Read Numbers 26-27.
The book is called Numbers because twice God instructed them to conduct a national census. The counting was limited to those twenty years of age and older who were able to go to war. In 1:46 the total was 603,550. Now, after 40 years of wandering in the wilderness, only Joshua and Caleb (and of course, Moses) remain from the first generation of former slaves. The new total was 601,730. It is estimated that the entire population would have been, perhaps, five times that amount.
With a new generation ready to enter their land of promise, it was time for a new leader. Moses, because of his public sin in chapter 20, knew he would not be allowed go with them. But God does a gracious thing for Moses in letting him see the land from a mountain top. It was here that Moses prayed for a successor to shepherd the people.
Out of millions to choose from, the LORD selected Joshua, "a man in whom is the Spirit". Joshua had been Moses' assistant for a long time. He served as the army's field general. Along with Caleb, he had been one of the two faithful men who originally spied out the new land. But when God referred to Joshua, he cited none of his positions or achievements. He simply called him a Spirit-filled man.
Being filled with the Spirit simply means that I relinquish control of my thoughts, speech and behaviors to the LORD and discipline myself to do what He desires (Galatians 5:16-24). Education, skill, personality, and experience are all important components for job qualifications. But when God's Spirit is in control of a person, He can give them favor with others, open doors, and enable their influence to exceed all expectations. He does this in a person's life so He alone will receive the credit.
Monday, April 30, 2012
Saturday, April 28, 2012
Living in a Counterculture
Read Numbers 25.
Followers of the LORD have always been a counterculture. Though not perfect...
God's people live in the world
but they are not of the world
and are to conduct themselves in such a way in the world
that the world sees the difference God has made in their lives, even if they disagree.
By living out the commands and principles of God's word, we have the opportunity to "adorn the doctrine of God our Savior." To some with open hearts, such a lifestyle becomes attractive and they too place their faith in Christ. Some others may observe with respect or even amazement of the difference. Then, to some who are so gripped by their sin and rebellion against God that they reject all that is holy and pure.
It is always sad to see someone violate their commitments or go back on their promises. The news media are quick to point out these lapses when it comes to public figures. But God holds everyone, everywhere to account, whether they agree with Him or even acknowledge His very existence.
In this chapter, the nation of Israel is camped on the east side of the Jordan River. It appears to be a time of a pagan celebration that involved gross sexuality immorality. This were not merely physical acts, but they were part of that culture's spiritual worship. Demonic is the best description for it, as is all false religions.
Some of the Israelites succumbed to the cultural temptations. God held "all the chiefs of the people" accountable. A total of 24,000 died. Though the judgment on sin may not always come so quickly, God takes the purity of His people seriously.
Sobering lessons for us all.
1. Leaders are responsible for protecting the moral purity of the people.
2. Leaders are responsible for protecting the spiritual purity of the people.
3. God can use one courageous leader to restore purity among the people.
4. Sooner or later, God holds individuals accountable for their own behavior.
Question: Is there an area of spiritual or moral impurity in my life that I need to courageously confront today?
Followers of the LORD have always been a counterculture. Though not perfect...
God's people live in the world
but they are not of the world
and are to conduct themselves in such a way in the world
that the world sees the difference God has made in their lives, even if they disagree.
By living out the commands and principles of God's word, we have the opportunity to "adorn the doctrine of God our Savior." To some with open hearts, such a lifestyle becomes attractive and they too place their faith in Christ. Some others may observe with respect or even amazement of the difference. Then, to some who are so gripped by their sin and rebellion against God that they reject all that is holy and pure.
It is always sad to see someone violate their commitments or go back on their promises. The news media are quick to point out these lapses when it comes to public figures. But God holds everyone, everywhere to account, whether they agree with Him or even acknowledge His very existence.
In this chapter, the nation of Israel is camped on the east side of the Jordan River. It appears to be a time of a pagan celebration that involved gross sexuality immorality. This were not merely physical acts, but they were part of that culture's spiritual worship. Demonic is the best description for it, as is all false religions.
Some of the Israelites succumbed to the cultural temptations. God held "all the chiefs of the people" accountable. A total of 24,000 died. Though the judgment on sin may not always come so quickly, God takes the purity of His people seriously.
Sobering lessons for us all.
1. Leaders are responsible for protecting the moral purity of the people.
2. Leaders are responsible for protecting the spiritual purity of the people.
3. God can use one courageous leader to restore purity among the people.
4. Sooner or later, God holds individuals accountable for their own behavior.
Question: Is there an area of spiritual or moral impurity in my life that I need to courageously confront today?
Friday, April 27, 2012
A Messenger's Motive Check
Read Numbers 22-24.
This is a story of a pagan prophet, yet, at least here, God spoke to him directly. Balaam obviously had some reputation of being a seer whom could be called upon in time of need.
Balak, king of Moab, became frightened at the sight and size of the nation of Israel. His terror caused him to seek spiritual advice before going to war. His solution was to pay Balaam to curse his enemy. When Balaam could not be bought, Balak next offered him basically a blank check to come and curse Israel.
This may have been a custom for other enemies but such was not going to happen here. The true basis for the denial of cursing Israel goes all the way back to Genesis 12. In His covenant to Abraham, the LORD promised, "I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse." The continuing validity of this promise is underscored in Balaam's oracle in 23:19-"God is not a man that he should lie, or a son of man, that he should change his mind. Has he said, and will he not do it? Or has he spoken and will he not fulfill it?"
Evidently, Balaam began thinking about Balak's offer. Curiosity about the experience of meeting with Balak and getting paid did not seem wrong in itself. Perhaps, he should go and check it out. What harm would it do? God gave him the green light to go, but the LORD had more to say.
Now we get to see another preincarnate appearance of Jesus. The angel of the LORD met Balaam on the road. God was angry with him. Not because he went but because thought he could personally profit from this. 2 Peter 2:15-16 provides the commentary in the context about false teachers-"Forsaking the right way, they have gone astray. They have followed the way of Balaam, the son of Beor, who loved gain from wrongdoing, but was rebuked for his own transgression; a speechless donkey spoke with human voice and restrained the prophet's madness."
The LORD protected Balaam from being spiritually "reckless" (22:32). Balaam became angry at the very thing God used to save his life. He acknowledged his sin and the LORD again allowed him to proceed but with care about the message to be delivered. No less than four times in this story Balaam announced that he could only speak what the what the LORD has said.
God's message to the unbelieving world is not ours to change. Some today driven by personal preferences, or personal gain, or seeking to be accepted, or desiring to be relevant want to compromise the Word of God. The scriptures, when rightly understood, are always relevant and powerful, changing lives forever.
This is a story of a pagan prophet, yet, at least here, God spoke to him directly. Balaam obviously had some reputation of being a seer whom could be called upon in time of need.
Balak, king of Moab, became frightened at the sight and size of the nation of Israel. His terror caused him to seek spiritual advice before going to war. His solution was to pay Balaam to curse his enemy. When Balaam could not be bought, Balak next offered him basically a blank check to come and curse Israel.
This may have been a custom for other enemies but such was not going to happen here. The true basis for the denial of cursing Israel goes all the way back to Genesis 12. In His covenant to Abraham, the LORD promised, "I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse." The continuing validity of this promise is underscored in Balaam's oracle in 23:19-"God is not a man that he should lie, or a son of man, that he should change his mind. Has he said, and will he not do it? Or has he spoken and will he not fulfill it?"
Evidently, Balaam began thinking about Balak's offer. Curiosity about the experience of meeting with Balak and getting paid did not seem wrong in itself. Perhaps, he should go and check it out. What harm would it do? God gave him the green light to go, but the LORD had more to say.
Now we get to see another preincarnate appearance of Jesus. The angel of the LORD met Balaam on the road. God was angry with him. Not because he went but because thought he could personally profit from this. 2 Peter 2:15-16 provides the commentary in the context about false teachers-"Forsaking the right way, they have gone astray. They have followed the way of Balaam, the son of Beor, who loved gain from wrongdoing, but was rebuked for his own transgression; a speechless donkey spoke with human voice and restrained the prophet's madness."
The LORD protected Balaam from being spiritually "reckless" (22:32). Balaam became angry at the very thing God used to save his life. He acknowledged his sin and the LORD again allowed him to proceed but with care about the message to be delivered. No less than four times in this story Balaam announced that he could only speak what the what the LORD has said.
God's message to the unbelieving world is not ours to change. Some today driven by personal preferences, or personal gain, or seeking to be accepted, or desiring to be relevant want to compromise the Word of God. The scriptures, when rightly understood, are always relevant and powerful, changing lives forever.
Monday, April 23, 2012
Look and Live
Read Numbers 21.
To paraphrase Jesus, "The critics you have with you always." No matter what Moses or God did the complaining continued. And, the people seem to be even more bold, not just blaming Moses but "spoke against God" (v.5). The issue of complaint was the same as before. They were worried about their daily food and water.
Jesus said, "Therefore do not be anxious, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." (Matthew 6:31-32)
The LORD's judgment against those who would so falsely accuse Him of not supplying their needs was a plague of venomous snakes. "Many people of Israel died" (v.6). In order to stop the plague, God had Moses craft a bronze snake and put it on a pole as a symbol of healing. Those who looked at it would live. There was absolutely no power in the pole. The power was in their response of faith that doing what God instructed would save them.
It has always been of interest to me that the logo of the American Medical Association is a serpent on a pole. In the official explanation, they do not give credit to Numbers 21 from c.1500 B.C. for the logo. Instead, they site a mythical figure of Aesculapius, the son of the sun god Apollo, as early as 1200 B.C. for its basis. Beginning in the 17th century, a snake on a pole became the primary symbol of medicine. The AMA has utilized it as its logo since 1910. How many medical professionals through the years have had no idea of the true source of their own logo?
As Jesus provides a glimpse of the crucifixion for healing sin, He commented on this very passage in Numbers. "As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life."
To paraphrase Jesus, "The critics you have with you always." No matter what Moses or God did the complaining continued. And, the people seem to be even more bold, not just blaming Moses but "spoke against God" (v.5). The issue of complaint was the same as before. They were worried about their daily food and water.
Jesus said, "Therefore do not be anxious, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." (Matthew 6:31-32)
The LORD's judgment against those who would so falsely accuse Him of not supplying their needs was a plague of venomous snakes. "Many people of Israel died" (v.6). In order to stop the plague, God had Moses craft a bronze snake and put it on a pole as a symbol of healing. Those who looked at it would live. There was absolutely no power in the pole. The power was in their response of faith that doing what God instructed would save them.
It has always been of interest to me that the logo of the American Medical Association is a serpent on a pole. In the official explanation, they do not give credit to Numbers 21 from c.1500 B.C. for the logo. Instead, they site a mythical figure of Aesculapius, the son of the sun god Apollo, as early as 1200 B.C. for its basis. Beginning in the 17th century, a snake on a pole became the primary symbol of medicine. The AMA has utilized it as its logo since 1910. How many medical professionals through the years have had no idea of the true source of their own logo?
As Jesus provides a glimpse of the crucifixion for healing sin, He commented on this very passage in Numbers. "As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life."
Sunday, April 22, 2012
How to Glorify God under Pressure
Read Numbers 20.
This is beginning to sound like a broken record. Whenever there is an overwhelming need, the people complain against and blame their leaders. Further, they wish either that they had stayed in slavery in Egypt or died already. In spite of all that God has done to end it, the grumbling continued.
Emotions and perceptions can trump reality and truth.
Fear causes us to panic that our needs will not be met. It is so easy to blame others for what, in fact, God is doing. In this case, God wanted to demonstrate His great power and meet their needs. But because the LORD did not supply as they wanted and on their time table they felt totally justified in their rebellion.
God had a miraculous plan to meet their needs; one they would never forget. Three steps to the instructions: a) take the staff; b) assemble the people; c) tell the rock to yield its water. Moses obeyed the first two and utterly disobeyed the last part. He failed to discipline his anger. This resulted in Moses never entering the promised land.
Paul told Pastor Timothy that "the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness" (2 Timothy 2:24-25a). That is tough to do when facing angry people. Moses lost it because he took the complaining personally. Note his words in 20:10b-"Hear now you rebels: shall we bring water for you out of this rock?" By announcing that "we" (Moses and Aaron) would supply water and by striking the rock hard twice, he gave appearance to the people that his power could do this. He failed to glorify God and direct full attention to Him.
The LORD is concerned about not only what is done but also how it is done.
When others see the difference Christ makes in the way we handle a pressure situation, God can use it to draw attention to Himself. So, how can we glorify God when the pressure is on?
1. Know exactly what God wanted done
2. Ask to be filled with the Spirit (Galatians 5:16-24)
3. Obey wholeheartedly
Jesus is the Rock of Ages. When a person speaks to that Rock, He gives Living Water that springs up into everlasting life. (John 4:10-14)
This is beginning to sound like a broken record. Whenever there is an overwhelming need, the people complain against and blame their leaders. Further, they wish either that they had stayed in slavery in Egypt or died already. In spite of all that God has done to end it, the grumbling continued.
Emotions and perceptions can trump reality and truth.
Fear causes us to panic that our needs will not be met. It is so easy to blame others for what, in fact, God is doing. In this case, God wanted to demonstrate His great power and meet their needs. But because the LORD did not supply as they wanted and on their time table they felt totally justified in their rebellion.
God had a miraculous plan to meet their needs; one they would never forget. Three steps to the instructions: a) take the staff; b) assemble the people; c) tell the rock to yield its water. Moses obeyed the first two and utterly disobeyed the last part. He failed to discipline his anger. This resulted in Moses never entering the promised land.
Paul told Pastor Timothy that "the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness" (2 Timothy 2:24-25a). That is tough to do when facing angry people. Moses lost it because he took the complaining personally. Note his words in 20:10b-"Hear now you rebels: shall we bring water for you out of this rock?" By announcing that "we" (Moses and Aaron) would supply water and by striking the rock hard twice, he gave appearance to the people that his power could do this. He failed to glorify God and direct full attention to Him.
The LORD is concerned about not only what is done but also how it is done.
When others see the difference Christ makes in the way we handle a pressure situation, God can use it to draw attention to Himself. So, how can we glorify God when the pressure is on?
1. Know exactly what God wanted done
2. Ask to be filled with the Spirit (Galatians 5:16-24)
3. Obey wholeheartedly
Jesus is the Rock of Ages. When a person speaks to that Rock, He gives Living Water that springs up into everlasting life. (John 4:10-14)
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
Faithful and Fruitful
Read Numbers 17-19.
God sovereignly selected the tribe of Levi to serve as priests for the nation. Then, He chose Aaron to be the High Priest. Aaron's spiritual leadership had been so challenged in the previous rebellion that God intervened with a sure vindication as to His choice of the Levites and Aaron in particular.
A chief of each of the twelve tribes presented a wooden walking staff to Moses for a test that God designed. Imagine the miracle of life that God controls. He can make even a piece of dead, carved wood to sprout. But the next day when Moses went into the Tabernacle to see the results of the test he found more than anyone could have imagined. Overnight, Aaron's staff had not only sprouted but produced ripe almonds.
God's miracles were always used to validate His message. Here the stated purpose was to end the grumbling and rebellion against His chosen leadership.
Next, to further vindicate and solidify the ministry of the priests, God gave more specific instructions for them to carry out.
Two insights:
1. The requirement of stewardship is faithfulness.
To the Corinthians, Paul wrote: "This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found trustworthy." (1 Corinthians 4:1-2)
Whatever God has call us to do and wherever He has placed us to serve, we are to demonstrate that we can be trusted with the assignment. Further, that we are faithful in fulfilling the assignment.
2. The requirement of leadership is fruitfulness.
By definition, the word leadership indicates that a group of people are going some place or endeavoring to achieve something. There is inherent movement needed that requires someone to show the way. Progress of any organization or organism is never constant; it is most often seasonal. But over time, production, or fruitfulness, is a natural expectation.
Yet, fruitfulness is not limited to leadership. It is the the LORD's expectation of all His followers. Note Jesus' words from John 15:
"Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit." (v.5)
"By this my Father is glorified that you bear much fruit and prove to be my disciples." (v.8)
"You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit..." (v.16)
God sovereignly selected the tribe of Levi to serve as priests for the nation. Then, He chose Aaron to be the High Priest. Aaron's spiritual leadership had been so challenged in the previous rebellion that God intervened with a sure vindication as to His choice of the Levites and Aaron in particular.
A chief of each of the twelve tribes presented a wooden walking staff to Moses for a test that God designed. Imagine the miracle of life that God controls. He can make even a piece of dead, carved wood to sprout. But the next day when Moses went into the Tabernacle to see the results of the test he found more than anyone could have imagined. Overnight, Aaron's staff had not only sprouted but produced ripe almonds.
God's miracles were always used to validate His message. Here the stated purpose was to end the grumbling and rebellion against His chosen leadership.
Next, to further vindicate and solidify the ministry of the priests, God gave more specific instructions for them to carry out.
Two insights:
1. The requirement of stewardship is faithfulness.
To the Corinthians, Paul wrote: "This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found trustworthy." (1 Corinthians 4:1-2)
Whatever God has call us to do and wherever He has placed us to serve, we are to demonstrate that we can be trusted with the assignment. Further, that we are faithful in fulfilling the assignment.
2. The requirement of leadership is fruitfulness.
By definition, the word leadership indicates that a group of people are going some place or endeavoring to achieve something. There is inherent movement needed that requires someone to show the way. Progress of any organization or organism is never constant; it is most often seasonal. But over time, production, or fruitfulness, is a natural expectation.
Yet, fruitfulness is not limited to leadership. It is the the LORD's expectation of all His followers. Note Jesus' words from John 15:
"Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit." (v.5)
"By this my Father is glorified that you bear much fruit and prove to be my disciples." (v.8)
"You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit..." (v.16)
Saturday, April 14, 2012
5 Lessons from a Rebellion
Read Numbers 15-16.
In chapter 15, God gave the Israelites a few more instructions to prepare them and to remind them of what He had said. This included giving an offering of gratitude, the seriousness of breaking His laws, and even sewing reminders on their clothing.
It is an amazement that people do not learn from the past. Korah and his clan decided to amass a frontal attack on the spiritual leadership of Moses and Aaron. We have seen such a challenge before, but this one includes 250 "chiefs of the congregation." Their accusation in 16:3 centers on their belief that the entire nation is just fine spiritually and that these two leaders had exalted themselves as holier than everyone else. The truth was these chiefs were rebellious and filled with jealousy.
Notice the responses of Moses. He did not defend himself.
1. He first fell on his face. I assume that means he prayed.
2. He entrusted the outcome to God.
3. God gave Moses direction on what to do.
In his message to them, Moses, reminds these men that God had separated them out from the nation as Levites, had allowed them to serve Him in the tabernacle, and to be near the presence of the LORD in ministering to and for the people. His question to them was "Is it too small a thing for you?" In other words, "Did not this special place God gave you mean anything to you?"
The challenge was not resolved quickly. Some would not even come to a meeting with Moses. God again expressed in anger His willingness to destroy the entire nation. And, again, Moses interceded for the congregation. It cost Korah and his entire family their lives and everything that belonged to them. The 250 rebellious men lost their lives. Their sin was not against Moses and Aaron, but 16:30b states "these men have despised the LORD."
Just when you would think the issue had been resolved, it was not. "But the next day all the congregation of the people of Israel grumbled..." They blamed Moses and Aaron for the deaths of their friends. Now the entire congregation is angry with them. God sent a plague and 14,700 more died. Again, Moses interceded for the nation to stop the plague. What a powerful description of a godly leader in 16:48- "and he stood between the dead and the living."
Lessons from the rebellion:
1. Whenever a decision is made, expect it to be tested. Good leaders discuss and prepare for the test as best they can. Even then they can be blindsided.
2. Some people never learn. They go through life ignoring the grace of God and His claim on their lives, making the same foolish decisions over and over again.
3. God is deadly serious about obedience. Some have ignored the fact that this is still true. Because the ground did not open up to kill them when they disobeyed, they may feel they got away with sin. They did not. If there is not repentance, God will deal with them in His time.
4. There are no small jobs in serving the LORD. There is a place for everyone to be used of God. He will provide opportunities to serve Him. It is our pride that desires the bigger or better spot. We need to be careful and humbly serve where He puts us.
5. The most powerful activity of any leader is intercessory prayer. We have seen this time and again in the life of Moses. "The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working." James 5:16b
In chapter 15, God gave the Israelites a few more instructions to prepare them and to remind them of what He had said. This included giving an offering of gratitude, the seriousness of breaking His laws, and even sewing reminders on their clothing.
It is an amazement that people do not learn from the past. Korah and his clan decided to amass a frontal attack on the spiritual leadership of Moses and Aaron. We have seen such a challenge before, but this one includes 250 "chiefs of the congregation." Their accusation in 16:3 centers on their belief that the entire nation is just fine spiritually and that these two leaders had exalted themselves as holier than everyone else. The truth was these chiefs were rebellious and filled with jealousy.
Notice the responses of Moses. He did not defend himself.
1. He first fell on his face. I assume that means he prayed.
2. He entrusted the outcome to God.
3. God gave Moses direction on what to do.
In his message to them, Moses, reminds these men that God had separated them out from the nation as Levites, had allowed them to serve Him in the tabernacle, and to be near the presence of the LORD in ministering to and for the people. His question to them was "Is it too small a thing for you?" In other words, "Did not this special place God gave you mean anything to you?"
The challenge was not resolved quickly. Some would not even come to a meeting with Moses. God again expressed in anger His willingness to destroy the entire nation. And, again, Moses interceded for the congregation. It cost Korah and his entire family their lives and everything that belonged to them. The 250 rebellious men lost their lives. Their sin was not against Moses and Aaron, but 16:30b states "these men have despised the LORD."
Just when you would think the issue had been resolved, it was not. "But the next day all the congregation of the people of Israel grumbled..." They blamed Moses and Aaron for the deaths of their friends. Now the entire congregation is angry with them. God sent a plague and 14,700 more died. Again, Moses interceded for the nation to stop the plague. What a powerful description of a godly leader in 16:48- "and he stood between the dead and the living."
Lessons from the rebellion:
1. Whenever a decision is made, expect it to be tested. Good leaders discuss and prepare for the test as best they can. Even then they can be blindsided.
2. Some people never learn. They go through life ignoring the grace of God and His claim on their lives, making the same foolish decisions over and over again.
3. God is deadly serious about obedience. Some have ignored the fact that this is still true. Because the ground did not open up to kill them when they disobeyed, they may feel they got away with sin. They did not. If there is not repentance, God will deal with them in His time.
4. There are no small jobs in serving the LORD. There is a place for everyone to be used of God. He will provide opportunities to serve Him. It is our pride that desires the bigger or better spot. We need to be careful and humbly serve where He puts us.
5. The most powerful activity of any leader is intercessory prayer. We have seen this time and again in the life of Moses. "The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working." James 5:16b
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