“Speak to the people of Israel and say to them, When you come into the land to which I bring you and when you eat of the bread of the land, you shall present a contribution to the LORD. Of the first of your dough you shall present a loaf as a contribution; like a contribution from the threshing floor, so shall you present it. Some of the first of your dough you shall give to the LORD as a contribution throughout your generations. Numbers 15:18-21
I continue my study of Numbers, and in the text today - Numbers 15:1-21 - while Israel remains in the wilderness, God gives Moses and the people laws for sacrifices that they are to make upon entry to the Promised Land. Here are my observations using the Sword Bible Study Method.
- What do we learn from the text about God?: God seeks a relationship with Him and one of complete dependence on Him, recognizing that all that we have is because of Him and not of our own effort - see James 1:16. Read along with Deuteronomy 26:1-11, the text focuses on how the people are to remember, celebrate, and be thankful for how God rescued the people from bondage in Egypt and brought them to the Promised Land. God heard Israel's cries, responded and delivered them. Of course, we should daily be thankful for God, who He is, what He has done, how He provides, and how He saves! God is good! Our response should be joyful and we should give as the text directs the people to do - and we are to give freely as a cheerful giver (2 Corinthians 9:7).
- What do we learn from the text about people?: The people up to this point have been grumbling and complaining and now God is turning their attention to a promise He made and how He is going to be faithful and bring them into the Promised Land. We need constant reminders of God's goodness and faithfulness - otherwise, we are prone to wander, grumble and complain as Israel did. God gives us His Word as His Daily Bread and we are to consume it!
- 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 delivers us and He is saving a place for us in Heaven - whatever we are experiencing is temporary and God is good....all the time. Follow the example of those who responded joyfully upon entering the Promised Land and gave cheerfully. Consume God's Daily Bread!
My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who loves and saves. 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.
