March 7

Numbers 31-32

That the Gadites and Ruebenites didn't want their share of the promised land seems incredulous! It wasn't from fear of the inhabitants.  They were willing to help fight and overcome these for the rest of Israel. So, why didn't they want to move? I think that they had gotten comfortable where they were, and they didn't like change. There are those who dislike change to such a degree that they will not change, even when the change is clearly beneficial.

I have seen this in churches all my life. When church leadership has made a decision to make a change for the good of the flock, there are almost always a few who resist. Their resistance comes because they are comfortable with the status quo, it is simply the way it has always been, and they see no reason to change. Now, I sympathize with them if the change is without purpose, or is clearly against God's will. But, if it just makes them uncomfortable, they need to follow the example of the Ruebenites and Gadites; stay where you're comfortable, while continuing to fight the good fight with those who have moved on.

One of our elders recently demonstrated this principle when I shared what a yong man at our evening study had told me. The young man said that he really liked our worship services, but his wife isn't comfortable with the praise team. This elder wisely stated that they needed to go to church where they are both comfortable. That's the beauty we find in the diversity of the church.

March 6

Numbers 28-30

When I read the laws and regulations given to the Israelites, I get dizzy! The number of sacrifices, along with the frequency, is just staggering. Add to all this, the subjugation of the women, and you have a system that tests the bounds of human endurance. It makes me all the more grateful for the freedom we have in Christ Jesus.


The new covenant releases us from the tyranny of the law. Through Christ we no longer have the need for continual sacrifices. The keeping of special days and elaborate ceremonies belong to a bygone era. In the kingdom there is neither male nor female. We are all equal in God's sight. Yet, I find many who prefer law to freedom. Sad to say, but there are those who choose law-keeping to the joy of a life where we have the freedom to worship God without restrictions. God doesn't need or desire elaborate ceremony in strict adherence to a particular code, whereby the breaking of any one element renders our worship unacceptable. Thank you, Lord Jesus, for nailing the law to the tree. Thank you for becoming the only sacrifice needed. Thank you for setting us free from the bondage of sin and the exhaustion of the law. Amen!

March 5

 
Numbers 26-27
It's interesting that God controlled the population of Israel over their forty years of wandering in the desert, so that as they were to enter the promised land they were still about the same size and strength. Let it not be said that they had any advantage over the prior faithless generation. Our success doesn't depend on our own size or strength. Rather, our success depends on God's size and strength!

Did you catch the faithfulness of Moses in this reading? He is reminded that he will not enter the promised land because of sin at Meribah. Without any moaning or groaning, he sets about the business of choosing a new leader for Israel. Not only did he not question God's justice, he displays sincere concern for the people under his charge. What an example of leadership!

March 4

Numbers 23-25

When Phinehas kills Zimri and Kozbi, the Moabite, God praises him for sharing His zeal against the rampant sexual immorality the Israelite men were engaged in with Moabite woman who were leading these men into worship of false gods. A few things really stick out with this story. First, God is condoning premeditated murder. Second, Israel is once again following other gods. And, third, sexual immorality is running rampant.


The second and third help to explain the first. Along with that, we also read that God killed 24,000 Israelites for the same reason Phinehas killed. This does not give us license to run out and start killing those who are engaged in behavior that God doesn't like. Quite the contrary! Under the New Covenant we are to love the sinner while hating the sin. We will always have those who exalt something or someone above God. And, we will always have those who are engaged in sexual immorality. While we are not to condone these things, we are to demonstrate the love of Christ in convicting them of their sin, forgiving, and then helping them learn a better way.

March 3

Numbers 21-22

That God would send snakes throughout the camp terrifies me. That Balaam would talk to his donkey, without asking how the donkey was able to respond, amuses me. That God would be displeased with Balaam for going, after He told him to go, puzzles me. That the writer would reference two outside sources intrigues me. That the Israelites would finally fight, instead of faithlessly trembling in fear, gives me hope for them. There's a lot going on in these two chapters!


Providing a bronze snake for redemption provides irony. God does have a sense of humor. Balaam needed reminding that he was on God's mission. The style of writing possibly indicates a different writer than in the former books. The Israelites just might be finally getting it. There's a lot to learn from these two chapters!

March 2

 
Numbers 18-20
Moses and Aaron performed a mighty miracle, bringing forth water from a rock. The waters of Meribah would be a monument to their sin. At first glance, one might wonder, what sin? God had told them to strike the rock and it would bring forth the needed water to satisfy the thirst of the Israelites, and that is precisely what Aaron and Moses did. Well, almost precisely. Throughout the Exodus Moses had continually given God the credit for all of the miracles bringing redemption to God's people. However, for reasons left unrevealed, Moses and Aaron decided to take the credit for this one life-saving miracle. Thus, taking God's glory for themselves. For this error in judgement, they were denied entrance into the promised land.

Do we ever take credit for what God has done? I fear the answer is in the affirmative. If not for ourselves, then for others. My good friend, Ben, has often said that he doesn't believe in the god of coincidence. When God intervenes in our lives, and we give the credit to coincidence, or our own effort, aren't we taking away God's glory? While it may be true that we, or external circumstance, may have had a part in the accomplishment, it is still God who deserves the glory!

March 1

 
Numbers 16-17
Kohath and his followers represent a common misgiving -- envy. They thought it to be unfair that Aaron was high priest while they weren't; they envied Aaron's position. To make matters worse, they grumbled against the Lord. They paid the ultimate price for their sin. We read that God had the earth swallow their entire klan!

Much of the modern talk about equality is nothing more than envy. There are those who believe they should reap the same benefits as the wealthy without having to earn them. Class warfare is promoted under the guise of equality. This distortion of civil liberties is destructive. Even though God doesn't deal with sin in the same manner as He did then, the natural consequences will still be felt and many will suffer because of class envy.