Today we are reading Numbers 21. In this chapter we read about Israel trying to pass through various regions in what is modern day Jordan. “Then Israel sent messengers to Sihon king of the Amorites, saying, “Let me pass through your land. We will not turn aside into field or vineyard. We will not drink the water of a well. We will go by the King’s Highway until we have passed through your territory.” But Sihon would not allow Israel to pass through his territory. He gathered all his people together and went out against Israel to the wilderness and came to Jahaz and fought against Israel. And Israel defeated him with the edge of the sword and took possession of his land from the Arnon to the Jabbok, as far as to the Ammonites, for the border of the Ammonites was strong.” ‭‭Numbers‬ ‭21‬:‭21‬-‭24‬ ‭ESV‬‬ Water is the most precious resource in arid regions. The nations that Israel encountered east of the Dead Sea and the Jordan River had very little water. Every time Israel wanted to move in the direction of the Promised Land the countries they were about to cross feared they would lose their water supply. As a result, they would go to war over water. In our country water is fairly abundant. In many parts of the world clean water is scarce. What does God want us to do with precious resources? Is there a way that generosity can serve the Gospel? May God cause you to be most generous with your most precious resources. Pastor Tim

Today we are reading Numbers 20. In this chapter we learn why Moses was not allowed to enter the Promised Land. “Then Moses and Aaron gathered the assembly together before the rock, and he said to them, “Hear now, you rebels: shall we bring water for you out of this rock?” And Moses lifted up his hand and struck the rock with his staff twice, and water came out abundantly, and the congregation drank, and their livestock. And the Lord said to Moses and Aaron, “Because you did not believe in me, to uphold me as holy in the eyes of the people of Israel, therefore you shall not bring this assembly into the land that I have given them.”” Numbers‬ ‭20‬:‭10‬-‭12‬ ‭ESV‬‬ When you read the whole account of Moses and all that he went through as God’s servant, it seems very trivial that he would not be allowed to enter the Promised Land because he struck the rock. True, he was grand-standing with his dramatic display before all the people. God was rebuking Moses for being proud and bring attention to himself, for being angry with the people and for despising Him be not obeying Him precisely. When have you been proud, angry or disrespectful toward God? May God bless you in all your ways as you serve Him. Pastor Tim

Today we are reading Numbers 19. In this chapter we read about laws for purification. “For the unclean they shall take some ashes of the burnt sin offering, and fresh water shall be added in a vessel. Then a clean person shall take hyssop and dip it in the water and sprinkle it on the tent and on all the furnishings and on the persons who were there and on whoever touched the bone, or the slain or the dead or the grave. And the clean person shall sprinkle it on the unclean on the third day and on the seventh day. Thus on the seventh day he shall cleanse him, and he shall wash his clothes and bathe himself in water, and at evening he shall be clean.” Numbers‬ ‭19‬:‭17‬-‭19‬ ‭ESV‬‬ God gave the Israelites many rules about what is clean and unclean. The point of these laws is health and Holiness. As God’s people we need to stay away from anything that would defile us. It is interesting that many of the things that might defile us spiritually an also carry disease and threaten our physical health. God’s rules always have a twofold purpose. Think of the Ten Commandments. How do they have a twofold purpose? May you be blessed in your obedience! Pastor Tim

Today we are reading from Numbers 18. In this chapter we read about the duties of the Levites and the sons of Aaron. “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. And with you bring your brothers also, the tribe of Levi, the tribe of your father, that they may join you and minister to you while you and your sons with you are before the tent of the testimony. They shall keep guard over you and over the whole tent, but shall not come near to the vessels of the sanctuary or to the altar lest they, and you, die. They shall join you and keep guard over the tent of meeting for all the service of the tent, and no outsider shall come near you. And you shall keep guard over the sanctuary and over the altar, that there may never again be wrath on the people of Israel.” Numbers‬ ‭18‬:‭1‬-‭5‬ ‭ESV‬‬ God gave very specific ministry to the Sons of Aaron and the Levites. There are some interesting limitations imposed on these priests. They will not possess land. The offerings of the people are for their use. They are to guard the tent and the furnishings from anyone coming near them. How have you seen similar limitations imposed on your religious leaders? Do you enjoy certain freedoms that are off limits to them? What would you describe as special benefits accorded to your religious leaders. Pastor Tim

Today we are reading Numbers 17. In this chapter we read about Aaron’s staff budding. “The Lord spoke to Moses, saying, “Speak to the people of Israel, and get from them staffs, one for each fathers’ house, from all their chiefs according to their fathers’ houses, twelve staffs. Write each man’s name on his staff, and write Aaron’s name on the staff of Levi. For there shall be one staff for the head of each fathers’ house. Then you shall deposit them in the tent of meeting before the testimony, where I meet with you. And the staff of the man whom I choose shall sprout. Thus I will make to cease from me the grumblings of the people of Israel, which they grumble against you.” Moses spoke to the people of Israel. And all their chiefs gave him staffs, one for each chief, according to their fathers’ houses, twelve staffs. And the staff of Aaron was among their staffs. And Moses deposited the staffs before the Lord in the tent of the testimony. On the next day Moses went into the tent of the testimony, and behold, the staff of Aaron for the house of Levi had sprouted and put forth buds and produced blossoms, and it bore ripe almonds.”
‭‭Numbers‬ ‭17‬:‭1‬-‭8‬ ‭ESV‬‬ This unusual miracle accomplished what was intended—humbling the arrogant leaders who were rebelling against Moses and God. In fact, the miracle of a stick coming to life was so revered that it was kept in the Ark of the Covenant for future generations to see and remember. What do you have from your ancestors that reminds you of faith and obedience to God? What are you preserving for future generations? Pastor Tim

Today we are reading Numbers 16. In this chapter we read about Koran’s rebellion. “Now Korah the son of Izhar, son of Kohath, son of Levi, and Dathan and Abiram the sons of Eliab, and On the son of Peleth, sons of Reuben, took men. And they rose up before Moses, with a number of the people of Israel, 250 chiefs of the congregation, chosen from the assembly, well-known men. They assembled themselves together against Moses and against Aaron and said to them, “You have gone too far! For all in the congregation are holy, every one of them, and the Lord is among them. Why then do you exalt yourselves above the assembly of the Lord?” When Moses heard it, he fell on his face, and he said to Korah and all his company, “In the morning the Lord will show who is his, and who is holy, and will bring him near to him. The one whom he chooses he will bring near to him. Do this: take censers, Korah and all his company; put fire in them and put incense on them before the Lord tomorrow, and the man whom the Lord chooses shall be the holy one. You have gone too far, sons of Levi!” And Moses said to Korah, “Hear now, you sons of Levi: is it too small a thing for you that the God of Israel has separated you from the congregation of Israel, to bring you near to himself, to do service in the tabernacle of the Lord and to stand before the congregation to minister to them, and that he has brought you near him, and all your brothers the sons of Levi with you? And would you seek the priesthood also? Therefore it is against the Lord that you and all your company have gathered together. What is Aaron that you grumble against him?”” Numbers‬ ‭16‬:‭1‬-‭11‬ ‭ESV‬‬ Why do you think there were so many rebellions in the wilderness? Was it because the people were tired of living like homeless people? Was it because the devil was trying to destroy this nation before they could be established? Was it because people are sinful? Was it all part of God’s plan to purify the people and prepare them to live as His people in the Promised Land? God’s ways are always good. Pastor Tim

Today we are reading Numbers 15. In this chapter we read about laws of God for the people as they enter the Promised Land. “The Lord said to Moses, “Speak to the people of Israel, and tell them to make tassels on the corners of their garments throughout their generations, and to put a cord of blue on the tassel of each corner. And it shall be a tassel for you to look at and remember all the commandments of the Lord, to do them, not to follow after your own heart and your own eyes, which you are inclined to whore after. 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 ‭ESV‬‬ This command regarding tassels serves as a constant reminder to the people of Gods not to turn away from Him and to have in mind His commandments. How do you remember to turn away from sin? What is your strategy when you are tempted? How can you help your children and grandchildren to serve and obey God? May God use you to bring comfort to His people. Pastor Tim

Today we are reading Numbers 14. In this chapter we read about rebellion against God. “Then all the congregation raised a loud cry, and the people wept that night. And all the people of Israel grumbled against Moses and Aaron. The whole congregation said to them, “Would that we had died in the land of Egypt! Or would that we had died in this wilderness! Why is the Lord bringing us into this land, to fall by the sword? Our wives and our little ones will become a prey. Would it not be better for us to go back to Egypt?” And they said to one another, “Let us choose a leader and go back to Egypt.” And the men whom Moses sent to spy out the land, who returned and made all the congregation grumble against him by bringing up a bad report about the land— the men who brought up a bad report of the land—died by plague before the Lord. Of those men who went to spy out the land, only Joshua the son of Nun and Caleb the son of Jephunneh remained alive.” Numbers‬ ‭14‬:‭1‬-‭4‬, ‭36‬-‭38‬ ‭ESV‬‬ It is never a good thing to rebel against God! Here is the hard part, if you rebel against God’s servant, you are rebelling against God. How can you help maintain the peace and blessings of your ministry community? How should you react when you hear criticism of those God has placed in authority over you? Blessed are the peacemakers! Pastor Tim

Today we are reading Numbers 13. In this chapter we read about the twelve men who went to spy out the promised land. “The Lord spoke to Moses, saying, “Send men to spy out the land of Canaan, which I am giving to the people of Israel. From each tribe of their fathers you shall send a man, every one a chief among them.” But Caleb quieted the people before Moses and said, “Let us go up at once and occupy it, for we are well able to overcome it.” Then the men who had gone up with him said, “We are not able to go up against the people, for they are stronger than we are.” So they brought to the people of Israel a bad report of the land that they had spied out, saying, “The land, through which we have gone to spy it out, is a land that devours its inhabitants, and all the people that we saw in it are of great height. And there we saw the Nephilim (the sons of Anak, who come from the Nephilim), and we seemed to ourselves like grasshoppers, and so we seemed to them.””
‭‭Numbers‬ ‭13‬:‭1‬-‭2‬, ‭30‬-‭33‬ ‭ESV‬‬ So, this the land God promised them. If God promised it do you think God would help them take possession of it? What could prevent God from keeping His promise? Why do we lose heart and imagine that God will not keep His promise? The circumstances are irrelevant. God is God! Nothing can prevent Him from keeping His promise! Pastor Tim

Today we are reading Numbers 12. In this chapter we read about the sin of Aaron and Miriam in speaking against Moses. “Miriam and Aaron spoke against Moses because of the Cushite woman whom he had married, for he had married a Cushite woman. And they said, “Has the Lord indeed spoken only through Moses? Has he not spoken through us also?” And the Lord heard it. Now the man Moses was very meek, more than all people who were on the face of the earth. And suddenly the Lord said to Moses and to Aaron and Miriam, “Come out, you three, to the tent of meeting.” And the three of them came out. And the Lord came down in a pillar of cloud and stood at the entrance of the tent and called Aaron and Miriam, and they both came forward. And he said, “Hear my words: If there is a prophet among you, I the Lord make myself known to him in a vision; I speak with him in a dream. Not so with my servant Moses. He is faithful in all my house. With him I speak mouth to mouth, clearly, and not in riddles, and he beholds the form of the Lord. Why then were you not afraid to speak against my servant Moses?” And the anger of the Lord was kindled against them, and he departed. When the cloud removed from over the tent, behold, Miriam was leprous, like snow. And Aaron turned toward Miriam, and behold, she was leprous.” ‭‭Numbers‬ ‭12‬:‭1‬-‭10‬ ‭ESV‬‬ This is a very important point. If God had not intervened with the rebellion of Aaron and Miriam, what would have happened to the nation of Israel? Have you ever acted like Aaron and Miriam? Did you repent? What damage did your rebellion cause? How can you be a blessing to those God has placed in authority over you? Pastor Tim