Beyond the Ordinary

The focus continues to be on purity and distinction from the unbelieving nations around them.  Many of these nations practiced self-mutilation as well as mutilation of their children.  They also engaged in sexual practices deemed inappropriate by God.  Israel is warned to avoid these practices.

The Nazirite Vow indicated a distinct separation, above and beyond what was expected of the average Israelite.  The Nazirite was totally devoted to God and His work during the period of his vow and often used that time for deeper study and frequent service.  The specific marks of a Nazirite were:
1.   No consumption of the “fruit of the vine” – grapes in any form.
2.   No cutting of the hair.
3.   No contact with a dead body.
The vow had a specific ceremony to signify it’s completion.  File these marks in the back of your mind – they will help give greater understanding to the accounts of Samson and John the Baptist, both of whom were Nazirites.

In the vows of dedication, it seemed to me that basically they couldn’t vow to give something to the Lord that was already His.  For instance, the firstborn of an animal was already intended to be used for sacrifices – vowing to dedicate it was redundant, and not really a vow at all.  It will require further study (and we may never know), but reading about this vow brought to mind the account of Ananias and Sapphira found in Acts 5 – a couple who sold a piece of property, vowing to give the proceeds to the Lord, but held back a portion of it.  When confronted with their lie (not giving all they had claimed), they were struck dead.

What's the significance?

The cedar-wood signified the restoring of the leper to his strength and soundness. The scarlet wool signified his recovering a florid color again, for the leprosy made him white as snow. And the hyssop intimated the removing of the disagreeable scent which commonly attended the leprosy.

The burning of the red heifer has a couple distinctions from other sacrifices offered. First, a red heifer was far more rare than other colors.   Second, the sacrifice took place outside of town, rather than in the temple.  Third, this heifer was to be provided at the expense of the congregation, because they were all to have a joint interest in it; it would serve to purify them all.  Jewish history says that the first red heifer provided enough ashes to last the Jewish people nearly 1000 years – others later only lasted several hundred.  All those who were involved in the sacrifice became unclean for a period of time.

If you think about it ... Christ’s sacrifice was distinct from others (animal) .  He was the rarest of sacrifices.  The crucifixion took place outside of town.  All would be purified by the sacrifice.  It would be sufficient to last.  All those who participated in the sacrifice were guilty.  Just sayin’.

Purity and Jubilee

Once again, we see that God insists on purity.  In our studies over the past few days, how many times have we seen repeated that sacrifices should be made with an animal “without spot or blemish”?  And how often have we read that the priests were to be clean?  But what did God mean by “clean”?   Certain restrictions were placed on the priests which, if followed, would keep them “clean” in God’s sight.   They could not touch anything dead.  They could not shave.  They could not mar their bodies.  They had to marry virgins.  These things set the priests apart from other people and obedience imputed holiness to them.  While I suspect that avoiding the shaving and marring were more cultural, not touching the dead may have represented not
touching sin – death is the result of sin.  Virgins are associated with purity as well so it makes sense that the priests had to “join” with a pure woman.  File these restrictions in the back of your mind ... they'll come up again later.

On the surface, the Sabbatical Year and the Year of Jubilee may seem odd to us.  Our economy and our culture don’t function anything like that. In the Sabbatical year, the land was allowed to rest for a year, with nothing planted on it.   In the Year of Jubilee, the Israelites were freed from their debts and restored to their original lands.  It was a year spent in rest, without the typical farming activities.  And why was it important?   There are several thoughts involved here.  First, the year of rest (both in the Sabbatical Year and the Year of Jubilee) was good for the land as well as the man.  I’m not sure that the Israelites practiced rotation of crops .. so having a year of rest for the land was very important in restoring nutrients to the soil.  And in the arid regions of the Middle East, a year without cultivation allowed the land to be replenished with ground water and soil moisture.  Besides this practical aspect, God had promised that He would provide enough extra in the sixth year to carry them through a year of no crop production – something they had to take on faith, trusting in God’s provision.  The Year of Jubilee added an extra measure of these things, but it did more.  If we recall, each of the tribes of Israel were given specific lands.  By returning the lands to their original owners during the Jubilee, the distinction of each tribe was maintained.  The genealogies were preserved for each family – and the bloodline of Christ could be accurately tracked.  Also, this plan prevented any one family from becoming too wealthy (and thus too powerful, taking away from the power of God or becoming oppresive) or too poor (condemned to perpetual poverty).  There was great safety for all under this arrangement.

Moral Code

We in the US enjoy protection from several branches of military and each branch has their own Code of Conduct.  Among the masses of soldiers are some who are the most highly trained –  the elite, who carry their code throughout their lives.  The Marines are well known for their code and it is said that “once a Marine, always a Marine” because the code is so ingrained in their training.

We all have some sort of moral code.  Society needs a set of rules to live by or it becomes total chaos.  Even the most backwards heathens have a set of rules to live by.  And every moral code addresses, in one way or another, the issue of integrity.... what defines honesty.

Over the past few days, a lot of what we’ve read has covered how to handle “sin” and “sin” has been used to broadly cover a range of actions of disobedience to God.   The matters of honesty and integrity are addressed more specifically today as well as how restoration is to be handled.   Notice that when deception is used to achieve gain, it is not enough to simply return what was taken – there is an additional “fine” attached.   This became such an important principle to the Jews as we will see later when we read the account of Zaccheus in the book of Luke.  Zaccheus was a tax collector who greedily overcharged many people – when he comes to Christ and realizes his sin, he not only returns the money he’s embezzled, he also restores them “four fold”
– or 4 times over.

Also up to now, we’ve seen the requirement for animals sacrificed to be those without spot or blemish – today that, too, is clarified.  In our culture, we may struggle a bit with the definitions of various maladies as being unacceptable to God.  I don’t believe, however, they were not to be used because God didn’t value them.  From my understanding of the times, it was a matter of culture.  Many of the false religions surrounding the Jews also offered animal sacrifices but without regard for the condition or quality of the animal.  By requiring perfection, God was setting His people apart to be distinct from those around them.  And the external examination of the sheep to be given to God in sacrifice is a picture of the process of self-examination to find the internal flaws within ourselves.

What's the point?

I don’t know about you, but in today’s reading, I think my eyes began to glaze over.  More offerings.  More details.  And they are starting to blur.... I’m having a hard time keeping them straight.

But maybe we don’t have to.  Maybe that’s not the point (although I’m relatively certain that later in our reading, some of this information is going to bring fresh perspective to events that are coming).  Maybe, for now, it’s more important what we can observe. 

The feasts and offerings are used for several purposes.  Some are for the covering of sins.  Some are for fellowship between men and God. .  Some are to make the individual pure and set apart for God.   Some bring the community of faith together (Lev 17:1-7). 
We also see different roles and actions being carried out by different players – the worshiper who brings the offering, the priest who performs parts of the ceremony, the animal who serves as the offering, and the central focus being God. 
Israel is not the Church, but there are little hints which point to the Church which will come later.  The apostle Paul likened the Church to a body (1 Corinthians 12), with each member being a different part and serving a different role.  The Lamb (Christ as the ultimate sacrifice) is the basis for the Church and His sacrifice is an important focus of our gathering.  In the sacrifices for atonement, notice that the animal was to be totally consumed (destroyed) ... just as sin is to be totally destroyed from our lives.  Those who come together should be “clean” not unlike the command to “examine ourselves” before we participate in the Lord’s supper
(communion - 1 Corinthians 11: 27, 28).  And the worshipers even cared for the needs of the priests (the priests were fed from some of the offerings), God’s full time servant -- much like the church cares for it’s pastor. 

Interesting that, although we are not subject to these laws and regulations, some of the principles are similar – and maybe the point is we get that glimpse into the consistency of God.

In Memory of....

God directs His people to have 3 major Feasts each year and gives specific instruction for their observance.  This is the method God chose to have fellowship with His people.  There were many preparations made for these Feasts and while the people were making those preparations, they were solemnly reminded of Who God was (and is) and of the barriers to their relationship with Him.  These observances also served to set them apart from the nations around them -- something God wanted for them. 

When I was 16, our family took a trip "out east" to visit relatives in Connecticut and Vermont, most of whom I had rarely, if ever seen.  In VT, we spent a day with my great-aunt Alice.  She was a feisty old girl and spent the day regaling us with stories of our ancestral clan.  They were fascinating but I honestly didn't believe her -- she had  a reputation for exaggeration!  As I've studied my family history, however, I've learned that most of what she said was true!  I didn't realize then that Aunt Alice was trying to impart some of those family legends to the next generation.    I should have paid more attention.

So I can relate a little to the children of Israel, and God's desire to pass on the stories of His faithfulness and care to the next generations.  The call of Moses, the miracles in Egypt, the flight from the Egyptians, the miracle of moving that massive group of people -- God didn't want them to forget the past .. for their children to be unaware of how God had worked in their nation.  And the Feast of the Passover wasn't just a memorial for the past, it contained elements of things to come. "The Jewish writers tell us that the custom at the passover supper was that the master of the family broke this unleavened bread, and gave to every one a piece of it, saying, This is (that is, this signifies, represents, or commemorates, which explains that saying of our Saviour, This is my body) the bread of affliction which your fathers did eat in the land of Egypt." (Matthew Henry's Commentary).  Just as in the Passover, the blood of the lamb protected the inhabitants, the symbolism represents the time when the Blood of the Lamb (Jesus) would protect us from the penalty for sins.  And in most of our Christian churches, we remember that sacrifice by the breaking of bread (communion).  We need to remember.

Who's on First?

God was very specific in His commands and He left no doubt where He stood on certain issues.

God warns His children about those who practice witchcraft, use spells and incantations,  speak to the dead (mediums) and foretell the future.  Their powers can be intriguing and it can be easy for us to become involved in these activities.  But God is clear that He is not the source of these powers (if He were, these activities would not be detestable to Him) and He does not want us to be deceived by them.  God desires to be the Almighty in our lives .. and the source of our power and strength.  When we give honor to any other source of power, we, in effect, give our worship to something or someone other than God.   God’s  power is greater than any other, so when pursuing such deceptive interests, we are settling for something inferior.  Why do THAT?

God also instructs in children regarding giving and offerings.  Obviously, God does not personally NEED what we have to give Him – but we NEED to give to Him as an act of obedience, as a sign of our love and devotion.   We need to take a day from our busy week and set it aside to rest and to honor Him.  We need to clear our minds of the worries and concerns of our lives and focus on His blessings.  If we all took time to stop and reflect on how amazing God is and how He cares for us, our lives might be a bit more peaceful.

Today’s reading seemed at first to be “all over the map” .. but as I thought about it, I realized that all the issues addressed are really variations on a theme – God wants to be preeminent in our lives.  He wants us to love Him, obey Him, respect Him ... in response to His great love for us!

Introducing .....

me!  Well, just a little about me.  My name is Susan and I'm going to try to fill in for Jody while she's off exploring.  This is gonna be tough .. Jody has set a high bar!  But I'll do what I can to interject a few thoughts.

It might help you to know a little about me.  I've known Jody since ... well, what happened in Jr High stays in Jr High!  I'm married (this Sunday we will be celebrating our 34th anniversary) to Keith and we have 5 kids -- 3 of our own and 2 married to ours.  Plus we have 2 grandchildren.  Keith and I are "missionary church builders" --- we travel around the US constructing buildings for very small congregations.  We live in a 40' fifth wheel RV and are currently building in Wisconsin (and yes, it's as cold as it sounds).  I came to believe in Jesus as my Savior when I was 7 years old.  I had disobeyed my mom, and that Sunday, from the pulpit, my pastor used that very example as an example of what sin was -- I SO understood!  He also explained that sin forms a barrier between us and God and the only thing that breaks down that barrier is Jesus ... we needed to make Jesus the Lord of our lives.  I'm not sure I fully understood everything, but I understood enough to know that I needed Jesus to be my Savior.

As I was reading today, I had a couple thoughts.

First, as a parent, I understand having "rules" for my children.  Don't play in the street.  Don't touch the oven door.  Don't poke things into the light sockets.  I was pretty strict about some of these rules!  The rules weren't there to make life miserable for my kids ... I wanted to protect them, to keep them from harm.  Their safety was a high priority for me.  But there were other rules too.  Say "please" and "thank you".  Share your toys.  Don't cut in line.  These rules were in place to make them courteous people and pleasant to be around in society and to make them aware that their conduct impacts other people.   And there were consequences for breaking the rules -- sometimes the consequences were the natural result of their behavior (like the "don't eat too many sweets or you'll get sick" rule --  their little tummies didn't like it when they pounded down handfuls of candy) and sometimes Mom or Dad had to enact some discipline (the punishment always fit the crime).  It is no surprise then, that God, as a loving Father, has rules for His children.  Some were intended to protect them from the dangers of the times.  I'm sure my great-grandparents didn't have the light socket rule for their kids -- because times do change, but the principle of protecting our children doesn't.  Some were intended to make them better people and set them apart as representatives of a Holy God.  Whatever the reasons God had, we can learn a lot about what matters to God by observing what rules He made for His children.

Then, I noticed in the Deut 5:8-10 part of the reading, that future generations would be impacted by the conduct of the parents.  I am a recipient of that principle.  While working on a church in eastern New York, we had the opportunity to do some research into my Dad's family history.  When I started, he told me his ancestors were all either preachers or horse thieves .. and he figured it was heavy on the horse thieves.  ;)  But as I found more and more about our generations past, I found a rich heritage of Godliness.  My dad's dad was a pill, so there aren't any promises here ... but of the 12 generations since my dad's family arrived in America, 6 have been deacons, pastors or missionaries.   And most of the others have been farmers, highly respected in their churches and communities (with the exception of the one stray horse thief!).  The song lyrics "may all who come behind us find us faithful" have taken on a huge new meaning for me -- and challenged me to leave a legacy of Godliness for my great-grandchildren to discover.

Feb 17

In two days I'll be on a plane heading to the land described. This verse just gave me chills:

But the land you are crossing the Jordan to take possession of is a land of mountains and valleys that drinks rain from heaven.It is a land the LORD your God cares for; the eyes of the LORD your God are continually on it from the beginning of the year to its end. Deut 11:11-12

I know the eyes of  the Lord are everywhere, but what a beautiful verse.

And of course a great summary verse repeated for us again:

And now, O Israel, what does the LORD your God ask of you but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul. Deut . 10:12.

The laws are coming up in the reading. Just be greatful that you only have to read them once, the were given and written in the Bible twice. They are reviewed here for the generation going into the Promised Land. Happy reading.......I'll check in from the Promised Land whenever I can. The link to my travel blog is on the side there and I'll update it when I can. Hang in there with the reading.....I'll have a little gift from the Promised Land for everyone who makes it to the end!!

Feb 15

I've been in and around church most of my life. I knew a lot. I've lead a pretty decent life. But I didn't really want to get 'carried away'. You know what I mean? I mostly wanted a nice life, good friends, a decent home, my kids to stay out of drugs and not have babies before they were married..........

Oh I BELIEVED, and prayed and I even led my sister in law to the Lord. But God was never FIRST PLACE in my life till about 3 years ago. A family crisis hit. A big one. Not the first one ever.....but this was BIG. Literally, front page news-and even TV news. I very clearly remember looking at myself in the mirror and saying, "Well, time to get serious". I KNEW that I had not been doing what this passage said: "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul and with all your strength".

The words rang over and over and over in my mind. I began to panic as I wondered where my Bible was. I thought right then and there that if I was going to be of any help to my family, I would first have to make sure I was doing what this verse said. So I started to study and pray and read like never before. And I did help my family, a lot. And I learned not to really care what people thought or said about me or my family. And I fell in LOVE with God. I'm carried away, crazy, nuts, head over heels in love with God and His word. And it has had the most amazing side effects: peace, joy; I have a better life than I have ever had. I have better friends than I have ever had. Some people that I thought would be there for me, really were not, but God replaced them 10 fold. It's been an amazing journey!

I would encourage you to really look at yourself and ask how well you are measuring up to that verse. Now, don't get me wrong......I have a loooooooooooooooooong way to go. But I'm pressing toward it. Give it a try....you will NEVER be sorry. Don't wait till a crisis......start enjoying God now!!

Feb 15

The Journey's End. Moses knows he will die soon and wants to review the journey with those who will soon enter the Promised Land. For someone who complained that he could not speak well, he certainly now has a lot to say!

Wandering in the desert was a punishment. But there were beautiful lessons in it. The Lord carried them like a father:

"In the desert, where you saw him carrying you along like a man carries his son. This he did everywhere you went until you came to this very place.” Deut 1:31

He provided for their every need. They lacked nothing.

The LORD your God has blessed you in all the work of your hands. He has watched over your journey through this vast desert. These forty years the LORD your God has been with you, and you have not lacked anything. Deut 2:7

God provided for them to pass through territory peacefully....

Do not provoke them to war, for I will not give you any of their land, not even enough to put your foot on. I have given Esau the hill country of Seir as his own. You are to pay them in silver for the food you eat and the water you drink.'" Deut 2:5-6

If they were not allowed to pass through peacefully, God gave them victory over them even if they were giants!

At that time we took all his cities. There was not one of the sixty cities that we did not take from them--the whole region of Argob, Og's kingdom in Bashan. Deut 3:4  (Only Og king of Bashan was left of the remnant of the Rephaites. His bed was made of iron and was more than thirteen feet long and six feet wide. It is still in Rabbah of the Ammonites.) Deut 3:11 ("Rephaim" can describe an ancient "race" of giants in Iron Age Israel, or the places where these individuals were thought to have lived. Wiki)

Now Moses encourages the people that this same God will be with them as they take over the Promised Land:

"You have seen with your own eyes all that the LORD your God has done to these two kings. The LORD will do the same to all the kingdoms over there where you are going. Do not be afraid of them; the LORD your God himself will fight for you." Deut 3:21-22

All these amazing things happened to them for a reason and we can be encouraged by their story because the same God loves and seeks us!

You were shown these things so that you might know that the LORD is God; besides him there is no other. Deut 4:35

Feb 14

In less than a week I will be in the very borders described in the passage. God describes EXACTLY the borders of the land He has given them. This document is over 2500 years old (written in approx 1470 BC). EVEN if you didn't believe in God, WHERE does everyone get the idea that the Palestinians 'were there first'? (other than from the media!!). The earliest version of the Koran is 650 AD!!! And, I am sure you know that the country of Israel does not occupy any where near this amount of land today. Many people who are in favor of a 'two state' solution is are in for a rude awakening. These are STILL God's people, He brought them MIRACULOUSLY back into in this land in 1947 (that is a whole HUGE miracle that I will blog about some time) and if you mess with them, you mess with God!!

I cannot BELIEVE how many Christian's are ANTI-Israel!!!!!!! Many Christians have gotten into this "replacement theology idea" that the church replaces Israel. Oh, no, they are the root and we are "grafted in". Rom 11:23-24. They are blinded to the truth of Jesus for a time while the 'fullness of the Gentiles" is reached, Rom 11:25-26. Many, many will believe in the the end (and are believing already, Messianic congregations are growing like wild fire). OK, I got that off my chest!! Off my soap box.......

Backing up......I was very happy to Moses 'seeking the Lord' for his successor. In my mind, who else could it be but Joshua who has followed him as faithful aid and protege for 40 years. Joshua and Caleb are the only two originals to enter the Promised Land so it's not like there is a wide field of qualified candidates. But it's a great lesson for us that even when something seems obvious, to seek the Lord and His will and 'lean not on our own understanding'.

Also we see Gad and Reuben and the half tribe of Manassa wanting to settle before they reached the Promised Land. When we get to the NT, we will find out what has happened to this area (the Gaderenes) when Jesus casts demons out in that area and throws them into pigs. That may seem like a simple statement, but remeber: Jews do not raise (or even touch) pigs: that area has quickly fallen into pagen practices (raising that many pigs in a 'high place' is almost certainly for the purpose of sacrificing to idols).  Don't settle for any thing less than God's fullest 'promised land'. It could affect generations to come!

Feb 13

Moses counted 601,730 fighting men.  Conservatively, adding women and children you are looking at 2,406,920 Isrealites!!. The population of Houston TX is estimated at 2,208,180.  Only three other US cities have larger populations (Chicago: 2.8 million, LA 3.8 million and NY NY 8.2 million). So while the counting is tedious and sometimes boring to read it does yeild incredible perspective. I say WOW!!

I skimmed yesterday’s reading a bit due to time constraints, so I reread some of it today. There is always so much in each passage! A couple things struck me that I thought I would share. It is easy to be critical of the Israelites disobedience. But this is the second time that we see them go ‘above and beyond’ with their giving. Earlier they gave so much toward the tabernacle that Moses had to tell them to stop Ex 35:5-6. Now after they have tediously counted their spoils (can you imagine counting 337,500 sheep??!!), they realize after their battle that ‘not one their number is missing’ and they bring an offering and they bring an offering voluntarily Num 31:49-52 (not commanded that I can see) of the gold they collected weighing 16,750 shekels. That’s a lot of gold! (a shekel is roughly a half an ounce. Today's gold prices are over $1000 per ounce)  I also missed in my first reading through that they killed Balaam. Interesting.

While I was looking for the verses about the Israelites giving to the tabernacle a few verses struck me. They are especially beautiful in the Net Bible translation: "Let everyone who has a willing heart bring an offering to the Lord" Ex 35:5. 'Everyone whose heart stirred him to action and everyone whose spirit was willing came and brought the offering for the Lord for the work of the tent of meeting, Ex 35:21-22. They brought so much they had to tell them to stop. I've heard it said that if all God's people gave to the cause of furthering His kingdom the entire world could be evangalized in no time! I know that I am also very humbled by stories my "daughter" (former exchange student) tells me that in Korea, if you decide to be a missionary, it takes about 2 WEEKS to raise your support!! We are all "Numbered" amongs God people, let's stir our hearts to action and give with willing hearts toward His work!!

Feb 12

As I mentioned yesterday, the Israelites could have gone through this land peacefully (Deut 2:18-19) if this whole ta-do had not taken place. But because of them hiring Balaam and then causing the Israelites to sin, blood had to be shed. I like how it says that the women 'invited them to the sacrifices to their gods". Num 25:1-2. It doesn't seem to be a condition of their sexual favors but they are more than willing to go along with it apparently.

We aren't told until a little later in the passage that this whole 'get the Midianite women to entice the men' was Balaam's idea. I can't help but see the hand of Satan here- he knows the Messiah is coming through them, he wants to mess them up every which way we can. The Midianites were neighbors nearby Moab and were in with them in going to get Balaam to try to curse the Israelites. (The Midianites are related to Abraham through his last wife Katurah.) While the slaughter and punishment that takes place is clearly disturbing, the author (LaGard Smith) points out that these wars and taking of booty were common place throughout the ancient world. And the sin is clear and blantent and even flaunted. When you do searches for info on these types of battles, you often come across a lot of websites pointing out that "God cannot possibly be a loving and kind God" or else "He is a figment of man's imagination" otherwise why would He order "senseless slaughters" like this. But I am sure that those of you that have been reading along have realized how looooong suffering He is with them and us!!

Feb 11

Num 22-24
Are you are a good prophet or a bad prophet?  Will the REAL prophet (ass?) please speak up!!

Set the scene:
As you can see from the map, the Moabites and Ammonites (who are decendants of Lot and his daughters) are west of the Jordon River. In the small yellow cicle (you can click on the map to make it bigger) is where God eventually takes Moses before he dies to see the Promised Land, to the top of Mt. Nebo. I got a little lost in the geography, but commentators say that Balaam the prophet from the Mesopotamia area (near where Abraham was originally) some 350 miles away (this helped me understand Balaam a little better- remember other people there 'sort of' worshiped God, but also their idols. Terah, Abraham's father and Jacob's uncle Laban for example).

We see that they are terrified of Israel. Really they didn't need to be because it is further explained in Deuteronomy that they were not to take any of their land Deut 2:18-19. But never the less, they are terrified and set out to hire the most famous prophet in the land. Balaam. At times he talks a good talk, like maybe he's a true prophet. Kind of reminds me of these mediums you see on TV who talk about love and God and finding your lost loves ones, talking to the dead etc. They know ABOUT God and claim their power comes from Him, but they are involved in activities which God prohibits. Deut 18:10-12. There are only 2 sources of power in the world God and the one who marquerades as an 'angel of light': Satan.

This whole story is confusing and the last time we read it, my sister and I had quite a debate on it. At that time my conclusion was that God did not really speak to Balaam but he said that he had and it was just a bargaining tactic to get more money. That may still be the case, but now I kind of think that God did speak to him but the reason that He confronts him on his donkey is that he knows that it's in his heart to curse the people even though He told him to do "only what He tell him to do" Num 22:20 because it's repeated now in Num 22:35. Amusingly, Balaam does not seem overly suprised to have his donkey talk or to meet an angel in the road. As a side note, it makes you wonder what all animals are able to see. They certainly have God-given instincts that are totally unexplainable in the natural. Balaam seems like kind of a crusty old charachter that has 'seen it all'. And we know from NT references (and upcoming reading) that he was indeed, a 'bad prophet' and that his donkey was smarter than him! See 2 Pet 2:15-16, Jude 1:11, Rev 2:14

Some ancient Jewish historians have said that his 'gift' was knowing exactly when God's wrath was going to strike. This wouldn't be particularly difficult for the demons to know, and therefore let Balaam know, but here, God intervenes and uses Balaam to bless. Even though it appears that he is seeking God and even offering sacrifices as God requires, we see that he had been using sorcery all the time Num 24:1 and when he sees all of the Israelites (he had only seen part of them the first two times). Then the most AMAZING thing happens- God uses this wicked prophet to prophesy of the coming Messiah: "I see him,but not now. I behold him, but not near. A star will come out of Jacob; a sceptor will rise out of Israel". Num 24:16-17

This puts me in mind of when Jesus encountered people with demons in the NT and they had NO CHOICE but to proclaim Him to be God. Matt 8:28-33, Mark 1:23-27.

Feb 10

Numbers 20-21  In preparation for my trip, I'm busy reading travel blogs. I just read today about the Jabbok River and the Kings Highway which our reading mentions. No pics of the Kings Highway but that little river to the left is the Jabbok River. It is also where Jacob wrestled with God and Jacob and Esau reunited. It's easy to forget that these are REAL places that we read about. I hope this guy doesn't mind I lifted his travel photo. What a treasure these travel blogs are- they are totally new to me. I will not be traveling here- it's in Jordon. This guy gets around! I want to read more of his!! I hope when I do my travel blog that it will help make the Bible come alive for you. I know that there is nothing like being there- but I'll do my best.

Moses strikes the rock. I've got to give Moses a break here. True, he disobeyed God and had to pay the consequences. But if I had to wander around the desert with a whiney, disobedient group like this (not to mention eating the SAME THING every day for FORTY YEARS) I probably would have had that rod beating on something much sooner!! Of course, I'm sure that the deeper meaning is that Jesus is The Rock and life giving water is given freely. You don't have to 'beat it'. But I'm just saying, I would have 'cracked' much sooner than Moses.

The battles they have are a quick summary here and will be elaborated on more in Deut. But since we've been talking about giants, check out King Og of Bashan- his bed was 13 feet long and 6 feet wide. Deut. 3:11 (net bible thinks that "sarcofagus"it is better translated coffin- that would make sense! My bed is 6 feet x 6 feet but I don't take up all that space :)

The Bronze Serpant: We don't even have to guess that this is a picture foreshadowing salvation. We are told in the NT. John 3:14. It didn't keep them from being bitten- everyone is 'bitten' by sin. But doing what they were told was there salvation. Being a 'died in the wool' snake hater- that's all I have to say about that! This photo is a replica that is on Mt Nebo where you can see where Moses looked over the Promised Land before he died.

More on Feb 7 (how the Israelites break camp Numbers 10)

How the Israelites break camp (BUG OUT! As M*A*S*H would say!)
This is adapted from Matthew Henry's Commentary who is long since dead and I hope I'm not violating any copywrite. I don't think so, since you see it all over online. The blue comments are mine. It's written in kind of old english and a little hard to understand but I love the part about going Judah going first, the tabernacle being set up and then at the end how God cares for the scragglers.

•  Judah’s squadron marched first, Num 10:14–16. (the line from which the Messiah would come and looked further to the captain of our salvation) Then the tribes of Issachar and Zebulon (perhaps the commentator conciders then part of Judah's 'squadron)
• Then came those two families of the Levites which were entrusted to carry the tabernacle. As soon as ever the cloud was taken up, the tabernacle was taken down, and packed up for removing, Num 10:17. And here the six wagons came laden with the more bulky part of the tabernacle. This frequent removing of the tabernacle in all their journeys signified the movableness of that ceremonial dispensation. That which was so often shifted would at length vanish away, Heb. 8:13  
•  Reuben’s squadron (with Simeon and Gad) marched forward next, taking place after Judah, according to the commandment of the Lord, Num 10:18–20.
•  Then the Kohathites followed with their charge, the sacred furniture of the tabernacle, in the midst of the camp, the safest and most honourable place, Num 10:21. And they (that is, says the margin, the Gershonites and Merarites) (Tabernacle is to set up before they arrived Num 10:21)
• Ephraim’s squadron followed next after the ark (Num 10:22–24), to which some think the psalmist alludes when he prays (Ps. 80:2), Before Ephraim, Benjamin, and Manasseh, the three tribes that composed this squadron, stir up thy strength (and the ark is called his strength, Ps. 78:61), and come and save us.
•  Dan’s squadron (and Asher and Naphtali) followed last, Num 10:25–27. It is called the rearward, or gathering host, of all the camps, because it gathered up all that were left behind; not the women and children (these we may suppose were taken care of by the heads of their families in their respective tribes), but all the unclean, the mixed multitude, and all that were weak and feeble, and cast behind in their march. Note, He that leadeth Joseph like a flock has a tender regard to the hindmost (Eze. 34:16), that cannot keep pace with the rest, and of all that are given him he will lose none, Jn. 17:11.

Feb 9

Num 16-18

Rebellion:

Moses and God have had to endure it from:

• 
  
  The Israelites in general
• 
  
  The rabble among them (presumably non-Israelite tagging along) Num 11:4
• 
  
  Moses immediate family Num 12:1-2
• 
  
  And now the Korah himself a Levite priest along with 'well known community leaders who had been appointed members of the council" Num 16:2

Moses AGAIN intercedes to limit the punishment.This time with leaders who should have known better!  I know I mentioned it before but it is such a beautiful picture of Jesus Messiah interceding for us. Before Peter's denial, Jesus told Simon Peter that Satan desired to have him but that He had prayed (interceded) for him Luke 22:31-32. And when He went to the cross He cried "Father forgive them for they know not what they do" Luke 23:34. Now if EVER the earth should have opened up and swallowed up the wicked it should have been at the crucifixion! But instead we see forgiveness!

What was interesting to me is that Moses handles it each time with great humility, usually falling face first and takes his concerns directly to God. Num 11:10-15, Num 16:4. He was angry Num 16:15, which is understandable but he doesn't list off all the things he's done for them. This got me thinking of my own life. For many years my rebellious sister (not the one who belongs to this site) was my 'pet project'. I did all kinds of things for her and her now Ex-husband. I ended up getting slapped in the face over and over. Each time, either out loud or to myself, I've said, "After ALL I've done for them!!" We don't see ANY of this with Moses! That right there tells me that my motives were not perfect. I'm happy to report that I am learning (work in progress) to work for the Lord and not for others. Trying to "follow the cloud". And happier than ever! Life is not like an Algebra equation "If A.........then B........" It's more like "Do A (whatever the Lord tells you) and Leave B to Him".

Feb 8

Num 12-14   Problems with siblings:
Wow! Talk about sibling rivalry! As if Moses doesn't have enough trouble with the Israelites! I love how God just goes totally 'parental' on them. 'You 3, here NOW, I'm coming down out of this cloud and talking to YOU.' We are told almost in passing here that Moses has a new wife. A Cushite. I had to remind myself (love that NetBible) that the Cushites are from Ham's son Cush- the son the disrespected Noah. They were from Ethiopia. We aren't told but is she perhaps a woman of color and that's what they are grumbling about? Just a thought. God does not seem to have a problem with it at all-whatever they were grumbling about. After the big Ta-do, the story that follows is a beautiful picture of the Messiah. Miriam becomes a leper (often associated with sin and being 'unclean') and Moses intercedes for her even though she had just turned against him. Much the same strory with Jesus: His own  rejected Him, but He interceded with the Father for those who believed on Him to cleanse them of their sin. John 1:11-12 (if you haven't noticed by now you can put your cursor on these verses to read them).

I was a little curious about the statement in Num 12:3 about Moses being 'more humble that anyone on the earth. (Seems like an oxymoron to tell anyone you are humble)
Here's a good article about it and how tricky it is to translate some of the Hebrew words-the same word can also be translated oppressed and that he was!
 http://www.godward.org/Hebrew%20Roots/meanings_of_moses.htm
The other possibility is that Joshua, his young aid was actually doing the writing for Moses and inserted that himself. Moses must be about 82 or so by now.
Another excellent possibility that my friend came up with was that it because he had seen God 'face to face' as it were. If that doesn't humble you, I don't know what would!

The Spies

The other big news today is of course about the spies. Interesting how the only two that brought a good report back are Joshua from the tribe of Judah and Caleb from the tribe of Ephriam. No one else believes that they can take the land that God promised them. But when God gets angry and says they cannot enter the land and will have to wander for 40 years until everyone over 20 dies.....they get the bright idea that NOW they will go and try to fight for the land. I think we can safely say that this is probably the origin of the phrase "WHAT WERE YOU THINKING??!!"

The giants in the land: I promised a little more info when we got to giants in the land. But I'm finding the topic a little too deep for me. There are a lot of hoaxes out there etc. and I don't want to tell you something wrong. This website seemed pretty authoritative and points out many of the hoaxes. Also, when you look at the section : References to Giants in ancient texts, references in the Bible are included as well as other ancient book which are still be translated/pieced together but they have many similarities to the Biblical stories.
http://www.ancient-wisdom.co.uk/giants.htm.

Feb 7

Num 10-11   I am SO glad we are done counting for a while. (And I thought the Count would be a cuter pic than the Israelites eating so much quail that it came out of their nostrils).

Before I talk about what we read today I'll share with you what I have been comtempleting the last couple days. I was thinking about Math. I was just good enough in math to get a good grade in Advanced Algebra. I studied whatever we were working on real hard, took the test and forgot it. But what I've been thinking is this: God LOVES math!! God INVENTED math! All those crazy formulas and everything work because He made them that way. We, as humans, don't invent anything, we DISCOVER things. And of course, like the Count: God loves counting!! Every single person counts!

So the Israelites are whining again! It is so tempting to be super judgemental of them.....but I don't know about you, but I have a pretty good assortment of food in my cupboard and fridge, a pretty comfy bed and I haven't had to pick sand out of any inconvenient places since my last trip our beautiful beach. And with all these luxuries, I have on occasion indulged in whining myself. I was going to say "on rare occasion" but my sister and people I work with read this, so I have to tell the truth :)

The last thing that caught my attention was actually first in the reading. The trumpets of hammered silver. For one thing I was suprised that they had the know how to make a silver trumpet. You would think that the rams horn type trumpet or shofar would be much more common. I would guess they learned that in Egypt with the rest of their skills. Trumpets were often used in the Bible to gather people together. And I am looking forward to the greatest trumpet blast of all when Jesus comes back!! 1 Thess 4:16-18

Feb 6

Num 1-2
Today's reading was just about a exciting as watching grass grow! And it doesn't get much more exciting for a while! But praise the Lord, He lead me to something interesting!

I wondered what in the world I would blog about. Then I ran across this. The way the tribes camped formed a cross! For reasons that I don't fully understand, this author plotted out how the tribes would have to fit in this space and came up with this drawing. Since the tabernacle would be in the middle, and the Levites right in front of it, I would think that would make it look even more like a cross! (If your brain comprehends numbers and details better than mine here is the website I got the info from http://ldolphin.org/camp.html)

The author also notes that the 4 tribes on the 'main' points of the compass (N-E-S-W) had these tribal insignias: Judah's tribal standard was, of course, the lion. Reuben's ensign was a man; Ephraim's the ox; Dan's, ultimately, the eagle. That peaked my interest, because in prophesy literature these same 4 creatures are around the throne of God  Ezek 1:10,  Rev 4:7. So it seems again that the Tabernacle is a picture of the heavenly throne room.

I wondered how the author came up these signs. The "Lion of Judah" most of us know, but I had never heard the rest. Apparently each of the 12 tribes is associated with the Mazzeroth (the Hebrew Zodiac). It is believed that when the Israelites were in captivity in Babylon (much later in our reading) that it was currupted there and that is how we got our 'modern day' zodiac. Ancient non-Biblical literature indicates that the 12 major contellations were revealed to Adam. I had heard that the contellations reveal the gospel story, so this made sense to me. It also kind of made sense because you wonder how ancient people navigated by the stars with no maps etc. Where did that knowlege originate? I found a presentation of the Mazzeroth and the gospel story on this video (which gives a little more detail than I want) and it's not the most compelling delivery but the information is pretty awesome.
http://www.tangle.com/view_video?viewkey=a9bbe3cbef1135154f2f

If you are into zodiac and horoscopes etc. I that hope this will compel you to follow only the Creator of these wonderful constellations and story that they reveal all on their own.

God's word is more and more awesome!!

Feb 5

All these different sacrifices were getting a bit jumbled up in my brain. I thought that this chart was very helpful.
http://home.earthlink.net/~lionlamb/SacrificialSystem.html (note to my friend Laurie-look what's in the URL- your favorite-lion/lamb :)

I was suprised how many of them were voluntary. It makes sense if you think about it......the only thing you HAVE to do is have your sins forgiven, but of course there are much richer blessings to be had when you fellowship with the Lord.

One of our members had a question about the first born being consecrated to the Lord. In today's reading is where God substitute the Levites (decendants of Jacob's son Levi) in place of the first born. In Num. 3:12-13. They are to serve in the tabernacle.

After we trudge through the gifts that each tribe brought (all the same) we find God talking to Moses from the Ark of the Covenant. Wow! I thought to myself, I don't ever remember Him speaking to Moses there. He must be going to say something very profound. What He says is to tell Aaron that when he lights the seven lamps that they are to light the area in front of the lampstand.  Num 8:1-2 Um.......isn't this obvious? Or is it just me? If you've looked at any of the tabernacle pics, you know that if you are facing the Holy of Holies, the menorah (or candelabra, or lampstand- all the same word) is to your left, against the wall. The area is not that big and there are no windows. I'm just not sure why He tell Moses something so obvious. If the lamps could be situated so that they could shine more in one direction than the other, why would you face it toward the wall?

 I do know that in the New Testament book of Revelation the lampstand is a symbol for the church (Rev 1:20). The church (lampstand) is not the light. Jesus is the light of the world John 8:12. The church (lampstand) just gives a platform for the light to be seen in the world. The light was never to go out, and was fueled by pure olive oil, a symbol of the Holy Spirt. Perhaps He was really speaking to us, centuries later, about making sure we are reflecting the light of Jesus. Maybe if we are not reaching out to hurting people and letting others know about Jesus, our light is 'facing toward the wall".

Here is a picture of the menorah for the Third Temple (pure gold worth over 3 million dollars). By the way did you notice the group responsible for carrying the furniture in the tabernacle was not given any carts. They were to carry everything. Num 7:6-9. How would you like to schlep (good jewish word) through the dessert with this on your back?? I assume the little things on the top are the actual lamps.

Feb 3-Leviticus 8-10

Leviticus 8-10

  I had posted the video  on our site from YouTube about the Jews wanting to build the Third Temple. They had just gotten the crown made of pure gold 'with all the latest research as historically accurate as possible'. I was interested in it but I had the nagging feeling I missed something in the reading because I didn't exactly remember it being a gold crown. Then I really looked into it today (we are 'to search the scriptures to see if it is so') and realized it was it was supposed to be a turban with a gold plate, not a gold crown. Ex 28:36-38. That got me to wondering if the linen turban represented the humanity/humility and obviously the gold reprents holiness. I wonder if the linen part got left out gradually or when that came to be. I don't think that I would want to be messing around with God's design!

Nadab and Abihu are struck dead for offering unauthorized fire. It follows right on the heels of the fire of God consuming the burnt offerering on the alter, so it makes you wonder if they weren't like "Dude, that was freaking awesome" let's see it again. And they fill their censer with fire that is not from the alter as commanded, perhaps it is from their own home and the result is not good. Maybe they thought 'fire is fire' but if the fire was not associated with the alter it was not associated with the sin offering. We are given a little hint that maybe alchohol was involved since Lev 10:8-9 now commands not to drink any wine or fermented drink in the Tabernacle (Tent of Meeting). Contrary to Aaron's excuses when the calf 'jumped out of the fire' he "remained silent" Lev 10:3.

I was a little confused by what was meant in Lev 10:19-20 about Aaron and his sons not eating the eating the goat as instructed. The only commentary I could find confirmed my suspision that it was because he was in mourning for his sons. As high priest he was not able to do any of the 'usual' mourning rituals like tearing his clothes but he just could bring himself to eat. The rule about High Priests not tearing their clothes is clearly violated, by the way, during Jesus 'trial' Mark 14:63.

I just can't help but contrast all the 'pomp and circumstance' in mind with Jesus who comes with none of these religious trappings, hangs out with stinky fisherman and is in so many ways so ordinary. Before He came all the worship had to be so perfect and so exact and so prescribed and ritualistic. I can't help but think how beautiful and spontaneous and sincere the acts of worship were in the NT. Like the woman who broke the alabaster box and washed the Lord's feet with her tears. Luke 7:38-49. I am so glad I was born on 'this side' of the cross. But having said that we still need to be careful that we treat God as Holy and worship and pray in the manner that He prescribes. I cringe sometimes when I hear people say things like, "The big man upstairs" or that they can 'worship God in their own way" often saying they worship Him out in nature or on a fishing boat. Although God gives us tremendous amount of freedom we still need to remember to do things HIS way and not ours.

Feb 2 Exodus 39-40

Exodus 39-40
More details again......I certainly would have been tempted to say, "and they made it just like God said" rather than recounted the details over and over. I'm sure there is a reason for it.

Anyway, so they did everything exactly as instructed (yeah!) and Moses inspected it and then blessed them.

Then comes the best part of all- Ex 40:34 the glory of the Lord filled filled the tabernacle. Ancient Rabbis called this the Shekina Glory ( not a term actually used in the Bible but is from two Hebrew words meaning "to dwell" and "tabernacle"). It  (He) manifests itself differently but it is most often seen as a large glowing cloud. One of the most beautiful revelations in scripture is that God desires to dwell with his people. Ever since Adam and Eve's fall, He has desired to restore that fellowship.

What a jaw dropping, weak in the knees experience it must have been to SEE the glory of God.

This got me thinking more about the Shakina Glory. A few instances I could think of (and there are probably many more)

•  the burning bush
•  "pillar of cloud by day and fire by night"
• thick cloud around Mt Sinai (when Moses went up and also when the 70 elders were there)
•  in the Holy of Holies

The MOST interesting thing to me was thinking of Jesus and wondering if He manifested this "Shekina Glory." Well I didn't have to think too hard before I remembered the transfiguration Mat 17:2.

 Then I started thinking of some more interesting instances of the Glory of the Lord in the New Testament (with the help of google)

• Luke 2:9 The shepards saw the glory of the Lord!! The lowest on the social ladder!
• John 1:14 Speaking of Jesus, John states, "The word became flesh and dwelt (tabernacled- is the literal meaning) among us and we beheld His glory...."
• Romans 3:23 When you get a little glimps of this glory, it gives new meaning to this verse about how we all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God! We are SO in need of a Saviour!
• John 17:22 Before Jesus leaves the earth He gives believers His glory!!! WOW (I'm guessing this is one of the reasons that art often depicts Jesus and others with those glowing rings around their head. I always have found that annoying but this makes sense) No wonder we are to be the light of the world!

The next time you recite the Lord's Prayer and say 'Thine is the Kingdom and power and the glory forever', you can more fully realize what that glory is when you think about the Shekina Glory.

And there is more glory yet to come. Certainly in heaven, but also in the New Jerusalem after Christ comes back to gather His followers and the rest are sent to eternal punishment and there is a new heaven and a new earth God will permanently dwell with His people and there will be no need of sun or moon because the Glory of the lamb will be the light. Rev 21:22-23