Key verse
Romans 6:23 - For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Numbers
The story about the bronze snake in Numbers 21 almost seems a bit idolatrous. At least, the snake could lead to idolatry, in that the Israelites would look at the snake alone for healing, rather than having the bronze snake be a symbol of God's healing touch. In fact, years later, Hezekiah ended up destroying this bronze snake that Israel had kept all along, because it had become a god to them, and they were burning incense to it (see 2 Kings 18).
When God provides an avenue for us to worship him or call on him, or a tool to use in developing our relationship with him, we need to avoid idolizing that tool as a god, and instead remember that it is only a means to God.
Showing posts with label Numbers. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Numbers. Show all posts
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Monday, February 7, 2011
Water from the rock
Numbers
And just like that, Moses and Aaron, the leaders of Israel, were not allowed to enter the promised land. Numbers 20 tells us the second story of the water from the rock. Moses and Aaron were to go to the rock and Moses was to speak to it, and water would come out so the people could drink. But when they got to the rock, Moses was too angry to speak to it, and just struck the rock (like he was commanded to a while back the first time God made water come from the rock). Because Moses and Aaron didn't have enough trust in God, they were no longer able to enter the promised land.
Let that be a lesson to us. Sometimes what God asks us to do seems so lame, or we think we have a better way to do it. But God's way really is the better way, and if we don't go his way, then we're missing out on an important lesson or a great blessing.
And just like that, Moses and Aaron, the leaders of Israel, were not allowed to enter the promised land. Numbers 20 tells us the second story of the water from the rock. Moses and Aaron were to go to the rock and Moses was to speak to it, and water would come out so the people could drink. But when they got to the rock, Moses was too angry to speak to it, and just struck the rock (like he was commanded to a while back the first time God made water come from the rock). Because Moses and Aaron didn't have enough trust in God, they were no longer able to enter the promised land.
Let that be a lesson to us. Sometimes what God asks us to do seems so lame, or we think we have a better way to do it. But God's way really is the better way, and if we don't go his way, then we're missing out on an important lesson or a great blessing.
Sunday, February 6, 2011
Breaking the Sabbath
Key verse
Romans 5:19 - For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous.
Numbers/Matthew
I would have liked more information about the man who broke the Sabbath (see Numbers 15:32-36). He was gathering wood on the Sabbath, and those who found him brought him to Moses and Aaron, and he was stoned to death outside the camp, on God's orders. Was it because he didn't trust God to provide the wood after the Sabbath, or he hadn't thought of God's day the day before, so he was had to gather wood on the Sabbath? The story doesn't offer many details, and I'm left hoping that God didn't just have him stoned out of an unintentional sin. But here is where we have to go on faith that God is gracious and compassionate and has proven himself to be such time and again.
In some ways, it is easy to see how the Pharisees became so focused on the letter of the law (see Matthew 23:23). Looking at stories like this one from Numbers could lead them to think that breaking the Sabbath by doing any work is completely out of the question, or else you'll suffer the consequences. But Jesus had the right attitude - it's not the outward appearance, but what's going on in the heart that God really looks at, so that is what we must focus on.
Romans 5:19 - For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous.
Numbers/Matthew
I would have liked more information about the man who broke the Sabbath (see Numbers 15:32-36). He was gathering wood on the Sabbath, and those who found him brought him to Moses and Aaron, and he was stoned to death outside the camp, on God's orders. Was it because he didn't trust God to provide the wood after the Sabbath, or he hadn't thought of God's day the day before, so he was had to gather wood on the Sabbath? The story doesn't offer many details, and I'm left hoping that God didn't just have him stoned out of an unintentional sin. But here is where we have to go on faith that God is gracious and compassionate and has proven himself to be such time and again.
In some ways, it is easy to see how the Pharisees became so focused on the letter of the law (see Matthew 23:23). Looking at stories like this one from Numbers could lead them to think that breaking the Sabbath by doing any work is completely out of the question, or else you'll suffer the consequences. But Jesus had the right attitude - it's not the outward appearance, but what's going on in the heart that God really looks at, so that is what we must focus on.
Saturday, February 5, 2011
Doing God's will
Numbers
Why is it often difficult to see the fulfillment we can get out of doing God's will rather than our own? It takes great faith to go out into the unknown and trust that God will deliver you. But we can rest on previous experience and knowledge too, that we know God will come through. The entire bible is a testimony to the grace of God, the trustworthiness of God. The Israelites had to make a hard choice: invade a land of enemies and trust that God will prevail, or turn away from God's promised land and not have to face a hard situation. Instead of doing what they did, and turn away, when you're faced with a clear opportunity from God that will bring immense joy and peace, go for it! It may be tough work or take a lot of faith to get to that promise from God, but he'll see you through. He was with the Israelites, even when they ignored him, and they eventually got to where God wanted them to go. He is faithful.
Why is it often difficult to see the fulfillment we can get out of doing God's will rather than our own? It takes great faith to go out into the unknown and trust that God will deliver you. But we can rest on previous experience and knowledge too, that we know God will come through. The entire bible is a testimony to the grace of God, the trustworthiness of God. The Israelites had to make a hard choice: invade a land of enemies and trust that God will prevail, or turn away from God's promised land and not have to face a hard situation. Instead of doing what they did, and turn away, when you're faced with a clear opportunity from God that will bring immense joy and peace, go for it! It may be tough work or take a lot of faith to get to that promise from God, but he'll see you through. He was with the Israelites, even when they ignored him, and they eventually got to where God wanted them to go. He is faithful.
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
The Lord's blessing
For today's post, I thought I would just pass along the blessing that Aaron and the Levites would bestow upon the Israelites on behalf of God:
‘This is how you are to bless the Israelites. Say to them: “The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace."'
I pray that you also would experience this blessing.
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Numbers aren't always boring
Numbers
Well, Leviticus is done! I must admit, it got a little boring reading all those laws. I thought Numbers would be similar, seeing as the first three chapters were about counting the fighting men. However, I read a footnote in my bible that made these numbers seem a little more interesting. It was saying that this census, which occurs at the beginning and end of Numbers, was more than just taking a count of the nation. They were only counting the fighting men because at both times they were preparing to invade the promised land (the first attempt failed because they weren't courageous enough to go through with it). In addition, the men were counted within family units, and organized into family units, so that they're co-fighters would be close family, and more precious to them than simply an acquaintance from some other tribe within Israel. These numbers can actually teach us a lot about God and his people, if we know what to do with them.
Matthew
Today's reading in Matthew (latter part of ch. 21) reminded me of an Adventures in Odyssey episode. This is a children's radio drama show that has been going on for about 25 years. The episode that I'm referring to is a re-enactment of some of the parables in Matthew - the parable of the tenants, the parable of the two sons, and also the section on the authority of Jesus questioned. The episode is called Over the Airwaves, and it originally aired on January 19, 1991. You can read mroe about the episode here.
Well, Leviticus is done! I must admit, it got a little boring reading all those laws. I thought Numbers would be similar, seeing as the first three chapters were about counting the fighting men. However, I read a footnote in my bible that made these numbers seem a little more interesting. It was saying that this census, which occurs at the beginning and end of Numbers, was more than just taking a count of the nation. They were only counting the fighting men because at both times they were preparing to invade the promised land (the first attempt failed because they weren't courageous enough to go through with it). In addition, the men were counted within family units, and organized into family units, so that they're co-fighters would be close family, and more precious to them than simply an acquaintance from some other tribe within Israel. These numbers can actually teach us a lot about God and his people, if we know what to do with them.
Matthew
Today's reading in Matthew (latter part of ch. 21) reminded me of an Adventures in Odyssey episode. This is a children's radio drama show that has been going on for about 25 years. The episode that I'm referring to is a re-enactment of some of the parables in Matthew - the parable of the tenants, the parable of the two sons, and also the section on the authority of Jesus questioned. The episode is called Over the Airwaves, and it originally aired on January 19, 1991. You can read mroe about the episode here.
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