Numbers 34:1-15

These verses delineate the borders of God’s promised land to Israel. They are real places, with fertility, elevation, water, population density, strategic value, etc.… All are unknown. I can imagine fear and faith battling in each heart, a prelude to actual war. It is easy to minimize this transition from our perspective. Taking the step into the Jordan at flood stage was only a prelude to the faith needed to possess their land. That first step was the only thing they could be sure of. God still works that way. He gives the next step. Walking in faith means letting him handle the rest. So hard.

Lord, I am on the edge of a new journey. Show me the next step. Give me faith to trust all else to you.

Numbers 22-24

This is the story of Ballam son of Beor. The presence of Israel panicked the Moabite king. He called for a diviner named Ballam who lived near to the Euphrates River. The king wanted Ballam to curse Israel. But Ballam, who listened to many spiritual voices, heard the voice of Almighty God and could offer only blessings. God is at work in all parts of the world, all times, all circumstances. Paul speaks of it in Romans. Methuselah, Ballam, and Job testify to it. God’s love and light shine everywhere for those with eyes to see it.

Lord, let me see well regardless of my circumstances. Open my eyes to other who have responded well to the light you have given and long for more truth in their lives. Let me be hope and light to them.

Numbers 19

Numbers 19

Truly the law is a curse. Imagine trying to run a household, keeping track of all these little rules, like whether a pot has a lid to protect it from uncleanness. (v.15) Did it need to be earthenware, or could it be a cloth? This chapter details how to create the water of cleansing for an absolution offering. The instructions are intricate and only a tiny part of the whole law. For the first time I see the Cross from a new angle. It doesn’t just lead to a new life. It leads me away from and old one. I am thrilled to leave it behind.

Lord, thank you for freedom, the wide-open space you give me to live in. Thank you for the rest I find here.

Numbers 18

When Israel faithfully tithes, Aaron and sons live well. When they don’t, Aaron and his sons live poorly. When I faithfully tithe out of love and obedience to God I live well in every way. Life may not be easy, but it is good in a way only God can accomplish. My path smooths out and straightens even in dangerous places. His comfort is more profound. The rewards of obedience are subtle, but lead to a certain sureness that gives me buoyancy in life.

Lord Jesus, thank you for showing me the way, for paving it with the cross, for walking hand in hand with me. I cannot love you enough!

Numbers 16

Teaching authority is an important part of raising children. This is what God is doing here. Korah and his sons challenge Moses and Aaron’s leadership. God’s judgement of this sin gets everyone’s attention. They learnt obedience to God alone sustains their nationhood. They would disappear as other nations in the ancient world without it. The authority of civil law keeps the lid on our destructive impulses. We, like Israel, must learn to bend before it.

Lord, keep me on the straight and narrow way. I fear my inclination to step off of it. You are my Lord, a jealous God. Keep me, please, focused on you.

Numbers 11

In verses 4-6, “The misfits among the people had a craving and soon they had the People of Israel whining, “Why can’t we have meat? We ate fish in Egypt—and got it free! — to say nothing of the cucumbers and melons, the leeks and onions and garlic. But nothing tastes good out here; all we get is manna, manna, manna.” People are ever the same and so is Satan. Manipulation and discontent still lead to destruction and serve his purpose well.

Verses 15-16 show Moses is human. “’I can’t do this by myself—it’s too much, all these people. If this is how you intend to treat me, do me a favor and kill me. I’ve seen enough; I’ve had enough. Let me out of here.’ GOD said to Moses, ‘Gather together seventy men from among the leaders of Israel, men whom you know to be respected and responsible.’” Moses has reached his limit and God knows it. God knows. Paul says he will not press us beyond what we can bear. He shows Moses the way out.

Seemingly Israel’s complaint of a meatless diet is reasonable. God gives them what they want, and it nauseates them. Verse 20 says, “And here’s why: Because you have rejected GOD who is right here among you, whining to his face, ‘Oh, why did we ever have to leave Egypt?’” Complaint by those who claim the walk of faith is complaint against God. It rejects his wisdom and goodness in ordering our circumstances. It screams lack of trust, that God will not press us beyond what we can bear.

There is consequence to rejecting God’s provision. “But while they were still chewing the quail and had hardly swallowed the first bites, GOD’s anger blazed out against the people. He hit them with a terrible plague. They ended up calling the place Kibroth Hattaavah (Graves-of-the-Craving). There they buried the people who craved meat.” (vs. 33-34) In fast tracking a nation’s spiritual, political and cultural development God’s lessons were stark, and clear. They had to be.

The believer must trust he is where God wants him, regardless of circumstance, and that God will not ask more than he can give. It matters not whether the circumstance is deserved. Almighty God can design every moment of every person’s life toward the goal of relationship, with himself and others. He teaches us who he is, who we are, and how we work best. The circumstance is not the star player. God is.

All quotes are from The Message.

Numbers 6:1-21

The word Nazarite comes from the Hebrew word nazir meaning consecrated or separated. This ritual is a way for those so inclined to grow draw near to God as they go about everyday life. It is a wonderful provision for Israelites who hunger for more of God. The Law’s Instructions for ritual in all the Pentateuch build the Israelites understanding of this God who brought them out of Egypt. They are learning how to live together and of their God’s holiness, his otherness. Ritual is his visual aid.

Numbers 5

This chapter gives lengthy and specific instruction for dealing with suspected infidelity. It brings the sin of infidelity on the woman’s part or jealousy on the man’s out into the open, the first step in healing. The ancients often looked to trial by ordeal to determine guilt. In the Enlightenment we gave up our relationship with the mystical in favor or scientific method. So, this kind of trial seems ridiculous, especially when the ordeal is extreme. The spirit and material world were more intertwined in the ancient mind and God gave instruction they understood and could believe in. Now modern research is discovering the power of the mind this seems less anachronistic.

Why is the woman the only one to undergo trial and bear consequences of infidelity? Her husband and lover are of no concern. This double standard spans the ages. Is it a consequence of Eve tempting Adam? The suffering of all earth’s women is certainly commensurate with the destruction Eve brought into the world through her rebellion. Christ says marriage does not exist in eternity. (Luke 20:35) He will put the double standard to rest and judge accordingly.

I look forward to it! Lord Jesus, come quickly!