When I'm Gone...

Deuteronomy 31:24 When Moses had finished writing the words of this law in a book to the very end, 25 Moses commanded the Levites who carried the ark of the covenant of the Lord, 26 “Take this Book of the Law and put it by the side of the ark of the covenant of the Lord your God, that it may be there for a witness against you. 27 For I know how rebellious and stubborn you are. Behold, even today while I am yet alive with you, you have been rebellious against the Lord. How much more after my death! 28 Assemble to me all the elders of your tribes and your officers, that I may speak these words in their ears and call heaven and earth to witness against them. 

Moses had seen a lot in his life, including a lot of disobedience on the part of God's people. As he was finishing his final charge and preparing to hand things over to Joshuah, he makes one last request: keep the Book of the law close to the Covenant of the Lord.  He knew what things had been like when he was there to keep an eye on things; he could only imagine what things would be like when he was gone.  Maybe he was thinking too highly of himself, but I think most of us can imagine that feeling when you have invested highly in some group, project, or person(s).  What will it be like when I'm gone?  The key is NOT for them to hold on to our memories, but to the godly principles we have lived and died for. May we not wait till the last minute to plan and prepare for "when I'm gone..." 

It's Not Just About You...

Deuteronomy 29:22 And the next generation, your children who rise up after you, and the foreigner who comes from a far land, will say, when they see the afflictions of that land and the sicknesses with which the Lord has made it sick— 23 the whole land burned out with brimstone and salt, nothing sown and nothing growing, where no plant can sprout, an overthrow like that of Sodom and Gomorrah, Admah, and Zeboiim, which the Lord overthrew in his anger and wrath— 24 all the nations will say, ‘Why has the Lord done thus to this land? What caused the heat of this great anger?’ 25 Then people will say, ‘It is because they abandoned the covenant of the Lord, the God of their fathers, which he made with them when he brought them out of the land of Egypt, 26 and went and served other gods and worshiped them, gods whom they had not known and whom he had not allotted to them. 27 Therefore the anger of the Lord was kindled against this land, bringing upon it all the curses written in this book, 28 and the Lord uprooted them from their land in anger and fury and great wrath, and cast them into another land, as they are this day.’

After having the people reaffirm their covenant with God, Moses gave a charge to them. It was not just to them God was giving His promises and warnings, but to those they would influence: their children and the foreigners who would come. When things fell apart and everyone was asking: "What happened," there would be a clear answer: they abandoned the covenant.  We so quickly forget that it's not just about us, but our faithfulness, or lack of it, has far-reaching effects.

Just a Snippet

 

Deuteronomy 28:25 “The Lord will cause you to be defeated before your enemies. You shall go out one way against them and flee seven ways before them. And you shall be a horror to all the kingdoms of the earth. 26 And your dead body shall be food for all birds of the air and for the beasts of the earth, and there shall be no one to frighten them away. 27 The Lord will strike you with the boils of Egypt, and with tumors and scabs and itch, of which you cannot be healed. 28 The Lord will strike you with madness and blindness and confusion of mind, 29 and you shall grope at noonday, as the blind grope in darkness, and you shall not prosper in your ways...

The first fifth of this chapter gives the blessings that would come to Israel for her obedience to the covenant endorsed in the previous chapter. The rest of the chapter contains the curses which would come for disobedience. It ranged from the "natural" disasters which would occur, to the total devastation of their families, homes, cities, and lives.  This above is just a glimpse of what would happen (and did happen), when Israel was repeatedly defeated, plundered, and exiled from the promised land for failing to remain faithful to God Who had delivered and provided for her.  None of us can say we were never warned. There are both natural consequences and judgments for disobedience.  Hopefully a snippet is enough to call us to obedience. 

Amen=Confirming Agreement

 

Deuteronomy 27:14 And the Levites shall declare to all the men of Israel in a loud voice:
15 “‘Cursed be the man who makes a carved or cast metal image, an abomination to the Lord, a thing made by the hands of a craftsman, and sets it up in secret.’ And all the people shall answer and say, ‘Amen.’
16 “‘Cursed be anyone who dishonors his father or his mother.’ And all the people shall say, ‘Amen.’
17 “‘Cursed be anyone who moves his neighbor's landmark.’ And all the people shall say, ‘Amen.’
18 “‘Cursed be anyone who misleads a blind man on the road.’ And all the people shall say, ‘Amen.’
19 “‘Cursed be anyone who perverts the justice due to the sojourner, the fatherless, and the widow.’ And all the people shall say, ‘Amen.’
20 “‘Cursed be anyone who lies with his father's wife, because he has uncovered his father's nakedness.’ And all the people shall say, ‘Amen.’
21 “‘Cursed be anyone who lies with any kind of animal.’ And all the people shall say, ‘Amen.’
22 “‘Cursed be anyone who lies with his sister, whether the daughter of his father or the daughter of his mother.’ And all the people shall say, ‘Amen.’
23 “‘Cursed be anyone who lies with his mother-in-law.’ And all the people shall say, ‘Amen.’
24 “‘Cursed be anyone who strikes down his neighbor in secret.’ And all the people shall say, ‘Amen.’
25 “‘Cursed be anyone who takes a bribe to shed innocent blood.’ And all the people shall say, ‘Amen.’
26 “‘Cursed be anyone who does not confirm the words of this law by doing them.’ And all the people shall say, ‘Amen.’

After several more chapters reviewing the Law of God, the people get to the confirmation of the law, summarized in the statements above. Accepting the covenant meant accepting the curses of disobedience. It's like those legal documents you sign then initial every statement, then sign again at the end. It is legally binding, serious stuff. May we take our vows to God seriously.

Protecting the Defenseless.

Deuteronomy 22:25 “But if in the open country a man meets a young woman who is betrothed, and the man seizes her and lies with her, then only the man who lay with her shall die. 26 But you shall do nothing to the young woman; she has committed no offense punishable by death. For this case is like that of a man attacking and murdering his neighbor, 27 because he met her in the open country, and though the betrothed young woman cried for help there was no one to rescue her.

After repeating many of the laws found in Exodus with the wilderness wanderings, we come to this section.  After living for decades in close proximity in Egypt, and then the tent city of the wilderness wanderings, the people were going to have space and more privacy. There were many good things about that, but it also meant less accountability.  Men need to be held accountable for their actions.  Women needed the protection by society.  Whenever anyone is allowed to bully others to get what they want, society must step in and protect, or eventually all will suffer.  Added to that is the fact that the man to whom this woman was betrothed had been violated and the tendency for revenge was real. That also would disturb the society as a whole. Have we learned these lessons?

Never Too Far...

 

Deuteronomy 14:24 And if the way is too long for you, so that you are not able to carry the tithe, when the Lord your God blesses you, because the place is too far from you, which the Lord your God chooses, to set his name there, 25 then you shall turn it into money and bind up the money in your hand and go to the place that the Lord your God chooses 26 and spend the money for whatever you desire—oxen or sheep or wine or strong drink, whatever your appetite craves. And you shall eat there before the Lord your God and rejoice, you and your household. 27 And you shall not neglect the Levite who is within your towns, for he has no portion or inheritance with you.

As soon as God begins to give us instructions, our impulse is to say: "What if...?"  God had said He would establish the place for His worship. But what if someone's part of the promised land was far away from that place?  God foresees our excuses and complaints and makes a way for them.  He knows the objections we will come up with to not worship Him: too far, no parking, hard pews, long sermons, "all they want is your money...". God knows and hears it all.  He is always here, waiting and deserving to be worshipped.  What excuses do we really have?

Worshipping God's Way

Deuteronomy 12:26 But the holy things that are due from you, and your vow offerings, you shall take, and you shall go to the place that the Lord will choose, 27 and offer your burnt offerings, the flesh and the blood, on the altar of the Lord your God. The blood of your sacrifices shall be poured out on the altar of the Lord your God, but the flesh you may eat. 28 Be careful to obey all these words that I command you, that it may go well with you and with your children after you forever, when you do what is good and right in the sight of the Lord your God.

When the people entered into the land, not only were they to be picky about who or what they worshipped, but where and how they did so. They were not to worship any of the idols, and they were not to worship the way the pagan peoples had. The blood was not to be drunk or eaten, but poured out before God. God was also going to designate the place. At the present it would be at the tabernacle, and He would designate some specific cities and eventually the temple at Jerusalem, but it was not to be on every and any mountain or hill like the pagans did.  When Jesus told the woman at the well it was not so much the place as it was the way - in spirit and in truth - He was not saying God did not care about where. The place is not so important in itself as much as it is that it is where and how God wants. He wants us to worship with obedience hearts, not self-focus and self-determination. He wants us to worship with His people, not in our own little world. He deserves to be worshipped how He wants. Is worship all about you or about Him? 

The Hour of Decision...

Deuteronomy 11:26 “See, I am setting before you today a blessing and a curse: 27 the blessing, if you obey the commandments of the Lord your God, which I command you today, 28 and the curse, if you do not obey the commandments of the Lord your God, but turn aside from the way that I am commanding you today, to go after other gods that you have not known... 31 For you are to cross over the Jordan to go in to take possession of the land that the Lord your God is giving you. And when you possess it and live in it, 32 you shall be careful to do all the statutes and the rules that I am setting before you today.

The verses that precede this last paragraph of the chapter are one long challenge to love and serve God in the promised land.  Having laid out all of the past events of the exodus and wilderness wanderings, both good and evil, God calls on them to set a course not just on their geographical goal, but their spiritual goal. As they go in, will they take seriously the covenant commitments they have made to serve Him alone? They had left behind a whole host of false gods in Egypt; a whole new set of them lie ahead in Canaan.  The temptation would not cease.  Would their obedience? Will ours? 

Not So Righteous...

Deuteronomy 9:25 “So I lay prostrate before the Lord for these forty days and forty nights, because the Lord had said he would destroy you. 26 And I prayed to the Lord, ‘O Lord God, do not destroy your people and your heritage, whom you have redeemed through your greatness, whom you have brought out of Egypt with a mighty hand. 27 Remember your servants, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Do not regard the stubbornness of this people, or their wickedness or their sin, 28 lest the land from which you brought us say, “Because the Lord was not able to bring them into the land that he promised them, and because he hated them, he has brought them out to put them to death in the wilderness.” 29 For they are your people and your heritage, whom you brought out by your great power and by your outstretched arm.’

As God continues to speak through Moses as the people prepare to enter the promised land, he reminds them that they are not to start thinking God had given them the land because they were so righteous. He pulls out one glaring example: the golden calf. It was a big one, as Moses ended up in prayer and fasting for forty days interceding for them. They had behaved far from righteous. It was the testimony of God's name that was the key point.  Moses did not want Egypt to think God had failed to deliver them into the land.  Rather, it was His grace and mercy that got them there. It's still His grace and mercy that is at work in us - not our own righteousness.

Since You Are Chosen...

Deuteronomy 7:25 The carved images of their gods you shall burn with fire. You shall not covet the silver or the gold that is on them or take it for yourselves, lest you be ensnared by it, for it is an abomination to the Lord your God. 26 And you shall not bring an abominable thing into your house and become devoted to destruction like it. You shall utterly detest and abhor it, for it is devoted to destruction.

Having reminded the people of what God had done for them, God had Moses move on into what they needed to do, and not do, when they were given the promised land. They would inherit cities and lands and whatever was left behind by the previous residents of the land. That included their idols.  They would find all kinds made up of all materials: some base, some precious metals.  Their attitude towards them was to be the same: get rid of them. Don't collect them, put them into the closet, or be enamored by their beauty. They were to be removed and destroyed. We are often oblivious to how much destruction these seemingly harmless things bring into our lives.  Since He has chosen us we do not need them and should not want them.

Remember the Reverence...

Deuteronomy 5:23 And as soon as you heard the voice out of the midst of the darkness, while the mountain was burning with fire, you came near to me, all the heads of your tribes, and your elders. 24 And you said, ‘Behold, the Lord our God has shown us his glory and greatness, and we have heard his voice out of the midst of the fire. This day we have seen God speak with man, and man still live. 25 Now therefore why should we die? For this great fire will consume us. If we hear the voice of the Lord our God any more, we shall die. 26 For who is there of all flesh, that has heard the voice of the living God speaking out of the midst of fire as we have, and has still lived? 27 Go near and hear all that the Lord our God will say, and speak to us all that the Lord our God will speak to you, and we will hear and do it.’

As Moses continues to recount God's deliverance of Israel from Egypt, he reminds them of the appearance God made to them on Mt. Sinai when giving the Ten Commandments.  Though most the people there would not remember, those who had been young children at that time still would. It was the most overwhelming memory they would have: God speaking to them from the burning mountain. They were to remember the reverence they had and rekindle it as they entered the promised land.  What are the times you have sensed God speaking to you? How did they move you? How can they move you again? 

When.. and If...

Deuteronomy 4:25 “When you father children and children's children, and have grown old in the land, and you act corruptly by making a carved image in the form of anything, and by doing what is evil in the sight of the Lord your God, so as to provoke him to anger, 26 I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that you will soon utterly perish from the land that you are going over the Jordan to possess. You will not live long in it, but will be utterly destroyed. 27 And the Lord will scatter you among the peoples, and you will be left few in number among the nations where the Lord will drive you. 28 And there you will serve gods of wood and stone, the work of human hands, that neither see, nor hear, nor eat, nor smell. 29 But from there you will seek the Lord your God and you will find him, if you search after him with all your heart and with all your soul. 

After all the things Moses saw in God delivering his people, bringing them through the wilderness and to the promised land, he was still a realist.  He knew our tendency to forget and wander.  In the great call to obedience found earlier in this chapter, he also looks to the future, calling the mountains around them to serve as witnesses to their promises of obedience. The mountains would be there long after Moses was gone to call them to remembrance of their vows when they disobeyed. They would also be there to remember God's promise that if they would seek Him once again, they would find Him. He would still be there waiting. And He still Is.

Given a Glimpse...

 Deuteronomy 3:23 “And I pleaded with the Lord at that time, saying, 24 ‘O Lord God, you have only begun to show your servant your greatness and your mighty hand. For what god is there in heaven or on earth who can do such works and mighty acts as yours? 25 Please let me go over and see the good land beyond the Jordan, that good hill country and Lebanon.’ 26 But the Lord was angry with me because of you and would not listen to me. And the Lord said to me, ‘Enough from you; do not speak to me of this matter again. 27 Go up to the top of Pisgah and lift up your eyes westward and northward and southward and eastward, and look at it with your eyes, for you shall not go over this Jordan. 

As God has Moses recite the history of the exodus and wilderness wanderings, he does not leave out his own failures. He had lost it at the rock, hitting it and demanding water. He made it about him instead of God.  As a result, he was not going to enter the land.  He begged God to let him just go in and see, but instead God gave him just a glimpse from a distance. Sometimes God gives us promises and goals that He wants to accomplish and we work towards them and see so much progress, but not total fulfillment. It is not that God has been unfaithful. What is important is that we ultimately end up with Him. Even a glimpse is worth the following. 

An Example So Far...

Deuteronomy 2:26 “So I sent messengers from the wilderness of Kedemoth to Sihon the king of Heshbon, with words of peace, saying, 27 ‘Let me pass through your land. I will go only by the road; I will turn aside neither to the right nor to the left. 28 You shall sell me food for money, that I may eat, and give me water for money, that I may drink. Only let me pass through on foot, 29 as the sons of Esau who live in Seir and the Moabites who live in Ar did for me, until I go over the Jordan into the land that the Lord our God is giving to us.’ 30 But Sihon the king of Heshbon would not let us pass by him, for the Lord your God hardened his spirit and made his heart obstinate, that he might give him into your hand, as he is this day.

As Moses continues to recall recent history as an encouragement for the people of Israel to move forward into the promised land, he recalled the resistance they had met along the way: peoples who did not want to assist them in obeying God's command. The point here is that God took care of them. Those who got in the way during the wilderness wanderings ended up giving their territory to the tribes who chose to settle on the east side of the Jordan.  In the same way, there would be resistance when they crossed the Jordan. No one was going to give up their home without a fight, but God would fight for them, if they obeyed Him. This was an example of how they were to take the land: obey His command, trust Him for victory, and seem Him keep His promises. We can trust Him to do the same in our lives, just as He has done so far.

Learn and Leave

Deuteronomy 1:26 “Yet you would not go up, but rebelled against the command of the Lord your God. 27 And you murmured in your tents and said, ‘Because the Lord hated us he has brought us out of the land of Egypt, to give us into the hand of the Amorites, to destroy us.

By the end of the book of Numbers, we had seen enough names and lists to make the head spin as God gave instructions for entering the promised land.  Now it is time to enter. But before doing so, God has the people take one big glance backwards to see their complaining and disobedience.  God did not give them all of these struggles and roadblocks because He hated them. They brought them upon themselves by not trusting Him and obeying His commands. It was now time for them to learn from these experiences and leave their complaining and disobedience behind.  How often do we wrongly view our struggles as God being against us and doubting His love for us?  How much more are they because of our disobeying and failing to trust Him?

A Place for Safety and Justice

Numbers 35:25 And the congregation shall rescue the manslayer from the hand of the avenger of blood, and the congregation shall restore him to his city of refuge to which he had fled, and he shall live in it until the death of the high priest who was anointed with the holy oil. 26 But if the manslayer shall at any time go beyond the boundaries of his city of refuge to which he fled, 27 and the avenger of blood finds him outside the boundaries of his city of refuge, and the avenger of blood kills the manslayer, he shall not be guilty of blood. 28 For he must remain in his city of refuge until the death of the high priest, but after the death of the high priest the manslayer may return to the land of his possession. 

The cities of refuge in scripture are an interesting and often misunderstood topic in scripture. They were not just for anyone for any reason at any time. They were focused on keeping society focused on justice and not revenge. They were not just a home base you could go to playing tag. This was serious stuff. The manslayer who fled there could not just run and hide then do whatever he wanted. Justice had to be served and society had to act. That is the only way everyone will feel safe.

More Names; A Tough Job

Numbers 34:19 These are the names of the men: Of the tribe of Judah, Caleb the son of Jephunneh. 20 Of the tribe of the people of Simeon, Shemuel the son of Ammihud. 21 Of the tribe of Benjamin, Elidad the son of Chislon. 22 Of the tribe of the people of Dan a chief, Bukki the son of Jogli. 23 Of the people of Joseph: of the tribe of the people of Manasseh a chief, Hanniel the son of Ephod. 24 And of the tribe of the people of Ephraim a chief, Kemuel the son of Shiphtan. 25 Of the tribe of the people of Zebulun a chief, Elizaphan the son of Parnach. 26 Of the tribe of the people of Issachar a chief, Paltiel the son of Azzan. 27 And of the tribe of the people of Asher a chief, Ahihud the son of Shelomi. 28 Of the tribe of the people of Naphtali a chief, Pedahel the son of Ammihud.” 29 These are the men whom the Lord commanded to divide the inheritance for the people of Israel in the land of Canaan.

Once again we are faced not with a lot of numbers, but names. These men had in unenviable task of dividing the Promised land into parts and parcels for the tribes and clans within them. The risk for envy would be great. How do you choose and who do you choose? Thankfully they had leading them Joshua and Eliazer the priest, and above them God, but this was not small responsibility, as "unspiritual" as is may seem. May we be thankful for those willing to do so.

Learn from Where You've Been...

Numbers 33:6 And they set out from the wilderness of Sinai and camped at Kibroth-hattaavah. 17 And they set out from Kibroth-hattaavah and camped at Hazeroth. 18 And they set out from Hazeroth and camped at Rithmah. 19 And they set out from Rithmah and camped at Rimmon-perez. 20 And they set out from Rimmon-perez and camped at Libnah. 21 And they set out from Libnah and camped at Rissah. 22 And they set out from Rissah and camped at Kehelathah. 23 And they set out from Kehelathah and camped at Mount Shepher. 24 And they set out from Mount Shepher and camped at Haradah. 25 And they set out from Haradah and camped at Makheloth. 26 And they set out from Makheloth and camped at Tahath.

Almost to be feared as much as pronouncing the lists of names in Numbers is the fear of having to read all of these places.  But, once again, they are important, as they represent where the people had been on their wilderness wanderings. With those places came memories, good and bad, of what they had learned along the way.  In the context of this chapter, they were to remember all the pagan nations they had encountered along the way and make sure to drive them out, lest their influence bring them down.  We learn from the past to look to the future and walk in obedience. 

Doing Their Part a Different Way.

Numbers 32:23 But if you will not do so, behold, you have sinned against the Lord, and be sure your sin will find you out. 24 Build cities for your little ones and folds for your sheep, and do what you have promised.” 25 And the people of Gad and the people of Reuben said to Moses, “Your servants will do as my lord commands. 26 Our little ones, our wives, our livestock, and all our cattle shall remain there in the cities of Gilead, 27 but your servants will pass over, every man who is armed for war, before the Lord to battle, as my lord orders.”

Because of the victories Israel won early, two of the tribes of Israel were satisfied with the land they saw (and with good reason) before even crossing the Jordan. The Jordan valley and the "highway" to the east had very desirable qualities. But they still had a responsibility to help the other tribes acquire their allotted territory. In exchange for early settlement, they had to agree to more travel from home, leaving their families behind while going on for battle.  It was a trade-off which was agreeable to all. Sometimes we can (and should) come to agreements with one another for all to move forward - in the family, in the church, and in all areas of life.  Are you willing to do this kind of exchange, or only do things your way?

Equitable, Not Equal

Numbers 31:25 The Lord said to Moses, 26 “Take the count of the plunder that was taken, both of man and of beast, you and Eleazar the priest and the heads of the fathers' houses of the congregation, 27 and divide the plunder into two parts between the warriors who went out to battle and all the congregation. 28 And levy for the Lord a tribute from the men of war who went out to battle, one out of five hundred, of the people and of the oxen and of the donkeys and of the flocks. 29 Take it from their half and give it to Eleazar the priest as a contribution to the Lord. 30 And from the people of Israel's half you shall take one drawn out of every fifty, of the people, of the oxen, of the donkeys, and of the flocks, of all the cattle, and give them to the Levites who keep guard over the tabernacle of the Lord.”

God had Moses spend several chapters on all the problems the Midianites gave Israel, trying to keep them from entering the promised land.  In this chapter He had them go in and take back reparations. What we notice here is that when they were divided up first the Levites, God's servants received theirs, to remind the people that ultimately God provides all. Then, those warriors who went out and actually did the work received a greater portion. In other words, God did what was equitable, not equal. So often we fall into the cry of the world that everything and everyone should receive "equal", when what is really fair and just is equity.  What are you whining about?

How to Remember...

Numbers 29:26 “On the fifth day nine bulls, two rams, fourteen male lambs a year old without blemish, 27 with the grain offering and the drink offerings for the bulls, for the rams, and for the lambs, in the prescribed quantities; 28 also one male goat for a sin offering; besides the regular burnt offering and its grain offering and its drink offering.

As God gave the people of Israel all these instructions about special days to commemorate, He came to one which was much more than one day: the Day of Atonement, followed by the Feast of Tabernacles. This was to help them remember their need for forgiveness as well as God's provision for them during the wilderness wanderings.  God did not want them to forget their need to constantly come back to Him, nor all the experiences of their journey, with their failures and His faithfulness.  We, like they are prone to forget. 

How to Celebrate!

 Numbers 28:26 “On the day of the firstfruits, when you offer a grain offering of new grain to the Lord at your Feast of Weeks, you shall have a holy convocation. You shall not do any ordinary work, 27 but offer a burnt offering, with a pleasing aroma to the Lord: two bulls from the herd, one ram, seven male lambs a year old; 28 also their grain offering of fine flour mixed with oil, three tenths of an ephah for each bull, two tenths for one ram, 29 a tenth for each of the seven lambs; 30 with one male goat, to make atonement for you. 31 Besides the regular burnt offering and its grain offering, you shall offer them and their drink offering. See that they are without blemish.

Every culture has its celebrations. Some have many days throughout the year that they commemorate which have accumulated over the centuries.  God had brought His people out of bondage so they could worship and celebrate. This chapter discusses the daily, weekly (sabbath), monthly, and annual sacrifices and celebrations. Every day is a day to worship God and celebrate his blessings, but every week, month, and year there are special times and ways to do so. We have done so this past week with our celebration of the sacrifice and resurrection of Christ. God has provided our salvation and life eternal. May we learn and remember to celebrate well.

Not another Census!

 Numbers 26:26 The sons of Zebulun, according to their clans: of Sered, the clan of the Seredites; of Elon, the clan of the Elonites; of Jahleel, the clan of the Jahleelites. 27 These are the clans of the Zebulunites as they were listed, 60,500.

When reading through the Bible together, one of people's greatest fears are genealogies and censuses. All those long names unlike names we have today, and how to pronounce them! But they are there for a reason. This one was taken just before entering the promised land. After listing all twelve tribes Moses notes that no one was on this list that was on the list before the wilderness wanderings (except two), and to note the changes in size of the tribes, which would affect the size of their lots in the promised land. Most did not have a big change, but one did have quite a decrease (quite possibly due to their sin during the false teaching of Balaam covered in the previous chapters.) At any rate, changes had taken place and needed to be noted.  The past would influence the future. So it does today. 

All That the Lord Says...

Numbers 23:25 And Balak said to Balaam, “Do not curse them at all, and do not bless them at all.” 26 But Balaam answered Balak, “Did I not tell you, ‘All that the Lord says, that I must do’?” 27 And Balak said to Balaam, “Come now, I will take you to another place. Perhaps it will please God that you may curse them for me from there.” 28 So Balak took Balaam to the top of Peor, which overlooks the desert. 29 And Balaam said to Balak, “Build for me here seven altars and prepare for me here seven bulls and seven rams.” 30 And Balak did as Balaam had said, and offered a bull and a ram on each altar.

We saw yesterday Balaam's persistence to go where God kept throwing roadblocks in his way. Finally, he was able to hear, but he did not listen very well.  The same was true of Balak who had hired him to curse God's people. He did everything possible to make the right setting for Balaam, but three times (once before and once after this one) Balaam's prophecy went against Balak and for God's people. How often do we try to find loopholes, other ways, to not listen to God? 

Do You Hear Me Now?!?

 Numbers 22:24 Then the angel of the Lord stood in a narrow path between the vineyards, with a wall on either side. 25 And when the donkey saw the angel of the Lord, she pushed against the wall and pressed Balaam's foot against the wall. So he struck her again. 26 Then the angel of the Lord went ahead and stood in a narrow place, where there was no way to turn either to the right or to the left. 27 When the donkey saw the angel of the Lord, she lay down under Balaam. And Balaam's anger was kindled, and he struck the donkey with his staff. 28 Then the Lord opened the mouth of the donkey, and she said to Balaam, “What have I done to you, that you have struck me these three times?”

Balaam had it in his heart and mind to speak against God's people as they moved toward the promised land.  He should have known better, but he was set on this course of action.  Three times God' tried to stop him, and three times Balaam took it out on the donkey.  That number three of course is repeated often in scripture to show God is done waiting.  Peter had three opportunities to proclaim Christ in the courtyard when Jesus was being tried.  How slow we are to give up our ways.  Sometimes God has to throw all sorts of obstacles in our way.  We hit a brick wall. He is talking to us, but we just won't listen. We take it out on other people, even on God.  He is speaking. Do you hear Him now?

A Temporary Base...

Numbers 21:21 Then Israel sent messengers to Sihon king of the Amorites, saying, 22 “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.” 23 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. 24 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. 25 And Israel took all these cities, and Israel settled in all the cities of the Amorites, in Heshbon, and in all its villages. 26 For Heshbon was the city of Sihon the king of the Amorites, who had fought against the former king of Moab and taken all his land out of his hand, as far as the Arnon. 

After a couple more interruptions in their trip due to disobedience, Israel came to the Amorites, requesting safe passage through their land. This was not where they wanted to stay nor did they want to take anything.  That wasn't good enough for Sihon; he wanted to show his strength, so he attacked. This was not a wise move and Israel, used to camping out, ended up using the capital as a "motel." This left them in control of a stopping point on the King's Highway, but this was not where they were to stay. They were still heading for the Promised Land. 

Passing On...

Numbers 20:22 And they journeyed from Kadesh, and the people of Israel, the whole congregation, came to Mount Hor. 23 And the Lord said to Moses and Aaron at Mount Hor, on the border of the land of Edom, 24 “Let Aaron be gathered to his people, for he shall not enter the land that I have given to the people of Israel, because you rebelled against my command at the waters of Meribah. 25 Take Aaron and Eleazar his son and bring them up to Mount Hor. 26 And strip Aaron of his garments and put them on Eleazar his son. And Aaron shall be gathered to his people and shall die there.” 27 Moses did as the Lord commanded. And they went up Mount Hor in the sight of all the congregation. 28 And Moses stripped Aaron of his garments and put them on Eleazar his son. And Aaron died there on the top of the mountain. Then Moses and Eleazar came down from the mountain. 29 And when all the congregation saw that Aaron had perished, all the house of Israel wept for Aaron thirty days.

Aaron had been with Moses throughout this eventful journey. He was not just a sidekick; he and his heirs carried the burden to representing God's people and their sins before Him. But now it was time for him to pass off the scene and his ministry to be passed on to his sons. This was God's plan, planned and prepared for, but also appropriately mourned.  The nation would not move on for a month.  They wept not for their inconvenience, but the loss of his leadership and his inability to see the Promised Land. Do we know how and why to mourn?

The Tithe of the Tithe

Numbers 18:25 And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 26 “Moreover, you shall speak and say to the Levites, ‘When you take from the people of Israel the tithe that I have given you from them for your inheritance, then you shall present a contribution from it to the Lord, a tithe of the tithe. 27 And your contribution shall be counted to you as though it were the grain of the threshing floor, and as the fullness of the winepress. 28 So you shall also present a contribution to the Lord from all your tithes, which you receive from the people of Israel. And from it you shall give the Lord's contribution to Aaron the priest. 29 Out of all the gifts to you, you shall present every contribution due to the Lord; from each its best part is to be dedicated.’

Just to make sure they understood that being sanctified for service did not mean they were so special they were exempt from tithing or any other acts expected of their fellow Israelites, God explained to the Levites that they too were to give a tithe to the Lord.  They were just as dependent upon God (and maybe more so) and were called to be fully dedicated to God. Whatever privileges God gives us in His service, we never become so special we are exempt from His commands.

Step Away; Don't Be Swept Away

 Numbers 16:25 Then Moses rose and went to Dathan and Abiram, and the elders of Israel followed him. 26 And he spoke to the congregation, saying, “Depart, please, from the tents of these wicked men, and touch nothing of theirs, lest you be swept away with all their sins.” 27 So they got away from the dwelling of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram. And Dathan and Abiram came out and stood at the door of their tents, together with their wives, their sons, and their little ones. 28 And Moses said, “Hereby you shall know that the Lord has sent me to do all these works, and that it has not been of my own accord. 29 If these men die as all men die, or if they are visited by the fate of all mankind, then the Lord has not sent me. 30 But if the Lord creates something new, and the ground opens its mouth and swallows them up with all that belongs to them, and they go down alive into Sheol, then you shall know that these men have despised the Lord.”

Moses was not one who wanted to be leader and get all the credit.  Indeed, he did not even want the job in the first place. (See Exodus 3)  But he accepted this position as go between for God and His people Israel. It was hard enough in the beginning: convincing people to trust God's plan when that involved the task of making bricks in Egypt even harder. One would think that as God proved Himself over and over again as He sent the plagues, delivered His people out of Pharoah's hand, through the sea, and the provided food and water to sustain them that they would trust both God and Moses. But different parties kept rebelling. Moses was careful to step back when God showed His power, holiness, and righteous judgment in His way. May we learn to do the same. 

Hope for the Journey

Numbers 15:22 “But if you sin unintentionally, and do not observe all these commandments that the Lord has spoken to Moses, 23 all that the Lord has commanded you by Moses, from the day that the Lord gave commandment, and onward throughout your generations, 24 then if it was done unintentionally without the knowledge of the congregation, all the congregation shall offer one bull from the herd for a burnt offering, a pleasing aroma to the Lord, with its grain offering and its drink offering, according to the rule, and one male goat for a sin offering. 25 And the priest shall make atonement for all the congregation of the people of Israel, and they shall be forgiven, because it was a mistake, and they have brought their offering, a food offering to the Lord, and their sin offering before the Lord for their mistake. 26 And all the congregation of the people of Israel shall be forgiven, and the stranger who sojourns among them, because the whole population was involved in the mistake.

This chapter on "unintentional" sins is important in its context.  They people had only made it three days into their journey and already messed up big time.  How will they ever make it the rest of the way if they are going to sin and be judged every time.  Well, first of all, their corporate sin was not unintentional; they had blatantly said "no" to obeying God. Here, God is saying He will not make a big deal about every type of failure. He is not waiting to bash them(or us) Secondly, He always makes a way. He is the God of Hope.

The Fallout from Faithlessness

Numbers 14:26 And the Lord spoke to Moses and to Aaron, saying, 27 “How long shall this wicked congregation grumble against me? I have heard the grumblings of the people of Israel, which they grumble against me. 28 Say to them, ‘As I live, declares the Lord, what you have said in my hearing I will do to you: 29 your dead bodies shall fall in this wilderness, and of all your number, listed in the census from twenty years old and upward, who have grumbled against me, 30 not one shall come into the land where I swore that I would make you dwell, except Caleb the son of Jephunneh and Joshua the son of Nun. 31 But your little ones, who you said would become a prey, I will bring in, and they shall know the land that you have rejected. 32 But as for you, your dead bodies shall fall in this wilderness. 33 And your children shall be shepherds in the wilderness forty years and shall suffer for your faithlessness, until the last of your dead bodies lies in the wilderness. 

The spies from Israel had forty days to check out the promised land and bring bag a challenge to enter it. The majority (ten) failed to do so, and the people failed to listen to the two that did. The grumbling under their breath was deafening in the ears of God. The result was that their generation would never see the land and the consequence was a life of aimless wandering, living only to give the next generation their opportunity to dwell there.  How much of our lives are wasted by our fears, our faithlessness, our grumbling? 

It's Great, But...

 Numbers 13:25 At the end of forty days they returned from spying out the land. 26 And they came to Moses and Aaron and to all the congregation of the people of Israel in the wilderness of Paran, at Kadesh. They brought back word to them and to all the congregation, and showed them the fruit of the land. 27 And they told him, “We came to the land to which you sent us. It flows with milk and honey, and this is its fruit. 28 However, the people who dwell in the land are strong, and the cities are fortified and very large. And besides, we saw the descendants of Anak there. 29 The Amalekites dwell in the land of the Negeb. The Hittites, the Jebusites, and the Amorites dwell in the hill country. And the Canaanites dwell by the sea, and along the Jordan.”

This chapter is one of the most confounding episodes in the whole of the Old Testament. After centuries of promises, hoping, and planning for this moment, the people balk at entering the promised land.  They found it to be everything God had said it would be and occasionally given the Patriarchs a glimpse of. Not it was theirs to receive. The evil current residents were not really a surprise; God had told them they were there and would have to be removed. He had just left them there to keep the land and cities ready for them to inhabit. How often do we look forward to what God has promised, yet then the time comes to receive them, we back away, coward out, and give up?

Complaining AND Tattling...

 Numbers 11:26 Now two men remained in the camp, one named Eldad, and the other named Medad, and the Spirit rested on them. They were among those registered, but they had not gone out to the tent, and so they prophesied in the camp. 27 And a young man ran and told Moses, “Eldad and Medad are prophesying in the camp.” 28 And Joshua the son of Nun, the assistant of Moses from his youth, said, “My lord Moses, stop them.” 29 But Moses said to him, “Are you jealous for my sake? Would that all the Lord's people were prophets, that the Lord would put his Spirit on them!” 30 And Moses and the elders of Israel returned to the camp.

The people of Israel had no more than started on their journey from the mountain to the promised land when the predictable happened: they complained about having only manna and no meat.  To top it off, as they were working on resolving that issue the above happened: some prophets who had not heard of the seventy elders being selected and confirmed by prophesying did so on their own. Wrongly perceiving this as a rebellious act, this young man runs to Moses and tattles on him, causing Joshua to speak as he does. We are reminded of a similar and more popular event with Jesus and His disciples. In both cases, Moses and Jesus correct the error of their pupils.  Complaining and tattling are not part of God's plan!

Setting Out on Adventure.

Numbers 10:25 Then the standard of the camp of the people of Dan, acting as the rear guard of all the camps, set out by their companies, and over their company was Ahiezer the son of Ammishaddai. 26 And over the company of the tribe of the people of Asher was Pagiel the son of Ochran. 27 And over the company of the tribe of the people of Naphtali was Ahira the son of Enan. 28 This was the order of march of the people of Israel by their companies, when they set out.

The people of Israel had put everything in place for worship at the tabernacle, celebrated their second Passover in remembrance of the Exodus from Egypt, and now they were ready to head on toward the promised land. Once again, everything was done in a need and organized fashion.  This first step forward was a three-day journey, with the ark leading the way and the cloud of the Lord overshadowing them. It was the beginning of a whole new experience.  Sometimes life seems like this: major crisis, preparations that seem to take forever and are full of details, and a short first step.  But finally, they are moving in the direction God has pointed.  Take each step under God's hand. It's a long way to the promised land, but it's worth the journey.

Forced Semi-Retirement???

Numbers 8:23 And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 24 “This applies to the Levites: from twenty-five years old and upward they shall come to do duty in the service of the tent of meeting. 25 And from the age of fifty years they shall withdraw from the duty of the service and serve no more. 26 They minister to their brothers in the tent of meeting by keeping guard, but they shall do no service. Thus shall you do to the Levites in assigning their duties.”

The Levites had been set apart by God for service in His Tabernacle, begin the ones to offer sacrifices on the people's behalf.  Here their "active duty" lasted from age 25 to 50, much like a soldier, athlete, or some other job may limit length of duty.  Obviously, the younger limit was to make sure the man had reached a level of maturity to truly understand the seriousness of his spiritual responsibility.  But was being a Levite really that taxing to warrant such a requirement? We need to keep in mind they were responsible for handling large animals and maintaining the tabernacle, some physically demanding work.  Like the above-mentioned careers, those who "age out" become commanders, coaches, and supervisors whose experience aids the younger ones who serve.  Much like the priests who in Jesus' day might never get to offer incense, there might be too many active-duty Levites to serve if the age was not limited. Finally, God did not want any of His servants doing something so long that they were just "going through the motions", doing a job.

Fully Operational

 Numbers 7:24 On the third day Eliab the son of Helon, the chief of the people of Zebulun: 25 his offering was one silver plate whose weight was 130 shekels, one silver basin of 70 shekels, according to the shekel of the sanctuary, both of them full of fine flour mixed with oil for a grain offering; 26 one golden dish of 10 shekels, full of incense; 27 one bull from the herd, one ram, one male lamb a year old, for a burnt offering; 28 one male goat for a sin offering; 29 and for the sacrifice of peace offerings, two oxen, five rams, five male goats, and five male lambs a year old. This was the offering of Eliab the son of Helon.

Now that all was set in order, each of the 12 tribes of Israel came to give an offering of consecration for the Tabernacle of God's presence. After all were done, Moses went in and was able to hear The Voice of God speak to him there. This is what they had been working on for months: accepting gifts of building materials, crafting all the parts, training the Levites to assemble them properly - all this was topped off by offering themselves - all the people, to God. The Communication line of fellowship with Him was open. Is yours?

The Blessing with the NAME...

Numbers 6:22 The Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 23 “Speak to Aaron and his sons, saying, Thus you shall bless the people of Israel: you shall say to them,
24 The Lord bless you and keep you;
25 the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you;
26 the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.
27 “So shall they put my name upon the people of Israel, and I will bless them.” 

God had given everything needed to set the worship of the House of Israel in order. They were told how to keep themselves pure and in proper relationship with Him.  He now gives them this special blessing, still often recited to this day, to dismiss the people as a congregation.  We know the words but often forget the reason given in the last verse above. The priests were reminding the people who they belonged to as they went out into the world. They were His people, representing Him to all other peoples around them. They were going to be blessed by HIM. They (and we) should not forget these things.

The Adultery Test...

 

Numbers 5:26 And the priest shall take a handful of the grain offering, as its memorial portion, and burn it on the altar, and afterward shall make the woman drink the water. 27 And when he has made her drink the water, then, if she has defiled herself and has broken faith with her husband, the water that brings the curse shall enter into her and cause bitter pain, and her womb shall swell, and her thigh shall fall away, and the woman shall become a curse among her people. 28 But if the woman has not defiled herself and is clean, then she shall be free and shall conceive children.

Whenever we read something in the New Testament, we often flash back to the Old Testament to see what it has to say about that.  Immediately when reading this passage, I think of the time the religious leaders brought a woman "caught in adultery" before Jesus demanding that He agree with stoning her to death. He was not so ready to jump on board. They were railroading the process. There was a "test" for that. There was the possibility the man was unrightfully "jealous". Did they even bother to find out? Were they presuming her guilt without due process? Were they caught up in their own self-righteousness?  How likely to do the same?

No Light Task

Numbers 4:24 This is the service of the clans of the Gershonites, in serving and bearing burdens: 25 they shall carry the curtains of the tabernacle and the tent of meeting with its covering and the covering of goatskin that is on top of it and the screen for the entrance of the tent of meeting 26 and the hangings of the court and the screen for the entrance of the gate of the court that is around the tabernacle and the altar, and their cords and all the equipment for their service. And they shall do all that needs to be done with regard to them. 

As we continue to look at the organization of the Levites and their responsibilities, each clan is addressed in detail. Pause to consider what the Gershonites had to do: they in a sense "carried the walls", keeping them clean and in repair, putting them up and tearing them down, every time the camp moved forward. Making this journey toward the promised land was tough for each family, but the clans of the tribe of Levi had "extra baggage" to bring along.  Yet, it was their privilege to serve God, His people, and His house. Some of us have some extra "carrying" to do, but with those responsibilities there also comes blessings.  Don't grumble at the hardness, repetitiveness, or endlessness of the task. Focus on all God has given that goes along with such privileges. 

A Place for Everyone and Everything

 

Numbers 3:21 To Gershon belonged the clan of the Libnites and the clan of the Shimeites; these were the clans of the Gershonites. 22 Their listing according to the number of all the males from a month old and upward was 7,500. 23 The clans of the Gershonites were to camp behind the tabernacle on the west, 24 with Eliasaph, the son of Lael as chief of the fathers' house of the Gershonites. 25 And the guard duty of the sons of Gershon in the tent of meeting involved the tabernacle, the tent with its covering, the screen for the entrance of the tent of meeting, 26 the hangings of the court, the screen for the door of the court that is around the tabernacle and the altar, and its cords—all the service connected with these.

We talked yesterday about the orderliness of God's people arranged around the Tabernacle, with three tribes on each side of the camp.  Since the Levites had no "side" to be on, the three clans of the tribe were scattered around the three sides, each with their own responsibility for the parts of the tabernacle and their transfer.  Everyone had a place to call "home", even in this temporary camp. Everyone knew their part and their place. Still today, God's people in Christ are His priests, each and every one with their part and place. His church is their home, and His Son is their hope. 

Not a Motley Crew

Numbers 2:25 “On the north side shall be the standard of the camp of Dan by their companies, the chief of the people of Dan being Ahiezer the son of Ammishaddai, 26 his company as listed being 62,700. 27 And those to camp next to him shall be the tribe of Asher, the chief of the people of Asher being Pagiel the son of Ochran, 28 his company as listed being 41,500. 29 Then the tribe of Naphtali, the chief of the people of Naphtali being Ahira the son of Enan, 30 his company as listed being 53,400. 31 All those listed of the camp of Dan were 157,600. They shall set out last, standard by standard.”

If you've ever seen a sketch of what the organization of Israel would have been like around the Tabernacle, it is quite the display.  If reminds one of some of the formal army arrangements throughout history. But this was not an army. It was a whole nation of people - God's people.  God is, and always had been, a God of order.  He has always planned, prepared, and expected His people to be a God of order. Paul repeats the same sentiment in I Corinthians 14. Such order does not negate holiness or the moving of the Spirit of God, but it allows it to flow more freely.  Such order makes it visible to all, within and outside the "camp", who we are, and to observe God at work in us.  We are no motley crew.

More than a Number

Numbers 1:26 Of the people of Judah, their generations, by their clans, by their fathers' houses, according to the number of names, from twenty years old and upward, every man able to go to war: 27 those listed of the tribe of Judah were 74,600.

Bible scholars have often pointed out that the book of Numbers has a misleading title.  It is not so much about how many people there were (though God had caused the nation of Israel to grow dramatically.) It was more about how God was organizing His people to enter the promised land.  These names were more than a list: they were the descendants and ancestors of God's people who were finally entering the land promised to Abraham centuries before.  It was organization not for the sake of structure, but for seeing how the people would continue to be blessed if they lived in obedience to God's laws for His land.  This census gave them a point of comparison as well as a future to anticipate. People are never merely a number to God.

Taking Vows Seriously

Leviticus 27:26 “But a firstborn of animals, which as a firstborn belongs to the Lord, no man may dedicate; whether ox or sheep, it is the Lord's. 27 And if it is an unclean animal, then he shall buy it back at the valuation, and add a fifth to it; or, if it is not redeemed, it shall be sold at the valuation. 28 “But no devoted thing that a man devotes to the Lord, of anything that he has, whether man or beast, or of his inherited field, shall be sold or redeemed; every devoted thing is most holy to the Lord.

Worship is serious business. Like all of life, there is joy and celebration included in it, but some things are not to be taken lightly.  As this book nears the end of God's instructions for worship the question comes to vows made in worship.  When God moves us and we respond, there are often commitments we make, which are no light thing. People devote their possessions, offerings, and even themselves or loved ones to the Lord. God in some cases allowed, or even required them to be redeemed, bought back, as they were needed (or inadequate), but the general rule was that they were sacred/holy/devoted for His use alone. The answer is not to avoid making vows to God. They are often appropriate and needed but do so solemnly.