Deuteronomy 19:1 – 20:20

April 10, 2010

Cities of safety. God makes a huge distinction between those who inadvertently cause harm to someone without malice and those who intentionally "after hiding and waiting, attacks and kills" the person they hate and then tries to use the very system God put into place (the cities of safety designed to protect those who did not intend harm), to protect themselves for the actions they chose to take.

God will not be mocked. He knows what motivates people's actions.  

Moses goes on to say (Deuteronomy 19:15–21) that one witness is not enough to accuse a person of a crime. It must be proved by several witnesses. And, if a person lies and accuses a person of a crime, the two people who are arguing must stand in the presence of the LORD before the judge, and the judge must check the matter carefully. The person who has lied must be punished, and they must be punished in the same way the person they falsely accused was to be punished.

I love the description God gives for how the conflict is resolved. Someone who is falsely accused is at the total mercy of their accuser until it is in the hands of the judge to decide, or at least that is the way it appears. But what I absolutely love about what God is saying, is that it only appears that way because what is really happening is—you are standing in the presence of the LORD! What an incredible picture. You are standing in the presence of the LORD! You can be falsely accused but it doesn't matter because you are standing in the presence of the LORD.

Deuteronomy 19:15–21 - God will give the judge the wisdom and discernment to "check the matter carefully" and be able to determine the lies. When we face storms in our lives our destiny may be out of our hands but it is not out of God's. What a promise! NOTHING is done outside of God's umbrella of protection. Everything that happens in our lives both the good and bad—EVERYTHING—is under His umbrella. Nothing happens outside the presence of the LORD. It makes me want to dance, do side kicks, jump up and down, sing, shout for joy because HE KNOWS! Whatever storm you face—HE KNOWS! He knows the hearts of all involved! He knows, He is in control, and you are standing in the presence of the LORD. 

Deuteronomy 19:8–9 - Love the LORD your God; Do what He says; THEN He will fulfill his promises. It won't always be easy, but DO what he says.

Deuteronomy 20 - When you go against those who are bigger and stronger, don't be afraid. It is God who will be with you. Don't lose courage, don't be afraid, don't panic, don't be frightened, because God will go with you, He will fight for you and He will save you! When you first march up to the city, make them an offer of peace. IF—they won't make peace with you and fight you in battle THEN—surround that city. God will give it to you. Leave nothing alive, otherwise they will corrupt you against God. Stand strong and God will save you.

I am so thankful that no matter what storms we may face in our lives we can rest, literally rest, in knowing that we are "standing in the presence of God." There is such peace in knowing God is in control.  Praise the LORD!

Addendum: 10-28-13 ~ I love that "the storm" has lasted four plus years and counting. Why? Because it can ONLY be God's Hand guiding and directing. A lawsuit that lasts six months—nothing out of the ordinary. But one year ... two years ... three years ... four years and counting? ONLY God. We believe there is a divine purpose(s) for the length of "the storm." God isn't ready yet for it to be finished. He is still teaching and growing us and His days of grace are still available to all who would reach out to receive it. But while we wait, we are "standing in the presence of God."

4/17/18 ~ And now ... eleven years!!!


Next Entry: Deuteronomy 21:1 – 22:30

Deuteronomy 16:21 – 18:22 (Continued)

April 09, 2010

Trouble always ensues if God's plan for conflict resolution is not followed. Trying to "take charge" of your own destiny and removing God from the equation guarantees disastrous results. There is no power of hell or scheme of man that can prevent God's plans. 

But God! When you surrender and follow God's plan there is no desperation—only peace. There is no angst—only joy. There is no anger—only love. There is no fear—only a quiet rest. There is no better place to be than in the center of God's will no matter what the circumstances around us are. There truly is a peace that passes all understanding. I would rather live in the middle of a storm, knowing whose I am, then walk through a peaceful meadow in my own strength. The storms in our lives will end when they are supposed to end. While you wait, be grateful that the One who is in control has "surpassing" greatness.

Psalm 150

Praise the LORD!

Praise God in His sanctuary;

Praise Him in His mighty heavens.

Praise Him for His acts of power;

Praise Him for His surpassing greatness.

Praise Him with the sound of the trumpets;

Praise Him with the harp and lyre.

Praise Him with the tambourines and dancing;

Praise Him with the strings and flutes.

Praise Him with the clash of cymbals;

Praise Him with resounding cymbals.

Let everything that has breath Praise the LORD.

Praise the LORD!

Amen.  

Addendum: 10/28/13 ~ In Deuteronomy 16:21 – 18:22 God gives a "how to" lesson on leadership. A leader needs to be humble in spirit and means; surrendered to God; must not have greedy aspirations; must understand the God to man relationship (God is God—I am not); and a leader must keep a copy of the Lord's teachings with him at all times and read it every day. I love how it says "He should write a copy of the teachings on a scroll for himself." It is a personal commitment. It's a hands on learning of God's teachings and it is why I have loved keeping a journal while reading through the Bible. It has to be personal. It is not something you can delegate to others.

Before you can lead you have to learn how to follow.
 
Addendum #2: 2/11/2014 ~ I was thinking about God's plan for solving conflict and about how not everyone is aware of what God's plan for conflict resolution is. We are each responsible for obeying TRUTH once we know what TRUTH is. What matters is what you do with TRUTH once you know it.

It is one thing to not know TRUTH and to discover you are doing wrong. When that realization is made, you can make one of two choices:

1. Turn from your evil ways, repent, seek God and follow his Path to Salvation; or 
2. Refuse to change and stubbornly keep going down the road that leads to destruction.  

It is entirely a different thing to know what TRUTH is, refuse to accept it, and then convince yourself that what you are doing is not wrong, to the point that you are so blinded by the lies that you lose touch with reality and you no longer even recognize that what you are doing is wrong. When you are so blinded that you no longer even know that what you are doing is evil, then that adds a whole new dimension. It is the worst kind of darkness because there is no longer an understanding of reality. You have to be able to understand reality before you can turn, repent, and seek forgiveness.

There are two Saul's in the Bible. The Saul in the Old Testament and the Saul in the New Testament. Saul of the Old Testament knew he was doing wrong but refused to change. His motives were entirely selfish. Because he refused to change he eventually lost sight of reality and convinced himself that what he was doing wasn't wrong after all—and he never changed. Saul of the New Testament was convinced he was doing the right thing. He thought he was standing up for God by attacking those who followed Christ. His motives were NOT selfish. He didn't know he was doing wrong and it took God stopping him in his tracks to get his attention. Only then, AFTER God stopped him, did Saul realize what he was doing was wrong; he recognized TRUTH; he chose to believe it; he became obedient; he changed his heart and life; and he impacted the world FOR Christ. 

You have to look at why someone doesn't know what they're doing is wrong. Why don't they know TRUTH? Is it ignorance? Are they misguided? Is it pride? Is it ambition? Is it arrogance? Is it selfishness? Is it a refusal to "get it"? Is it disobedience? Do they just not know what TRUTH is? What is the reason? Understanding the why helps you understand what type of person you are dealing with. 

Every step away from TRUTH is a step closer to being out of touch with reality which leads to the eventual ignorance of TRUTH that grows from the seeds of disobedience. The proverbial slippery slope.


Next Entry: Deuteronomy 19:1 – 20:20

Deuteronomy 16:21 - 18:22

April 08, 2010

Don't try to live on the edge.

Deuteronomy 16:21 - "Do not set up your idols next to God's altar."

You can't have it both ways. You either serve God or you don't. "The LORD your God hates it." God hates it when we try to act one way but live another.

Matthew 6:24 - "No one can serve two masters. The person will hate one master and love the other, or will fellow one master and refuse to follow the other. You cannot serve both God and worldly riches." Evil and God cannot co-exist.

Deuteronomy 17:7 - "You must get rid of the evil among you."

Deuteronomy 17:8-13 are interesting verses. It's the Old Testament example of I Corinthians 6. If there are arguments or disagreements among the people, those should be taken "to the place the LORD your God will choose." Take them to the priest or judge on duty and let them decide. And then you must do everything they tell you to do. The person who refuses to listen to what the priest or judges say, who doesn't respect them, must be removed.

Deuteronomy 17:12 - "You must get rid of the evil." 

The biblical way to handle conflict once it has gotten to a point where there isn't a resolution to the problem is arbitration. You take the issues and facts to a third party as described in these verses, and let them decide. In both the Old Testament and New Testament, God clearly lays out the way for believers to solve conflict. It is always best to follow His ways.


Next Entry: Deuteronomy 16:1 – 18:22 (Continued) 

Deuteronomy 14:1 – 16:20

April 07, 2010

Deuteronomy 14:1 - "You are the children of the LORD your God."

What an awesome statement. The children of God. There is such safety, comfort, and gratitude in that statement. Such love. Moses reminds them to save 1/10th for God each year. And he again reminds them that God will bless them IF they obey the LORD your God completely. I love how it is always stated "the LORD your God." Yawheh. A name to holy to write. Not "just" God, who could be viewed as a distant-far-away being. But Yawheh. A personal, holy, and loving God who is our God.

Moses goes on to tell the Israelite people that they must be fair and kind in all they do. Debts must be forgiven. The poor must be take care of. Treat others the way God has treated you. Don't judge unfairly or take sides. Don't be willing to sell out your beliefs, morals, and standards for money. "Always do what is right so that you will live and always have the land the LORD your God is giving you." IF—THEN. The choice is ours. Accept His love and obey Him—or—Reject His love and serve ourselves.

We choose to follow Christ on HIS footpath. 


Next Entry: Deuteronomy 16:1 – 18:22

Deuteronomy 12:1 – 13:18 (Continued)

April 06, 2010

Deuteronomy 13:4 - "Serve only the LORD your God. Respect him, keep his commands, obey him. Serve him and be loyal to him."

Deuteronomy 12:28 - "Be careful to obey all the rules I am giving you so that things will always go well for you and your children, and you will be doing what the LORD says is good and right."

Beware of people who try to turn you from doing what the LORD your God commanded you to do. You must get rid of the evil (verse 5). Deuteronomy 13:8 - "Do not give in to such people. Do not listen or feel sorry for them and do not let them go free or protect them. You must put them to death. You must be the first one to start to kill them, and then everyone else must join in." We must stand up for the principles of God, and we must try to kill (put to death) the things that are against God. This is NOT an admonition to go out and harm people!

When "the storm" clouds began to build, we had to take a stand. We had to stand up for what we felt to be morally right and biblically sound. We HAD to stand. Sometimes it felt as if we were the first to stand, but now others have joined us. BUT!! even if you are the only one to stand up for what is right, you MUST stand. Your reward will be this: "You will have obeyed the LORD your God by keeping all his commands that I am giving you today, and you will be doing what the LORD says is right."  (Deuteronomy 13:18)

There is no better place to be and live than doing what the LORD says is right.    

Deuteronomy 13:6 - "Someone might try to lead you to serve other gods—it might be your brother, your son or daughter, the wife you love or a close friend." Do not give in; do not listen; don't feel sorry; do not let them go free; do not protect them. You must put (it) them to death. You must get rid of it. You must be the first to stand up.

What we know, what we absolutely know, is that God is in control. We know that our faith is secure in Him. We will not bend, we will not bow, we will not break. Our faith and hope is in God alone. We will stand.

SOON! Soon we will be passing over. We will remember. We will serve. We will obey. We will respect. We will keep His commands. We will be loyal. I AM! I am the LORD your God. We choose to believe. 

Addendum:  10/28/13 ~ SOON! Here it is 3 1/2 years after I wrote that and "the storm" still rages on. Makes you smile doesn't it?! You just never know what you don't know, and our thoughts most definitely are not God's thoughts.

April of 2010 was a turning point and there was a "passing over," just not in the way I thought it would be. There was (is) so much more for us to learn. We are definitely still being prepared. Where will it all lead? How long will it take? How will it end? I don't know and it doesn't matter. What I do know is this. We are:

Walking on His Footpath (Following the Master's Lead).

"The storm" doesn't have to be over to have "rest from your enemies" and "live in safety." When you are on HIS path, and you are following HIM there is peace and contentment in the midst of the journey. And, me looking forward to the day when our home could be purged of all the storms toxic material? Well, God had us remove ALL of that in July of 2012. The New Beginning: Out With the Old.

"The storm" continues but we have been freed. And me thinking "that we are going to somehow be released" has happened, just not in the way we thought.

Deuteronomy 12:8 - Don't do what you "think" is right.
Deuteronomy 12:14 - Do what the LORD has commanded.
Deuteronomy 12:32 - Don't add anything to it, and do not take anything away from it.


Next Entry: Deuteronomy 14:1 – 16:20

Deuteronomy 12:1 – 13:18

April 05, 2010

Soon! Deuteronomy 12:10 - "Soon you will cross the Jordan River to live in the land the LORD your God is giving you as your own, where he will give you rest from all your enemies and you will live in safety."

Soon! I'm convinced that "the storm" we are caught in is almost over and we will rest and have safety once again. It has been going on for almost a year so I know that logically something is going to have to happen fairly soon, but this isn't about that. I just strongly feel that it is literally going to be soon and that we are somehow going to be freed from "the storm." Just like Moses is preparing the Israelites for their next step, I feel like we are being prepared for our next step.

I am so looking forward to God fulfilling in our lives what He promised the Israelites. "Rest from all your enemies," and "live in safety." I hope we will soon be able to purge the house and the office of all the paperwork and files "the storm" has generated. It feels like this is the final preparation, that we are almost ready to "cross the Jordan" to the land the LORD God is giving us, where HE will give us rest, safety, and life. Praise the Lord.

Addendum: See the addendum for tomorrow's entry April 06, 2010.


Next Entry: Deuteronomy 12:1 – 13:18 (Continued)

Deuteronomy 10:1 – 11:32

April 4, 2010

The answer (prevention) for what I wrote about yesterday is found in these chapters.

1)  Respect the LORD your God.
2)  Do what God has told you to do.
3)  Serve the LORD your God with your whole being.
4)  Obey the LORD's commands.

Do this for your own good. Don't be stubborn any longer. Give yourselves completely to serve Him. He is God of all gods and LORD of all lords. He won't take sides and He won't be talked into doing evil. He is the one you should praise. There were only 70 of you when you went to Egypt and now look, you are as many as the stars. You have seen this with you own eyes. BUT your children, they did not see! So make sure you tell them. Pass it on. Teach it to them. Tell them what you saw God do. Do this so it will go well with them also. 

If you respect → do → serve → obey, then God will bless you, rain will come at the right time, and you'll have plenty of grain and cattle. BUT, be careful! If you turn away from God then His blessing will be removed, and you will not prosper. 

If you respect → do → serve → obey, then God will make you successful; you will not be defeated. The choice is ours. Blessings—or—Curses. Blessings, if you obey. Curses, if you don't. Be careful!  Be careful to obey my commands. Remember! Remember what you saw God do. Tell your children! They didn't see! Make sure you tell them. Then it will go well for you.

They still faced battles, but God went before them.

Addendum:  10/23/13 ~ God is a "hands on" God. He is not some distant deity that is aloof and uninvolved. Deuteronomy 11:12 says that the LORD himself cared for the land that He was giving to the Israelites. "It is a land the LORD your God cares for. His eyes are on it continually, and He watches it from the beginning of the year to the end." God is a God of details. Nothing has been forgotten and nothing has been overlooked.

When you live your life in obedience to His will, "No one will be able to stop you," not because of who you are but because of who HE is. God is prepared, and HE is unstoppable.   


Next Entry: Deuteronomy 12:1 – 13:18

Deuteronomy 8:1 – 9:29 (Continued)

April 03, 2010

Moses again stresses that God will go in before them and that God would defeat their enemies ahead of them. But then he issues a huge warning. After the LORD does this for you, don't start thinking that all this happened because of how "good" you are. This isn't about you! This is about the evil that God is removing from the land.

We have to keep the proper perspective. This "storm" we are in is not about us! The battle isn't ours and the victory isn't ours. We were somehow chosen to be participants in the battle, but it isn't about us! Our job is to be faithful. To do what God instructs us to do, and to leave our hands off of everything else.

I've often said that I am not "worried" about the outcome of "the storm" we are caught in. I am more concerned about how we live our lives after it is over. I don't ever want to develop an attitude of "we won." I don't ever want to be become self-reliant or self-sufficient when the heat of the battle is no longer present. I don't ever want to forget the importance of being in God's Word and asking Him daily, "What do you want me/us to do about _________?" I don't ever want to forget what we have learned. I don't ever want to use God as a spare tire again. We are determined to stay grounded in His Word. We are determined to set aside self-sufficiency and remain God-reliant.

If our problems become "manageable" the danger of becoming self-sufficient becomes very real. We must remain intentional about staying in God's Word, surrendering our will to His, and giving Him our total obedience. 

Remember! Listen. Carefully listen! Obey! Do everything I command! I AM THE LORD!


Next Entry: Deuteronomy 10:1 – 11:32

Deuteronomy 8:1 – 9:29

April 2, 2010

Pride. I'm convinced pride is the #1 danger in all our lives. We somehow think that life is about us. It isn't. The reason praise is so important is because it keeps things in the right perspective. 

 GOD

    ↓   

 Me

Carefully obey! Obedience doesn't just happen. You have to choose to obey. Not just-enough-to-get-by obey. But carefully and completely obey. In these chapters God says that He led them into the desert for 40 years to "take away your pride" and to find out what their hearts were. You gonna keep my commandments or not? He wanted them (and us) to get it. We don't live by bread alone and we can't do this on our own. We need to get that through our (as my Dad would say) thick skulls. It is God! He is the One! When He corrects us it is because of His love for us. Obey! Obey—and all will go well with you.

But ...WATCH OUT! When you go into this land that I am giving you don't start thinking you did this. That is was because of you that you were blessed. Don't start thinking you created your wealth with your power and your strength. Remember! Remember the LORD your God. It is HE who has given you these things. It is HIM who gives wealth. If you forget this, hear this warning, "You will be destroyed if you do not obey. Just like the other nations, you will be destroyed."

Addendum:  10/22/13 ~ Deuteronomy 9:2 - "...you have heard it said: "No one can stop the Anakites." No one ... but God!! He is the One. He goes before us. He will win the battles. We can't—but HE can. 


Next Entry: Deuteronomy 8:1 – 9:29 (Continued)     

Deuteronomy 6:1 – 7:26

April 1, 2010

Deuteronomy 6:1 - Listen!
Deuteronomy 6:3 - Listen!
Deuteronomy 6:4 - Obey ... carefully obey and then all will go well with you.
Deuteronomy 6:12 - Be careful!  Do not forget the LORD!
Deuteronomy 6:13 - Respect the LORD.
Deuteronomy 6:18 - Do what He says. He will force out all your enemies as you go in. 

Our "fate" is literally in our own hands. We are already his chosen people as believers in Christ. How our lives go depends entirely upon our choices. Listen → carefully obey → respect the LORD → DO what He says → pass it on → tell your children → and things will go well for you. The choice is ours. The results are ours. Notice I did not say we would have a painless life without problems. The Israelites had enemies and faced battles. BUT, if they remembered and obeyed, God protected and provided for them. It is the same for us.

Deuteronomy 6:10 - "He will force all your enemies out as you go in." We have to be faithful and we have to be willing to put "our heads in the mouth of the lion." If we are faithful, God shows up and prepares the way for us. (NIV - Deuteronomy 6:23)

God brought them out (Egypt) to bring them in (Promised Land). He brings us out of the bondage of sin to bring us in to eternal glory. If we listen → obey → do what He says → He provides the protection to get us there.

Deuteronomy 7:1 - As you go in.
Deuteronomy 7:2 - When you defeat them.

Walking by faith—believing God will do what He has promised to do. IF—THEN Deuteronomy 7:12 - If you pay attention and obey, Then the LORD will keep His agreement and show His love to you. He will love and bless you. He will make you grow, He will bless you with children. He will bless your crops. He will bless your herds. He will bless you more than other people. He will bless your health. But you must destroy all the people the LORD hands over to you. Do not feel sorry for them or they will trap you.

Notice a couple of things. 1) It is not our place to go after people. This was God's plan. It was His battle. They were to be faithful. The LORD is the one who was going to give the victory. 2) We are not to feel sorry for the ones the LORD is defeating. 3) If we don't follow through with what God has told us to do we will become trapped ourselves. 

The battle belongs to the Lord. The battle plan isn't ours and the battle results are not ours. Our job is to be faithful. To listen to what God says, to obey what He says, and to do what He says. The rest is up to God. We are to leave it in His hands. Moses told them to do that very thing. "You might say they're bigger that us." But God! Don't be afraid. You saw what He has done in the past. He will do the same in the future. Don't be afraid. God is with you. When the LORD your God forces them out He will do it little by little.

Notice who is doing the forcing (God) and look how it is done (little by little). God will give the victory. He will hand them over. He will confuse them until they are destroyed. Do your part! Do everything I have said. Don't take anything of theirs for yourselves. Don't desire their silver or gold. Don't become trapped by it. God hates it!

Addendum: 10/22/13 ~ LOVE the statement "God brought them out so He could bring them in."


Next Entry: Deuteronomy 8:1 – 9:29

Deuteronomy 4:44 – 5:33

March 31, 2010

Deuteronomy 5:1 - Listen → learn → do
Deuteronomy 5:6 - I am the LORD

Moses called the people together and gave them instructions on how to obey God. Listen. Learn. Do.  Moses reviews the laws and commandments God spoke to them earlier. This generation would have been young when God first spoke to them. Moses wanted to make sure they remembered. God's blessings rest on those who love Him and obey Him. (Deuteronomy 5:9-10) But His blessings are removed from those who do not listen → learn → do.

God desires us to listen → learn → do, not just so we will worship Him. He desires it for us as well. Deuteronomy 5:29 - "I wish their hearts would always respect me and that they would always obey my commands so that things would go well for them and their children forever." (NIV and KJV)

Moses finishes this chapter by saying: so be careful, do what the LORD says. Do not turn to the right or left. Walk in the way the LORD has commanded so you may live and prosper and have a long life. This reminds me of Isaiah 30 (the chapter Jane told us to read in the fall of 2007). "If you go the wrong way, to the right or left, you will hear a voice behind you saying, 'This is the right way. You should go this way.' " (Her Name Was Jane) 

When we listen He will teach us. It is our responsibility to learn and do. It is not enough to only hear. We must obey.


Next Entry: Deuteronomy 6:1 – 7:26

Deuteronomy 4:1–43

March 30, 2010

Moses gives clear directions.

Deuteronomy 4:1 - Listen → Obey → God
Deuteronomy 4:9 - Be careful → Watch Out! → Don't forget → Teach

You've heard directly from God. You've seen with your own eyes what He has done. Be careful, don't forget God's laws. Don't put your faith in anyone or anything other than God. Remain faithful, teach your children and grandchildren. If you make mistakes, if you turn away from God, STOP! and look for God, you will find Him if you look for Him and if you look for Him with all your heart.(Deuteronomy 4:29 and Jeremiah 29:11-13) God is merciful. He has done all these things so you would understand "there is no other God." (Verse 35)

Deuteronomy 4:39–40 - Know → Believe → Obey

My Dear Child,

Believe me! Believe what I say. I have shown myself to you. Believe me! Obey me! Obey me so things will go well with you AND your children. Then you will live—truly live. A life without fear; a life without regret; a life of peace and assurance. I have done my part. Are you going to believe? Are you going to be faithful? Are you going to obey? Are you going to remember? Will you teach those who come after you? Do you know? Do you know that—"I AM"? That I AM THE LORD? Will you serve only me? Will you believe?   

 

Your Loving Father, 

GOD

We choose to believe. As for me and my house, we WILL serve THE LORD.


Next Entry: Deuteronomy 4:44 – 5:33

Deuteronomy 1:1 – 3:29

March 29, 2010

The Israelites are finally getting ready to enter the Promised Land. Moses gathers them together and recounts what has happened over the last 40 years.

He starts out by reminding them of God's promises. God PROMISED this land to them. God who will not, does not, and CANNOT lie—promised them the land. Psalm 140:12-13 - God has promised us His protection. (Her Name Was Jane) Then Moses reminds them of God's assurances. Deuteronomy 1:21 - "...so don't be afraid and don't worry." Moses reminds them of their stubbornness. Deuteronomy 1:26 - "You refused to go." He reminds them that they saw. They saw what God did in Egypt. They saw what He did in the desert. But, they still did not trust or obey. Then when they understood there would be consequences they still tried to do things in their own power.  Moses told them, "You must turn around," but they refused and kept going, only to fail, because they would not "listen ... and were proud."

So they wandered. They wandered for 40 years, until all the people who refused to obey were gone. 

Moses recounts to them the battles they faced and how God blessed them, protected them, was with them, and had given them everything they needed. Deuteronomy 2:7 - "You have seen for yourself all that the LORD your God has done ... don't be afraid of them, because the LORD your God will fight for you." (Deuteronomy 3:21-22)

After all Moses had seen (the burning bush; the plagues in Egypt; The Passover; the Red Sea; the water from the rock; the pillar of cloud by day; the pillar of fire by night; the battles won etc.), Moses says this:

"LORD God, you have begun to show me, your servant, how great you are. You have great strength, and no other god in heaven or on earth can do the powerful things you do. There is no other god like you." Deuteronomy 3:24

After all he had seen, Moses realized that he had only begun to understand how great God is. That is how we feel. The more we have seen God's hand working in our lives and our difficult situation, the more we have understood that we have only begun to see who God is and what He can do. When you start to "get it," and begin to understand like Psalms 8 says, "What is man that you are mindful of him..." and that God is God—you feel ashamed of all the times you tried to take matters into your own hands. As a result, you willingly repent and submit your total life into the Potter's hand.

Moses ends this chapter with saying, "Be brave and strong." We choose to trust Him. We will continue to stand and wait for HIS hand to lead, guide, and free us from this "storm." We choose to believe. 

Addendum: 9/5/18 ~ As I was reading in Deuteronomy this morning something Moses said in Deuteronomy 1:23 caught my eye. "I thought...so I chose..."  

Moses had just finished telling the Israelites they had come to the land the LORD was going to give them. He said, 

"Look, here it is! Go up and take it. The LORD, the God of your ancestors, told you to do this, so don't be afraid and don't worry."

But instead of listening to what God said, the people decided they should spy out the land to see which way to go and what they would find. Why? Why go and spy out the land? God had already told them He was going to give it to them. So why did they have to check it out for themselves? And why did Moses respond the way he did when he said the idea sounded good to him? The answer is obvious. Even after all the Israelites and Moses had witnessed up until this time, they still did not want to surrender all and rely only on the LORD's direction. Otherwise they would not have approached Moses with their idea, and Moses would not have decided to act on what he thought instead of seeking to find out what the LORD thought. "I thought that was a good idea, so I chose twelve of your men, one for each tribe." The NIV says, "The idea seemed good to me; so I selected twelve of you, one man from each tribe." I thought ... so I chose ... the idea seemed good ... and the trouble began.

The way the Israelites and Moses responded is the way we (as followers of Christ) often respond as well. We know what we are supposed to do, but we hesitate and we think we have a better way and we chose our own path. We think we should make the what, how, when, why decisions ourselves and we choose what we think is best. And oftentimes, what we thought was a good idea, brings trouble instead. 

Oh, what trouble and heartache we could avoid if we would only learn to surrender, trust, and follow HIS ways!


Next Entry: Deuteronomy 4:1–43

Numbers 33:1 – 36:13

March 26, 2010

Moses recounts the path they've been on from the time they "marched out boldly," the LORD showing that the gods of Egypt were false, and the preparation to now enter the Promise Land. 

God spoke to Moses and told him to tell the Israelites: When you cross the Jordan (not if... when) and go into Canaan (enter the battle) force out all the people who live there (be strong) destroy all their idols, wreck all their places of worship (be thorough, do all I say) take over, and settle there; I have given this land to you. 

When you cross → go into → force out → destroy → wreck → take over → settle there. I have given you the land. BUT if you don't force them out? They will bring you trouble. They will bring you sharp hooks in your eyes and thorns in your side. They will bring trouble to the land and I will punish you as I had planned to punish them.

We choose to follow God's step-by-step plans which I wrote about yesterday.

• Obedience
• Courage
• Preparation
• Wait on the LORD
• Faith
• Peace
• REWARD!

Next Entry: Deuteronomy 1:1 – 3:29

Numbers 32:1–42

March 25, 2010

Numbers 32:20 - "You must do these things. You must go before the LORD into battle and cross the Jordan River armed, until the LORD forces out the enemy. After the LORD helps us take the land, you may return home. You will have done your duty to the LORD, you may have this land as your own." 

Obedience
You must do these things. We must obey what the LORD has told us to do. No exceptions. Total obedience.

Courage
You must go before the LORD into battle. Before. Before the LORD. Not ahead of God's leading, but after we have learned what the LORD wants, we must be willing to step out and go before. Putting your head in the mouth of the lion. Not cowering behind God, but boldly go before Him. This takes courage.

Preparation
...and cross the Jordan River armed. Be prepared.

Wait on the Lord
...until the LORD forces out the enemy. It is the LORD's battle and it is HIS victory. We have to be willing to go, but it is not our responsibility to win. 

Faith
After the LORD helps us take the land. After. After the LORD helps. Faith and confidence, knowing that God is the One in charge. He helps us—it is NOT us helping Him.

Peace
...you may return home. The comfort of home. Peace, contentment, fulfillment. Job done.

Reward
You will have done your duty to the LORD, you may have this land as your own. God saying, "Well done, good and faithful servant."

Obedience. Courage. Preparation. Wait on the LORD. Faith. Peace. Reward! 


Next Entry: Numbers 33:1 – 36:13

Numbers 31:1–54

March 24, 2010

"Pay back the Midianites." God's words. God's instructions. Revenge cannot be initiated by man. Revenge only belongs to the LORD. If we try to take things into our own hands we will end up destroying ourselves. But, if we don't follow God's plan, then that brings us harm as well. (Numbers 31:15)

Moses was angry they let the women live since the women were the ones who followed Balaam's advice and turned the Israelites against God. A sickness struck the people because of their disobedience.

We are in a very difficult situation. "The storm" is especially vile and vicious. Even though God has promised us HIS protection, the how or when we are delivered from it, is unclear and unknown. There are still battles to face. This is what I absolutely-without-a-doubt KNOW: this is not our battle; the battle belongs to the LORD. 

So, if the battle isn't ours, then the battle plan isn't ours, and the responsibility for the result of the battle isn't ours. The spoils of the battle are in His hands and they aren't ours either.

We will continue to seek the LORD's guidance in all we do. We will continue to obey and do whatever He leads us to do. We will continue to wait upon the LORD. We will continue to rest in His plans. We will continue to stand.

We will continue to have faith and believe in the One who holds us in His hand. The LORD—He is the One.


Next Entry: Numbers 32:1–42

Numbers 26:1 – 30:16

March 23, 2010

A new census is taken because just exactly as God said, no one of counting age that Moses counted the first time was still alive except for Caleb and Joshua. No one! Some died during the time of wandering because of age; some because of disobedience (Korah); some because of diseases brought on by disobedience; 24,000 when the Israelite men sinned with the Moabite women; 14,700 because of Korah; and many when they grumbled and the snakes came. No matter how it happened, God's word proved true. Numbers 14:22-23 - "...they saw my glory ... but they disobeyed ... so not one of them will see the land I promised to their ancestors.  No one who rejected me will see that land."   

God's Word is true. PERIOD! We need to make sure we are closely following God's teachings. Not only for the blessings we will receive, but for the blessings that can be passed down to future generations. Because of his disobedience, even Moses did not get to go into the new land.

God clearly lays out the guidelines and rules for sacrifices. We are no longer bound to the ritual of sacrifices because of God's once-and-for-all-time sacrifice of His own Son for our sins. If we confess Christ as LORD then His Holy Spirit is within us. Therefore our lives—our very lives—are a sacrifice. A living sacrifice to God. Oh, how easy it is to take that lightly. The Israelites were to perform those rituals so they would remember who God was. How much more should we also be doing the things (i.e. prayer, worship, reading His word, praise, etc.) to not only remember, but to learn more about our Savior, Master, and King.

How many years did I not accept the importance of (and therefore failed) to do the things that would bring honor and glory to Christ?


Next Entry: Numbers 31:1–54

Numbers 22:1 – 25:18 (Continued)

March 23, 2010

Numbers 23:19 - "God is not a human being, and he will not lie. He is not a human, and he does not change his mind. What he says he will do, he does. What he promises, he makes come true."

Balak wasn't successful in putting a curse on the Israelites so he (evidently using Balaam's suggestion) tried to destroy them from the inside out. The Israelite men began to sin sexually with the Moabite women and they began to worship Baal, the god of prosperity. God was very angry. The LORD told them to deal with and get rid of the sin. While they were crying out to the LORD a man defiantly brought a Moabite woman to his tent in plain sight of Moses and the people. Phineas saw it, took his spear, and killed them both. When Phineas confronted and dealt with the sin the sickness that killed 24,000 stopped.


Next Entry: Numbers 26:1 – 30:16

Numbers 22:1 – 25:18

March 19, 2010

Balaam had a reputation. He loved power and money. He used his "gift" of prophesy to benefit himself. When Balak, king of Moab became scared (and then terrified) of Israel, he knew who to send for—Balaam. Pay Balaam enough money and he would do whatever you ask, in this case, curse the Israelites. So Balak sends men to Balaam. Balaam's words sound good. "Stay here and I will tell you what the LORD says."

Scripture does not say Balaam sought the LORD's answer. Instead it says God said to Balaam, "Who are these men with you?" Balaam tells him. Then God very clearly says—DON'T! Do not go! Don't put a curse on them (the Israelites), because I have blessed them. Balaam's sends Balak's leaders back. Balak knows Balaam's reputation. So he sends more men, more distinguished men, and he promised more money. Balaam's words again sound good. "You could give me all your money and it wouldn't do any good. I cannot disobey God. But... uh... let me go ask him." (my paraphrase) What? God had already clearly told him—NO! Why should more important people and more money prompt him to check back with the LORD? Again, Balaam did not go to God. God came to him. God says, (my paraphrase), "What is this Balaam? I've already told you NO! You want to do it your way? Go ahead then—GO—but do only what I tell you."

Just because God "permits" us to make wrong choices does not mean He will bless those choices. We are not puppets and He is not our puppet-master. God knows our hearts. Our words may sound good, but God knows our thoughts, our motives, and our actions. He knows the real "us." When we seek Him with all our hearts then we will obey Him the same way.  

Balaam starts out to meet Balak, contrary to what God originally told him to do. The donkey he is riding sees the angel of the LORD and veers off the path twice and lays down the third time. Balaam hits her all three times. The donkey speaks, "Why are you hitting me?" Balaam's response shows his character. "Because you made me look like a fool." Not because you went off the path, but you made me look like a fool. The angel of the Lord says to Balaam (verse 32), "I have stood here to stop you, because what you are doing is wrong." God let Balaam know what he was doing was wrong, yet money and power influenced him and he plowed on.

God will not allow anything to happen to His people that He does not ordain. Balak could use all of his money and prestige to buy Balaam, but if God does not want his people to be cursed, they won't be. In fact, instead of being cursed His people received blessings, the exact opposite of what Balak wanted. God will only allow His purposes to happen to His people. Period! There is security, peace and happiness in understanding this principle. Nothing can separate us from His love. Romans 8: 37-39 - "...neither death, or life, nor angels, nor ruling spirits, nothing now, nothing in the future, no powers, nothing above us, nothing below us, nor anything else in the whole world will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Hallelujah!

Addendum: 10/14/13 ~ Psalm 150:6 - "Let everything that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise the LORD." Everything ... not everyone. The donkey recognized the angel of the LORD but Balaam had no clue the angel of the LORD was even there. If we don't recognize the glory of the LORD even the rocks will cry out. If all of creation will praise His name, how much more should we who have been created in His image—Praise the LORD.   


Next Entry: Numbers 22:1 – 25:18 (Continued)

Numbers 19:1 – 21:35 (Continued)

March 19, 2010

Aaron dies. The Israelites start complaining again about their circumstances. They just could never accept the fact that their consequences were the direct result of their choices. They always blamed someone or something else. So, the LORD sent poisonous snakes and many died. They recognize they've sinned and ask Moses to pray to the LORD. They asked him to "take away" the snakes. (Numbers 21:7)

The LORD told Moses to make a bronze snake and put it on a pole. If anyone was bitten and looked at it, then that person would live. Notice: God did not remove the snakes! He instead made a way for them to deal with the snakes. We don't always have the problem/snakes in our lives removed, but God always gives us a way to deal with the problem/snakes in our lives. 

We need to look to the cross. The Israelites needed to look at the bronze snake on a pole. A snake is the symbol of sin that is judged. A snake went from being upright and beautiful to slithering on the ground. So, a snake shows judgment. Brass is used in the Old Testament as a symbol of divine judgment (brass altar). The Israelites could look at the symbols for the divine judgment of sin and be healed. We can look at the cross and see the divine sacrifice for sin, and be forgiven.

Addendum:  10/13/13 ~ I have written in the margins of my Bible: See John 3:14 - "Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, the Son of Man must also be lifted up. So that everyone who believes can have eternal life." The blood of the Lamb (Christ) defeated the snake (Satan). Eternal salvation is available to all those who "look upon" Christ as their Savior from their sins. 


Next Entry: Numbers 22:1 – 25:18

Numbers 19:1 – 21:35

March 18, 2010

Miriam dies.

The Israelites start to grumble again; this time saying they would have been better off to have died like the 14,000 plus people during Korah's uprising. It is interesting to note that they call themselves "the LORD's people (Exodus 20:4), yet they don't accept who they are or whose they are.

The LORD freed them from their bondage in Egypt, He prepared a land for them, He shows it to them, they become fearful and don't have the faith to believe, they wander around for 40 years, and then they try to shift the blame to someone else. They said they were the LORD's people, yet they didn't live like the LORD's people.

Moses and Aaron sin. Moses went to God to see what to do with the people. God said to take the rod and speak to the rock and water would flow. Moses takes the rod, assembles the people, and then says, "Now listen to me." What do I have to do? (my paraphrase) "Do you want us to bring water out of this rock?" Then he strikes the rock (God) twice and the water (Holy Spirit) flowed.

A rock is often the symbol of Christ. The first time they needed water God said to strike the rock once (representative of Christ death on the cross). This time God said to speak only (because of Christ's death we need only to ask for the Holy Spirit). In Moses' anger and frustration, he decided to do things his way instead of God's way. Moses never saw the promised land because of his choice to do things his own way.

Important lesson! The question: "What is it you want me to do, LORD? The answer: I will do as you say.


Next Entry: Numbers 19:1 – 21:35 (Continued) 

Numbers 16:1 – 18:32

March 17, 2010

Korah, Dathan, Abiram & On.

Four men who led an uprising against Moses (God). They gathered 250 other men, well-known and respected men of the community, and they challenged Moses (God). As a group they confront Moses & Aaron (God). In essence saying, "Who do you think you are? What makes you better than the rest of us? You've gone too far! We are all holy people. Why have you put yourself above us?

Oh, the irony of it all. The very thing they were accusing Moses of is what they wanted. The problem wasn't that they didn't want to submit to Moses. The problem was that they didn't want to submit to God's plan. Korah (the leader), was part of the Levites, the very tribe God set aside in special service to Him. But that wasn't enough. They wanted more. They wanted it all. It wasn't about Moses. It was about their own pride and selfish desires.

Moses exposes the lie and tells them they have gone too far. "Isn't it enough" that God has brought you near to him? Numbers 16:11b - "Your complaint is not against Aaron." Their complaint was against God. The heart of the matter, truly is the HEART of the matter. Sin is rebellion—rebellion is sin. They were defiant. Moses tried to call Dathan and Abiram to meet him and they refused in effect saying, "Who are you to order us around?"

Moses said—let's let God decide this. Moses pleaded with God for the Israelites. Numbers 16:22 - "Please don't be angry with this whole group. Only one man has really sinned." Korah, a Levite set apart and chosen by God, yet full of pride and wanting more. That all consuming inner desire to make it to the top using whatever means and method necessary. You cannot shake your fist at God and get away with it.     

Moses said, "Now you will know that the LORD has sent me to do all these things; it was not my idea." (Numbers 16:28) "You will know they have insulted the LORD." (Numbers 16:30) The earth opened up and swallowed the four leaders who instigated and began the uprising. They were buried alive. Not only them, but their entire families and everything they owned—GONE. Then a fire came down and destroyed the 250 leaders who chose to follow them.

The Israelites still didn't get it. They complain to Moses about the consequences God gave for their choices. The glory of the LORD appears. God is ready to destroy all of them. A plague (sickness) started. And here is Moses and Aaron intervening on their behalf again offering incense for their forgiveness and running to the middle of them. Aaron stood between the dead and the living and the sickness stopped. 14,700 people died from the sickness.

God basically says—Let me make this perfectly clear. I will show you that I am the one who has chosen Moses and Aaron to be the leaders. Bring me a dead walking stick from each tribe. Label them and put them in the Meeting Tent. The next day the impossible happened. Not only had Aaron's stick grown leaves, but it budded, blossomed, AND produced almonds. God instructed Moses to put the stick in front of the Ark as a reminder to all the people. Oh, and those pans the 250 that rebelled against me used to offer incense? I destroyed the men, but those pans are holy. Melt them down and use them to cover the altar. That will also be a reminder.   

You cannot go against the living God and come out unscathed. There will be consequences. God's will—WILL be done. Surrender and worship The King. 

Addendum: 10/10/13 ~ "Now you will know that the LORD..." That is our prayer and the only thing that is important to us. We want ALL to know that it was the LORD who led us, guided us, protected us, blessed us and saved us from "the storm" surrounding us. Our hearts desire is that HE be given ALL the glory for the things HE has done.

I Kings 18:36-37 (verses we have quoted often) - "LORD, you are the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel (and us). Prove that you are the God of Israel and that I am your servant. Show these people that you commanded me to do all these things. LORD, answer my prayer so these people will know that you, LORD, are God, and that you will change their minds."

"The heart is the center of the spiritual life. If the fruit of a tree is bad, you don't try to fix the fruit; you treat the roots. And if a person's actions are evil, it is not enough to change the habits; you have to go deeper. You have to go to the heart of the problem, which is the problem of the heart..." From The Applause of Heaven by Max Lucado.

Written in the margin of my Bible: Proverbs 16:18 - Pride goes before destruction. The very thing they were accusing Moses and Aaron of is what they wanted for themselves. 


Next Entry: Numbers 19:1 – 21:35 

Numbers 15:1–41

March 16, 2010

The Israelites turned against the LORD and God told them what their consequences would be, and yet here He is giving them more instructions for when they do enter the land. God disciplines us but He does not give up on us.

God talks about the differences between when we unintentionally sin (we need to repent), and when we defiantly and purposefully choose to sin. That person must be cut off. When a person knows what God's word says, knows what is right and wrong, knows they are defying God, and yet chooses to do it anyway; then they are willfully shaking their fist and spitting in the face of God. In today's vernacular—screw you God. I am doing what I want to do. Numbers 15:31 - "Such a person must surely be cut off from the others. He is guilty!" God doesn't give up on us, but we can choose to be "cut-off" (separated from God) and found "guilty." 

God tells them to do things that will remind them to obey Him. Numbers 15:41 - "I am the LORD your God who brought you out of Egypt to be your God." I AM—past, present, and future. The same yesterday, today, and forever. TO BE—active, present, continual, current, fresh, everyday, tuned in, relevant, etc. It's not enough to have a one-time salvation experience. God wants "to be" our God forever and always.

Our choices determine what kind of relationship we have with God. Past tense, future, or ALL—past, present, and future. Active. Alive. TO BE. I AM the LORD your God. Total and complete security can be found when you understand this concept: "I AM the LORD."

Addendum:  10/10/13 ~ The Life Lesson for this portion is from a book written by Patrick M. Morley. The book is called Walking with Christ in the Details of Life. It makes some very poignant observations.

"God declares that He will faithfully remove the created things which can be shaken—the shakeable kingdom. Why? So that the unshakeable may remain. Created things give cultural Christianity its toehold. Created things defeat us and choke the Word—the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth. 

When we cross over the line and refuse Him who speaks, He will separate us from the created things—the idols, the shakeable kingdom—which dilute our devotion to Him. If we cannot remain obedient, if we cannot be holy, then He will discipline us for our own good, "that we may share in in his holiness"... 

Do not be alarmed if God shakes up your world. Though your first natural thought will disagree, it is a blessing. It is not a sign that you are unworthy—every one of us is unworthy. It is not a sign of hatred, but love. If He did not love you, He would let you completely self-destruct. As it is, He cleanses your life from sin... 

When God disciplines you by removing created things, by shaking up your temporal kingdom, rejoice and be glad. Created things divide our affections from God and become competition to our devotion. They lure us into the wrong race. They consume our creativity and deflect our thoughts away from the Lord Jesus. 

I became a cultural Christian. Created things became idols and divided me from complete, faithful devotion to our Lord. God removed most of the created things I accumulated. I built a shakeable kingdom, and God shook it. Words are inadequate to express the joy and gratitude I feel toward God for the wounds He faithfully inflicted. It may be the single greatest blessing of my spiritual pilgrimage."

Well said. We concur.


Next Entry: Numbers 16:1 – 18:32

Numbers 13:1 – 14:45

March 15, 2010

Moses sent out the twelve spies to explore the promised land. Exodus 23: 20-33 - God had already told them who lived in the land and how He was going to give the land to them. Yet ten of the twelve came back with panic. We can't do this! Why...so and so lives there. They are bigger and stronger than us! They had lost focus. Instead of looking at who God was, what God had told them, and God's promises, they looked only at themselves and their (lack of) strength. We can't. BUT God can!!  Their lack of faith and self dependence started the negative ball rolling. They started feeling sorry for themselves and complaining. Poor us—it would have been better if we were still slaves in Egypt. Let's choose a leader to take us back.

Caleb and Joshua speak up. Hey! Wait a minute! The land is good. God will lead us! Don't turn against the LORD. (The truth is, in their hearts they had already turned. This was just an outward action of what was already there.) Don't be afraid! Don't you remember what God said? Exodus 23:20-33 - That He will be the one who fights for us? That our enemies will be afraid of Him? That He will confuse them? That they will run from us? That He will send terror in front of us, not to us? Don't you remember? Don't you remember? Numbers 14:9 - Our enemies don't have any protection! They have no defense! (KJV) God is with us! Don't be afraid of them.

The peoples response? They wanted to kill Joshua, Caleb, Moses, and Aaron. They would rather trust in themselves—and be slaves—than to trust in God. 

God is angry! How long will these people ignore me? When will they get it? God is ready to destroy all of them right then and there. Moses pleads their case. What's it going to look like, God? The Egyptians know what you have done. They've spread the word to all the other people. God, it's going to look like you didn't have the power to do what you said so you took the easy way out and just got rid of the problem. Then Moses says, "Show your strength LORD." I understand the guilty need to be punished, but LORD, by your great love please forgive them.

God answers Moses. I have forgiven them. Those individuals who chose to reject me will not see the promised land. Those who have chosen to follow me completely, those—those people will inherit the land. 

We cannot escape the consequences of our wrong choices, and others cannot prevent God from giving us the blessings HE has prepared for us because of our good choices. The glory of God will be shown. His people needed to be disciplined. He had the right to get rid of the entire group in a very public way. He instead chose to privately discipline his children so non-believers would not question His ability or diminish His glory.

Consequences. Numbers 14:28 - "I heard what you said...I will do those very things to you." God makes it very clear that our choices not only affect us but the generations to come. For 40 years they wandered the desert and none of the people who chose to reject God entered the land.

After the Israelites hear what their consequences were going to be they decided to do what God had earlier said to do. The problem is—it was too late. We cannot choose when, how, or why we are going to obey. Delayed obedience is disobedience. They weren't submitting to God. They weren't listening to what God was saying now (don't go). Numbers 14:44 - says, "They were proud." They were now going to obey because they wanted to avoid the consequences they were going to have to suffer. It had nothing to do with following God. They were going to plow ahead and do things their way and then expect God to bless them.

It doesn't work that way. Moses tries to tell them—don't do this! Why are you still disobeying? Don't go, you will not win! The LORD is not with you! You will be beaten! "You have turned away from the LORD, so the LORD will not be with you." (Verse 43) But, "they were proud." They went ... and they were defeated.

God knows our hearts. He knows whether we have submitted ourselves totally to Him OR whether we are trying to use Him to get what we want. 

Galatians 6:7-9 - Do not be fooled: You cannot (mock) cheat God. People harvest only what they plant. If they plant to satisfy their sinful selves, their sinful selves will bring them ruin. If they plant to please the Spirit, they will receive eternal life from the Spirit. We must not become tired of doing good. We will receive our harvest of eternal life at the right time if we do not give up. 

Joshua 24:15 - As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.


Next Entry: Numbers 15:1–41 

Numbers 12:1–16

March 13, 2010

This chapter is interesting. It first says that Aaron and Miriam started to speak against Moses because of his wife. And then, the truth comes out. It didn't have anything to do with Moses' wife. They were jealous of Moses and what they viewed as Moses getting more attention than them. Jealousy. Pure and simple—jealousy.

Can't you just hear it? Who does Moses think he is? Why is he so special? Doesn't God also speak through us? Verse 3 shows they did not have a legitimate complaint. "Moses was very humble. He was the least proud person on earth." God heard their murmurings and knew their hearts. I can just hear this next part. "The three of you...in here now!" Why was Moses called to the tent? He hadn't done anything. God reprimanded Aaron and Miriam. He (the LORD) was very angry with them and then he left. Miriam came down with a skin disease.

I believe Moses was called to the tent for several reasons. 1) Miriam and Aaron's behind his back scheming needed to be exposed to Moses and not just confessed to God. All the cards needed to be on the table. They needed to be held accountable in front of God and the one they tried to harm. 2) Miriam and Aaron needed to be able to see Moses' response to the revelation. They needed to see for themselves that Moses was not motivated by personal gain. He truly was a servant of God. 3) Miriam and Aaron needed to be able to experience grace from Moses. 

When Miriam came down with the skin disease Aaron said to Moses, "Please forgive us Master for our foolish sin." Moses prayed to God, "Please heal her." Here is Aaron admitting to Moses they had done wrong. Here is Moses pleading to God on their behalf. God replied that if Miriam's father had spit at her she would be unclean and put outside the camp for a week. Accountability happened. Miriam developed a skin disease and was put outside the camp for a week.

Think about that! Spit in the face by your father! Utter disgust and contempt! God was so angry at their devious schemes and complaining, that the skin disease was the equivalent of God spitting in her face. There were consequences for their actions. Moses was blindsided. He had no idea what Aaron and Miriam were thinking. It wouldn't have stopped with "thinking," it would have progressed. God forced them to stop. He held them accountable and Moses got to witness it.

Addendum:  10/9/13 ~ Aaron and Miriam had taken their eyes off of God and put them on Moses. Miriam, who had experienced God's protection and provision for Moses as a child, had not learned to trust in God herself. Aaron's dependence on Moses instead of God is apparent in his plea to Moses. He called Moses, "Master," and sought forgiveness from him. God should have been his only Master. He should have sought forgiveness from God FIRST and from Moses (as a fellow servant of God) second. 

Our relationship with God has to be personal. It can't just be something we have observed in others and it can't just be saying the "right" words that we hear from others. It has to be ours. No one else can do it for us. It must be ours. 


Next Entry: Numbers 13:1 – 14:45

Numbers 10:11 – 11:35

March 13, 2010

The Israelites move for the first time.  As the Ark moved out Moses said, "Rise up, LORD!  Scatter your enemies: make those who hate you run from you."  When the Ark was set down he said, "Return, LORD to the...people."  I'm so thankful that God goes before us and dwells within us.

There were troublemakers among them (Numbers 11:4) and they began to complain (Numbers 11:1).  They wanted meat.  Their focus had gotten off of who God was.  They were instead focused on themselves and what they wanted.  This makes Moses and God angry.  God says—You want meat?  I'll give you meat.  I'll give you so much you will wish you never asked for it.  Moses asked—How you going to do that?  Oh, how easy he (and we) forget about the power of God when we start looking at things through our eyes.  God responds, "Do you think I am weak?  Now you will see if I can do what I say."  And the quail fly in...and many people get sick and die.

We need to be so careful that what we are seeking and praying for is what God wants and not what we think we want.  God may very well give us what we ask for; and we may discover that what we wanted wasn't what was best for us.  We may be in the desert, we may not be comfortable, and we may wish our circumstances were different.  We...we...we.  BUT!  Even though we may not be comfortable, we need to remember who is directing our path and be content to wait upon Him.  He knows the plans He has for us.  We need to trust HIM.

When we are praising God for who HE is then we can be content wherever He has us and we will be willing to WAIT on the LORD. 


Next Entry: Numbers 12:1–16

Numbers 9:15 – 10:10

March 12, 2010

God's will. The cloud stayed above the tent. When the cloud moved, the Israelites moved. When the cloud stopped, the Israelites stopped. When the cloud stayed, the Israelites stayed. Numbers 9:22 - "The cloud might stay over the Tent for two days, a month, or a year. As long as it stayed, the people camped, but when it lifted they moved."

To know God's will requires waiting on the LORD. Obedience to God's will requires watching for the signs the LORD gives you and then doing what He says. Instead of being proactive and trying to push through our own agendas, we need to be reactive and listen to what God has to say and then carefully follow His direction. Like Numbers 9:22 says, it may be two days, a month, or a year.  Or, as in the case of the difficult "storm" situation we are in, it may be three plus years and counting. Wait on Him!

God has clearly led us on this journey we are on. It has been as clear as it was for the Israelites watching the cloud lead them. Every step on this path has been directed by God. What an amazing thing to be on a path that is directed by God, even if it is a painful path. There is joy, contentment, and peace even in the midst of the storm.

The Israelites were to make trumpets from hammered silver. These trumpets were to be used to move the people and gather the people. During times of battle they were to be blown loudly and God would notice and save them. They were to be blown during happy times as well as solemn times, and at the times they were seeking forgiveness. Psalm 150:3 - "Praise him with the sound of trumpets." Praise should be a constant thing in our lives. Praise—when we are told to move forward. Praise—when we're stuck in the same spot. Praise—when we're in trouble. Praise—when we're happy. Praise—when we're sad. Praise—when we are confessing sins. Why? Why praise at all times? The answer is found in Numbers 10:10 - "(This) will help you remember your God. I am the LORD your God."

I've said it before, and I'm saying it again. The single most important thing Jane (Her Name Was Jane) taught us was the first thing she spoke to us. "Read Psalm 150." Every line begins with "Praise the LORD." While we appreciate and claim the promises of Psalm 140, it is the act of practicing Psalm 150 that has enabled us to claim Psalm 140. Because, when we remember who God is (which is what happens when you praise the LORD), then it puts everything else in the proper perspective and fear, anxiety, sadness, grief, etc. is replaced with joy, contentment, peace, and understanding that only God can give. Our eyes are no longer on ourselves. They are on the God of creation. We have no strength, but He does. We have no power, but He does. We choose to believe. "I AM THE LORD."


Next Entry: Numbers 10:11 – 11:35

Numbers 7:1 – 9:14

March 09, 2010

Numbers 9:8 - "Wait, and I will find out what the LORD says." The people of Israel had a question about how they should do something and that was Moses' response. "Wait, and I will find out what the LORD says." That should be our response as well. Wait.  

Sometimes it is hard to "wait" and we want to get our hands in there to fix things (or avoid things) ourselves. Even if it's hard, learn what it means to wait. 

Wait. Keep your hands off. Keep your ideas out of it. What does God want?


Next Entry: Numbers 9:15 – 10:10

Numbers 6:1–27

March 08, 2010

Numbers 6:24–26 - "May the LORD bless you and keep you. May the LORD show you his kindness and have mercy on you. May the LORD watch over you and give you peace." 

May the LORD.

A phrase I hear all the time (and just really irritates me) is, "I feel so blessed." It's usually said in a rather flippant type way. I think what irritates me is where the emphasis is put or implied. "I" feel so blessed. Or, another way to say it is, look at what God has done for me! That is what irritates me. Being thankful for God's blessings should not be a means of bringing attention to ourselves. Our thankfulness and praise should be directing people towards who is worthy of the praise—God. 

May the LORD - bless you and keep you.
May the LORD - show you HIS kindness and have mercy on you.
May the LORD - watch over you and give you peace.

Blessings come from the LORD. It is NOT because of "me/us." He is the One! He is the One who blesses, keeps, shows kindness, has mercy, watches over us and gives us peace. Something is wrong if we are saying "I" and "me." It is the LORD! He is the One. If our praise to God is placing praise upon ourselves instead of pointing people to Him "from whom all blessings flow" then we better take a deeper look at our own lives and priorities. The single most important thing Jane taught us is found in the first scripture she told us to read—Psalm 150. "Praise the Lord."  

There is a difference between "praising God" and "thanking God," and for many years we failed to understand the difference.

Praising God: the act of acknowledging who God is and praising Him for it. This has nothing to do with us. Psalm 8 - "who is man..." It has everything to do with who He is. He is God, the maker of heaven and earth and all creation. He deserves our unending praise because of who He is. And, He deserves it first, before anything else. It puts Exodus 20:3-4 into practice. Everything else falls into place when we get this right. i.e. Faith and trust. These are so much easier to "do" when you begin to get a glimpse of the awesomeness of who God is through praise.

Thanking God: the act of acknowledging what God has done. If you are not careful the focus can become what God has done for me instead of what God has done! When we are praising God for who He is first, then thanking Him for what He has done, it becomes an extension of WHO HE IS!

It is ALL about HIM.


Next Entry: Numbers 7:1 – 9:14  

Numbers 3:1 – 5:31

March 06, 2010

Again, it is strikingly clear that God is a God of details. Nowhere do we see God saying or implying that the Israelites (or us) should decide the how, what, when, or where they (or we) should do things. God has a plan. It should be our desire to find out what His plan is. Instead, we often try to conform His plan to fit our plans instead of totally surrendering our lives to His will. We cannot surrender our will to His will without knowing His word and without being in communion with Him. It is when we are seeking Him that He can speak and reveal His plans to us.

Numbers 5:5–8 - Paying for doing wrong. God makes this so clear. When a person does something wrong to another person, that person is actually sinning against the LORD! Our lives are not our own! We do not have a "right" to do whatever we want, whenever we want, to whomever we want. Sinning against the LORD!! What a sobering thought. The person who wrongs another person is guilty—pure and simple—guilty! And, must admit the wrong that was done. MUST!

It is pride that makes someone think they have the right to wrong another person. And, it is pride that is going to make it very difficult for that same person to admit guilt. But God says two things:

1. You are guilty.  
2. You must admit it.  

It is God who has been sinned against. If we want to "belong to God" (verse 8) we must confess it to God and we must pay for the wrong that was done. We cannot circumvent these steps. There are no shortcuts. There is only one way. 


Next Entry: Numbers 6:1–27

Numbers 1:1 – 2:34

March 06, 2010

The people of Israel are counted. Numbers 1:5 - "These are the names of the men who will help you."

This just makes me smile. God is in control and He cares about details. He even picked the men from each tribe who were to help Moses and Aaron. He clearly leads our paths when we "bother" to listen to Him. Reminds me of the song, "He will make away, where there seems to be no way. He works in ways we cannot see, He will make a way for me. He will be my guide, walking closely by my side..."

He will make a way. IF—we do what He has commanded us to do, THEN—He provides a way.

God Will Make a Way!


Next Entry: Numbers 3:1 – 5:31

Leviticus 26:1 – 27:34 (Continued)

March 03, 2010

Leviticus 26:27–35
IF—you still refuse to listen to me and still turn against me, THEN—I will show my great anger. I will punish you seven more times for your sin. You will eat the bodies of your children. (You will turn against family members.) I will destroy the places where you worshiped other gods and pile your lifeless bodies there. (The things you held in higher esteem than me and wouldn't give up? I will take them away. They will be useless to you.) I will hate you. (What strong words! When you see the progression of consequences to our refusal to submit to God, it is frightening.) I will destroy your cities and your holy places. (Everything that is important to you will be gone.) I will not smell the pleasing smell of your offerings. (I will ignore your "religious" rituals.) I will make the land empty, your enemies will live in it and be shocked by it. I will scatter you. I will pull out my sword and destroy you. Your land will be empty and your cities a waste. (Everything will be gone. What you thought was "yours" I will remove. I (God) will personally see to it that every "thing" is gone. All will be shocked by it. Not only will everything be gone, but you will be forced out as well. You will be a prisoner in your enemies land.)

Leviticus 26:36–39
IF—any of you are still alive, THEN—you will lose your courage (all of your "I's" will be gone. Your I will, I can, I won't, I'm in charge of my life—gone.) You will be frightened by the sound of a leaf blowing in the wind. (Fear will take over and consume you.) You will run and fall even when no one is chasing you. You will fall over each other. (Panic and paranoia will take over and control you. You will lose all reasoning abilities. You will not be able to determine what reality is. There will be utter fear, panic, paranoia, and pandemonium.) You will not be strong enough to stand up against your enemies. (Your supposed power—gone. Total weakness. No strategies. No schemes.) You will die among other nations. Those of you left alive will rot away because of your sins and the sins of your ancestors. (Done. Finished. You followed in your ancestors steps. You never repented. You disobeyed my commands. You refused to listen to me.)  I AM THE LORD! I have no other choice. A holy God cannot tolerate or allow continued and purposeful disobedience. I gave you every chance. I did everything I could do to get you to turn from your wicked ways. You refused. You have chosen to suffer the consequences. I AM THE LORD!

Leviticus 26:14–17 - Blessings removed, success gone, God's peace gone
Leviticus 26:18–20 - Stripped of pride, everything you try will fail
Leviticus 26:21–22 - Unexpected catastrophes and calamities
Leviticus 26:23–26 - Out of control, nothing will work, no satisfaction 
Leviticus 26:27–35 - You will turn on each other, everything gone
Leviticus 26:36–39 - Fear, anxiety, panic, prison, destruction

There is always hope! But maybe—maybe the people will confess their sins and their father's sins. Maybe they will admit they turned against me and sinned which caused all of their consequences. IF—these disobedient people are sorry AND accept punishment for their sins, THEN—God will remember his agreement and He will not turn away from them. Leviticus 26:43 - "They will accept the punishment for their sins. They will learn that they were punished for their sins." THEN! THEN there will be restoration, health, and happiness again. I AM THE LORD!

There is always hope.

God waited patiently for his people to return. He caused accountability and consequences to happen. He did everything He could to get their attention ... ALL for the purpose of bringing them back to repentance. What God did for the Israelites He does for us as well. He wants us to return and come back to Him, and seek forgiveness. II Chronicles 7:14 - IF—THEN

There is always hope.

Blessings—verses—Consequences. The boundaries set by God are for our own good. If we break them we suffer. We either respond to His love or we face His discipline. It is our choice: Blessings—or—Curses. Deuteronomy 11:26–28 - "See, today I am letting you choose a blessing or a curse. You will be blessed if you obey the commands of the LORD your God that I am giving you today. But you will be cursed if you disobey the commands of the LORD your God."


Next Entry: Numbers 1:1 - 2:34