Saturday, April 24, 2010

Numbers 15 -16

...you will remember all the commands of the LORD, that you may obey them and not prostitute yourselves by going after the lusts of your own hearts and eyes. Then you will remember to obey all My commands and will be consecrated to your God. I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt to be your God. I am the LORD your God.' "

... the LORD will show who belongs to Him and who is holy, and He will have that person come near him. The man the Lord chooses He will cause to come near Him.

Friday, April 23, 2010

Numbers 14 contrasts the fear of those with little faith and the confident faith of those who trust in Him. The fearful people in the Israelite camp grumbled, complained and wept loudly, and suggested going back to Egypt rather than face hardship and challenges. The confident faithful Israelites , like Joshua and Caleb, continued to suggest that God "will lead us into the land flowing with milk and honey, and He will give it to us.. don't rebel against the Lord and do not be afraid ... the Lord is with us..do not be afraid..." The Lord told Moses that those fearful faithless ones will never see the land He promised to their forefathers, but the faithful ones, who followed God wholeheartedly, will be brought into the promised and and will be blessed.

Thursday, April 22, 2010

In Numbers 13, the Lord directed the Israelites to send out a survey team to "spy" out the promised land of Canaan. So, Moses sent out a group of men who were heads of the families of Israel. On their return, they reported that the land was very fertile, "flowing with milk and honey" , but the people who currently possess the land were very strong and their cities were heavily fortified. They were fearful of the inhabitants there and did not believe they could overtake them in order to gain Canaan for themselves. However, Caleb faithfully "quieted the people before Moses and said, ' we should by all means go up and take possession of it, for we will surely overcome it. "

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

Numbers 12

When a prophet of the LORD is among you,
I reveal myself to him in visions,
I speak to him in dreams.

7 But this is not true of my servant Moses;
he is faithful in all my house.

8 With him I speak face to face,
clearly and not in riddles;
he sees the form of the LORD.
Why then were you not afraid
to speak against my servant Moses?"

Monday, April 19, 2010

Numbers 11 is about the constant provision and faithfulness of the Lord, despite the complaints and grumbling of the Israelites. I like God's response to Moses, "Is the LORD's arm too short? You will now see whether or not what I say will come true for you."

Sunday, April 18, 2010

Numbers 10
“When you arrive in your own land and go to war against your enemies who attack you, sound the alarm with the trumpets. Then the Lord your God will remember you and rescue you from your enemies. Blow the trumpets in times of gladness, too, sounding them at your annual festivals and at the beginning of each month. And blow the trumpets over your burnt offerings and peace offerings. The trumpets will remind the Lord your God of his covenant with you. I am the Lord your God.”
"They marched for three days after leaving the mountain of the Lord, with the Ark of the Lord’s Covenant moving ahead of them to show them where to stop and rest. As they moved on each day, the cloud of the Lord hovered over them. And whenever the Ark set out, Moses would shout, 'Arise, O Lord, and let your enemies be scattered! Let them flee before you!'. And when the Ark was set down, he would say, 'Return, O Lord, to the countless thousands of Israel!'

Saturday, April 17, 2010

Numbers 9
On the day the tabernacle, the Tent of the Testimony, was set up, the cloud covered it. From evening till morning the cloud above the tabernacle looked like fire. That is how it continued to be; the cloud covered it, and at night it looked like fire. Whenever the cloud lifted from above the Tent, the Israelites set out; wherever the cloud settled, the Israelites encamped. At the LORD's command the Israelites set out, and at his command they encamped. As long as the cloud stayed over the tabernacle, they remained in camp.