SCRIPTURE: Numbers 8 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: In the old covenant, God used limited symbols to represent universal truths. The land of Israel represents the whole earth. The temple building represent all people. The nation of Israel represents all the nations of the world. The repeated sacrifices represent the once-for-all sacrifice of Jesus. The designated priests and levites represent…
Category: daily meditations
what really matters
SCRIPTURE: Numbers 7 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: Our focus can easily be sidetracked. In reading this list, we get so wrapped up in what was given, we forget why it was given. The dedication of the altar, as the symbolic meeting place of God’s grace and our humility, is at the center of this reading. It matters more WHY…
His face is beaming!
SCRIPTURE: Numbers 6 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: Would you make an extreme vow? For example, for Lent, would you consider not cutting your hair or shaving, not drinking any alcohol, and not touching anything dead? Or maybe instead you might vow to not eat chocolate, or drink coffee, or not have sex, or to shave your head completely, to…
don’t wait for the lie detector
SCRIPTURE: Numbers 5 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: One day there will be a time for judgment. One day our impure hearts will be exposed, we will have to give an account for our wrongs, and we will be forced to face the consequences of our actions. What the Lord speaks to Moses about in this historical context, is an…
to take my job seriously
SCRIPTURE: Numbers 4 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: This reading reminds me of the central importance attached to the Tent (later turned into the Temple under Solomon). Those set apart for the Lord’s work (Levites) were assigned specific tasks in order to keep the honour and purpose of the Tent clear and respected. This was the symbol of God among…
God’s firstborn son
SCRIPTURE: Numbers 3 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: The ‘firstborn son’ idea is foreign to us, but in that time it was the normal means of advancing family wealth and blessing from generation to generation. The firstborn son had a special purpose and calling. God uses that cultural expression to communicate His own plan to advance His wealth and blessing…
organized for a purpose
SCRIPTURE: Numbers 2 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: Did Jesus have a plan, or did He drift through His ministry, going wherever the ‘current’ of the day led Him? I am convinced Jesus had a plan. He was ultimately heading to Jerusalem. He started with crowds in general, then narrowed His focus to the twelve. He avoided the crowds, not…
count me in!
SCRIPTURE: Numbers 1 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: Yeah, we get to read Numbers! Be prepared, it’s not easy to follow. There is a storyline, but the narrative jumps around. It’s hard to get the flow. And we start with a long list of names and numbers (hence the title). The numbers here seem high, and raise the question of…
to pray this prayer
Pray this prayer out loud. Is it something you can say with conviction? Lord, You know what is best for me. Give me what You will and when You will and as much as You will. Do with me as You know best and as it pleases You and brings You the most honour. Place…
warfare prayer!
SCRIPTURE: Psalm 10 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: In this Psalm, David talks about very real, flesh and blood enemies. Boastful, arrogant, cruel, deceptive, heartless and godless. And successful to boot. They defy and disregard God, and laugh about it. They experience no consequences, nor do they expect them. I do not have these kinds of enemies. I am not…