Offer these together with their drink offerings, in addition to the regular burnt offering and its grain offering. Be sure the animals are without defect. -Numbers 28:31 If everyone served God the way you did, how would the world look? Would it be better, worse, or the same? For most of us, to consider this question is convicting. Why? We often fail to give God our best. Yet he is not only worthy or our best; he also expects it.... Read more
18 So the Lord said to Moses, “Take Joshua son of Nun, a man in whom is the spirit of leadership, and lay your hand on him. 19 Have him stand before Eleazar the priest and the entire assembly and commission him in their presence. 20 Give him some of your authority so the whole Israelite community will obey him. -Numbers 27:18-20 Our culture is all about leaders–how to find them, make them, and become them. We celebrate celebrities and look to those... Read more
64 Not one of them was among those counted by Moses and Aaron the priest when they counted the Israelites in the Desert of Sinai. 65 For the Lord had told those Israelites they would surely die in the wilderness, and not one of them was left except Caleb son of Jephunneh and Joshua son of Nun. -Numbers 26:64-65 Author Stephen Covey passed away a few days ago. Known as the man behind The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, one of... Read more
“While Israel was staying in Shittim, the men began to indulge in sexual immorality with Moabite women,who invited them to the sacrifices to their gods. The people ate the sacrificial meal and bowed down before these gods.” -Numbers 25:1-2 Sexuality and spirituality are linked more than we often realize. When a guy chooses a relationship with a girl who follows another god, chances are that he will soon consent to her system of religion. Of course, this can happen with... Read more
“God brought them out of Egypt…” -Numbers 24:8 Ever notice how the films about Moses show him as the hero who liberates Israel from slavery? His staff parts the sea, he speaks directly with God Almighty. But this is not how Scripture narrates the story at all. Numbers 24:8 teaches, “God brought them out of Egypt.” The Israelites nor Moses were not strong enough to free themselves from slavery and begin a new nation. Only God was. And is. When... Read more
He answered, “Must I not speak what the Lord puts in my mouth?” -Numbers 23:12 Despite the odd spiritual mixture of Balaam’s life, he asked the right question when it came to speaking for God: “He answered, ‘Must I not speak what the Lord puts in my mouth?'” He understood, especially after listening to a donkey talk, that what God says is what is important. Today, we have sixty-six books that comprise our Bibles that included the inspired words of... Read more
Balaam said to the angel of the Lord, “I have sinned. I did not realize you were standing in the road to oppose me. Now if you are displeased, I will go back.” -Numbers 22:34 Donkeys do talk–at least one did in Numbers 22. Many have heard the story of the donkey God used to speak to Balaam, but few understand why it happened. There was a reason. Balaam himself mentions the reason in verse 34: “I have sinned.” He... Read more
The Lord said to Moses, “Do not be afraid of him, for I have delivered him into your hands, along with his whole army and his land. -Numbers 21:34 Numbers 21 is a violent chapter. The Israelites completely wiped out two different groups, leaving no survivors. This time of war was one that could have caused much fear among Moses and his people. They were not a trained army and lacked the tools of their warring neighbors. But God said,... Read more
But the Lord said to Moses and Aaron, “Because you did not trust in me enough to honor me as holy in the sight of the Israelites, you will not bring this community into the land I give them.” -Numbers 20:12 Moses and Aaron were the top leaders of the nation. They had led Israel from slavery, through the Red Sea, and had offered numerous miracles along the way, including a time when they provided water from a rock. But... Read more
“20 But if those who are unclean do not purify themselves, they must be cut off from the community, because they have defiled the sanctuary of the Lord. The water of cleansing has not been sprinkled on them, and they are unclean. 21 This is a lasting ordinance for them.” -Numbers 19:20-21 Remember the verse, “Cleanliness is next to godliness”? I hope not, because it’s not really in the Bible. However, the importance of “being clean” is emphasized on numerous... Read more
Holy Writ
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