April 28 – Numbers 1

Num 1:54  Thus the children of Israel did; according to all that the LORD commanded Moses, so they did.

The events from Exodus 20 to Leviticus 27 -- the receiving of the Law, the building of the tabernacle, and the setting up of priestly service and tabernacle worship -- all took place in less than one year. It was God’s first priority to make sure His people knew how to maintain their relationship with Him. Once that was accomplished, the people were ready for step 2: preparation to conquer Canaan. And so, in Numbers chapter 1, God commands Moses to number the army. There is nothing said about what the people of God did all day during the year they were camped at Sinai, but, reading between the lines, it seems that the men must have been training themselves to be ready for war. Those who were above age 20 and “able to go to war” were 603,550.

Lord, I pray that as we daily read these chapters from Your word, we will not only learn how to deepen our relationship with You, but we will also work at preparing ourselves to be “able to go to war.” (See Eph.6:13-18.)

 April 29 – Numbers 2

Num 2:34  Thus the children of Israel did according to all that the LORD commanded Moses; so they camped by their standards and so they broke camp, each one by his family, according to their fathers' houses.

After the army was numbered, the camp (and the army) was organized. God is a God of order. We can see it in everything from the solar system to the cell. However, when things are organized, there are always some who think they could organize things better. Can you imagine the people of Dan complaining that they are the ones “chewing dust” all the time, and the children of Judah complaining that they have no time to eat breakfast? The first apostasy of the church seems to have been man’s ideas to improve on God’s organization of the church – a chief bishop over the other elders. And how many people who claim to follow Christ actually follow His plan for salvation? For us women, we at times have trouble with God’s order of authority: God – Christ – man – woman. Were the God-chosen captains in chapter 2 always perfect? Did that mean each man of Judah could decide when he was going to listen to Nahshon and when he wasn’t? Does that mean we wives can choose when we are going to submit to our husbands and when we are not? (Of course this excludes the rare instances when a husband may ask his wife to violate one of God’s commands.)

Dear all-wise God, help me to embrace the roles you have given me as a woman, especially the organization that You have ordained for the home, and submit to my husband as to You.

April 30 – Numbers 3

Num 3:51  And Moses gave their redemption money to Aaron and his sons, according to the word of the LORD, as the LORD commanded Moses.

God is not only a God of order, but also a God of detail. When the Levites were numbered, there was a discrepancy between them and the firstborn children of Israel of 273 persons. Had the Israelites not redeemed those 273 persons (out of 22,000), they would have been 98.6% compliant to God’s command. That was not good enough. God wanted 100% obedience – and the people followed the Lord’s command exactly.

O merciful God, we know that we so often fall short of Your standard, and we are thankful for your grace. However, Lord, I pray that out of love and gratitude, I will never stop striving to be 100% the person You would have me to be.

May 1 – Numbers 4

Num 4:20  But they shall not go in to watch while the holy things are being covered, lest they die."

There were things which were common and things which were holy – an “object lesson,” so to speak, to reinforce the holiness of God. The furniture of the tabernacle was holy – and no one was ever to go inside the tabernacle, or even look at its furniture, except the priests. How can we, as parents and grandparents, teach our children the holiness of God? I do not believe we as humans have the right to judge specific things that parents should not allow their children to do during worship or in the building – different children have different personalities, mature at different rates, and perhaps face unique challenges. However, I do believe that if parents thought deeply about how holy God is and how much we and our children should respect Him and others who are trying to worship Him, more of our children would be trained to be quiet at younger ages, be told to use the toilet before worship, be allowed to play less during worship, and be taught to sing and take simple sermon notes at younger ages.

Dear Lord, please help us and our children to understand that You are holy, and that worshipping You is something to be done with awe in our hearts.

May 2 – Numbers 5

Num 5:27  When he has made her drink the water, then it shall be, if she has defiled herself and behaved unfaithfully toward her husband, that the water that brings a curse will enter her and become bitter, and her belly will swell, her thigh will rot, and the woman will become a curse among her people. 28  But if the woman has not defiled herself, and is clean, then she shall be free and may conceive children.

Hos 4:14  "I will not punish your daughters when they commit harlotry, Nor your brides when they commit adultery; For the men themselves go apart with harlots, And offer sacrifices with a ritual harlot.

There is no one more important to a young child’s character development than his/her mother. Adultery was a sin punishable by death to both man and woman if the people involved were caught in the act, Lev.20:10. If a woman accused of adultery was guilty but refused to confess, the penalty seemed to be some kind of disease originating in her sexual organs that caused a wasting illness and death. Interestingly, God said that He would not punish the women fornicators of Hosea’s day (we suppose with the punishment of Numbers 5) since the men were just as guilty! However, because the nation as a whole was guilty of both physical and spiritual adultery, the nation was guilty of death and would die, Hosea 9:16-17. God designed the family to be the incubator that provides the perfect conditions for the development of those who will carry our civilization forward. If the family fails, the civilization will fail -- and so God made strict laws to protect, not only the family, but the nation.

There seems to be more forces against families today than ever before. Today I want to encourage each of us to stop and say a special prayer for our own family and for families in general. 

May 3 - Numbers 6

Num 6:24  "The LORD bless you and keep you;

Num 6:25  The LORD make His face shine upon you, And be gracious to you;

Num 6:26  The LORD lift up His countenance upon you, And give you peace." '

This beautiful blessing from God upon His people is repeated three times for emphasis, each time mentioning a different facet of the complete care that God is going to give the children of Israel: “Keep you” – physical needs met; “Grace” – spiritual needs met; “Peace” – emotional needs met. These blessings come from the “face” of God – He sees their needs and responds to them.

We praise You, dear Lord, for looking down on us with love and filling our lives with the unfathomable depths of Your goodness. Bless us in all our endeavors that are good, keep us from evil, graciously forgive our sins, and help us to rest in Your peace.

May 4 – Numbers 7

Num 7:89  Now when Moses went into the tabernacle of meeting to speak with Him, he heard the voice of One speaking to him from above the mercy seat that was on the ark of the Testimony, from between the two cherubim; thus He spoke to him.

Previous to all the sacrifices and the laws of cleanness that made the Israelites a holy people, God could not dwell in their midst. He spoke to Moses in a tent that Moses pitched “far from the camp,” Ex.33:7. However, in Exodus 25:22, God told Moses that the purpose of the tabernacle was so that God could dwell among them, Ex.25:8. “There,” God said to Moses, “I will meet with you and speak to you from above the mercy seat, between the two cherubim,” Ex.25:22. With the dedication of the tabernacle completed, Moses went into the tabernacle of meeting and heard the voice of God, just as God had promised. How relieved and full of joy Moses and the people must have been to have this proof that God was pleased with their work of building the tabernacle and their worship!

Awesome and holy God, how amazing it is that today we are told to come “boldly” to the throne of Your grace, the place of your “mercy-seat” where Jesus mediates for us, and bring our petitions before You. How privileged and blessed beyond measure we are to be able to hear Your complete revelation to mankind by reading it any time we wish! May we never take these incredible blessings for granted but always be careful to follow Your instructions for the work and worship of the church as exactly as the Israelites did for the work and worship of the tabernacle.

May 5 --  Numbers 8

Num 8:9  And you shall bring the Levites before the tent of meeting and assemble the whole congregation of the people of Israel.  10  When you bring the Levites before the LORD, the people of Israel shall lay their hands on the Levites,  11  and Aaron shall offer the Levites before the LORD as a wave offering from the people of Israel, that they may do the service of the LORD.

As we saw in Leviticus 1, the person bringing the sacrifice to the Lord always identified himself with the sacrifice by laying his hands on it. By the laying on of hands in these verses, the Israelites signified that they understand and accepted that these Levites were their sacrifice to Him instead of their firstborn sons – and that they would bear the responsibility for this sacrifice; that is, bring tithes and gifts to the temple so that the Levites and their descendants would never lack what they needed to serve the Lord on behalf of the nation.

Lord, today I thank You for your provision that those who preach the gospel should live of the gospel, and I thank you for all who have sacrificed to give generously so that the preachers of Your word and their families do not lack. I also thank you for the sacrifices of prayer on their behalf and on behalf of their work. I pray also that You will bless Your children to send out more reapers, for truly the harvest is great and the laborers are few.

May 6 – Numbers 9

Num 9:21  And sometimes the cloud remained from evening until morning. And when the cloud lifted in the morning, they set out, or if it continued for a day and a night, when the cloud lifted they set out. 22  Whether it was two days, or a month, or a longer time, that the cloud continued over the tabernacle, abiding there, the people of Israel remained in camp and did not set out, but when it lifted they set out. 23  At the command of the LORD they camped, and at the command of the LORD they set out. They kept the charge of the LORD, at the command of the LORD by Moses.

Imagine being in a state of constant readiness to travel, with not just a few suitcases but with all your belongings, even your tent. If you left your cooking pot behind, it was no simple matter replacing it!  I imagine that some families learned to be organized and others were always in an uproar on travelling days. Yet God, in His wisdom, did not think it best to give them advance warning. Imagine how lax you would be tempted to become after days of not travelling – no longer bothering to put things away each evening “just in case.” Today I want us to challenge ourselves to make a plan to put our minds away each day “just in case” the Lord should come while we sleep! Is there any “housecleaning” we need to take care of? Any sin to confess, any anger to release, any burden or worry to be committed to the Lord’s hands? And if we wake to another day of “travel,” do we ask the Lord to help us gather up all we need to face the day? Do we ask the Lord to bless the day, pray for open doors to glorify Him, consciously present myself to Him as a soldier reports for battle?

     O God, the great Captain of our souls, we come to you today, having put on Your armor. We have set our minds to defeat our enemy, the devil, whether by resisting temptation or whether by walking through the open doors You provide for us this day. We want to be ready at all times for that great and awesome day when Your Son returns to present us as a spotless and glorious bride to You and we travel to our heavenly home.

May 7 – Numbers 10

Num 10:35  So it was, whenever the ark set out, that Moses said: "Rise up, O LORD! Let Your enemies be scattered, And let those who hate You flee before You." 36  And when it rested, he said: "Return, O LORD, To the many thousands of Israel."

Psa 68:1  Let God arise, Let His enemies be scattered; Let those also who hate Him flee before Him.

This utterance on the part of Moses, echoed by David hundreds of years later, is a heartfelt expression of faith in the presence of God and a humble acknowledgment of the source of their well-being. As we learned yesterday, we need to be ready at all times to “travel” for the Lord, and the Israelites did this. But we are now reminded by Moses that God is the One who enables us to be successful on our journeys – and with Him, victory is assured.

     Thank You, Lord, for being with us on our journey through life. May I keep the promise of Your presence foremost in my mind each time I step out of my comfort zone and do something simply because I know it pleases You, even though I feel inadequate. Help me never to leave Your will, for indeed, we cannot take one successful step alone. Not my will, but Your will be done.

May 8 – Numbers 11

Num 11:4  Now the mixed multitude who were among them yielded to intense craving; so the children of Israel also wept again and said: "Who will give us meat to eat?

Just three days into their journey, the Israelites started complaining. God sent a fire to consume some who were in the outskirts of the camp. This should have been a wake-up call, but when the “mixed multitude” (perhaps people of mixed Israeli/Egyptian heritage, Ex.12:38) started complaining about a lack of meat, the rest of the Israelites allowed themselves to get caught up in that complaining spirit and “wept again.” So…what do I do when something bad happens to others or in my own life? Do I examine my heart to see if there is something in my life that I need to repent of? What do I do when people around me start complaining? Do I become part of the problem, or do I see if I can’t rather be part of the solution? And when the Lord blesses me, how do I respond then? With humble gratitude or with greediness?

     Almighty God, help us to humble ourselves before You, accepting correction, learning to be content, and filling our minds and mouths with praise and thanksgiving, especially for our spiritual blessings.

May 9 – Numbers 12

Num 12:7  Not so with My servant Moses; He is faithful in all My house.

Here the nation of Israel is called the “house” of God. Moses was the caretaker of this house, and he was “faithful in all” God’s house. Aaron was given the role of spiritual leadership, but he was not faithful, (the golden calf). Miriam was given a lesser leadership role as a prophetess, but here she is being a bad example to all the other women by usurping authority. What roles has God given me? Some women are heads of households, some are wives, mothers and daughters. Whatever kind of house we are in, it is, or should be, in a sense, God’s house! Besides this, all Christian women have been given roles as sisters in the household of God. In each of these houses I have God-given responsibilities. Am I faithful in all God’s house?

     Today I want to encourage us to think about our different roles and responsibilities and evaluate our faithfulness. Then let’s pray for God’s help in making specific plans to be faithful in all things.

May 10 – Numbers 13

Num 13:33  There we saw the giants (the descendants of Anak came from the giants); and we were like grasshoppers in our own sight, and so we were in their sight."

It is so difficult to see ourselves as we really are, isn’t it? The same people who dared to challenge God are afraid to take on mere giants! Similarly, it is hard for us to see what God is capable of doing through us. “Oh, I could never do that!” “Oh, I could never be like that!” Why not?

     Dear Father, You know what each of us is capable of physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. You knew when the burden of the children of Israel was too much for Moses and You helped him. Help us to give ourselves fully to You, to be willing to exhaust ourselves physically, mentally and emotionally to do Your will, and trust You to aid us when the burden is too great for us.

May 11 – Numbers 14              `

Num 14:20  Then the LORD said: "I have pardoned, according to your word;  21  but truly, as I live, all the earth shall be filled with the glory of the LORD—

In a most amazing interchange where God treats Moses almost as an equal, Moses “talks God out of” destroying the nation of Israel as he also did on the occasion of the golden calf in Exodus 32. Moses uses the same arguments this time as before, but here adds something he did not know back in Exodus 32. Moses now pleads with God based on who He IS, who God revealed Himself to be when His glory passed by Moses, Ex.33:22, 34:6-7. God agrees to Moses’ request, but makes an oath based on Himself, “as I live, all the earth shall be filled with the glory of the LORD.” No matter what the children of Israel do, no matter what man does, God IS going to bring His great plan of salvation to pass. According to Psalm 72, this would happen during the Messiah’s reign: “All nations shall call Him blessed…blessed be His glorious name forever! And let the whole earth be filled with His glory. Amen and amen,” (Ps.72:17-19). We are now the Israel of God who need to be what the children of Israel were not: the holy nation that fills the earth with God’s glory!

     O glorious Lord, we know that it is Your will for us to be lights, lit from within by conforming ourselves to Your glorious character. May we never hide our lights under a bushel, but let the world see that we are different and that we are not ashamed to own You as our Lord, nor ashamed to defend Your name and Your truth.

May 12 – Numbers 15

Num 15:38  "Speak to the children of Israel: Tell them to make tassels on the corners of their garments throughout their generations, and to put a blue thread in the tassels of the corners. 39  And you shall have the tassel, that you may look upon it and remember all the commandments of the LORD and do them, and that you may not follow the harlotry to which your own heart and your own eyes are inclined, 40  and that you may remember and do all My commandments, and be holy for your God. 41 I am the LORD your God...

Somehow I had forgotten about this fascinating commandment – and when I draw Bible characters, I don’t add these – even though God expressly states that He wanted these tassels to be clearly visible. Evidently the Israelite outer garment was a 4-cornered mantle. In Mt.9:20 and 14:36, people begged to just touch the “hem” (Greek: kraspedon – border or tassel) of Jesus’ garment to be made well. The Pharisees were condemned for enlarging the “borders” (kraspedon) of their garments. (The Hebrew word is tzitzit, and Jews still wear them on their prayer shawls.) The purpose of the tassels was to help Jews remember to be holy for their God – which was achieved by remembering and doing all His commandments. Although there is no authority for Christians to wear any distinguishing item of clothing today, we could certainly use this principle to help us remember certain commands of God that we need to do.

     Today I want to encourage each of us to make a “tassel” to remind ourselves to keep the commands of God. For example, make a prayer list so I don’t forget to pray for those I need to pray for. Place my Bible on my pillow so I don’t forget to read it. Keep my box of memory verses on the table where I eat. Set an alarm on my phone so I remember to phone and encourage someone. What I am going to do: ____________________________________________________

May 13 – Numbers 16

Num 16:28  And Moses said: "By this you shall know that the LORD has sent me to do all these works, for I have not done them of my own will.

Num 16:41  On the next day all the congregation of the children of Israel complained against Moses and Aaron, saying, "You have killed the people of the LORD."

Reflect for a moment on why it is that the people would accuse Moses and Aaron of such a thing. Have you ever falsely accused someone – even in your mind – and then realized later that you were the one who either did not have all the facts, or had distorted the facts due to your strong emotions? When things go wrong, it’s not easy to accept that the fault might lie with myself or my loved one, but humility demands that I critically examine myself and my motives to see if my finger-pointing is truly justified in the eyes of GOD. Love assigns the best possible motives to the person I am upset with, until the facts prove otherwise.

     Dear Father, we are so often quick to assign bad motives when we are hurting. Help me to practice love – to not to keep records of perceived wrongs that others have done against me and replay them in my mind every time I get upset. Help me to be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to wrath, realizing that vengeance belongs to You and that it is Your will that I bless those who persecute me and overcome evil with good. Help me also to trust that You can bring good out of every trial and look beyond myself and my own hurt to see the bigger picture.

May 14 – Numbers 17

To men of Bible times, the rod was not just a walking stick, it was a symbol of authority, eg. the prophecy that the sceptre would not depart from Judah, the rod of Aaron vs the rods of the Egyptian magicians, the rod of Moses striking the dust to produce lice and being stretched out over the Red Sea. The rod of Aaron and the rods of the leaders were all the same: just dead pieces of wood. In the eyes of the leaders, Aaron was probably no stronger or smarter or less sinful than they were. However, because Aaron was the one that God chose, those who resisted his authority, were actually resisting GOD’s authority. In Romans 13, Paul tells us that, even today, whether chosen by us or not, governments are God-ordained and rulers are there because God allows them to be. Therefore, they must be respected and obeyed (unless to do so violates a law of God). Otherwise, like the rebels of Moses’ day, we “bring judgment” on ourselves.

     Today we humbly bow before You, the great King of kings and Lord of lords. We thank You that You are a King who rules with absolute wisdom and love. We pray that under our earthly governments we might lead quiet and peaceable lives that are godly and dignified in every way. However, we also accept that sometimes You allow evil rulers to teach nations the consequences of following evil so that they will repent and turn to You. Help us to be respectful of our leaders in our hearts, in our speech, in our media posts, and in our compliance to their laws.

May 15 – Numbers 18

Num 18:7  But only you and your sons may serve as priests in connection with everything at the altar and inside the curtain. I am giving you the service of the priesthood as a gift. Anyone else who comes near the sanctuary must be put to death."

Service to God is a gift. God is so holy – He does not allow just anyone to come near to Him to serve Him. The means by which the priests could come to Him: consecration by being washed with water, sprinkled with blood and anointed with oil, (Ex.29:4,20-21) – this was a gift of God made possible because it was a shadow of the cleansing blood of the cross and the water of baptism, (Heb.10:22). Our knowledge of the sacrifice of Christ’s cleaning blood and the baptism through which we today can be cleansed of sin to serve God is made possible by the anointing of the Holy Spirit, the revelation of all truth, (1 Jn.2:20-21, John 3:5).

     Dear Lord, thank You for the gift, the undeserved privilege, of being able to serve such a great and holy God as You are! May You and our Savior be blessed forever for the price that Jesus paid so that we might become Your servants – and help me to remember this to motivate me to serve You diligently, obediently, thankfully and joyfully at all times.

May 16 – Numbers 19

Num 19:13  Whoever touches the body of anyone who has died, and does not purify himself, defiles the tabernacle of the LORD. That person shall be cut off from Israel.

What is the significance of chapters 18 & 19, sandwiched in between an account of the Israelites’ journey? Chapter 18 is about how the rebellious nation must not only respect the fact that only Levites can serve at the tabernacle, but they must willingly support them in their work, reminding the rebellious Israelites that the Levites “shall have no inheritance” in the promised land. Chapter 19 is how to handle the inordinate amount of deaths among the children of Israel due to the plague in chapter 16. Death is always the result of sin: either my sin, someone else’s sin, or Adam & Eve’s sin which brought aging, illness and death into the world. As a reminder that death is something brought about by evil and the evil one, something which is alien to our eternal God and to His desire for mankind to live eternally with him, those who came near death needed to be cleansed. Besides the spiritual significance of recognizing the uncleanness of death, this law had a physical significance, unknown to the Israelites, of preserving them from more death. Interestingly, hyssop contains an antiseptic, the isomer of thymol, the active ingredient in Listerine. (None of these Diseases, p.25)

     Thanks be to You, O God, for sending Your Son Jesus to condemn sin in the flesh, abolish death and bring life and immortality to life through the gospel. Because of this good news, you have removed from us the spirit of the fear of death and have given us a spirit of power and of love and of discipline. Help us to have the faith to avail ourselves of this power to not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord but be disciplined to suffer for the gospel’s sake out of love for the lost and for You. (2 Tim.1:5-12)

May 17 – Numbers 20

Num 20:12  Then the LORD spoke to Moses and Aaron, "Because you did not believe Me, to hallow Me in the eyes of the children of Israel, therefore you shall not bring this assembly into the land which I have given them."

Have you ever said or done something that you wished you could undo? Replayed over and over in your mind what you should have said or done instead? I imagine Moses did this many times. He pleaded with God to undo the consequences of his actions, but God commanded him to speak no more about that matter, Dt.3:23-26. Note that Moses’ rash words (Ps.106:33) were because of unbelief – not failure to believe in God’s power to produce water from the rock, but momentary failure to believe who God IS, how holy He is. He is not our equal! (“Must we bring water …”) The first and foremost of the seven things God hates is pride, Pro.6:17. I wonder how much anguish we could save ourselves by being more humble!

     Dear Lord, help me to humbly think carefully before speaking, carefully consider the wisdom of fellow brethren, and above all, seek for and trust in the wisdom You have revealed in Your word.

May 18 – Numbers 21

The conquering of Canaan proper began with the battle of Jericho, but the conquering of Israel’s territory actually begins in this chapter with the defeat of the Aradians (southern Judah). God did not allow the Israelites to take the land of Edom because they were the descendants of Esau. If you have a map, find the Zered, Arnon, Jabbok and Yarmuk Rivers, rivers that flow into the Dead Sea and Jordan from the east. The Edomites lived south of the Zered River. The Moabites lived between the Zered and Arnon Rivers, and the Israelites passed by to the east of them. (They were the descendants of Lot, and also to be left alone.) When they got to the Arnon, Sihon, king of the Amorites, came against them. With God’s help, Israel conquered and occupied all his land between the Arnon and Jabbock Rivers. At this time Og, King of Bashan, who lived north of the Yarmuk River (today known as the Golan Heights), was also defeated, and the Israelites occupied his territory, 60 cities as well as “a great many rural towns,” Dt.3:4-5. It seems that during this time the descendants of Manasseh conquered and occupied the cities of Gilead between the Jabbock and Yarmuk Rivers, Num.32:39-40. This was a lot of fighting and bloodshed, and it all took place in less than a year.

     Today I encourage us to ponder the justice of God: how His righteousness demanded the obliteration of sinful nations. Now ponder how that applies to us today. The fact that “righteousness exalts a nation and sin is a reproach to any people,” (Prov.14:34), still applies to us and our nation. What will happen to the future of my nation if it becomes increasingly sinful? Lord, help us all as individuals to exalt our nation!

May 19 – Numbers 22

Num 22:3  and Moab was terrified because there were so many people. Indeed, Moab was filled with dread because of the Israelites.

The amazing thing about this whole account is that Moab had no need to fear the Israelites because they were the descendants of Lot. However, their king Balak was afraid and proactively organized an alliance with Midian and a delegation to get Balaam from Mesopotamia to come and curse Israel. Although Balaam calls God, “my God,” in Numbers 22:18, from chapter 24:1 and Joshua 13:22 we see that Balaam was not a true prophet but a soothsayer. According to Keil & Delitsch, the name Balaam means, “devourer or destroyer,” and he was probably so named because his spells were greatly feared. He was the son of Beor (to burn, destroy) – perhaps he learned his enchantments from his father. 2 Pet.2:15 tells us that Balaam was a greedy man. Nonetheless, in Numbers 22 we see the Lord does not want anyone to perish – and so He gives Balaam several signs to help him to repent: to convince him that the LORD God is the one and only true God.

     Dear Father, when I look at many in this world, I am truly rich, and I thank You for each material blessing. I pray that I will not let complacency or greed blind my eyes to what is really important: loving and serving You and my fellow man.

May 20 – Numbers 23

Num 23:21  "He has not observed iniquity in Jacob, Nor has He seen wickedness in Israel. The LORD his God is with him…

Rev_2:14  But I have a few things against you, because you have there those who hold the doctrine of Balaam who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit sexual immorality.

Balaam and Balak were blessed to hear the keys to being blessed by God – to turn from idolatry, and the sexual immorality that went with it, and worship the LORD God alone. They were told in no uncertain terms that sorcery would be to no avail. But what did they do with the information? Instead of using it to change themselves and their nations in order to be blessed, they used it to come up with a scheme whereby God would stop blessing Israel! (Rev.2:14) Why? In Balaam’s case it was because he had too much to lose in the way of material gain, 2 Pet.2:15.

O bountiful God, help us to understand the true value of the spiritual blessings we have in Christ so that we never compromise our Christian principles or fail to assemble with the saints to remember the death of our Lord for the sake of any earthly gain, be it money or pleasure. Help us to realize that by compromising our principles, we not only harm our relationship with You, but we put a stumbling block in the way of others, especially our children!

May 21 – Numbers 24

Num 24:1  Now when Balaam saw that it pleased the LORD to bless Israel, he did not go as at other times, to seek to use sorcery, but he set his face toward the wilderness.  2 …and the Spirit of God came upon him.

In this chapter we have a most amazing prophecy! Not only does Balaam prophesy of Jesus, but also of His kingdom! A “Star” and “Scepter” [Jesus] will “in the latter days” [which began on Pentecost, Acts 2:17]…“batter the brow of Moab,” [subjugate Moab, and indeed all nations, either by their voluntary obedience to the gospel of Christ in this life, or, if not, at the end of time when “every knee will bow.”] To convince the Edomites of the truth of this Messianic prophecy, short-term prophecies are given. Edom will become the possession of the nation of Israel (which took place during David’s reign, 2 Sam.8:14). Amelek will perish, (Saul was told to do this, 1 Sam.15). By the Spirit, Balaam predicts the rise of Assyria, the first world power, over 600 years later; then the conquering of the people of Assyria and the descendants of Eber (all the nations in that area) by those who come in ships via Cyprus (the Greeks and Romans). “Amalek,” (v.24, NKJV), is not in the original Hebrew: the reference is to the destruction of even those who come by ships (as is clear in the NIV and ESV). In other words, all kingdoms of the earth will perish; the only enduring kingdom is the kingdom of the Star out of Judah!

King of kings and Lord of lords, thank You for this glimpse of the way You worked in mankind’s history to show us that the only worthwhile and enduring kingdom is the kingdom of Your Son. We can see that, unless this world comes to an end, our own nation will fall, and we and/or our descendants will go through hard times when this happens. However, we also see that if we and they are a part of the Messiah’s kingdom, we all will be saved eternally. Help us Lord to seek Your kingdom first!

May 22 – Numbers 25

Num 25:1  Now Israel remained in Acacia Grove, and the people began to commit harlotry with the women of Moab.

This particular lust of the flesh is so very strong – and therefore so easily exploited. In this case it was exploited by Moab and Midian to provoke God to anger against Israel in an attempt to keep on in their culture of idolatry without being destroyed. Notice that it was the women who were the tools of exploitation – and they themselves were probably manipulated into doing this. Today sex is exploited to make money (movies, fashions, etc.) or to manipulate relationships (If you don’t…, then I won’t….). It is such a strong lust, that it can become addictive (eg. pornography). What a pity that so many have never learned to use God’s gift of sex as it was intended: a superglue to keep their spouses bonded to them for life.

O holy God, we thank You for Your gift of purity – Your promise that through obedience to Your gospel we can become white as snow. I pray today especially for mothers and older women who try, by good example and wise teaching, to  help young women to be pure in all things, but especially pure in heart. May we all act, dress and speak in such a way that reflects purity of heart and brings glory to You.

May 23 – Numbers 26

Num 26:65  … So there was not left a man of them, except Caleb the son of Jephunneh and Joshua the son of Nun.

We often focus on how God saw to it that a whole generation passed away before their time. However, today I want us to focus on how that God also saw to it that these two faithful men were still alive – not necessarily by any miraculous intervention, but by God’s providence. It may not be by special providence, but certainly, if I am alive today, it is by the providence of God, “for in Him we live and move and have our being,” Acts 17:28. Whatever blessings I enjoy, it is also through the providence of God, for “every good gift and every perfect gift is from above,” Jms.1:17.

Today I want to encourage each of us to take a few moments to reflect on the gift of life – what it means to us, and also to count our many blessings to see what God has done. After that, “be thankful to Him and bless His name. For the Lord is good; His mercy is everlasting, and His truth endures to all generations,” Ps.100:4-5.

May 24 – Numbers 27

Num 27:16  "Let the LORD, the God of the spirits of all flesh, set a man over the congregation,

What a beautiful example of what true leadership should be! Moses had such a deep love for the people he led that he did not try to selfishly cling to power, but humbly sought God’s direction for the best man to replace him. We see this among elders of the Lord’s flock who wisely, thoughtfully and prayerfully train younger men who will be able to become elders as they mature, working with them. Then when they pass away, the men they have trained are able to lead in the same godly fashion. Joshua was not an untrained novice who suddenly had leadership thrust upon him; Moses had trained him to lead in battle, Ex.17:9, and assist him in spiritual matters, Ex.24:13, 33:11. Joshua had been tested at the time when he spied out the land, and was found to be faithful. God, who knew the spirits of all flesh, said of Joshua, “a man in whom is the Spirit.”

Father of spirits, may we fill our hearts with your word so that we can truly be those who are filled with Your Spirit, wise in the roles You have blessed us with. Strengthen us to influence our children, grandchildren, and even peers in a positive way. We thank you for godly shepherds and pray that we will enable them to account for our souls with joy. (Heb.13:17)

May 25 – Numbers 28

Num 28:7  And its drink offering shall be one-fourth of a hin for each lamb; in a holy place you shall pour out the drink to the LORD as an offering.

Php_2:17  Yes, and if I am being poured out as a drink offering on the sacrifice and service of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all.

We tend to forget that a lamb alone was not considered by God to be a sufficient sacrifice. Along with the lamb, there needed to be offered (burnt) 1/10 of an ephah (about 2 quarts) of flour mixed with ¼ hin (1 quart) of olive oil. Along with that the priest needed to pour out “in a holy place” (at the tabernacle/temple) ¼ hin (1 quart) of wine. The sacrifice was not complete or acceptable to God without the drink offering. This helps us to understand what Paul said to the Philippians. Their obedient faith (“work out your salvation with fear and trembling,” Php.2:12) is compared to the lamb part of the sacrifice. Paul, who at that time was in prison, not sure if he was to live or die, compares himself to the drink offering. If, in order for them to have heard the gospel, it was necessary for his own life to be “poured out,” it would not be to him a tragedy, but a joy. It is a joy to do whatever it takes to bring souls to the Lord, or even just to serve the Lord in whatever way He has called upon us to do.

Dear Lord, we know it is only when we are willing to pour out, or empty ourselves of our own desires and inhibitions that we can be emboldened to do whatever it takes to bring the lost to You. Today as we pray for open doors, we pray also for ourselves, that we will be willing to empty ourselves of self so that we will be able to see and walk through the open doors that You provide – and then be re-filled with Your joy. We also thank You, Lord, for Your saints who pour themselves out in Your service, especially for those who have poured themselves out in order to bless us.

May 26 – Numbers 29

Num 29:12  'On the fifteenth day of the seventh month you shall have a holy convocation. You shall do no customary work, and you shall keep a feast to the LORD seven days.

To me, this “Feast of Tabernacles” would have been such a fun feast, especially if I were a child! Everyone was to travel to Jerusalem, make “booths” out of tree branches and sleep outside. Every seventh year, during this feast, men, women, children and foreigners were to be gathered together and have the entire Law read to them, “that they may learn to fear the Lord your God and carefully observe all the words of this law,” Dt.31:9-13. Imagine a camping trip with Christians (at a pleasant time of the year when there was no rain, of course!) – a time of re-uniting with friends and loved ones, a back-to-the-basics time of remembering what our ancestors went through so that we could enjoy the blessings we have, and a time of feasting on God’s word! It reminds me of the many wonderful gospel meetings we experienced in Africa, and what we experience to a lesser extent any time we gather for worship.

Today, Lord, as we gather together to worship You, help us to focus our hearts on what You and our Savior Jesus did to bring about our fellowship with You and with others of like-precious faith. Although You and Jesus are our focus, we also thank You for Your wisdom in bringing us, Your children, together so that we can encourage one another, provoke one another to love and good works, and bring each other a sense of belonging and joy in loving relationships.

May 27 – Numbers 30

This chapter is an addendum to Leviticus 27, dealing not so much with vows themselves, but with relationships between fathers and daughters, and husbands and wives. Think how Elkanah was affected by Hannah’s vow, 1 Samuel 1. This chapter basically guards the authority of the head of the household and does not allow daughters and wives to usurp that authority in the matter of voluntary gifts to God. As servants of the Lord today, we women often give ourselves voluntarily in hospitality, in phoning/visiting the sick, shut-ins or grieving, and in other good works. Perhaps our husbands may feel that, if we devote too much time and money to this, we are neglecting other matters that we need to pay attention to in our own household. God wants our husbands “on board.” This reminds me of the Shunammite woman in 2 Kings 4:10, who asked her husband’s permission to build a special room to lodge Elisha and his servant as they travelled.

Today I want to encourage us to evaluate the good works that we do. Do we wish to do more? If so, and we are not the heads of our households, (note Numbers 30:9), I encourage us to sit down with our husbands/parents and discuss our desire and ask for his/their help and/or blessing.

May 28 – Numbers 31

Num 31:17  Now therefore, kill every male among the little ones, and kill every woman who has known a man intimately. Num 18  But keep alive for yourselves all the young girls who have not known a man intimately.

Eze_33:11 … 'As I live,' says the Lord GOD, 'I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live…

Isa 40:13  Who has directed the Spirit of the LORD, Or as His counselor has taught Him?

Isa 55:9  "For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts.

I think the concept of the sinfulness of sin is something we find hard to grasp. And because we fail to grasp this, it is difficult for us to understand the ways of God in this chapter. This particular branch of the Midianites (there were other branches, Judges 6:1) was to be exterminated because they were evidently the instigators of the plot that led to the sin of idolatry/fornication among Israel and the deaths of 22,000 Israelites. Did you catch who also died in this battle, Num.31:8? The one who could have saved them is the one who led to their downfall.

O righteous and just God, help me to better grasp just how terrible sin is and how urgent it is that I tell those around me of Your abundant grace.

May 29 – Numbers 32

Num 32:23  But if you do not do so, then take note, you have sinned against the LORD; and be sure your sin will find you out.

What is the sin that they would commit if they did not help their brethren conquer the rest of Canaan?

Num 32:6  And Moses said to the children of Gad and to the children of Reuben: "Shall your brethren go to war while you sit here? 7  Now why will you discourage the heart of the children of Israel from going over into the land which the LORD has given them?

The local congregation has certain work to do, and those who just “sit” discourage the hearts of those who are trying hard to be and do what God wants. Not everyone is suited for every job. The women, children and elderly were not expected to accompany the soldiers, but they had to sacrifice to carry out all the work that men would normally do while their men were away helping the other Israelites conquer the land. So too, even if the only thing I can do is pray, God expects me to encourage the hearts of my brethren, 1 Tim.5:5-6.

Today I encourage us to take a few moments to think of the brethren who encourage our hearts. Think of those who work behind the scenes at the local congregation, the leaders & teachers, the prayer warriors, the encouragers. Thank God for them – and thank them the next time you see them or with a message.

May 30 – Numbers 33

Num 33:2  Now Moses wrote down the starting points of their journeys at the command of the LORD.

While reading through the list of encampments in this chapter, I was puzzled at why Kadesh was only mentioned once. If you remember, Kadesh is the encampment from which the Israelite spies were sent, Num.13:26. It was also the place where Moses struck the rock instead of speaking to it, Num.20:1. So I did some research. Keil and Delitsch assume that the Israelites wandered around in the wilderness (where no campsites are listed) and came back to Kadesh 38 years later. Steve Rudd, a Christian and an archaeologist, believes that the Israelites actually stayed at Kadesh for 38 years, based on the “many days” of Dt.1:46 and other reasons which you can read about here: http://www.bible.ca/archeology/bible-archeology-exodus-route-sinai-kadesh-barnea.htm#thirtyeight. Based on archaeological finds since the time of Keil and Delitsch, and based on Paul’s statement that Mt. Sinai was in Arabia, Gal.4:5, Steve also believes in a totally different Exodus route than what we were all taught growing up. His evidence is very interesting and compelling, and there is a link to that information from the page I have given above.

O Lord God, You commanded Moses to write these things down for our learning. By them we can see that You are the One who plans and performs Your plans according Your purpose. You are the great Provider who, not only provided the physical needs of Your people, but used their time in the desert to prepare and perfect them for the great blessing You promised to give them. Today we thank you for preserving us throughout life’s journeys, and pray that You will perfect us through Your word and Your providence in preparation for the time when we reach our promised land.

May 31 – Numbers 34

Num 34:13  Then Moses commanded the children of Israel, saying: "This is the land which you shall inherit by lot, which the LORD has commanded to give to the nine tribes and to the half-tribe.

The lot was a God-given way the Israelites (not us) were to use on certain occasions when important choices needed to be made. You can imagine the bickering that could occur if the land were divided according to the judgments of men. We often talk about our “lots” in this life. Some are born with more advantages than others – just like some parts of Canaan were easier to cultivate and more fertile than others. Just like the Israelites did not get to choose their “lot,” so it is with us. And we must also remember that with more advantages (opportunity) comes more responsibility. “For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required,” Lk.12:48.

All-wise Lord, You have dealt to each of us according to Your infinite understanding. Help us to be content with our “lot,” whatever it may be, knowing that You have blessed us in so many ways, especially with the ultimate privilege of owning our very own copy of Your complete revelation to mankind.

June 1 – Numbers 35

Num 35:31  Moreover you shall take no ransom for the life of a murderer who is guilty of death, but he shall surely be put to death. 32  And you shall take no ransom for him who has fled to his city of refuge, that he may return to dwell in the land before the death of the priest.

Num 35:33  So you shall not pollute the land where you are; for blood defiles the land, and no atonement can be made for the land, for the blood that is shed on it, except by the blood of him who shed it.

Premeditated murder = death penalty. Accidental killing = city of refuge until the death of the high priest. No amount of money could change that: human life is invaluable. You can see that the city-of-refuge law would cause people to be very careful about accidently causing the death of someone. And surely the death penalty would be a deterrent to murder. However, the verse which frightens me is verse 33, especially since approximately, on average over the past few years, 1 million babies annually are legally aborted in the USA and about 80,000 in South Africa.

Lord, our land is polluted, and we mourn for the loss of innocent lives. We know that You will avenge their blood in Your time, and when that happens, we pray for Your merciful, protecting hand on Your faithful children. Lord, we thank You for those who work hard to save these innocent lives by education, adoption, etc., and ask You to bless their efforts. We thank You for the mothers who were tempted to abort, but rather chose to put their trust in You. Help them to be wise and at peace regarding their decisions.

June 2 – Numbers 36

Num 36:6  This is what the LORD commands concerning the daughters of Zelophehad, saying, 'Let them marry whom they think best, but they may marry only within the family of their father's tribe.'

Do you think this was an unfair ruling by God -- that these women had a choice as to whom they married, but were restricted in a certain area in order to retain tribal property rights? This was not the only restriction on who women (or men for that matter) could marry. “Nor shall you make marriages with them [Canaanites]. You shall not give your daughter to their son, nor take their daughter for your son,” Dt.7:3. So they had choice, but with boundaries. These boundaries were either in their personal or national best interests. The principle of choice, but with boundaries for our own good, applies in many areas besides marriage: career choices, friend choices, entertainment choices, college choices, etc.

What choices are you facing at the moment? What about your children? Today I encourage each of us to think of God’s guiding boundary lines as we make those choices. Then pray about it!