a victorious walk

Posted on May 26, 2012 by Jefferson Vann

brown-skip-army-rangers-marching-in-formation-with-blurNumbers 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 still under grace.  The Moabite Midianites — who had seduced Israel into Baal worship, were wiped out in battle.  This was not only an economic victory. It served to encourage the people as they would be engaged in many battles under Joshua in conquest of the land.  

Our walk in Christ may not be as steady as we want it to be.  We may make mistakes that cost us dearly. But God will still be faithful to himself, and to us.  We should keep expecting the victories that remind us of his faithfulness, even though we cannot presume to be victorious all the time. God’s mercy will triumph over his judgment in the case of his beloved.

LORD, thank you for showing us victories that remind us of your faithfulness.

Posted in confidence, courage, dependence upon God, encouragement, grace, mercy | Tagged | 1 Comment

a responsible walk

Posted on May 25, 2012 by Jefferson Vann

brown-skip-army-rangers-marching-in-formation-with-blurNumbers 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, no matter what.

Unmarried women could be excused of their vows by their fathers, and married women could be excused of their vows by their husbands.  In both these cases, the emphasis is still on responsibility.  The father and husband would be the ones responsible for seeing that the vow is carried out.  If they do not say anything when they hear of the vow, they must be responsible to see that it is carried out.

Jesus warns us not to make rash vows:

“Let what you say be simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything more than this comes from evil” (Matthew 5:37).

Vows are often a type of bargaining with God.  It is very hard to keep such promises, but we are responsible for what we promise.

LORD, give us the wisdom not to promise too much.

Posted in commitment, discernment, responsibility, wisdom | Tagged | 1 Comment

a costly walk

Posted on May 24, 2012 by Jefferson Vann

brown-skip-army-rangers-marching-in-formation-with-blurNumbers 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!”  That is elaborate and expensive worship. 

The fact that the LORD required this kind of expense was an encouragement, because it showed that Israel was going to get to the promised land, and see the prosperity that would allow for this kind of worship.

LORD, thank you that although you require a great deal from us, you also promise to make it possible for us to meet your requirements.

Posted in commitment, future, grace, money, trust, worship | Tagged , | 2 Comments

a cooperative walk

Posted on May 23, 2012 by Jefferson Vann

brown-skip-army-rangers-marching-in-formation-with-blurNumbers 27

This chapter records the LORD’s answer to two of Moses’ prayers.

  1. Moses wanted to know how to answer the appeal of Zelopehad’s daughters.  God told him that the daughters were right, and deserved an inheritance so that their father’s name was not lost in Israel.  This clarification of the rule set forth in Leviticus 25 would establish a precedent that would come into play during the story of Ruth.
  2. Moses asked for a successor to lead his people as he did. God directed him to Joshua, who would be a very important leader during the conquest of the land.

Our prayers are important to God.  He wants to cooperate with us in preparing for the future.  

LORD, may we never neglect our prayer time with you.

Posted in consideration of others, dependence upon God, future, prayer | Tagged | 1 Comment

a prepared walk

Posted on May 22, 2012 by Jefferson Vann

brown-skip-army-rangers-marching-in-formation-with-blurNumbers 26

This census has more to do with preparing for the future occupation of the land rather than fighting for it.  The concern was that each tribe get a fair share of the coming blessing.  Every family was listed.  The number of the people listed is significant for several reasons. The two most striking facts are:

  1. There is little change in the actual total.  This is accounted for by God’s warning that those who had the chance to see the promised land during the time of the sending out of the spies would not enter.  
  2. There is a significant reduction in Simeon’s tribe.  This has mostly to do with the plague, and Zimr’s relationship with the Moabite Cozbi, that led to it.

LORD, get us ready for the future that awaits us.

Posted in encouragement, faithfulness, future, preparation | Tagged | 1 Comment

a jealous walk

Posted on May 21, 2012 by Jefferson Vann

brown-skip-army-rangers-marching-in-formation-with-blurNumbers 25

What the enemy could not accomplish with a curse, he then sought to accomplish through love.  Yes, it was a relationship between a prince of Israel (Zimri) and a princess of Midian (Cozbi).  Through this relationship, Israel had been introduced to the Moabite culture of Peor, including its worship of Baal.

When Aaron’s grandson — Phinehas — was given the order to “kill those of his men who have yoked themselves to Baal of Peor” he knew just what to do. He killed Zimri and Cozbi.  That may seem out of place, but it was not.  It was either them, or the whole people of Israel.  The LORD said that Phinehas “has turned back my wrath from the people of Israel, in that he was jealous with my jealousy among them, so that I did not consume the people of Israel in my jealousy” (11).

LORD, prevent us from establishing relationships that would lead us away from you. Give us the courage to end any relationships or habits that have the potential to do that.

Posted in commitment, discipleship, faithfulness, kingdom of God, relationship with God | Tagged | 1 Comment

a realistic walk

Posted on May 20, 2012 by Jefferson Vann

brown-skip-army-rangers-marching-in-formation-with-blurNumbers 23-24

The LORD is faithful to himself.  If he chooses to bless (as he did Israel by Balaam) then all the sacrifices and hired prophets cannot curse.  Sometimes our prayers seem to fall on deaf ears.  It may be that what we are asking for does not fit into God’s ultimate plan to bless us.  God is sovereign, and we cannot manipulate him.  We have to be realistic in our prayers.  We should have faith, but — in the end — it is not our faith that accomplishes anything.  It is the love and power of our sovereign God.

LORD, we trust you, not our attempts to change you.

Posted in dependence upon God, discipleship, faith, prayer, submission | Tagged , | 2 Comments

a dangerous walk

Posted on May 19, 2012 by Jefferson Vann

brown-skip-army-rangers-marching-in-formation-with-blurNumbers 22

It is a dangerous thing to pretend to serve the LORD and cohort with the enemy.  Balaam had his purpose, and the LORD used him for his glory, but the LORD also made every effort to show Balaam that he was in danger.  Balaam’s donkey recognized what his master did not.  God was allowing him to do the wrong thing, but he was not commanding it.

LORD help us not confuse what you allow with what you prescribe.  Keep us committed to you, and you alone.

Posted in discernment, obedience, providence, will of God | Tagged | 1 Comment

a hopeful walk

Posted on May 18, 2012 by Jefferson Vann

brown-skip-army-rangers-marching-in-formation-with-blurNumbers 20-21

Through tragedy and triumph, victory and defeat, progress and setback – the LORD is with his people.  He is faithful, even when his chosen servants fail.  He remains faithful even when his people’s enemies surround them. 

The bronze serpent, sign of the very punishment being meted out by the LORD himself, became a symbol of hope for the Israelites.  Likewise, the cross – a symbol of the shame and punishment Christ took for us – is now a symbol of hope.

“Therefore, …let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.” (Hebrews 12:1-3).

LORD, we look to the cross, and continue to walk (and run) into our future with hope.

Posted in church, commitment, conflict, dependence upon God, hope, trust | Tagged , | 2 Comments

a maintained walk

Posted on May 17, 2012 by Jefferson Vann

brown-skip-army-rangers-marching-in-formation-with-blurNumbers 18-19

The Levites’ ministry  was maintained by the tithe, and the priests’ ministry was maintained by the tithe of the tithe.  Purity in the assembly from the defilement caused by death was maintained by the ritual washings. 

The same God who delivered his people from Pharaoh has a way for them to live that will maintain their integrity as a nation.  The same God who gave his only Son, also gave his Holy Spirit for our sanctification.

LORD, we surrender to your will. Maintain us with your Holy Spirit.

Posted in church, dependence upon God, Holy Spirit, sanctification | Tagged , | 2 Comments