All through these first chapters of Numbers, we see God's specific commands to Moses and the Israelites - from taking a census of the people to very specific details as to how they were to disassemble and transport the Tabernacle as they moved on to the promised land. Over and over again in these chapters I read that "they did just as the Lord had commanded." I was struck by the sheer amount of work that was required to break camp and move on. But God's presence guided them in the form of a cloud during the day and at night it appeared as fire. When the cloud lifted, the people followed. Sometimes they would stay in place only overnight, and sometimes for months at a time. These verses summarize what happened:
9:22 Whether the cloud stayed above the Tabernacle for two days, a month, or a year, the people of Israel stayed in camp and did not move on. But as soon as it lifted, they broke camp and moved on. 23 So they camped or traveled at the Lord’s command, and they did whatever the Lord told them through Moses.
So now in chapter ten I came to verses 11 and 12, where I see they've been traveling for two years - doing "just as the Lord had commanded", but they still haven't made it to the Promised Land. I would imagine the newness is wearing off and they are getting tired of the 'daily grind' - wondering if God really cares. Then I came across this conversation of Moses:
10:29 One day Moses said to his brother-in-law, Hobab son of Reuel the Midianite, “We are on our way to the place the Lord promised us, for he said, ‘I will give it to you.’ Come with us and we will treat you well, for the Lord has promised wonderful blessings for Israel!” 30 But Hobab replied, “No, I will not go. I must return to my own land and family.”31 “Please don’t leave us,” Moses pleaded. “You know the places in the wilderness where we should camp. Come, be our guide. 32 If you do, we’ll share with you all the blessings the Lord gives us.”
As I read this I thought, "WHAT??!!! What do you mean, 'be our guide?' God was guiding you with His presence in a cloud! Was even Moses beginning to doubt God?"
And I thought of how easy it is for us to doubt that God is really leading us and really cares for us. God forgive me for losing sight of You, even though You show me Your faithfulness, over and over again.
Sunday, January 16, 2011
Friday, January 14, 2011
January 14, 2011 (Leviticus 24-27)
Chapter 26 lists the results of obedience and the results of disobedience. As a country, we need to be obedient to God. But that seems impossible. Ok then, let's say as a city, we need to be obedient. Even that seems impossible. I don't see how this verse can apply with a group of "mixed" people:
3 “If you follow my decrees and are careful to obey my commands, 4 I will send you the seasonal rains. The land will then yield its crops, and the trees of the field will produce their fruit.
As I wrote that, I realized that unbelievers get to share in the blessings that God pours on His obedient children.
Probably some of the best verses in these chapters, talking of the results of obedience are:
9 “I will look favorably upon you, making you fertile and multiplying your people. And I will fulfill my covenant with you. 10 You will have such a surplus of crops that you will need to clear out the old grain to make room for the new harvest! 11 I will live among you, and I will not despise you. 12 I will walk among you; I will be your God, and you will be my people. 13 I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt so you would no longer be slaves. I broke the yoke of slavery from your neck so you can walk with your heads held high.
The new testament tells us that Christ has broken the power of sin in our lives so that we no longer need to live as slaves to it. There are so many references to Jesus in the Old Testament. He is woven throughout, like a beautiful thread in a tapestry.
3 “If you follow my decrees and are careful to obey my commands, 4 I will send you the seasonal rains. The land will then yield its crops, and the trees of the field will produce their fruit.
As I wrote that, I realized that unbelievers get to share in the blessings that God pours on His obedient children.
Probably some of the best verses in these chapters, talking of the results of obedience are:
9 “I will look favorably upon you, making you fertile and multiplying your people. And I will fulfill my covenant with you. 10 You will have such a surplus of crops that you will need to clear out the old grain to make room for the new harvest! 11 I will live among you, and I will not despise you. 12 I will walk among you; I will be your God, and you will be my people. 13 I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt so you would no longer be slaves. I broke the yoke of slavery from your neck so you can walk with your heads held high.
The new testament tells us that Christ has broken the power of sin in our lives so that we no longer need to live as slaves to it. There are so many references to Jesus in the Old Testament. He is woven throughout, like a beautiful thread in a tapestry.
Thursday, January 13, 2011
January 13, 2011 (Leviticus 18-24)
Again I read that God wants His people to be distinct from the peoples around them.
18:1-5 Then the Lord said to Moses, 2 “Give the following instructions to the people of Israel. I am the Lord your God. 3 So do not act like the people in Egypt, where you used to live, or like the people of Canaan, where I am taking you. You must not imitate their way of life. 4You must obey all my regulations and be careful to obey my decrees, for I am the Lord your God. 5 If you obey my decrees and my regulations, you will find life through them. I am the Lord.
It reminds me of the last couple of days - I think He was pleased with our separating ourselves from the peoples around us by fasting and praying. We found "life" through Him by doing that.
Chris and I were talking this morning about the recent fasting/praying event. We both would have liked to have gathered for prayer the same day we were fasting. As we mulled it over, we agreed that a fast from 6pm one evening until 6pm the next evening with the body coming together to break the fast by taking communion would be an awesome experience. After we had that discussion I read the following:
23:32 This will be a Sabbath day of total rest for you, and on that day you must humble yourselves. This time of rest and fasting will begin at sundown on the ninth day of the month and extend until sundown on the tenth day.”
Who knows, maybe that will be our next fasting experience.
18:1-5 Then the Lord said to Moses, 2 “Give the following instructions to the people of Israel. I am the Lord your God. 3 So do not act like the people in Egypt, where you used to live, or like the people of Canaan, where I am taking you. You must not imitate their way of life. 4You must obey all my regulations and be careful to obey my decrees, for I am the Lord your God. 5 If you obey my decrees and my regulations, you will find life through them. I am the Lord.
It reminds me of the last couple of days - I think He was pleased with our separating ourselves from the peoples around us by fasting and praying. We found "life" through Him by doing that.
Chris and I were talking this morning about the recent fasting/praying event. We both would have liked to have gathered for prayer the same day we were fasting. As we mulled it over, we agreed that a fast from 6pm one evening until 6pm the next evening with the body coming together to break the fast by taking communion would be an awesome experience. After we had that discussion I read the following:
23:32 This will be a Sabbath day of total rest for you, and on that day you must humble yourselves. This time of rest and fasting will begin at sundown on the ninth day of the month and extend until sundown on the tenth day.”
Who knows, maybe that will be our next fasting experience.
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
January 12, 2011 (Leviticus 11-17)
It's kind of funny that today's reading encompassed the following verses:
16:29 “On the tenth day of the appointed month in early autumn, you must spend the day fasting and not do any work.30 On this day, atonement will be made for you, and you will be cleansed from all your sins in the Lord’s presence. 31 It will be a Sabbath day of total rest, and you will spend the day in fasting. This is a permanent law for you.
Yesterday was a day of fasting for our church. Although I did it, it wasn't the day that I wanted. I had too much to do to get ready for our trip to SF and to get ready for a committee meeting for Scouts last night. So I spent the day fasting, but also working. I don't think that is God's intent for fasting. I think it is a day to fast from food and to seek Him. So, for now, although I did the physical fast, it wasn't the 'spiritual awakening' that I had wanted. In the 'mud season' I am going to get away into the mountains by myself to do a 'real' fast - where I seek Him during the fast with no obligations or interruptions. It will have been a long time since I have truly done that.
Everything in God's Word points to Christ. His thread of redemption is woven throughout, as shown in this next segment.
17:11 For the life of the body is in its blood. I have given you the blood on the altar to purify you, making you right with the Lord. It is the blood, given in exchange for a life, that makes purification possible.
It is the blood, Christ's blood shed for us, that brings atonement/forgiveness of our sins. Thanks be to God for His unspeakable gift.
16:29 “On the tenth day of the appointed month in early autumn, you must spend the day fasting and not do any work.30 On this day, atonement will be made for you, and you will be cleansed from all your sins in the Lord’s presence. 31 It will be a Sabbath day of total rest, and you will spend the day in fasting. This is a permanent law for you.
Yesterday was a day of fasting for our church. Although I did it, it wasn't the day that I wanted. I had too much to do to get ready for our trip to SF and to get ready for a committee meeting for Scouts last night. So I spent the day fasting, but also working. I don't think that is God's intent for fasting. I think it is a day to fast from food and to seek Him. So, for now, although I did the physical fast, it wasn't the 'spiritual awakening' that I had wanted. In the 'mud season' I am going to get away into the mountains by myself to do a 'real' fast - where I seek Him during the fast with no obligations or interruptions. It will have been a long time since I have truly done that.
Everything in God's Word points to Christ. His thread of redemption is woven throughout, as shown in this next segment.
17:11 For the life of the body is in its blood. I have given you the blood on the altar to purify you, making you right with the Lord. It is the blood, given in exchange for a life, that makes purification possible.
It is the blood, Christ's blood shed for us, that brings atonement/forgiveness of our sins. Thanks be to God for His unspeakable gift.
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
January 11, 2011 (Leviticus 1-10)
I have to admit - Leviticus is one of my least favorite books. Here is the first thing that caught my eye:
5:17 “Suppose you sin by violating one of the Lord’s commands. Even if you are unaware of what you have done, you are guilty and will be punished for your sin.
This verse condemns us all. Even if we sin 'unintentionally' (and how many have not done that?), we are held responsible. I guess that coincides with the verses "There is none righteous, no not one. All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God".
But Leviticus also shows over and over again that it is the blood on the altar that purifies the people - again pointing to the blood of Jesus to cleanse us from our sins.
This next verse was always confusing to me.
8:22 Then Moses presented the other ram, which was the ram of ordination. Aaron and his sons laid their hands on the ram’s head, 23 and Moses slaughtered it. Then Moses took some of its blood and applied it to the lobe of Aaron’s right ear, the thumb of his right hand, and the big toe of his right foot.
But I heard Beth Moore teach on it once. I did a google search, and although I couldn't find her teaching, I did find someone else who gave an explanation that made sense to me:
They needed to hear Him with their ears. They needed to serve Him with their hands. They needed to walk in His paths. Blood on right ear, right thumb and right big toe. A reminder that we need to hear His word, serve Him daily and walk in His ways.
In this world of no absolutes and justification for everything, it is hard to see God's intent for our lives. He has given us specific direction/instruction and He expects/demands us to follow it. If we want His presence in our lives, we must live in obedience to Him.
9:6 And Moses said, “This is what the Lord has commanded you to do so that the glory of the Lord may appear to you.”
In chapter 10, we discover what happens when His commands are not followed:
10:1 Aaron’s sons Nadab and Abihu put coals of fire in their incense burners and sprinkled incense over them. In this way, they disobeyed the Lord by burning before him the wrong kind of fire, different than he had commanded. 2 So fire blazed forth from the Lord’s presence and burned them up, and they died there before the Lord.
Aaron was silent. There was no disputing that his sons had disobeyed. He didn't try to excuse or justify their behavior. He realized God was just in His punishment, which is the punishment we all deserve. God is righteous. But he is also gracious because of Christ. Jesus took the punishment we deserve by shedding His blood on the cross. I'm thankful for that. If not for His grace, I too would have been 'zapped' long ago. But just because He is gracious, it doesn't mean we can ignore what we know He desires us to do. If we will walk in obedience to Him, we will experience His presence. He promises us that.
5:17 “Suppose you sin by violating one of the Lord’s commands. Even if you are unaware of what you have done, you are guilty and will be punished for your sin.
This verse condemns us all. Even if we sin 'unintentionally' (and how many have not done that?), we are held responsible. I guess that coincides with the verses "There is none righteous, no not one. All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God".
But Leviticus also shows over and over again that it is the blood on the altar that purifies the people - again pointing to the blood of Jesus to cleanse us from our sins.
This next verse was always confusing to me.
8:22 Then Moses presented the other ram, which was the ram of ordination. Aaron and his sons laid their hands on the ram’s head, 23 and Moses slaughtered it. Then Moses took some of its blood and applied it to the lobe of Aaron’s right ear, the thumb of his right hand, and the big toe of his right foot.
But I heard Beth Moore teach on it once. I did a google search, and although I couldn't find her teaching, I did find someone else who gave an explanation that made sense to me:
They needed to hear Him with their ears. They needed to serve Him with their hands. They needed to walk in His paths. Blood on right ear, right thumb and right big toe. A reminder that we need to hear His word, serve Him daily and walk in His ways.
In this world of no absolutes and justification for everything, it is hard to see God's intent for our lives. He has given us specific direction/instruction and He expects/demands us to follow it. If we want His presence in our lives, we must live in obedience to Him.
9:6 And Moses said, “This is what the Lord has commanded you to do so that the glory of the Lord may appear to you.”
In chapter 10, we discover what happens when His commands are not followed:
10:1 Aaron’s sons Nadab and Abihu put coals of fire in their incense burners and sprinkled incense over them. In this way, they disobeyed the Lord by burning before him the wrong kind of fire, different than he had commanded. 2 So fire blazed forth from the Lord’s presence and burned them up, and they died there before the Lord.
3 Then Moses said to Aaron, “This is what the Lord meant when he said,
‘I will display my holiness
through those who come near me.
I will display my glory
before all the people.’”
through those who come near me.
I will display my glory
before all the people.’”
And Aaron was silent.
Aaron was silent. There was no disputing that his sons had disobeyed. He didn't try to excuse or justify their behavior. He realized God was just in His punishment, which is the punishment we all deserve. God is righteous. But he is also gracious because of Christ. Jesus took the punishment we deserve by shedding His blood on the cross. I'm thankful for that. If not for His grace, I too would have been 'zapped' long ago. But just because He is gracious, it doesn't mean we can ignore what we know He desires us to do. If we will walk in obedience to Him, we will experience His presence. He promises us that.
Monday, January 10, 2011
January 10, 2011 (Exodus 32-40)
Moses had a relationship with God that is pretty much like none other recorded in the Bible. This scene is pretty hard to imagine:
33:11 Inside the Tent of Meeting, the Lord would speak to Moses face to face, as one speaks to a friend.
To speak with God, face to face, as a man speaks with his friend. But in actuality, I think that is what God wants from us today. In our mind's eye, by faith, to know that God is with us every step of the way and hears our prayers. If I only really believed that, and I mean really believed that, it would revolutionize my prayer life. To know the God of the universe wants to be friends with me, and can be, because of the blood of Christ.
Moses was pretty honest with God - from arguing with Him about not being the one He should send to this next sequence:
33:12 One day Moses said to the Lord, “You have been telling me, ‘Take these people up to the Promised Land.’ But you haven’t told me whom you will send with me. You have told me, ‘I know you by name, and I look favorably on you.’ 13 Please, if this is really so, show me your intentions so I will understand you more fully and do exactly what you want me to do. Besides, don't forget that this nation is your very own people.”
14 The Lord replied, “I will personally go with you, Moses, and I will give you rest—everything will be fine for you.”
15 Then Moses said, “If you don’t go with us personally, don’t let us move a step from this place. 16 If You don't go with us, how will anyone ever know that your people and I have found favor with You? How else will they know we are special and distinct from all other people on the earth?”
17 And the Lord replied to Moses, “I will indeed do what you have asked, for you have found favor with me and you are my friend.”
I love that dialog. I feel the same way. - God, if you don't go with me, there's no sense in me going/doing anything.
Heavenly Father, may I find favor with you and be Your friend.
33:11 Inside the Tent of Meeting, the Lord would speak to Moses face to face, as one speaks to a friend.
To speak with God, face to face, as a man speaks with his friend. But in actuality, I think that is what God wants from us today. In our mind's eye, by faith, to know that God is with us every step of the way and hears our prayers. If I only really believed that, and I mean really believed that, it would revolutionize my prayer life. To know the God of the universe wants to be friends with me, and can be, because of the blood of Christ.
Moses was pretty honest with God - from arguing with Him about not being the one He should send to this next sequence:
33:12 One day Moses said to the Lord, “You have been telling me, ‘Take these people up to the Promised Land.’ But you haven’t told me whom you will send with me. You have told me, ‘I know you by name, and I look favorably on you.’ 13 Please, if this is really so, show me your intentions so I will understand you more fully and do exactly what you want me to do. Besides, don't forget that this nation is your very own people.”
14 The Lord replied, “I will personally go with you, Moses, and I will give you rest—everything will be fine for you.”
15 Then Moses said, “If you don’t go with us personally, don’t let us move a step from this place. 16 If You don't go with us, how will anyone ever know that your people and I have found favor with You? How else will they know we are special and distinct from all other people on the earth?”
17 And the Lord replied to Moses, “I will indeed do what you have asked, for you have found favor with me and you are my friend.”
I love that dialog. I feel the same way. - God, if you don't go with me, there's no sense in me going/doing anything.
Heavenly Father, may I find favor with you and be Your friend.
Sunday, January 9, 2011
January 9, 2011 (Exodus 25-31)
The majority of today's reading was God's specific instructions regarding the building of the tabernacle and Ark of the Covenant. I'm sure an astute student of the Word would find a lot of significance in all the instructions, but I did not. I guess the thing I can gather from it is that God is very detailed oriented, and has specific ways in which He expects things to be done. The first thing that had any real meaning to me was:
29:45 Then I will live among the people of Israel and be their God, 46 and they will know that I am the Lord their God. I am the one who brought them out of the land of Egypt so that I could live among them. I am the Lord their God.
God wanted to live among His people, and still does. Today He indwells me through His Holy Spirit.
The next thing that stuck out to me was the realization that any gifts or talents we have come from God. They are not 'coincidences':
31:3 I have filled him with the Spirit of God, giving him great wisdom, ability, and expertise in all kinds of crafts. 4 He is a master craftsman, expert in working with gold, silver, and bronze. 5 He is skilled in engraving and mounting gemstones and in carving wood. He is a master at every craft!
And then the final command that I have trouble with, and wonder if it still applies today:
31:12 The Lord then gave these instructions to Moses: 13 “Tell the people of Israel: ‘Be careful to keep my Sabbath day, for the Sabbath is a sign of the covenant between me and you from generation to generation. It is given so you may know that I am the Lord, who makes you holy. 14 You must keep the Sabbath day, for it is a holy day for you. Anyone who desecrates it must be put to death; anyone who works on that day will be cut off from the community. 15 You have six days each week for your ordinary work, but the seventh day must be a Sabbath day of complete rest, a holy day dedicated to the Lord. Anyone who works on the Sabbath must be put to death. 16 The people of Israel must keep the Sabbath day by observing it from generation to generation. This is a covenant obligation for all time. 17 It is a permanent sign of my covenant with the people of Israel. For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, but on the seventh day he stopped working and was refreshed.’”
Perhaps for us, instead of it being a day of doing nothing, it is a day to honor Him by going to church.
29:45 Then I will live among the people of Israel and be their God, 46 and they will know that I am the Lord their God. I am the one who brought them out of the land of Egypt so that I could live among them. I am the Lord their God.
God wanted to live among His people, and still does. Today He indwells me through His Holy Spirit.
The next thing that stuck out to me was the realization that any gifts or talents we have come from God. They are not 'coincidences':
31:3 I have filled him with the Spirit of God, giving him great wisdom, ability, and expertise in all kinds of crafts. 4 He is a master craftsman, expert in working with gold, silver, and bronze. 5 He is skilled in engraving and mounting gemstones and in carving wood. He is a master at every craft!
6 “And I have personally appointed Oholiab son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan, to be his assistant. Moreover, I have given special skill to all the gifted craftsmen so they can make all the things I have commanded you to make:
7 the Tabernacle;
the Ark of the Covenant;
the Ark’s cover—the place of atonement;
all the furnishings of the Tabernacle;
8 the table and its utensils;
the pure gold lampstand with all its accessories;
the incense altar;
9 the altar of burnt offering with all its utensils;
the washbasin with its stand;
10 the beautifully stitched garments—the sacred garments for Aaron the priest, and the garments for his sons to wear as they minister as priests;
11 the anointing oil;
the fragrant incense for the Holy Place.
the Ark of the Covenant;
the Ark’s cover—the place of atonement;
all the furnishings of the Tabernacle;
8 the table and its utensils;
the pure gold lampstand with all its accessories;
the incense altar;
9 the altar of burnt offering with all its utensils;
the washbasin with its stand;
10 the beautifully stitched garments—the sacred garments for Aaron the priest, and the garments for his sons to wear as they minister as priests;
11 the anointing oil;
the fragrant incense for the Holy Place.
The craftsmen must make everything as I have commanded you.”
And then the final command that I have trouble with, and wonder if it still applies today:
31:12 The Lord then gave these instructions to Moses: 13 “Tell the people of Israel: ‘Be careful to keep my Sabbath day, for the Sabbath is a sign of the covenant between me and you from generation to generation. It is given so you may know that I am the Lord, who makes you holy. 14 You must keep the Sabbath day, for it is a holy day for you. Anyone who desecrates it must be put to death; anyone who works on that day will be cut off from the community. 15 You have six days each week for your ordinary work, but the seventh day must be a Sabbath day of complete rest, a holy day dedicated to the Lord. Anyone who works on the Sabbath must be put to death. 16 The people of Israel must keep the Sabbath day by observing it from generation to generation. This is a covenant obligation for all time. 17 It is a permanent sign of my covenant with the people of Israel. For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, but on the seventh day he stopped working and was refreshed.’”
Perhaps for us, instead of it being a day of doing nothing, it is a day to honor Him by going to church.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
