Tag: Numbers

numbers

Week 2: Day 1- Numbers 14:5-9

On By Ben JenningsIn Devotional, Leadership, Ministry2 Comments

This Weeks Passage: Numbers 14:5-19

5 Then Moses and Aaron fell on their faces before all the assembly of the congregation of the children of Israel.6 And Joshua the son of Nun, and Caleb the son of Jephunneh, which were of them that searched the land, rent their clothes:7 And they spake unto all the company of the children of Israel, saying, The land, which we passed through to search it, is an exceeding good land.8 If the Lord delight in us, then he will bring us into this land, and give it us; a land which floweth with milk and honey.9 Only rebel not ye against the Lord, neither fear ye the people of the land; for they are bread for us: their defence is departed from them, and the Lord is with us: fear them not.

Numbers 14:5-9

Explanation:

In verses 5-6 Moses and Aaron went face down in response to the rebellion of the people. Joshua and Caleb, two of the twelve spies that entered in to the land, ripped their clothes off- a sign of passion and distress. Their message took four main thoughts.

First, they said that the children of Israel were blessed to have the opportunity of the good land that they had spied out. Second, they said God would give them the land. Third, they pleaded with the people not to rebel against God because of fear. Lastly, they pleaded with the people not to fear the people of the land, for they are “bread”, or God’s provision, for them in this new land.

Joshua and Caleb’s faith in God and desire to obey lead them to courageously and articulately stand up to this crowd of people. Ultimately this crowds decision lead to dire consequences, but Joshua and Caleb were brought through these consequences. God used them despite the decision of the majority.

Application:

Whether or not we can win the argument that God wants us to make is not a factor in standing up for what is right. The potential that others may not listen to us should not keep us from making that argument. Just because it is God’s will or desire doesn’t ensure that the people will buy in. Yet, if it is what God wants us to say, we should say it clearly and passionately.

  • We should passionately pursue discovering what God desires.
  • We should passionately obey what God desires.
  • We should passionately proclaim what God desires.

Response:

  1. What scares you or keeps you from standing up for what is right?
  2. Are you a Joshua and Caleb, or are you a scared spy?
  3. Are you passionately pursuing, obeying and proclaiming God’s desires for your life?
numbers

Week 1: Day 5- Numbers 9:23

On By Ben JenningsIn DevotionalLeave a comment

Week 1 Passage: Numbers 9:15-23

At the commandment of the Lord they rested in the tents, and at the commandment of the Lord they journeyed; they kept the charge of the Lord, at the commandment of the Lord by the hand of Moses.

Numbers 9:23

Explanation

God’s commandments in this passage are connected to his presence and leading. Two actions are summarized here- journeying and resting. There was a time for work and there was a time for rest. The commands came through His relationship to them.

The cloud and the pillar rested at the tabernacle. This was the place that God accepted their sacrifices and atoned for their sin. This was all a picture of the coming Christ- the lamb of God that would take away the sin of the world.

This entire section is a chiasm with the focus being obedience:

  • A- At the command of the Lord the people would camp (18)
    • B- The people would not journey as long as the cloud continued. (19)
      • X- They would remain and journey by the cloud (20)
      • X- They would remain and journey by the cloud (21)
    • B- The people would not journey as long as the cloud continued. (22)
  • A- At the command ofthe Lord the people would remained encamped. (23)

Application

Redemption can not come through our obedience, but because of Christ’s obedience we can receive redemption. Redemption always should lead to obedeince. Look to the great commission. God calls us to teach them “to observe all things I have commanded you.”

God elected to give the promises and covenants through Israel. he chose to reveal Himself to them. As a result of that election He rightly demands obedience. Obedience to Him was always what was best for them.

So it is with us. When we respond to God’s offer of forgiveness, He redeems us and puts us into His family. As a loving Father he desires obedience from us and for us. The good news is that He also empowers and enables us to do it by His Word and the indwelling Holy Spirit. This leads to His glory being magnified by our lives!

Response

  1. Is God being honored in your life by obedience to His leading?
  2. Is there any area of your life where you aren’t honoring the Lord?

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Week 1: Day 4- Numbers 9:20-22

On By Ben JenningsIn DevotionalLeave a comment

Week 1 Passage: Numbers 9:15-23

And so it was, when the cloud was a few days on the tabernacle according to the commandment of the Lord they abode in the tents, and according to the commandment of the Lord they journeyed. And so it was, when the cloud abode from evening unto morning, and that the cloud was taken up in the morning, then they journeyed: whether it was by day or by night that the cloud was taken up, they journeyed. Or whether it was two days, or a month, or a year, that the cloud tarried upon the tabernacle, remaining thereon, the children of Israel abode in their tents, and journeyed not; but when it was taken up, they journeyed.

Numbers 9:20-22

Explanation:

This explained the circumstances in which obedience was demanded by the presence of the Lord.

  1. Obedience at any time of the day- morning, noon, or night.
  2. Obedience in waiting for 2 days, a month, or a year, or in traveling every day. There was no printed agenda. Where would they be next Thursday at 9am? Wherever the cloud was. They abode with God and God provided direction, protection and affection.

Application

Just like them, I don’t have a printed out “God Calendar”. I can make plans, but the Lord orders my steps. I should ask him to intervene. I do this by being with God every day, and letting him abide in me.

Response

  • I am going to pray for God’s direction.
  • I should be courageous and wise in my obedience to Him today.
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Week 1: Day 3- Numbers 9:19

On By Ben JenningsIn DevotionalLeave a comment

Week 1 Passage: Numbers 9:15-23

And when the cloud tarried long upon the tabernacle many days, then the children of Israel kept the charge of the Lord, and journeyed not.

Explanation:

When the presence of the Lord, represented by the cloud and the fire, rested in one spot, then the people would “keep watch” over it.  They wanted to see  if and when it would move.  This “keeping watch” was not just done by a specially appointed person, although we do know that there was a levitical “guard duty”.  Here it describes those as watching as the children of Israel more generally.  Obedience to God was being executed to both exacting and complete.

Application:

There is a growing part to waiting.  God did not necessarily reveal to them why He moved.   He did not move only at certain times.  He did not answer to them.  They answered to Him and obeyed him in his movement.

They like us, have to be willing to wait on God and yet be active and faithful while we are patiently waiting.  There is an active waiting that is necessary.  We need to “keep watch” over what God wants us to do to move us or keep us in any given situation.  We must actively wait.

Response:

  • Pray- God, let me be open to your direction and presence in my life as I seek you in prayer and study.
  • Be active in doing what you know you ought to do, even though we don’t always know God’s timing more specifically.