SCRIPTURE: Numbers 19 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: The symbolism of the red heifer, its burned ashes kept outside the camp and mixed with water, relates to the cleansing benefit of Jesus’ death for sinners, to make them clean [1 John 1:7-9]. Once again the goriness of the ritual can distract us from the grace and blessing the Lord offers His people….
am I God’s gift to Jesus?
SCRIPTURE: Numbers 18 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: The tabernacle is the center of the Israelite existence, and the priests, levites, tithes and offerings are set up to maintain its central place. God gives the Levites to the priests, and the offerings to them all, to provide for the work. Their task is to offer their best to the Lord…
His power through me
SCRIPTURE: Numbers 17 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: No matter what our status may be, no matter how many gifts or skills or how many people vote for us, our leadership authority is nothing unless the Lord is with us. If God was democratic, Jesus would have lost, for there were more against Him than for Him. The same for…
ode to joy
For those who remember the muppets, and especially Beeker… Enjoy this special rendition of Beethoven’s Ode To Joy.
freedom day!
It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. [Galatians 5:1]
the cost of betrayal
SCRIPTURE: Numbers 16 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: Can you feel the sense of betrayal? Here we have fellow leaders, Levites who shared in the calling and blessing of the Lord’s work, opposing Moses and Aaron. And listen to Dathan and Abiram, they describe their bondage in Egypt as a land flowing with milk and honey. Do they honestly think…
to help us remember
SCRIPTURE: Numbers 15 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: In Numbers 15, the narrative shifts without explanation. It describes how every sacrifice must be accompanied by a grain (bread) and drink (wine) offering. I see this as sacramental, a symbolic picture of fellowship with God (pictured by a meal of bread and wine) restored through the death of the substitute. It also…
nothing… without Him!
SCRIPTURE: Numbers 14 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: I see several important lessons in this reading. I see the poisonous effect of negativity and despair, and how many people are hurt because of it. I see how God holds these poison spreaders accountable (see Luke 17:1-2] I see the consequences of doubting God, missing out on the blessings He wants to…
grasshoppers beat giants!!!
SCRIPTURE: Numbers 13 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: “I am sending you out like sheep among wolves.” [Matthew 10:16] Jesus spoke these words to His twelve disciples when He sent them on their first mission. Moses could have said the same thing to the twelve tribes of Israel as they were preparing to enter Canaan. The spies come back from their…
the humble leader
SCRIPTURE: Numbers 12 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: In Numbers 11 we see the Spirit of the Lord resting on the 70 elders, to assist Moses in leading the people. When two of them receive the Spirit in a different way, Joshua wants to clamp down on them, but Moses is not worried. He is not looking for his own glory. He…