jpg)

The Trumpets of War

Text for discussion: Numbers 31.  

 

Commanded by God, Israel goes to war against Midian.  In an age of modern warfare and devastation, what are we to make of events like these?  What does all of this mean for us?  

 

The hymn:  Battle Hymn of the Republic.  (public domain).