Feb 14 Numbers 27, 32-35 Disobeying God Has Implications for Generations

Next Sunday (Feb 24th), we will celebrate Purim by reading through the Book of Esther. Haman, the bad guy in the story, turns out to be an Agagite, a descendant of the king of the Amalekites. As we read today, the Israelites were supposed to obliterate the Amalekites by God's fiat. Remember, they were the first to attack the Israelites when they left Egypt. Saul, was finally given the order from God to destroy them and he did not. 1,000 years later, Haman hatches a plot to wipe out the Jews. God had to intervene to save the Jews.

These incidents point out that our sins have long term impacts on others. Sin is not a private affair. Eventually, our irresponsibility will affect others.

Throughout the wanderings, we have seen the importance of family, clan, tribe, and community/nation to God . To love others, we must refrain from sin, no matter how much of a private affair that we think it is.

Feb 14 Numbers

Feb 13 Numbers 26 What Do I Do With The Lists?

The Bible contains a number of genealogies and other lists. ALL Scripture is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness, so what do I glean from this list?

• God makes good on his judgments - not one was left from the 1st census, except Joshua and Caleb, just like God promised. So, heed God's warnings.
• Rebellion against the LORD is highlighted. So, follow Him and His precepts.
• Every person and family is important to God. So, you are valuable and so is your family.

What can you think of?

Feb 12 Numbers 25, 31 Personal Relationships

Some of the Israelite men were enticed by the Midianite women into having sex with them - then worshiping the women's false gods. Please take of this recurrence throughout the Old Testament. Over and over again, having sex with or marrying those outside of faith in Yahweh (the LORD), ended in false worship.

Those of you who are single take note. Those of you who are parents take note. Marrying unbelievers is not what a godly follower of Christ does. Evangelistic dating is not a good practice. God wants godly children to result from all marriages. God wants you to be godly. It is very, very difficult to do when your spouse is an unbeliever.

We all must have unbelieving friends - so we can lead them to Christ. But having an unbelieving male friend is very different from having an unbelieving boyfriend. Your heart can lead you astray and get you to believe your own lies and justifications.

God wants two godly believers to marry and to help each other grow closer to Christ - and to each other. Marriage is already tough enough - don't make it tougher.

Now, some of you have already married unbelievers or you came to Christ after you married. The Bible gives clear advice - stay married - through your actions, prayers, and life - draw your spouse to Christ.

Stay tuned, the Bible will say a lot more about this issue.

Oh yeah, just because a person says they are a Christian, doesn't automatically make them a good marriage partner.

Feb 11 Numbers 22-24 Trying to Manipulate God for Our Own Gain

Please notice that Balak kept moving Balaam around. He would sacrifice at a different place hoping to get the LORD placated and to change His mind. The pagan mindset was that the gods could be manipulated through sacrifice. Pagans wanted the gods to bless what they wanted.

We as Christians seek to do God's will. We pray to seek His will for our lives and know that God is not like a man that changes his mind.He is sovereign and knows best. We are given a new mindset at rebirth.

Feb 10 Numbers 20-21, 33 God's Chosen Must Represent God Well

The great sin of Moses at Meribah should cause anyone who represents God in a leadership role (parents included) to pause and ponder. Moses made it sound like it was he who was doing the miracle (not God) and Moses did so in anger. The text does not say God was angry. Moses misrepresented God.

Pastors and elders especially (but all leaders including parents) must remember they represent God at all times. We must do it well and by our speech and action, God must be shown to be holy. There is a more global application to "Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord, thy God in vain." When we take on the name, Christian, we are taking on the name of Christ. We represent Him and and His work every minute of every day. Think about that! As we get more and more leadership authority, more and more is expected of us. Check out James 3:1 - teachers will be judged more severely.

At this point, I recommend that you google, "Exodus wanderings map." You should have an idea about the geography that you are reading about.

You should also realize that the Bible text is silent about 38 plus years of the wanderings. We are now picking up the action as the Israelites are conquering peoples just before taking the Promised land.

Feb 9 Numbers 16-18 Holiness of God's Chosen and Their Support

Certain people questioned the choice (God's) of Aaron as High Priest. That questioning was seen by God as an act of rebellion against God. There is an important principle that we should take forward to our church. It should be God's idea to add an elder or pastor and it is the Holy Spirit who is to choose him. How is that done today? It is done by the children of God committed to the church through membership who are to fast and pray and collectively determine (vote) to decide. Because each believer has the Holy Spirit, the Holy Spirit can speak through the people. Each person must be sure that they are searching God's will, not their own. Once chosen, the elder or pastor must be respected as God's chosen to lead. Over-ruling an Elder Council decision should be done with much prayer as should the decision of the Elder Council! The church belongs to Jesus - not the elders, not the congregation.

Tithing is introduced to the people of Israel to support the Levites - those who will minister before the LORD. All of the people are to tithe - giving one tenth of all of their increase to the Levites. All should tithe and it is to be 10% of the gross, not the net. It is to be the people's first fruits and their best. Giving to the Levites is tantamount to giving to the LORD. Carrying these principles forward - we should give 10% of our gross income to our local church. Some people think tithing is another word for giving - it isn't - tithing means to give 10% of your increase - income and all other increases like gifts, inheritances, etc. Some people think it means 10% should be all charitable giving. That is not the principle here.

There will be more on tithing and charitable giving as we go along.