"Phinehas the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, has turned away My wrath from the sons of Israel in that he was jealous with My jealousy among them, so that I did not destroy the sons of Israel in My jealousy. Therefore say, ‘Behold, I give him My covenant of peace; and it shall be for him and his descendants after him, a covenant of a perpetual priesthood, because he was jealous for his God and made atonement for the sons of Israel.'" -Numbers 25.11-13
Israel was living in sin, and the son of the high priest had had enough of it. He took a spear, and killed an Israelite man with a Midianite woman. We see that the man was named Zimri, the son of a leader in the tribe of Simeon. The example he was setting was one of arrogance, selfishness, and destruction. There was no love or respect for God, and Phinehas could not stand by as the son of a leader behaved in such a way. He was the son of the high priest, and it was part of his responsibility to point the people back to God. He wanted the people to be holy and righteous, and so he took a spear and killed a man who knew better, and should have helped set an example.
God is pleased because Phinehas was jealous, and angry, for the right reasons. Because of the motive behind the action, God decides not to destroy Israel. They are spared because of the actions of one man seeking to end sin. God gives him the covenant of peace for him and his descendants, as well as the covenant of an everlasting priesthood. His actions, and desire for a holiness and righteousness, brought atonement for Israel from the plague God had sent because of their sin.
Men, what are you jealous for? What makes you angry? Does sin make your blood boil? Dose the desire for people to be holy and righteous consume you? What are you doing about it? Are you taking action to help people find new life in Christ? Are you working to disciple others into Christlikeness? These are the things God desires, let us fight for them.
Let us be jealous for the things of God.
"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."
To God alone be the Glory!
Strength and Honor
Sunday, October 12, 2014
Saturday, October 11, 2014
Spear It
"Then behold, one of the sons of Israel came and brought to his relatives a Midianite woman, in the sight of Moses and in the sight of all the congregation of the sons of Israel, while they were weeping at the doorway of the tent of meeting. When Phinehas the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, saw it, he arose from the midst of the congregation and took a spear in his hand, and he went after the man of Israel into the tent and pierced both of them through, the man of Israel and the woman, through the body. So the plague on the sons of Israel was checked." -Numbers 25.6-8
In spite of everything, Israel still hasn't learned. This group that has been spared of death and permitted to enter the Promised Land after forty years of wandering decides to double dip. They follow God, but when their are invited to a pagan worship service, they decide it's ok too. They go and worship Baal, and God's anger rises against the people.
God tells Moses to deal with it by publicly executing the leaders. There is something about public killing that is a strong deterrent of an action, but this isn't a post on the death penalty. But there are those who live in arrogant defiance. One such Israelite flaunted his sin. In the middle of everything, he brings a pagan woman into the camp and his tent. He doesn't sneak her in at night, or even when the people are busy with tasks during the day. He does it when there is worship gong on at the tent of meeting.
Phinehas, son of Eleazar the high priest, has had enough of this attitude. He locates a spear and goes after the arrogant Israelite. He enters into his tent and there slays both the man and the woman. He pins them to the ground and kills them for their actions. Sin leads to death, and sometimes more than just our own.
Men, we must have the attitude of Phinehas. Sin must infuriate us to the point where we do something about it. Don't buy a spear off of Amazon (you can find them there), and kick down your neighbor's door to skewer him when he does something wrong. One that would be murder, a sin, and land you in jail, probably on death row. Plus unless he loves Jesus, it isn't right for you to hold him to the standards Jesus set.
Israel knew better. They knew what was right and wrong in the sight of God, and when they sinned knowingly and willfully, God brought upon them the punishment they deserved. When there is sin in our life, let us deal with it immediately. Let us spear it to the ground and kill it where it lies before it can consume us. When we see sin in the lives of other believers, let us confront it lovingly. When we see people who haven't found new life in Christ living like they don't have new life, let us love them and build relationships with them. Let us pray for them and look for opportunities to tell them about the love and transformation we have found in Jesus. As we do this His Spirit will be at work to kill sin in their lives, and maybe one day they will spear it to the ground.
Let us live lives fully committed to God, and may we always spear sin to the ground.
"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."
To God alone be the Glory!
Strength and Honor
In spite of everything, Israel still hasn't learned. This group that has been spared of death and permitted to enter the Promised Land after forty years of wandering decides to double dip. They follow God, but when their are invited to a pagan worship service, they decide it's ok too. They go and worship Baal, and God's anger rises against the people.
God tells Moses to deal with it by publicly executing the leaders. There is something about public killing that is a strong deterrent of an action, but this isn't a post on the death penalty. But there are those who live in arrogant defiance. One such Israelite flaunted his sin. In the middle of everything, he brings a pagan woman into the camp and his tent. He doesn't sneak her in at night, or even when the people are busy with tasks during the day. He does it when there is worship gong on at the tent of meeting.
Phinehas, son of Eleazar the high priest, has had enough of this attitude. He locates a spear and goes after the arrogant Israelite. He enters into his tent and there slays both the man and the woman. He pins them to the ground and kills them for their actions. Sin leads to death, and sometimes more than just our own.
Men, we must have the attitude of Phinehas. Sin must infuriate us to the point where we do something about it. Don't buy a spear off of Amazon (you can find them there), and kick down your neighbor's door to skewer him when he does something wrong. One that would be murder, a sin, and land you in jail, probably on death row. Plus unless he loves Jesus, it isn't right for you to hold him to the standards Jesus set.
Israel knew better. They knew what was right and wrong in the sight of God, and when they sinned knowingly and willfully, God brought upon them the punishment they deserved. When there is sin in our life, let us deal with it immediately. Let us spear it to the ground and kill it where it lies before it can consume us. When we see sin in the lives of other believers, let us confront it lovingly. When we see people who haven't found new life in Christ living like they don't have new life, let us love them and build relationships with them. Let us pray for them and look for opportunities to tell them about the love and transformation we have found in Jesus. As we do this His Spirit will be at work to kill sin in their lives, and maybe one day they will spear it to the ground.
Let us live lives fully committed to God, and may we always spear sin to the ground.
"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."
To God alone be the Glory!
Strength and Honor
Friday, October 10, 2014
No Honor from Men
"Then Balak’s anger burned against Balaam, and he struck his hands together; and Balak said to Balaam, 'I called you to curse my enemies, but behold, you have persisted in blessing them these three times! Therefore, flee to your place now. I said I would honor you greatly, but behold, the Lord has held you back from honor.' Balaam said to Balak, "Did I not tell your messengers whom you had sent to me, saying, "Though Balak were to give me his house full of silver and gold, I could not do anything contrary to the command of the Lord, either good or bad, of my own accord. What the Lord speaks, that I will speak"?'" -Numbers 24.10-13
Balaam has pronounced two blessings over Israel, and Balak isn't thrilled. He takes Balaam to one final place to see if maybe he will curse Israel, but once again Balaam pronounces a blessing. Balak is angry, and tells Balaam that God has kept every thing that he had offered from him. There will be no riches or honor bestowed upon Balaam from Balak. But at hearing this Balaam reminds him of what he has said from the beginning, that he can say nothing but what God has commanded him.
His words bring him no praise from men, but they bring the favor of God. Where when cast shame, God brings honor.
Men, sometimes the things God gives us to say are not popular, and they will divide us from others. Friendships may be broken, family may disown us, but we must remember that we live not for man's praise, but God's.
Let us speak the words of God, knowing that we will receive honor from Him.
"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."
To God alone be the Glory!
Strength and Honor
Balaam has pronounced two blessings over Israel, and Balak isn't thrilled. He takes Balaam to one final place to see if maybe he will curse Israel, but once again Balaam pronounces a blessing. Balak is angry, and tells Balaam that God has kept every thing that he had offered from him. There will be no riches or honor bestowed upon Balaam from Balak. But at hearing this Balaam reminds him of what he has said from the beginning, that he can say nothing but what God has commanded him.
His words bring him no praise from men, but they bring the favor of God. Where when cast shame, God brings honor.
Men, sometimes the things God gives us to say are not popular, and they will divide us from others. Friendships may be broken, family may disown us, but we must remember that we live not for man's praise, but God's.
Let us speak the words of God, knowing that we will receive honor from Him.
"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."
To God alone be the Glory!
Strength and Honor
Thursday, October 9, 2014
Whatever God Says
"He replied, 'Must I not be careful to speak what the Lord puts in my mouth?... But Balaam replied to Balak, 'Did I not tell you, "Whatever the Lord speaks, that I must do"?'" -Numbers 23.12, 26
Balaam's life has been saved because of his donkey, and then his own eyes were opened to see the angel. When he does, he admits his sin and offers to turn back and do what God had originally told him. The angel tells him to go on but only to say what God tells him to say. When he gets to Moab he tells Balak that he can only speak what God tells him to speak, and they head out to a high place where Balak hopes Israel will be cursed by Balaam.
That isn't what takes place. Seven altars are built and fourteen animals are sacrificed, and then Balaam goes to hear from God. He gets the message and returns to pronounce a blessing upon Israel instead of a curse. Balak isn't happy, but as we've seen he isn't one to give up easily. He takes Balaam to another high point and builds seven more altars making another fourteen sacrifices. After this Balaam goes off, talks with God, and brings back another blessing over Israel.
Balaam has been brought, and paid, to pronounce a curse on a people so that another king may defeat them in battle, but he's doing the exact opposite. He is saying something unpopular because it is what God has commanded him to say. He made a mistake in going back with the men, but now, there, he is doing whatever God is commanding him.
Men, God gives us messages that need to be shared. They aren't always fun, or popular, but if it's a message from God that has been entrusted to us, we need to share it. Are you willing to share the message, regardless of whether the audience wants to hear it or not? Are you willing to say all that God says, exactly the way He says it? Or do you want to take the buy out and say whatever gets you the most money?
Let us commit ourselves to be God's messengers, and may we never share a message that He has not given us.
"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."
To God alone be the Glory!
Strength and Honor
Balaam's life has been saved because of his donkey, and then his own eyes were opened to see the angel. When he does, he admits his sin and offers to turn back and do what God had originally told him. The angel tells him to go on but only to say what God tells him to say. When he gets to Moab he tells Balak that he can only speak what God tells him to speak, and they head out to a high place where Balak hopes Israel will be cursed by Balaam.
That isn't what takes place. Seven altars are built and fourteen animals are sacrificed, and then Balaam goes to hear from God. He gets the message and returns to pronounce a blessing upon Israel instead of a curse. Balak isn't happy, but as we've seen he isn't one to give up easily. He takes Balaam to another high point and builds seven more altars making another fourteen sacrifices. After this Balaam goes off, talks with God, and brings back another blessing over Israel.
Balaam has been brought, and paid, to pronounce a curse on a people so that another king may defeat them in battle, but he's doing the exact opposite. He is saying something unpopular because it is what God has commanded him to say. He made a mistake in going back with the men, but now, there, he is doing whatever God is commanding him.
Men, God gives us messages that need to be shared. They aren't always fun, or popular, but if it's a message from God that has been entrusted to us, we need to share it. Are you willing to share the message, regardless of whether the audience wants to hear it or not? Are you willing to say all that God says, exactly the way He says it? Or do you want to take the buy out and say whatever gets you the most money?
Let us commit ourselves to be God's messengers, and may we never share a message that He has not given us.
"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."
To God alone be the Glory!
Strength and Honor
Wednesday, October 8, 2014
Asking Again
"Then Balak again sent leaders, more numerous and more distinguished than the former. They came to Balaam and said to him, 'Thus says Balak the son of Zippor, "Let nothing, I beg you, hinder you from coming to me; for I will indeed honor you richly, and I will do whatever you say to me. Please come then, curse this people for me."' Balaam replied to the servants of Balak, 'Though Balak were to give me his house full of silver and gold, I could not do anything, either small or great, contrary to the command of the Lord my God. Now please, you also stay here tonight, and I will find out what else the Lord will speak to me.' God came to Balaam at night and said to him, 'If the men have come to call you, rise up and go with them; but only the word which I speak to you shall you do.' So Balaam arose in the morning, and saddled his donkey and went with the leaders of Moab. But God was angry because he was going, and the angel of the Lord took his stand in the way as an adversary against him." -Numbers 22.15-22
This is where Balaam's story begins to turn. He has sought God and has been told not to go with these men or to curse the nation of Israel. They return in greater numbers, and with more authority and offer more in return for his services. He already has his answer from God and should have said no as soon as they asked. But for some reason he says. "Let me check with God again, maybe He'll change His mind." He already knows what he should do, but maybe the wealth has caught his eye. Maybe he's simply tired of saying no. But whatever the reason he asks God again.
This time God tells him to God, but that he is only to do what God says. In the morning he gets up and heads out, but God is angry and sends an angel to kill him. What follows is the story of a donkey saving a man's life and then talking to tell him what is going on, but the point here is that Balaam knew what he was supposed to do, but goes to see if God decides to do something else.
Men, how often do we do this? When God gives us an answer that we don't like, do we accept it, or do we begin to pester Him hoping He'll change His mind? Do we let other things grab our attention and cause us to desire it over doing what God has said? When God has made His will clear do we ask again hoping for a different answer?
It's important to note that God allowed Balaam to go, but that there were consequences for him to face. Had his donkey not seen the angel Balaam would have been struck down and killed. When God makes His will clear may we let nothing deter us from following it. May we never allow anything to grab our attention and pull our focus away from following God.
When God makes it clear, let's not ask again.
"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."
To God alone be the Glory!
Strength and Honor
This is where Balaam's story begins to turn. He has sought God and has been told not to go with these men or to curse the nation of Israel. They return in greater numbers, and with more authority and offer more in return for his services. He already has his answer from God and should have said no as soon as they asked. But for some reason he says. "Let me check with God again, maybe He'll change His mind." He already knows what he should do, but maybe the wealth has caught his eye. Maybe he's simply tired of saying no. But whatever the reason he asks God again.
This time God tells him to God, but that he is only to do what God says. In the morning he gets up and heads out, but God is angry and sends an angel to kill him. What follows is the story of a donkey saving a man's life and then talking to tell him what is going on, but the point here is that Balaam knew what he was supposed to do, but goes to see if God decides to do something else.
Men, how often do we do this? When God gives us an answer that we don't like, do we accept it, or do we begin to pester Him hoping He'll change His mind? Do we let other things grab our attention and cause us to desire it over doing what God has said? When God has made His will clear do we ask again hoping for a different answer?
It's important to note that God allowed Balaam to go, but that there were consequences for him to face. Had his donkey not seen the angel Balaam would have been struck down and killed. When God makes His will clear may we let nothing deter us from following it. May we never allow anything to grab our attention and pull our focus away from following God.
When God makes it clear, let's not ask again.
"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."
To God alone be the Glory!
Strength and Honor
Tuesday, October 7, 2014
When God Says No
"He said to them, 'Spend the night here, and I will bring word back to you as the Lord may speak to me.' And the leaders of Moab stayed with Balaam. Then God came to Balaam and said, 'Who are these men with you?' Balaam said to God, 'Balak the son of Zippor, king of Moab, has sent word to me, "Behold, there is a people who came out of Egypt and they cover the surface of the land; now come, curse them for me; perhaps I may be able to fight against them and drive them out."' God said to Balaam, 'Do not go with them; you shall not curse the people, for they are blessed.' So Balaam arose in the morning and said to Balak’s leaders, 'Go back to your land, for the Lord has refused to let me go with you.'" Numbers 22.8-13
The story of Balaam shows us the importances of doing what God says. Men come to Balaam from the king of Moab, asking Balaam to come and curse Israel so that they may be defeated in battle. Balaam tells them that he must see what God says, and in the morning he tells them that he can not come because God has refused him to go.
At this point Balaam is fine. God gave Him an answer and he stuck with it. He was offered riches and he turned it down to be obedient to God. God said not to go, so Balaam said no. If only the story ended here.
Men, when God says no what do you do? Do you accept it and move on? Or do you turn into a bratty five year old and begin to ask, plead, and beg for Him to change His mind and give you what you want? Do you submit to His wisdom and reasoning even though you may not understand it? Or do you maintain that you know best and try to change His mind? One way brings us his favor, and as we'll see, the other makes Him our adversary.
May we always accept God's answer to prayer, even when it isn't the answer we hope for. When God says no, let us drop it and move on.
"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."
To God alone be the Glory!
Strength and Honor
The story of Balaam shows us the importances of doing what God says. Men come to Balaam from the king of Moab, asking Balaam to come and curse Israel so that they may be defeated in battle. Balaam tells them that he must see what God says, and in the morning he tells them that he can not come because God has refused him to go.
At this point Balaam is fine. God gave Him an answer and he stuck with it. He was offered riches and he turned it down to be obedient to God. God said not to go, so Balaam said no. If only the story ended here.
Men, when God says no what do you do? Do you accept it and move on? Or do you turn into a bratty five year old and begin to ask, plead, and beg for Him to change His mind and give you what you want? Do you submit to His wisdom and reasoning even though you may not understand it? Or do you maintain that you know best and try to change His mind? One way brings us his favor, and as we'll see, the other makes Him our adversary.
May we always accept God's answer to prayer, even when it isn't the answer we hope for. When God says no, let us drop it and move on.
"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."
To God alone be the Glory!
Strength and Honor
Monday, October 6, 2014
Enslaved to Stuff
"Then they set out from Mount Hor by the way of the Red Sea, to go around the land of Edom; and the people became impatient because of the journey. The people spoke against God and Moses, 'Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? For there is no food and no water, and we loathe this miserable food.'" -Numbers 21.4-5
Edom has refused Israel passage through their land, and so they set out in a different direction. It comes as no surprise that they become impatient and begin to complain. Yet again we see them longing for Egypt, and complain about the scarcity of food and water even though God has provided time and again. But now we see something different, they complain about the food God has given them. They call manna, the bread of heaven, miserable food that they loathe.
How often do we do this, especially in America? We always seem to be about the next best thing, even when we have more than we need. I don't know the nutritional information of manna, but I imagine that it was the ultimate superfood. I'm guessing it had everything in it that people needed to have in order to survive. On top of that it sounds like it tasted good, wafers and honey, as a kid during a Vacation Bible School they gave us Frosted Flakes to give us an idea about manna. And yet Israel complains about it. It is what they need and it is sustaining them until they get to the Promised Land, but they want more to the point that they are willing to become slaves to get it.
Men, are you enslaved to stuff? Is your life about getting the next best thing? The newest phone, car, TV? A better set of golf clubs? A bigger house? More money? Do you realize that the quest for the bigger and better enslaves you and that you will always need more in an attempt to fill the void? But what if you set the stuff aside and longed for more of God? What if each day you looked at life as just one day closer to eternity with Him, and He is providing everything you need in the mean time to sustain you until you get there?
Israel complained because they refused to look at what was waiting for them. They were so consumed by the here and now that they couldn't see what was in store for them. Rather than being content and seeing each day as one day closer to the Promised Land, rejoicing that God was providing for them until they got there, the complain about eating the same thing day after day. And the thing is, they brought it upon themselves. They were the ones who refused to trust and had to wander for forty years. They chose this, just as we chose to be enslaved to stuff.
Would you be free of your need for the next best thing? Turn to God, rejoice in what He has given you, and see each day as an opportunity to trust Him more, knowing each day brings you one day closer to His presence for eternity.
"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."
To God alone be the Glory!
Strength and Honor
Edom has refused Israel passage through their land, and so they set out in a different direction. It comes as no surprise that they become impatient and begin to complain. Yet again we see them longing for Egypt, and complain about the scarcity of food and water even though God has provided time and again. But now we see something different, they complain about the food God has given them. They call manna, the bread of heaven, miserable food that they loathe.
How often do we do this, especially in America? We always seem to be about the next best thing, even when we have more than we need. I don't know the nutritional information of manna, but I imagine that it was the ultimate superfood. I'm guessing it had everything in it that people needed to have in order to survive. On top of that it sounds like it tasted good, wafers and honey, as a kid during a Vacation Bible School they gave us Frosted Flakes to give us an idea about manna. And yet Israel complains about it. It is what they need and it is sustaining them until they get to the Promised Land, but they want more to the point that they are willing to become slaves to get it.
Men, are you enslaved to stuff? Is your life about getting the next best thing? The newest phone, car, TV? A better set of golf clubs? A bigger house? More money? Do you realize that the quest for the bigger and better enslaves you and that you will always need more in an attempt to fill the void? But what if you set the stuff aside and longed for more of God? What if each day you looked at life as just one day closer to eternity with Him, and He is providing everything you need in the mean time to sustain you until you get there?
Israel complained because they refused to look at what was waiting for them. They were so consumed by the here and now that they couldn't see what was in store for them. Rather than being content and seeing each day as one day closer to the Promised Land, rejoicing that God was providing for them until they got there, the complain about eating the same thing day after day. And the thing is, they brought it upon themselves. They were the ones who refused to trust and had to wander for forty years. They chose this, just as we chose to be enslaved to stuff.
Would you be free of your need for the next best thing? Turn to God, rejoice in what He has given you, and see each day as an opportunity to trust Him more, knowing each day brings you one day closer to His presence for eternity.
"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."
To God alone be the Glory!
Strength and Honor
Sunday, October 5, 2014
Passing the Torch
"'Aaron will be gathered to his people; for he shall not enter the land which I have given to the sons of Israel, because you rebelled against My command at the waters of Meribah. Take Aaron and his son Eleazar and bring them up to Mount Hor; and strip Aaron of his garments and put them on his son Eleazar. So Aaron will be gathered to his people, and will die there.' So Moses did just as the Lord had commanded, and they went up to Mount Hor in the sight of all the congregation. After Moses had stripped Aaron of his garments and put them on his son Eleazar, Aaron died there on the mountain top. Then Moses and Eleazar came down from the mountain." -Numbers 20.24-28
Because of the disobedience at Meribah, Moses and Aaron will not enter the Promised Land. Moses will lead the people until the forty years of wandering are complete, but Aarons' time has come. The high priest is about to die, and so the role must be passed to another, his son Eleazar.
There is a lot that can be said about passing the torch, but let me keep it to this, it has to be done. A lot of damage, some of it possibly irreversible, has been done because people want to hold on to the torch too long. It might be difficult to do, it's never easy to give up power or control, but we weren't meant to go on forever. We will become outdated, ineffective, or eventually we physically die. Try as we might, we simply can't go on forever.
Men, what torch do you need to pass? Are you willing to, or are you desperately clinging to it because it's your identity? Maybe you don't have that problem, you just aren't to the point where it is time to pass the torch, are you preparing for it?
I was able to witness a successful large church leadership transition between the wise "old" sage I meet with, and the younger king who has become the new lead pastor. I want to say it was close to a two year leadership transition, with responsibility gradually shifting. The sage told me near the beginning, "I want to hand over the keys while there is still gas in the tank." He knew the torch had to be passed, and he wanted to make sure it was still burning bright when he handed it off.
Let us never cling to any role as our identity. May we always be training up future leaders, and when the time is right let us willingly pass the torch.
"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."
To God alone be the Glory!
Strength and Honor
The traditional location of Aaron's burial near Petra in Jordan
Because of the disobedience at Meribah, Moses and Aaron will not enter the Promised Land. Moses will lead the people until the forty years of wandering are complete, but Aarons' time has come. The high priest is about to die, and so the role must be passed to another, his son Eleazar.
There is a lot that can be said about passing the torch, but let me keep it to this, it has to be done. A lot of damage, some of it possibly irreversible, has been done because people want to hold on to the torch too long. It might be difficult to do, it's never easy to give up power or control, but we weren't meant to go on forever. We will become outdated, ineffective, or eventually we physically die. Try as we might, we simply can't go on forever.
Men, what torch do you need to pass? Are you willing to, or are you desperately clinging to it because it's your identity? Maybe you don't have that problem, you just aren't to the point where it is time to pass the torch, are you preparing for it?
I was able to witness a successful large church leadership transition between the wise "old" sage I meet with, and the younger king who has become the new lead pastor. I want to say it was close to a two year leadership transition, with responsibility gradually shifting. The sage told me near the beginning, "I want to hand over the keys while there is still gas in the tank." He knew the torch had to be passed, and he wanted to make sure it was still burning bright when he handed it off.
Let us never cling to any role as our identity. May we always be training up future leaders, and when the time is right let us willingly pass the torch.
"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."
To God alone be the Glory!
Strength and Honor
The traditional location of Aaron's burial near Petra in Jordan
Saturday, October 4, 2014
The Cost of Disobedience
"'Take the rod; and you and your brother Aaron assemble the congregation and speak to the rock before their eyes, that it may yield its water. You shall thus bring forth water for them out of the rock and let the congregation and their beasts drink.' So Moses took the rod from before the Lord, just as He had commanded him; and Moses and Aaron gathered the assembly before the rock. And he said to them, 'Listen now, you rebels; shall we bring forth water for you out of this rock?' Then Moses lifted up his hand and struck the rock twice with his rod; and water came forth abundantly, and the congregation and their beasts drank. But the Lord said to Moses and Aaron, 'Because you have not believed Me, to treat Me as holy in the sight of the sons of Israel, therefore you shall not bring this assembly into the land which I have given them.'" -Numbers 20.8-12
This is perhaps the saddest moment in the life of Moses. He's led the people from Egypt to Sinai, and then from Sinai to the edge of the Promised Land with them complaining the whole way and asking if they can turn around and go back to Egypt. Things had gotten so bad that God sentenced them to forty years of wandering in the wilderness. Moses would have to put up with their complaining for four decades, but at the end he would lead the nation into the land.
But then we have this event at Meribah. The people need water and complain to Moses about their thirst. Moses in turn falls face down in humble submission to God and God tells him to speak to the rock and water will come forth. Moses goes to the rock and gathers the people and just as God's power is about to be shown off again, Moses disobeys and instead of speaking hits the rock twice with his staff. God doesn't abandon him, water still comes out for the people, but God is displeased with Moses.
I don't know if it was out of anger with the people, for some reason up until this read through I thought it was, but the text doesn't seem to indicate that here. I don't know if it was simply lack of faith because up to this point everything had been accomplished with the staff. I don't know why he did it this way, but it cost him more than he wanted to pay, more than he ever expected to lose.
Because of his lack of trust and disobedience, God will no longer allow Moses to lead the people into the Promised Land. He will lead them through the wilderness for the next forty years, he'll even get to see it from the top of Mt. Nebo, but his feet will never step on the soil. Because of his lack of trust he missed out on the blessing of the land, the hope that probably kept him going through all of the complaining.
There is an important lesson in this story. In January of 2013 I was on my second Israel trip, this one included a few days in Jordan, and aside from Petra the thing I was most looking forward to was the view from the top of Nebo. On a clear day you're supposed to be able to see North to the Sea of Galilee, and West to the Mediterranean. Sadly the clear days happen in the summer and I could just barely make out the northern tip of the Dead Sea. But my time on top of the mountain resulted in one of the greatest lessons I received from a brilliant biblical scholar.
One of my professors was on the trip and pointed out that in this event God shows that no one, not even a leader whom he speaks with as a friend, is able to get away with disobedience. Everyone is held accountable for how they respond to God, and no disobedience will be overlook or go unpunished.
Men, are you disobeying God? What rock have you been commanded to speak to, and yet you are hitting it instead?
Remember, God may not abandon you, water still came from the rock when Moses hit it, but his disobedience was not permitted. God took away the Promised Land from Moses. What will your disobedience cost you?
"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."
To God alone be the Glory!
Strength and Honor
This is perhaps the saddest moment in the life of Moses. He's led the people from Egypt to Sinai, and then from Sinai to the edge of the Promised Land with them complaining the whole way and asking if they can turn around and go back to Egypt. Things had gotten so bad that God sentenced them to forty years of wandering in the wilderness. Moses would have to put up with their complaining for four decades, but at the end he would lead the nation into the land.
But then we have this event at Meribah. The people need water and complain to Moses about their thirst. Moses in turn falls face down in humble submission to God and God tells him to speak to the rock and water will come forth. Moses goes to the rock and gathers the people and just as God's power is about to be shown off again, Moses disobeys and instead of speaking hits the rock twice with his staff. God doesn't abandon him, water still comes out for the people, but God is displeased with Moses.
I don't know if it was out of anger with the people, for some reason up until this read through I thought it was, but the text doesn't seem to indicate that here. I don't know if it was simply lack of faith because up to this point everything had been accomplished with the staff. I don't know why he did it this way, but it cost him more than he wanted to pay, more than he ever expected to lose.
Because of his lack of trust and disobedience, God will no longer allow Moses to lead the people into the Promised Land. He will lead them through the wilderness for the next forty years, he'll even get to see it from the top of Mt. Nebo, but his feet will never step on the soil. Because of his lack of trust he missed out on the blessing of the land, the hope that probably kept him going through all of the complaining.
There is an important lesson in this story. In January of 2013 I was on my second Israel trip, this one included a few days in Jordan, and aside from Petra the thing I was most looking forward to was the view from the top of Nebo. On a clear day you're supposed to be able to see North to the Sea of Galilee, and West to the Mediterranean. Sadly the clear days happen in the summer and I could just barely make out the northern tip of the Dead Sea. But my time on top of the mountain resulted in one of the greatest lessons I received from a brilliant biblical scholar.
One of my professors was on the trip and pointed out that in this event God shows that no one, not even a leader whom he speaks with as a friend, is able to get away with disobedience. Everyone is held accountable for how they respond to God, and no disobedience will be overlook or go unpunished.
Men, are you disobeying God? What rock have you been commanded to speak to, and yet you are hitting it instead?
Remember, God may not abandon you, water still came from the rock when Moses hit it, but his disobedience was not permitted. God took away the Promised Land from Moses. What will your disobedience cost you?
"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."
To God alone be the Glory!
Strength and Honor
Friday, October 3, 2014
Face Down
"Then Moses and Aaron came in from the presence of the assembly to the doorway of the tent of meeting and fell on their faces. Then the glory of the Lord appeared to them; and the Lord spoke to Moses" -Numbers 20.6-7a
Miriam, Moses' sister has died, and the people begin to grumble, again. The place where they are has no water for them to drink, and though God has provided for them in the past, for some reason they don't feel that He can, or will, come through this time. They come assemble against Moses and begin to complain, and Moses and Aaron go humble themselves before they Lord and wait for Him to speak.
They fall face down in the tent of meeting, and God appears in His glory to speak to Moses. They humble themselves before God and God comes to speak to them.
Men, if we would speak to God we must come to Him humbly. We must realize His greatness and our insignificance. We must come before Him in humility, fully surrendered to Him, and when we do, we are able to hear from Him. Are you willing to humble yourself and fall face down before God? Are you willing to be completely vulnerable to God and hear whatever He might have to say?
Let us humble ourselves so that we may hear from God. Let us fall face down in humility so that He can speak to us.
"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."
To God alone be the Glory!
Strength and Honor
Miriam, Moses' sister has died, and the people begin to grumble, again. The place where they are has no water for them to drink, and though God has provided for them in the past, for some reason they don't feel that He can, or will, come through this time. They come assemble against Moses and begin to complain, and Moses and Aaron go humble themselves before they Lord and wait for Him to speak.
They fall face down in the tent of meeting, and God appears in His glory to speak to Moses. They humble themselves before God and God comes to speak to them.
Men, if we would speak to God we must come to Him humbly. We must realize His greatness and our insignificance. We must come before Him in humility, fully surrendered to Him, and when we do, we are able to hear from Him. Are you willing to humble yourself and fall face down before God? Are you willing to be completely vulnerable to God and hear whatever He might have to say?
Let us humble ourselves so that we may hear from God. Let us fall face down in humility so that He can speak to us.
"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."
To God alone be the Glory!
Strength and Honor
Thursday, October 2, 2014
Cut Off
"But the man who is unclean and does not purify himself from uncleanness, that person shall be cut off from the midst of the assembly, because he has defiled the sanctuary of the Lord; the water for impurity has not been sprinkled on him, he is unclean." -Numbers 19.20
This verse follows instructions about purification in regards to touching a dead body. There was a cleansing ritual that needed to take place otherwise the person would remain unclean, and an unclean person, who would not purify himself, was not permitted to remain in the assembly and defile the sanctuary of God. As I read this my mind goes to the judgment seat.
There will come a day when all of us will stand before God, and those who have not been cleansed from their sins by the blood of Christ, will be cut off from the assembly of God's people forever. Sin has no place with God, it cannot be in His presence and defile heaven. It will be cast out from Him, and the one who has not been cleansed will spend eternity separated from God.
Men, have your sins been purified? Have you been cleansed of iniquity and found forgiveness in Christ? Have you been sprinkled by the blood of Christ so that you may enter the assembly of God forever? If not what are you waiting for? Time is short, the longer I live the more I realize that. Death is certain, there is no way off of planet Earth without facing it.
Will you be welcomed into eternal fellowship with God, or cut off from His holy presence forever? The choice is yours.
"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."
To God alone be the Glory!
Strength and Honor
This verse follows instructions about purification in regards to touching a dead body. There was a cleansing ritual that needed to take place otherwise the person would remain unclean, and an unclean person, who would not purify himself, was not permitted to remain in the assembly and defile the sanctuary of God. As I read this my mind goes to the judgment seat.
There will come a day when all of us will stand before God, and those who have not been cleansed from their sins by the blood of Christ, will be cut off from the assembly of God's people forever. Sin has no place with God, it cannot be in His presence and defile heaven. It will be cast out from Him, and the one who has not been cleansed will spend eternity separated from God.
Men, have your sins been purified? Have you been cleansed of iniquity and found forgiveness in Christ? Have you been sprinkled by the blood of Christ so that you may enter the assembly of God forever? If not what are you waiting for? Time is short, the longer I live the more I realize that. Death is certain, there is no way off of planet Earth without facing it.
Will you be welcomed into eternal fellowship with God, or cut off from His holy presence forever? The choice is yours.
"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."
To God alone be the Glory!
Strength and Honor
Wednesday, October 1, 2014
Is God Enough
"Then the Lord said to Aaron, 'You shall have no inheritance in their land nor own any portion among them; I am your portion and your inheritance among the sons of Israel.'" -Numbers 18.20
God is talking about how He is going to provide for the priests. He lays out how they will get food and be taken care of through the various offerings the people bring to sacrifice to God. Then at the end God reminds Aaron that the priests are not to have any inheritance of the land. They will not own any, but instead God will be their inheritance.
As I read that verse I was reminded of a blog post I read a few years back while I was in full time ministry. It asked the question, "Is Jesus enough?" I can't find the blog post, but it asked if Jesus is enough even if never build a large church, speak at a major conference, or have anyone read your blog or retweet your tweets. Is Jesus enough if He is all you ever get?
The Levites would have no land, no wealth, but they would have God. They would have a deep and intimate relationship with Him, and have Him provide for all of their needs.
Men, what would you choose if I gave you the option of a billion dollars or a deeper relationship with God than anyone has ever had? What would you pick between leading a church of 1,000 lukewarm Christians who simply showed up on Sunday morning, or witnessing in obscurity never receiving any recognition at all? It's easy to pick the second option in hypothetically, but what how many times have we faced that real choice and turned God down? How often have we chosen a secure career over the risk that God has called us to? How often have we picked prestige over humble service? How often have we told God, "You aren't enough"?
May we learn to be satisfied with God. May we come to see that relationship with Him as the most valuable possession we could ever have. May we come to value the chance to worship Him more than any accolade from others. May God be enough.
"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."
To God alone be the Glory!
Strength and Honor
God is talking about how He is going to provide for the priests. He lays out how they will get food and be taken care of through the various offerings the people bring to sacrifice to God. Then at the end God reminds Aaron that the priests are not to have any inheritance of the land. They will not own any, but instead God will be their inheritance.
As I read that verse I was reminded of a blog post I read a few years back while I was in full time ministry. It asked the question, "Is Jesus enough?" I can't find the blog post, but it asked if Jesus is enough even if never build a large church, speak at a major conference, or have anyone read your blog or retweet your tweets. Is Jesus enough if He is all you ever get?
The Levites would have no land, no wealth, but they would have God. They would have a deep and intimate relationship with Him, and have Him provide for all of their needs.
Men, what would you choose if I gave you the option of a billion dollars or a deeper relationship with God than anyone has ever had? What would you pick between leading a church of 1,000 lukewarm Christians who simply showed up on Sunday morning, or witnessing in obscurity never receiving any recognition at all? It's easy to pick the second option in hypothetically, but what how many times have we faced that real choice and turned God down? How often have we chosen a secure career over the risk that God has called us to? How often have we picked prestige over humble service? How often have we told God, "You aren't enough"?
May we learn to be satisfied with God. May we come to see that relationship with Him as the most valuable possession we could ever have. May we come to value the chance to worship Him more than any accolade from others. May God be enough.
"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."
To God alone be the Glory!
Strength and Honor
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