Numbers 15 - Wanderings and Blue Cords

My ✡Tallit✡ & ✡Kippa✡, originally uploaded by † Jimmy MacDonald †.

Picture of the blue tassels. Used according to Creative Commons 

LINK: Numbers 15

BACKGROUND

After they disobeyed the Lord and made an attempt to enter the Promised Land, the Israelites began their 40 years of wilderness wanderings. In this chapter, further instruction were given regarding the offerings, a man was put to death for breaking the Sabbath day, and they were directed to make tassels on their garments to remember to be holy to the LORD their God, who had brought them out of the Egypt to be their God.

REFLECTION

Here is an interesting article on the blue tassels from Jews for Jesus: 

https://jewsforjesus.org/newsletter-sep-1993-2/the-tallit-and-tzitzit

PRAYER

Lord, we may not have blue tassels today but set us apart as holy for Your glory. We pray this in Jesus' name. Amen.

Numbers 13 & 14 - Belief or Consequences

LINK: Numbers 13 & 14

BACKGROUND

Israel was on the edge of Canaan at Kadesh in the Desert of Paran, and God sent twelve spies from each of the tribes of Israel on a reconnaissance mission into the Promised Land from the desert of Southern Canaan, the mountains of Judah, the hill of Ephraim, all the way to the heights of Galilee, and up to Rehob on the northernmost edge of the land, a round trip of 500 miles.

Their report of fortified cities and giants (remember the Niphilim of Genesis 6:4?) filled the people of Israel with such fear and trembling that the people of Israel wanted to go back to the security (and slavery) of Egypt.

Only two of the spies, Caleb and Joshua, believed they could "certainly do it." They believed that the Promised Land was an exceedingly good land. They believed that if God was leading them and promised them the land, He could certainly overcome any obstacles on the way to the promise's fulfillment. Yet, their voices were drowned out by the overwhelming cacophony of the voices of fear and unbelief. 

In God's economy, unbelief was considered rebellion. Without Moses' intercession out of love for His people and for the integrity of God's reputation, the people of Israel would have been destroyed, but instead, they were sentenced to 40 years of wandering - one year for each day the spies scouted out the land. An entire generation would not enter the Promised Land because of their unbelief. Caleb and Joshua were the only exceptions.

REFLECTION

"But because my servant Caleb has a different spirit 

and follows me wholeheartedly, 

I will bring him into the land. . ." 

Numbers 14:24

I loved this character study of Caleb in my Life Application Bible:

The voice of the minority is not often given a hearing. Nevertheless, truth cannot be measured by numbers. On the contrary, it often stands against majority opinion. Truth remains unchanged because it is guaranteed by the character of God. God is truth, what he says is the last word. At times, a person must even stand alone on the side of truth. 

Caleb was not so much a man of great faith as a man of faith in a great God! His boldness rested on his understanding of God, not on his confidence in Israel's abilities to conquer the land. He could not agree with the majority, for that would be to disagree with God. 

We, on the other hand, often base our decisions on what everyone else is doing. Few of us are first-order cowards like the ten spies. We are more like the people of Israel getting our cowardice secondhand. Our search for right and wrong usually starts with questions such as 'What do the experts say?' or 'What do my friends say?' The question we most often avoid is 'What does God say?' The principles we learn as we study the Bible provide a dependable road map for life. They draw us into a personal relationship with God whose Word is the Bible. The God who gave Caleb his boldness is the same God who offers us the gift of eternal life through his Son, Jesus. That's truth worth believing!" 

Lessons from his life:

• Majority opinion is not an accurate measurement of right and wrong

• Boldness based on God's faithfulness is appropriate

• For courage and faith to be effective, they must combine words and actions (p. 239)

APPLICATION

What are the giants and fortified cities in your land? Is there something God is calling you to do that seems too big for you to handle or too scary for you? Are fear and unbelief the only things keeping you from going forward? Are the opinions of others keeping you from really listening and obeying God?

Plunge ahead and believe God's promises my friend! While the task and giants may be too big for you, it is not too big for God! Only believe!

PRAYER

Lord, I pray that You would all give us a "different spirit that follows You wholeheartedly" just like Caleb had. Lead us to the "land" that You desire for us. Help us to enter it and glorify You in it once we get there! In Jesus' name, Amen.

Numbers 12 - Opposition from Miriam and Aaron

LINK: Numbers 12

BACKGROUND

In Numbers 12 we have more complaining! This time it was Miriam's turn! She complained about Moses being married to a Cushite (a person from Ethiopia). This could not have been Zipporah because she was a Midianite (Exodus 2:21). Intermarrying with the people of the Promised Land was forbidden, but intermarrying with other foreigners was not.

How hard to have your own sister and brother complaining about you! The complaint about the wife is just a smokescreen though. The real issue is revealed in their question to Moses:

"Has the LORD spoken only through Moses?"

"Hasn't he also spoken through us?"

The real issue was ENVY! I am sure it was difficult to have their kid brother as the leader over them!

Moses (who wrote Numbers, inspired by God, of course) added a parenthetical comment in this book by saying that he was the most humble man on the face of the earth. This indicates that Moses was not doing this out of arrogance or a power trip but because God had called him to it.

It did not take long for God to confirm whose side He was on in this argument. Here was Miriam, who represented the prophets (see Exodus 15), and Aaron who represented the priests. They had important roles in this journey in the wilderness, but Moses was in charge. God confirmed that though He spoke to prophets through dreams and visions, He spoke with Moses face to face, clearly and with no riddles! God was Moses' man whether others liked it or not.

Ultimately, Miriam was challenging God's authority, not just Moses', and God's punishment was swift as she was stricken with leprosy. Moses immediately asked for healing, but God's answer was interesting: "If her father had spit in her face, would she not have been in disgrace for seven days?"

In this culture, spitting in one's face expressed contempt (Deuteronomy 25:9). God was expressing contempt toward Miriam for her offense, and she would have to remain outside the camp for seven days because that was the length of time she would have been excluded if her own father had spat in her face.

REFLECTION

It is hard to be the youngest child! I know because I am one. I cannot help but wonder if Miriam and Aaron sometimes struggled with the fact that their kid brother was in charge.

I remember when my father died in 1985. Here I was this young 25 year old, and I was asked by my mother to give the eulogy for my dad, not my brothers. There was all out rebellion in the ranks when my brothers (27 and 39 at the time) were relegated to cleaning the house before the memorial service while I was given time and space to prepare my talk.

They complained, "Why are we doing all the work while Carol isn't doing anything!"

Thankfully, my mom and sister-in-law came quickly to my defense in telling them that I had to prepare my talk. It was hard (and humbling) for my brothers to take a more behind-the-scenes role to their kid sister.

The day got more interesting when "we" sat down to rest from our preparations for a deep conversation. My brother who believes in God (but had done nothing beyond that intellectual acknowledgement) and my agnostic brother were debating the existence of God. I could not get a word in edgewise even though I probably had some worthwhile things to contribute to the conversation since I was actively seeking God and had been for quite a few years. I did get an occasional "Isn't that right, Carol?" from my believing brother, but I wasn't able to respond with more than a nod now and then.

It is tough being the kid sister. We don't really know anything in our older siblings' eyes. SIGH.

APPLICATION

I have been put in positions of leadership with older people, sometimes they were under me and sometimes they were working alongside me. In more than one case, they were threatened by me. In my experience, jealousy and competition are rampant in ministries, but it remains an unspoken issue because most do not get down to this bottom line issue. It is mostly smokescreens, just like Miriam.

In one case, a woman, after treating me coldly and harshly for many months (one time even refusing to pray with a group of people who was praying for me before I spoke), finally confessed to me that she felt competitive with me because she was afraid I would take all her women away from her because I was such a good leader. She admitted she was jealous about my position and influence with the women.

Although there had been many smokescreens with her that left me confused and dazed (and crying often), thankfully, God spoke to her about confessing this all to me. What a woman of integrity to listen to God about this and bravely admit it! We have been great friends ever since (I just talked to her in church this morning, in fact). This was a mature woman, but most people do not admit the real issue. They just continue to daze and destroy with their smokescreens. Sometimes, they do not realize what the core issue really is behind their smokescreens.

Are you putting up any smokescreens in your life? When you are in a position where there is disagreement and strife, stop and ask God to reveal to you what the real issue is and if you are putting up smokescreens by attacking the other person's character (many times this is the real reason behind why we talk behind people's backs).

On the other end, if you are unjustly criticized or feel there is an unseen and unnamed tension, realize that sometimes people that are criticizing you are probably not ready to face the real issue. It is probably hard for you to not take the criticism personally, but ask God to give you wisdom to deal with it with grace and love and know that He is working (Exodus 14:14).

Also, if you are around people who are older than you and seem to be threatened by you as you lead, let Paul's words to young Timothy encourage you:

"Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity, show yourself an example of those who believe." 

1 Timothy 4:12

PRAYER

Lord, sometimes You call us to lead and we will be criticized. Help us to listen to Your voice and follow Your calling and let You do the fighting for us while we keep silent (Exodus 14:14). Other times, we are called to follow, and it is not always easy to not be critical of those who lead us. Help us to be supportive servants who do not put up smokescreen that inhibit Your work. Help us to work together in unity for the sake of Your glory and name being proclaimed throughout the whole earth. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.

Numbers 11 - Complaints in the Wilderness

LINK: Numbers 11

BACKGROUND


The people were only three days into their march toward the Promised Land and they started complaining about their hardships (11:1) and lack of meat (11:4)! Only a year earlier, three days after crossing the Red Sea and God's miraculous deliverance, they had complained about the food too (Exodus 16)! The Lord heard their complaining to one another, and He sent fire. He sent them meat to eat, but he also sent a plague. God's wrath was swift toward the complaining, ungrateful Israelites.

By the way, the rabble referred to in 11:4 is believed to be a mixed crowd of Egyptians and others who had followed Israel out of Egypt (Exodus 12:38).

REFLECTION


Have you ever thought about the fact that the Israelites complained and God's wrath was unleashed, but Moses complained and God answered him with the provision of seventy elders to share in his responsibility? What is the difference?

I think the difference is that the people complained to each other and exhibited very ungrateful and unbelieving hearts, but Moses took his complaint to God, acknowledging that He was in control.

APPLICATION


How often will I complain to another person instead of bringing a matter directly to God who is the only One who can really solve the problem anyway? How about you? Is there an issue you need to bring to Him now?

PRAYER

Gracious provider God. We are so grateful for the food we eat, the shelter in which You protect us, the fellowship in which You surround us. All things come from You. Help us to come to You instead of complain about You to other people. We ask this in Jesus' name. Amen.

Numbers 10 - Blow the Trumpets and Move On to the Promised Land!

LINK: Numbers 10

BACKGROUND

All the regulations for tabernacle worship have been given. It was time to move! Their first major destination on the road to the Promised Land was the Desert of Paran that is believed to be southwest of Palestine. You may remember that this is the home of the family of Ishmael (Genesis 21:21).

No REFLECTION and APPLICATION today. You might be behind, and I wanted to give you time to catch up! Keep reading!

PRAYER

Pray for the "family of Ishmael" (Muslims) today.


Lord, help us to listen for Your call and make us willing to move when and where You want us to move. Bless the Muslim world with Your peace. We pray for the peace of Palestine and a solution to the problems in this region. Amen.

Numbers 8 & 9 - Consecration of the Levites, Passover, and the Guidance Cloud

LINK: Numbers 8 & 9

BACKGROUND

In Leviticus 8, the Lord set apart the priests. In Numbers 8, he set apart their assistants, the Levites, for their service with grain and sin offerings and a laying on of hands by the community at the front of the tabernacle. Then, they were "waved" before the Lord as the ones who would serve in this sacred service. Their tenure of service was 25 years (from 25-50 years old).

Numbers 9 includes additional instructions for the Passover and the strict observances of it. It concludes by talking about the cloud that guided the Israelites. When the cloud settled, they camped. When the cloud lifted, they moved on.

REFLECTION

Wouldn't you just love a cloud to guide you in your daily decisions like the Israelites? God would say "Move!" and I would move.

We do have a something even better now: the HOLY SPIRIT! Jesus said:

But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come. (John 16:13)

So often, we do not trust God enough to really believe that He will lead and guide us through His Spirit. His guidance may not be as ostentatious as a cloud of fire or an audible voice; but His guidance is there just the same. Sometimes, we just do not want to stop and be still and really take the time to listen. Read my post from yesterday for a great book in helping you do that!

John Wesley said,"God generally guides me by presenting reasons to my mind for acting in a certain way."

How does He usually guide you?

APPLICATION - Written in 2008

I told a friend just this morning that I needed to make a decision about how I will be allocating my time in the coming year. She and I both agreed that I probably shouldn't make a decision this week because I am exhausted from the events surrounding my friend Bruce's passing. 

So, my first priority for this weekend is to . . . 

• Rest in the Lord. Then, I want to 
• Dedicate my time and schedule to the Lord. Then, I want to really 
• Listen to Him for guidance. 

I am confident that He will speak directly to my situation.

Is there a decision that you are facing? Do you need to rest, dedicate, and listen to what He would have you do? How confident are you that He will speak?

PRAYER

Here are the words to a song by Michael Card that speak of God's guidance and presence through "Stillness and Simplicity." Read it as a prayer to God.

Colossians 3:15

In stillness and simplicity
In the silence of the heart I see
The mystery of eternity
Who lives inside of me

In stillness and simplicity
I hear the Spirit's silent plea
That You, oh Lord, are close to me
In stillness and simplicity

You're the Word Who must be heard
By those who listen quietly
Is the reason we're not still
To hear You speak because
We don't believe You will

In stillness and simplicity
I lose myself in finding Thee
Oh Lord, You mean so much to me
In stillness and simplicity

So, seek the One who dwells in you
The kingdom that within is true
That innermost reality
In stillness and simplicity
Amen

Numbers 7 - Offerings from the Leaders

LINK: Numbers 7

BACKGROUND 

In less than three weeks, the Israelites would be leaving Sinai to begin their journey to the Promised Land. Before they left, the leaders dedicated consecrated offerings to the Lord in the Tabernacle for its use and maintenance.

After all of this, Moses entered the Tabernacle and heard the voice of God speaking to him from above the mercy seat between the two cherubim. How cool is that?

REFLECTION 

We have free access into the holy of holies. God is there, and He does speak. How long has it been since you listened to Him? I am going to take some time out of my busy day to do just that! I need to hear from Him on a very important matter! I will take pen and paper and write down what He tells me and follow through on any directions He gives. 

APPLICATION

One book that has been very helpful for me in listening and obeying His voice is called God Guides. It is part of the reading in the curriculum for our Kingdom Community. We did not start reading it until six months into our time, but I am going to put it as the first thing that we read next time around! I gave it to a friend of mine about a month ago, and she just ordered 100 of them to give away! 

Every person of faith needs to read this little book! If you do not already have a faith tradition that listens and obeys, this will challenge you to do so. God makes everything very simple. It will be life-changing for some and a good reminder for others who may need to remember that we just need to do what God tells us to do. "Anyone can have the victory if he 'listens' and obeys" (p. 1). 

She advocates a daily "quiet time" where we are still and listen to what God has for us, write it down, and then do it. It is so simple that you might think it is a no-brainer, but I guarantee that most of us do not do this. I love how she spreads this to everyone she meets! She does not tell people what they should do, but she lets God tell them. And I say a hearty, "Amen!" to that! This is a gem. 

You can get it at Amazon or better at www.god-guides.com.

(If you are unfamiliar with hearing God's voice or even do not believe that you can, I recommend Hearing God by Dallas Willard. He does an excellent job of giving a biblical basis for hearing God. A more elementary one but very readable is How to Hear God: A Simple Guide for Normal People by Pete Greig.)

PRAYER

Lord, we present our bodies as living and holy sacrifices, acceptable to You, because this is our spiritual act of worship (Romans 12:1). We present ourselves to You and want to hear Your orders for the day. We pray this in Jesus' name. Amen.

Numbers 5 & 6 - Purity in the Camp and The Nazirite Vow

LINK: Numbers 5 & 6

BACKGROUND

In these chapters we see further preparation for holiness through removal of those considered defiled, restitution for offenses (we talked about that in Leviticus 6), and the mark of a more obedient, closer walk with God through the Nazirite vow.

In Numbers 5, I was curious about the "jealousy offering" in connection with the offering for marital infidelity. It is my understanding that this was not all bad for women in that innocent women were protected from jealous husbands who had no grounds for their suspicion. This also shows that God thought faithfulness in marriage was very important.

In Numbers 6, the Nazirite vow could be taken by people who wanted to commit themselves totally to God by consecration and separation to Him. It could be taken by either a male or female. There were many prohibitions connected with it. The two most notable ones were abstaining from fermented beverages and not cutting your hair which was in direct opposition to some pagan rituals that required shaved heads. We will hear quite a bit about the hair component of this vow when we read about the life of Samson in Judges 13-16.

Numbers 6 concludes with God's blessings on the sons of Israel through Aaron now called the "Barocha." Michael Card has written a lovely melody for this blessing. He encourages us to bless our families and fellowships with these words often!

REFLECTION

I love that the Nazirite vow was for both men and women! How often does that happen in the Old Testament? Usually it is just the men who get in on all the action.

As I have prayed in this chapter, I think that I want to be like a Nazirite in my heart. I do not have to worry about all the external trappings associated with this vow because I am a New Testament believer, but I can be a Nazirite in being totally consecrated to God through the decisions I make every day. I can think of one particular area where I can make deeper commitments to God. God had already started speaking to me about it at our women's retreat last weekend, and today's meditation just confirmed that leading. Pray I might follow through!

APPLICATION

Where are there areas in your life where you can make deeper commitments to Him? We have opportunities every day in the way we use our time, spend our money, love our neighbor, etc. Have you made a "Nazirite" vow in your heart?

PRAYER

Lord, teach us every day how we might be more deeply committed to You through our everyday decisions. May we do it according to the power of Your Holy Spirit. Amen.

Numbers 4 - Role of the Levites

LINK: Numbers 4

BACKGROUND

This chapter outlines the procedure for moving the Tabernacle with every man between 30 and 50 years of age having a specific duty.  The instruction were to be carried out precisely because their life was at stake (4:20)!

REFLECTION 

Part of ministering at the Tabernacle included singing. Here are some of the Levite descendants who would go on to make great music and be mentioned in many Psalms:

The “sons of Korah,” who formed a leading part of the Kohathite singers (2 Chr. 20:19), were intrusted with the arranging and singing of Ps. 42, 44–49, 84, 85, 87, and 88.
 Asaph was a Levite and one of the leaders of David’s choir (1 Chr. 6:39). Psalms 50 and 73–83 inclusive are attributed to him. He is mentioned along with David as a skilled in music, and a “seer” (2 Chr. 29:30). The “sons of Asaph,” mentioned in 1 Chr. 25:1, 2 Chr. 20:14, and Ezra 2:41, were his descendants, or more probably a class of poets or singers who recognized him as their master. Psalms 39, 62, and 77 are addressed to Jeduthun, to be sung after his manner or in his choir.  Easton, M. (1996, c1897). Easton's Bible Dictionary.

APPLICATION 

Are you "set apart" to minister to the Lord? Where is your place in His plan? Pray about it.

How much does your worship consist in singing to the Lord? I am a singer, but I must admit, I do not do it on my own as much as I would like. I always enjoy it but forget to include it as a daily practice. I think that will be my application today! 

PRAYER

Lord, thank You that You have a purpose and a plan for each of us. You set us apart to glorify You. Help us to step into Your story! In Jesus' name, Amen. 

Numbers 3 - The Levites

LINK: Numbers 3

BACKGROUND

Numbers 3

Aaron and his two remaining sons (remember the other two died in Leviticus 10) were to be the priests who performed sacrifices and functions in the tabernacle, but they needed help for everything else. The other members of their tribe, the Levites, were set aside for all the other the religious activities pertaining to the tabernacle.

Remember back in Exodus 13 when God instructed every Israelite family to dedicate their firstborn son to Him? The Levites were set apart to care for the tabernacle and minister to the people as a substitution for the first born sons of Israel. This is described in Numbers 3:11-13 and 40-51. They entered service at the age of 25 with full service being at 30.

The Levites were further divided into the clans of Gershon, Kohath, and Merari each with specific responsibilities for the care and transportation of the tabernacle.

No REFLECTION and APPLICATION today. 

Enjoy reading! 

PRAYER

Lord, thank You that each of has a role to play in Your kingdom. Show us what that role is. We pray this in Jesus' name. Amen. 

Numbers 2 - Detailed Division of the Camp

LINK: Numbers 2


BACKGROUND


God arranged the camp by each tribe, named the leader, and numbered their men.

Here is a diagram from the Bible Knowledge Commentary: Old Testament:

The campsite would have been about 12 square miles! By the way, the Gershonites, Kohathites, and Merarites were all sons of Levi. Notice how they are nearest to the Tabernacle with Moses, Aaron, and the priests. Dividing them now would make it easier when dividing up the Promised Land.

APPLICATION


How is the organizing going from yesterday's application? I'm still working on mine!


PRAYER


Thank You God for Your care for all the details of our life! We trust You for them!  Amen.

Numbers 1 - Ordering Israel

LINK: Numbers 1

BACKGROUND for Numbers

Numbers is a book about how Israel prepared to enter the Promised Land, the sin that made them wander for 40 years in the wilderness of Sinai, and the new generation that prepared to go again.

BACKGROUND for Numbers 1

In Numbers 1, the Israelites have been camped near Mt. Sinai for more than a year. Through Moses, God had given them the whole law (Leviticus).  They were ready to move toward the land that God had promised them. Moses and Aaron were commanded by God to take a census of all the fighting men. There were 603,550 men ready to fight. This did not include the Levites, women, or children. With these groups added into the count, the number was believed to be over two million. They had multiplied greatly (Exodus 1:7) since Jacob entered Egypt with only 70 family members!

REFLECTION

We will continue to see censuses taken throughout Scripture proving that God is a God of order and detail (1 Corinthians 14:40).  I want to be a woman of order and detail too! My office is a MESS right now with many unopened pieces of mail and papers left in piles. I need to clean this up before I can even start on my taxes to make sure I have everything that I need!

My excuse is that I have been busy with other things (triathlon on Saturday and speaking at a retreat on Sunday), but this passage reminded me to STOP and get this area of my life in order.

2014 Update: While my office is much nicer this year, and I have a system for getting all my tax papers in order, I still need to get them done!

2015 Update: It seems like I am always working on this chapter when I am getting ready to do my taxes. Last year, I completed them in one day with much order and joy. I am back to NO ORDER again, and the deadline is looming!

2023 Update: Taxes again! Actually, we got them to the accountant in March. I am always so convicted about order when I do my taxes. Since I wrote this, we did succumb to having an accountant do them, and that has made things so much easier. Now that I am a spiritual director and am required to charge for it, I have to keep track of small business income and expenses. Not my strong suit! How about you?

APPLICATION

How about you? Are there any areas of your life that you need to get in order? Pray and ask God to direct you in the ordering.

PRAYER

Help us to honor You in our order. We ask this in Jesus' name. Amen.

Put Leviticus Back on the First Shelf

Making it through Leviticus is a HUGE accomplishment. Remember that many attempts to read through the Bible failed at Leviticus for me! Go out and celebrate!

Leviticus 26 & 27 - Keeping our Commitments to God

LINK: Leviticus 26-27 (Read over the next two days)

BACKGROUND

The things in these chapters are pretty straightforward. Leviticus 26 is about the blessings of obedience and warnings against disobedience.

REFLECTION

If you made it through Leviticus, give yourself a high five! If you recall, I had many false starts of reading through the Bible because of Leviticus. I just did not get its significance. I hope these posts helped you see the significance.

If you did not get through, please do not be discouraged! Just keep reading from where you last left off. If these blog posts help you, that is great! If they do not, just keep reading without them. Remember: it took me five years to read through the Bible the first time. I just kept putting a bookmark in it and would continue it when I could!  

Just Remember:

God's grace is at a slow pace!

I have been through Leviticus many times, and I enjoyed it this time the BEST of all. I think having to think through a post five days a week has really helped me digest it and make it practical for my everyday life. I have been making some very good and real changes as a result. I am grateful for that.

I think it also helped to buy that model of the tabernacle! It is still sitting on my coffee table, and I have looked at it every day as I have my quiet time. It causes me to see how CENTRAL worship was to the people of Israel, and how central it needs to be in my life. The tabernacle also reminds me that Jesus made a way for us into the holy of holies. The veil was torn in two! I look at it and marvel. He is the way, the truth, and the life!

When I originally wrote this post in 2008, I was grieving the loss of a friend whom I had known since my sophomore year of college. We were both athletes at OSU together, on Navigator staff together, and then he married my twin, Mary Beth, who was grieving the loss of her Superman (his nickname). I rejoice that Jesus made a way for Bruce!

APPLICATION

To cement Leviticus in my mind, I am going to do the following:

• Give each chapter a title
• Make an outline of the book
• State a main theme
• Continue with my "Journal of God" that I started in Genesis
• Summarize what I am taking away from the book by way of application to my life.

You might like to try the same!

What is one thing you learned from the book?

PRAYER

God, thank You for teaching us more about Your holiness through the reading of this book. Help us to reflect on the lessons we have learned from it and respond to You in obedience. Speak to us, Lord, about unholiness in our lives. Make us holy for You are holy. We love You, Lord, and thank You that You have made a way for us into Your very presence through Jesus Christ, our Lord. And it is in His name we pray. Amen.

Leviticus 25 - The Sabbatical Year and Year of Jubilee

LINK: Leviticus 25 

BACKGROUND

The Jewish calendar was based on a series of sevens. There were seven annual feasts, and the seventh day of the weeks was the Sabbath day of rest. The seventh year was to be a year of rest for the land, the people, and the animals in this agricultural society. Deuteronomy 15:1-11 gives more details about the Sabbath Year including freedom from personal debt and indentured servants being set free. We will learn in Deuteronomy 31:9-12 that this year also was to include the reading of the Book of Deuteronomy during the Feast of Tabernacles so that they would "hear and learn and fear the LORD . . . and carefully observe the words of this law" (Deuteronomy 31:12).

Every fiftieth year, the holy Year of Jubilee was to begin. Jubilee means "trumpet, ram's horn" because it began with the blowing of the ram's horn on the Day of Atonement each fiftieth year. It started with repentance on the Day of Atonement, continued with release of indentured servants so they could return to their lands and families, and rest for the land, people, and animals. It was a second year of rest after the Sabbath Year, but God would provide the produce! The Year of Jubilee also included restoration of property to original owners. That seems unfair, but God wanted to remind everyone that the land was all His, and that the original allotments still stood firm. When land was "sold" it was probably more like a "lease" until the next Jubilee year. This also prevented greedy real estate speculators from having all the power! The Year of Jubilee was all about new beginnings for everyone as they separated themselves unto God.

It is interesting to note that the Year of Jubilee is not mentioned outside of the Pentateuch. Maybe it was normal so there was no reason to mention it or the Israelites never observed it and was one of the reasons for their exile (2 Chronicles 36:20-21).

REFLECTION

Jesus is our Jubilee! I love the song by Michael Card about it. Here is a video of him singing it!




APPLICATION

How radical would it be if we all took a rest every seven years! I am seriously considering a Jubilee year of rest in 2018 for my fiftieth year of following Jesus! It just happens to be that the week I started to follow Jesus is the same week as the Day of Atonement for that year! How cool is that?

George and I took a Sabbath year of rest on our first year of marriage, and it was really fruitful! We were freed up from structured ministry, and God brought along wonderful "impromptu" fruit! We loved it!

Do you take rests on a regular basis? I sure hope so!  As I type this, it is my day of rest, but typing Bible Book Club posts is very relaxing for me. It is not work for me. :)

PRAYER

Thank You for seasons of rest. Help us to rest in You. We ask this in the name of Jesus, our Jubilee. Amen.

Leviticus 23 & 24 - The Feasts of Israel & Regulations for the Sanctuary

LINK: Leviticus 23 & 24

BACKGROUND

Leviticus 23 - The Feasts of Israel

Here is a "Feasts Chart" that will give you a great overview of this chapter as well as the scarlet thread significance of each of the feasts. Feel free to print it out.

The feasts allowed the people of Israel to have "appointed" times throughout the year to look back upon God's faithfulness in their history and forward to the time of the Messiah. There were seven. The first in the cycle was Passover. Here is a link to the dates for the feasts that vary from year to year: Jewish Feasts.

Spring Feasts - Passover, Unleavened Bread, and Firstfruits of Barley and Wheat 

Passover and Unleavened Bread are often just lumped together and called "Passover/Pesach" because they occur together over an eight day period.

The Passover looks back at the redemption of the firstborn when God "passed over" the Israelite homes sparing the firstborns of the household during the last plague. It looks forward to Christ's redeeming death. The wine of Passover signifies Christ's blood.

The Feast of Unleavened Bread was to begin the morning after the Passover lamb was sacrificed. It commemorated the flight from Egypt. You might remember that God told them not to leaven their bread (Exodus 12:14-20).  It looks at leaven as a symbol of sin. The Jews do not eat anything with leaven in it for seven days. They clear their houses of it. It represents Jesus as the sinless Bread of Life. This combined with Passover is the feast where all males were required to be in Jerusalem.

The Feast of First Fruits is celebrated on the day after the Sabbath following Passover. It was the first fruits of the barley harvest that occurs in March-April. It represents Jesus' resurrection. He was the "first fruits" of the dead (1 Cor. 15:20). This started seven weeks of gladness that ended at the wheat harvest of Shavuot

Feast of Weeks - Wheat Harvest (Pentecost or Shavuot) 

Sometimes called the Feast of Harvest or Feast of the First Fruits, it falls 50 days after Passover and originally celebrated the end of the seven-week grain-harvesting season. In later tradition, it also celebrated the giving of the Law to Moses on Mount Sinai. This was a feast that required that all males attend the central place of worship in Jerusalem. It was the day when God-fearing Jews from many peoples saw the "first fruits" of the Holy Spirit in Acts 2:1-13.

Fall Feasts - Trumpets, Day of Atonement, and Booths

Feast of Trumpets (Rosh Hashanah) 

This day marks the beginning of the Jewish year and opens the Ten Days of Penitence called "High Holy Days" or "Days of Awe" which close with Yom Kippur. One tradition is called tashlich which is the Hebrew word for "thou shalt cast into the seas." Jews traditionally go to a river or body of water and cast rocks which designate sins for which they are sorry. We did this when the kids were small, and it was quite fun!

Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur) 

This day marks the end of the Ten Days of Penitence that began with Rosh Hashanah. It is a day of rest and was discussed in Leviticus 16. It is for repentance and fasting.

Feast of Tabernacles/Booths (Sukkoth) 

This feast looks back at the wandering of the Israelites in the wilderness. Sukkoth was the first stopping place for the Israelites. Sukkoth means "huts" in Hebrew. Jacob journeyed there, and he built himself a house and made booths for his livestock (Genesis 33:17). It is a seven day feast where Jews live in huts. It is my favorite! This is another feast that required all males to attend the central place of worship in Jerusalem. This feast also includes a water festival in which Jesus proclaimed He was the Living Water (John 7:37-38). 

NOTE: All feasts begin at sundown on the previous day

Leviticus 24 - This chapter covers regulations for the sanctuary.

REFLECTION

In 1992 -1993, we got together with 25 other people and celebrated the feasts together. It was a blast! I heartily recommend it. They contain so much rich symbolism and spiritual truth. I was amazed at how much it helped me in my study of John a few years later since many of the important things that Jesus did during his public ministry occurred during these feasts!

APPLICATION

Celebrating Biblical Feasts by Martha Zimmerman is an excellent tool for understanding the feasts, and their significance to us as New Testament believers. We used it when we did it with our group.

You might want to consider celebrating some of these feasts with family and friends. The pictures above were from a Passover that we did before Easter in 2008 with some Bible Book Club families!

PRAYER

Lord, we worship You and adore You as our living God. Thank You that You created these feasts to remind us of Your faithfulness in the past and the fulfillment of Your promises in the future. Amen.

Leviticus 22 - Priests from the Heart

LINK: Leviticus 22

BACKGROUND

A priest was to please the Lord in the execution of his duties. He was to be careful in handling the sacred offerings. These offerings or gifts were probably tithes, first fruits, and sacrifices (Numbers 18:8-19). Their hearts were to be 100% invested in what they were doing. They were to be clean, monitor who ate the offerings, and make sure that sacrificial animals were qualified.

Why were they to follow all these holiness regulations? There is a hint of this in the key repeated phrase of this chapter: "I am the LORD." He is a holy God, and His commandments were to be obeyed! He had brought them out of Egypt and set them apart (sanctified) as a people for Himself, that was all the reason they needed.

REFLECTION

The people would have been familiar with the priests of Egypt who were into greed, power, and control. God was calling His priests to be different. They were to be set apart and to do their duties with a heart to please only God and help the worshipers draw near to Him.

Those of us who follow Jesus are priests who offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ (1 Peter 2:5, 9). We are to live our lives set apart and our behavior excellent as we abide in Jesus Christ (1 Peter 4:11-12).

What is your motivation for ministry?  Are you doing it from the heart to please God or just going through the motions? Do you do it for self-aggrandizement or to please the Lord? Or do you do it trying to earn acceptance from God? 

APPLICATION

Meditate and pray through 1 Peters 2:4-12 below and dedicate yourself to Him!

Is your motivation in ministry to try to gain acceptance from God in the Cycle of Works where you are trying to find your acceptance from your effectiveness (fruitfulness) in ministry?

Or do you operate in a Cycle of Grace where out of a heart understanding of your belovedness and acceptance by God?

This is something to ponder. Watch this video that explains this concept in more detail. 

Living in the Cycle of Grace Handout

PRAYER

And coming to Him as to a living stone which has been rejected by men, but is choice and precious in the sight of God, you also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For this is contained in Scripture:

“Behold, I lay in Zion a choice stone, a precious corner stone, 

And he who believes in Him will not be disappointed.”

This precious value, then, is for you who believe; but for those who disbelieve,

“The stone which the builders rejected, 

This became the very corner stone,”

and,

“A stone of stumbling and a rock of offense”; 

for they stumble because they are disobedient to the word, and to this doom they were also appointed. But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; for you once were not a people, but now you are the people of God; you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. Beloved, I urge you as aliens and strangers to abstain from fleshly lusts which wage war against the soul. Keep your behavior excellent among the Gentiles, so that in the thing in which they slander you as evildoers, they may because of your good deeds, as they observe them, glorify God in the day of visitation.

Leviticus 21 - High Standards for Priests

LINK: Leviticus 21

BACKGROUND

The priests were representatives of God's holiness. Therefore, they were held to a higher standard than others in Israel. They had greater restrictions on their conduct and a greater amount of responsibility. They were to be free from defilement or defects much like the animals used in sacrifices.

REFLECTION

As I was meditating on this chapter my mind immediately went to the standards that God sets for overseers (elders) and deacons of the New Testament church in 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1. God has very high standards for those who shepherd and care for their flock!

Since I wrote this back in 2008, my husband served as an elder for three years. I love the high standards that this group of men maintains for each other. They email weekly accountability sheets to each other covering areas of holiness and godliness.  This is so healthy!

2023 Update: After an eight-year hiatus, he is an elder again, and they still maintain really high standards. Sadly, there was not as much accountability with our staff, and there was a moral failure with one of them. Now, there is accountability for the staff also. 

APPLICATION

Take some time to pray for the elders, pastors, and leaders in your church today. Pray through each of the character qualities in 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1. Pray them into your own life as well.

PRAYER


Lord, we ask that You raise up leaders in our churches who are totally consecrated to You and can prove to be examples to their flocks. We ask this in Jesus' name. Amen.