March 3, 2021
A Transfigured Faith
Numbers 33 recaps the journey of the people of Israel after they fled Egypt. They left after Passover, the day the Lord executed judgment on all the Egyptian firstborn. The Lord spoke to Moses in the plains of Moab and gave him final instructions for taking possession of the land of Canaan.
Israel was to drive out the Canaanites and destroy their culture of idols. This stern warning against worshipping other gods will appear often in the Old Testament. It concludes with a warning of exile if Israel is unfaithful to their covenant with the Lord.
Numbers 34 details the boundaries of the Promised Land. This was the fulfillment of the promise made to Abraham in Genesis 17:8, his descendants receiving their inheritance.
The transfiguration of Jesus reveals his divine nature as the beloved Son of God.
On top of a high mountain, Jesus becomes radiant and white, displaying his heavenly glory. Moses and Elijah appear, signifying Jesus’ fulfillment of the Law (Moses) and the Prophets (Elijah). Jesus’ transfiguration radiates God’s glorious light from the inside.
Peter offered to make three tabernacles for Jesus, Elijah, and Moses, to give these heavenly beings a place to dwell on the earth. Echoing Exodus 24, the "voice out of the cloud" made it clear that Jesus is not just another Moses or Elijah. He is the eternal Son of God.
Upon coming down from the mountain, the scribes were challenging the disciples for failing to drive a demon out of a boy. After casting out the demon, Jesus explained that this kind can only be driven out by prayer.
Make It Personal
- God emphasized the importance of the Israelites getting corruption out of their lives. Take a minute to evaluate some distractions you need to get out of your life in order to fully experience God’s provision and grace.
- Are you making prayer a priority, or a last resort? Try getting in the habit of praising God on good days as well as asking for help on hard days.