Out of all the gifts to you, you shall present every contribution due to the LORD; from each its best part is to be dedicated.

Numbers 18:25-32

Out of all the gifts to you, you shall present every contribution due to the LORD; from each its best part is to be dedicated. Numbers 18:29

I continue my study of Numbers, and in the text today - Numbers 18:25-32 - God gives Moses instructions to give the Levites regarding contributions from the people given to them.  Here are my observations using the Sword Bible Study Method.

• What do we learn from the text about God?: God seeks for the Levites to take a "tithe of the tithe" given to the Levites from the people and give it to the Lord.  God then emphasizes that "from each its best part" of contributions given to you "is to be dedicated" to the LORD (v29).  Giving of our time, treasure and talents to God is a reflection of our heart - do we love God fully?  Do we trust that He will provide?  Are we seeking God's glory or our own when we serve or give?
• What do we learn from the text about people?: Many seek their own glory as an outcome of service or giving to God.  For example, in Acts 5:1-11, after many were giving liberally and cheerfully to the early church (see end of Acts 4), Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5:1-11) gave proceeds from a land sale to the early church and held back some of the proceeds for themselves and then lied about it - this did not end well for them and God struck them down.  
• 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 giving to or serving God begrudgingly.  Claim the promise that giving to God leads to a bountiful harvest as described in 2 Corinthians 9:6-8. Follow the example of those as described in Acts 4 and give cheerfully.

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My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who loves and saves - You provide every good and perfect gift, and You promise abundance that always delivers.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such love and blessing.  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 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.

And the LORD said to Aaron, “You shall have no inheritance in their land, neither shall you have any portion among them. I am your portion and your inheritance among the people of Israel.

Numbers 18:8-24

And the LORD said to Aaron, “You shall have no inheritance in their land, neither shall you have any portion among them. I am your portion and your inheritance among the people of Israel. Numbers 18:20

I continue my study of Numbers, and in the text today - Numbers 18:8-24 - God continues to speak to Aaron, sharing with Aaron how the Levites will have charge over contributions given to Him by the people, and how God will care for the Levites in their role in the priesthood.  Here are my observations using the Sword Bible Study Method.

• What do we learn from the text about God?: God entrusts the Levites to guard the sanctuary lest anyone come near or in and die (see also post yesterday and previous posts).  This is a great responsibility...and with it comes great accountability.  In all of this, God blesses and cares for those who serve God and His mission.  Yes, there is a sacrifice of time and talent but God provides and blesses those who serve. 
• What do we learn from the text about people?: So many serve the church tirelessly, most in ways that are less visible.  God wants those who serve the church to know that not only is this noticed but it is desired and acknowledged by God as good, and it will be rewarded now and for eternity.  We should serve and claim the promise that God is our portion, and that He will provide and bless us. 
• 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 about serving and following God.  Claim the promise that He will provide and bless us and others through our service.  Follow the example of Moses and Aaron to lead and serve the church.  Live life knowing that with great responsibility comes great accountability.  

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My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who loves and saves...thank You Jesus for how You love, save, provide and bless.  I am not deserving of how you love, save, provide and bless.  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.

So the LORD said to Aaron, “You and your sons and your father’s house with you shall bear iniquity connected with the sanctuary, and you and your sons with you shall bear iniquity connected with your priesthood.

Numbers 18:1-7

So the LORD said to Aaron, “You and your sons and your father’s house with you shall bear iniquity connected with the sanctuary, and you and your sons with you shall bear iniquity connected with your priesthood. Numbers 18:1

I continue my study of Numbers, and in the text today - Numbers 18:1-7 - we see God speak to Aaron, giving him and the Levites instructions in their role with the priesthood, reinforcing earlier instructions that serve to prevent future rebellion against Aaron and the Levites.  Here are my observations using the Sword Bible Study Method.

• What do we learn from the text about God?: God seeks for Aaron and the Levites to bear iniquity connected with the sanctuary and the priesthood and the current dictionary definition shares that this means to conduct oneself well relating to sin connected with the sanctuary and priesthood - for example Aaron's participation with the golden calf (Exodus 32) and his sons' use of unauthorized fire (Leviticus 10:1-3). Duties given to Aaron and the Levites are further clarified here in the text today as God shares that they are to guard (word used 4x in the text today) the sanctuary, including its contents such as the altar.  Others are not allowed to come near (let alone into) the sanctuary (Tent of Meeting) for risk of death (v7).  Also mentioned in the text today is how the Levites are a gift to Aaron and given to the Lord to serve in the priesthood (vv6-7).  After Korah's rebellion that very likely shook both Moses and Aaron, God encourages Aaron and makes it clear that Aaron and the Levites have a God-given role to play.  God equips His servants with helpers (including the Holy Spirit) to serve.  They will also be held to a high standard of accountability. 
• What do we learn from the text about people?: As I have posted yesterday and with previous posts, we must submit to authorities, specifically church leadership.  We should not grumble and complain about our church leadership but instead defer and pray for them.  Trust God that they will be held to account.     
• Is there anything from the text God wants us to obey (SPEC: Sins to avoid, Promises to claim, Examples to follow, Commands to obey?): If you are appointed to church leadership, avoid taking this lightly.  Claim the promise that God will equip and help His appointed servants.  Follow the example of Moses and Aaron who were faithful servants of God. Trust God and His appointed servants; submit and defer to their authority.   

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My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who loves and saves!  Thank You Jesus for the church I have and its Godly leadership.  I am not deserving of how You bless.  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 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.

And the LORD said to Moses, “Put back the staff of Aaron before the testimony, to be kept as a sign for the rebels, that you may make an end of their grumblings against me, lest they die.”

Numbers 17:1-13

And the LORD said to Moses, “Put back the staff of Aaron before the testimony, to be kept as a sign for the rebels, that you may make an end of their grumblings against me, lest they die.” Numbers 17:10

I continue my study of Numbers, and in the text today - Numbers 17:1-13 - we see God's instructions to Moses to give to the people to settle the matter of Aaron's priesthood.  Here are my observations using the Sword Bible Study Method.

• What do we learn from the text about God?: God clearly communicates through both symbols and actions His message.  In this case, He uses the symbol of staffs or rods which in the Old Testament represented authority and power.  V5 is where the LORD shares "the staff of the man whom I choose shall sprout," and from that point forward the people will cease their grumbling against authority from Aaron.  Vv8 and 10 make it clear that because Aaron's staff sprouted, it will be preserved as a sign to end further rebellions.    
• What do we learn from the text about people?: Such a sign or any physical sign from God should cause one to be in reverent fear of God's power, as we should acknowledge that the entire universe is controlled by Him (Colossians 1:16-17), including all authorities.  Thus it is not surprising to see the people's reaction in vv12-13 of fear - yet it is unclear at this point that this causes repentant fear.  Repentant fear is what God seeks, and John Piper refers to this as "fear as preservative" such that we fear angering or disappointing God, so we avoid sin.   
• 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 rebellion against God's appointed leaders, including both church leaders and civil authorities. Claim the promise that God reigns over all details including authority He places above us.  Follow the example of Christ who rendered to Caesar what is Caesar's and to God what is God's (see also Romans 13:1-7).  Submit to God's appointed leaders. 

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My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God that works in all things for good - including leaders in my church and civil authorities.  Thank You for how Your design is perfect.  I am not deserving of how You work and bless me.  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.

And Moses said, “Hereby you shall know that the LORD has sent me to do all these works, and that it has not been of my own accord.

Numbers 16:1-50

And Moses said, “Hereby you shall know that the LORD has sent me to do all these works, and that it has not been of my own accord. Numbers 16:28

I continue my study of Numbers, and in the text today - Numbers 16:1-50 - we see God's harsh and deadly rebuke of those who rebel against God's appointed leaders.  Here are my observations using the Sword Bible Study Method.

• What do we learn from the text about God?: God's name, the LORD, appears more than 25 times in this chapter.  God listens to Moses, His appointed servant and leader over the people (v15).  God spoke to Moses and prepared (vv20, 23-24) him and the rest of the people to separate from from Korah's rebellion (250 leaders among men per v2) as they will be consumed (punished).  In vv31-35, God caused the earth to swallow up the households of the rebellious men, and consume the rebellious men with fire.  In vv36-40, God instructed Moses to use the metal from the censers carrying incense and fire as a covering for the tabernacle altar as a reminder to avoid the sin and punishment that befell Korah and the other rebellious leaders.  In response to the people's grumbling against Moses and Aaron (v41), the glory of the LORD appeared and He spoke to Moses (v44) to prepare himself for the punishment of those rebelling against His appointed leaders.  The LORD then caused a plague that killed 14,700 among the people.  
• What do we learn from the text about people?: We know that Moses and Aaron are God's appointed leaders over the people - yes, they are not perfect as only God is.  We've also learned from Numbers 12 that Moses is a very humble man (Numbers 12:3) and God sees him as "faithful in all my house" (Numbers 12:7).  Korah and his rebellion falsely accused Moses of "exalting" themselves above the assembly of the LORD (vv3, 13), and of killing the people of the LORD (v41).  They also held Moses and Aaron responsible for their suffering in the wilderness (vv13-14) - another false accusation.  Among other sin (grumbling and complaining about God), this rebellion was guilty of breaking the ninth commandment not to bear false witness (Exodus 20:16).  Moses demonstrates His humility in v28. 
• 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 against God or His appointed servants (leaders in your church); similarly, we should also avoid bearing false witness.  Claim the promise God works in all things for good and that our circumstances - including difficult circumstances - are for good.  Follow the example of Moses who humbly submitted to the Lord's will and His guidance.  Love God and support/pray for the leaders appointed over you.  

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My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who loves and saves and has given me incredible Godly pastors that lead and serve me well in my journey with God  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such of such blessings.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from 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 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.

So you shall remember and do all my commandments, and be holy to your God. I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt to be your God: I am the LORD your God.”

Numbers 15:37-41

So you shall remember and do all my commandments, and be holy to your God. I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt to be your God: I am the LORD your God.” Numbers 15:40-41

I continue my study of Numbers, and in the text today - Numbers 15:37-41 - God gave Moses commands to give to the people to make tassels for the corners of their garments - as a means to remember and be obedient to all of the commandments of the Lord.  Here are my observations using the Sword Bible Study Method.

• What do we learn from the text about God?: God led Israel out of bondage and they were to remember all that He had done, and out of love for Him God expected Israel to be obedient.  God seeks for us to love Him with all of our heart, soul, and mind and this requires obedience to His commands.  Ultimately, the New Covenant based on Jesus' shed blood did away with the ceremonial law as God lives in believers' hearts (Holy Spirit) and this drives us into His arms as we surrender to Him and seek Him daily as He molds us into more of His image.   
• What do we learn from the text about people?: The Old Testament included both ceremonial and moral law and unfortunately, many went through the motions and/or added to or subtracted from scripture to serve their own purposes and will and not God's will. With exception to a few (remnant), time and time again, the leaders and people of Israel let Him down.  With Jesus, we no longer have the Old Testament sacrificial system and we can go to God directly with confidence (Hebrews 4:14-16). Jesus justifies us in His sight.  
• 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 focusing on obedience.  Claim the promise that if you seek Him with all your heart, you will find Him (Jeremiah 29:13), and that He will renew our heart, mind and life to make us more like Him.  Follow the example of John (1 John 5:3) who wrote that obedience to Him is not a burden. Seek God with all of your heart.   

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My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who loves and saves and gives me Your Word, the Holy Spirit, the church, etc. so that I can be encouraged to seek You with all of my heart.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such blessings.  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.

While the people of Israel were in the wilderness, they found a man gathering sticks on the Sabbath day. And those who found him gathering sticks brought him to Moses and Aaron and to all the congregation. They put him in custody, because it had not been made clear what should be done to him.

Numbers 15:32-36

While the people of Israel were in the wilderness, they found a man gathering sticks on the Sabbath day. And those who found him gathering sticks brought him to Moses and Aaron and to all the congregation. They put him in custody, because it had not been made clear what should be done to him. Numbers 15:32-34

I continue my study of Numbers, and in the text today - Numbers 15:32-36 - where a man gathering sticks on the Sabbath day, deemed a Sabbath-breaker by both the people and God, is executed.  Here are my observations using the Sword Bible Study Method.

• What do we learn from the text about God?: God takes His commandments seriously, and the 4th commandment from Exodus 20:8-11, to observe the Sabbath through rest and worship, is just one example of how He takes these commandments seriously.  More broadly, the intent here is that God is seeking love and worship of Him, and love of others as the most important set of commandments (Matthew 33:34-40).  The punishment here could be considered harsh, yet God's justice is perfect and only He knows the heart of the man punished.      
• What do we learn from the text about people?: Some may point to Jesus and accuse Him of also being an Sabbath-breaker (see Matthew 12:9-14, John 5:1-18), yet Jesus was healing on the Sabbath and for this there is no law (see Galatians 5:22). Those who accuse Jesus of Sabbath-breaking focused on man-made rules that went beyond scripture and God's intent. Healing on the Sabbath reflects love of others. 
• Is there anything from the text God wants us to obey (SPEC: Sins to avoid, Promises to claim, Examples to follow, Commands to obey?): See also this video on the Sabbath from John Piper and DesiringGod.com. Avoid legalistic focus on the Bible or adding to or subtracting from the Bible.  Claim the promise that Jesus came to fulfill the law and to make us more like Him.  Follow the example of Jesus who healed on the Sabbath and by doing good, etc. Seek God, allow Him to renew your heart and mind such that obedience to Him is not burdensome and such that pleasing Him is your desire. 

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My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who loves, forgives, and saves. You entered my heart and mind and transform me daily in more of Your image. 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.