A book of the Bible that really counts
Numbers 1: Number the congregation
The book of Numbers may be the most accurately named book of the Bible. As Moses organizes these hundreds of thousands of people we read page after page of names and numbers. In fact, the Lord even gives Moses a list of the names of those who are to name the names in accomplishing this huge task. Itās all very practical and reasonable. If nothing else, Numbers reminds us that our service of the Lord isnāt all about worship services and sermons. Often there are practical things to be done: statistics to be compiled, organizational meetings to attend, and plans to be made. Such endeavors donāt āfeelā very spiritual but theyāre part of forming mere humans into a people of God, organized and ready to serve. Having said all that, I confess that I donāt find much devotional material in the lists of the Book of Numbers. I may fast forward through them and focus on some of the other events of this book of the Bible.
Take Away: Sometimes being a people of God includes taking care of business in addition to focusing on worship and other āspiritualā activities.
Tag: Book of Numbers
Devotional on Numbers
They did it all
Numbers 1: The People of Israel did everything that God commanded Moses. They did it all.
The story of the Israelites seems to be either āhotā or ācold.ā They either march forward in victorious obedience or shrink back in the sin of unbelief. I think thatās rather unfair. For one thing, by its very nature the Bible is a book of spectacular success or spectacular failure. At times decades of ordinary events are skipped to jump to the next big event. The first chapter of Numbers sets up the census and the coming description of other everyday duties of various servants. The mountain top of the Ten Commands is history and the failure to enter Canaan lies ahead. For now, they are learning the ropes of living day by day as Godās people. As we read the Bible it appears that the day to day part is minor, just a way to mark time between the big stuff. In reality itās the opposite. Most sentences used to describe life end with periods. Only a few earn exclamation marks. At this point, Mosesā congregation earns high marks. āThey did it all.ā
Take Away: The real measure of our Christianity is how we handle the day-to-day, ordinary part of our lives.
Devotional on Numbers
Making restitution
Numbers 5: Tell the People of Israel, When a man or woman commits any sin, the person has broken trust with God, is guilty, and must confess the sin.
The book of Numbers is about naming names. It also contains considerable practical instruction on how this nation of former slaves is going to function as a People of God. Reading Numbers is not always the most uplifting devotional reading one might do. However, that doesnāt mean thereās nothing worth reading here. Instead, we have to do a little prospecting to find the gold. This statement from Numbers 5 is a good example of that. Moses explains to the people the true nature of sin; that it is a breaking of trust with God. It isnāt a mistake and it isnāt human shortcoming. Rather, itās behaving in a disloyal way toward God. Still, thereās hope rather than condemnation here. In spite of the guilt, thereās the possibility of restoration. First, the sinner must acknowledge his sin by confessing it. No excuses are allowed. The offender must meet the issue head on. Second, restitution is to be made. True to the nature of the book, a practical approach is outlined: restore the full amount of the offense plus 20 percent. The concept is even expanded to include just who is to receive the compensation in extenuating circumstances. As a person who lives under the New Covenant, Iām not bound by the letter of the Law. Still, though, the concepts here apply. To sin is to break trust with God. The first step to restoration is to acknowledge my failure. The second is to make things right. The specific steps to a remedy are different but the concept sounds a whole lot like the Sermon on the Mount.
Take Away: Confession and restitution lead to restoration.
Devotional on Numbers
Bless you!
Numbers 6: This is how you are to bless the People of Israel.
Progress is being made and itās about time to put the new Tent of Meeting into service. The various sacrifices have been described along with the duties of those who will serve in this portable worship center. God has something he wants the priests to say: āGod bless you and keep you, God smile on you and gift you, God look you full in the face and make you prosper.ā Note that this isnāt something the priests or even Moses thought up. God wants this to be said because, he says, āI will confirm it by blessing them.ā Isnāt it wonderful to be reminded that God desires to bless his people! He wants to keep us, to gift us, and to prosper us. Now, I could spend time here talking about what all this means, especially, in light of all the āhealth and wealthā teaching around. Instead, though, Iād rather just be reminded here of the good will God has toward us. We donāt hear Moses saying to the priests, āLetās make it our habit to ask God to bless us.ā Instead, here’s God, Himself, saying, āI want to bless you and as a reminder of that, hereās what I want you to say.ā Thank you, Lord, for not only your blessings, but for your desire to bless.
Take Away: We are recipients of an abundance of good will from the Lord.
Devotional on Numbers
Now that I have your attention
Numbers 7: When Moses entered the Tent of Meeting to speak with God, he heard the Voice [of God]ā¦He spoke with him.
One thing about these ancient Israelites: they know how to throw a party. The dedication of the Tent of Meeting lasts twelve days with each day having its own pageantry and symbolism. Each of the family tree groups gets a day of its own and as the days progress each family is connected to this sacred place. The offerings have been made and now Moses, instead of going up on the mountain to meet with God, enters the Most Holy Place in the new Worship Center to complete its dedication. In an awesome moment, there above the Covenant Chest and between the golden angels Godās Voice is heard. Wow! No longer will it take a trip up Mount Sinai for a meeting with the Lord. Instead, he comes to them, dwelling right there at the heart of their camp. Itās impressive to remember that this wasnāt Mosesā idea. The building and furnishing of the Tabernacle was initiated by the Lord, himself. The Israelites donāt have to figure out some way to get Godās attention. In fact, from the very beginning of their story itās the Lord who has reached out to them, initiating a relationship with them. So it is to this day. It isnāt that I figure out just what I have to do to get God to respond to me. Instead, from the start, he reaches out to me, inviting me to be his very own. When I hear and respond I find that the Almighty is more than willing to allow me to connect my life to his.
Take Away: God has always been a communicating God.
Devotional on Numbers
Time Out
Numbers 9: They camped at Godās command and they marched at Godās command.
Itās pretty straightforward. Thereās a big cloud that glows like fire at night. All they have to do is follow it. When it moves, they move. When it stands still, they stand still. Thatās the one that catches my attention: āstand still.ā I do a lot better job of moving. After all, Iām a valuable part of the Kingdom of God and Iām sure the Lord needs for me to be in the game from start to finish. Other players might get a break but no bench time for me! Well, seriously, I know thereās always something else to be done. I need to take note that even as the Lord leads the Israelites in this clear and unmistakable way that sometimes he leads them to stop. For one thing that means taking time out. God built a day off into the very fabric of Creation. A minimum of one day out of seven is a day for the Pillar of Cloud in our lives to stand still. Another thing that comes to mind is that I donāt listen to God very well when Iām on the move. His Voice is precious, but itās often so quiet that I wonāt hear it at all unless I still my life and pay attention. Every day needs to have times when the Pillar of Cloud stands still for a while and I focus my attention entirely on the Lord.
Take Away: Taking time out is not only a good thing to do, itās actually a requirement.
Devotional on Numbers
Sign me up
Numbers 10: If you come with us, weāll make sure that you share in all the good things God will do for us.
What a sight it is! Banners are flying, the Ark of the Covenant is leading the way, and the Pillar of Cloud is overhead. Itās time for the Israelites break camp. Hundreds of thousands of people with all their possessions move forward with precision and purpose. In just a few months this nation of slaves has been transformed into an organized, decisive people of God. During the organizational process, Hobab, the brother-in-law of Moses has kept company with the Israelites. Now, as they prepare to break camp he tells Moses that heās going to leave for home. Heās not an Israelite and his family and neighbors are elsewhere. Moses, though, encourages him to cast his lot with Godās people. For one thing Hobab is an outdoorsman, familiar with this territory to the east of Egypt. His expertise will come in handy in the days to come. For another, heās welcome to share in the blessing of these descendants of Abraham. If he stays, Moses promises, heāll get a part of the blessing God has for them. Today, Iām drawn to this good man who, before we ever hear of the righteous Cornelius of the book of Acts, or follow Paul and Silas on that first missionary journey, connects himself to the people of God. Thatās what Iāve done too. I donāt deserve it and should, instead, be forever an outsider. Instead, as Moses did long ago, Godās Son Jesus invites me to tag along. When I agree, he connects me to himself, making me a citizen of a country that will forever be blessed by the Lord.
Take Away: How wonderful it is to be invited to join Godās people on their journey!
Devotional on Numbers
Be quiet and eat your manna
Numbers 11: I’ll take some of the Spirit that is on you and place it on them.
Thereās a problem with the manna. It still tastes fine and supplies, apparently, the recommended daily dietary needs. However, manna for breakfast, lunch, and supper seven days a week is boring. In Egypt they had meat, cucumbers and melons, onions and garlic. In the wilderness they have manna, manna, and more manna. In their dietary frustration they complain to Godās, man, Moses and for him this is the breaking moment. Heās angry with the people and heās angry with God. In fact, he declares, if this is the way it has to be he would just as soon be dead. Moses has been burning the candle at both ends and now the fire has met in the middle. People, like Moses, who have performed admirably through the most difficult circumstances, hit the wall and suddenly some minor problem causes them to crash. Know what? I think it’s Moses’ own fault. His father-in-law, Jethro, told him he couldn’t do it all alone back in Exodus 18 and a plan was set up at that time. After that Moses spent time on the mountain with God, the terrible golden calf incident and some other things happened. I don’t know this for sure, but it looks like the plan Jethro suggested has dropped by the way and Moses is back to being “the guy” for everything. If this is true the result is predictable: Moses finds himself drowning in responsibility. Leaders need to remember that no matter how skillfully they organize things in the beginning and no matter how high the quality of leadership that’s brought on board, that they must continue to hold the plan in shape. Otherwise, things will unravel, and, over time everything will once again be propped up against them.
Take Away: Skillful leadership includes recognizing, training, and empowering others. It also includes the providing of constant maintenance.
Devotional on Numbers
The first thing about spiritual leadership
Numbers 11: Would that all Godās people were prophets. Would that God would put his Spirit on all of them.
There’s more going on in Numbers 11 than just Moses needing to organize with some key leaders. God intends to take some of the Spirit heās given Moses and divide it up among those chosen to assist him. When seventy leaders are gathered to initiate this new approach something spiritual happens, and, in ways that cause us to think of the unique events on the Day of Pentecost, there are outward signs of this spiritual event. A couple of the chosen leaders miss the meeting and out there in the camp they too publicly prophesy. Itās this public display that concerns some. When word is brought to Moses heās undisturbed. Itās okay with him for God to place his Spirit on them even though they missed the meeting. In fact, he wishes all Godās people were endowed for service. Here I see that beyond all the articles in āLeadership Magazineā and beyond all the good advice in āSeven Habits of Highly Effective Peopleā, and beyond all the important leadership lessons to be learned is the fact that God gifts people for leadership. Leadership in the Kingdom is first, a spiritual act. Pastors and other church leaders must never forget that. Our authority is based on God putting his Spirit in us.
Take Away: Training is important but beyond that is the truth that God gifts some people for leadership.
Devotional on Numbers
All in the family
Numbers 12: God overheard their talk.
On the surface itās a family squabble. Mosesā brother and sister, Miriam and Aaron, donāt like his wife. This isnāt especially earthshaking. There are many in-laws who donāt get along. In this case, though, Mosesā brother and sister go public with their family dispute, apparently undermining his leadership by pointing out that Moses is married to a non-Israelite. Itās here that we find this chilling sentence: āGod overheard their talk.ā Actually, this passage usually brings a smile to my face. The statement that Moses is the most humble man on the face of the earth is quite funny when we think of the tradition that Moses is the author of Numbers. Supposedly we have him describing himself here as the most humble man on earth! In spite of the smile, however, this is quite a serious passage. God doesnāt like it when people undermine the leadership he’s put in place. The issue here isnāt about disagreeing with leaders, questioning some decision they’ve made. Instead, itās about undermining God-given authority. In this case, God doesnāt like what he hears and acts to shore up his chosen leaderās status by diminishing theirs. Surely there are times when church leaders need correction but if they need to be taken down a peg or two, weād better be careful about our place in it.
Take Away: A God called leader remains human and prone to error but he or she also deserves respect as one set apart by the Lord.
Devotional on Numbers
Grasshopper thinking
Numbers 13: Alongside them we felt like grasshoppers. And they looked down on us as if we were grasshoppers.
Iād love to come up with some unique, interesting way to talk about this famous statement, but, alas, I think preachers across the centuries have pretty much nailed it. In preparation for invading the Promised Land twelve explorers are sent to check out the area. They find a rich, bountiful land and, to the dismay of most of them, they also find physically imposing warriors. All their faith in God and his promises concerning this land dissipates. The most famous line of the report of the majority is that, compared to those big guys they feel like grasshoppers. Through the centuries since, preachers like me used this passage to remind our listeners that if we think of ourselves as grasshoppers others will do the same. Grasshopper thinking stops us from even attempting great things by defeating us before we ever begin. Itās a self-fulfilling and God displeasing prophecy. When God gives me his plan, my job is not to evaluate the wisdom of that plan. Instead, Iām to trust him and obey in the assurance that God will provide everything necessary for it to succeed. To do otherwise is to see myself as a grasshopper ā what Zig Ziggler called, “Stinkin’ thinkin’.”
Take Away: If we think of ourselves as grasshoppers weāll perform like grasshoppers and others will tend to see us that way too.
Devotional on Numbers
Faith talk
Numbers 14: If God is pleased with us, he will lead us into the landā¦just don’t rebel against God!ā¦Don’t be afraid of them.”
Joshua and Caleb ā I like these guys! While everyone else is talking grasshopper talk they’re talking faith talk! They saw all the same things their fellow explorers saw ā both the good and the bad, yet while the others are convinced of sure failure, these two gents are trying to rally the troops into action. It isn’t that theyāve decided that their army is superior to those of their foes. Instead, they believe God has made certain promises to them, has brought them to this place, and now commands them to action. You see, Joshua and Caleb aren’t especially brave. In fact, theyāre fearful. Theyāre afraid, not of giants, but of rebelling against God. Let’s see: giants over here, God over there. If Iām going displease one or the other, which should it be? Itās easy: I’d rather have God on my side against the giants than have giants on my side against God!
Take Away: If Iām going to be fearful, let me be fearful of failing God.
Devotional on Numbers
Grace abounds
Numbers 14: In this wilderness they will come to their end. There they will die.
It sounds unfair, doesn’t it? God brings them out of Egypt, cares for them and leads them to the land he’s promised. Then, when theyāre afraid of the giants of Canaan he dumps them. It sounds unfair; but it isnāt. Hereās whatās happening: heās giving them their own way. They don’t want to listen to the pleading and encouraging word of Caleb and Joshua, they don’t want to follow the lead of Moses, and they don’t want to trust God. So God says, “Okay.” If they prefer to go back into the wilderness heāll let them go. The result will be tragic, their bones scattered across the desert. But if they insist, heāll let them have it their way. Even here thereās grace. Manna will continue to fall, their clothes wonāt wear out, and God will still be their God. The words quoted above arenāt a death sentence. Rather, theyāre a statement of reality. The Lord will patiently wait until these decision-makers have died off and then give the same command and make the same offer to their children. Passages like this define both free will and grace. On one hand, God wonāt force us to obey him. On the other, heāll never stop working in our lives, patiently calling us to himself and to his purposes for us.
Take Away: The Lord wonāt negate our free will, even for our own good.
Devotional on Numbers
Thereās sin and then thereās Sin with a capital āSā
Numbers 15: The person…who sins defiantly, deliberately blaspheming God, must be cut off from his people.
This chapter of the book of Numbers returns to the subject of the resolution of sin. Sometimes, weāre told, people blunder into sin and donāt even know theyāve done wrong. In fact, the whole nation can mess up like that. Once the failureās realized, theyāre to confess it and then take steps to repair the crack in their relationship with God. As weāve seen before that involves the death of a scarified animal and the application of its innocent blood. However, the Law clearly distinguishes between sins of error and intentional sin. Animal sacrifices offer no hope to someone who ādeliberately despised Godās wordā and āviolated Godās command.ā Such a person is no longer numbered among Godās people. This passage goes on to give an example of such intentional failure. In this case, the penalty is death. Itās easy to see that the Old Testament Law distinguishes between mistakes and intentional failure. Both are called āsinā but one is a hundred times more serious than the other. Sin with a lower case āsā receives an automatic portion of grace as one realizes the failure and moves to make things right. Sin with a capital āSā brings death. Now, having said all that, Iām glad the story doesnāt end here. Due to the fact that human beings are sinners by nature weāre all guilty of death dealing sin. We should all be taken out of the camp and executed for our intentional spiritual failure. Thankfully, in Jesus Christ thereās hope even here. Because of Jesus, Paul writes, weāre ānot under law but under grace.ā He also says, āWhere sin increased, grace increased all the more.ā What a wonderful difference the Son of God makes, dealing not only with sin but also with Sin with a capitol āS.ā
Take Away: Weāre recipients of grace and its grace that we need.
Devotional on Numbers
Serious business
Numbers 16: Earth opened its mouth and in one gulp swallowed them down.
In spite of the awesome encounters with the Almighty and his daily provision for them, and in spite of the progress thatās been made in the construction of the Tent of Worship as well as the organization of the hundreds of thousands of people, serious opposition is building in the camp. Many resent Mosesā assumption of authority and doubt his ability to lead them forward. Resentment and doubt fester and some step forward to seize the moment. They rally a collation to challenge Moses. Not once, but twice the entire nation is moments away from eradication due to the wrath of the Almighty. Moses calls for a contest of sorts. Representatives of both sides will come to burn incense before the Lord. God will choose who will lead his people. The contest is a brief one. No one can doubt the Lordās answer as the earth opens to swallow up the rebels. The 250 who are offering incense to the Lord are struck dead by lightning. If that isnāt enough, the next day many throughout the camp complain, blaming Moses for all the death the previous day and the Lord responds by sending a plague that kills 14,700 people. Clearly, the Lord is intent on establishing, once and for all, Moses as the leader of the Israelites. Just as clear, is the realization that to this very day God expects his plans to be followed. Without doubt, Iām aware of the grace, mercy, patience and love the Lord has for us. I need to also be aware that none of this means the Lord will just go along with me when I challenge his purposes in the world. The result my rebellion may not be as dramatic as it was among these ancient Israelites but it will be just as serious. Challenging God is always serious business.
Take Away: Never doubt it: the Lord expects us to be obedient to his will.
Devotional on Numbers
Talking to rocks
Numbers 20: Speak to the rockā¦do we have to bring water out of this rock for youā¦slammed his staff against the rock.
Weāre familiar with most of the big events in the life of Moses. We know about the bulrushes, the burning bush, the plagues, the Red Sea crossing, and Mount Sinai. Sadly, when the story of Moses is told his failure at Meribah has to be included. This is the blot on his life and, later on, this is what disqualifies him from entering the Promised Land. On the surface it seems like a minor infraction. God says to him, “Speak to the rock” and, instead, he “hits the rock.” As I read this and see the seriousness of God’s response I immediately think that there has to be more. I think the “more” is what Moses says before he strikes the rock. Moses’ leadership has been challenged before and each time heās responded by pointing the people to the Lord. Moses’ entire case for leadership, his credentials, is that heās God’s man. In this case as his leadership is being once again challenged, he takes matters into his own hands. He doesn’t say, “Listen, rebels! Watch what the Lord is going to do for you.” Instead, he says, “Listen, rebels! Do we have to bring water out of this rock for you?” The difference is profound. Instead of God getting the credit, Moses and Aaron are taking it. Remember, this is not the mistake of a young person in their first pastoral assignment. This is an intentional shifting of emphasis by a seasoned man of God whoās had many personal encounters with the Lord. God takes this intentional failure seriously. We see here that God expects gifted leaders to remember the source of their authority, to remember that they are stewards of his, and that theyāre expected to always serve with that in mind. To do otherwise mars an otherwise exemplary ministry.
Take Away: The longer we walk with the Lord the more he expects of us.
Devotional on Numbers
Snakes!
Numbers 21: Anyone bitten by a snake who then looked at the copper snake lived.
Have you ever been snake bit? I am very happy to report that I am not in that number. Two groups of people have great snake stories: missionaries and plumbers. Missionaries have them because of their journeys and plumbers have them because they crawl under houses in places where snakes like to live. I seriously doubt that either group says that encountering snakes is a highlight of their profession. In this Scripture passage the people anger God by being irritable in spite of his many blessings on them. In his anger, he sends poisonous snakes that bite people: a death sentence. Now, there are all kinds of concerns here about our Heavenly Father doing this, and, while I think itās worthy of consideration, something bigger comes to mind. You see, spiritually speaking I have been snake bit. The result is that Iāve been poisoned by sin and the result of that poison is death. The remedy for the ancient Israelites is the bronze snake on a pole. When they look up they find healing — wholeness. My hope is found when I look to another “pole” — that is, the cross of Jesus. In him I find, not death, but life.
Take Away: Look up to the cross ā and live!
Devotional on Numbers
Godās second best
Numbers 21: Israel moved in and lived in Amorite country.
For some reason Iāve always imagined the ancient Israelites just wandering around in the wilderness for forty years. Apparently, it wasnāt quite like that. As they prepare to enter the territory ruled by King Sihon Moses sends representatives to negotiate safe passage through the territory. He promises that he and his people will only pass through and wonāt take anything that isnāt theirs. However, Sihon sees them as easy prey and orders his army to attack them. Israel fights back and not only defends itself but takes possession of the territory ruled by Sihon. Later on they also defeat Ogās forces and take his territory too. They havenāt arrived in Canaan but now they have a base of operations. In spite of their massive failure to occupy Canaan the Lord has provided them with temporary housing. The other stories of battles and other conflicts all orbit around this territory which is east of the Dead Sea and of Canaan. For this generation, this is as good as it gets. They could have been taking the Promised Land, securing a future for their children but instead theyāre in a āholding patternā just shy of their goal. On one hand, Iām moved by the grace of God. In spite of their failure the Lord continues to care for them. On the other hand, itās disappointing that they came so close yet failed to take possession of Canaan. (Even to the point of fighting Og who is described in Deuteronomy as one of the giants of Canaan). As I see the Israelites busying themselves with moving into their temporary housing I canāt help but wonder how often Iāve accepted Godās second best for me. Thereās a lot of grace in this passage, but things arenāt what they might have been.
Take Away: Godās people never need settle for second best when it comes to Godās provision.
Devotional on Numbers
Mr. Ed
Numbers 22: Then God gave speech to the donkey.
Thereās no other story in the entire Bible like this one. Balaam is a backslidden prophet of God whoās on his way to put a curse on God’s people. His donkey is stubborn and is misbehaving. As Balaam angrily beats the poor animal, God gives the donkey the power of speech. This incident has caught the imagination of countless readers. The movie industry did a series of “Francis the talking mule” stories in the 1950’s. Later on, TV brought us the story of a talking horse, “Mr. Ed.” Then, Don Francisco brought the story to everyone’s attention in his song, “Balaam.” The punch line in Francisco’s song reminds me that when God uses me to deliver his message that I shouldn’t become conceited. After all, he could have used a donkey instead. I know this, God is God and he can do whatever he wants. If it serves his purposes to make an animal speak his words the Lord certainly has the ability and the authority to do so. And if he commissions me to speak his message I know it isn’t because Iām such an intelligent, articulate person that I stand out in the crowd. The Lord calls and uses people for his own purposes. Still, for man or donkey, itās an honor to be so called!
Take Away: If God can use a donkey to deliver his message we know he can use us.
Devotional on Numbers
What God intended in the first place
Numbers 23: How can I curse whom God has not cursed?
Balaam is hired by Balak, king of Moab, to curse the Israelites. After the talking donkey incident, Balaam has had a change of heart. After all, part of that unusual event is that he saw the angel of the Lord with sword in hand blocking his way. Now as he arrives, Balak urges him to go ahead and curse the Israelites. Balaam agrees to do his thing, but warns Balak that he can only say what the Lord allows him to say. He enters into his āprophetic tranceā and the words that come out of his mouth are a disappointment to Balak. Right off itās plain that the pitiful prophet, whoās toying with stuff he would be better off leaving alone, isnāt going to do a very good job of cursing Godās people. Instead, Balaam hears himself blessing them. This whole blessing and cursing stuff is off the mark anyway. Godās people donāt believe in spells and magic. Rather, we believe in God. In this case the Lord used Balaamās hocus pocus for his own purposes, but remember this: God already intends to bless Israel. Thatās what heās been saying all along. Even if Balakās plan had worked and Balaam managed to state a mysterious, mystic curse on Israel it would have just been a lot of hot air. Beyond that, Balaamās blessing doesnāt actually mean anything either. God didnāt hear this silly prophet state a blessing and think he had to obey. The Lord continued to do what he intended to do all along.
Take Away: The Lord is sovereign and all the hocus pocus in the world isnāt going to force him to do anything.