February 28, Day 59

Today's Reading

Numbers. Quail provided the meat and also brought God's anger. Why? Miriam's leprosy came as a result of rebellion, not against Moses, but against God. Why do you think she was made leprous and not Aaron? How do you think she felt during that week outside the camp, when the entire nation knew she was there because of sin? Twelve spies brought back a good sample and a bad report. Their fear laid the foundation for Israel to spend forty years in that wilderness.

February 27, Day 58

Today's Reading

Numbers. Among the subjects covered today is the way the people moved or paused according to the direction of God. What does that teach us in our calendar-driven culture? I certainly am guilty of living more by the clock and the calendar and it's hard to keep in balance. Every time I go to the DR I am confronted with a culture that starts when the people arrive.

Notice the instructions about using trumpets. Anyone who has watched a movie like Return of the King on the big screen can't help but feel a sense of awe at this Biblical word picture. I was also struck by Moses' plea to his brother-in-law for help. Most likely, Moses thought their wilderness journey would be short.

February 26, Day 57

Today's Reading

Numbers.  Each tribe brought the same dedication offering as the others.  Yet, each was listed and made a significant part of the dedication.  As a parent, most of you have had the experience of watching your child sing, quote, dance, spell or otherwise stand up in front of a crowd and present the offering of their work.  It didn't matter if ten other kids did the exact same thing before your child; you felt that sense of pride as he or she showed their stuff!  Perhaps you can feel that sense of pride you felt back when you were the child making the presentation.  With that mental image, think about God and each tribe as these offerings were brought.

Each was significant!

February 25, Day 56

Today's Reading

Numbers . Our reading today includes a story about a strange custom to test a wife and tell her jealous husband for certain if she was faithful. I wonder just how many times a couple put that test to work? What if she was unfaithful and her husband wanted to forgive her? Would he risk the possibility that she would never be able to bear children again? What if she was guilty? Would she risk the curse or just confess? Just thinkin'!

Then we read about vows of dedication called Nazirite vows. Think of vows more familiar to us like vows of silence.

February 24, Day 55

Today's Reading

Numbers. At this time in their history, Israel was nomadic. When they moved from place to place, great care was taken to protect and preserve the Tabernacle and its contents. It hit me today how "unfair" it seems to us that God gave specific duties to each of the clans. Most of us have grown up with the idea that we can do anything we choose with our lives. When they were born, they were pre-assigned responsibilities and couldn't do something different. Actually, that is consistent with much of the world throughout history.

Those of us who have grown up with the freedom to make many of our own life decisions struggle to imagine living like this unless we look at it another way. When we begin to know our life's purpose, it is invigoratng. We could choose to run from it like Jonah or embrace it like Isaiah ("Here am I, send me!"),but knowing our purpose changes everything.

February 23, Day 54

Today's Reading

Numbers is about, well, numbers! Everything and everyone counts and Numbers kept track. In the midst of the tallying are a few great, memorable stories from Israel's history.

For you with a background in military strategy, do you notice any significance to the size of the tribes at the different points of the compass, as listed today? The largest number was on the east side, which was always to be the entrance to the Tabernacle.

February 22, Day 53

Today's Reading

Leviticus. Like Israel, our salvation is purely through God's grace and mercy.  However, the New Testament (Galatians 6:7-8) tells us that we reap what we plant.  Even with this detailed description of what would happen should the people choose disobedience, they turned against God.  Much of the rest of the Old Testament is the history  which was accurately described in this passage.  It's amazing, when you think of it.

February 21, Day 52

Today's Reading

Leviticus. What a challenge it was for them to live in a way that reflected God's ultimate purpose for His kingdom. When someone violated God's pattern, the judgment was often swift. As I reflect on the harsh response to someone cursing God, I am reminded how easy it is for God's Name to become nothing more than a lame expression in a culture. It's that way for our culture now. God wanted them to be an example and He didn't want it watered down. Therefore, He quickly removed the first offender. 

You know the expression, "The rich get richer and the poor get poorer." God's plan for His people was a system that rewarded hard work but didn't permanently create a class of people who had all the economic advantages.

February 20, Day 51

Today's Reading

Leviticus. God designated times for celebration and times for solemnly seeking Him. The celebrations gave them time to reflect on God's goodness and to look forward with faith. They also reminded them of how God was powerful to deliver their people in times past. They were scheduled around the farming industry because this was an agrarian society. What does it say to you and me who, because of labor-saving devices, have come to believe we must squeeze every drop of activity out of every day?

I was particularly struck by the Day of Atonement.  Those who didn't deny themselves (fasting, focusing upon God) would be cut off from the people. Can you imagine the reaction if a church removed someone for playing video games on a fast day?  While we live in an era of grace, we miss much of God's best if we gorge ourselves with the things we want day after day.

February 19, Day 50

Today's Reading

Leviticus. You will note that the statues mentioned today all have at least two things in common. First, they are sins against God; violations of His holiness. Second, they are sins against other humans, each destructive in its own way. Consequently, they all break what Jesus described as the Great Commandment ("You shall love God with all your heart, soul, strength and mind.") and the second greatest one ("You shall love your neighbor as yourself.")

As I read these again, I could sort of remember a time when many of the moral commands concerned sins that seemed so foreign to our culture.  Now they seem so common.  I pray that God will turn us around!

February 18, Day 49

Today's Reading

Leviticus. The description of The Day of Atonement is vivid. The High Priest had to symbolically cleanse himself, then his family. Then he offered sacrifice for the people. This was the only day of the year that ANYONE could go behind the veil into the Holy of Holies (or "Most Holy Place") which represented the presence of God. After the sacrifice, the High Priest laid his hands on Azazel, the scape goat, and symbolically placed the sins of the people upon its head.  Then the goat was released to carry the sins away.  This was called the remission of sins.

Here we are, several thousand years later, looking back on the cross.  It's the place where Jesus paid our sin price with His own blood.  "It is the blood, given in exchange for a life, that makes purification possible."  (Leviticus 17:11 NLT) When we receive Him, God carries our sins away.  We don't have to be a "High Priest" to enter God's throne room and we aren't limited to one day a year.  Wow!

When Israel was enslaved to Egypt, they were dealing with the difficulty of the slavery. Their slave status left them as societal outcasts who were seen as "different". It meant that they were not so tempted to worship the gods of the Egyptians. That all changed, however, when they were free from slavery and on their own. They were surrounded by pagan people with a variety of pagan worship acts, including child sacrifice and sexual immorality. Their very freedom exposed them to a great temptation to follow after the false gods. The warnings in Leviticus 18 reflect this.

How does this relate to us? To you?

February 17, Day 48

Today's Reading

Leviticus. When people were healed from their skin diseases, it was critical to make sure they were really well. Shaving off all their hair made it possible to see outbreaks that otherwise might have been missed. Failure to discover and quarantine people with such diseases could have led to an epidemic.

Another thing that struck me was the ceremonial cleansing.  It included blood (reminder of Christ), oil (reminder of the Holy Spirit) and sacrifice (reminder of our need to give Him our lives.

As I read this passage, I suddenly remembered a problem several years ago. It turned out that the Yuma High School buildings had developed serious mold. It was big news at the time because it took millions to clean up. Why spend the money? Because of the illness it would have otherwise caused!

 

February 16, Day 47

Today's Reading

Leviticus.  Today's passage contains some of the dietary laws God gave His people to keep them physically healthy. Some research has shown the benefits of these. A great book on the food subject is called The Maker's Diet. Hmmm. I wonder if kosher markets are selling locusts and beans instead of pork and beans.

Leprosy and similar diseases were a constant danger. An outbreak could virtually consume this nation and God gave instructions on what to watch out for. In their system, the priests were the ones to determine if something was a contagious skin disease or not. Lepers became social outcasts. But Jesus had compassion for them. We must similarly care for those our culture has cast away.

February 15, Day 46

Today's Reading

Leviticus. The Priests were ordained, including washing (symbolizing the righteousness of Christ), oil (symbol of the Holy Spirit) and blood (symbolizing the ultimate sacrifice for sins). Their blood sacrifice is what we read about a couple of days ago. Then they took seven days with the Lord before they began to minister. They prepared and God showed up! It's significant also that God showed His acceptance of what they were doing. I believe this was the first time that the glory of the Lord appeared and it wasn't directly related to Moses being there.

We don't really know what Aaron's family was like before they left Egypt. We know that Aaron stood with his brother Moses in the presence of Pharaoh. What we do know is that Aaron caved in and built a golden calf while Moses was up on the mountain with God. Now we read that Aaron's sons, Nadab and Abihu, weren't taking their priestly role seriously. Their drunkenness and disobedience of God's law violated God's holiness and God took action.  Notice the insecurity of Aaron at the end of the chapter.  I think I would have been insecure, too.

February 14, Day 45

Today's Reading

Leviticus. Today's reading begins with a few ways people could become guilty and need a sin or guilt offering.  After this, more specifics are given about the use of the offerings among the priests. Yesterday we saw how blood was sprinkled to demonstrate the remission of sins. Today, we see how the priests (the descendants of Aaron) were to treat those offerings when they used them as food. The offerings weren't just left there to rot. They provided meals for the priests who served God and the people.

One thing I found interesting: the priests garments were worn only at the Tabernacle. If any of the sacrificial blood (Lev. 6:27) was dripped on them, they had to be washed. The very blood that represented cleansing from sin actually defiled the holy garment. Hmmmm.

 

February 13, Day 44

Today's Reading

We begin reading the book of Leviticus today. Leviticus was primarily written to clarify God's law of worship and sacrifices. The priestly tribe in the Old Testament was Levi and the name of this book is derived from their family name. Notice the number of different types of offerings and sacrifices. Each had special significance.

Notice in Chapter 4 that the blood from sin and guilt offerings was used in the Holy Place, which was the outer room in the Tabernacle (the inner room or "Holy of Holies" was where only the High Priest went and only on the Day of Atonement). This is comparable to the room which Zechariah entered in the Jerusalem Temple when he met the angel that told him that he and Elizabeth would have a son (John the Baptist). The priests entered the Holy Place regularly to bring the sacrifices. 

The blood of sin and guilt offerings was sprinkled seven times before the curtain that separated the two rooms. That curtain -- or veil -- was what tore in half from top to bottom as Christ died on the cross. Seven is the number representing completeness in Scripture (7 days = 1 complete week). The seven sprinkles represented a "complete" covering by the blood. (Without the shedding of blood, there is no remission -- Hebrews 9:22). Then a dab of blood was smeared on the horns of the incense altar to "cover" it. Finally, the rest was poured out to run off to a designated place.

 

February 12, Day 43

Today's Reading

Exodus. After the precise instructions from God, the plentiful gifts from the people, and the long and careful construction process, the Tabernacle is finally completed.  During the dedication, God shows up!  Powerful, huh?!

February 11, Day 42

Today's Reading

Exodus. The people of Israel had favor with the Egyptians when they departed and were given all kinds of precious metal and jewelry.  These became the source of offerings for the Tabernacle.  It is really a powerful illustration: God provided for the people and the people freely gave to God's work.  God gave gifts of craftsmanship to some of the people and they used their gifts to make the Tabernacle according to God's blueprint.

Exodus 38:8 says, "Bezalel made the bronze washbasin and its bronze stand from bronze mirrors donated by the women who served at the entrance of the Tabernacle." My mind ran a circuitous course as I read this words today.  First, I noticed that mirrors (of shiny bronze or brass) were being used in that ancient time.  Second, I thought about the women and how their hearts were moved to give.  I could imagine conversations: "I will give my mirror; will you share yours with me?"  "I have two mirrors; I can give one!"

Finally, I thought about how God wants to use all His people in the offerings to support His corporate work.  I have seen wealthy, generous people lead the way in giving.  I have seen the proverbial widows give their mite.  I have seen people in the middle give faithfully and sacrificially to support God's work.  The church may be flawed and scarred, but it has existed for 2,000 years and has been supported by God's people.

February 10, Day 41

Today's Reading

Exodus. Did you notice in chapter 33 that they stopped wearing their jewelry and fine clothes?  They must have really dressed for the party when they got into the pagan worship of the golden calf.  Now they (and God) related their finery to their idolatry.

in Exodus34:7, God said, "I lavish unfailing love to a thousand generations. I forgive iniquity, rebellion, and sin. But I do not excuse the guilty."  I think this means that God doesn't excuse those who hang on to their sin.  They remain guilty because they don't fall into God's mercy.  Jesus said it was the man who wouldn't lift his eyes up to heaven and who cried out, "God be merciful to me, a sinner," who walked away justified.

Later in chapter 34, God warned them against any treaty with the people of the land.  The people would seduce them into sin.  Later, in the days of Balaam, this is exactly what happened.  You can't make peace treaties with sin.

February 9, Day 40

Today's Reading

Exodus. I had a few random thoughts today.  First, I thought of Zechariah, the father of John the Baptist.  He went into the Holy Place and burned the sacred incense, the making of which was described here.  Then I thought about Sabbath and how hard it is for me to slow down as described and practiced among the Jews (and many Christians today).

Finally, I reflected on the response of Aaron, when he was confronted about the Golden Calf.  In Exodus 32:24, he said, "I threw the gold jewelry into the fire and out came this calf!"  He didn't face up to his own sin of giving in to the people and carving the calf for them.  I have (sadly) been a part of multiple conversations where we confronted someone who had been snared in a destructive sin.  I can't think of a single time when they fully owned up to their responsibility at first.  They always minimize and try to make it sound like it wasn't as bad as it was.  Even after warnings that the truth has a way of coming out, they lie at some level.  I am of the conclusion that it would be better to overstate the depth of the sin than to understate it.

February 8, Day 39

Today's Reading

Exodus. Today contains the "uniform" to be worn by Aaron, the High Priest (and each High Priest who came after). Each piece had significance as he represented the people before the Lord. The New Testament Book of Hebrews clearly points out that Jesus Christ is once and for all our High Priest. We are also taught that we --all of us who receive Christ -- become priests.

Chapter 29 contains the ordination of the High Priest. Notice how much blood is shed to cover everyone and everything consecrated for worship. Following that is the instruction for the incense (represents prayer/intercession) altar.

February 7, Day 38

Today's Reading

Exodus. I am one of those people who, when all else fails, finally reads the instruction manual. That is, until it comes to putting together a somewhat complicated piece of equipment or furniture. Some time ago that was the case with a fairly large, complex exercise machine. It arrived in something like seven different boxes! I suddenly became very particular about taking inventory of all the tiny parts before I followed the construction steps to the letter.

I think of that experience when I read today's Scripture in Exodus. This is not a fun passage for me because it doesn't fit the way I think. Over the years, though, I have noticed that people have taken this set of instructions a built a reproduction of the Tabernacle. 

What does this passage say to you?

February 6, Day 37

Today's Reading

Exodus. God gave very specific instructions about how to handle property disputes. They had been slaves their whole lives.  Personal property wasn't much of an issue.  Now they had to learn how to live as owners.

Three Festivals were held each year to celebrate God's provision for His people. Each of them marked, not only an important agricultural season, but a reminder about the character of God. 

God promised to go before His people when then entered the Promised Land. Next, God called key leaders near to show them some of His work and validate Moses as their leader. They were about to be tested; Moses would disappear into the cloud with God and be gone a long time.  Would they remember this event and stand strong?  Or would they give in to the desires of the people?

February 5, Day 36

Today's Reading

Exodus. What a picture of God's holiness!  First, Moses alone (later, with Aaron) could go up on the mountain.  The people were unholy and would be destroyed if they went.  Then there were the commandments themselves.  I like things simple and love it that Jesus boiled them down to two: love God supremely and love your neighbor as yourself.

How about the chapter on the treatment of slaves?  That's a stretch for us, because we can't imagine such a culture.  Slavery, however, was part of the human condition for most of history.  Thank God that He has opened our eyes about this issue!

February 4, Day 35

Today's Reading

Exodus. Chapter 16 tells the story of the manna.  The word, which can be translated "what is it?"  was a depiction of its significance.  Manna gave them the ability to sustain life, but it is far off-base to consider it the food of spiritual giants.  The manna was only for the time they were in the wilderness and God's original plan was for that time to be short.  They ate the spiritual equivalent of baby food for 40 years!

"Strike the rock and water will come gushing out."  (Exodus 17:6 NLT) Hundreds of years later, Jesus -- our rock -- was struck making it possible for us to receive rivers of living water which would flow from our innermost being.

Chapter 17 also includes graphic picture of spiritual war. Joshua was down in the valley leading the physical army to do everything possible to defeat the enemy. Meanwhile, Moses was up on the mountain waging the spiritual side of the battle. You might be interested to note that Amalek does reappear throughout the Old Testament as a force against God's people. Like other elements of this story, Amalek was a historical reality, but also had symbolic significance. In the New Testament, Paul wrote about how (for the Christian) our flesh sets its desire against the spirit. Amalek always symbolizes the flesh -- a constant battle.

On a personal note, I have at times discovered what it means to be lifted up during spiritual battle. A year ago at this time, our extended family was going through a great trial. I received an email from a lady who takes her role as intercessor very seriously. She had started to fast and pray for me and other leaders just before this battle heated up. Her act of service greatly strengthened me.

Before you leave the story of the battle with Amalek, notice another name for God. Remember, He reveals His character through His names.

What do you think of the counsel Moses received from Jethro? What about God's stringent requirements that the people stay away from the mountain while God and Moses met?

 

February 3, Day 34

Today's Reading

Exodus.  Our reading today begins with the dedication of the firstborn.  This act of "redeeming" the firstborn was a powerful symbol that we must bring our best (our first) to God.  If your view is that God is a mean, demanding deity who sucks the life out of people, this will seem abusive to you.  However, when you understand that God is a loving dad who provides us with everything we need, it's a joy to bring our best to Him.

The portrayal of the Red Sea crossing is breathtaking. I want to interject this one truth: the deliverance from Egypt (which, in Scripture, symbolizes the power of the world) was all the people needed. God had set them free! However, God provided a second event to make them completely aware of their freedom. That second event, crossing the Sea, was used to make them fully aware of what God had done in the first event.

Both events are pictures of something that becomes clear again in the New Testament. Deliverance from Egypt is like what happens to us when we give our hearts to Christ -- we are set free from our slavery to the world and its sin. Jesus was clear in His commands, though, that we participate in a second event -- passing through the waters of baptism -- in order to seal the power of the first event in our hearts and minds. That is why we (at SRC) stand firm on the fact that New Testament baptism always occurred after someone chose to receive Christ and was always by immersion in water.

Notice the celebration of the Hebrews. What does it bring to mind?

Today in Exodus 15:26 we discover another name for God. Remember, He revealed Himself to Moses as Jehovah, or Yahweh -- literally "I am that I am" -- from the burning bush. Now He joins the name Jehovah with the word Jireh, which means healer or healing. Jehovah-Jireh: I am your healer.

 

February 2, Day 33

Today's Reading

Exodus. As I read today's passage, I noticed the words: Pharaoh’s officials now came to Pharaoh and appealed to him. “How long will you let this man hold us hostage?" Isn't it amazing how God turned the tables on the situation? At the beginning, it was Israel who was hostage. Systematically, God tore down the power structure of the enemy. I think He does the same for us when we sincerely cry out to Him.

If you are new at this, notice that they were delivered from the angel of death by faith; they trusted God's word and placed blood on their doors.  The blood had the power to stop the death angel, but they had to believe in order to place their homes under the protection of the blood.

February 1, Day 32

Today's Reading

Exodus. The battle between good and evil heats up in today's passage. The powers of darkness had long kept people captive in Egypt. One by one, God had Moses take on the spirits. Pharaoh kept hardening his heart. After all, his nation had built their whole economy on slave labor. Sounds like some countries in our world today.

One verse jumped off the page at me.  "But this time I will spare the region of Goshen, where my people live. No flies will be found there. Then you will know that I am the LORD and that I am present even in the heart of your land." Exodus 8:22 (NLT) Whoa!  Here was the mightiest nation on the planet, steeped in various kinds of black arts and pagan worship and God makes it clear that He is present.  I take heart in that promise, especially when my world seems to be falling apart.