The Nugget:
Num 33:55 But if ye will not drive out the inhabitants of the land from before you; then it shall come to pass, that those which ye let remain of them shall be pricks in your eyes, and thorns in your sides, and shall vex you in the land wherein ye dwell.
Num 33:56 Moreover it shall come to pass, that I shall do unto you, as I thought to do unto them. (KJV)
Num 33:55 But if you do not drive out the inhabitants of the land before you, then those whom you allow to remain will be irritants in your eyes and thorns in your side, and will cause you trouble in the land where you will be living.
Num 33:56 And what I intended to do to them I will do to you.” (NET Bible)
Num 33:55 “You must force these other people to leave the country. If you let them stay in your country, they will bring many troubles to you. They will be like a needle in your eye and a thorn in your side. They will bring many troubles to the country where you will be living.
Num 33:56 I showed you what I would do—and I will do that to you!” (ERV, Easy-to-Read Version)
My Comment:
This text of Scripture will have an obvious connection to what is happening today for some Bible readers. Others may see no connection at all.
I think this warning to Israel from long ago does have lessons and applications for us today.
It would not be wise on our part today to welcome with open arms the presence of those who have crossed our borders and are now living among us without having first been carefully vetted or investigated as to their suitability to be here. Every nation has the right to determine who will be welcomed to become a part of its people.
We need to give priority to those who will be an asset to our nation and reject those who will not be. Those who would come here with the attitude “Death to America” have no business in our country!
There do not seem to be very many Bible cross references given for this passage in the scholarly sources I used when I first collected references for The New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge. I will share what I have found so far in my effort to expand the references to the original Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
A. References from the original Treasury of Scripture Knowledge:
Numbers 33:55
shall be pricks: Exo 23:33; Deut 7:4, Deut 7:16; Jos 23:12, 13; Jdg 1:21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, Jdg 2:3; Psa 106:34, 35, 36; Ezk 28:24
Numbers 33:56
Lev 18:28, Lev 20:23; Deut 28:63, Deut 29:28; Jos 23:15, 16; 2Ch 36:17, 18, 19, 20; Ezk 33:24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29; Luk 21:23, 24
B. References from the Ultimate Cross Reference Treasury:
Numbers 33:55
drive out. Jos 9:24; *Jos 13:13, Psa 106:34, *Rom 6:12.
shall be pricks. +Exo 23:33, Deut 7:4; Deut 7:16, *Jos 23:12, 13, Jdg 1:21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36; Jdg 2:3, Psa 106:34, 35, 36, Ezk 28:24.
Numbers 33:56
do unto you. Lev 18:28; Lev 20:23, Deut 28:63; Deut 29:28, Jos 23:15, 16, 2Ch 36:17, 18, 19, 20, Ezk 12:11; Ezk 33:24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, Zec 1:6, Luk 21:23, 24.