Numbers 3:33-5:22

“But the Kohathites must not go in to look at the holy things, even for a moment, or they will die.” Numbers 4:20 (NIV)

Numbers 3-4 is a census counting of males from one month old and up. Then there’s also a counting of men ages 30-50, who were considered of age to serve in the tabernacle. These chapters include detail of their responsibilities and how things should be done. The Lord is serious, and so are his consequences for those who disobey.

I say it a lot, occasionally out loud: I feel like I am often the example of “what not to do.” I can think of examples of  the ridiculous things I’ve done–things that only had mild unwanted consequences as a result of not following directions–like a traffic fine or the three-day headache I got from looking at a biliblanket light immediately after the technician said to me, “Do not look directly at the light.” However, my offenses against the Lord are not light. And they are so deserving of death.

As I get closer to the Lord, my sin feels heavier when I realize the cost paid for me–and Jesus’ death on the cross for my salvation becomes all the more precious.

Thank you, Jesus! Thank you for salvation and making a way for me. When it comes to living my life for you, I really want to be a better example–from a heart of motivated by love and thankfulness. Amen.

Courtney

From the archives. Originally published February 13, 2009.

Advertisement

Deuteronomy 27-31; Luke 12

Warnings. Lengthy lists of cursing and blessing over matters of disobedience and obedience. Wouldn’t the choice be clear?

¹⁹ “Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. Now I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh, that you would choose life, so that you and your descendants might live! ²⁰ You can make this choice by loving the Lord your God, obeying him, and committing yourself firmly to him. This is the key to your life. And if you love and obey the Lord, you will live long in the land the Lord swore to give your ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.” Deuteronomy 30:19-20, NLT.

Shouldn’t the choice be clear? A choice between life and death–yet actions and attitudes steer on course or off, slight variances that don’t always seem so clear until viewed in hindsight.

I can’t help but squirm a little with a reading that’s all about warnings.

The Lord predicts Israel’s disobedience.

¹⁶ The Lord said to Moses, “You are about to die and join your ancestors. After you are gone, these people will begin to worship foreign gods, the gods of the land where they are going. They will abandon me and break my covenant that I have made with them. ¹⁷ Then my anger will blaze forth against them. I will abandon them, hiding my face from them, and they will be devoured. Terrible trouble will come down on them, and on that day they will say, ‘These disasters have come down on us because God is no longer among us!’ ¹⁸ At that time I will hide my face from them on account of all the evil they commit by worshiping other gods.” Deuteronomy 21:16-18, NLT.

A class discussion on Dante’s circles of hell, The Inferno, a note stands out: “The damned must deliberately harden their hearts to God in order to become damned.” Choice.

Warnings in the New Testament: against hypocrisy, earthly wealth at the cost of a relationship with God, money and possessions.

²⁹ “And don’t be concerned about what to eat and what to drink. Don’t worry about such things. ³⁰ These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers all over the world, but your Father already knows your needs. ³¹ Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and he will give you everything you need.

³² “So don’t be afraid, little flock. For it gives your Father great happiness to give you the Kingdom.

³³ “Sell your possessions and give to those in need. This will store up treasure for you in heaven! And the purses of heaven never get old or develop holes. Your treasure will be safe; no thief can steal it and no moth can destroy it. ³⁴ Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.” Luke 12: 29-34, NLT.

Warnings.

³⁵ “Be dressed for service and keep your lamps burning, ³⁶ as though you were waiting for your master to return from the wedding feast. Then you will be ready to open the door and let him in the moment he arrives and knocks. ³⁷ The servants who are ready and waiting for his return will be rewarded. I tell you the truth, he himself will seat them, put on an apron, and serve them as they sit and eat! ³⁸ He may come in the middle of the night or just before dawn. But whenever he comes, he will reward the servants who are ready.” Luke 12: 35-38, NLT.

My lengthy lists look more like to-do’s, grocery lists, homework lists, book lists and wish lists. There are other lists too: complaints, wounds, annoyances, regrets.

Lord, help me to put you first at the top of my heart, seeking you and your kingdom. A hardening of the heart is a plaque that builds over time, thoughts and choices that take me off course–the repetition of these things (complaining, disobedience, poor attitude, etc.) makes me adept at them. I want to practice better things. Help me to wait well, dressed for service, ready.

Courtney (66books365)

Numbers 32; Psalm 77; Isaiah 24; 1 John 2

• Sin and disobedience. In Numbers, Moses is mad–and he reminds the people what their disobedience cost them … desert wandering for forty years. The promised land is before them, don’t shrink back. Do what you say you’ll do.
• The psalmist feels abandoned. But then he remembers all God has done. He remembers that God brought them out of slavery. God even held the waters apart and made a way for them that they didn’t know existed.
• Isaiah shows the wasteland and the decay of sin. But still, I hear the worship song rising up.
• First John 2, encouragement not to sin. But if we do, we have an advocate who pleads our case.

Disobedience. It holds back from God’s blessings. It isolates and wastes.

But I love that God makes a way–through his own son, and who would have ever imagined?

All kinds of things call and divide–people who want to lead astray with lies; the world and temporal values; my very own cravings that will fade away.

Life is found in Christ.

He is the way that God made, the one who saved us from the slavery of sin. God’s Spirit lives in me, to speak truth into my life–that I can know God, have fellowship with him, and please him.

²⁶ I am writing these things to warn you about those who want to lead you astray. ²⁷ But you have received the Holy Spirit, and he lives within you, so you don’t need anyone to teach you what is true. For the Spirit teaches you everything you need to know, and what he teaches is true—it is not a lie. So just as he has taught you, remain in fellowship with Christ.

²⁸ And now, dear children, remain in fellowship with Christ so that when he returns, you will be full of courage and not shrink back from him in shame. 1 John 2:26-28 NLT (emphasis mine)

Lord, I’m so thankful that I can call upon you any time of day and be near you. I’m finding more and more, that as the days seem crazy–peace comes not from an accomplished to-do, but time with you. I want to be open and obedient to your promptings. You are my provider, my strength, my friend.

Courtney (66books365)

Listening to: Endlessly.

1 Peter 1, Ezekiel 22, Ezekiel 23

The word of the Lord came to me, saying, “Now, son of man, … show her all her abominations! … I have poured out My indignation on them; I have consumed them with the fire of My wrath; … then you shall know that I, the Lord, have poured out My fury on you.’” Ezekiel 22

“Therefore thus says the Lord God: ‘Because you have forgotten Me and cast Me behind your back, Therefore you shall bear the penalty Of your lewdness and your harlotry.’”…you shall pay for your idolatrous sins. Then you shall know that I am the Lord God.’”  Ezekiel 23  

“To the Pilgrims” with “an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation …”  1 Peter 1

Read at – http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ezekiel%2022,%20Ezekiel%2023,%201%20Peter%201&version=NKJV

Ezekiel 22     “You have become guilty by the blood which you have shed, and have defiled yourself with the idols which you have made. You have caused your days to draw near”

                Lord Almighty Omniscient, You always hate sinful words, actions, thoughts and attitudes which people do. You always tell me to turn to You and be saved from Your fierce wrath. #1

             What angers You, Lord God, are people willfully shedding the blood of the innocent in their womb or for revenge or money. Or when I make an idol out of anything and depend upon “it” to make me happy, content or to bring myself pleasure, comfort or security. It is then that I do NOT depend upon my alive and real Relating-ship with You my Father. It is as if I turn my back on You saying “Lord, You are not good enough for me, I don’t trust You so I am rejecting You for the greater importance of _whatever__.” God, You are a jealous for me! Rightfully so. You bought me with the price of Your only begotten Son’s Life Blood. You love me immeasurably. I am to treat You as my Master! Joyously! Thank You!  #2

            The willfulness of my own soul causes me to either run to You or flee. May I always be conscious of Your Goodness and Truth which is the only Hope and Remedy for my personal fulfillment and boundless Joy. #3

            Lord, I lift up my nation to You! Awaken Your people and transform the hell bound to know You, hate their atrocities against You and live for Your glory alone, Omniscient Father. #4

            Just as in Ezekiel 22, many leaders use their power to make light of the father and mother bonds and responsibilities which You ordained and instituted. Many have devoured people, taken treasure and precious things, made many widows by war and murder. Many religious leaders have violated Your Law, profaned Your holy things and have not distinguished between the holy and unholy. Many citizens slander thus causing death to reputations, relationships or to a life itself. Many commit robbery, lewdness, have sex outside of marriage, homosexuality, adultery, incest, mistreat the poor and needy and make excess dishonest profits by extortion and usury. Many people who have forgotten the Lord God, their Creator.  #5

            You state what You can do to us Lord, “I beat My fists, … I shall deal with you… I, the Lord, have spoken, and will do it. … remove your filthiness completely from you….then you shall know that I am the Lord.”

               Your Word should fill me with Holy Fear of You Lord – to know Your Power and Holiness so to live to please You! Holy One, Thank You that You did not destroy me or others immediately. I call on Your character to be slow to anger and long suffering because You do not want anyone to perish. Please engage Your Body to be very active for Your Victory of salvation of souls! Please have me know You better and more intimately each day, and for my nation, too! #6

            Jesus, awaken me to be involved with Your kindness when I see a stranger, a widow, or someone who is fatherless. Remind me of Your Mercy and Grace that helped me when I was Your enemy and even now when I am Your child. Have me fear You more greatly to keep Your Sabbath set apart just for You, to Worship and abide in You deeply instead of trading Your attention for anything else. #7

1 Peter 1  –    To the pilgrims … in sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ:  you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, whom having not seen you love.

            Lord God, You speak of various trials. Oh how painful they are sometimes!! The twists and turns I am carried through, and yet I must be straight in You and faithful to You, my Savior. Help me to heed Your Word by Your Holy Spirit so that I will not fall into the sins listed in the following passages, even in my mind.

             Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance; but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.”

            I am grateful that I am “redeemed with …the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot. …who through Him believe in God … that your faith and hope are in God.”

            Lord Jesus Christ, enable, empower and contend with me to “purify my soul in obeying the truth through the Spirit …having been born again …through the word of God which lives and abides forever.” Amen!

Bible insights –

#1  Psalm 97:10; Psalm 7:11; Ezekiel 14:6; Joel 2:12; Acts 26:20; James 1:21; Proverbs 6:16-19; Psalm 9-11; Ezekiel 18; 2 Chronicles 7:14; Luke 12:5; Isaiah 59:1; Hosea 4:6; Matthew 11:28-30; Deuteronomy 28; Job 33:13; Matthew 12:36; Romans 14:12; Hebrews 4:13; 1 Peter 4:5; Hebrews 9:27

#2   Exodus 34:14; Ezekiel 39:25; Zephaniah 3:17; Deuteronomy 4:24; Exodus 20; Nahum 1:2; Matthew 26:28; Hebrews 9:22; 1 Corinthians 6:20; 1 Corinthians 7:23; Acts 20:28; Jeremiah 31:3; Jeremiah 29:11; Psalm 1; John 13:13; Matthew 28:18-20; Matthew 25:31-46; Revelation 7:10; Colossians 3:23-25; Philippians 4:4-8; Nehemiah 8:10; Revelation 7:12

#3 Nehemiah 8:10 

#4  2 Chronicles 7:14; Romans 5:8; Romans 6; Luke 12:5; Romans 1:18-2:16; 1 Corinthians 6:9-11; Revelation 19:20; Revelation 20:10; Psalm 51; Hosea 4:6; Job 28:28; Psalm 19:9; Psalm 25:14; Psalm 33:18; Psalm 111:10; Proverbs 1:7; Proverbs 2:5; Proverbs 8:13; Proverbs 14:27; Proverbs 16:6; Proverbs 29:25

#5 Genesis 1:1-3; Genesis 1:26-2; Leviticus 18, Deuteronomy 6:1-9; Deuteronomy 11; Psalm 127:3-5; Proverbs 5:18; 1 Peter 3; Ephesians 5; 1 Corinthians 7; Exodus 20; Romans 1:18-2:16; John 10; Luke 11:13; James 1:17, Leviticus 18:22

#6   Job 28:28; Psalm 19:9; Psalm 111:10; Proverbs 1:7; Proverbs 1:29; Proverbs 2:5; Proverbs 8:13; Proverbs 9:10; Proverbs 14:27; Proverbs 16:6; Luke 12:5; Nehemiah 9:17; Psalm 103:8; Nahum 1:3; Isaiah 59:1; 2 Peter 3:9; Romans 12:1-2; Ephesians 6:10-20; Romans 8

#7    Romans 5:8; John 1:1-3; John 1:10-14; John 1:29; 1 John 3:1; Exodus 20:8-9; John 4:23-26; Exodus 20:12

Crystal (PsalmThirty4)

Jonah 1, 2, 3, 4; Acts 15:1-21

Jonah doesn’t want to do what the Lord says. He gets on a boat and heads in the far opposite direction of where he should be going. He puts everyone on the boat in great danger, but he is unaware. Jonah 1:1-5 NLT.

Doesn’t want to do it. Goes in the opposite direction. Puts others in danger. He is unaware.

Some years ago I did a life illustration for my daughter using Fisher-Price Little People in a boat. The boat was our home, and the people inside were the family members. The application had nothing to do with Jonah, but I thought of that little boat with the family inside when I started reading today.

I thought of one man’s disobedience, and how it put others in danger–and he was unaware.

I don’t often think of the ripple effect of my actions (or inaction). Unaware. A storm builds up and threatens to tear the boat apart–my home. Impatience. Apathy. Even preoccupation with other responsibilities. Am I hearing the call God has on my life?

God says, “Go here.” And Jonah says, “No.”

Am I so caught up in (fill in the blank) that I don’t even hear his voice? Little people in my boat, where am I steering us? Does my walk with the Lord show obedience to him? What do I make priority in my life? Do my words and actions align?

I think of family generations–the ones before me who set a course the others followed. Is that the course I want to follow? Is where I’m going a place I want my kids to end up?

Father, I pray that I would hear you and your call on my life. Help me to lead where you have placed me. When you say to me, “Go here.” I want my bags packed and my heart willing. Willing to go to love, forgiveness, patience, kindness–wherever you say. Help me to be mindful of the path I’m on, and ready to redirect my steps. Help me to be mindful I’m setting a course that others may follow.

Courtney (66books365)

Lead Where You Are