Deuteronomy 11
In this chapter, it’s very clear cut on what God has instructed Moses. The command of the Lord is to OBEY His words.
As it is written: 8 Observe therefore all the commands I am giving you today, so that you may have the strength to go in and take over the land that you are crossing the Jordan to possess, 9 and so that you may live long in the land that the LORD swore to your forefathers to give to them and their descendants, a land flowing with milk and honey.
The lands that we are going to over take are the hearts of the people out there; winning the hearts of pre-believers; showing them God’s love in our lives.
13 So if you faithfully obey the commands I am giving you today—to love the LORD your God and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul-
14 then I will send rain on your land in its season, both autumn and spring rains, so that you may gather in your grain, new wine and oil.
15 I will provide grass in the fields for your cattle, and you will eat and be satisfied.
Deuteronomy 12
God is our Father.
In this chapter, it’s really wonderful as you read it. It’s like a father telling and teaching his kids about the ways of life, the values and principles of life.
Likewise, God is teaching us about serving Him. We do not have to follow the ways of the world, but follow God’s ways. As we follow His ways, He will bless us and enlarge our territory.
31 You must not worship the LORD your God in their way, because in worshiping their gods, they do all kinds of detestable things the LORD hates. They even burn their sons and daughters in the fire as sacrifices to their gods.
Deuteronomy 13
Our God is a jealous God, but merciful God.
4 It is the LORD your God you must follow, and him you must revere. Keep his commands and obey him; serve him and hold fast to him.
As we look deeper into every versus, you will realize that there is an Egypt in most of our lives that God has brought us out.
Well, a very short testimony:
My Egypt was when I was in ITE all the way to my motorbike accident. Wasn’t living the way a Christian should be, wasn’t talking the way I should be, wasn’t portraying a Christ like attitude. Because of this childishness, I got myself into trouble outside, but thank God, no records. I was a slave to my bad attitude, harsh mouth, bad temperedness and pride. God had to break my life to bring me out from Egypt.
5 That prophet or dreamer must be put to death, because he preached rebellion against the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt and redeemed you from the land of slavery; he has tried to turn you from the way the LORD your God commanded you to follow. You must purge the evil from among you.
This chapter also speaks about the family. As brothers and sisters, we should be supporting one another in the word of God, growing deep in Him together and not encouraging one another in evil thoughts or actions.
6 If your very own brother, or your son or daughter, or the wife you love, or your closest friend secretly entices you, saying, "Let us go and worship other gods" (gods that neither you nor your fathers have known,
7 gods of the peoples around you, whether near or far, from one end of the land to the other), 8 do not yield to him or listen to him. Show him no pity. Do not spare him or shield him.
Thursday, March 15, 2007
Wednesday, March 14, 2007
Deuteronomy 8-10 (14th Mar) - James
Chapter 8
It is explained to the Israelites that God chose to chasten them as a father chastens his son. Although they’ll in the wilderness for forty years, the lord provided for them and watched over them. Are you going through the wilderness in your life? Remember God, as he allowed you to go through this wilderness so that you’ll be tested and be humbled. Once this period of your life is over, prepare for His victory which He will bring to you. Even then, do not forget the Lord by not keeping his commandments.
Chapter 9
Are there challenges that lie before you, seemingly too big or unattainable? Are conquering these challenges the victory that you crave for in your life? Remember to commit them to God because He fights for you. However, do not be complacent that the victory belongs to you because you deserve them or because you’re righteous. God calls the Israelites a stiff-necked people and it’s because the Israelites were stubborn and refuses to bend to God’s will.
Chapter 10
This chapter talks about the 2nd set of tablets and what God requires of us in regards to the law. You’ll realize that He asks "…fear the lord your god, to walk in all his ways and to love Him, to serve the lord your god with all your heart and with all your soul, and to keep the commandments of the Lord and His statutes which I command you today for your good." It urges us to circumcise the foreskins of our heart (calls for a commitment to be obedient to the will of God) and be stiff-necked no longer.
It is explained to the Israelites that God chose to chasten them as a father chastens his son. Although they’ll in the wilderness for forty years, the lord provided for them and watched over them. Are you going through the wilderness in your life? Remember God, as he allowed you to go through this wilderness so that you’ll be tested and be humbled. Once this period of your life is over, prepare for His victory which He will bring to you. Even then, do not forget the Lord by not keeping his commandments.
Chapter 9
Are there challenges that lie before you, seemingly too big or unattainable? Are conquering these challenges the victory that you crave for in your life? Remember to commit them to God because He fights for you. However, do not be complacent that the victory belongs to you because you deserve them or because you’re righteous. God calls the Israelites a stiff-necked people and it’s because the Israelites were stubborn and refuses to bend to God’s will.
Chapter 10
This chapter talks about the 2nd set of tablets and what God requires of us in regards to the law. You’ll realize that He asks "…fear the lord your god, to walk in all his ways and to love Him, to serve the lord your god with all your heart and with all your soul, and to keep the commandments of the Lord and His statutes which I command you today for your good." It urges us to circumcise the foreskins of our heart (calls for a commitment to be obedient to the will of God) and be stiff-necked no longer.
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
Deuteronomy 5-7 (13th Mar) - Karen
The Ten Commandments
Most of us would be familiar with these 10 sacred laws that Moses commanded to the Israelites when they came out of Egypt at Mount Sinai. If you do not know what they are, do take time to read, learn and follow them as these Commandments are God’s standards for right living. To obey them is to obey God.
We know that Obedience is better than sacrifice, because God looks at the heart and your desire to please Him moves the heart of God.
If we read closely, Moses did provide a suggestion of how we can live by these simple principles, in order that we might have a growing relationship with God
To Hear – Absorb and accept information about God
To Learn – Understand its meaning and implications
To Follow – Put into action what we have leant and understood.
And now, here’s a Godly Challenge that I want to present to you:
Out of the 10, would you pull out one of the commandments that God is hardest for you in terms of obeying? Would you then covenant before God that you will obey Him in that commandment, and share this with a fellow sister/brother for accountability?
“Love the Lord your God will all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength….”
The central theme of the book of Deuteronomy is summarized in Chapter 6, verses 4 – 9. Here we are reminded to love God, think constantly about his commandments, teach his commandments to our children, and live each day by the guidelines in His word. The church provides a loving environment where we can learn eternal truths effectively. Thank God for livingstones – this is our family where we learn and grow together as a family in our relationship with God.
Most of us would be familiar with these 10 sacred laws that Moses commanded to the Israelites when they came out of Egypt at Mount Sinai. If you do not know what they are, do take time to read, learn and follow them as these Commandments are God’s standards for right living. To obey them is to obey God.
We know that Obedience is better than sacrifice, because God looks at the heart and your desire to please Him moves the heart of God.
If we read closely, Moses did provide a suggestion of how we can live by these simple principles, in order that we might have a growing relationship with God
To Hear – Absorb and accept information about God
To Learn – Understand its meaning and implications
To Follow – Put into action what we have leant and understood.
And now, here’s a Godly Challenge that I want to present to you:
Out of the 10, would you pull out one of the commandments that God is hardest for you in terms of obeying? Would you then covenant before God that you will obey Him in that commandment, and share this with a fellow sister/brother for accountability?
“Love the Lord your God will all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength….”
The central theme of the book of Deuteronomy is summarized in Chapter 6, verses 4 – 9. Here we are reminded to love God, think constantly about his commandments, teach his commandments to our children, and live each day by the guidelines in His word. The church provides a loving environment where we can learn eternal truths effectively. Thank God for livingstones – this is our family where we learn and grow together as a family in our relationship with God.
Monday, March 12, 2007
Deuteronomy 3 - 4 (12th Mar) - Li Juan
Deuteronomy 3
The Lord said to Moses, “Do not be afraid of him, for I have handed him (Og King) over to you with his whole army and land…”
As compared to in Deut 2 when God said to Moses “Do not provoke them (descendents of Esau) to war for I will not give you any of their land, not even enough to put your foot on…”
Just a comparison between these 2 statements made, God is showing that if His hands is upon you, there will be victory. There are areas in our lives we have yet to claim the victory, but they are all in God’s plan already! So, what are you waiting for?
Seeing what the Lord has done to Og King and Sihon King (in Deut 2), Moses commanded Joshua “The Lord will do the same to all the kingdoms over there where you are going. Do not be afraid of them; for the Lord your God himself will fight for you.”
When God plans it, you know that you’re safe in His hands. There’s no room for fear to set in if you trusts God enough to fight for you! And He will!
Deuteronomy 4
What does obedience mean?
“Do not add to what I command you and do not subtract from it, but keep the commands of the Lord that I give you.”
Another verse which strucks me is “What other nations is so great as to have their gods near them the way the Lord our God is near us whenever we pray to him? And what other nation is so great as to have such righteous decrees and laws as this body of laws I am setting before you today?”
Wow do you see it? God is near us whenever we pray to him!
Our God is a jealous God. He never allows His people to worship anything kind of idols. This incurs in Him a great wrath against the people who worships idols, and they will no longer live but will certainly be destroyed.
However, our merciful God also gives us a second chance (but do not take it for granted!). The condition is “but if from there you seek the Lord your God, you will find him if you look for him with all your heart and with all your soul.” Life without God is certainly bitter and unbearable after you’ve tasted His goodness and enjoyed the intimacy with Him.
God proved Himself true through the many great and awesome deeds. Acknowledge and take it to heart this day that the Lord is God in heaven above and on the Earth below. There is no other.
The Lord said to Moses, “Do not be afraid of him, for I have handed him (Og King) over to you with his whole army and land…”
As compared to in Deut 2 when God said to Moses “Do not provoke them (descendents of Esau) to war for I will not give you any of their land, not even enough to put your foot on…”
Just a comparison between these 2 statements made, God is showing that if His hands is upon you, there will be victory. There are areas in our lives we have yet to claim the victory, but they are all in God’s plan already! So, what are you waiting for?
Seeing what the Lord has done to Og King and Sihon King (in Deut 2), Moses commanded Joshua “The Lord will do the same to all the kingdoms over there where you are going. Do not be afraid of them; for the Lord your God himself will fight for you.”
When God plans it, you know that you’re safe in His hands. There’s no room for fear to set in if you trusts God enough to fight for you! And He will!
Deuteronomy 4
What does obedience mean?
“Do not add to what I command you and do not subtract from it, but keep the commands of the Lord that I give you.”
Another verse which strucks me is “What other nations is so great as to have their gods near them the way the Lord our God is near us whenever we pray to him? And what other nation is so great as to have such righteous decrees and laws as this body of laws I am setting before you today?”
Wow do you see it? God is near us whenever we pray to him!
Our God is a jealous God. He never allows His people to worship anything kind of idols. This incurs in Him a great wrath against the people who worships idols, and they will no longer live but will certainly be destroyed.
However, our merciful God also gives us a second chance (but do not take it for granted!). The condition is “but if from there you seek the Lord your God, you will find him if you look for him with all your heart and with all your soul.” Life without God is certainly bitter and unbearable after you’ve tasted His goodness and enjoyed the intimacy with Him.
God proved Himself true through the many great and awesome deeds. Acknowledge and take it to heart this day that the Lord is God in heaven above and on the Earth below. There is no other.
Sunday, March 11, 2007
Deuteronomy 1-2 (11th Mar) - Vivien
A short summary of Deuteronomy, extracted from The Student Bible (NIV):
This book contains 3 of Moses’ speeches:
1) Chapter 1 – 3: a recapped of God’s dealings with Israel.
2) Chapter 4 – 26: the longest speech, which talks about moral and civil code that the Israelites have agreed to keep. Along with the laws, reminders, object lessons, personal outburst were included by him.
3) Chapter 27 – 33: the final summing up and farewell speech.
So for today as we read Chapter 1 and 2, we might find certain incidents familiar… a déjà vu? Haha… no lah… Moses is speaking to the new generation that were allowed into the Promised Land. So it is like a grandfather telling story to his grandchildren. I think one reason he did that was because those events that took place occurred when they were still too young to understand or remember. Knowing that he would not be entering the Promised Land and time on earth was up soon; he decided to take the trouble to tell a very long story hoping that the new generation would not fall into the same mistakes made by their fathers. It must have been tiring for Moses to tell this story that can be emotionally wrecking, especially knowing the fact that he would die without entering the Promised Land.
To all the young ones, listening is an important skill to adopt. Don’t be turned off immediately if somebody shares with you his or her old grandfather story. There are usually precious lessons to learn from.
This book contains 3 of Moses’ speeches:
1) Chapter 1 – 3: a recapped of God’s dealings with Israel.
2) Chapter 4 – 26: the longest speech, which talks about moral and civil code that the Israelites have agreed to keep. Along with the laws, reminders, object lessons, personal outburst were included by him.
3) Chapter 27 – 33: the final summing up and farewell speech.
So for today as we read Chapter 1 and 2, we might find certain incidents familiar… a déjà vu? Haha… no lah… Moses is speaking to the new generation that were allowed into the Promised Land. So it is like a grandfather telling story to his grandchildren. I think one reason he did that was because those events that took place occurred when they were still too young to understand or remember. Knowing that he would not be entering the Promised Land and time on earth was up soon; he decided to take the trouble to tell a very long story hoping that the new generation would not fall into the same mistakes made by their fathers. It must have been tiring for Moses to tell this story that can be emotionally wrecking, especially knowing the fact that he would die without entering the Promised Land.
To all the young ones, listening is an important skill to adopt. Don’t be turned off immediately if somebody shares with you his or her old grandfather story. There are usually precious lessons to learn from.
Saturday, March 10, 2007
Numbers 35 - 36 (10th Mar) - Stephanie
Numbers 35
Towns for the Levites
The Lord’s command for the Israelites is to provide 48 towns for the Levites to dwell in. If you recall in Num 18:20, the Levites had no “state” or “province” within Israel and their inheritance was to be God alone. Yet God provided and commanded for Israel to give to the Levites in the proportion of the inheritance that each tribe possessed (Num 35:8), not only towns for the Levites to dwell in but pasturelands for their cattle, flocks and other livestocks as well.
Cities of Refuge
We all know that “Thou shall not murder” is the sixth of the Ten Commandments. Here, we look further on acts which amount to murder (v16-21), acts which do not amount to murder but manslaughter (v22-24), laws in ascertaining murder (v30-32) and the penalty for murder (v33-34).
Of the 48 towns, 6 were to be cities of refuge (3 on each side of Jordan and Canaan – evenly distributed with proper roads built to provide easy access for all, see Joshua 20:7-8 and Deuteronomy 19:3), designated as places where someone who had accidentally killed another could escape to from the vengeance of outraged relatives or friends of the victim. There, they could safely await trial to officially determine their guilt or innocence. These cities were not places to escape justice, but rather places that saw justice to be done.
In the same way, the cities of refuge reminded me that God Himself is our refuge. I believe that there were surely times where we have been wrongly accused or misunderstood by others and as a result find ourselves in threatening situations. The good news is this - God looks after those being wrongly accused or misunderstood, those who inadvertently got into trouble and thus became most vulnerable to the anger of others.
While not glossing over the wrong done, God makes sure that things do not go from bad to worse through unjust punishments. The society we live in today may not have literal cities, to which we can flee to, yet we must always remember that we can always flee to God who truly cares for us because through Him, all of us can find refuge no matter how threatening our circumstances may be.
Numbers 36
Having thought through the implications of women inheriting tribal land and then marrying into another tribe, the relatives of Zelophehad (Num 27:1-11) realized that his daughters' land would eventually go to the tribes of their husbands. The Lord’s command then is for Zelophehad’s daughters to marry within their own tribe. In this way, no inheritance in Israel is to pass from one tribe to another, for each Israelite tribe is to keep the land it inherits.
Hence, Zelophehad’s daughters all married within the clans of the descendents of Manasseh son of Joseph and their inheritance continued to remain in their father’s clan and tribe.
Towns for the Levites
The Lord’s command for the Israelites is to provide 48 towns for the Levites to dwell in. If you recall in Num 18:20, the Levites had no “state” or “province” within Israel and their inheritance was to be God alone. Yet God provided and commanded for Israel to give to the Levites in the proportion of the inheritance that each tribe possessed (Num 35:8), not only towns for the Levites to dwell in but pasturelands for their cattle, flocks and other livestocks as well.
Cities of Refuge
We all know that “Thou shall not murder” is the sixth of the Ten Commandments. Here, we look further on acts which amount to murder (v16-21), acts which do not amount to murder but manslaughter (v22-24), laws in ascertaining murder (v30-32) and the penalty for murder (v33-34).
Of the 48 towns, 6 were to be cities of refuge (3 on each side of Jordan and Canaan – evenly distributed with proper roads built to provide easy access for all, see Joshua 20:7-8 and Deuteronomy 19:3), designated as places where someone who had accidentally killed another could escape to from the vengeance of outraged relatives or friends of the victim. There, they could safely await trial to officially determine their guilt or innocence. These cities were not places to escape justice, but rather places that saw justice to be done.
In the same way, the cities of refuge reminded me that God Himself is our refuge. I believe that there were surely times where we have been wrongly accused or misunderstood by others and as a result find ourselves in threatening situations. The good news is this - God looks after those being wrongly accused or misunderstood, those who inadvertently got into trouble and thus became most vulnerable to the anger of others.
While not glossing over the wrong done, God makes sure that things do not go from bad to worse through unjust punishments. The society we live in today may not have literal cities, to which we can flee to, yet we must always remember that we can always flee to God who truly cares for us because through Him, all of us can find refuge no matter how threatening our circumstances may be.
Numbers 36
Having thought through the implications of women inheriting tribal land and then marrying into another tribe, the relatives of Zelophehad (Num 27:1-11) realized that his daughters' land would eventually go to the tribes of their husbands. The Lord’s command then is for Zelophehad’s daughters to marry within their own tribe. In this way, no inheritance in Israel is to pass from one tribe to another, for each Israelite tribe is to keep the land it inherits.
Hence, Zelophehad’s daughters all married within the clans of the descendents of Manasseh son of Joseph and their inheritance continued to remain in their father’s clan and tribe.
Friday, March 09, 2007
Numbers 33 - 34 (9th Mar) - Madeline
Numbers 33 & 34
My first impression when I read chapter 33:50-56. What a harsh command... to drive out the Canaanites.... which ended off we a 'threat' in vs 56.
Began to read my study bible.
Why were the Isralites told to destory the people living in Canaan?
1) God was stamping out the wickedness of an extremely sinful nation. The Canaanites brought on their own punishment. Idol worship expressed their deepest evil desires, which led to the worship of Satan and rejection of God.
2) God wanted to remove all trace of pagan beliefs & pratices from the land. He did not want his people to mix or compromise with idolatry.
Application:
- Be harsh, really harsh, to the sins in our lives.
Don't be hesitant to DRIVE SINS OUT of your life.
- Pray for our family, friends & nation to accept the Lord and STOP THEIR IDOL WORSHIP... which is extremely hurtful to God. :(
Chapter 34...
What can I say... God gives super super detailed & clear instructions to His people!
My first impression when I read chapter 33:50-56. What a harsh command... to drive out the Canaanites.... which ended off we a 'threat' in vs 56.
Began to read my study bible.
Why were the Isralites told to destory the people living in Canaan?
1) God was stamping out the wickedness of an extremely sinful nation. The Canaanites brought on their own punishment. Idol worship expressed their deepest evil desires, which led to the worship of Satan and rejection of God.
2) God wanted to remove all trace of pagan beliefs & pratices from the land. He did not want his people to mix or compromise with idolatry.
Application:
- Be harsh, really harsh, to the sins in our lives.
Don't be hesitant to DRIVE SINS OUT of your life.
- Pray for our family, friends & nation to accept the Lord and STOP THEIR IDOL WORSHIP... which is extremely hurtful to God. :(
Chapter 34...
What can I say... God gives super super detailed & clear instructions to His people!
Thursday, March 08, 2007
Wednesday, March 07, 2007
Tuesday, March 06, 2007
Numbers 26 - 27 (6th Mar) - Weiling
Numbers 26, 27
Coming Full Circle – The Second Census
In chapter 26, it feels as if everything had gone full circle. It seems so familiar. Once again, the Lord asked Moses to take a census of the whole Israelite community by their clans and families as what He had done in chapter 1. In fact, the name of the book (Numbers) was derived from the two numberings or countings of the Israelites during their 38 years of wandering in the wilderness. Surely it must be significant!
So why did God ask Moses to count them?
Like what pastor said on Feb 23, those involved in the military had to be counted to know their strength. The census took place as God was going to lead them into the Promised Land, Canaan. But after the first census, the Israelites did not enter into Canaan. They murmured and complained, “Why bring us out to suffer? We were better off in Egypt.” They rebelled and refused to go into Canaan because of the reports they heard and wanted to stone Moses and Aaron (Num 14: 10). They were stubborn, disobedient and ungrateful. As a result, it was 38 years of wandering in the wilderness, of long detours. In fact, they lived out their lives in the desert and did not live to enter into the Promised Land. Only their children would enjoy the fulfillment of the promise that had originally been theirs. “For the LORD had told those Israelites they would surely die in the desert, and not one of them was left except Caleb son of Jephunneh and Joshua son of Nun.”
Even Moses and Aaron did not enter into the Promised Land because they disobeyed God and did not trust Him enough honour Him as holy (They struck the rock twice for water instead of speaking to it.)
But here it was again – a second chance. God still wanted to bless them and still wanted to give them what He promised. Also, it meant that the wanderings in the wilderness have come to an end. God also chose Joshua, “in whom is the Spirit” to succeed Moses to lead the people into the Promised Land. (God led Moses to appoint Joshua in front of the congregation so that they would know he is the one chosen by God.) And with the appointment of new leader, it signified a new beginning, a new season. A season of conquest, of taking and possessing what God had promised – their inheritance.
Inheritance
The inheritance was distributed based on the number of names. "Take a census of the men twenty years old or more…”, “… who are able to serve in the army of Israel.” (Num 26: 2, 4) And so, it seems that the inheritance was only given to men above twenty who are able to fight. This means that it is probable that there are battles and wars coming up. Why else do you need people who are able to serve in the “army of Israel”? It seems fair enough that you give a share of inheritance to those who fight, those who are warriors.
But what about the ladies?
Is God “heavy-male-light-female”? :p It may appear a little unfair at first but notice that in Num 26: 2, the census was to be taken of the community by “families”. The names of the men counted represented their families. The inheritance was for the family. To substantiate this point, let’s look at Zelophehad’s daughters (Num 27: 1- 11). They were unable to claim any inheritance because they did not have any brothers and their father had passed away. There was no man to represent their family. But this is not what God wants. He does not want these ladies or their family to miss out on the inheritance. Not only did tell God Moses to give Zelophedad’s daughters their share of the inheritance, He told Moses to list it as a legal requirement (Num 27: 11).
How about the Levites?
In Num 26:62, it was specifically written, “…they were not counted along with the other Israelites because they received no inheritance among them.” The Levites are the ones who do the work at the Tent of Meeting and bear the responsibility for offenses against it. It is a lasting ordinance passed on from generation to generation. They will receive no inheritance among the Israelites. (Num 18: 23) They are really set apart for God in every sense. But God bless them and provide for them in giving them all the tithes in Israel as their inheritance in return for the work they do while serving at the Tent of Meeting. (Num 18: 21) Also, God said to them “I am your share and your inheritance among the Israelites.” (Num 18: 20) Isn’t that awesome? They don’t receive any inheritance like the rest of the Israelites, but God Himself is their inheritance. It’s really like the lines to a Christian hymn “He is my Everything, He is my all”. Often, we know it in our head and say it with our mouth but to truly know it in every sense and in our heart that: God alone is enough. That is awesome.
Coming Full Circle – The Second Census
In chapter 26, it feels as if everything had gone full circle. It seems so familiar. Once again, the Lord asked Moses to take a census of the whole Israelite community by their clans and families as what He had done in chapter 1. In fact, the name of the book (Numbers) was derived from the two numberings or countings of the Israelites during their 38 years of wandering in the wilderness. Surely it must be significant!
So why did God ask Moses to count them?
Like what pastor said on Feb 23, those involved in the military had to be counted to know their strength. The census took place as God was going to lead them into the Promised Land, Canaan. But after the first census, the Israelites did not enter into Canaan. They murmured and complained, “Why bring us out to suffer? We were better off in Egypt.” They rebelled and refused to go into Canaan because of the reports they heard and wanted to stone Moses and Aaron (Num 14: 10). They were stubborn, disobedient and ungrateful. As a result, it was 38 years of wandering in the wilderness, of long detours. In fact, they lived out their lives in the desert and did not live to enter into the Promised Land. Only their children would enjoy the fulfillment of the promise that had originally been theirs. “For the LORD had told those Israelites they would surely die in the desert, and not one of them was left except Caleb son of Jephunneh and Joshua son of Nun.”
Even Moses and Aaron did not enter into the Promised Land because they disobeyed God and did not trust Him enough honour Him as holy (They struck the rock twice for water instead of speaking to it.)
But here it was again – a second chance. God still wanted to bless them and still wanted to give them what He promised. Also, it meant that the wanderings in the wilderness have come to an end. God also chose Joshua, “in whom is the Spirit” to succeed Moses to lead the people into the Promised Land. (God led Moses to appoint Joshua in front of the congregation so that they would know he is the one chosen by God.) And with the appointment of new leader, it signified a new beginning, a new season. A season of conquest, of taking and possessing what God had promised – their inheritance.
Inheritance
The inheritance was distributed based on the number of names. "Take a census of the men twenty years old or more…”, “… who are able to serve in the army of Israel.” (Num 26: 2, 4) And so, it seems that the inheritance was only given to men above twenty who are able to fight. This means that it is probable that there are battles and wars coming up. Why else do you need people who are able to serve in the “army of Israel”? It seems fair enough that you give a share of inheritance to those who fight, those who are warriors.
But what about the ladies?
Is God “heavy-male-light-female”? :p It may appear a little unfair at first but notice that in Num 26: 2, the census was to be taken of the community by “families”. The names of the men counted represented their families. The inheritance was for the family. To substantiate this point, let’s look at Zelophehad’s daughters (Num 27: 1- 11). They were unable to claim any inheritance because they did not have any brothers and their father had passed away. There was no man to represent their family. But this is not what God wants. He does not want these ladies or their family to miss out on the inheritance. Not only did tell God Moses to give Zelophedad’s daughters their share of the inheritance, He told Moses to list it as a legal requirement (Num 27: 11).
How about the Levites?
In Num 26:62, it was specifically written, “…they were not counted along with the other Israelites because they received no inheritance among them.” The Levites are the ones who do the work at the Tent of Meeting and bear the responsibility for offenses against it. It is a lasting ordinance passed on from generation to generation. They will receive no inheritance among the Israelites. (Num 18: 23) They are really set apart for God in every sense. But God bless them and provide for them in giving them all the tithes in Israel as their inheritance in return for the work they do while serving at the Tent of Meeting. (Num 18: 21) Also, God said to them “I am your share and your inheritance among the Israelites.” (Num 18: 20) Isn’t that awesome? They don’t receive any inheritance like the rest of the Israelites, but God Himself is their inheritance. It’s really like the lines to a Christian hymn “He is my Everything, He is my all”. Often, we know it in our head and say it with our mouth but to truly know it in every sense and in our heart that: God alone is enough. That is awesome.
Monday, March 05, 2007
Nubers 23 - 25 (5th Mar)
Numbers 23
Balak ask Balaam to curse the Israelites. God met with Balaam and gave him word (v4, 5, 16). Instead of cursing, blessing came forth from the mouth of Balaam because he spoke what the Lord spoke to him for Israel and for Balak. God is always a God who promises. The promises He had given to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob still stand, v10 – “Who can count the dust of Jacob or number the fourth part of Israel?” v21 – “No misfortune is seen in Jacob, no misery observed in Israel. The Lord their God is with them; the shout of the King is among them.”
Numbers 24
Balak still don’t want to give up of Balaam. He still wanted Balaam to curse the Israelites and will handsomely reward Balaam if he will to do so. But again for the next 4 times, Balaam blessed Israelites according to what the Lord spoke to him. Total 6 times. Read v 5-7 about God’s hand over Israel.
v17 – A star will come out of Jacob
v 19 – A ruler will come out of Jacob
Numbers 25
The Moabite women seduced the Israelites into bowing down to other gods. God’s anger was with the Israelites who worshipped other gods, Baal of Poer, and He sent a plague killing 24,000. The plague was stopped because the priest was zealous for the honor of his God. (v10-13)
Balak ask Balaam to curse the Israelites. God met with Balaam and gave him word (v4, 5, 16). Instead of cursing, blessing came forth from the mouth of Balaam because he spoke what the Lord spoke to him for Israel and for Balak. God is always a God who promises. The promises He had given to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob still stand, v10 – “Who can count the dust of Jacob or number the fourth part of Israel?” v21 – “No misfortune is seen in Jacob, no misery observed in Israel. The Lord their God is with them; the shout of the King is among them.”
Numbers 24
Balak still don’t want to give up of Balaam. He still wanted Balaam to curse the Israelites and will handsomely reward Balaam if he will to do so. But again for the next 4 times, Balaam blessed Israelites according to what the Lord spoke to him. Total 6 times. Read v 5-7 about God’s hand over Israel.
v17 – A star will come out of Jacob
v 19 – A ruler will come out of Jacob
Numbers 25
The Moabite women seduced the Israelites into bowing down to other gods. God’s anger was with the Israelites who worshipped other gods, Baal of Poer, and He sent a plague killing 24,000. The plague was stopped because the priest was zealous for the honor of his God. (v10-13)
Sunday, March 04, 2007
Numbers 21 - 22 (4th Mar) - Vivien
Numbers 21
There are a few accounts just in this one chapter:
1) As the Israelites continued their journey to the Promise land, they were faced with enemies. Arad – where the Canaanite king was in control – attacked and captured some of the Israelites when they were moving along Atharim. However when the people prayed together, God gave them victory.
Similarly, as we journey through life to reach our destiny, there will be challenges ahead of us. It is not about how many attacks we have, but how we react to them. And prayers are powerful! I believe it pleased God a lot when He sees His people unite and fight for a common goal. And He is more than willing to give victories.
2) The next account is rather peculiar. The Israelites grew impatient and grumble against God and Moses. And notice they were very fond of looking back to their past. Every time they grumble, they would dig out the past and compare it with current situation. Don’t you feel irritated when time and again they took their past to complain about their current situation? Can you imagine? Somebody that you had done wrong to and you thought the air was cleared after a sincere apology. Years later an argument happened and that person started to dig out the past, and accuse you for the things done in the past. What has passed is indeed past. Whether good or bad. Looking back gives a sense of wanting to escape instead of facing the challenges. And of course, this give Satan a chance to attack us, which hinders us from God blessing.
The peculiar part is why did God ask Moses to make a snake and put it on a pole as a sign of Israel’s faith since earlier God forbade them to make a likeness “of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath” (Ex 20:4) But the image here was not intended as an idol for worship. It is a form of just testing their belief in God’s words. One example I can think of is, remember when you are young (yah… most of us are still rather young. Just think back with me when you were in your lower primary school days), when your friends told you that when you see a shooting star, quickly make a wish and it will come true (or actually some of us still believe in this myth right… =P) so we actually believed the words of our friends. So when the Israelites, who got bitten by the snake, look at the pole, they got healed not because there is power in the image, but because they believed in what God told them, which resulted in faith in God. However the sad part is that the image was misunderstood by later generation as an object of worship (2Kings18:4)
3) God was with them despite their unfaithfulness, and gave their enemies over to them. God really loved them.
Numbers 22
In this chapter, we meet with the Moabites, and when they heard the Israelites were coming, the king of Moab was terrified, as they were numerous. So he resorted to getting Balaam to curse Israel. However God spoke to him, and told him not to curse His people, he obeyed. However the king was persistent and God allow Balaam to go with them.
Now here is an appearance of the talking donkey! Can you imagine a talking animal? Yup, that’s the power of God. Here actually the donkey saved Balaam’s life. God is in control. Heard of people got saved from sharks by dolphins? Dogs saving lives? Mother gorilla putting a toddler to safety when he fell into the gorilla cage? God is in control.
If God is for us, who can be against us? Romans 8:31b =)
There are a few accounts just in this one chapter:
1) As the Israelites continued their journey to the Promise land, they were faced with enemies. Arad – where the Canaanite king was in control – attacked and captured some of the Israelites when they were moving along Atharim. However when the people prayed together, God gave them victory.
Similarly, as we journey through life to reach our destiny, there will be challenges ahead of us. It is not about how many attacks we have, but how we react to them. And prayers are powerful! I believe it pleased God a lot when He sees His people unite and fight for a common goal. And He is more than willing to give victories.
2) The next account is rather peculiar. The Israelites grew impatient and grumble against God and Moses. And notice they were very fond of looking back to their past. Every time they grumble, they would dig out the past and compare it with current situation. Don’t you feel irritated when time and again they took their past to complain about their current situation? Can you imagine? Somebody that you had done wrong to and you thought the air was cleared after a sincere apology. Years later an argument happened and that person started to dig out the past, and accuse you for the things done in the past. What has passed is indeed past. Whether good or bad. Looking back gives a sense of wanting to escape instead of facing the challenges. And of course, this give Satan a chance to attack us, which hinders us from God blessing.
The peculiar part is why did God ask Moses to make a snake and put it on a pole as a sign of Israel’s faith since earlier God forbade them to make a likeness “of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath” (Ex 20:4) But the image here was not intended as an idol for worship. It is a form of just testing their belief in God’s words. One example I can think of is, remember when you are young (yah… most of us are still rather young. Just think back with me when you were in your lower primary school days), when your friends told you that when you see a shooting star, quickly make a wish and it will come true (or actually some of us still believe in this myth right… =P) so we actually believed the words of our friends. So when the Israelites, who got bitten by the snake, look at the pole, they got healed not because there is power in the image, but because they believed in what God told them, which resulted in faith in God. However the sad part is that the image was misunderstood by later generation as an object of worship (2Kings18:4)
3) God was with them despite their unfaithfulness, and gave their enemies over to them. God really loved them.
Numbers 22
In this chapter, we meet with the Moabites, and when they heard the Israelites were coming, the king of Moab was terrified, as they were numerous. So he resorted to getting Balaam to curse Israel. However God spoke to him, and told him not to curse His people, he obeyed. However the king was persistent and God allow Balaam to go with them.
Now here is an appearance of the talking donkey! Can you imagine a talking animal? Yup, that’s the power of God. Here actually the donkey saved Balaam’s life. God is in control. Heard of people got saved from sharks by dolphins? Dogs saving lives? Mother gorilla putting a toddler to safety when he fell into the gorilla cage? God is in control.
If God is for us, who can be against us? Romans 8:31b =)
Saturday, March 03, 2007
Friday, March 02, 2007
Numbers 16 - 17 (2nd Mar) - Xiao Woon
Numbers 16
Rebellion against Moses and Aaron
Korah, with Dathan and Abiram, and 250 leaders of the congregation rebelled against Moses and Aaron. They asked Moses and Aaron why they exalted themselves above the congregation that is holy. Moses then fell on his face and told Korah and his company to take censers, put fire and incense in them before the Lord the next day, and that the Lord will show who is His and who is holy. Moses then rebuked them. He also sent to call Dathan and Abiram, yet they rebelled and argued with him. Moses was very angry and told God not to respect their offering.
Moses was very angry but he did not sin in his anger. He just prayed to God and told them to prepare for the next day. Each time we’re angry about something or at someone, let’s turn our anger to God instead and pray about it so that we will not sin.
The next day, the Lord appeared to the congregation and told Moses to tell the congregation to get away from the tents of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram. God split the ground and the earth swallowed them up (how creative can God be right? it’s like in the cartoons..amazing..). Through this, it is proven that the Lord has send Moses as they did not die naturally. The Lord then told Moses to tell Eleazar to pick up the censers out of the blaze and hammer out as a covering on the altar to remind the children of Israel.
We can see that Moses’ relationship with the Lord is really very close as he can speak so confidently to the congregation that if those men died naturally, the Lord has not sent him. He was very sure that the Lord has sent him. Let us also be close to God that we may hear Him speak so clearly that we can live our lives confidently knowing what He has for us and being certain that He has sent us out to do His work =)
Obey our leaders too. Don’t rebel against them or argue with them. Make their work easier. It’s also beneficial to us when we obey because we are obeying God when we obey our leaders.
Heb 13:17 – “Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you.”
Murmuring of the people
The children of Israel murmured against Moses and Aaron and God sent a plague to consume them. Aaron made atonement for the people and the plague stopped at the point he stood in (imagine those from the point after Aaron who didn’t die say ‘heng ah never die’).
This is madness. Even after what God had done to Korah and his company, the people still dared to talk bad about Moses and Aaron. They quite deserve the plague right? But nice Moses still wanted to make atonement for them. Don’t take God’s grace and mercy for granted.
Suddenly it dawned upon me that when we do what is right before the Lord, there’s bound to be people out there who will talk bad and gossip about us. But who cares! We live for God and as long as we are righteous before God, He will deal with those people in His time. So no worries!
Numbers 17
The Budding of Aaron’s rod
God told Moses to get a rod from each of the leaders, and for the rod of Levi to have Aaron’s name on it, then to place them in the Tabernacle of meeting before the Testimony. The rod of the man whom God choose will blossom so that the people will not murmur against Moses and Aaron. Aaron’s rod sprouted and put forth buds, with blossoms and ripe almonds.
God’s so smart. Indeed His ways are higher than our ways. He has His ways of doing things that we can never expect. He did this so as to shut the people up, to let them see that He has chosen Aaron. Glory to God. =)
Rebellion against Moses and Aaron
Korah, with Dathan and Abiram, and 250 leaders of the congregation rebelled against Moses and Aaron. They asked Moses and Aaron why they exalted themselves above the congregation that is holy. Moses then fell on his face and told Korah and his company to take censers, put fire and incense in them before the Lord the next day, and that the Lord will show who is His and who is holy. Moses then rebuked them. He also sent to call Dathan and Abiram, yet they rebelled and argued with him. Moses was very angry and told God not to respect their offering.
Moses was very angry but he did not sin in his anger. He just prayed to God and told them to prepare for the next day. Each time we’re angry about something or at someone, let’s turn our anger to God instead and pray about it so that we will not sin.
The next day, the Lord appeared to the congregation and told Moses to tell the congregation to get away from the tents of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram. God split the ground and the earth swallowed them up (how creative can God be right? it’s like in the cartoons..amazing..). Through this, it is proven that the Lord has send Moses as they did not die naturally. The Lord then told Moses to tell Eleazar to pick up the censers out of the blaze and hammer out as a covering on the altar to remind the children of Israel.
We can see that Moses’ relationship with the Lord is really very close as he can speak so confidently to the congregation that if those men died naturally, the Lord has not sent him. He was very sure that the Lord has sent him. Let us also be close to God that we may hear Him speak so clearly that we can live our lives confidently knowing what He has for us and being certain that He has sent us out to do His work =)
Obey our leaders too. Don’t rebel against them or argue with them. Make their work easier. It’s also beneficial to us when we obey because we are obeying God when we obey our leaders.
Heb 13:17 – “Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you.”
Murmuring of the people
The children of Israel murmured against Moses and Aaron and God sent a plague to consume them. Aaron made atonement for the people and the plague stopped at the point he stood in (imagine those from the point after Aaron who didn’t die say ‘heng ah never die’).
This is madness. Even after what God had done to Korah and his company, the people still dared to talk bad about Moses and Aaron. They quite deserve the plague right? But nice Moses still wanted to make atonement for them. Don’t take God’s grace and mercy for granted.
Suddenly it dawned upon me that when we do what is right before the Lord, there’s bound to be people out there who will talk bad and gossip about us. But who cares! We live for God and as long as we are righteous before God, He will deal with those people in His time. So no worries!
Numbers 17
The Budding of Aaron’s rod
God told Moses to get a rod from each of the leaders, and for the rod of Levi to have Aaron’s name on it, then to place them in the Tabernacle of meeting before the Testimony. The rod of the man whom God choose will blossom so that the people will not murmur against Moses and Aaron. Aaron’s rod sprouted and put forth buds, with blossoms and ripe almonds.
God’s so smart. Indeed His ways are higher than our ways. He has His ways of doing things that we can never expect. He did this so as to shut the people up, to let them see that He has chosen Aaron. Glory to God. =)
Numbers 16 - 17 (2nd Mar) - Xiao Woon
Numbers 16
Rebellion against Moses and Aaron
Korah, with Dathan and Abiram, and 250 leaders of the congregation rebelled against Moses and Aaron. They asked Moses and Aaron why they exalted themselves above the congregation that is holy. Moses then fell on his face and told Korah and his company to take censers, put fire and incense in them before the Lord the next day, and that the Lord will show who is His and who is holy. Moses then rebuked them. He also sent to call Dathan and Abiram, yet they rebelled and argued with him. Moses was very angry and told God not to respect their offering.
Moses was very angry but he did not sin in his anger. He just prayed to God and told them to prepare for the next day. Each time we’re angry about something or at someone, let’s turn our anger to God instead and pray about it so that we will not sin.
The next day, the Lord appeared to the congregation and told Moses to tell the congregation to get away from the tents of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram. God split the ground and the earth swallowed them up (how creative can God be right? it’s like in the cartoons..amazing..). Through this, it is proven that the Lord has send Moses as they did not die naturally. The Lord then told Moses to tell Eleazar to pick up the censers out of the blaze and hammer out as a covering on the altar to remind the children of Israel.
We can see that Moses’ relationship with the Lord is really very close as he can speak so confidently to the congregation that if those men died naturally, the Lord has not sent him. He was very sure that the Lord has sent him. Let us also be close to God that we may hear Him speak so clearly that we can live our lives confidently knowing what He has for us and being certain that He has sent us out to do His work =)
Obey our leaders too. Don’t rebel against them or argue with them. Make their work easier. It’s also beneficial to us when we obey because we are obeying God when we obey our leaders.
Heb 13:17 – “Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you.”
Murmuring of the people
The children of Israel murmured against Moses and Aaron and God sent a plague to consume them. Aaron made atonement for the people and the plague stopped at the point he stood in (imagine those from the point after Aaron who didn’t die say ‘heng ah never die’).
This is madness. Even after what God had done to Korah and his company, the people still dared to talk bad about Moses and Aaron. They quite deserve the plague right? But nice Moses still wanted to make atonement for them. Don’t take God’s grace and mercy for granted.
Suddenly it dawned upon me that when we do what is right before the Lord, there’s bound to be people out there who will talk bad and gossip about us. But who cares! We live for God and as long as we are righteous before God, He will deal with those people in His time. So no worries!
Numbers 17
The Budding of Aaron’s rod
God told Moses to get a rod from each of the leaders, and for the rod of Levi to have Aaron’s name on it, then to place them in the Tabernacle of meeting before the Testimony. The rod of the man whom God choose will blossom so that the people will not murmur against Moses and Aaron. Aaron’s rod sprouted and put forth buds, with blossoms and ripe almonds.
God’s so smart. Indeed His ways are higher than our ways. He has His ways of doing things that we can never expect. He did this so as to shut the people up, to let them see that He has chosen Aaron. Glory to God. =)
Rebellion against Moses and Aaron
Korah, with Dathan and Abiram, and 250 leaders of the congregation rebelled against Moses and Aaron. They asked Moses and Aaron why they exalted themselves above the congregation that is holy. Moses then fell on his face and told Korah and his company to take censers, put fire and incense in them before the Lord the next day, and that the Lord will show who is His and who is holy. Moses then rebuked them. He also sent to call Dathan and Abiram, yet they rebelled and argued with him. Moses was very angry and told God not to respect their offering.
Moses was very angry but he did not sin in his anger. He just prayed to God and told them to prepare for the next day. Each time we’re angry about something or at someone, let’s turn our anger to God instead and pray about it so that we will not sin.
The next day, the Lord appeared to the congregation and told Moses to tell the congregation to get away from the tents of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram. God split the ground and the earth swallowed them up (how creative can God be right? it’s like in the cartoons..amazing..). Through this, it is proven that the Lord has send Moses as they did not die naturally. The Lord then told Moses to tell Eleazar to pick up the censers out of the blaze and hammer out as a covering on the altar to remind the children of Israel.
We can see that Moses’ relationship with the Lord is really very close as he can speak so confidently to the congregation that if those men died naturally, the Lord has not sent him. He was very sure that the Lord has sent him. Let us also be close to God that we may hear Him speak so clearly that we can live our lives confidently knowing what He has for us and being certain that He has sent us out to do His work =)
Obey our leaders too. Don’t rebel against them or argue with them. Make their work easier. It’s also beneficial to us when we obey because we are obeying God when we obey our leaders.
Heb 13:17 – “Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you.”
Murmuring of the people
The children of Israel murmured against Moses and Aaron and God sent a plague to consume them. Aaron made atonement for the people and the plague stopped at the point he stood in (imagine those from the point after Aaron who didn’t die say ‘heng ah never die’).
This is madness. Even after what God had done to Korah and his company, the people still dared to talk bad about Moses and Aaron. They quite deserve the plague right? But nice Moses still wanted to make atonement for them. Don’t take God’s grace and mercy for granted.
Suddenly it dawned upon me that when we do what is right before the Lord, there’s bound to be people out there who will talk bad and gossip about us. But who cares! We live for God and as long as we are righteous before God, He will deal with those people in His time. So no worries!
Numbers 17
The Budding of Aaron’s rod
God told Moses to get a rod from each of the leaders, and for the rod of Levi to have Aaron’s name on it, then to place them in the Tabernacle of meeting before the Testimony. The rod of the man whom God choose will blossom so that the people will not murmur against Moses and Aaron. Aaron’s rod sprouted and put forth buds, with blossoms and ripe almonds.
God’s so smart. Indeed His ways are higher than our ways. He has His ways of doing things that we can never expect. He did this so as to shut the people up, to let them see that He has chosen Aaron. Glory to God. =)
Thursday, March 01, 2007
Numbers 14 - 15, Psalms 90 (1st Mar) - Kelvin
Numbers 14
Over here, we see a similar situation happening back in the book of Exodus; the Israelites are grumbling again! I cannot believe this myself but God reminded me that many of us are actually like them sometimes if we look into the 'mirror'.
In verse 33 of chapter 13, those who went to explore the land realised the people were bigger size than themselves and they were so afraid and without fighting, they already think they are bound to lose. A similar comparison would be sometimes, we think that we are not as good as the ' ang mohs' because they are much better in terms of physique and strength.
Of course, my focus here is not about all these but on the fact that the Israelites do trust the Lord. They do not trust Him as who He demostrated Himself to them as - a God full of miracles. They even thought of stoning Caleb and Joshua who were full of faith in the Lord. As a result,the Israelites lost the Greater Blessing of the Lord.
Therefore, brothers and sisters, let us not trust the Lord partially because it is still disobedience and preferring to do things according to what we see and not according to what we cannot see - which is the work of the Lord.
Numbers 15
Here, the Lord prepares the Israelites on the offerings which they are commanded to do after they enter the land which He is giving to them.
Psalms 90
The way which Moses pray to God is just so beautiful. It shows depth and understanding of the Lord's character. It reveals the Glory of God and His Justice to me. Out of righteouness, He displays kindness to Moses and his people. Surely, from the way Moses pray to God, he knows Him as a loving God who is willing to bless us. The Lord is good, so let us walk with Him with a prayerful life.
Over here, we see a similar situation happening back in the book of Exodus; the Israelites are grumbling again! I cannot believe this myself but God reminded me that many of us are actually like them sometimes if we look into the 'mirror'.
In verse 33 of chapter 13, those who went to explore the land realised the people were bigger size than themselves and they were so afraid and without fighting, they already think they are bound to lose. A similar comparison would be sometimes, we think that we are not as good as the ' ang mohs' because they are much better in terms of physique and strength.
Of course, my focus here is not about all these but on the fact that the Israelites do trust the Lord. They do not trust Him as who He demostrated Himself to them as - a God full of miracles. They even thought of stoning Caleb and Joshua who were full of faith in the Lord. As a result,the Israelites lost the Greater Blessing of the Lord.
Therefore, brothers and sisters, let us not trust the Lord partially because it is still disobedience and preferring to do things according to what we see and not according to what we cannot see - which is the work of the Lord.
Numbers 15
Here, the Lord prepares the Israelites on the offerings which they are commanded to do after they enter the land which He is giving to them.
Psalms 90
The way which Moses pray to God is just so beautiful. It shows depth and understanding of the Lord's character. It reveals the Glory of God and His Justice to me. Out of righteouness, He displays kindness to Moses and his people. Surely, from the way Moses pray to God, he knows Him as a loving God who is willing to bless us. The Lord is good, so let us walk with Him with a prayerful life.
Wednesday, February 28, 2007
Numbers 11 - 13 (28th Feb) - Xiao Woon
Numbers 11
The People Complain
The children of Israel complained about the food that God provided for them. They had intense craving for meat and they wept. They compared with the food they had back in Egypt and kept complaining. God’s anger was greatly aroused. Moses was also displeased when he heard them weeping. Moses then blamed God, saying that God gave him the burden of the people which is too heavy for him to bear.
God provided them with manna, yet they complained. Sometimes we are just so irritating. When God provides us with something, we are not contented and do not thank God for providing but instead ask for more. Let us not de2 cun4 jin4 chi3 with God…
Do we blame God too? At times when we face trials and tribulations, do we not look to God for help and thank God for the circumstances in which we can learn from, but instead blame Him for whatever that we are facing?
It is so easy to complain and blame God for something bad that happened in our lives for it is in our sinful nature to do so. However, always remember that everything happens for a reason. God will not let us suffer so that He can be happy in our sufferings (He is not sadistic)…but He allowed/placed circumstances in our lives so that we may learn from them, and to help mould our characters.
Let’s not complain/blame, but give thanks to God for EVERYTHING. It is not easy to give thanks in our problems, but let us try our best to do so=)
The Seventy Elders
The Lord told Moses to gather seventy elders to the tabernacle of meeting so that He may speak to them. The Lord told Moses that He will take of the Spirit upon Moses and will put upon the elders, that they may bear the burden of the people with him. He also told Moses to tell the people to sanctify themselves and they will eat meat for a whole month, until it comes out of their nostrils (imagine meat coming out of your nose!) and becomes loathsome to them. Sense the Lord’s anger in His tone of speaking about this.
Moses doubted God’s ability to provide the meat for so many people and God just told him to see if His word is true.
The Lord sends Quail
The Lord brought quail through a wind and the people gathered the quail, but before they could chew it, the Lord struck them with a great plague. (Imagine u die at the moment u were able to bite the food that u craved for. Sian right.)
The Lord is good to Moses despite him blaming Him. He lightened his load by spreading the burden to the elders. Let us not take God’s goodness for granted. Never doubt God’s ability! He is not called Lord Almighty for nothing! He is the God of miracles!
Numbers 12
Dissension of Aaron and Miriam
Aaron and Miriam spoke against Moses. The anger of the Lord was aroused and Miriam became leprous when the cloud departed from above the tabernacle. Moses cried out for God to heal her. God shut her out of the camp for seven days then she was brought in again.
Let us not speak against anyone so that we may be right before God. Don’t wait till God teaches us a lesson then we realize that we’ve sinned. Always keep check of the words we speak out and our actions so that we may be right before God.
Numbers 13
Spies sent into Canaan
God told Moses to send men to spy out the land of Canaan, which He is giving to the children of Israel. So Moses sent men who were heads of the children of Israel. They returned from spying out the land after forty days and brought back word to them and showed them the fruit of the land. They told Moses that the land indeed flows with milk and honey, that the people there are strong, the cities are fortified and very large. Caleb said they should go up and take possession of the land, for they can certainly do it. But the men who gone up with him said that those people were stronger than the Israelites. They then spread a bad report of the land to the Israelites, saying that it is a land that devours its inhabitants.
Verse 33: “We saw the Nephilim there (the descendants of Anak come from the Nephilim). We seemed like grasshoppers in our own eyes, and we looked the same to them.”
Rev Melyvn Mak once mentioned this verse and the learning point was that what u perceived yourself to be will be what others perceive of you. So if you see yourself as someone small and easily defeated, then you will appear small in the way you portray yourself and people will then see you as small and easily defeated.
Do not look down on yourself. You are a son/daughter of God! Not by might, not by power, but by the Spirit of God that we can do what we cannot on our own =)
Praise the Lord! =)
The People Complain
The children of Israel complained about the food that God provided for them. They had intense craving for meat and they wept. They compared with the food they had back in Egypt and kept complaining. God’s anger was greatly aroused. Moses was also displeased when he heard them weeping. Moses then blamed God, saying that God gave him the burden of the people which is too heavy for him to bear.
God provided them with manna, yet they complained. Sometimes we are just so irritating. When God provides us with something, we are not contented and do not thank God for providing but instead ask for more. Let us not de2 cun4 jin4 chi3 with God…
Do we blame God too? At times when we face trials and tribulations, do we not look to God for help and thank God for the circumstances in which we can learn from, but instead blame Him for whatever that we are facing?
It is so easy to complain and blame God for something bad that happened in our lives for it is in our sinful nature to do so. However, always remember that everything happens for a reason. God will not let us suffer so that He can be happy in our sufferings (He is not sadistic)…but He allowed/placed circumstances in our lives so that we may learn from them, and to help mould our characters.
Let’s not complain/blame, but give thanks to God for EVERYTHING. It is not easy to give thanks in our problems, but let us try our best to do so=)
The Seventy Elders
The Lord told Moses to gather seventy elders to the tabernacle of meeting so that He may speak to them. The Lord told Moses that He will take of the Spirit upon Moses and will put upon the elders, that they may bear the burden of the people with him. He also told Moses to tell the people to sanctify themselves and they will eat meat for a whole month, until it comes out of their nostrils (imagine meat coming out of your nose!) and becomes loathsome to them. Sense the Lord’s anger in His tone of speaking about this.
Moses doubted God’s ability to provide the meat for so many people and God just told him to see if His word is true.
The Lord sends Quail
The Lord brought quail through a wind and the people gathered the quail, but before they could chew it, the Lord struck them with a great plague. (Imagine u die at the moment u were able to bite the food that u craved for. Sian right.)
The Lord is good to Moses despite him blaming Him. He lightened his load by spreading the burden to the elders. Let us not take God’s goodness for granted. Never doubt God’s ability! He is not called Lord Almighty for nothing! He is the God of miracles!
Numbers 12
Dissension of Aaron and Miriam
Aaron and Miriam spoke against Moses. The anger of the Lord was aroused and Miriam became leprous when the cloud departed from above the tabernacle. Moses cried out for God to heal her. God shut her out of the camp for seven days then she was brought in again.
Let us not speak against anyone so that we may be right before God. Don’t wait till God teaches us a lesson then we realize that we’ve sinned. Always keep check of the words we speak out and our actions so that we may be right before God.
Numbers 13
Spies sent into Canaan
God told Moses to send men to spy out the land of Canaan, which He is giving to the children of Israel. So Moses sent men who were heads of the children of Israel. They returned from spying out the land after forty days and brought back word to them and showed them the fruit of the land. They told Moses that the land indeed flows with milk and honey, that the people there are strong, the cities are fortified and very large. Caleb said they should go up and take possession of the land, for they can certainly do it. But the men who gone up with him said that those people were stronger than the Israelites. They then spread a bad report of the land to the Israelites, saying that it is a land that devours its inhabitants.
Verse 33: “We saw the Nephilim there (the descendants of Anak come from the Nephilim). We seemed like grasshoppers in our own eyes, and we looked the same to them.”
Rev Melyvn Mak once mentioned this verse and the learning point was that what u perceived yourself to be will be what others perceive of you. So if you see yourself as someone small and easily defeated, then you will appear small in the way you portray yourself and people will then see you as small and easily defeated.
Do not look down on yourself. You are a son/daughter of God! Not by might, not by power, but by the Spirit of God that we can do what we cannot on our own =)
Praise the Lord! =)
Tuesday, February 27, 2007
Numbers 8 - 10 (27th Feb)
This is just a summary of the next 3 chapters.
Numbers 8
Levites were to present themselves to the Lord. They were told to purify themselves so that they can do the work of God (v7-11). We need to stay pure and holy too so that we can do the work of God.
Numbers 9 & 10
The Israelites celebrated the Passover and also the glory of God was seen. The cloud covers over the tabernacle. It was later the Israelites leaves and the whole tabernacle will be dismantled and moved. They moved from Sinai to Paran. They moved out tribe by tribe. The first 3 tribes Judah, Issachar and Zebulun will move out first followed by the Levites (Gershonites & Merarites) will move with the tabernacle. Then the next 3 tribes, Reuben, Simeon and Gad will follow behind then followed by the other Levites (Kohathites) will carry the rest of the holy things in the tabernacle along. Before Kohathites arrived, the tabernacle must already set up by Gershoites and Merarites, so that all the holy things can be placed inside the tabernacle (v21). The rest of the tribes followed behind.
Numbers 8
Levites were to present themselves to the Lord. They were told to purify themselves so that they can do the work of God (v7-11). We need to stay pure and holy too so that we can do the work of God.
Numbers 9 & 10
The Israelites celebrated the Passover and also the glory of God was seen. The cloud covers over the tabernacle. It was later the Israelites leaves and the whole tabernacle will be dismantled and moved. They moved from Sinai to Paran. They moved out tribe by tribe. The first 3 tribes Judah, Issachar and Zebulun will move out first followed by the Levites (Gershonites & Merarites) will move with the tabernacle. Then the next 3 tribes, Reuben, Simeon and Gad will follow behind then followed by the other Levites (Kohathites) will carry the rest of the holy things in the tabernacle along. Before Kohathites arrived, the tabernacle must already set up by Gershoites and Merarites, so that all the holy things can be placed inside the tabernacle (v21). The rest of the tribes followed behind.
Monday, February 26, 2007
Numbers 7 (26th Feb) - Josh
Last few days we started into the book of numbers.
Numbers is a record of the Israelite's journey before conquest (end numbers - start joshua). The journey is typically divided into 2 segments.
1. Sinai wilderness.
2. Plains of Moab
Numbers is commonly known among christians to be the book where Israel's 11day journey became a 40yr punishment wandering in the sinai desert. The chief reason: A rebellious people without faith. We know what God did. - But do we? As we look deeper into number, going through the events before judgement occurs (numbers 14:20-23), we can see this:
The ongoing discipline and love of God.
1. God prepared His people
In His love, from chapter 1-4, God started organizing the army and the altar worship as they move into a land of enemies. Both spiritual (idols) and physical. God's heart is to create a strong nation both outwardly and inwardly to truly be a nation set apart, different in might and spirit and stand against evil opposition.
2. God disciplined His people.
Chapter 5-6, God reaffirmed His desire for Israel to be zealous for Holiness. Not just plain acceptance but active participation. And ending off in chapter 6, God reciprocated his love and desire to be close to His people (v24-27). What amazes me, is the fact that God is so patient and relenting with them.
As I read chapter 7 with in mind the last 6 chapter, it dawns on me,
The ongoing discipline and love of God instills loyalty and operational readiness.
Chapter 7 marks a historical moment in Israel's History. The commanders of each army dedicated their division (a military term depicting a rank system of soldiers) to God. The names of each commander hand picked by God to organize the army is the same commanders dedicating their division.
To me, it reminded me of the day I commissioned as an officer. The first time I don my military uniform in officer's rank, saluted the rising Singapore flag as I sang Majulah Singapura. I recall the months of training and discipline to the day of commissioning. - My naval officer training prepared me to be loyal and operationally ready.
In the same way, we are all called to be loyal and ready for our King's command. To engage our enemy and our destiny. To stand up against what is wrong. And setting the captives free. It takes years of training and disciplining. May we not lose heart and turn away from His love and discipline but keep our mind to what He loves.
"My son/daughter, do not make light of the Lord's discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son." - Heb 12:6
Numbers is a record of the Israelite's journey before conquest (end numbers - start joshua). The journey is typically divided into 2 segments.
1. Sinai wilderness.
2. Plains of Moab
Numbers is commonly known among christians to be the book where Israel's 11day journey became a 40yr punishment wandering in the sinai desert. The chief reason: A rebellious people without faith. We know what God did. - But do we? As we look deeper into number, going through the events before judgement occurs (numbers 14:20-23), we can see this:
The ongoing discipline and love of God.
1. God prepared His people
In His love, from chapter 1-4, God started organizing the army and the altar worship as they move into a land of enemies. Both spiritual (idols) and physical. God's heart is to create a strong nation both outwardly and inwardly to truly be a nation set apart, different in might and spirit and stand against evil opposition.
2. God disciplined His people.
Chapter 5-6, God reaffirmed His desire for Israel to be zealous for Holiness. Not just plain acceptance but active participation. And ending off in chapter 6, God reciprocated his love and desire to be close to His people (v24-27). What amazes me, is the fact that God is so patient and relenting with them.
As I read chapter 7 with in mind the last 6 chapter, it dawns on me,
The ongoing discipline and love of God instills loyalty and operational readiness.
Chapter 7 marks a historical moment in Israel's History. The commanders of each army dedicated their division (a military term depicting a rank system of soldiers) to God. The names of each commander hand picked by God to organize the army is the same commanders dedicating their division.
To me, it reminded me of the day I commissioned as an officer. The first time I don my military uniform in officer's rank, saluted the rising Singapore flag as I sang Majulah Singapura. I recall the months of training and discipline to the day of commissioning. - My naval officer training prepared me to be loyal and operationally ready.
In the same way, we are all called to be loyal and ready for our King's command. To engage our enemy and our destiny. To stand up against what is wrong. And setting the captives free. It takes years of training and disciplining. May we not lose heart and turn away from His love and discipline but keep our mind to what He loves.
"My son/daughter, do not make light of the Lord's discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son." - Heb 12:6
Sunday, February 25, 2007
Numbers 5 - 6 (25th Feb) - Ivy
Numbers 5
The Purity of the Camp
The Lord speaks to Moses about the purity of his camp.
Verse 2: Command the Israelites to send away from the camp anyone who has an infectious skin disease or a discharge of any kind
I pondered: Is God unmerciful by sending the sick away? However I believe this person may have sinned against the Lord suffered the consequence of the disease and have to be sent away. Purity to the Lord could have been breached. This applies to both men and women.
Restitution for Wrongs
Notice it is a sin to malign others. It is UNFAITHFULNESS to God. Wow….
The Test for an Unfaithful Wife
If a man is unsure but suspects his wife of being unfaithful, he is to prepare a grain of guilt offering. Just in case he ‘malign’ her and cause him to be unfaithful to God. He is to bring the matter up to the priest who will perform a ‘ritual’ to prove of her innocence. If she is pure, she would have no problem ‘taking the curse’. But however if she is unfaithful, she would be barren.
Verse 21: ‘may the LORD cause your people to curse and denounce you when he causes your thigh to waste away and your abdomen to swell. 22 May this water that brings a curse enter your body so that your abdomen swells and your thigh wastes away. “‘Then the woman is to say, " Amen. So be it."
The Lord reminds about committing adultery in the 10 commandments.
Exodus 20:14"You shall not commit adultery.
If any of you knows the issue of Paskistani woman. If only the community practiced this, many innocent women would not lose their life.
Numbers 6
Vow of separation – This involved separation ff consecration for a specific period of special devotion to God. This is not just a vow of discipline; it was an act of toal devotion to the Lord.
The Lord gave rules and precise guidelines as to the dos and don’ts.
The offerings of the Nazarite at the completion of the period of vow were extensive, expensive and expressive of the spirit of total commitment to the Lord during this time of special devotion.
Note:
The Priestly Blessing
22 The LORD said to Moses,
23 "Tell Aaron and his sons, 'This is how you are to bless the Israelites. Say to them:
24 ' "The LORD bless you and keep you;
25 the LORD make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you;
26 the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace." '
27 "So they will put my name on the Israelites, and I will bless them."
May the Lord bless and keep all in Livingstones, FCBC and the entire body of Christ.
May His face shine upon all of us and be gracious to us. May the Lord’s face turn upon us and give us peace. Bless our people. Thank You Lord, in Jesus name I pray,
Amen.
The Purity of the Camp
The Lord speaks to Moses about the purity of his camp.
Verse 2: Command the Israelites to send away from the camp anyone who has an infectious skin disease or a discharge of any kind
I pondered: Is God unmerciful by sending the sick away? However I believe this person may have sinned against the Lord suffered the consequence of the disease and have to be sent away. Purity to the Lord could have been breached. This applies to both men and women.
Restitution for Wrongs
Notice it is a sin to malign others. It is UNFAITHFULNESS to God. Wow….
The Test for an Unfaithful Wife
If a man is unsure but suspects his wife of being unfaithful, he is to prepare a grain of guilt offering. Just in case he ‘malign’ her and cause him to be unfaithful to God. He is to bring the matter up to the priest who will perform a ‘ritual’ to prove of her innocence. If she is pure, she would have no problem ‘taking the curse’. But however if she is unfaithful, she would be barren.
Verse 21: ‘may the LORD cause your people to curse and denounce you when he causes your thigh to waste away and your abdomen to swell. 22 May this water that brings a curse enter your body so that your abdomen swells and your thigh wastes away. “‘Then the woman is to say, " Amen. So be it."
The Lord reminds about committing adultery in the 10 commandments.
Exodus 20:14"You shall not commit adultery.
If any of you knows the issue of Paskistani woman. If only the community practiced this, many innocent women would not lose their life.
Numbers 6
Vow of separation – This involved separation ff consecration for a specific period of special devotion to God. This is not just a vow of discipline; it was an act of toal devotion to the Lord.
The Lord gave rules and precise guidelines as to the dos and don’ts.
The offerings of the Nazarite at the completion of the period of vow were extensive, expensive and expressive of the spirit of total commitment to the Lord during this time of special devotion.
Note:
The Priestly Blessing
22 The LORD said to Moses,
23 "Tell Aaron and his sons, 'This is how you are to bless the Israelites. Say to them:
24 ' "The LORD bless you and keep you;
25 the LORD make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you;
26 the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace." '
27 "So they will put my name on the Israelites, and I will bless them."
May the Lord bless and keep all in Livingstones, FCBC and the entire body of Christ.
May His face shine upon all of us and be gracious to us. May the Lord’s face turn upon us and give us peace. Bless our people. Thank You Lord, in Jesus name I pray,
Amen.
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