The Book of Numbers - In the Wilderness

Kenneth B. Alexander

Description

Introduction to Numbers

The fourth book of the Hebrew Torah (The Law) called the "Pentateuch" in Greek, is the Book we know as "Numbers". In the Hebrew Bible it is called "be-midbar" meaning "in the wilderness." In the Greek Septuagint version of the Bible (LXX) it is called "Numbers," and this name is now the usual title of the book. It is so called because it contains a record of the numbering of the people in the wilderness of Sinai (Chs. 1Ð4), and of their numbering afterwards on the plain of Moab (Ch. 26). The Book takes up where Exodus left off in the saga of Israel in the wilderness.

The Hebrew name for the Book "in the wilderness" is a better title for the Book. Although the book is noted for its two censuses, important events took place in the wilderness which relate to the present time. We will go through the book with the historical developments discussed first. The priestly elements and the censuses will be discussed at the later portion of the study.

The Book explains why Israel had to stay in the wilderness for forty years. It was an 11 Day journey from Egypt to the Promised Land of Canaan. But spies sent in to access the land brought back a bad report and God in His anger punished all of Israel.

The whole of Israel's stay in the wilderness generally portrays an unhappy people blaming Moses for their unhappiness. Time and time again Moses had to defend himself against unwarranted accusations. Ultimately it was God who had to stand up for him calling him "the humblest man to ever walk the earth". Time and time again God purposed to destroy the people for their grumbling and accusations. Each time Moses had to implore the Lord not to do that. Nevertheless God would send judgments among them in the form of plagues, fiery serpents and other expressions of His wrath. Thousands were killed. Moses had to stave off the extent of the destruction by bargaining with God not to completely destroy the people. This clearly shows that, even in this day, we should not grumble against God as He deals with our hearts. His chastenings are just. They are designed to get us into our Promised Land the Kingdom of God.

We should follow New Testament quotations that relate to difficulties in our walks with God. For instance, as James said of the Christians of his day, which should have applied to Israel in the wilderness: "Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance [steadfastness]. And let endurance [steadfastness] have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing" (James 1:2-4).

And Peter said: "In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ;" (1 Peter 1:6-7). And it was said of Christ Himself: "Although He was a Son, He learned obedience from the things which He suffered" (Hebrews 5:8). The people of Israel had such great promises from the Lord but they, like us, sometimes could not endure with joy the hardship that is the Lord testing our faith.

The complaining began in Exodus. They complained that the Egyptians came after them. They complained until Moses parted the Red (Reed) Sea. They complained on the other side because they had no water or food. In short their faith in God was at "zero" despite what God had done in delivering them from slavery and protecting them from the Plagues he brought against Egypt. Nevertheless the next generation made it to the banks of the Jordon River poised, after forty years, to possess the Land.

OUTLINE OF CONTENTS
The Book of Numbers
I. Preparations for the journey to Canaan (1:1-9:23)
A. Israelites numbered (1:1-4:49)
1. Census of the Israelites (1:1-54)
2. The arrangement of the wilderness camp (2:1-34)
3. The census of the Levites (3:1-4:49)
B. Final preparations (5:1-9:23)
1. Various laws and offerings (5:1-7:89)
2. Dedication of the Levites (8:1-26)
3. Passover and the fire cloud (9:1-23)
II. The wilderness journey (10:1-21:20)
A. Departure (10:1-14:45)
1. Marching orders (10:1-35)
2. Complaints in the desert (11:1-12:16)
3. Spies sent to Canaan (13:1-33)
4. The people rebel and must wander an additional forty years (14:1-45)
B. Events in the desert (15:1-21:20)
1. Laws for the Promised Land (15:1-41)
2. Rebellion in the desert (16:1-16)
3. Miracle in the desert (17:1-12)
4. More laws for the Promised Land (18:1-19:23)
5. More miracles in the desert (20:1-13)
6. Setbacks in the desert (20:14-21:20)
a. Edom refuses passage (20:14-21)
b. Rebellion and attack by serpents (21:1-20)
III. Conquests and preparations (21:21-36:13)
A. Conquests (21:31-31:53)
1. Sihon and Og defeated (21:21-35)
2. Balaam's prophecies and Balak's defeat (22:1-24:25)
3. False worship and punishment (25:1-18)
4. A second numbering (26:1-65)
5. Daughters of Zelophehad (27:1-11)
6. Joshua chosen as Moses'successor (27:12-23)
7. Festivals, offerings, and laws (28:1-30:16)
8. War against Midian (31:1-54)
B. Preparations for life in the Promised Land (32:1-36:13)
1. Reuben, Gad, and half of Manasseh allowed to settle in Transjordan (32:1-42)
2. Summary of travels (33:1-49)
3. Boundaries of Israel's land (33:50-34:29)
4. Levitical cities and cities of refuge (35:1-34)
5. Marriage of Zelophehad's daughters (36:1-13)

Israel Sets Out

At length, on the twentieth day of the second month, the signal for departure from Sinai was given. The cloud which had rested upon the Tabernacle moved; the silver trumpets of the priests summoned "the camps" of Israel to their march, and as the Ark itself set forward. Moses, in joyous confidence of faith, spoke those words of mingled prayer and praise which, as they marked the progress of Israel towards the Land of Promise, have ever been the signal in every forward movement of the Church. The general destination of Israel was, in the first place, "the wilderness of Paran," a name known long before. This tract may be described as occupying the whole northern part of the Sinaitic peninsula, between the so-called Arabah on the east, and the wilderness of Shur in the west, which separates Philistia from Egypt. Here Israel was, so to speak, hedged in by the descendants of EsauÑon the one side by the Edomites, whose country lay east of the Arabah, and on the other by the Amalekites, while right before them were the Amorites.

Such then was the goal and such the line of march before Israel, when, on that day in early summer, the Ark and the host of the Lord moved forward from the foot of Sinai. At the reiterated request of Moses, Hobab, the brother-in-law of Moses, had consented to accompany Israel, and to act as their guide in the wilderness, in the faith of afterwards sharing "what goodness God" would do to His people. Although the pillar of cloud was the real guide of Israel in all their journeying, yet the local knowledge of Hobab would manifestly prove of the greatest use in indicating springs and places of pasturage. And so it always is. The moving of the cloud or its resting must be our sole guide; but under its direction the best means which human skill or knowledge can suggest should be earnestly sought and thankfully used (Nu 10:11-35).

Spies

The Lord spoke to Moses to select men to spy out the Promised Land, now populated by Canaanites (Nu. 13:4-16). They were to determine about the land "whether the people who live in it are strong or weak, whether they are few or many. "How is the land in which they live, is it good or bad? And how are the cities in which they live, are they like open camps or with fortifications? "How is the land, is it fat or lean? Are there trees in it or not? Make an effort then to get some of the fruit of the land." Now the time was the time of the first ripe grapes" (Nu. 13:18-20).

17Ð20. The instructions of Moses to the twelve spies were thus comprehensive; a thorough report of the landÑits produce, the peoples, and their townsÑwas required in the reconnaissance mission. The plan of approach was practical, and it shows that Moses had some sense of the lay of the land of Canaan. From their location in the northernmost boundary of the Desert of Paran, the spies were to move into the Negev, the southernmost part of the land of Canaan. Then they were to ascend the hill country and to journey as far as they could through the land. The journey upward was not only geographical; there is a sense in which we may see this upward journey as a symbol of assault, conquest, and victory.

The scouts were to give special attention to the people and the produce of the land, to the cities and towns, to the soil and the presence or absence of forests. Since the journey was at the time of the harvest of grapes, there is a personal note that they should bring back some of the fruit they might discover in the land. They were to show themselves courageous in taking some of the fruit words that would later come to haunt the nation. But the quest for a sampling of fruit is a nice touch; it had been a long time since grapes were seen in the desert community. The principal harvesting of grapes in Palestine comes after the long, hot summer, in September and October. But the first, early grapes, may be harvested by mid-or late July. So the journey of the spies would have come in the summer months.

The specification of the type of men that were to be selected reminds us that while God is not a respecter of persons with regard to his mercy (see Deut 10:17), he does use select persons for his leadership tasks. Yet ten of the twelve men in this listing turn out to be dismal failures. That they were each leaders of their tribes did not guarantee that they were adequate for the leadership role God desired they would have.

4Ð15. The names of the leaders of Israel and their meanings are as follows:

1. Shammua (šammûaʿ, related to the verb šāmaʿ, "to hear"; perhaps meaning "report [of God]") of Reuben

2. Shaphat (šāp̱āṭ from the verb šāp̱aṭ, "to judge"; perhaps meaning "he has judged") of Simeon

3. Caleb (kālēḇ related to keleḇ, "dog") of Judah

4. Igal (yig̱ʾāl from the verb gāʾal, "to redeem"; perhaps meaning "he redeems") of Issachar

5. Hoshea (later Joshua) (hôšeaʿ, from the verb yāšaʿ, "to save"; perhaps meaning "salvation") of Ephraim

6. Palti (palṭî perhaps related to the verb pālaṭ, "to escape"; perhaps meaning "my escape [is God]") of Benjamin

7. Gaddiel (gaddîʾēl, perhaps related to the noun gāḏ, "fortune"; perhaps meaning "my fortune is God") of Zebulun

8. Gaddi (gaddî, a name with the same meaning as the man of Zebulun, "my fortune [is in God]") of Manasseh

9. Ammiel (ʿammîʾēl, a name combining the words "my people" and "God"; perhaps meaning "God is my kinsman") of Dan

10. Sethur (seṯûr a name perhaps related to the verb sāṯar, "to hide"; perhaps meaning "sheltered [by God]") of Asher

11. Nahbi (nahbî, a name perhaps related to the verb hāḇāh, "to withdraw," "to hide"; perhaps meaning "my hiding [is God]") of Naphtali

12. Geuel (geʾûʾēl, a name perhaps relating the verbal root gāʾāh, "to rise up [in majesty]" with the word "God"; perhaps meaning "majesty of God") of Gad.

Detailed and accurate directions having been given them, the spies left the camp of Israel "at the time of the first-ripe grapes," that is, about the end of July. Thus far they were successful. Eluding the Canaanites, they entered Palestine, and searched the land to its northernmost boundary, "unto Rehob, as men come to Hamath," that is, as far as the plain of Coele-Syria. On their way back, coming from the north, they would of course not be suspected. Accordingly they now descended by Hebron, and explored the route which led into the Negeb by the western edge of the mountains. "In one of these extensive valleysÑperhaps in Wády Hanein, where miles of grape-mounds even now meet the eyeÑthey cut the gigantic cluster of grapes, and gathered the pomegranates and figs, to show how goodly was the land which the Lord had promised for their inheritance." After forty days' absence the spies returned to camp. The report and the evidence of the fruitfulness of the land which they brought fully confirmed the original promise of God to Israel (Nu 13:1-23).

However: "When they returned 10 of the 12 spies gave a negative report of the land. They said: "We went in to the land where you sent us; and it certainly does flow with milk and honey, and this is its fruit. "Nevertheless, the people who live in the land are strong, and the cities are fortified and very large; and moreover, we saw the descendants of Anak there. "Amalek is living in the land of the Negev and the Hittites and the Jebusites and the Amorites are living in the hill country, and the Canaanites are living by the sea and by the side of the Jordan..."There also we saw the NEPHILIM (the sons of Anak are part of the Nephilim); and we became like grasshoppers in our own sight, and so we were in their sight" (Nu. 13:27-20, 33).

So the spies saw the good and wonderful land just as the Lord had promised. However they saw the Nephilim in the land, in the sons of Anak, and were completely intimidated. The Anakim (Heb. 'anāqîm), descendants of an eponymous ancestor Anak, were among the pre-Israelite inhabitants of Palestine. The name Anak occurs without the article only in Nu. 13:33 and Dt. 9:2, but elsewhere it appears in the form 'the Anak' (hā'anāq), where it is presumably to be taken as the collective, equivalent to Anakim. The phrase 'the city of Arba (qiryaṯ 'arba', KIRIATH-ARBA), father of Anak' in Joshua 15:13 apparently indicates that an individual named Arba was the ultimate ancestor of the Anakim, unless the noun 'father' is taken to qualify the city, in which case this city, later known as HEBRON, was considered the ancestral home of the Anakim. It was even stated that they were descended from the Nephilim, who were also claimed as sons of Anak, and the spies said that they felt like grasshoppers beside them (Nu. 13:33).

They were settled in the hill-country, particularly at Hebron (Nu. 13:22), where Ahiman, Sheshai and Talmai, 'descendants of Anak', were found. Joshua cut off the Anakim from the hill country (from Hebron, Debir and Anab), but some were left in Gaza, Gath and Ashdod (Jos. 11:21) and it fell to Caleb finally to drive them out from Hebron, which had been allotted to him. Nothing is known of these people outside the Bible, unless they are, as some scholars hold, among the peoples mentioned in the Egyptian 18th century Execration Texts, or they represent an early 'Philistinian-type' title.

The Nephilim (nefʹi-leem) were people of the pre-Flood generation, the offspring of daughters of men and divine beings (Gen. 6:1-4). Their generation and their conduct seem to have provoked the Flood as punishment (Gen. 6:5-8:22). In Num. 13:33 the Israelite spies describe the inhabitants of Hebron as Nephilim, so large and powerful that 'we seemed like grasshoppers.' The name could mean 'fallen ones' and allude to stories in related cultures of rebellious giants defeated by the gods in olden times (cf. Isa. 14:12). Those satanic forces are nephilim spirits, such as we read about in the Scriptures, who are standing in the way and preventing the sons of God from possessing their inheritance. God is very unhappy with such channels. According to Genesis 6, the nephilim were people who were created with a satanic nature. Whether or not they yielded to it is not the issue. Some people claim that the nephilim were spirits that found their way in from a world which existed before creation. Some claim that they were demons. Ancient mythology is based on the fact that there were demon spirits. These spirits so infected the human race and made the people so wicked that God had to destroy them (Genesis 6:5Ð7). It was not a matter of merely bringing corrective judgments; the whole system had to be destroyed.

Then all the congregation lifted up their voices and cried, and the people wept that night. And all the sons of Israel grumbled against Moses and Aaron; and the whole congregation said to them, "Would that we had died in the land of Egypt! Or would that we had died in this wilderness! "And why is the LORD bringing us into this land, to fall by the sword? Our wives and our little ones will become plunder; would it not be better for us to return to Egypt?" So they said to one another, "Let us appoint a leader and return to Egypt."

Then Moses and Aaron fell on their faces in the presence of all the assembly of the congregation of the sons of Israel. And Joshua the son of Nun and Caleb the son of Jephunneh, of those who had spied out the land, tore their clothes; and they spoke to all the congregation of the sons of Israel, saying, "The land which we passed through to spy out is an exceedingly good land. "If the LORD is pleased with us, then He will bring us into this land, and give it to usÑa land which flows with milk and honey. "Only do not rebel against the LORD; and do not fear the people of the land, for they shall be our prey. Their PROTECTION HAS BEEN REMOVED FROM THEM, and the LORD is with us; do not fear them." But the entire congregation sought to stone them with stones. Then the glory of the LORD appeared in the tent of meeting to all the sons of Israel.

And the LORD said to Moses, "How long will this people spurn Me? And how long will they not believe in Me, despite all the signs which I have performed in their midst? "I will smite them with pestilence and dispossess them, and I will make you into a nation greater and mightier than they." But Moses said to the LORD in defense of the lord's position: "If you do what You desire Then the Egyptians will hear of it, and they will tell it to the inhabitants of this land. They have heard that You O LORD, art in the midst of this people, Now if You slay this people as one man, then the nations who have heard of Thy fame will say, 'Because the LORD could not bring this people into the land which He promised them by oath, therefore He slaughtered them in the wilderness.' "Pardon, I pray, the iniquity of this people according to the greatness of Your lovingkindness, just as Thou also hast forgiven this people, from Egypt even until now."

So the LORD said, "I have pardoned them according to your word; but indeed, as I live, all the earth will be filled with the glory of the LORD "Surely all the men who have seen My glory and My signs, which I performed in Egypt and in the wilderness, yet have put Me to the test these ten times and have not listened to My voice, shall by no means see the land which I swore to their fathers, nor shall any of those who spurned Me see it except for My servants Caleb and Joshua because they had had a different spirit and have followed Me fully. Them I will bring into the land and they shall take possession of it" (Nu 14:1Ð26).

The Israelites, hearing this, decided to go up into the land and attack the Canaanites. "But they went up heedlessly to the ridge of the hill country; neither the ark of the covenant of the LORD nor Moses left the camp. Then the Amalekites and the Canaanites who lived in that hill country came down, and struck them and beat them down as far as Hormah" (Nu. 14:44-45). Israel had presumed to go up into this mountain-top without the presence of God, without the Ark of the Covenant, and without Moses. Yesterday they had been taught the lesson that their seeming weakness would be real strength, if God were among them. To-day they had in bitter experience to find out this other and equally painful truthÑthat their seeming strength was real weakness. They were smitten and discomfited by their enemies. There is always a danger in "doing your own thing" in a walk with God.

Sujets

• Biblical Commentary
• Philosophie et théologie
• Old Testament
• Religion

Informations

• Publié par: eBookIt.com
• Date de parution: 05 avril 2016
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9781456618131
• Langue: English

Extrait

The Book of Numbers
In the Wilderness
By: Kenneth B. Alexander J.D.
Book Four-Bible Book By Book Series
Table of Contents
 
Title Page - The Book of Numbers - In the Wilderness ; By: Kenneth B. Alexander J.D.
Table of Contents
Preface
Introduction to Series - Bible Book By Book
Introduction to Numbers
Outline of Contents – the Book of Numbers
Israel Sets Out
Spies
Complaints and Judgment
The Almond Branch
Moses’ Sin
Disagreements and Conquests
Balek and Balaam
Census Taken
Duties of the Levitical Priests
Further Events and Laws
Journey Through the Wilderness
Instructions
Bibliography – End Notes
Preface
 
Thanks to John Robert Stevens, Pastor and My Mentor, deceased; Pastors Gary and Marilyn Hargrave ; The Living Word, a World Wide Fellowship of Churches (thelivingword.org); Logos Bible Study System 5; Fellow Believers
 
© Author: Kenneth B. Alexander, JD
[e-mail]
Web: www.christianfreelance. vpweb.com
Scripture references: The New American Standard, 95 ed ; The New American Standard, 197 7 ed.; King James Authorized Version; Unless Otherwise Noted
“ Scripture References In Italics ” and “quotation marks”
Bold Emphasis Author’s Discretion
CAPS USED FROM   BIBLE SCRIPTURES or PER AUTHOR’S DISCRETION
Man or Men when used alone is gender negative and is meant to include: men, women, mankind, humanity etc.
 
Introduction to Series -
Bible Book By Book
 
 
This Series of Books will treat the scriptures and the Bible as the full and complete Word of God compiled by God through the pens of men inspired by the Holy Spirit. The Bible says this about itself : “ All Scripture is  inspired [God breathed] by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for  training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work ” (2 Timothy 3:16-17) . God left for us a record of all that is needed to be known to enable His people full access to His salvation and entrance to His glorious Kingdom. Each scripture, group of scriptures, each Book as a whole has a point; it is saying something from God that we can take away with us just as if God Himself descended and spoke to us in person. It speaks both to the beginner in Christ and to the most mature. Its meaning is ever expanding according to the spiritual growth of the individual.
 
Christ Himself quoted scripture on many occasions. In his very first public appearance He spoke scripture. “THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD IS UPON ME, BECAUSE HE ANOINTED ME TO PREACH THE GOSPEL TO THE POOR . HE HAS SENT ME TO PROCLAIM RELEASE TO THE CAPTIVES,   AND RECOVERY OF SIGHT TO THE BLIND ,  TO SET FREE THOSE WHO ARE DOWNTRODDEN, TO PROCLAIM THE FAVORABLE YEAR OF THE LORD” (Lk 4:18–19). He quoted Old Testament scripture written down by Isaiah from the Book of Isaiah 61:1-2. Christ went on to say: “Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.” Amazingly enough Isaiah spoke this scripture a millennium before Christ and a millennium before Christ fulfilled the words. Many, many times you will read in the scriptures of Christ fulfilling a prophecy that was spoken millenniums before His birth.
 
The authenticity of the Bible is the subject of great dispute among men, mainly Biblical scholars and scientists. Many see the Bible as a book of myths or moralistic stories. Many hold that the named authors of the Books of the Bible were not their true authors. Others notice inconsistencies in the Bible and criticize the text of those grounds (for a full history of the Bible with criticisms see The Bible and history - From Wikipedia).
 
The scriptures, Old Testament and New, speak exclusively of Christ. He said to the Pharisees: “You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; it is   these that testify about Me; (John 5:39). They had been deceived into thinking that life , peace and happiness could be found by following rigid rules and traditions , such as rituals of washings and Sabbath day rests. They studied the Torah endlessly trying to find its secrets when the real secret was its revealing of the Messiah to come. The purpose of the Scriptures was to point mankind to Christ wherein dwells life, but they were not willing to com e to Jesus so that they might have this life. The direct topological references to Christ in the Old Testament are much too many to enumerate here (see “References to Christ In the Old Testament Scriptures” by this author at lulu.com). 
 
The first thing to learn about the Bible is that it is incapable of human mental interpretation. It is unique in that respect out of all books written . John 1:1 makes that clear: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being” .  The Word is just not a collection of literary works; it is and conveys the Spirit of God - it IS God.
 
The Word of God is recorded in the Bible. The operative Greek word is “Logos ” meaning “The Word”. Vine’s Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words partially defines Logos as: “…the phrase “The word of God” i.e. the revealed Word of God is used as a direct revelation of Christ (1 Thessalonians 4:15) of the gospel…(citations)… in this respect it is the message from the Lord, delivered with His authority and made effective by His power…The personal word is a title of the Son of God…His distinct super-finite personality…His relation to the Godhead, His creative power… (Vine’s Page 1241-1242).
 
So the Word is God Himself as revealed by the Word (Jesus Christ) appearing on the earth. Human interpretation or mental understanding is not God; the Bible can only be understood spiritually by revelation from God. John 4:23-24 says that God is a Spirit and we can only know Him or relate to Him in the spirit. The Word is literally God’s power and authority going out from Him and “made effective” through the Word. Christ is the Word, God made manifest. All things were created in and through Him. God created the heavens and the earth through a creative Word (Genesis 1:3 -“let there be”). [i]
 
In Christianity, and in fact in any search for the truth, one must look to the Word of God to gain an understanding of the truth. You must seek it and find it but God promises that “if we seek and keep on seeking” you will find”. One thing we learn quickly is that truth is not special knowledge , wisdom or concepts separate from God. Truth is not a thing or a state of being—it is a person-Jesus Christ. In the Gospel of John he quotes Jesus as saying: “ I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me” (v. 14:6). In order to understand truth, we must keep this “definition” in mind. Nowhere else in the Bible is “truth” defined. It is not a moral concept; it is not doing good so you can “go to heaven; it is not a philosophy; it is not a set of church doctrines and it’s not found in your conscience. It is found in Jesus Christ, in His nature, His body and His blood. [ii]
 
The Bible is Divine revelation from the Father. In Matthew 16:13-19 Jesus asked His disciples “ Who do you say I am?” ( v.15 ). Simon Peter, the boldest of the disciples, spoke up and said “You are Christ [Messiah] the Son of the living God ” ( v.16 ). Jesus said to Peter: “Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona [son of Jonah; a man] : for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven ” . Christ was saying that Peter the man was blessed because man, flesh and blood, had not revealed this to him but God the Father .
 
The word “ reveal” is “ Apokalupto ” in Greek meaning: “ to remove a veil or covering, exposing to open view what was before hidden” (see also Apokalupsis meaning “ revelation ” , one of three words in the NT referring to the second coming of Christ). Therefore Peter, a man of flesh, had spoken what was formerly concealed, exposing it to open view. He revealed what was in essence the coming of the Lord Jesus. This “revelation” did not come from man but was revealed by the Father in Heaven (from the spiritual realm).
 
Christ said further: “And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter [a stone], and upon this rock [large rock, bedrock] I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.  And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven”. (Verse 17). The word “ Peter” is in Greek “ Petros ”, a small stone . The rock referred to in the scripture (“upon this rock”) is Petra in Greek which means a large rock or bedrock. What was this bedrock? The BEDROCK is the REVELATION from the Father to human flesh ( Petros the stone). T hus it was the revelation of Christ coming from the Father that would be the bedrock upon which Christ would build His church . God planned to build His church on the bedrock of divine revelation . Likewise the Bible is the source of this bedrock of revelation upon which we can build a walk with God.
 
The content of the Bible is not mere words but Spirit. Jesus said: “ It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing ; the words that I have spoken to you are spirit and are life (John 6:63). Books written by men may convey ideas, inspiration or emotion but the words in the Bible convey spirit. Not just spirit but the Spirit of the Lord whereby we change into His image from glory to glory. “But we all, with unveiled face,  beholding as in a mirror the  glory of the Lord, are being  transformed into the same image from glory to glory , just as from  the Lord, the Spirit” (2 Co 3:18) . By absorbing the Bible we change into the image of Christ.
 
The Bible strengthens our first love relationship with