I am not able to carry all this people alone; the burden is too heavy for me.

Numbers 10:11-35 and 11:1-15

I am not able to carry all this people alone; the burden is too heavy for me. Numbers 10:10

I continue my study of Numbers, and in the text today, where we first see Israel be led by God to leave Sinai in Numbers 10:11-35, and 11:1-15, we see Moses' struggle in dealing with Israel's weeping and complaining.  Here are my observations using the Sword Bible Study Method.

• What do we learn from the text about God?: God does not complaints - He sees this as directed towards Him and as a result, He is angered - see v11:1.  Who are we, that we complain that what God has done is not perfect?  He does not make mistakes.  We should not view ourselves as somehow deserving - of anything.  For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.  If anything we all deserve death (Romans 3:23, 1 John 1:8, Romans 6:23). God is patient and He does give second (and third - but His patience is not unlimited) chances.  In the text today, Israel does get Moses to intercede and pray to God on their behalf and God responds favorably by showing mercy - v11:2.  Yet it did not take long for the people to once again start complaining - v11:10.  And once again, God was angered.  
• What do we learn from the text about people?: Not only does God does not like it when we complain but other people don't like to hear complaints from others - it becomes whining.  See Yet even adults whine and complain as we see in the text today.  Moses' reaction in vv11:11-15.  For believers, we should understand that such complaining is a reflection of our heart towards God and how He has not provided (when in the text today he has with manna).  See also Exodus 16:7-8 and Philippians 2:14.  If we have struggles we know that we can go to God as Moses did and we should pray that God help us see how He is at work in our lives, so that others can see us as a light and not as whiners. See also 1 Thessalonians 5:18.    
• Is there anything from the text God wants us to obey (SPEC: Sins to avoid, Promises to claim, Examples to follow, Commands to obey?): Avoid grumbling and complaining.  Claim the promise that God is at work in all details of our lives - Romans 8:28. Follow the example of Moses to go to God when we feel our burden is too much to carry - see also Matthew 11:28-30, 1 Peter 5:7, Psalm 55:22.  Be thankful in all circumstances. 

Comment and discuss this post

My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God that loves and saves!  Thank You Jesus for Your patience and mercy!  I know Your mercies never cease and are new every morning.  I am not deserving.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

They shall be a reminder of you before your God: I am the LORD your God.

Numbers 10:1-10

They shall be a reminder of you before your God: I am the LORD your God. Numbers 10:10

I continue my study of Numbers, and in the text today, Numbers 10:1-10, we see the Lord give Moses instructions on making two trumpets and using these to summon the congregation of Israelites and for breaking camp.  Here are my observations using the Sword Bible Study Method.

• What do we learn from the text about God?: Trumpets are not a quiet instrument, so when one blows one or two trumpets you are not being inconspicuous, but bold.  God wants it known that we belong to Him and that He guides us (see yesterday's post).  He also protects - v9.  Believers should not be silent but instead should boldly proclaim who God is and that He saves - see also Acts 4:20 where Peter and John are brought before the Sadducees Council who were "greatly annoyed because [Peter and John] were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection from the dead."  We should not be silent.       
• What do we learn from the text about people?: Three times in the text when the trumpets are blown, the people are told to gather both together and with God.  It is not good for man to be alone - Genesis 2:18 - and God seeks for believers to not just fellowship with Him but with each other - we are to gather together with the people of God, through fellowship, worship, etc. 
• Is there anything from the text God wants us to obey (SPEC: Sins to avoid, Promises to claim, Examples to follow, Commands to obey?): Avoid being silent about who God is.  Claim the promise that we belong to Him, cannot be separated from His love, and that He saves. Follow the example of Peter and John to boldly proclaim the gospel.          

Comment and discuss this post

 My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who loves and saves.  I am not deserving of such love and for my salvation.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me. Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Whether it was two days, or a month, or a longer time, that the cloud continued over the tabernacle, abiding there, the people of Israel remained in camp and did not set out, but when it lifted they set out. At the command of the LORD they camped, and at the command of the LORD they set out. They kept the charge of the LORD, at the command of the LORD by Moses.

Numbers 9:15-23

Whether it was two days, or a month, or a longer time, that the cloud continued over the tabernacle, abiding there, the people of Israel remained in camp and did not set out, but when it lifted they set out. At the command of the LORD they camped, and at the command of the LORD they set out. They kept the charge of the LORD, at the command of the LORD by Moses. Numbers 9:22-23

I continue my study of Numbers, and in the text today, Numbers 9:15-23, we see the people of Israel following the Lord in the wilderness as He gives them direction over the tabernacle as He provides a cloud by day and fire by night.  Here are my observations using the Sword Bible Study Method.

• What do we learn from the text about God?: God was with Israel as the camped and moved in the wilderness - over the tabernacle as a cloud by day and fire by night - v16.  The cloud and the fire served as God direction for them - if it rested over the tabernacle they remained in camp - v18.  When the cloud lifted, they set out - v17.  Seven times in the text we see Israel following the command of the Lord to either set out or remain in camp - vv18 (2x), 20 (2x), and 23 (3x).  The duration of how long the cloud remained over the tabernacle did not matter - regardless of how they felt about remaining in camp, they "kept the charge of the Lord, at the command of the Lord by Moses" (v23).  Such as true for believers today and key for them to understand how God alone provides this direction is the extent to which we abide in Him and allow Him to direct our steps.  See John 15:5, Romans 12:2, Psalm 37:23, Proverbs 3:5-6, 16:9, 20:24, and Jeremiah 10:23.
• What do we learn from the text about people?: Believers should understand that God holds our lives in His hands and that we exist to glorify Him.  We are very often tempted to take matters into our own hands when instead we need to lean into Him and to pray for His guidance to direct our steps. Even in waiting, God is at work - always. 
• Is there anything from the text God wants us to obey (SPEC: Sins to avoid, Promises to claim, Examples to follow, Commands to obey?): Avoid taking matters into your own hands.  Claim the promise that God has a plan for you that is hopeful and good (Jeremiah 29:11, Romans 8:28). Follow the example of Christ who remained in and followed God's will.  Keep God's charge.      

Comment and discuss this post

 My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who loves and saves.  You have a plan for me that is good and hopeful.  Thank You Jesus for directing my steps!  I am not deserving of how You save and bless - I often see my own ways and my sin continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me. Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin. Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

But if anyone who is clean and is not on a journey fails to keep the Passover, that person shall be cut off from his people because he did not bring the LORD’s offering at its appointed time; that man shall bear his sin. And if a stranger sojourns among you and would keep the Passover to the LORD, according to the statute of the Passover and according to its rule, so shall he do. You shall have one statute, both for the sojourner and for the native.

Numbers 9:1-14

But if anyone who is clean and is not on a journey fails to keep the Passover, that person shall be cut off from his people because he did not bring the LORD’s offering at its appointed time; that man shall bear his sin. And if a stranger sojourns among you and would keep the Passover to the LORD, according to the statute of the Passover and according to its rule, so shall he do. You shall have one statute, both for the sojourner and for the native. Numbers 9:13-14

I continue my study of Numbers, and in the text today, Numbers 9:1-14, we see the Lord give instructions to Moses to celebrate the Passover.  Here are my observations using the Sword Bible Study Method.

• What do we learn from the text about God?: Passover was first celebrated in Egypt on the night Israel fled bondage - see Exodus 12.  In Exodus 12:14, God commands Israel to mark the day as "a memorial day, and [to] shall keep it as a feast to the LORD; throughout your generations, as a statute forever, you shall keep it as a feast."  In the text today in Numbers, we see God instructing Moses, while Israel has been in the wilderness for a year, to keep the Passover "at the appointed time."  The text also shares how all should celebrate the Passover, including whether you are clean or unclean due to ceremonial law (e.g. touching a dead body, etc.) or whether you are part of Israel or simply a "sojourner."  Gratitude and remembrance of what God has done for you is a critical part of a believer's daily journey.  First and foremost, we should remember that God loved us first, knowing everything about our sin, etc. as Paul and John share He loved us first while still an enemy and hostile to Him - see also Romans 5:8-10, 1 John 4:19.  Of course there are many blessings that God pours out for us - God is faithful 2 Corinthians 1:20 and working in all circumstances for good 1 Thessalonians 5:18, Romans 8:28.        
• What do we learn from the text about people?: We (see Isaiah 55:8) often look at what is going wrong or not according to our expectations and gratitude to God is key to focus our heart on God. 
• Is there anything from the text God wants us to obey (SPEC: Sins to avoid, Promises to claim, Examples to follow, Commands to obey?): Avoid seeing your circumstances and thinking that God is not at work in your life.  Claim the promise that God is always at work for good and all of His promises find there yes in Him.  Follow the example of Paul and John who see God's goodness in how He loved us first while we are still an enemy and hostile to Him.  Be thankful in all circumstances. 

Comment and discuss this post

 My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who loves and saves.  You are always at work for good.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of how You love and save.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.

 Proverbs 21:3

To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice. Proverbs 21:3

I pause my study of Numbers, to review Proverbs 21:3 - text discussed during my Friday morning men's Bible study.  Here are my observations using the Sword Bible Study Method.

• What do we learn from the text about God?: The most important commandment (per Matthew 22:37-40) is to love God.  However, many church going folk go through the motions with attendance at worship, etc. - at one point in this was me.  I was worshiping a God I did not earnestly know because I was not actively reading the Bible.  For sure there is more work for God to do in me, but I know there is fruit. The text today emphasizes how God wants all of our heart - in everything we do, do it all for the glory of God (1 Corinthians 10:31).  A key litmus test is that we find obedience to God is not burdensome (1 John 5:3) - ask yourself this: is obedience to God (think deeply on this and ask for tougher sins like envy, hate in heart, anger, lust in heart, etc.).  Ultimately, God wants all of our heart and life to reflect Him - if we renew our minds through spiritual formation (Bible reading, prayer, etc.), our thoughts and ways are more aligned with His and THEN our offering of our bodies as a living sacrifice (Romans 12:1-2) is more acceptable and pleasing to God.  
• What do we learn from the text about people: We are all guilty of the sin of obedience out of obligation instead of as a natural response to how He loves us and we seek to please Him.  Turn to Him with all of your heart and not only will you find him but he will do a work in and through you to make you more like Him. 
• Is there anything from the text God wants us to obey (SPEC: Sins to avoid, Promises to claim, Examples to follow, Commands to obey?): Avoid forced obedience to God. Claim the promise that if you seek Him with all of your heart, you will find Him (Jeremiah 29:13).  Follow the example of David who was a man after God's heart (1 Samuel 13:14). Seek and love Him with all of your heart.

Comment and discuss this post

 My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God that loved me while still hostile and an enemy to You.  You reached down into the pit pulled me out by Your hand and saved me.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of how You love and save.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me turn from and overcome such sin and turn towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You loved me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom, energy, and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

They minister to their brothers in the tent of meeting by keeping guard, but they shall do no service.

Numbers 8:23-26

They minister to their brothers in the tent of meeting by keeping guard, but they shall do no service. Numbers 8:26

I continue my study of Numbers, and in the text today, 8:23-26, we see the Lord give instructions to Moses to retire Levites beyond age 50.  Here are my observations using the Sword Bible Study Method.

• What do we learn from the text about God?: God instructs Moses that Levites over 50 years old retire from service in the tent of meeting (tabernacle).  V26 includes an apparent contradiction where the text says that while they are to "serve no more" (v25), they are to "minister to their brothers in the tent of meeting by keeping guard."  We should be careful to read into the text that retirement - where we no longer serve - is biblical.  A quick search of scripture does not reveal anything further in the Old Testament about retirement and both Old and New Testaments are replete with examples of biblical heroes serving God well into their advanced years.  Abraham was 100 years old when his son Isaac was born (Genesis 21:5) and soon thereafter (Genesis 22), we see the well read text where Abraham was obedient in following God's instruction to sacrifice Isaac (until God stopped him). It is estimated that Paul was in his mid-to-late 50s when he was arrested and sent to Rome and during this time he authored his prison epistles (Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon).  John was certainly in his advanced years when he wrote Revelation during his exile in Patmos. On the subject of retirement, DesiringGod.com warns us to not let these years go to waste as John Piper shares his perspective in this short ebook.    
• What do we learn from the text about people?: We all know believers who focus primarily on earthly endeavors during retirement (travel, golf, leisure, etc.) and this is not God's intention or desire.  
• Is there anything from the text God wants us to obey (SPEC: Sins to avoid, Promises to claim, Examples to follow, Commands to obey?): Avoid an earthly focus during retirement years.  Claim the promise that God uses people of all ages and abilities in His service. Follow the example of Abraham, Paul, John and so many others to follow, serve and be obedient to Him during our advanced years.  Run the race until its completion when you meet God face to face in Heaven - keep running.

Comment and discuss this post

 My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who loves and saves!  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of how You love and save.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me. Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Thus you shall separate the Levites from among the people of Israel, and the Levites shall be mine.

Numbers 8:5-22

Thus you shall separate the Levites from among the people of Israel, and the Levites shall be mine. Numbers 8:14

I continue my study of Numbers, and in the text today, 8:5-22, we see the Lord give instructions to Moses to cleanse the Levites and consecrate them for service in the Tent of Meeting.  Here are my observations using the Sword Bible Study Method.

• What do we learn from the text about God?: God alone cleanses people from sin - we must go to Him.  We no longer perform all the ritual washings, sacrifices, and rites per the first covenant as with the second covenant based on Jesus' shed blood, we simply go before God, confess our sin and ask for forgiveness and repent/turn to him.  God also seeks for His people to be set apart - to be a light in world filled with sin and darkness.  He is holy so He seeks for His people to be holy.  Believers are also set apart for a purposed designed by Him - to be used in His service. In this case it is the Levites as the priesthood in the Tent of Meeting, but with the second covenant, all believers are used in His service. 
• What do we learn from the text about people?: The text refers to the Levites as belonging to God (vv4, 17).  All believers belong to God as we've been redeemed and purchased through the shed blood of Jesus - see also 1 Corinthians 6:20, 1 Corinthians 7:23.  As such, our lives should be lived in His service - just as the Levites served to intercede on behalf of Israel to God (v19), we exist to glorify God. 
• Is there anything from the text God wants us to obey (SPEC: Sins to avoid, Promises to claim, Examples to follow, Commands to obey?): Avoid the earthly influences that can drag into a life of sin and darkness. Claim the promise that God offers forgiveness and freedom from the sting of sin and death. Follow the example of the many in scripture who lived to serve and bring glory to Him.  Be holy because He is holy.       

Comment and discuss this post

 My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who loves and saves, and You purchased me and all believers with Your shed blood.  You offer freedom from the sting of sin and death.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of how You save.  My sin is great and it continues....daily.  Help me turn from and overcome such sin and turn towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom, energy and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.