May in Numbers and Deuteronomy

MAY


The entire books are here:

Numbers

Deuteronomy 

1.     Numbers 33 & 34

2.     Numbers 35

3.     Numbers 36
Bible Study Tool: Numbers Chapter Titles

4.     Deut. 1

5.     Deut. 2

6.     Deut. 3

7.     Deut. 4

8.     Deut. 5 & 6

9.     Deut. 7 & 8

10.  Deut. 9

11.  Deut. 10 & 11
Bible Study Tool: Application

12.  Deut. 12

13.  Deut. 13 & 14

14.  Deut. 15

15.  Deut. 16

16.  Deut. 17 & 18

17.  Deut. 19

18.  Deut. 20

19.  Deut. 21

20.  Deut. 22

21.  Deut. 23

22.  Deut. 24 & 25

23.  Deut. 26 & 27

24.  Deut. 28

25.  Deut. 29

26.  Deut. 30

27.  Deut. 31

28.  Deut. 32

29.  Deut. 33

30.  Deut. 34
BIBLE STUDY TOOL: Deuteronomy Chapter Titles

31.  Psalm 90

April in Leviticus/Numbers

APRIL

1.     Leviticus 23&24

2.     Leviticus 25

3.     Leviticus 26&27

4.     Leviticus 26&27

5.     Numbers 1

6.     Numbers 2

7.     Numbers 3

8.     Numbers 4

9.     Numbers 5&6

10.  Numbers 7

11.  Numbers 8&9

12.  Numbers 10

13.  Numbers 11

14.  Numbers 12&13

15.  Numbers 13&14

16.  Numbers 15

17.  Numbers 16

18.  Numbers 17-19

19.  Numbers 17-19

20.  Numbers 20

21.  Numbers 21

22.  Numbers 22

23.  Numbers 23&24

24.  Numbers 25

25.  Numbers 26

26.  Numbers 27

27.  Numbers 28

28.  Numbers 29

29.  Numbers 30-31

30.  Numbers 32

Put Numbers Back On the Shelf!

WOOOOHOOOO! You have completed the book of Numbers.

If you missed the previous books, just start with Deuteronomy today. Just pull it off the shelf and start reading along. If you want to catch up with the other books, do it a little at a time but keep reading in Deuteronomy.

If you are local, again, I am available to do a "quick read" through a book with you. Come on over!!!! You REALLY are not that far behind. HONEST!

I haven't gotten Deuteronomy up yet for today (been trying to select curriculum for next year's homeschooling), but I promise I will before today is over!

KEEP READING and CONGRATULATIONS!

Numbers Chapter Titles

Here is another Bible Study Tool!

It is helpful to look over the whole book and give a title for each chapter. You can do this at the beginning after a first reading and at the end after a deeper study. 

Numbers Chapter Titles 

1: Doing All the LORD Commanded
2: Organizing the Camp Around the Tabernacle
3: Arrangement and Duties of Levites
4: Levi's Descendants' Duties
5: Purity in the Camp
6. The Nazirite Vow
7: Gifts for the Tabernacle
8: Consecration of Levites
9: Passover Instructions
10: Blow the Trumpets and Move on to the Promised Land
11: Complaints in the Wilderness
12: Opposition from Miriam and Aaron
13-14: Belief or Consequences: Caleb and Joshua and the Twelve Spies
15: Intentional and Unintentional Sin
16: Korah's Rebellion
17: Aaron and the Budding Rod
18: Duties of Priests and Levites Reiterated
19: Contact with Dead People
20: Miriam and Aaron Die and Moses Disobeys
21: More Conflict and Complaining
22-24: Balaam' Oracles
25: The Seduction of Israel and the Jealousy of God
26: Recounting Israel
27: God's Care for Daughters and Appointment of Joshua
28-29: Regular Sacrifices/Feasts/Review for a New Generation
30: Vows
31: Vengeance on the Midianites
32: Reubenites, Gadites, Half Tribe of Manasseh East of the Jordan
33: Review of the Journey
34-35: Boundaries of Promised Land
36: Allotment for Levites and Cities of Refuge

Numbers 36 - Inheritance

LINK: Numbers 36

BACKGROUND 

Numbers 36:1-9 relates back to God telling Moses that if a man died without sons, the inheritance would go to his daughters (27:8). If the daughter married outside of the tribe, then the land would belong to another tribe at the Year of Jubilee. Moses commanded that daughters must marry within their clan and tribe in order to keep land within a tribe. 

The time span in which this book relates is 39 years. The Israelites are ready to enter the promised land. 

REFLECTION 

For I do not want you to be unaware, brethren, that our fathers were all under the cloud and all passed through the sea; and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea; and all ate the same spiritual food; and all drank the same spiritual drink, for they were drinking from a spiritual rock which followed them; and the rock was Christ. Nevertheless, with most of them God was not well-pleased; for they were laid low in the wilderness. Now these things happened as examples for us, so that we would not crave evil things as they also craved. Do not be idolaters, as some of them were; as it is written, “The people sat down to eat and drink, and stood up to play.” Nor let us act immorally, as some of them did, and twenty-three thousand fell in one day. Nor let us try the Lord, as some of them did, and were destroyed by the serpents. Nor grumble, as some of them did, and were destroyed by the destroyer. Now these things happened to them as an example, and they were written for our instruction, upon whom the ends of the ages have come. Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed that he does not fall. No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it. (1 Corinthians 10:1-13)

APPLICATION 

Review your reading of Numbers and journal some of the things you have learned from the example of the Israelites in the wilderness. 

PRAYER

Lord, help us to walk away from this book with fresh insights into how we might walk with You more intimately, conforming to Your will rather than the world.  In Jesus' name, amen. 

Numbers 35 - Allotment for the Levites and the Cities of Refuge

http://www.messianic-torah-truth-seeker.org/Torah/12-Tribes-Yisrael/12tribes.htm

LINK: Numbers 35

BACKGROUND

The Levites were ministers in the tabernacle and received a tenth from the people. They were also given 48 cities. Six of these cities were cities of refuge. If a person killed someone accidentally, he could run to them and find impartial judges in the Levites. These cities were needed because there was an ancient custom of justice that called for revenge in the event of the death of a relative or loved one (2 Samuel 14:7). The Levites would judge. If the death was accidental, the person would stay in the city of refuge until the death of the high priest at which time the person could go free and start a new life free from the worry of being killed by the avenger. If it was not an accident, the person would be delivered over to the avenger(s).

REFLECTION

In the ancient avenging culture, an innocent person was not protected, but God is a God of justice. While God did not want them to overlook the murder if there really was wrongdoing, He wanted a fair trial before there was a rush to judgement. What a good word for all of us that we need to be fair and impartial and listen to all sides of a story carefully before we jump to conclusions and assume guilt.

The Scarlet Thread of Redemption

Just as the person who accidentally murdered had cities of refuge in which he could go, Jesus is our Savior of Refuge! There are many parallels: they were both established by God, necessary to save from death, accessible to all, and all-sufficient for salvation.


APPLICATION

I thought of three applications from this passage:

1) The Levites were supported by the tithes of the people just as our pastors and missionaries are supported by us! Are you supporting your "Levites"?

2) God apportioned up the land before the Israelites had entered it. We are talking about thousands of square miles. What a challenge to believe God! God may be knocking on the door of your heart to go forward with something, but you just do not see how it could be humanly possible. Claim Luke 1:37 and go forward in faith!

3) Are there any people you have been quick to judge because you heard just one side of the story? Pray that God will help you to be discerning and impartial in your judgment of people. If you are one of those people who have been quickly judged, take heart, Jesus is you Savior of refuge, and God is the ultimate impartial Judge!

PRAYER

Lord, Your Word is so rich! You think of everything. Help us to go forward in faith when You direct us to do something that seems humanly impossible. Help us also to be slow to judge people and quick to protect the innocent. Help us to discern truth from lies. Most of all, thank You that Jesus is our Savior of refuge. It is in His name that we pray. Amen.

Numbers 33 & 34 - The Boundaries of Canaan

LINK: Numbers 33 & 34

BACKGROUND

Numbers 33 starts out with a review of the journey of Israel from Egypt to the edge of the Promised Land and concludes with a stern warning from the LORD:

But if you do not drive out the inhabitants of the land from before you, then it shall come about that those whom you let remain of them will become as pricks in your eyes and as thorns in your sides, and they will trouble you in the land in which you live. And as I plan to do to them, so I will do to you. (33:55-56)

He warned that if they left inhabitants there, they would become stumbling blocks to their full devotion to Him. As the story continues, we will find that the Israelites disobey God, and the Canaanites left behind eventually corrupt the Israelites by immorality and idolatry. Stay tuned for the sad story. 

Numbers 34 involves God's boundaries for the Promised Land and specific directions about how it would be apportioned and who would administer the apportioning.

APPLICATION

God did a review of the Israelites journey from Egypt to the edge of the Promised Land. Have you ever done a review of your spiritual journey? It is a wonderful way for you to see how God has led you to where you are today. Take some time to "chart" your journey. I like to do it in a time-line fashion. Here are some things to consider:

Sovereign Foundations - What people, circumstances, or events did God use to woo you to Himself? Reflect upon your desires, passions, longings, and struggles in your early years. How have they affected your spiritual journey in positive and negative ways? This may include painful things from our childhood that God can use for His glory.

Spiritual Budding - When was the first time you sensed the presence of God in your life? How did you come to a personal relationship with Him? Chart times where you first started understanding who He was through the spiritual disciplines (prayer, meditation, Bible study, fasting, solitude, etc.). When were your "aha" moments with God that brought about changes in you? What were some of your testing experiences where you had to "put away the idols" in order to have more of Him? What were some character defining experiences?

Emerging Fruit - When did you start seeing the fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5) developing in your life? When did you start giving your life away by investing in other people? When did you see gifts growing and developing in your life? What were some ministries that you participated in and what did you learn from them?
 
Mature Fruit - Do you understand your gift-mix, and are you functioning in that mix in ministry and saying no to things that are not in your "primary gifting" so you can be fully devoted to the ministry that God has called you to do? What experiencing of isolation, suffering, crisis, or conflict in ministry have matured and challenged you? Does your "doing" in ministry flow out of "being" in communion with God.

It is also helpful to chart "life milestones" like births, deaths, marriages, etc. that have had an impact on you. I also like to put places that I have lived.

This exercise is part of the SHAPE plan that I told you about in Numbers 16.  It is helpful in that you can see God's faithfulness to bring you to where He has brought you. It is also helpful to see some patterns in your life that might help you understand your life passion and purpose.

Here is a handout that explains the timeline in more detail: Time-line Reflection Questions

PRAYER


Lord, You have brought us out of slavery and to the Promised Land. Help us to give You glory and honor through our lives as a response to all that You have done for us. Thank You for the joy that we have in this journey we are all on. Help us to drive out all those influences that may harm our relationship with You. We ask this in Jesus' name. Amen.

Numbers 32 - Tribes of the Transjordan

LINK: Numbers 32

BACKGROUND

The Reubenites and Gadites wanted to settle in the land east of the Jordan (Gilead) because it was suitable for livestock, but Moses assumed they wanted to get out of helping Israel conquer the rest of the promised land. They assured Moses of their desire to help the rest of Israel settle, and Moses promised that they would receive it if they crossed over the Jordan to help with the fight. He also adds the half-tribe of Manasseh in this promise (32:33).

APPLICATION

Moses jumped to conclusions in the beginning of this chapter. He thought that they were not going to help the rest of Israel out and were being selfish in their desire to stay east of the Jordan. This is a challenge to me to always hear people (including my children) out and get all the facts before I jump to the wrong conclusion about their motives. How about you? Do you ever jump to conclusions without hearing people out?

PRAYER

Lord, thank You that You weigh the thoughts and motives of every heart. Give us discernment in how we deal with others when making important plans and decisions. We ask this in Jesus' name. Amen.

Numbers 30 & 31 - Vows and the Midianite War,

LINK: Numbers 30 & 31

BACKGROUND

Numbers 30 - Vows

A vow was a promise not to DO something. A pledge/oath was a promise to NOT DO something. This chapter covers the importance of making personal vows and when women can be released from them.

Guard your steps as you go to the house of God and draw near to listen rather than to offer the sacrifice of fools; for they do not know they are doing evil. Do not be hasty in word or impulsive in thought to bring up a matter in the presence of God. For God is in heaven and you are on the earth; therefore let your words be few. For the dream comes through much effort and the voice of a fool through many words. When you make a vow to God, do not be late in paying it; for He takes no delight in fools. Pay what you vow! It is better that you should not vow than that you should vow and not pay. Do not let your speech cause you to sin and do not say in the presence of the messenger of God that it was a mistake. Why should God be angry on account of your voice and destroy the work of your hands?  (Ecclesiastes 5:1-6) 

Numbers 31 - Judgment on the Midianites

The Midianites had led Israel into sin (25:16-18). You might recall that the Israelite men engaged in sexual relations with Moabite women as this was part of Canaanite fertility rites (Deuteronomy 23:17-18; 1 Kings 14:22-24; Numbers 25:2) that eventually led the Israelites into the worship of Baal and a man bringing a Midianite woman into his family and before Moses. The Midianites were closely associated with the Moabites, but the Moabites were kinsman to the Israelites through Lot. Midianites were related to Moses through marriage to Zipporah, the daughter of the priest of Midian, not kinsman.

There is no mention of an attack on the Moabites here even though they were involved with the worship of Baal Peor too. They were not allowed to wage war against their kinsman. The incident of Baal Peor is mentioned in Deuteronomy 4:3-4; Psalm 106:26-29; Hosea 9:10, and 1 Corinthians 10:8.

This "holy war" was led by the LORD Himself with the goal of total annihilation and the taking of materials for Him.  The total annihilation included every Midianite soldier, the five kings, and Balaam the prophet (Numbers 22-24), but it did not include the women, children, and animals (31:9) until Moses reasoned that the women were just as responsible for the sin at Baal Peor. So, the non-virgin women and boys were killed.

REFLECTION

I made a silly vow when I was 21 years old that I struggled with fulfilling because it was a very impulsive vow! It kept me bound up in legalism for a long time. I should have heeded these words of Jesus:

Again, you have heard that the ancients were told, "You shall not make false vows, but shall fulfill your vows to the Lord." But I say to you, make no oath at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God, or by the earth, for it is the footstool of His feet, or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. Nor shall you make an oath by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black. But let your statement be, "Yes," yes or "No," no; anything beyond these is of evil.  (Matthew 5:33-37)

PRAYER

Lord, let our yes be yes and our no be no. Amen.

Numbers 29 - Review for a New Generation

LINK: Numbers 29

BACKGROUND

This is the continuation of the summary of the sacrificial requirement started in Numbers 28. This new generation needed this review and so do we! The sacrifices were rituals that continually reminded the people of the absolute necessity of shed blood as the basis for acceptance by God.

This is essentially a review of Leviticus 23. Here is a previous post if you need a refresher course on the significance of each of these feasts:

The Feasts of Israel

Also, refer to the Feasts Chart and the chart from yesterday's post.

REFLECTION/APPLICATION

The Feast of Trumpets, Feast of Tabernacles, and Day of Atonement were holidays that God provided as a time for the refreshment of the mind and body and renewal of one's commitment to Him.

How do you feel right now physically, mentally, and spiritually? If you feel tired and far away from Him so that you cannot hear His voice, maybe it is time for a "spiritual holiday." May I heartily suggest taking time to separate yourself from the daily grind to rest your body and renew your commitment to God very soon!

I recommend the article "How to Spend a Day in Prayer" and the book Wilderness Time: A Guide for Spiritual Retreat by Emilie Griffin for structure in doing this. I have done this every other month for over 40 years. It heartily recommend it!

PRAYER

Lord, thank You that You think of absolutely everything! You thought of the fact that Israel would need reminders of You daily, weekly, and throughout the year. Lord, help us to come away with You on a regular basis not only during our daily devotional time but also for extended times throughout the year in order to give 100% of our focus totally to You so that we might renew our relationship with You. I pray for each of us to be able to schedule a time to do that sometime this year. I ask this in Jesus' name. Amen.

Numbers 28 - Offerings

LINK: Numbers 28

BACKGROUND

Many offerings were required. First, there were the daily burnt offerings that had been commanded at Mount Sinai (Leviticus 1). We will talk about the reasons why they were given tomorrow. They were a tribute to the LORD.

Next, there were the Sabbath offerings. It consisted of the regular burnt offerings above and two lambs a year old, and drink and grain offerings.

Then there was the "enhanced" burnt offering every first of the month. Two young bulls, one ram, and seven male lambs a year old were given with a grain and drink offering.

In addition, there were the New Moon festival offerings and the offerings for the appointed feasts.

I am going to make this simple and put a chart from The Bible Knowledge Commentary: Old Testament that maps out the offerings for Numbers 28 and Numbers 29. (You can magnify the page to read it): 

REFLECTION

Jane, from China, and I met today and discussed Romans 12:1-8. We particularly zeroed in on verses 1 and 2:

Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.

She asked me to explain this whole concept of a "living sacrifice."  I said that in Old Testament times when they offered the animal sacrifices, the animals were already dead; but we are the sacrifices, and we are very much alive with a will of our own.  So, it is a daily choice to surrender our will to His. The good news is that you do not have to go through all that daily ritual with all the killing of animals. The perceived bad news is that WE must be the sacrifices, and you know what they say about living sacrifices: they are always trying to crawl off the altar!  They did not have that kind of problem with the Old Testament sacrifices because they were deader than a doornail.

The challenge is placing us and our will on that altar of fire. It can sometimes be uncomfortable and painful, but in the end, our wills are burned away, and only the good, acceptable, and perfect will of God remains. That is our daily decision, and it is a whole lot easier and less bloody than the Old Testament way!

So hop on that altar and allow God to burn away your will. I guarantee that you will be consumed in the fires of God's love!

APPLICATION

Keep reading and daily offer up your will to Him! I try to pray Romans 12:1-2 daily. It is part of the "Morning Affirmations" found in the book, Face to Face: Praying the Scriptures for Intimate Worship by Kenneth Boa. I started praying through this three-month cycle of prayer in the late 90s. It is so rich. 

PRAYER

We offer ourselves up as a pleasing sacrifice to You because of the mercy that You have extended to us in Christ. Amen.

Numbers 27 - God's Care for the Daughters and the Appointment of a New Leader

LINK: Numbers 27

BACKGROUND

God loves women, and he wanted the daughters of Zelophehad to be provided for if there were no sons. He is good.

The second part of this chapter is about God's man to continue leadership of the Israelites, Joshua. He was a man who had the Spirit and was to be a shepherd to the sheep of Israel.

REFLECTION

This passage tells me how important it is to raise up leaders. You may be in a leadership position right now. It is never too late to pray about who will take your place, listen to God, select God's choice, and start developing them as leaders so you can work yourself out of a job!

My desire is to raise up women who are leaders of other women in discipleship. I just had the most encouraging time with a woman today. Two years ago, she realized she had gifts in this area, and she asked me to come alongside her and mentor her. Shortly after meeting with her, she started meeting with someone for discipleship, but that woman was too busy. It was somewhat discouraging, but we kept praying and listening to God together.

This last year, she started meeting with someone, and she was able to learn more about discipleship by dong a Bible study with a college student. It was not a natural fit, but she still grew in her ability to disciple.

Two weeks ago, she told me that she felt led to encourage some women via email after spending time in Isaiah 43. Today she told me that as a result, one of the women responded to that email and asked if they could start meeting. Then, another woman in her Bible study asked her to start meeting. On top of all that, the girl that was too busy two years ago asked if they could start meeting again!

It is so encouraging to see women grow in their ability to lead others!

And the things that you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, these entrust to faithful men (and women!) who will be able to teach others also. (2 Timothy 2:2)

APPLICATION

Who are you training up and investing in today? If you don't know how to do that, you might want to find a "Moses" to help you!

After initial discipleship in the basics of the Christian life, I heartily recommend finding a spiritual director to help you grow in your relationship with God. Here is a video of me being interviewed about this subject:

What is Spiritual Direction?

Here is my website explaining more about it: 

www.bodyandsoulcompanion.com

Eventually, you might like to know how to become a spiritual director. I will be leading new cohorts on a regular basis. Contact me through my website. 

PRAYER

Lord, thank You for Moses' fine example of leadership and leadership development. May we listen to Your voice about who can help us develop as leaders and who we can invest in to help too. We ask this in Jesus' name. Amen.

Numbers 26 - Recounting Israel

LINK: Numbers 26

BACKGROUND

The census is repeated because almost 40 years had passed since the last one. Of those counted every man and woman over 20 years - except Caleb and Joshua - had died. Therefore, a new generation would be fighting the wars during the conquest of the Promised Land. More than 38,000 people (16:49; 25:9) had been killed by God's judgments. You can see that the clan of Pallu is singled out in 26:8-10 as those who had rebelled during Korah's rebellion (16:1). Despite the losses due to judgments, the total number was 601,730! That is a miracle. :)

Following the recounting, they cast lots to determine where the different tribes would settle in Canaan. This was done so that no tribe would grumble about the quality of their land. This was probably by the Urim and Thummin of the high priest (Exodus 28:30).

The Levites had no territory. This is why they were not numbered in the census.

REFLECTION

Moses and Eleazar took a census in Numbers 26, and we will read that David numbered Israel in 1 Chronicles 21. God told Moses and Eleazar to do it, but Satan moved David to number Israel.

Outwardly, they were both doing the exact same thing: taking a census of Israel. Inwardly, there were different things going on. David was doing it because of the security he put in his wealth and power and Satan capitalized on David's pride. Moses and Eleazar were doing it because it was part of God's plan for the future, and God told them to do it.

There is a key, simple principle here: If the Lord tells you to do something, by all means, do it! If He does not tell you to do something, do not do it; even if it seems good and beneficial on the outside and for the Kingdom! God knows your inside motives. He also knows the plans He has for you (Jeremiah 29:11).

I have seen, over and over again, people do good things for God or try to build ministries in the flesh versus having God direct them toward doing it. This includes me! I have learned the hard way that a course of action may be good, but if God does not direct it, it is not His best plan, and He will not bless it. In fact, it may result in His discipline.

How do we know God's best plan? This requires cultivating a heart that is in tune and listening to the Lord's direction and whispers on a day-by-day, moment-by-moment basis.

My desire above all else is to be so in tune with God that I hear His voice and respond in obedience to it and learn to discern between God's voice and the voice of the enemy. In 1 Chronicle 21:1, Satan moved David's heart. How much he wants to foil the plans of those who God wants to use for His glory! So, along with that desire to hear God's voice is an awareness when you have that desire, you become a target of the enemy. So, putting on the armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-19) should be a part of our daily devotion!

APPLICATION

Is it your desire to cultivate a listening heart to the Lord's direction for your life? It takes time, but it is time well spent. Do not forget to "armor up" in the process too.

Spend some dedicated time, with pen and paper in hand, listening to the Lord. 

The two books I recommend about hearing God's voice are:

Hearing God by Dallas Willard

How to Hear God by Pete Greig

PRAYER

I have already had this hymn as a prayer, but I love it so much. "Take time to be Holy" talks of that communion with God. I give it to you for your prayerful meditation.

Take time to be holy, speak oft with thy Lord;
Abide in Him always, and feed on His Word.
Make friends of God’s children, help those who are weak,
Forgetting in nothing His blessing to seek.

Take time to be holy, the world rushes on;
Spend much time in secret, with Jesus alone.
By looking to Jesus, like Him thou shalt be;
Thy friends in thy conduct His likeness shall see.

Take time to be holy, let Him be thy Guide;
And run not before Him, whatever betide.
In joy or in sorrow, still follow the Lord,
And, looking to Jesus, still trust in His Word.

Take time to be holy, be calm in thy soul,
Each thought and each motive beneath His control.
Thus led by His Spirit to fountains of love,
Thou soon shalt be fitted for service above.

Numbers 25 - The Seduction of Israel and the Jealousy of God

LINK: Numbers 25

BACKGROUND

The Moabites could not accomplish much with Israel by war, but they took a more manipulative tactic by seducing them into idolatry. (And of ALL people, Balaam was the one who suggested they do it! See Numbers 31:16 and Revelation 2:14!) It started out with sexual immorality with Moabite women. Sacred prostitution was common in Canaanite culture. This eventually led down the slippery slope to the worship of the Moabite gods.

God is a jealous God, and he wanted all the guilty men killed. Amid God's judgment, Zimri brought a Midianite (descended from Midian, son of Abraham, by Keturah, Genesis 25:1, 2.) woman into the camp (probably for sex). In a zealous response for God's honor, Phinehas killed them both. By doing so, he made atonement for those God was killing as a result of their idolatry, and the plague was stopped.

God honored Phinehas and his descendants because he was, per many translations, "zealous" for God's honor. The New American Standard Bible says that he was "jealous with [God's] jealousy among them,'" and I think that gets more to the heart of the Hebrew word.

Because of this incident, the Israelites were to treat the Midianites as enemies and kill them, and we will see this in Numbers 31.

REFLECTION

For you shall not worship any other god, for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God. (Exodus 34:14)

You shall not worship them or serve them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God. (Exodus 20:5)

Other than the two references above, this incident in Numbers 25 is the first time God mentions "my jealousy" in connection with an incident of idolatry. So, I think this is very significant.

The Hebrew word for jealousy in 25:11 is qana'. It expresses a "very strong emotion whereby some quality or possession of the object is desired by the subject . . . zeal for one's own property" (The Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament).

The central meaning relates to "jealousy" in the marriage relationship. God is, essentially, Israel's husband and idolatry is spiritual adultery. Adultery in the human marriage relationship was punishable by death (Leviticus 20:10). The same was true in the spiritual relationship between God and His people. Sadly, we will see spiritual adultery committed repeatedly as we continue to make our journey through the Old Testament.

A few years ago, Oprah made some comments about God's jealousy that has caused an uproar. She obviously does not understand what the jealousy of God means. We often look at it in human terms and see jealousy as a humanly negative emotion. It is not so with God.

God is not jealous OF Oprah, but He is jealous FOR Oprah. He wants her whole heart for her benefit!

The Scarlet Thread and New Testament Link

Paul said:

For I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy; for I betrothed you to one husband, so that to Christ I might present you as a pure virgin. (2 Corinthians 11:2) 

He was exhorting the Corinthians to let nothing distract them from pure, unadulterated devotion to Christ in this passage.

APPLICATION

Is there anything that is leading you into spiritual adultery? Are you purely devoted to your one Husband?

PRAYER

Lord, rip out the idols in our lives so that we might be simply and purely devoted to You. Help us not to relax our standards in order to satisfy our desires. We ask this in Jesus' name. Amen.

Numbers 23 & 24 - The Oracles of Balaam

LINK: Numbers 23 & 24

BACKGROUND

Balaam asked Balak to build seven altars. This was a sacred number among many of the nations and religions at that time.

There are five major poetic oracles from 23:7 - 24:24. God met Balaam and gave him a message for Balak. He could only speak what God had given. Here is the division of the oracles:

1) 23:7-12 

2) 23:13-26 

3) 23:27-24:14 

4) 24:15-19 

5) 24:20-25

See if you can summarize the gist of each one.

Balak's plot backfired because Balaam blessed Israel and foretold that Israel would be prosperous.

The Scarlet Thread of Redemption

"A star will come out of Jacob;

a scepter will rise out of Israel." (24:17)

This refers to the coming Messiah, Jesus. It is believed to be the prophecy that led the Magi to travel to Israel in search of the baby Jesus (Matthew 2:1, 2). Imagine that, a sorcerer predicting the Messiah. God is so sovereign; He can use anyone to accomplish what He has purposed.


REFLECTION

I love this story because it tells us that God is in control! 

God was sovereign because He reigned even over a pagan king and pagan sorcerer. He is constantly at work to accomplish His purposes.

God is sovereign in our lives as well. I remember being with my Bible study leader in college doing ordinary day to day activities. She would often point out God's sovereignty in the little things. As a result, I got in the habit of "being on the lookout" for His sovereignty too. Consequently, I try to pass this on to the women I am investing in. I often say, "God was sovereign today; mark it on your calendar!"

I know sometimes it is difficult to see Him at work in our present lives, but "marking it on your calendars" by keeping a journal of "Sovereignty Sightings" really helps us see His sovereignty in our past to help us believe that He is in control in the present and future.

APPLICATION

You might like to try journaling about two examples of God's sovereignty in your life over the past few months. Remember them and keep them for future reference.

It is also helpful to do a timeline of your life to see His sovereign foundations. I was amazed that when I first did this exercise, I saw how He has used even the most painful things for His glory. 

Here is a copy of the handout I use for this exercise: 

Timeline Reflection Questions

PRAYER

We praise You today for Your sovereignty. Help us to be mindful that You are sovereign in our lives. Open our eyes to see Your hand in the ordinary. We pray this in Jesus' name. Amen.