Agrippa I was the grandson of Herod the Great, born about 10 B.C. and raised in Rome. Imprisioned for six months by Emperor Tiberius on charge of treason because of his exploition of relationships for wealth and power, in particular seeking the favor of Caligula. He persecuted the church in Jerusalem but may have been interested in Jewish roots.
COURSE SPOTLIGHT FROM ACTS OF THE APOSTLES: (UNIT 2) APOSTOLIC TOUR
Les Juifs attendaient la venue d’un messie. Mais le Christ est venu comme un charpentier modeste, une personne ordinaire à leurs yeux. Et beaucoup de gens, notamment les chefs religieux, avaient du mal à croire que Jésus était envoyé par Dieu. Les anciens prophètes avaient prédit que le Messie permettrait aux sourds d’entendre et aux aveugles de voir. Les gens apprennent que Jésus est capable de guérir les malades, alors ils viennent de partout pour voir s’Il fera un miracle pour eux. Ils sont tellement nombreux à venir Le voir, qu’un jour, certaines personnes vont devoir faire preuve d’un peu de créativité pour permettre à un homme qui ne pouvait pas marcher d’approcher Jésus.
Luc 5:24
“Or, afin que vous sachiez que le Fils de l’homme a sur la terre le pouvoir de pardonner les péchés : Je te l’ordonne, dit-il au paralytique, lève-toi, prends ton lit, et va dans ta maison.”
Author: Mr. Kenneth Frank | Faculty in Theology, Living Education
Estimated Reading Time: 6 min. 29 sec.
Even though God had prophesied through this man in the past, at the time he pronounced this wish he had been hired by a Moabite king to curse Israel as they journeyed to the Holy Land to conquer it from the resident pagans. This anomalous story focuses on a bizarre character of the Old Testament. Nonetheless, what he proclaimed about the death of the righteous has inspired Bible readers ever since. Today’s Digging Deeper examines this intriguing account.
Our focus verse for this study is: “Who can count the dust of Jacob, and the number of the fourth part of Israel? Let me die the death of the righteous, and let my last end be like his!” (Numbers 23:10 KJV throughout). These words are part of the first oracle of a false prophet named Balaam. He had been hired by Balak, the king of Moab, to curse Israel as they passed through his territory on their way to the Promised Land (Numbers 22:1-41; 23:1-30; 24:1-25). Balaam recognized that the righteous have hope in their death (Proverbs 14:32). This glorious future is their “last end.” However, he seemed to realize he was not part of their destiny.
Just who are these righteous that Balaam described? Some may think the righteous are perfect people. However, Israel was anything but, as explained by the Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown Commentary: “This designation of ‘upright,’ or ‘righteous’ people, given by Balaam to Israel, was applied to them, not on account of the superior excellence of their national character-for they were frequently perverse, disobedient, and rebellious-but in reference to their being an elect nation, in the midst of which God, ‘the just and righteous’ (Deuteronomy 32:4), dwelt” (e-Sword 13.0.0).
Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers defines the original word: “The Hebrew word yesharim (upright, or righteous) is applied to Israel because God, who is just and right (Deuteronomy 32:4) had chosen His people to be a Jeshurun (Deuteronomy 32:15; 33:5,26)—a holy and peculiar people, following after righteousness and judgment” (e-Sword 13.0.0). To bring this concept into our time, Adam Clarke’s Commentary declares: “A righteous man is one who is saved from his sins, who is justified and sanctified through the blood of the covenant, and who lives, not only an innocent, but also a holy and useful life. He who would die well should live well; for a bad death must be the issue of a bad life” (Ibid.). Based on this, God’s people are the righteous.
Balaam was from Mesopotamia (Deuteronomy 23:4) and is described as a soothsayer (Joshua 13:22). James Gray’s Concise Bible Commentary declares: “Balaam is a mystery. He comes from Mesopotamia where the knowledge of the true God lingered after it had been lost in the other parts of the known world. He is one of the group containing Melchisedec and Job, who testified that although Jehovah was now revealing Himself peculiarly to the Hebrews, yet He had not left Himself without witnesses in the other nations” (e-Sword 13.0.0).
Balak brought Balaam from Aram (Mesopotamia) to curse and defy Israel (Numbers 23:7). The Bridgeway Bible Dictionary clarifies what is meant: “Cursing in the ancient Hebrew world was not a burst of bad language as it usually is in the world of today. It was a pronouncement of judgment believed to bring the release of powerful forces against the person cursed (Numbers 22:6; Judges 5:23; Job 31:30; Proverbs 30:10)” (e-Sword 13.0.0). This was an ancient custom, as Fausset’s Bible Dictionary declares: “It was a practice of ancient nations to devote their enemies to destruction at the beginning of their wars; the form of execration is preserved in Macrobius, Saturnalia, 3:9” (e-Sword 13.0.0).
However, God, Israel’s Protector, would not permit Balaam to curse the Israelites (Numbers 22:12). Balaam tried more than once to curse Israel; instead, God’s words coming from his mouth were only blessings on Israel (Numbers 13:2). Even though Balaam was self-serving in his plot with Balak, God still spoke through him (Numbers 23:5). Balak demanded that Balaam curse Israel instead. Balaam retorted, “How shall I curse, whom God hath not cursed? or how shall I defy, whom the LORD hath not defied?” (Numbers 23:8 KJV). Our focus verse for this article comes from this exchange of intense and desperate words.
Balaam admitted he could only proclaim what God put in his mouth (Numbers 23:12). F.B. Meyer’s Through the Bible Day by Day notes: “On the contrary, he could forge no weapon against Israel that could prosper, and when he tried to raise his tongue in judgment against the people of God he was condemned. It was as if God said, ‘Touch not mine anointed.’ Psalm 105:15; Isaiah 54:17; Romans 8:31” (e-Sword 13.0.0).
Balak later declared why he did not go to war with Israel. He tried to curse them through Balaam (Joshua 24:9-10; Judges 11:25) instead. John Kitto’s Popular Cyclopedia of Biblical Literature explains that “From Judges 11:25, it is clear that Balak was so certain of the fulfillment of Balaam’s blessing, ‘blessed is he that blesseth thee, and cursed is he that curseth thee’ (Numbers 24:9), that he never afterwards made the least military attempt to oppose the Israelites (comp. Micah 6:5; Revelation 2:14)” (e-Sword 13.0.0).
Even though Balaam wanted to die the death of the righteous, he did not get his wish. When the Israelites were victorious over their enemies in taking the Promised Land, among the people they executed was Balaam (Numbers 31:8; Joshua 13:22). Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers explains: “The end of Balaam (Numbers 31:8) presented a strange contrast to his prayer, and showed that even the prayer of the wicked is abomination in the sight of the Lord (See Proverbs 28:9)” (e-Sword 13.0.0). William Robertson Nicholl’s Sermon Bible presents this alarming picture: “His own death was perhaps the most miserable of all that are recorded in the Old Testament” (Ibid.). David Guzik’s Enduring Word Commentary declares why: “Balaam was one of the many who long to die the death of the righteous, yet have no desire to live the life of the righteous. The two go together” (Ibid.). Few today are willing to live the life of the righteous so that they will experience the death of the righteous.
Death is not pleasant; often it is exceedingly difficult. Nonetheless, this assurance is offered by William Robertson Nicoll’s Sermon Bible: “By the death of the righteous is not meant merely a happy end, but any circumstances of death whatever after a holy and obedient life. The worst death of those who are accounted righteous before God is better than the best and easiest death of an unrighteous person” (e-Sword 13.0.0). Dying in the faith of Jesus Christ reassures Christians that, though they sleep in Jesus through death for a time (1 Thessalonians 4:14), they shall rise in glorious bodies like their Lord’s (Philippians 3:21). The resurrection of the righteous is the sequel to “the death of the righteous.”
Kenneth Frank was born and raised in New Jersey, USA, and attended Ambassador College, graduating in 1973. He served in the Canadian ministry from 1973-1999, after which he returned to the USA to pastor churches in Maryland, Virginia, and North Carolina for 15 years. Having earned a BA degree from Ambassador College he later earned a MA degree from Grand Canyon University before being assigned to the Charlotte office to teach at Living University, now Living Education. Currently, he teaches the Survey of the Bible course to the on-campus students and writes the Digging Deeper column for our online Bible study program. He is married, has four children, and seven grandchildren.
Jésus obéissait à Dieu et Il observait le sabbat chaque semaine, comme cela nous est ordonné dans les Dix Commandements. Mais les dirigeants juifs, en particulier les pharisiens, avaient ajouté une longue liste de choses à faire et de choses à ne pas faire le jour du sabbat. Ces règles supplémentaires rendaient difficile l’observance du sabbat par la population. Beaucoup de gens suivaient Jésus pour être guéris ou pour écouter Ses enseignements, et les pharisiens étaient jaloux. Ils pensaient que, s’ils pouvaient Le surprendre en train de faire quelque chose de mal, les gens ne Le suivraient plus. Un jour, ils pensèrent avoir surpris Jésus en train de transgresser le sabbat.
Luc 6:5
“Et il leur dit : Le Fils de l’homme est maître même du sabbat.”
Jésus est mort, mais maintenant Il est vivant ! Il a été ressuscité des morts, c’est un miracle merveilleux. Les disciples sont très excités, mais que doivent-ils faire maintenant ? Jésus a enseigné Ses disciples pendant trois ans et demi, mais ils n’ont pas encore compris la raison pour laquelle Il les a appelés. Alors, ils décident de retourner à ce qu’ils faisaient avant : la pêche ! Un matin, après avoir passé toute la nuit à essayer d’attraper le moindre poisson, ils aperçoivent un homme sur le rivage. Ils ne Le reconnaissent pas tout de suite, mais quand ils L’ont identifié, ils se précipitent vers la plage pour Le retrouver. Ils ne le savent pas encore, mais Jésus, le Fils de Dieu, est sur le point de leur confier un but et une mission qui va changer le monde.
Jean 21:25
“Jésus a fait encore beaucoup d’autres choses ; si on les écrivait en détail, je ne pense pas que le monde même pourrait contenir les livres qu’on écrirait.”
Author: Ryan Price | Student, Living Education – Charlotte, 2021-22
Estimated reading time: 2 min.
He discussed the alarming trend of neglecting books and showcased the many benefits of reading to encourage the students to read more books.
In 2 Peter 1:5–6, Peter says to add to your faith virtue and knowledge, a deepening awareness of facts and information. He also implores us to add to knowledge self-control—in other words, deciding how we will use our time. It’s incredibly easy to waste time, yet so very important to spend it well.
There is a sharp decline in reading today. One study from 2014 entitled Decline of the American Book Lover has shown that 25 percent of adults don’t read a single book in a year. Children have also begun to read less and less. What are the consequences of this?
A 1991 study entitled The Death of Reading addressed the consequences of not reading. One of its findings was that when we don’t read, we lose a form of thinking. Children who watch TV rather than read can even lose the ability to write and speak coherently. Electronic entertainment is replacing reading and home libraries are being replaced by entertainment centers.
Reading provides time for reflection. When you read, you can visualize things in your mind in ways you can’t when watching TV. It helps you process and analyze information, enhances your imagination and cognitive ability, and broadens your perspective. When we read a book, we have the opportunity to “walk” with its author and learn from their experience. Of course, there are many useless books, but if we’re selective, we can get into the minds of people who have had an impact upon the whole world.
Dr. Winnail used the remaining time in his message to encourage the students to read other books in addition to their class textbooks and assigned reading materials and recommended a selection of books he found personally beneficial. In his conclusion, he shared a number of quotes on reading. One quote he shared by the English poet Joseph Addison summarized his point well: “Reading is to the mind, what exercise is to the body.”
Jésus accomplit de nombreux miracles, et Sa renommée augmente dans toute la région. Les Romains aussi étaient bien informés de ce qu’Il faisait. Jésus et Ses disciples se rendent à Capernaüm où sont stationnés des soldats romains. Un centurion romain, un homme qui commandait cent soldats, a un serviteur qui est très malade et sur le point de mourir. Quand le centurion apprend que Jésus est en ville, il envoie des gens pour Le prévenir, sachant que c’est peut-être la seule chance pour que son serviteur soit guéri.
Luc 7:8
“Car, moi qui suis soumis à des supérieurs, j’ai des soldats sous mes ordres : et je dis à l’un : Va ! et il va ; à un autre : Viens ! et il vient ; et à mon serviteur : Fais cela ! et il le fait.”
Jésus choisit douze hommes parmi Ses disciples pour voyager avec Lui et recevoir Ses enseignements de première main. D’autres suivent également Jésus dans toute la région alors qu’Il prêche l’Évangile du Royaume de Dieu, accomplit des miracles et guérit les malades. Souvent, de grandes foules viennent voir Jésus pour L’entendre prêcher. Les gens sont dans l’étonnement. Ils se demandent qui Il est, et quel est le sens de ce qu’Il dit. Ses disciples croient qu’Il est le Messie, mais savent-ils vraiment ce que cela signifie ? Ils ne vont pas tarder à le voir.
Luc 8:25
“…Quel est donc celui-ci, qui commande même au vent et à l’eau, et à qui ils obéissent ?”
Comme un feu de forêt, la nouvelle se répand que Jésus fait des miracles et qu’Il guérit beaucoup de personnes atteintes de toutes sortes de maladies. Des foules de gens Le suivent presque partout où Il va. Un jour, alors que Jésus revient dans l’une des villes du bord de la mer de Galilée, un homme s’approche de Lui et Le supplie désespérément de venir chez lui : sa petite fille est très malade, elle est mourante. Jésus Se met en route et suit cet homme, mais au fur et à mesure qu’Il avance, la foule veut Le suivre, les gens se bousculent et se poussent pour s’approcher. Soudain, Jésus sent que quelqu’un vient de Le toucher. Il S’arrête et Il constate qu’une femme a tendu la main pour toucher Ses vêtements. Elle croyait qu’elle serait ainsi guérie – et elle l’a été ! Jésus est encore en train de parler avec cette femme, lorsqu’on vient Lui annoncer que la petite fille est déjà morte. Est-ce qu’il est trop tard ? Tu le sauras en lisant la suite de l’histoire dans la Bible !
Luc 8:50
“Mais Jésus, ayant entendu cela, dit au chef de la synagogue : Ne crains pas, crois seulement, et elle sera sauvée.”
Les disciples viennent de rentrer après avoir prêché l’Évangile à de nombreuses personnes, et ils sont impatients de raconter à Jésus ce qu’ils ont fait. Jésus les emmène dans un endroit désert pour leur permettre de se reposer. Mais lorsque la foule apprend où ils sont, les gens viennent les rejoindre. Jésus commence à les enseigner et, pendant toute la journée, ils L’écoutent prêcher l’Évangile du Royaume et guérir leurs malades. Après être resté assis aussi longtemps, tout le monde commence à avoir faim.
Jean 6:35
“Jésus leur dit : Je suis le pain de vie. Celui qui vient à moi n’aura jamais faim, et celui qui croit en moi n’aura jamais soif.”