Feb. 28, 2021

The Good Shepherd Saves

Numbers 27 and Numbers 28

As Israel camps in the plains of Moab, the Lord makes final preparations for His people before they cross the Jordan into the land of Canaan. He gives them laws for living in the land such as inheritance rights, leadership succession, and public sacrifices. 

Because Moses rebelled against the word of the Lord at the waters of Meribah in Numbers 20:2-13, the Lord forbid him from entering the Promised Land. Moses asks the Lord to appoint his successor to lead and shepherd the people of Israel. The Lord chooses Joshua, saying that His Spirit dwells in him. 

The name Joshua (“Yehoshua” in Hebrew) means “the Lord saves.” Through God’s chosen servant, He will save his people and lead them into the Promised Land. Centuries later, an angel will tell Joseph to name his son “Jesus” (“Yeshua” in Hebrew) “for he will save his people from their sins.” (Matthew 1:21)

“Let the Lord, the God of the spirits of all flesh, appoint a man over the congregation who shall go out before them and come in before them, who shall lead them out and bring them in, that the congregation of the Lord may not be as sheep that have no shepherd.” - Numbers 27:16-17
Mark 7:14-37

After a confrontation with the Pharisees, Jesus shows how his authority extends beyond the borders of Israel. Jesus travels to the Gentile regions of Tyre, Sidon, and the Decapolis, giving a foreshadowing of his disciples’ future mission.

During Jesus’ mission to Tyre and Sidon, an incident occurs that links back to the ministry of Elijah in 1 Kings 17:8-24. In that story, a woman from Sidon shows her faith by feeding the man of God with the last morsel of bread (crumbs) she has to live on. Because of her faith, the Lord miraculously provides for her and her household. Later, Elijah delivers her child from death and the woman praises the Lord. 

In this story in Mark, the woman responds to Jesus’ test with humble faith. Because of her persistence, Jesus delivers her daughter from the demon that plagued her.

Make It Personal
  • The Lord provided for his people by giving them a shepherd to lead them in the way they should go. Who are the shepherds that God has given you in your life? Thank God for them and send them a message today to thank them for their guidance in your life. 
  • Jesus was moved by the Syrophoenician woman’s humble and persistent faith. What is something that God is challenging you to have a persistent faith for right now?
Learn More

Want to learn more about the deeper meaning of Jesus’ name (Yeshua)? Read this article by Jews For Jesus to learn more about his name in a Jewish context. 

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