Author Archives: Jefferson Vann
in retrospect: can’t blame a guy for trying
Deuteronomy 3 Moses pestered the LORD in prayer, hoping that he would relent and allow him to cross the Jordon and see the promised land. Finally, the LORD told him not to ask again. God had a plan for Joshua … Continue reading
in retrospect: no cake walk
Deuteronomy 2 Moses looks at the crucial time when he and the Israelites stopped their wandering and set their sites (again) on the promised land. He sees it all from God’s perspective. The 38 years were to fulfill God’s promise … Continue reading
in retrospect: challenges of leadership
Deuteronomy 1 Moses reflects upon some of the particular challenges he had faced as leader of God’s people. This sets the tone of Deuteronomy — a book of reflection. We don’t get a lot of new material in this book, … Continue reading
a protective walk
Numbers 35-36 By granting refuge to individuals who were accused of murder, the LORD protected those falsely accused. By prescribing limits, he assured that people could not abuse the law. The same was true of the inheritance rights. Zelopehad’s daughters … Continue reading
Posted in church, consideration of others, discernment, freedom, responsibility
Tagged Numbers 35, Numbers 36
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a specific walk
Numbers 33:50-34:29 The LORD did not set the Israelites free for freedom’s sake alone. He had a plan and a promise — to bring them to a specific place and settle them there to represent him specifically. He did not … Continue reading
Posted in commitment, dependence upon God, discernment, discipleship, kingdom of God, will of God
Tagged Numbers 33, Numbers 34
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looking back as we walk
Numbers 33:1-49 Here Moses records the places where Israel had camped on their journey to Canaan and their wandering in the wilderness. Where they had walked was a testimony both to the LORD’s provision, and to their own stubbornness and … Continue reading
a considerate walk
Numbers 32 Moses did not first oppose Reuben and Gad because they saw an opportunity to take care of their families. His objection was twofold. First, they had not considered what staying in the Transjordon would do to the other … Continue reading
Posted in consideration of others, courage, faithfulness, perseverance, wisdom
Tagged Numbers 32
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a victorious walk
Numbers 31 Moses had already known for some time that he would not accompany his people to the promised land. He had sinned, and there would be consequences. Nevertheless, God gave him one final victory to show that he was … Continue reading
Posted in confidence, courage, dependence upon God, encouragement, grace, mercy
Tagged Numbers 31
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a responsible walk
Numbers 30 The Israelites were expected to keep their word, just as they expected the LORD to keep his promises to them. Men, widows and divorced women were under their own authority, so they were responsible to keep their vows, … Continue reading
a costly walk
Numbers 28-29 The ESV Study Bible states “It has been calculated that, over the course of a year, these sacrifices involved a total of 113 bulls, 1,086 lambs, over a ton of flour, and 1,000 bottles of oil and wine!” … Continue reading
