Trinity Bible Church

Prayer

I will bless the Lord at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth…But I will hope continually, and will yet praise thee more and more…Withhold not thou thy tender mercies from me, O Lord: let thy lovingkindness and thy truth continually preserve me…prayer also shall be made for him continually; and daily shall he be praised…So shall I keep thy law continually for ever and ever (Psalm 34:1, 71:14, 40:11, 72:15, 119:44).

Today’s Hymn

Words: Verses 1, 5, 6 and 9: Matthew Bridges, The Passion of Jesus, 1852; verses 2, 3 and 4: Godfrey Thring, Hymns and Sacred Lyrics, 1874. Music: Diademata, George J. Elvey, Hymns Ancient and Modern, 1868.

CROWN HIM WITH MANY CROWNS
Click here for tune.

Crown Him with many crowns, the Lamb upon His throne.
Hark! How the heav’nly anthem drowns all music but its own.
Awake, my soul, and sing of Him who died for thee,
And hail Him as thy matchless King through all eternity.

Crown Him the virgin’s Son, the God incarnate born,
Whose arm those crimson trophies won which now His brow adorn;
Fruit of the mystic rose, as of that rose the stem;
The root whence mercy ever flows, the Babe of Bethlehem.

Crown Him the Son of God, before the worlds began,
And ye who tread where He hath trod, crown Him the Son of Man;
Who every grief hath known that wrings the human breast,
And takes and bears them for His own, that all in Him may rest.

Crown Him the Lord of life, who triumphed o’er the grave,
And rose victorious in the strife for those He came to save.
His glories now we sing, who died, and rose on high,
Who died eternal life to bring, and lives that death may die.

Crown Him the Lord of peace, whose power a scepter sways
From pole to pole, that wars may cease, and all be prayer and praise.
His reign shall know no end, and round His piercèd feet
Fair flowers of paradise extend their fragrance ever sweet.

Crown Him the Lord of love, behold His hands and side,
Those wounds, yet visible above, in beauty glorified.
No angel in the sky can fully bear that sight,
But downward bends his burning eye at mysteries so bright.

Crown Him the Lord of Heav’n, enthroned in worlds above,
Crown Him the King to whom is giv’n the wondrous name of Love.
Crown Him with many crowns, as thrones before Him fall;
Crown Him, ye kings, with many crowns, for He is King of all.

Crown Him the Lord of lords, who over all doth reign,
Who once on earth, the incarnate Word, for ransomed sinners slain,
Now lives in realms of light, where saints with angels sing
Their songs before Him day and night, their God, Redeemer, King.

Crown Him the Lord of years, the Potentate of time,
Creator of the rolling spheres, ineffably sublime.
All hail, Redeemer, hail! For Thou has died for me;
Thy praise and glory shall not fail throughout eternity.

Thought Provoker

Make a list of the holidays celebrated in your country, including civil, legal, religious; whether serious or silly. Which days memorialize events or individuals unique to your country? What days have lost their original meaning, but are still remembered or practiced as legends? Which days honor (or, are intended to honor) Christ? Today, we will see how God designed the calendar so that Israel would continuously observe and worship Him.

Dad’s Study

With chapter 26 we began reading the final section of Numbers which addresses the new generation just prior to their entering the Promised Land. Matthew Henry observes that the orders were given, the troops numbered, and a new leader was commissioned. Logically, this chapter should recall their military campaign, but it does not. Instead, chapter 28 tells the Israelites how to “keep their peace with God when they were at war with their enemies.”

Although a repetition of previously delivered ordinances, Moses teaches this new generation the “religious calendar” which should govern their lives. Sacrifices were to be made daily (28:1-8), weekly (28:9-10), monthly (28:11-15), and each year: at Passover (28:16), at the Feast of Unleavened Bread (28:17-25), and at Firstfruits (28:26-31).

Numbers 28:2 is the key to all that follows. In this verse, Moses declares that their offerings and sacrifices . . .

1) are commanded of the Lord,
2) are to be regular (“continual”-the Hebrew word is used 17 times in Numbers 28-29),
3) are to be His portion (notice the repeated pronoun “my” ["me"]),
4) are to be given according to His will (” . . . in their due season.”).

From the remainder of the chapter we learn that each successive offering increased in the quantity given. These sacrifices required an enormous amount of labor and effort. The intent of the sacrifices “was to provide continuous thanksgiving to God and signify daily compliance with the covenant. The belief was quite clear that any interruption would have resulted in dire consequences for the people.” The Israelites religious routine was not fulfilling. Nor did it establish an endearing relationship with God. Moffat calls this the “Levitical drudges.” There was to be no end to the sacrificial cycle. Even if followed to perfection, the sacrifices left man conscious of his sin and alienation from God. Could you observe this type of calendar controlled by religious observance?

Our perception might be, “what a miserable existence to have endured. Isn’t there a better way?” As we have learned from the book of Hebrews, “For the law . . . can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect” (Hebrews 10:1). Jesus is better than the sacrifices. His sacrifice is complete. We need no longer be alienated from God because of our sin when we come to Him in faith. Our relationship with Him never need become like the “Levitical drudges” because we have Christ, the perfect sacrifice, with us and in us!

Click here for Matthew Henry’s Commentary.

Truth in Practice

Does this chapter give a hint to the Christian regarding worship practices? What causes me to neglect the regular, continual (daily, weekly, monthly or yearly) worship of the Lord? Does devotional routine increase or diminish my awareness of “Christ with me” and “in me”? Does it matter? What are some consequences of not revolving my life around Christ (in obedience and service)? What are believers called to offer instead of animal sacrifices? (Hint: Romans 12:1-2). How is this done?

Jim Covington – Bell Gardens, CA

Catechism

Question 3

Q. What do the Scriptures principally teach?

A. The Scriptures principally teach what man is to believe concerning God, and what duty God requires of man (2 Tim. 1:13; Eccl. 12:13).

Popularity: 1% [?]

Prayer

Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: and see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting (Psalm 139:23, 24).

Today’s Hymn

Words: Verses 1, 5, 6 and 9: Matthew Bridges, The Passion of Jesus, 1852; verses 2, 3 and 4: Godfrey Thring, Hymns and Sacred Lyrics, 1874. Music: Diademata, George J. Elvey, Hymns Ancient and Modern, 1868.

CROWN HIM WITH MANY CROWNS
Click here for tune.

Crown Him with many crowns, the Lamb upon His throne.
Hark! How the heav’nly anthem drowns all music but its own.
Awake, my soul, and sing of Him who died for thee,
And hail Him as thy matchless King through all eternity.

Crown Him the virgin’s Son, the God incarnate born,
Whose arm those crimson trophies won which now His brow adorn;
Fruit of the mystic rose, as of that rose the stem;
The root whence mercy ever flows, the Babe of Bethlehem.

Crown Him the Son of God, before the worlds began,
And ye who tread where He hath trod, crown Him the Son of Man;
Who every grief hath known that wrings the human breast,
And takes and bears them for His own, that all in Him may rest.

Crown Him the Lord of life, who triumphed o’er the grave,
And rose victorious in the strife for those He came to save.
His glories now we sing, who died, and rose on high,
Who died eternal life to bring, and lives that death may die.

Crown Him the Lord of peace, whose power a scepter sways
From pole to pole, that wars may cease, and all be prayer and praise.
His reign shall know no end, and round His piercèd feet
Fair flowers of paradise extend their fragrance ever sweet.

Crown Him the Lord of love, behold His hands and side,
Those wounds, yet visible above, in beauty glorified.
No angel in the sky can fully bear that sight,
But downward bends his burning eye at mysteries so bright.

Crown Him the Lord of Heav’n, enthroned in worlds above,
Crown Him the King to whom is giv’n the wondrous name of Love.
Crown Him with many crowns, as thrones before Him fall;
Crown Him, ye kings, with many crowns, for He is King of all.

Crown Him the Lord of lords, who over all doth reign,
Who once on earth, the incarnate Word, for ransomed sinners slain,
Now lives in realms of light, where saints with angels sing
Their songs before Him day and night, their God, Redeemer, King.

Crown Him the Lord of years, the Potentate of time,
Creator of the rolling spheres, ineffably sublime.
All hail, Redeemer, hail! For Thou has died for me;
Thy praise and glory shall not fail throughout eternity.

Thought Provoker

Since World War II there has been a fundamental shift in the way churches view the role of women. The pressures of a changing society slowly have their impact on the church. Under this external pressure the church has found her doctrines evolve more and more into the image of the world. In addition to the external pressure of the world, Christian doctrine and practice has been perverted by the internal pressure of the flesh. The Biblical concept of submission has been twisted by some men to justify treating their wives in an unloving abusive manner. The Bible speaks with clarity on the role of womanhood. Women are not to rule over men either in the church or family. God has wonderfully provided two important men in headship over the woman – her father when she is single, only to be replaced by her husband when she marries. Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands precludes submission to any other. When a wife works outside the household, she places herself under the headship of someone other than her husband. Having a home based business is honorable (Proverbs 31), but having another ‘lord’ violates her home, husband, and Lord. This is why in our passage today the daughters of Zelophehad sought relief from Moses, for there was no longer a male authority in their household, and they were in danger of losing their possessions.

Dad’s Study

The Scripture says in 1 Timothy 5:8: But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than on infidel. It is recognized throughout Scripture that the husband is to provide for his household. The inheritance of the father in Moses’ day passed on through the sons, who were responsible for their sisters until they were married. This posed a problem for one family. Read verses 1-11. The male authority in that household could not be found in the son, for there was no son. Therefore, the authority went to Zelophehad’s brothers (see v. 4) to raise any remaining daughters until they married. With this authority would have also gone the inheritance were it not for the courage of the daughters to come to Moses and plead their case. They reminded Moses that their father was in no way obligated to civil penalty, that he was not charged with any crime – just his own sin before God. Zelophehad’s provision for his family was in danger of devolving upon his brothers, and not going to his own progeny. God verified the daughters’ claim (v. 7) and made it clear that a man’s inheritance to his family shall include the daughters alone if there is no son, and if no children at all, then to his brothers or those further removed down the family tree.

Click here for Matthew Henry’s Commentary.

Truth in Practice

This example of how a family is to be organized might seem a little radical today, however, it only appears radical because the church has drifted far from its Biblical moorings. The people of God are to be salt and light and to live out the precepts of our God within the family to His glory! Take time today to remind your children of the Biblical roles of submission and headship. Make sure these roles are not only taught but also modeled before their eyes!

Pastor Craig Chambers – Alberton, Montana

Catechism

Question 3

Q. What do the Scriptures principally teach?

A. The Scriptures principally teach what man is to believe concerning God, and what duty God requires of man (2 Tim. 1:13; Eccl. 12:13).

Popularity: 1% [?]

Prayer

O give thanks unto the LORD; call upon his name: make known his deeds among the people. Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him: talk ye of all his wondrous works. Glory ye in his holy name: let the heart of them rejoice that seek the LORD. Seek the LORD, and his strength: seek his face evermore. Remember his marvellous works that he hath done; his wonders, and the judgments of his mouth; O ye seed of Abraham his servant, ye children of Jacob his chosen. He is the LORD our God: his judgments are in all the earth. He hath remembered his covenant for ever, the word which he commanded to a thousand generations. Which covenant he made with Abraham, and his oath unto Isaac; And confirmed the same unto Jacob for a law, and to Israel for an everlasting covenant: Saying, Unto thee will I give the land of Canaan, the lot of your inheritance: When they were but a few men in number; yea, very few, and strangers in it (Psalm 105:1-12).

Today’s Hymn

Words: Verses 1, 5, 6 and 9: Matthew Bridges, The Passion of Jesus, 1852; verses 2, 3 and 4: Godfrey Thring, Hymns and Sacred Lyrics, 1874. Music: Diademata, George J. Elvey, Hymns Ancient and Modern, 1868.

CROWN HIM WITH MANY CROWNS
Click here for tune.

Crown Him with many crowns, the Lamb upon His throne.
Hark! How the heav’nly anthem drowns all music but its own.
Awake, my soul, and sing of Him who died for thee,
And hail Him as thy matchless King through all eternity.

Crown Him the virgin’s Son, the God incarnate born,
Whose arm those crimson trophies won which now His brow adorn;
Fruit of the mystic rose, as of that rose the stem;
The root whence mercy ever flows, the Babe of Bethlehem.

Crown Him the Son of God, before the worlds began,
And ye who tread where He hath trod, crown Him the Son of Man;
Who every grief hath known that wrings the human breast,
And takes and bears them for His own, that all in Him may rest.

Crown Him the Lord of life, who triumphed o’er the grave,
And rose victorious in the strife for those He came to save.
His glories now we sing, who died, and rose on high,
Who died eternal life to bring, and lives that death may die.

Crown Him the Lord of peace, whose power a scepter sways
From pole to pole, that wars may cease, and all be prayer and praise.
His reign shall know no end, and round His piercèd feet
Fair flowers of paradise extend their fragrance ever sweet.

Crown Him the Lord of love, behold His hands and side,
Those wounds, yet visible above, in beauty glorified.
No angel in the sky can fully bear that sight,
But downward bends his burning eye at mysteries so bright.

Crown Him the Lord of Heav’n, enthroned in worlds above,
Crown Him the King to whom is giv’n the wondrous name of Love.
Crown Him with many crowns, as thrones before Him fall;
Crown Him, ye kings, with many crowns, for He is King of all.

Crown Him the Lord of lords, who over all doth reign,
Who once on earth, the incarnate Word, for ransomed sinners slain,
Now lives in realms of light, where saints with angels sing
Their songs before Him day and night, their God, Redeemer, King.

Crown Him the Lord of years, the Potentate of time,
Creator of the rolling spheres, ineffably sublime.
All hail, Redeemer, hail! For Thou has died for me;
Thy praise and glory shall not fail throughout eternity.

Thought Provoker

Each year in America we take a census of the entire population of the country. All the people in American are counted. These figures are then used to determine many things such as our representation in Congress and each state’s share of taxes to be apportioned to it. Discuss as a family what was the purpose of the census of the nation Israel? Why would God command a census to be taken now, yet it was a sin for David to take a census of the people in 2 Samuel 24?

Dad’s Study

“After the plague” the Lord commands a census to be taken in preparation for the Israelites to enter, and take, the promised land. To be numbered are all men over 20 years old who are able to go out to battle. The sons of Levi, however, are not numbered among the children of Israel. The Levites were the priests, the chosen servants of God, like the priesthood of believers (1 Peter 2:9). Observe the characteristics of the Levites that are similar to that of the believer today:

1. Although they were scattered within the nation Israel, for the purposes of war, they were not counted as a part of, the nation of Israel. In other words, they were in but not of, the world. (John 17).

2. The Levites were set apart to the service of God. Their total attention was to be directed towards the service of God in His temple, just as the believer today is to be devoted to the service and glory of God with his entire life. (1 Peter 2:9-17).

3. The Levites had no earthly inheritance in the land of Canaan. They received no portion of land to call their own. They remained sojourners, as it were, within their own nation. God, and God alone, was their inheritance. Just as for the believer today who is to have his treasures stored up in heaven, not on earth where rust and moth bring decay. (Matthew 6:19-21).

Click here for Matthew Henry’s Commentary.

Truth in Practice

The census is concluded with a sober reminder of the consequences of unbelief. In verse 64 we are specifically reminded that none of the Israelites who were counted in the census in the wilderness of Sinai were included in this census, except Joshua and Caleb. Perhaps that is why this census occurred “After the plague”. This last plague that came as a punishment to their sin of idolatry with the daughters of Moab, was only stopped by the death of the leaders. It is possible that these would have been older men who would have been numbered in that census. God may have used that to also accomplish His word of judgment that none of them would enter the promised land.
Why were Caleb and Joshua allowed to enter as the only two from that generation? It was because of their belief. They trusted in God and His word when He said that He would give the inhabitants of the land into their hand that they could defeat them. They were the only two of all the spies that believed and trusted in the word of God. The rest were caught up in unbelief and fearful of the world, not trusting God. Each received their proper recompense, for those who believe – life; for those who do not believe – death.

Catechism

Question 3

Q. What do the Scriptures principally teach?

A. The Scriptures principally teach what man is to believe concerning God, and what duty God requires of man (2 Tim. 1:13; Eccl. 12:13).

Popularity: 1% [?]

Prayer

“Blessed [is] the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight [is] in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. The ungodly [are] not so: but [are] like the chaff which the wind driveth away. Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous. For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.” (Ps 1:1-6)

Today’s Hymn

Words: Verses 1, 5, 6 and 9: Matthew Bridges, The Passion of Jesus, 1852; verses 2, 3 and 4: Godfrey Thring, Hymns and Sacred Lyrics, 1874. Music: Diademata, George J. Elvey, Hymns Ancient and Modern, 1868.

CROWN HIM WITH MANY CROWNS
Click here for tune.

Crown Him with many crowns, the Lamb upon His throne.
Hark! How the heav’nly anthem drowns all music but its own.
Awake, my soul, and sing of Him who died for thee,
And hail Him as thy matchless King through all eternity.

Crown Him the virgin’s Son, the God incarnate born,
Whose arm those crimson trophies won which now His brow adorn;
Fruit of the mystic rose, as of that rose the stem;
The root whence mercy ever flows, the Babe of Bethlehem.

Crown Him the Son of God, before the worlds began,
And ye who tread where He hath trod, crown Him the Son of Man;
Who every grief hath known that wrings the human breast,
And takes and bears them for His own, that all in Him may rest.

Crown Him the Lord of life, who triumphed o’er the grave,
And rose victorious in the strife for those He came to save.
His glories now we sing, who died, and rose on high,
Who died eternal life to bring, and lives that death may die.

Crown Him the Lord of peace, whose power a scepter sways
From pole to pole, that wars may cease, and all be prayer and praise.
His reign shall know no end, and round His piercèd feet
Fair flowers of paradise extend their fragrance ever sweet.

Crown Him the Lord of love, behold His hands and side,
Those wounds, yet visible above, in beauty glorified.
No angel in the sky can fully bear that sight,
But downward bends his burning eye at mysteries so bright.

Crown Him the Lord of Heav’n, enthroned in worlds above,
Crown Him the King to whom is giv’n the wondrous name of Love.
Crown Him with many crowns, as thrones before Him fall;
Crown Him, ye kings, with many crowns, for He is King of all.

Crown Him the Lord of lords, who over all doth reign,
Who once on earth, the incarnate Word, for ransomed sinners slain,
Now lives in realms of light, where saints with angels sing
Their songs before Him day and night, their God, Redeemer, King.

Crown Him the Lord of years, the Potentate of time,
Creator of the rolling spheres, ineffably sublime.
All hail, Redeemer, hail! For Thou has died for me;
Thy praise and glory shall not fail throughout eternity.

Thought Provoker

Sin is very subtle. When Christians are able to recognize sin for what it is they are sure to resist the devil and flee from it. Knowing this, our enemies are subtle in their approach, disguising sin so we won’t recognize it until it is too late. The first introduction to a path that will lead to destruction is through simple associations with someone or something we should not be around. It can be something as simple as keeping bad company. That is why the Scriptures tell us to watch who we keep company with, “”Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?” (2 Cor. 6:14)

Dad’s Study

What the king of Moab could not accomplish through the cursing of Balaam he now attempted through the seduction of immorality. The daughters of Moab invited the men of Israel to their feasts. These feasts had as one component sacrificing to their idols. Some commentators believe the women of Moab played the harlot, enticing the men of Israel to bow down to their gods as a condition of their fornication, thus ‘joining them’ to their false gods. In so doing the sons of Israel were seduced away from the true God and violated the 1st Commandment by having other gods, the 2nd Commandment by worshipping idols and the 3rd Commandment by profaning the Lord’s Name through their idolatry. Some believe the incident described involving Zimri and Cosbi also occurred on the Sabbath, thus violating the 4th commandment. In their sin the sons of Israel managed to egregiously violate all 4 Commandments of the first table of the law relating to their relationship to Jehovah.

The Lord’s anger burned and he commanded Moses to slay those who were guilty in broad daylight before the congregation of Israel that this would be a deterrent and vindicate His holy name. While Moses is meeting with the judges of Israel before the tent of meeting Zimri parades his Moabite whore Cosbi before them. The text indicates that this was a very brash and ‘in your face’ sin on Zimri’s part. It was bad enough that he had committed idolatry with this harlot in the towns of Moab, but he now brought her into the congregation of Israel, into Moses’ presence and then took her to his tent. The tent involved here is not the normal tent, but more of an alcove and was used for prostitution. Phinehas in his zeal rose up; and while they were in the act of fornication; ran them both through with a spear, killing them and stopping the plague. Phinehas’ actions were not vigilantism; Phinehas, as a priest was a man of public authority and most likely one of the judges who had been commanded to kill any who were guilty of these idolatrous sins. Phinehas was performing his duty with zeal; because of his love for God he was jealous to protect His holy name from being defiled by Zimri. This showed courage on Phinehas’ part since Zimri was a chief among his people, but God approved that Phinehas was no respecter of persons when it came to defending God’s honor.

Click here for Matthew Henry’s Commentary.

Truth in Practice

Are you equally zealous to defend the name of the Lord Jesus Christ when mockers and scorners arise in your presence? A zeal that does not fear man and will defend the honor of the Lord in the presence of the world is pleasing to God. It is with this one whom He will make His covenant of peace. Jesus said, “Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels” (Mark 8:38).

Catechism

Question 3

Q. What do the Scriptures principally teach?

A. The Scriptures principally teach what man is to believe concerning God, and what duty God requires of man (2 Tim. 1:13; Eccl. 12:13).

Popularity: unranked [?]

Prayer

When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained; What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him? For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour. Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; thou hast put all things under his feet: All sheep and oxen, yea, and the beasts of the field; The fowl of the air, and the fish of the sea, and whatsoever passeth through the paths of the seas. O LORD our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth (Psalm 8:3-9).

Today’s Hymn

Words: Verses 1, 5, 6 and 9: Matthew Bridges, The Passion of Jesus, 1852; verses 2, 3 and 4: Godfrey Thring, Hymns and Sacred Lyrics, 1874. Music: Diademata, George J. Elvey, Hymns Ancient and Modern, 1868.

CROWN HIM WITH MANY CROWNS
Click here for tune.

Crown Him with many crowns, the Lamb upon His throne.
Hark! How the heav’nly anthem drowns all music but its own.
Awake, my soul, and sing of Him who died for thee,
And hail Him as thy matchless King through all eternity.

Crown Him the virgin’s Son, the God incarnate born,
Whose arm those crimson trophies won which now His brow adorn;
Fruit of the mystic rose, as of that rose the stem;
The root whence mercy ever flows, the Babe of Bethlehem.

Crown Him the Son of God, before the worlds began,
And ye who tread where He hath trod, crown Him the Son of Man;
Who every grief hath known that wrings the human breast,
And takes and bears them for His own, that all in Him may rest.

Crown Him the Lord of life, who triumphed o’er the grave,
And rose victorious in the strife for those He came to save.
His glories now we sing, who died, and rose on high,
Who died eternal life to bring, and lives that death may die.

Crown Him the Lord of peace, whose power a scepter sways
From pole to pole, that wars may cease, and all be prayer and praise.
His reign shall know no end, and round His piercèd feet
Fair flowers of paradise extend their fragrance ever sweet.

Crown Him the Lord of love, behold His hands and side,
Those wounds, yet visible above, in beauty glorified.
No angel in the sky can fully bear that sight,
But downward bends his burning eye at mysteries so bright.

Crown Him the Lord of Heav’n, enthroned in worlds above,
Crown Him the King to whom is giv’n the wondrous name of Love.
Crown Him with many crowns, as thrones before Him fall;
Crown Him, ye kings, with many crowns, for He is King of all.

Crown Him the Lord of lords, who over all doth reign,
Who once on earth, the incarnate Word, for ransomed sinners slain,
Now lives in realms of light, where saints with angels sing
Their songs before Him day and night, their God, Redeemer, King.

Crown Him the Lord of years, the Potentate of time,
Creator of the rolling spheres, ineffably sublime.
All hail, Redeemer, hail! For Thou has died for me;
Thy praise and glory shall not fail throughout eternity.

Thought Provoker

This time of year the stars over Wyoming appear as big and bright as diamonds! They fill the night sky from horizon to horizon in numbers too many to count. Frequently when I come home at night I’ll park the car and gaze into the heavens and exclaim Wow, what a wonderful Creator! All of nature is God’s handiwork. He has chosen to reveal His power and Godhead through His creation (Rom. 1:19-20). It should not surprise us that God would use figures of speech from His own creation to reveal the greatness of His Son the Lord Jesus Christ. He has been metaphorically referred to as a Lamb, Rock, Vine, Bread, and a Rose. Today, Balaam is going to prophetically look far into the future and compare the coming Messiah, the Lord Jesus Christ, to a glorious Star (verses 15-19).

Dad’s Study

Read together verse 17 and discuss several ways that the Lord Jesus Christ is like the star out of Jacob. Jesus is called a star as:

1. Symbol of authority. The star out of Jacob is linked to a Sceptre (v. 17), a rod of royalty. In Biblical times great leaders were called “stars” just like we use the term today in the entertainment field. Jesus Christ is King of kings and Lord of Lords. (Isa. 9:6-7; Phil 2:10-11). The whole world is His footstool. He has claim to rule over your life. Sinner, you should fall on your face before Him and seek His mercy and humbly submit to His rule over your life. As Christians may we delight to persevere in our service to the Lord Jesus Christ.

2. Brightness of light. Unless you live in an inner city the stars are known for their brightness. Our Lord shines forth with the brightness of light. He shines bright as deity! He shines bright in holiness! He shines bright in truth! He shines bright in all of His glory! The redeemed heart gazes on the brightness of our Lord and exclaims, Wow, what a wonderful Saviour.

3. Pattern of immutability. The mountains crumble, the seas evaporate, but the stars have not changed since the world began. You can predict the seasons and guide a ship at sea based on their unchanging character. Jesus, the second person of the Trinity, is immutable (Heb. 1:12; 13:8). Therefore, His Word does not change; what He promised nearly 2,000 years ago He will still do today. His glory will not diminish and He will eternally be worthy of all praise and adoration!

4. Source of Guidance. The sailors are precisely guided across the oceans based simply on the reliability of the stars. The wise men followed the guiding star to the birthplace of Christ. Like the North Star, Jesus leads the sinner to forgiveness and eternal life. People in their blindness are groping for direction to be delivered from their misery and sins. They look within; they look to others, but there is only one true guide to God, and that is the guiding light of Jesus. By His grace, set the jib of your life to follow in the direction of Christ and He will guide you not only to salvation, but also through this life into the safety of the heavenly port.

Click here for Matthew Henry’s Commentary.

Truth in Practice

You have turned your head to twinkling stars in the heavens. You have stood in amazement at Christ’s handiwork. Have you ever stood in amazement and wonder of Christ Himself? Instead of stargazing, try Christ gazing! May He fill your heart with increased submission to His authority; praise for His glory; and faith to obey His unchanging Word and follow His guiding hand.

Catechism

Question 3

Q. What do the Scriptures principally teach?

A. The Scriptures principally teach what man is to believe concerning God, and what duty God requires of man (2 Tim. 1:13; Eccl. 12:13).

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