Provisions are made in Scripture for the avenger of blood. The avenger of blood was the next of kin of the person who had been killed. The avenger of blood was the one to punish the offender.
Reminds me of the revenge attitude of so many people today. "I don't get back, I get even."
Jesus was very clear how He felt about that kind of attitude.
Matt 5:38-39
You have heard that it was said, 'Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.'39 But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.
If we have an attitude of revenge in our hearts, we are following the crowd in doing wrong like we have been warned about before. It's so much easier to follow the crowd than to stand out in a crowd. But as Christians we are called to be different and to stand out!
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Saturday, February 27, 2010
There were many restrictions concerning kings. Yet two of the greatest kings, David and Solomon had great numbers of horses and multiple wives.
What kind of country would we have now if our leaders obeyed the following guidelines of a king?
Deut 17:18-20
When he takes the throne of his kingdom, he is to write for himself on a scroll a copy of this law, taken from that of the priests, who are Levites. It is to be with him, and he is to read it all the days of his life so that he may learn to revere the LORD his God and follow carefully all the words of this law and these decrees and not consider himself better than his brothers and turn from the law to the right or to the left. Then he and his descendants will reign a long time over his kingdom in Israel.
What a packed verse this is, “Do not follow the crowd in doing wrong.”
What are the ways that we as Christians might follow the crowd in doing wrong? Sometimes following the crowd may be just to speak a careless word.
Matt 12:36
But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken.
Ouch!
What kind of country would we have now if our leaders obeyed the following guidelines of a king?
Deut 17:18-20
When he takes the throne of his kingdom, he is to write for himself on a scroll a copy of this law, taken from that of the priests, who are Levites. It is to be with him, and he is to read it all the days of his life so that he may learn to revere the LORD his God and follow carefully all the words of this law and these decrees and not consider himself better than his brothers and turn from the law to the right or to the left. Then he and his descendants will reign a long time over his kingdom in Israel.
What a packed verse this is, “Do not follow the crowd in doing wrong.”
What are the ways that we as Christians might follow the crowd in doing wrong? Sometimes following the crowd may be just to speak a careless word.
Matt 12:36
But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken.
Ouch!
Friday, February 26, 2010
Numbers 6 lists the requirements for the Nazarite vow. From Scripture we know that there were at least three important Biblical figures that have taken the Nazirite vow. They were Samuel, Samson, and John the Baptist. Others, such as Paul may have taken a temporary Nazarite vow.
Acts 18:18
Paul stayed on in Corinth for some time. Then he left the brothers and sailed for Syria, accompanied by Priscilla and Aquila. Before he sailed, he had his hair cut off at Cenchrea because of a vow he had taken.
Leviticus and Deuteronomy list rules pertaining to vows of dedication.
Deut 23:21-23
If you make a vow to the LORD your God, do not be slow to pay it, for the LORD your God will certainly demand it of you and you will be guilty of sin. But if you refrain from making a vow, you will not be guilty. Whatever your lips utter you must be sure to do, because you made your vow freely to the LORD your God with your own mouth.
Some have stiff punishment for not fulfilling a vow that has been made. Just ask Jephthah.
Judg 11:30-35
And Jephthah made a vow to the LORD: "If you give the Ammonites into my hands, whatever comes out of the door of my house to meet me when I return in triumph from the Ammonites will be the LORD's, and I will sacrifice it as a burnt offering." Then Jephthah went over to fight the Ammonites, and the LORD gave them into his hands. He devastated twenty towns from Aroer to the vicinity of Minnith, as far as Abel Keramim. Thus Israel subdued Ammon. When Jephthah returned to his home in Mizpah, who should come out to meet him but his daughter, dancing to the sound of tambourines! She was an only child. Except for her he had neither son nor daughter. When he saw her, he tore his clothes and cried, "Oh! My daughter! You have made me miserable and wretched, because I have made a vow to the LORD that I cannot break."
Lessons to be learned here???
Acts 18:18
Paul stayed on in Corinth for some time. Then he left the brothers and sailed for Syria, accompanied by Priscilla and Aquila. Before he sailed, he had his hair cut off at Cenchrea because of a vow he had taken.
Leviticus and Deuteronomy list rules pertaining to vows of dedication.
Deut 23:21-23
If you make a vow to the LORD your God, do not be slow to pay it, for the LORD your God will certainly demand it of you and you will be guilty of sin. But if you refrain from making a vow, you will not be guilty. Whatever your lips utter you must be sure to do, because you made your vow freely to the LORD your God with your own mouth.
Some have stiff punishment for not fulfilling a vow that has been made. Just ask Jephthah.
Judg 11:30-35
And Jephthah made a vow to the LORD: "If you give the Ammonites into my hands, whatever comes out of the door of my house to meet me when I return in triumph from the Ammonites will be the LORD's, and I will sacrifice it as a burnt offering." Then Jephthah went over to fight the Ammonites, and the LORD gave them into his hands. He devastated twenty towns from Aroer to the vicinity of Minnith, as far as Abel Keramim. Thus Israel subdued Ammon. When Jephthah returned to his home in Mizpah, who should come out to meet him but his daughter, dancing to the sound of tambourines! She was an only child. Except for her he had neither son nor daughter. When he saw her, he tore his clothes and cried, "Oh! My daughter! You have made me miserable and wretched, because I have made a vow to the LORD that I cannot break."
Lessons to be learned here???
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Lev 12:7-8
"'These are the regulations for the woman who gives birth to a boy or a girl. If she cannot afford a lamb, she is to bring two doves or two young pigeons, one for a burnt offering and the other for a sin offering. In this way the priest will make atonement for her, and she will be clean.'"
Luke 2:22-24
When the time of their purification according to the Law of Moses had been completed, Joseph and Mary took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, "Every firstborn male is to be consecrated to the Lord"),and to offer a sacrifice in keeping with what is said in the Law of the Lord: "a pair of doves or two young pigeons."
The atonement offering was given by Mary for her purification after the birth of Jesus. Since they gave either two doves or two pigeons, it meant that Mary and Joseph most likely couldn’t afford a lamb.
After reading about all the rules and regulations for leprosy cleansing in Lev 14, it adds a whole new dimension to the story in Luke about the ten lepers who were healed by Jesus. All Jesus said to them was “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” It sure involved a whole lot more than just making an appearance.
Luke 17:12-14
As he was going into a village, ten men who had leprosy met him. They stood at a distance and called out in a loud voice, "Jesus, Master, have pity on us!" When he saw them, he said, "Go, show yourselves to the priests." And as they went, they were cleansed.
An even greater message for us is found in the last part of verse 14... "And as they went, they were cleansed." The lepers were cleansed, as they went. It truly was an ACT of faith on their part. When Jesus cleanses us from our sins, it is up to us to ACT and remove ourselves from our life of sin. Remember the Hebrew word picture for repent is "to burn the house".
"'These are the regulations for the woman who gives birth to a boy or a girl. If she cannot afford a lamb, she is to bring two doves or two young pigeons, one for a burnt offering and the other for a sin offering. In this way the priest will make atonement for her, and she will be clean.'"
Luke 2:22-24
When the time of their purification according to the Law of Moses had been completed, Joseph and Mary took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, "Every firstborn male is to be consecrated to the Lord"),and to offer a sacrifice in keeping with what is said in the Law of the Lord: "a pair of doves or two young pigeons."
The atonement offering was given by Mary for her purification after the birth of Jesus. Since they gave either two doves or two pigeons, it meant that Mary and Joseph most likely couldn’t afford a lamb.
After reading about all the rules and regulations for leprosy cleansing in Lev 14, it adds a whole new dimension to the story in Luke about the ten lepers who were healed by Jesus. All Jesus said to them was “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” It sure involved a whole lot more than just making an appearance.
Luke 17:12-14
As he was going into a village, ten men who had leprosy met him. They stood at a distance and called out in a loud voice, "Jesus, Master, have pity on us!" When he saw them, he said, "Go, show yourselves to the priests." And as they went, they were cleansed.
An even greater message for us is found in the last part of verse 14... "And as they went, they were cleansed." The lepers were cleansed, as they went. It truly was an ACT of faith on their part. When Jesus cleanses us from our sins, it is up to us to ACT and remove ourselves from our life of sin. Remember the Hebrew word picture for repent is "to burn the house".
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
God gave specifications that the blemished are not to serve or go near the curtain in the tabernacle. At Jesus’ crucifixion the curtain in the temple was torn from top to bottom. Jesus made a new way for us through Him. Now we have confidence to enter even the Most Holy Place, no matter how "blemished" we may seem.
Mark 15:37-38
With a loud cry, Jesus breathed his last. The curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.
Heb 10:19-20
Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body,
In addition to the weekly Sabbath for rest and worship, God also commanded that there was to be a rest for the land on each seventh year. But...not to worry. He made sure that they would have enough in the sixth year to more than make up for the fallow seventh year.
Lev 25:21
I will send you such a blessing in the sixth year that the land will yield enough for three years.
Isn't that just like God? When we obey Him completely, he blesses us abundantly!
Mark 15:37-38
With a loud cry, Jesus breathed his last. The curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.
Heb 10:19-20
Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body,
In addition to the weekly Sabbath for rest and worship, God also commanded that there was to be a rest for the land on each seventh year. But...not to worry. He made sure that they would have enough in the sixth year to more than make up for the fallow seventh year.
Lev 25:21
I will send you such a blessing in the sixth year that the land will yield enough for three years.
Isn't that just like God? When we obey Him completely, he blesses us abundantly!
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Two passages of Scripture, one in the Old Testament and one in the New Testament, seem to have a connection. The one in Leviticus lists one of the many regulations concerning another's property.
Lev 6:2-4
"If anyone sins and is unfaithful to the LORD by deceiving his neighbor about something entrusted to him or left in his care or stolen, or if he cheats him, or if he finds lost property and lies about it, or if he swears falsely, or if he commits any such sin that people may do--when he thus sins and becomes guilty, he must return what he has stolen or taken by extortion, or what was entrusted to him, or the lost property he found,
The passage in Matthew is a parable that Jesus told. At initial reading it appears to be a good thing that the man found a treasure hidden in a field and was so overjoyed that he sold all he had and bought the field. But if we read this passage in light of the previous one in the Old Testament, it appears as if the man who found the treasure is actually doing a bad thing. First of all the treasure wasn't his to begin with and secondly, he hid it again to keep someone else from finding it. Most of the parables go much deeper if we really dig.
Matt 13:44
"The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.
God gives Moses this beautiful blessing for the Israelites. What a great way to start the day!
Num 6:24-26
"The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace."
Lev 6:2-4
"If anyone sins and is unfaithful to the LORD by deceiving his neighbor about something entrusted to him or left in his care or stolen, or if he cheats him, or if he finds lost property and lies about it, or if he swears falsely, or if he commits any such sin that people may do--when he thus sins and becomes guilty, he must return what he has stolen or taken by extortion, or what was entrusted to him, or the lost property he found,
The passage in Matthew is a parable that Jesus told. At initial reading it appears to be a good thing that the man found a treasure hidden in a field and was so overjoyed that he sold all he had and bought the field. But if we read this passage in light of the previous one in the Old Testament, it appears as if the man who found the treasure is actually doing a bad thing. First of all the treasure wasn't his to begin with and secondly, he hid it again to keep someone else from finding it. Most of the parables go much deeper if we really dig.
Matt 13:44
"The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.
God gives Moses this beautiful blessing for the Israelites. What a great way to start the day!
Num 6:24-26
"The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace."
Monday, February 22, 2010
Many times the instructions for sacrifices were to burn such things as kidneys and parts of the liver. These two organs are there for filtering out impurities. Figuratively speaking, the sinful things in our lives at repentance are "burned away". This would be like the "aroma pleasing to the Lord". When we repent, we die to sin.
Interestingly the first animal sacrifice was done by God as a covering for Adam and Eve. Lots of connections with the animal sacrifices "covering" the sin temporarily. Praise God, Jesus covers our sins completely! But He is very clear what He expects from us. Once we repent, we turn our back on what we were before.
1 Cor 6:11
And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.
To repent means to turn around completely and go the other way....God's way!
The word, repent, in Hebrew word pictures means, "to burn the house". In other words, burn away the sin and things connected with the sin. We are reminded of the voodoo doctor in Haiti who burned his house and all his voodoo equipment, his livelihood, once he became a believer in Jesus. He truly understood the word repent in the simplest form.
Interestingly the first animal sacrifice was done by God as a covering for Adam and Eve. Lots of connections with the animal sacrifices "covering" the sin temporarily. Praise God, Jesus covers our sins completely! But He is very clear what He expects from us. Once we repent, we turn our back on what we were before.
1 Cor 6:11
And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.
To repent means to turn around completely and go the other way....God's way!
The word, repent, in Hebrew word pictures means, "to burn the house". In other words, burn away the sin and things connected with the sin. We are reminded of the voodoo doctor in Haiti who burned his house and all his voodoo equipment, his livelihood, once he became a believer in Jesus. He truly understood the word repent in the simplest form.
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Notice the words, “an aroma pleasing to the Lord” follow every offering made by fire. Why?
Many times in the Bible, especially in the Old Testament we read of sacrifices and burnt offerings given to the Lord, placed on the altar in the temple or tabernacle. God himself gave the laws regarding these sacrifices to Moses. The Israelite people offered their sacrifices as atonement for sin. It tells us that an offering, without blemish or defect, is an aroma pleasing to the Lord. But the sacrifices could only cover the sin, not remove the sin. Jesus’ death on the cross gave humanity the opportunity to have their sins removed forever. The ultimate sacrifice, the perfect sacrifice, the most pleasing of all to the Lord…was Jesus. He willingly became our sacrifice to atone for our sins, an aroma that must have been like sweet perfume to God, the Father.
"Therefore I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God – this is your spiritual act of worship."
Romans 12:1
The Bible tells us that we are to present ourselves as a living sacrifice. Is our sacrifice an aroma pleasing to the Lord? Do we present to him our very best?
"Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place. For we are to God the fragrance of Christ."
II Cor. 2:14-15
What a joy to be the fragrance of Christ to God! Do we diffuse the fragrance of His knowledge everywhere we go? Are we an aroma pleasing to the Lord?
Did you know that Jesus fulfilled ALL these requirements for the sacrifices and offerings? See the website writing for God's Holy Days.
www.philandpatti.com
Many times in the Bible, especially in the Old Testament we read of sacrifices and burnt offerings given to the Lord, placed on the altar in the temple or tabernacle. God himself gave the laws regarding these sacrifices to Moses. The Israelite people offered their sacrifices as atonement for sin. It tells us that an offering, without blemish or defect, is an aroma pleasing to the Lord. But the sacrifices could only cover the sin, not remove the sin. Jesus’ death on the cross gave humanity the opportunity to have their sins removed forever. The ultimate sacrifice, the perfect sacrifice, the most pleasing of all to the Lord…was Jesus. He willingly became our sacrifice to atone for our sins, an aroma that must have been like sweet perfume to God, the Father.
"Therefore I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God – this is your spiritual act of worship."
Romans 12:1
The Bible tells us that we are to present ourselves as a living sacrifice. Is our sacrifice an aroma pleasing to the Lord? Do we present to him our very best?
"Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place. For we are to God the fragrance of Christ."
II Cor. 2:14-15
What a joy to be the fragrance of Christ to God! Do we diffuse the fragrance of His knowledge everywhere we go? Are we an aroma pleasing to the Lord?
Did you know that Jesus fulfilled ALL these requirements for the sacrifices and offerings? See the website writing for God's Holy Days.
www.philandpatti.com
Saturday, February 20, 2010
In giving the specifications for the offerings for the feast days, God says, “Each of you must bring a gift in proportion to the way the Lord your God has blessed you”
Wow! If we really contemplated the ways that the Lord has blessed us, what would our offerings back to Him look like?
It’s intriguing about the scapegoat, being used for the atonement for sin. Is that what we do when we blame someone else for mistakes, problems, sin in our lives? Do we transfer blame to a “scapegoat”?
The Lord gives this promise to the Israelites if they will keep His commandments. “God will bless you in all your harvest and in all the work of your hands, and your joy will be complete.”
Complete joy…have we claimed this promise today?
Wow! If we really contemplated the ways that the Lord has blessed us, what would our offerings back to Him look like?
It’s intriguing about the scapegoat, being used for the atonement for sin. Is that what we do when we blame someone else for mistakes, problems, sin in our lives? Do we transfer blame to a “scapegoat”?
The Lord gives this promise to the Israelites if they will keep His commandments. “God will bless you in all your harvest and in all the work of your hands, and your joy will be complete.”
Complete joy…have we claimed this promise today?
Friday, February 19, 2010
Ever wonder if God approves the use of mediums or attempting to consult the dead? Wonder no more! He says those are detestable to Him.
In the laws requiring offerings and sacrifices God gives the Israelites specific instructions. He says time, after time, after time that He wants the firstborn, the first offspring, the best, the firstfruits, etc. God doesn't want the leftovers! What exactly does that mean for us?
The tithe to the Levites was really a tax from the other tribes. Gifts and offerings were above that.When God commanded a Sabbath day of rest, He compared our rest to His rest on the seventh day after creation. Did God really need to rest? Was He tired? Hardly!
Isa 40:28
Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom.
What He really did on the seventh day was to look back on all He had accomplished and decided it was good! Is that how He wants us to spend our Sabbath day, looking back on everything that we have done, said, seen, heard, etc. during the previous week?
What can we say about our week?
In the laws requiring offerings and sacrifices God gives the Israelites specific instructions. He says time, after time, after time that He wants the firstborn, the first offspring, the best, the firstfruits, etc. God doesn't want the leftovers! What exactly does that mean for us?
The tithe to the Levites was really a tax from the other tribes. Gifts and offerings were above that.When God commanded a Sabbath day of rest, He compared our rest to His rest on the seventh day after creation. Did God really need to rest? Was He tired? Hardly!
Isa 40:28
Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom.
What He really did on the seventh day was to look back on all He had accomplished and decided it was good! Is that how He wants us to spend our Sabbath day, looking back on everything that we have done, said, seen, heard, etc. during the previous week?
What can we say about our week?
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Deut 14:2
For you are a people holy to the LORD your God. Out of all the peoples on the face of the earth, the LORD has chosen you to be his treasured possession.
Take some time to let this verse sink in. When we choose Jesus as personal Lord and Savior we become His treasured possession. How would our lives look if we lived our lives daily as if we are His treasured possession?
Deut 12:9
since you have not yet reached the resting place and the inheritance the LORD your God is giving you.
What is our resting place? What is our inheritance? Many times in Scripture, rest is synonymous with salvation and eternal life. Our resting place is in heaven. Our inheritance is our eternal life.
A suggestion for today - live Deut. 14:2! Put the verse on your mirror, on your refrigerator, on the wall of your cubby at work, on your desk, on the dashboard of your car, etc. We think your day will go a lot better if you do!!!
For you are a people holy to the LORD your God. Out of all the peoples on the face of the earth, the LORD has chosen you to be his treasured possession.
Take some time to let this verse sink in. When we choose Jesus as personal Lord and Savior we become His treasured possession. How would our lives look if we lived our lives daily as if we are His treasured possession?
Deut 12:9
since you have not yet reached the resting place and the inheritance the LORD your God is giving you.
What is our resting place? What is our inheritance? Many times in Scripture, rest is synonymous with salvation and eternal life. Our resting place is in heaven. Our inheritance is our eternal life.
A suggestion for today - live Deut. 14:2! Put the verse on your mirror, on your refrigerator, on the wall of your cubby at work, on your desk, on the dashboard of your car, etc. We think your day will go a lot better if you do!!!
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Moses stayed on the mountain with God for 40 days and 40 nights. He ate no food and drank no water. Not once, but this visit to the mountain for 40 days and nights without food and drink was done twice! What confirmation of how God can miraculously take care of the physical needs. Should we even think about doubting that He can take care of us?
Again God gives this admonition. It is such an easy thing to do, just teach the children... and look at the promise at the end if we do!
Deut 11:18-21
Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates, so that your days and the days of your children may be many in the land that the LORD swore to give your forefathers, as many as the days that the heavens are above the earth.
God told the Hebrew people He would give them every place they set their foot.
Deut 11:24-25
Every place where you set your foot will be yours: Your territory will extend from the desert to Lebanon, and from the Euphrates River to the western sea. No man will be able to stand against you. The LORD your God, as he promised you, will put the terror and fear of you on the whole land, wherever you go.
This area is much larger than the area of Israel today. God promised them that He would give them all the land where they would set their foot. Way back to Abraham, God told him to walk the land and He would give him every place he set his foot. God makes the same offer again...If only...
Interestingly, the boundaries of the present day Israel are the boundaries of the battle of Armageddon.
Again the people are given a warning for them to not fall into the trap of worshiping other gods in the land. How does that apply to us today? Do we worship other gods? What form do these gods take? Anything that replaces God in our lives is an idol. That can take many forms.
Again God gives this admonition. It is such an easy thing to do, just teach the children... and look at the promise at the end if we do!
Deut 11:18-21
Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates, so that your days and the days of your children may be many in the land that the LORD swore to give your forefathers, as many as the days that the heavens are above the earth.
God told the Hebrew people He would give them every place they set their foot.
Deut 11:24-25
Every place where you set your foot will be yours: Your territory will extend from the desert to Lebanon, and from the Euphrates River to the western sea. No man will be able to stand against you. The LORD your God, as he promised you, will put the terror and fear of you on the whole land, wherever you go.
This area is much larger than the area of Israel today. God promised them that He would give them all the land where they would set their foot. Way back to Abraham, God told him to walk the land and He would give him every place he set his foot. God makes the same offer again...If only...
Interestingly, the boundaries of the present day Israel are the boundaries of the battle of Armageddon.
Again the people are given a warning for them to not fall into the trap of worshiping other gods in the land. How does that apply to us today? Do we worship other gods? What form do these gods take? Anything that replaces God in our lives is an idol. That can take many forms.
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Oh, today’s readings are so rich! (Deut. 3-8) Where to begin?
Moses reminds the people that when God SPOKE the Ten Commandments to them, He added nothing more. If only they had listened to God then, and gone in to the land that He promised them, there would have been no need to add all the other regulations, commandments, stipulations, decrees, laws, etc. They would not have even had to build the tabernacle. They could have just gone into the land, straight to
“Holy to the Lord” What a great phrase!
If only we could live out His commands concerning the children. How different would our culture and our world look?
Pride – what a debilitating attribute! Often we forget to thank Him when things are going well but are quick to turn to Him in times of trouble.
Monday, February 15, 2010
Caleb was 40 years old when he went in to explore the land of Canaan. He, along with Joshua were the only two of the original multitude (fighting age and above) who were able to actually go into the land of promise. Why? Because Joshua and Caleb trusted in God’s promises. When Caleb settled in the land he was 85 years old, strong and vigorous.
In the division of the land Zelophehad of the tribe of Manasseh had no sons and so the daughters petitioned Joshua and the leaders for the right to have an inheritance. This will be extremely significant later. In the culture and customs of that day, the women basically counted for nothing, except for having children. Yet if we read the gospels, Jesus certainly elevated women.
In the division of the land Zelophehad of the tribe of Manasseh had no sons and so the daughters petitioned Joshua and the leaders for the right to have an inheritance. This will be extremely significant later. In the culture and customs of that day, the women basically counted for nothing, except for having children. Yet if we read the gospels, Jesus certainly elevated women.
Moses addresses the people in preparation for the transfer of leadership. He knows that his life is near the end. He is keenly aware that his sins have kept him from entering the land of Caanan, the Promised Land. Moses gives the people a history of their nation, their relationship with God and their purpose in the conquest of the land. God's plan was for the people to take the land regardless of what they found there.
Moses reminded the people to obey God's laws, to teach them to their children, to stay away from idols. Good advice for us today too!
“Do not be afraid of them; the Lord your God himself will fight for you.”
When God says He has given us victory, CLAIM IT. TRUST HIM!
Moses reminded the people to obey God's laws, to teach them to their children, to stay away from idols. Good advice for us today too!
“Do not be afraid of them; the Lord your God himself will fight for you.”
When God says He has given us victory, CLAIM IT. TRUST HIM!
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Moses asks the Lord for a successor. Even though he must have greatly desired Joshua to be that man, yet he doesn’t ask for him. He leaves it in the Lord’s hand. And look what happened, God gave him Joshua!
The Israelites were told to drive out the inhabitants of the land, destroy their idols, and demolish their high places. If not these inhabitants would become barbs in their eyes and thorns in their sides. What an understatement! If only the Israelites had obeyed God completely. These idols and high places would be a source of great disobedience on the part of God's people.
In the plans for the cities for the Levites, it seems as if God is placing a “pocket” of Levites to essentially surround each of the towns. Maybe to be a buffer for them spiritually?
Has God placed any of us as a spiritual buffer for others?
The Israelites were told to drive out the inhabitants of the land, destroy their idols, and demolish their high places. If not these inhabitants would become barbs in their eyes and thorns in their sides. What an understatement! If only the Israelites had obeyed God completely. These idols and high places would be a source of great disobedience on the part of God's people.
In the plans for the cities for the Levites, it seems as if God is placing a “pocket” of Levites to essentially surround each of the towns. Maybe to be a buffer for them spiritually?
Has God placed any of us as a spiritual buffer for others?
Saturday, February 13, 2010
After the plague when 25,000 Israelites died, God ordered another census of the people. Notice that the second numbering God adds an inheritance for the tribes. Earlier when the tribes were to bring offerings to the Lord, the offerings were the same no matter how small or large the tribe was. This time the land is allotted to them based on the number of names.
In the land inheritance, Joseph is left out, his sons Ephraim and Manasseh are in, Levites are left out in the land allotment as well. They would be supported by the tithes of the people.
Interesting that in the numbering of the Levites it makes it clear that both Moses’ parents were from the tribe of Levi.
Num 26:63-65
These are the ones counted by Moses and Eleazar the priest when they counted the Israelites on the plains of Moab by the Jordan across from Jericho. Not one of them was among those counted by Moses and Aaron the priest when they counted the Israelites in the Desert of Sinai. For the LORD had told those Israelites they would surely die in the desert, and not one of them was left except Caleb son of Jephunneh and Joshua son of Nun.
Because of their disobedience, not one of the original adults who left Egypt went into the land, except Caleb and Joshua. They were the only two who trusted God to lead them into Canaan.
Can we as Christians trust the Lord, even in the face of great adversity? Even when no one else trusts Him?
In the land inheritance, Joseph is left out, his sons Ephraim and Manasseh are in, Levites are left out in the land allotment as well. They would be supported by the tithes of the people.
Interesting that in the numbering of the Levites it makes it clear that both Moses’ parents were from the tribe of Levi.
Num 26:63-65
These are the ones counted by Moses and Eleazar the priest when they counted the Israelites on the plains of Moab by the Jordan across from Jericho. Not one of them was among those counted by Moses and Aaron the priest when they counted the Israelites in the Desert of Sinai. For the LORD had told those Israelites they would surely die in the desert, and not one of them was left except Caleb son of Jephunneh and Joshua son of Nun.
Because of their disobedience, not one of the original adults who left Egypt went into the land, except Caleb and Joshua. They were the only two who trusted God to lead them into Canaan.
Can we as Christians trust the Lord, even in the face of great adversity? Even when no one else trusts Him?
Friday, February 12, 2010
Israel sins in Moab. It all started with sexual immorality and led to the worship of other gods. The Israelites allowed the ways of other nations to corrupt them and pull them away from God. Do we allow things and the ways of the world to corrupt us and pull us away from God?
God’s consequences for this behavior were most severe. Does that tell us something about how much God wants His people to obey Him completely?
I Jn 5:3
This is love for God: to obey his commands. And his commands are not burdensome,
To show our love for God is to obey His commands. He's told us, it's not that hard!
God’s consequences for this behavior were most severe. Does that tell us something about how much God wants His people to obey Him completely?
I Jn 5:3
This is love for God: to obey his commands. And his commands are not burdensome,
To show our love for God is to obey His commands. He's told us, it's not that hard!
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Balaam was given specific directions from God and yet Balaam didn't obey God. Ever done that?
What’s with this talking donkey? There is a spiritual dimension that we can't see. Obviously, this donkey was allowed to see the angel of the Lord in this spiritual dimension. Not only was the donkey allowed to see the angel of the Lord, but was allowed to speak to Balaam.
Why couldn’t Balaam see the angel of the Lord? Were his spiritual eyes closed? Notice that it is God who opens Balaam's eyes.
Interesting that Peter compared Balaam with false teachers who love the wages of wickedness.
2 Pet 2:15-16
They have left the straight way and wandered off to follow the way of Balaam son of Beor, who loved the wages of wickedness.16 But he was rebuked for his wrongdoing by a donkey-- a beast without speech-- who spoke with a man's voice and restrained the prophet's madness.
Any connections we can make today with false teachers and leaders?
What’s with this talking donkey? There is a spiritual dimension that we can't see. Obviously, this donkey was allowed to see the angel of the Lord in this spiritual dimension. Not only was the donkey allowed to see the angel of the Lord, but was allowed to speak to Balaam.
Why couldn’t Balaam see the angel of the Lord? Were his spiritual eyes closed? Notice that it is God who opens Balaam's eyes.
Interesting that Peter compared Balaam with false teachers who love the wages of wickedness.
2 Pet 2:15-16
They have left the straight way and wandered off to follow the way of Balaam son of Beor, who loved the wages of wickedness.16 But he was rebuked for his wrongdoing by a donkey-- a beast without speech-- who spoke with a man's voice and restrained the prophet's madness.
Any connections we can make today with false teachers and leaders?
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Moses is told to speak to the rock and instead he strikes the rock. Then he takes credit for the water gushing forth. This sin has grave consequences. Moses is not allowed to lead the people into the land. Are there grave consequences for us when we are disobedient?
The snake that Moses lifted up saved the people from physical death. Jesus saves us from spiritual, eternal death.
John 3:14-15
Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.
In Moses’ detailed journal of the exodus from Egypt he records 40 moves. Anything significant in that number?
The number forty is used by God to represent a period of testing or trial (the length of time necessary to accomplish some major part of Gods plan in his dealings with various portions of mankind). Pay close attention to the times the number 40 is used in Scripture.
The snake that Moses lifted up saved the people from physical death. Jesus saves us from spiritual, eternal death.
John 3:14-15
Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.
In Moses’ detailed journal of the exodus from Egypt he records 40 moves. Anything significant in that number?
The number forty is used by God to represent a period of testing or trial (the length of time necessary to accomplish some major part of Gods plan in his dealings with various portions of mankind). Pay close attention to the times the number 40 is used in Scripture.
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Apparently Korah didn’t understand the “burning bush incident”! Moses and Aaron were God’s anointed. They didn't need to be replaced.
Jude 1:10-11
Yet these men speak abusively against whatever they do not understand; and what things they do understand by instinct, like unreasoning animals-- these are the very things that destroy them. Woe to them! They have taken the way of Cain; they have rushed for profit into Balaam's error; they have been destroyed in Korah's rebellion.
When God does things, He certainly does it up right. Wouldn’t it have been enough to just have Aaron’s staff sprout? That was all He promised them to prove Aaron was His chosen one. And yet, He caused the staff to bud, to blossom, and to produce almonds! And overnight even!
Now, let’s see…what was that Scripture about God being able to do more than we ask for…oh yes, here it is.
Eph 3:20
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us,
Tapped into His power lately???
Jude 1:10-11
Yet these men speak abusively against whatever they do not understand; and what things they do understand by instinct, like unreasoning animals-- these are the very things that destroy them. Woe to them! They have taken the way of Cain; they have rushed for profit into Balaam's error; they have been destroyed in Korah's rebellion.
When God does things, He certainly does it up right. Wouldn’t it have been enough to just have Aaron’s staff sprout? That was all He promised them to prove Aaron was His chosen one. And yet, He caused the staff to bud, to blossom, and to produce almonds! And overnight even!
Now, let’s see…what was that Scripture about God being able to do more than we ask for…oh yes, here it is.
Eph 3:20
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us,
Tapped into His power lately???
Monday, February 8, 2010
Great words of affirmation for Moses in today's reading!
Num 12:5-8a
Then the LORD came down in a pillar of cloud; he stood at the entrance to the Tent and summoned Aaron and Miriam. When both of them stepped forward, he said, "Listen to my words: "When a prophet of the LORD is among you, I reveal myself to him in visions, I speak to him in dreams. But this is not true of my servant Moses; he is faithful in all my house. With him I speak face to face, clearly and not in riddles; he sees the form of the LORD.
WOW! The Lord speaks to Moses "face to face"!
The leaders who were sent in to explore the land certainly displayed their lack of trust in God to keep His promises…all of them except for Joshua and Caleb. Oh, that we could all live our lives trusting the Lord to keep His promises!
Ps 145:13
Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures through all generations. The LORD is faithful to all his promises and loving toward all he has made.
A land flowing with milk and honey is a land of crops and animals. The land is divided up into the milk land where animals are raised (goats, sheep) and the honey land is where the crops are raised (dates, figs, etc.) The Nephilim were giants. Men of unnatural size or ability.
When the people saw what happened to the leaders of the 10 tribes, they sure were quick to obey God then…but alas it was too late. God had been willing to do their fighting for them, but once they displayed lack of trust, God was not with them. And isn't it amazing that God promised to do their fighting for them way back in Exodus 23, right after He SPOKE the Ten Commandments to them.
Exod 23:27-28
"I will send my terror ahead of you and throw into confusion every nation you encounter. I will make all your enemies turn their backs and run. I will send the hornet ahead of you to drive the Hivites, Canaanites and Hittites out of your way.
Did they forget???
Num 12:5-8a
Then the LORD came down in a pillar of cloud; he stood at the entrance to the Tent and summoned Aaron and Miriam. When both of them stepped forward, he said, "Listen to my words: "When a prophet of the LORD is among you, I reveal myself to him in visions, I speak to him in dreams. But this is not true of my servant Moses; he is faithful in all my house. With him I speak face to face, clearly and not in riddles; he sees the form of the LORD.
WOW! The Lord speaks to Moses "face to face"!
The leaders who were sent in to explore the land certainly displayed their lack of trust in God to keep His promises…all of them except for Joshua and Caleb. Oh, that we could all live our lives trusting the Lord to keep His promises!
Ps 145:13
Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures through all generations. The LORD is faithful to all his promises and loving toward all he has made.
A land flowing with milk and honey is a land of crops and animals. The land is divided up into the milk land where animals are raised (goats, sheep) and the honey land is where the crops are raised (dates, figs, etc.) The Nephilim were giants. Men of unnatural size or ability.
When the people saw what happened to the leaders of the 10 tribes, they sure were quick to obey God then…but alas it was too late. God had been willing to do their fighting for them, but once they displayed lack of trust, God was not with them. And isn't it amazing that God promised to do their fighting for them way back in Exodus 23, right after He SPOKE the Ten Commandments to them.
Exod 23:27-28
"I will send my terror ahead of you and throw into confusion every nation you encounter. I will make all your enemies turn their backs and run. I will send the hornet ahead of you to drive the Hivites, Canaanites and Hittites out of your way.
Did they forget???
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Once the people are numbered and duties assigned, the Israelites are ready to move. Many times ram’s horns were used for signaling but God had them make trumpets of hammered silver for calling the community together.
For some reason, Moses felt the need to have his brother-in-law Horeb help guide them through the desert. Why did Moses need Hobab if he had the cloud for guidance? Notice right after that the cloud moved sporadically and the people had to break camp and follow. Could it be that God was teaching Moses a lesson?
The people begin to grumble and complain...again. This time they want meat. God answers in essence with "You want meat do you? I'll give you meat! I'll give you so much meat that it will come out of your nostrils!"
What was the severe plague that struck them because of the consumption of the quail? Could it have been food poisoning from spoiled food?
Moses had the presence of the Lord in the cloud for guidance. We have God's Word for guidance. Why would we as Christians want to go to other sources for our guidance?
For some reason, Moses felt the need to have his brother-in-law Horeb help guide them through the desert. Why did Moses need Hobab if he had the cloud for guidance? Notice right after that the cloud moved sporadically and the people had to break camp and follow. Could it be that God was teaching Moses a lesson?
The people begin to grumble and complain...again. This time they want meat. God answers in essence with "You want meat do you? I'll give you meat! I'll give you so much meat that it will come out of your nostrils!"
What was the severe plague that struck them because of the consumption of the quail? Could it have been food poisoning from spoiled food?
Moses had the presence of the Lord in the cloud for guidance. We have God's Word for guidance. Why would we as Christians want to go to other sources for our guidance?
Saturday, February 6, 2010
Did you ever wonder why God warned the people about touching the holy things in the tabernacle? The warning came with a stiff penalty for not honoring God’s warning. Did God ever have to follow through with that penalty? Check this out.
1 Chr 13:9-10
When they came to the threshing floor of Kidon, Uzzah reached out his hand to steady the ark, because the oxen stumbled. The LORD's anger burned against Uzzah, and he struck him down because he had put his hand on the ark. So he died there before God.
The descendants of Levi are given specific duties. All together there were 8,580 men 30 – 50 years of age who were responsible for the Tent of Meeting (tabernacle). So whenever the pillar of fire or the cloud would move giving the people the signal to move, there were quite a few men taking care of all the moving.
Fascinating tidbit of information…in the Millennial Kingdom, the cloud and pillar will once again return.
Isa 4:5
Then the LORD will create over all of Mount Zion and over those who assemble there a cloud of smoke by day and a glow of flaming fire by night; over all the glory will be a canopy.
Uzzah suffered a penalty for not obeying God completely.
How is it with us as Christians, do we always obey God completely?
1 Chr 13:9-10
When they came to the threshing floor of Kidon, Uzzah reached out his hand to steady the ark, because the oxen stumbled. The LORD's anger burned against Uzzah, and he struck him down because he had put his hand on the ark. So he died there before God.
The descendants of Levi are given specific duties. All together there were 8,580 men 30 – 50 years of age who were responsible for the Tent of Meeting (tabernacle). So whenever the pillar of fire or the cloud would move giving the people the signal to move, there were quite a few men taking care of all the moving.
Fascinating tidbit of information…in the Millennial Kingdom, the cloud and pillar will once again return.
Isa 4:5
Then the LORD will create over all of Mount Zion and over those who assemble there a cloud of smoke by day and a glow of flaming fire by night; over all the glory will be a canopy.
Uzzah suffered a penalty for not obeying God completely.
How is it with us as Christians, do we always obey God completely?
Friday, February 5, 2010
As they prepare to observe the first Passover celebration since their exodus from Egypt, a problem surfaced. Some of the Israelites were ceremonially unclean because of their contact with a dead body and could not celebrate the Passover. Because they were unsure of what to do in light of the regulation restrictions, they went to Moses with their confusion. Moses did the right thing by taking it to the Lord.
When we are unsure or confused about something, is our first thought to take it to the Lord?
When we are unsure or confused about something, is our first thought to take it to the Lord?
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Notice that the offerings of the 12 tribes are the same, no matter how small or how large the tribe. Also notice that there are 12 tribes even though the tribe of Levi is not counted. Joseph is left out and his two sons Ephraim and Manasseh are in.
Aaron was told to set up the seven lamps that had been made according to the pattern God had given Moses on the mountain.
Num 8:2-4
"Speak to Aaron and say to him, 'When you set up the seven lamps, they are to light the area in front of the lampstand.'"Aaron did so; he set up the lamps so that they faced forward on the lampstand, just as the LORD commanded Moses. This is how the lampstand was made: It was made of hammered gold-- from its base to its blossoms. The lampstand was made exactly like the pattern the LORD had shown Moses.
Seven lamps are prominent elsewhere in Scripture as well.
Rev 4:5
From the throne came flashes of lightning, rumblings and peals of thunder. Before the throne, seven lamps were blazing. These are the seven spirits of God.
Everything was done by Moses just as the Lord commanded. So far…so good. Stay tuned!
Aaron was told to set up the seven lamps that had been made according to the pattern God had given Moses on the mountain.
Num 8:2-4
"Speak to Aaron and say to him, 'When you set up the seven lamps, they are to light the area in front of the lampstand.'"Aaron did so; he set up the lamps so that they faced forward on the lampstand, just as the LORD commanded Moses. This is how the lampstand was made: It was made of hammered gold-- from its base to its blossoms. The lampstand was made exactly like the pattern the LORD had shown Moses.
Seven lamps are prominent elsewhere in Scripture as well.
Rev 4:5
From the throne came flashes of lightning, rumblings and peals of thunder. Before the throne, seven lamps were blazing. These are the seven spirits of God.
Everything was done by Moses just as the Lord commanded. So far…so good. Stay tuned!
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Aaron’s sons died because they offered unauthorized fire before the Lord.Do people today in positions of authority and leadership in effect offer “unauthorized fire” to the Lord? Do they do this in the form of unbiblical observances and teachings? Just a thought…
Jer 2:13
"My people have committed two sins: They have forsaken me, the spring of living water, and have dug their own cisterns, broken cisterns that cannot hold water.
Lev 10:10
You must distinguish between the holy and the common, between the unclean and the clean,
Again, something that church and denomination leaders are charged with, to teach the people the difference between the spiritual and the worldly.
And again, much like it will be as the apostate church devolves into the false church during the last days.
Jer 2:13
"My people have committed two sins: They have forsaken me, the spring of living water, and have dug their own cisterns, broken cisterns that cannot hold water.
Lev 10:10
You must distinguish between the holy and the common, between the unclean and the clean,
Again, something that church and denomination leaders are charged with, to teach the people the difference between the spiritual and the worldly.
And again, much like it will be as the apostate church devolves into the false church during the last days.
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Moses did everything as the Lord commanded.
“…and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle.”
Can there be a more spectacular proclamation? Maybe so. Read the following.
Acts 4:31
After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.
As the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle, so we should allow ourselves to be filled with the Holy Spirit. Imagine a group of people so filled with the Holy Spirit that the place where they are meeting is shaken. Kind of gives a person goosebumps doesn’t it?
“…and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle.”
Can there be a more spectacular proclamation? Maybe so. Read the following.
Acts 4:31
After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.
As the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle, so we should allow ourselves to be filled with the Holy Spirit. Imagine a group of people so filled with the Holy Spirit that the place where they are meeting is shaken. Kind of gives a person goosebumps doesn’t it?
Monday, February 1, 2010
God gives through Moses the first stewardship “sermon”. God commands that everyone who is WILLING is to bring an offering to the Lord. So everyone who was willing and whose heart moved him gave to the Lord. These are offerings and are different from the tithe which comes later.
Then Moses summoned every skilled worker (with God-given abilities) and who was WILLING to come and do the work.
The people were bringing offerings above and beyond what was needed, so much so that the people had to be restrained from bringing more. This happened because their hearts were moved and they gave for all the right reasons.
(See a Biblical View of Stewardship on the website)
Notice the attention to even the minutest detail, such careful attention to accuracy in the instructions for the construction of the tabernacle. Can you even begin to imagine the beauty?
All this is just a foretaste of the heavenly beauty that awaits us in eternity.
Then Moses summoned every skilled worker (with God-given abilities) and who was WILLING to come and do the work.
The people were bringing offerings above and beyond what was needed, so much so that the people had to be restrained from bringing more. This happened because their hearts were moved and they gave for all the right reasons.
(See a Biblical View of Stewardship on the website)
Notice the attention to even the minutest detail, such careful attention to accuracy in the instructions for the construction of the tabernacle. Can you even begin to imagine the beauty?
All this is just a foretaste of the heavenly beauty that awaits us in eternity.
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