Travelogue

Readings for today: Numbers 33-36

Many of us remember the famous words of Captain Kirk from the USS Enterprise as they traveled through uncharted space. “Space, the final frontier. These are the voyages of the starship Enterprise. Its 5-year mission: to explore strange new worlds, to seek out new life and new civilizations, to boldly go where no man has gone before.” I wonder if Moses had a similar internal monologue going as he led Israel through all kinds of uncharted, new territory on their journey to the Promised Land?

I freely admit I used to pass over the chapters we read today. The names and places listed in these verses simply didn’t mean much to me. The only interesting story is the fascinating one about the daughters of Zelophehad and their inheritance. Possibly one of the earliest examples from the ancient world where the Bible begins challenging cultural and patriarchal norms by expanding the rights of women. However, a few years ago, I was able to visit the Holy Land. My wife and I traveled for two weeks through modern-day Israel and Jordan. As we spent a week in Jordan, it dawned on me that we were traveling over the same territory as ancient Israel. I found myself standing in the ancient Biblical kingdoms of Edom, Ammon, and Moab. I was able to catch a glimpse of what the Israelites experienced and it changed everything for me. The verses we read today came alive in new and fresh ways because I actually had been to some of these places.

For example, Wadi Rum is a desert valley located in the southernmost part of Jordan. It was once part of the ancient kingdoms of Midian and Edom. It is a trackless wasteland with little to no water. Movies like The Martian are filmed there because of how it resembles the surface of the planet Mars. One can easily see how Israel, moving through this territory, would have become discouraged. Petra, the capital of ancient Edom, is located just to the north. The Nabateans used this valley as a trade route and it’s entirely possible the people of Israel used these same routes as they traveled north towards Jericho and the Promised Land.

Jabal Haroun is the traditional site revered by Christians as Mount Hor where Aaron died and was buried. You can reach his shrine today via an 11km trail from the center of Petra. You can also catch a glimpse of Jabal Haroun from the tallest mountains in Petra. I remember standing on top of a “high place” in Petra on a clear day and seeing the shrine across the valley. I tried to imagine Moses and Aaron in their very old age making their way up that mountain so Aaron could die according to the Lord’s command. It couldn’t have been easy.

We finished our week in Jordan on top of Mount Nebo. The very mountain Moses ascends to look out over the Promised Land before he died. Again, we had a clear day and one could see all the way to Jericho. The plains mentioned in the Bible stretched out before us. We saw the Dead Sea and the Jordan River valley. At night, I was told, one could even see the lights of Jerusalem in the Judean hills. It was here that the mantle of leadership passed from Moses to Joshua and it is considered a sacred place for the three Abrahamic religions of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.

Like ancient Israel, all of us can list names and places that hold special significance in our spiritual journey. Sacred places where the Lord met us along the way. The journey Israel undertook wasn’t just physical. It wasn’t just about getting from one spot to another. It was formative culturally and spiritually. It’s what shaped them into a nation. They underwent a transformation from a rag-tag bunch of escaped slaves to a powerful nation united by a common law and common faith. This is what empowers them to enter the Promised Land and claim the inheritance God had given them.

Readings for tomorrow: Deuteronomy 1-3

Rorschach Test

Readings for today: Numbers 29-32

There is a famous test in psychology where the patient is shown a series of inkblots. They describe what they see while a psychologist analyzes their responses. It’s what’s known as a “projective test” because, in theory, the patient reveals different aspects of their mental state as they describe what they “see” in the inkblot. It was invented in 1921 by a Swiss psychiatrist named Hermann Rorschach and is one of the most widely used psychological tests to this day.

I thought about the Rorschach test as I read our passage for today. In Numbers 32, we read about a significant conflict between Moses and two of the tribes of Israel. The Reubenites and Gadites came forward with a request. They asked to settle on the wrong side of the Jordan River. They asked for an inheritance outside the Promised Land. This provoked a kind of trauma response in Moses. He assumed they were making the same mistake as their forefathers and mothers by refusing to go into the land. He forcefully reminds them of what happened and threatens them with destruction if they don’t follow through on God’s plan. The Reubenites and Gadites are quick to respond. They will go with the people of Israel into the Promised Land and will not rest until God’s plan is complete.

Isn’t it interesting that a seemingly innocent request spins everyone up so quickly? Even a godly leader like Moses? What is it about human beings that causes us to be so prone to snap judgments? Hot takes? Why do we struggle so much to wait and listen and truly understand? Why is it so hard for us to forgive, extend grace, and assume the best of one another? Over the last week, I’ve had several conversations involving politics, religion, social and cultural issues, and personal differences. As I’ve listened to those I love and serve attempt to process what they are feeling, it’s been amazing how different people can view the same situation or the same conversation through such different eyes. Every situation becomes a Rorschach test of sorts as we project our own fears and insecurities and frustrations on the other person or persons. It could be a political party. It could be a cultural or social group. It could be people of a different faith. It could just be someone with whom we are at odds.

Thankfully, the Reubenites and Gadites are quick to humble themselves. “Your servants will do just as my Lord commands.” (Numbers‬ ‭32‬:‭25‬ ‭CSB‬‬) They not only promise to go with Israel into the Promised Land but they will lead the way. They will make the greater sacrifice. They will honor their commitment to the Lord and to Moses. And because they honor God, Moses honors them. He grants their request and the conflict is resolved. Humility is the key to resolving differences. Seeking to understand rather than be understood. Seeking to love rather than be loved. Seeking to serve rather than be served. This is how we come together even when we disagree and find our unity in Christ.

Readings for tomorrow: Numbers 33-36

Allegiance

Readings for today: Numbers 25-28

Most of us really struggle to read and understand the Bible. We are too culturally removed from the actual events. We have a hard time deciphering ancient authorial intent. The way ancient people wrote their histories is foreign to us. Take what happened at Peor with the Moabites as an example. The reaction of God to false worship seems extreme, if not downright unjust and evil. Executing every single leader who participated in the pagan rituals? Phineas driving a spear through a man and his wife in their tent? Declaring war on the Midianites and striking them down? Over the years, I’ve heard several atheists claim this episode, like many others found in Scripture, as one of the primary reasons they can’t believe in God.

This is where we have to check our own cultural biases at the door. We have to be self-aware as readers and interpreters of the Bible of what we bring to the table. We are not blank slates. We come with all kinds of prejudices and assumptions baked in. For example, religion for us is a private affair. It’s highly individualistic. It’s something we believe we have a right to choose or not choose. In our minds, religion is often a philosophical idea. It’s a set of abstract beliefs or principles. It’s a theological system. Furthermore, there are no real consequences for “wrong beliefs” because there is no such thing as absolute truth. All religious belief is subjective and therefore dependent on the person. This is not what the writers of Scripture believed nor is it what the ancient peoples of the world believed. Worship was a declaration of allegiance. God or the gods were perceived to be kings in their own right. Endowed with ultimate authority over the world and every single person in it. Religious belief was not a matter of personal choice. It was a matter of life and death. Worship the “wrong” deity and the rains wouldn’t fall. Worship the “wrong” deity and your children died in childbirth. Worship the “wrong” deity and your tribe would be wiped out by their enemies. Why? Because God was real. He was not just an idea. Not just an abstraction. Not just a principle. He was as real as you or me and He held real authority over the world. So to defy God was to commit treason and the punishment for treason, as always, is death. And that’s why conflict in the ancient world always had a religious component to it. The ancient people didn’t separate “church from state” like we do. All of life was submitted to and under their deity’s control.

So where does that leave us today? What do we take away from these chapters? Is there anything we can learn that applies to our own time? Here’s where we look to Jesus. Jesus paid the ultimate “sinner’s” price in our place. He was condemned to death for sedition and treason against the Roman state and the principalities and powers of this world. Jesus laid down His life to save us from condemnation and judgment and by His grace, won the allegiance of our hearts. This is why we worship Him and ascribe to Him the name that is above every other name.

Readings for tomorrow: No readings on Sundays

Superstition

Readings for today: Numbers 21-24

When I first became a Christian, I started eating at a little pit BBQ place in Boulder. It was owned and operated by an amazing man named Bruce. Bruce was the son of the famous “Daddy Bruce” who served the homeless of Denver for so many years, making sure they got a full Thanksgiving dinner. Bruce Jr. was cut from the same cloth as his father. He not only served the homeless of Boulder well, he also was a strong believer in Jesus Christ. I don’t know that I’ve ever met someone quite like him. He literally could quote you chapter and verse from the whole Bible. He would quiz me every time I came in before he would make me any food. He would tell the best stories about how God had worked in his life. One day, he was sharing with me his frustrations with how biblically illiterate Christians tend to be. He was a black Baptist preacher and could preach with the best of them. I still remember the crescendo of his sermon that day...“Doug, when I’m in need, don’t you give me Footprints in the Sand! I don’t need no Prayer of Serenity! Tell me about the donkey that spoke! Now that’s in the Bible!” I still chuckle every time I think of it!

Today we read a story about a pagan fortune-teller named Balaam and his donkey. To set the scene, Israel is marching towards the Promised Land. God is fulfilling His promise to Abraham. But taking the Promised Land won’t be easy. The land is already occupied. There are forces arrayed against them along the way. Nations and tribes and cities whom they will have to fight in order to claim the promise as their own. Arad. Amorites. Bashan. All fall before Israel. All are put to the sword. Now it’s Moab’s turn. One can almost imagine living in Moab in those days, receiving word of a new superpower rising from slavery, defeating the Egyptians, overrunning all who oppose them. Fear and trembling seize the Moabites. And Balak, their king, sends for Balaam. His hope is that Balaam will use his magic to put a curse on Israel, weakening them so they can be defeated. Balaam refuses to come at first but eventually relents under the pressure and promises Balak sends his way. So he mounts his donkey and begins his journey. It’s not long before the donkey freezes in its tracks. It can see the angel of the Lord blocking their path. Balaam, in his blindness both physically and spiritually, is unaware. God opens the mouth of the donkey and speaks to Balaam. The net result of all this is that Balaam will indeed go to Balak but will only speak blessings over Israel. 

So what are we to make of these things? Magic? Fortune-telling? Donkeys that speak? The point is that God uses all things to accomplish His purposes, including our pagan superstitions. Remember when Jacob peeled poplar and almond trees in order to breed a specific kind of goat and sheep in Genesis? Does anyone actually believe the power was in the trees? What about the bronze serpent on the pole? Is it really the talisman that saved Israel from the poisonous snakes that were killing them? Think about the superstitions we live with today. The “invisible hand” of Adam Smith from his famous book, Wealth of Nations. The notion that democracy is transcultural and can be universally applied. The idea that we can choose to reject scientific realities like the laws of physics or biology. The truth of the matter is we too believe in magic. We too believe in myths. They may be couched in more sophisticated language or political, economic, and social theory but they are fairy tales nonetheless. 

So what’s a Christian to do? We have to push past our superstitions and look to God. We have to push past the “bronze serpents” we create and stop looking to “fortune-tellers” to show us the way. We have to dig deep into God’s Word. We must fix our eyes on Jesus.

Readings for tomorrow: Numbers 25-28

Signs

Readings for today: Numbers 17-20

One of the things I appreciate most about God is His willingness to give us signs. He doesn’t just ask us to take Him at His Word. He actually provides tangible, visible signs because He knows how easy it is for us to forget or lose heart. Abraham and Sarah received the sign of a child in their old age. Jacob was given all kinds of visions in the night. Joseph clearly interpreted the signs when his brothers showed up before him after he became a ruler in Egypt. Moses was given the sign of a burning bush, a parting in the Red Sea, the pillar of fire and cloud, and manna from heaven. These signs were also given to Israel to bolster their faith as they made their journey to the Promised Land.

Over the last few chapters, Moses deals with significant conflict. The people he leads rebel against him. His own brother and sister question his authority. He is accused of all kinds of things. How does he respond? Does he lash out in anger? Does he marshal his supporters and drive the others out? Does he start a campaign to defend himself? No. He remains humble and intercedes on their behalf before God. Most recently, Moses is forced to confront the rebellion of Korah. They sought to overthrow his leadership. And what does Moses do? He calls on God to give them a sign. Every leader of every tribe brings their staff, their symbol of authority, to Moses to lay before the Lord in the Tabernacle. The next day, Moses enters God’s presence to retrieve the staves. Clearly, one is now different than the others. Aaron’s staff has blossomed, producing almonds, while the other staves remain dormant. God has spoken. The sign has been delivered. The leadership of Aaron and Moses is confirmed.

I’ve been a pastor for over twenty years now and seen my share of conflict. Leading God’s people is not always easy. First and foremost, I recognize that I am chief among sinners. I am compromised myself in so many ways. And that makes it hard at times to know if I am leading from a place of humility or a place of pride. Second, the people of God are also sinners. Shocking I know! So when we gather as a church all we are doing is bringing a bunch of sinful, broken people into close proximity. Is it any wonder that sparks often fly? I’ve felt the sting of betrayal. I’ve had people try to destroy my career by making false accusations against me. I’ve been criticized more times than I can count, much of it probably warranted on some level. Thankfully, God has provided godly men and women in my life who have confirmed for me - over and over again - my call to lead. They have encouraged me and blessed me and spoken truth into my life and held me accountable. In short, God has used them as living “signs” to let me know His call on my life has not come to an end.

What about you? What signs has God given you in your life? As you look back over the course of your life, can you see where God provided the right people at the right time? Perhaps intervened in a particular circumstance? Answered a prayer? Performed a miracle? These are signs given to encourage you, dear friends, as you seek to follow Him.

Readings for tomorrow: Numbers 21-24

Rebellion

Readings for today: Numbers 14-16, Psalms 95

Rebellion seems hardwired into our nature. I remember when my children were young. One of the first words they learned was “no.” They wanted to be in charge. They wanted to be in control. They wanted to do what they wanted, when they wanted. Very few of us ever progress beyond that stage. Not if we’re honest. I can’t count the number of times my heart resists serving others. I can’t count the number of times I want to say “no” when someone asks me for something. Because I am human, I would much rather serve myself. I would much rather take care of myself. I would much rather focus on myself and my needs and my wants and my desires. Thankfully, the Lord continues to teach me. Thankfully, the Holy Spirit continues to sanctify me. Thankfully, God is changing me from the inside out and making me more like Jesus every single day. And slowly, my rebellious heart is becoming a servant’s heart.

I resonate with today’s reading on a lot of levels. I resonate with it personally because I know how rebellious my own heart can be. I resonate with it professionally because I know what it’s like to lead God’s people right to the edge of the Promised Land only to have them turn back in fear. I remember a season in a church I once served where we were right on the cusp of great things. God had been faithful. By His grace, the church had grown. The church was pressing out into our community to serve. The church had become a fuller, richer picture of the Kingdom as it grew more diverse generationally, economically, and ethnically. Sadly, like Israel, we hesitated. We pulled back. We refused to step into the future God was giving us. Several people left. The leadership got discouraged. And the opportunity was lost.

I’ve been a pastor for over twenty years now. I’ve served in ministry for almost thirty years total. I’ve seen this dynamic time and time again. It’s hard to walk by faith. It’s hard to trust God when there are “giants in the land.” It’s hard to press to the edge of our resources time and time again, hoping and praying the Lord comes through. But God’s command is clear. We must place our lives in His hands. We must place our future in His hands. We must step out in faith. We must risk it all for the sake of His Kingdom. We must be willing to sacrifice everything to further the gospel in our world. Thankfully, God’s promise is equally clear. If we take care of the things He cares about, He will take care of the things we care about. If we put Him first, all our priorities will fall into their proper place. If we seek His Kingdom and His righteousness, everything we need will be added to us. We don’t have to worry. We don’t have to be anxious or afraid. We have nothing to fear. We can let go of our resistance, cease our rebellion, and embrace what He wants to do in and through us for the sake of the world.

Readings for tomorrow: Numbers 17-20

Complaint

Readings for today: Numbers 10-13, Psalms 90

Humanity is never satisfied. It’s part of our sinful nature. It’s condition we are born into. No matter how much wealth we accumulate, it’s never enough. No matter how much power and position and influence we have, it’s never enough. No matter how much personal and professional success we achieve, it’s never enough. As the Apostle Paul once wrote, “our god is our belly.” Given the right set of circumstances, we will overindulge every time. Food. Alcohol. Material possessions. The list is endless because our appetite is insatiable.

Think of all the miracles the people of Israel had witnessed. The plagues in Egypt. The parting of the Red Sea. Manna from heaven. Water from rocks. The presence of the Lord on Mt. Sinai. Still, it wasn’t enough. They grew tired of the hardship of the journey to the Promised Land and complained about needing rest. They grew tired of eating manna and complained about wanting meat. Aaron and Miriam grew tired of Moses’ leadership and complained about wanting more influence and power. And when God fulfills His promise to bring His people to the edge of the Promised Land, what do they do? They complain about the strength of the people already living in the land. It’s like God can’t win with these people. No matter what He does, it’s never enough.

If we’re not careful, the same could be said for us. How easy is it for us to focus on all we don’t have rather than on all we do have? How easy is it for us to be jealous of our neighbors or friends or colleagues? How easy is it for us to be envious of another‘s success? How easy is it for us to covet the attention and influence that others may have? And how easy is it for us to forget all God has done for us? All God has worked out on our behalf? All God has given us? How easy is it for us to become complacent and start to complain rather than appreciate His blessings?

One of the spiritual practices I engage in on a daily basis is to spend time thanking God for all He has done for me. At the end of every day, as I lie in bed at night before I drift off to sleep, I count the blessings. I lift praises to God. I thank Him for the small things and the big things. For the ordinary and the extraordinary. I try to cultivate a mindset of abundance rather than scarcity by focusing on all I do have rather than what I don’t have. I try to foster an attitude of gratitude and thanksgiving rather than envy or jealousy or coveting what others have that I do not. It has been a transformative practice in my life and one I would encourage everyone to engage.

Readings for tomorrow: Numbers 14-16, Psalms 95

Blessing

Readings for today: Numbers 6-9

One of the most significant milestones in my spiritual journey was when I realized God’s greatest desire was to bless me. For years, I had labored under the assumption that I was primarily a “sinner saved by grace” rather than a “child beloved of God.” While both are definitely true, it matters which one comes first. If I see my primary identity as a child beloved by my Father in heaven, then I will have confidence in His will to bless me. On the other hand, if I see my primary identity as a sinner saved only by grace, then I may live with an underlying fear of judgment. Fear is a terrible motivation. While important on some level, it’s designed only for the short-term. Fear activates our adrenal glands. Our muscles swell. Our heart rate picks up. We prepare to either “fight” or “flee” based on the danger of a particular situation. It’s not intended to work over time. It’s not sustainable over the long-term. And that’s why love is a far better motivation for saving faith.

For years, I wrestled with a deep fear of God’s judgment. Then I started meditating on these words from Number 6:24-26. “May the Lord bless you and protect you; may the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; may the Lord look with favor on you and give you peace.” It’s known as the Aaronic Blessing. It is the most ancient blessing or benediction in the Bible. It comes directly from God and, as such, communicates His heart for His people. God loves His people. His desire is to bless them not curse them. He looks with favor upon them not judgment. His face shines upon them, conveying the pleasure of God as He interacts with those He loves. Most of all, God gives us peace. Not as the world gives. Not just a ceasefire or a temporary cessation of hostilities. But a true and lasting peace that transcends all understanding.

Do you understand God’s heart for you? Do you believe God’s primary will for your life is blessing? Do you believe God is at work protecting and providing for you? Do you believe God’s face shines when He thinks about you? Do you believe His face is shining on you even now? Have you accepted the gift of God’s grace? The gift of forgiveness and reconciliation with your Creator? Do you believe God looks with favor on you and those you love? Do you believe God wants to give you peace? Peace with Him? Peace with others? Peace with the world? Peace within your own heart? This is literally what the name of the Lord means. This is what God is trying to convey by giving them the blessing. Whenever His name is pronounced over His people, He wants them to know they will be blessed. And what was true for the ancient Israelites is still true for us today.

Take some time today and listen to “The Blessing.” You can find it on YouTube in several different versions. The one I like best was one produced while our world struggled to fight COVID. Different artists came together to sing this blessing over the world. Here’s the link - https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=d48-qbcovVY.

Readings for tomorrow: Numbers 10-13, Psalms 90

Weird

Readings for today: Numbers 3-5

The Bible is full of rituals that seem strange to us. This is part of the cultural distance we must keep in mind as we read. What may have been normative for an ancient near east Israelite is certainly not normative for a 21st century American and vice versa. Of all the strange rituals recorded in the Bible, the one detailed in Numbers 5 has to be among the strangest. A woman suspected of adultery is put to a test whereby she has to drink bitter water to determine if she is guilty of committing adultery.

First and foremost, we need to remember the context. Women and men were not considered equals in the ancient near east. In fact, women were more property than people so we shouldn’t be surprised at the patriarchal tone of the text. It doesn’t make it right. It doesn’t mean God is in favor of patriarchy. It simply means God is speaking to His people through the cultural norms of the day and revealing His sovereign will just as He does to this day.

Second, we need to remember the seriousness of adultery. Adultery was one of the “big three” crimes in ancient Israel. It was punishable by death along with idolatry and murder. The reason God lays out such harsh penalties is to protect the family. The family unit is the fundamental building block for God’s chosen people. It is through the family unit that faith is passed from one generation to the next and the story of God’s history with His people kept alive. God wants to protect the family at all costs and adultery puts the family at significant risk.

Third, God is a God of justice. Unlike the pagan cultures that surrounded Israel, God wanted to make sure that women were not cast aside on the jealous whims of their husbands. He wanted to protect women by providing a way for them to prove their innocence. He uses the cultic practices of the ancient world to place a hedge of protection around women to prevent them from being slanderously accused.

Finally, God is a God of honor. The honor of the wife and the honor of the husband and the honor of the family are of paramount importance to Him. Jealously threatens the honor of the family as does suspicion, gossip, and whisper campaigns that human beings seem to take so much delight in. By subjecting the woman to a public sacred ritual, all potential dishonor is put to rest. Furthermore, the public nature of the ritual would also act as a deterrent to husbands who might be tempted to bring frivolous charges against their wives.

So what do we take away from our reading today? Well, it’s worth pondering our own attitudes towards sexual fidelity in marriage. Do we guard our hearts and take adultery as seriously as God? Second, how can we protect the honor of our families in the way we think, speak, or act? How can we protect those we love from frivolous and slanderous accusations? Finally, we look to Christ who drank the bitter cup and took on the curse for us and we give thanks for His willingness to take our place.

Readings for tomorrow: No readings on Sundays

Vision for the Future

Readings for today: Numbers 35-36, Psalms 52

You are looking out on the plains of Moab. This is the view looking west from Mt. Nebo where Moses dies. On a clear day, you can see the Jordan River off in the distance as well as the city of Jericho. At night, you can see the lights of Jerusalem in the Judean hills. It’s a truly awe-inspiring sight. We were there during the summer months when it was hot and dry so it doesn’t look very appealing. Not only that but the Jordan River has been tapped for irrigation so no longer is as large which makes water in this region far more scarce than it would have been when the ancient Israelites first laid eyes on it.

As we close out the Book of Numbers and prepare to head into the Book of Deuteronomy, Moses casts a vision for the future of Israel. At this point in the narrative, we know Moses will not be entering the Promised Land. Israel will be going on without him. He’s led them faithfully and well for forty years in the wilderness and now he is preparing them for what lies ahead. He is organizing them in such a way that they will be successful in the land. As we read yesterday, Moses makes sure to recount their journey so they remember what brought them to this place. He reminds them of the boundaries God has set for them as they prepare to occupy this new territory. Today, he sets aside cities and pastures for the Levites who are not given a portion of land and he sets up cities of refuge as a way of protecting the Israelites from the blood feuds that plague so many other tribes in the ancient near east. Finally, he confirms the inheritance for Zelophehad’s daughters so the integrity of the tribal inheritance is maintained. These details may seem small or archaic but they will prove absolutely essential once Israel finds herself settled in the Promised Land.

These chapters also serve as a great reminder to us that God has a vision for our future and His vision includes taking care of everything down to final details. God has a plan for each of our lives and His will is not just general but specific. God promises to take all the experiences of our lives and the choices we make and use them to bring about His purposes. And what is true for us individually is also true for us corporately. God directs the courses of communities and cities and nations. As the famous Dutch statesman, Abraham Kuyper, once said so well, “There’s not a square inch in the whole domain of human existence over which Christ, who is Lord over all, does not exclaim, ‘Mine’!”

Readings for tomorrow: Deuteronomy 1-3, Psalms 53

Divine Rights

Readings for today: Numbers 33-34, Psalms 51

Americans as a general rule believe we are born with certain freedoms. Inalienable rights guaranteed to us by our Constitution. Among those are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. The freedom of speech, assembly, press, and religion. In short, we believe no one has a right to tell us what to do or where to go or how to act. If we ever feel those rights are being threatened, we take action. We fight back. We sue. Nothing, it seems, will stop us from pursuing what we believe to be in our own self-interest. Can you imagine what would happen if God chose to do the same? After all, His rights were violated the moment Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit. His rights are violated every time a human being engages in sin and breaks His law. His rights are violated when we worship idols and images of our own making. Ascribing to created things the glory due our Creator.

One of the real challenges in reading Scripture is to keep in mind the rights of God. God has the right to literally wipe out the entire universe and start over. God has the right to execute every man, woman, and child on the earth for their sin. God has the right to judge the nations and destroy them for their greed and lust for power. God has the right to do all this and more. So what stays God’s hand? His endless mercy. His amazing grace. His unconditional love. His great faithfulness.

We are nearing the end of the Torah. The great story of the formation of God’s people. The birth of a nation. God has rescued them from slavery in Egypt. He has exposed the emptiness of the idols of the greatest empire on earth. God has utterly broken Pharaoh who set himself up as a god. God is demonstrating His power and authority over all He has made and He is about to do the same as Israel enters the Promised Land. God is faithful. He will not let this world go. He will have His way among us. He will have the glory He deserves. He will make Himself known to the pagan nations of the earth. This is why God commands Israel to “drive out all the inhabitants of the land before you, destroy all their stone images and cast images, and demolish all their high places. You are to take possession of the land and settle in it because I have given you the land to possess.” (Numbers‬ ‭33‬:‭52‬-‭53‬ ‭CSB‬‬) God has a right to our worship. God has a right to our total allegiance. God has a right to our faithful obedience. He wants nothing more than our whole hearts. Nothing less than our full devotion. Nothing else but our very souls.

Readings for tomorrow: Numbers 35-36, Psalms 52

Warfare in the Bible

Readings for today: Numbers 31-32, Psalms 50

It’s hard to read passages like the one we read today where the Lord commands His people to go to war. “The Lord spoke to Moses, “Execute vengeance for the Israelites against the Midianites. After that, you will be gathered to your people.” (Numbers‬ ‭31‬:‭1‬-‭2‬ ‭CSB‬‬) It seems inconsistent with God’s character. After all, if God is love, how could He command such violence? Did the ancient writers make a mistake? Did Moses not hear God correctly? Is this simply a theological justification for Israel’s wars of conquest? These are important questions to wrestle with for sure.

However, it is also important we wrestle with these questions honestly and not anachronistically. It’s simply dishonest to judge a culture from another time and place by our modern, 21st century American standards. First and foremost, we are just as violent and messed up as any culture ourselves so certainly do not have the moral high ground. Second, humanity has been at war from its inception. Violence seems hardwired into our very nature. I’ve read where some historians believe humanity has had four years of peace in her 10,000 years of existence. Four years! When you read books like The Heartbeat of Wounded Knee by David Treuer or Dominion by Tom Holland, you realize very quickly that pagan cultures around the world were just as violent, if not more so, than Jewish, Christian, and/or Muslim cultures. Third, God has made an unbreakable, unshakeable commitment to work through humanity to bring about His will on the earth. This means He uses us in spite of us which is hard for us to keep in the forefront of our minds because we tend to see ourselves as fundamentally good despite all evidence to the contrary.

The Midianites were an early nomadic tribe known for violence, child sacrifice, slave-trafficking, and sexual license, among many other things. They were distant relatives to Israel through Abraham and his second wife, Keturah, but that didn’t stop them from attacking their cousins. What took place was fairly typical in ancient near east tribal warfare. Blood feuds were very common and passed down from generation to generation which is why Moses orders the execution of entire families. He is seeking to put an end to the war with Midian once and for all. He doesn’t want a new generation of sons to seek revenge for what happened to their fathers. By the way, we see a similar dynamic in play in the Middle East today between the Israelis and Palestinians. It’s a modern blood feud that has lasted several generations at this point with no end in sight. As each generation comes of age, they seek revenge for what happened to their fathers and mothers which is why it’s tough to see how such a conflict can possibly end peacefully.

Why does God allow or even sanction such violence? I am honest enough to say I do not know. What I do know is the Midianites were not innocent. Nor was Israel. Humanity is always compromised on so many levels. There is no such thing as a truly innocent human being. The fact that God chooses to work through us to bring about His sovereign will means working with us in all our sinful, broken, rebelliousness. If we have the courage to engage in honest self-reflection, we know the many ways we act selfishly and pridefully and even violently. We know the many ways we hurt or bring pain to others by what we say or don’t say, do or don’t do. We know the many ways we fail to live up to our own moral standards much less God’s moral standard. Rather than stand in judgment on the people of the ancient near east, the Bible calls us to humble ourselves and look within to see how truly similar we are to them with the hopes that it drives us to God for His mercy and grace.

Readings for tomorrow: Numbers 33-34, Psalms 51

Genealogies

Readings for today: Numbers 25-27, Psalms 48

Today’s reading is filled with a lot of names. The genealogies of Israel. Not easy reading. These are some of the harder sections of Scripture to get through simply because they feel so remote. After all, we don’t feel a connection to these people or these particular tribes or these particular families. Sure, we acknowledge they are our spiritual mothers and fathers but there’s very little information about most of these names so it’s hard to feel any kind of tie. However, a careful reading reminds us that behind every name there is a story. And behind every story is a powerful testimony of God’s faithfulness.

For example, consider the case of Zelophehad’s daughters. “Zelophedad son of Hepher had no sons — only daughters. The names of Zelophehad’s daughters were Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah.” (Numbers‬ ‭26‬:‭33‬ ‭CSB‬‬) Their story is remarkable and worth diving into…

Five women appear before the gathered leadership of Israel at the Tabernacle to present one of the earliest recorded lawsuits in history. Their claim? Their father died without a male heir which means his inheritance is now in jeopardy. He was not part of the rebellion of Korah so they have legitimate standing to bring his case before the Lord. And they ask Moses to grant them their father’s property rights so they can preserve the family line. 

I cannot imagine the courage this course of action must have taken. Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah knew very well that women did not have any rights in the ancient near east. Not in Israel and certainly not in the nations that surrounded them. Women were considered property in that time. Not even counted as human beings. At the death of their father or brothers or husbands, they were not entitled to any inheritance and were often left destitute. Fast forward a few centuries and we see this scene play itself out in the book of Ruth where Naomi loses not only her husband but also her two sons, leaving her to fend for herself.

So imagine you are one of these five women. Raised to believe you have no rights and your primary value is to bear sons to your future husband so his family line can be preserved. Now imagine making the decision to approach Moses and the gathered leadership of Israel in front of the Tabernacle itself to present your case. You know what you are about to do has never been done. You know what you are about to ask for has never happened before. You know there’s a good chance your petition will fail but you courageously step forward anyway. You argue persuasively for the preservation of your father’s inheritance and you make the audacious claim to be counted among your father’s brothers. 

I would have loved to see the look on Moses’ face. Was it shock? Confusion? Did he smile at the women’s boldness? There is no indication in the text one way or another. What we do know is Moses recuses himself and takes their petition to the Lord. This, in itself, is a strong affirmation of the women. And then there is the response from God. I have to believe their courage brought joy to His heart and He issues a new law for Israel. From this point forward,“When a man dies without having a son, transfer his inheritance to his daughter.” (Numbers‬ ‭27‬:‭8‬ ‭CSB‬‬‬) A statute still used today as legal precedent by the American Bar Association. 

The Bible is a history of God’s interactions with many different human cultures. Human culture, by definition, is always corrupt and unjust. Thankfully, God condescends to speak to us through our unique culture but is also always at work bending the arc of human history towards justice. Towards righteousness. Here is a clear case where God honors the rights of women, granting them a unique status when compared to other ancient near east societies. There is a direct line between the daughters of Zelophehad and Deborah who served as judge and spiritual leader for all of Israel. A direct line between the daughters of Zelophehad and the female disciples who gathered round Jesus and remained faithful to Him even to the end when all the male disciples had long since fled. A direct line between the daughters of Zelophehad and the women Paul affirms like Priscilla, Phoebe, and Junia who was “excellent among the apostles.” God is still doing this work today as women continue to be affirmed as strong and gifted leaders across all sectors of human society.

Readings for tomorrow: Numbers 28-30, Psalms 49 (No devotionals on Sundays)

The Sovereignty of God

Readings for today: Numbers 22-24, Psalms 47

Believe it or not, there are some Christians out there today who want to limit God. They limit His love, reserving only for those who have been saved. They limit His power, suggesting that certain miraculous gifts have ceased. They limit His voice, arguing He only speaks to those He has chosen. I have to admit it is baffling to me. I have been in lots of places around the world and heard testimony after testimony of former witch doctors, Muslim imams, and other thoroughly pagan people whom God has revealed Himself to through visions and dreams. I remember one such man vividly. He was a Muslim warrior from a violent tribe who had never heard the name of Jesus. God visited him in a dream one night and the man surrendered his life to Him. The very next day, he shared what he had experienced and 80 people from his village also gave their lives to God. He did not know the name of this God. He didn’t have access to a Bible so could not read about this God. He only knew what had been revealed to him in his dream. A few nights later, God came to him again. Told him to show up at a particular town on a particular day where he would be met by visitors from a faraway land who would teach him all he needed to know. That’s when I met him. He showed up at our conference out of the blue, dressed head to toe in a beautiful Muslim robe with a scimitar on his hip. He had walked two days to get to where we were holding our conference. Through a translator, he related his story to us and we were blown away yet again by the sovereignty of God.

I think of that man almost every time I read the story of Balaam. Here’s a pagan witch doctor whom God uses to bless His chosen people. He is bought and paid for by a pagan king and God still speaks to him and through him. He is not part of God’s chosen people and yet God uses him for His glorious purposes. Can there be any limit to God? Can God not do as He chooses? Can He not use who He chooses? God can speak through a donkey for goodness’ sake! I love how the Psalmist puts it, “God reigns over the nations; God is seated on his holy throne. The nobles of the peoples have assembled with the people of the God of Abraham. For the leaders of the earth belong to God; he is greatly exalted.” (Psalms‬ ‭47‬:‭8‬-‭9‬ ‭CSB‬‬) God reigns over all. God rules over all. There is no limit to His power. No limit to His love. No limit to His authority. No limit to His grace. God will use whomever He wills to accomplish His plans.

I am not sure why some of my friends seek to limit God. Perhaps they seek a God who they can always understand. A God who never acts in strange and mysterious ways. A God who is always safe and under control. But, as C.S. Lewis said so well, “He is not safe but He is good. He is the King.” God’s ways are higher than our ways. His thoughts are higher than our thoughts. We cannot begin to grasp the infinite nature of His plans for us. But we can trust Him. We can have confidence that He always has our best in mind. We can place our faith in Him for while He may not always conform to our understanding, we do know He will never fail.

Readings for tomorrow: Numbers 25-27, Psalms 48

Lifted Up

Readings for today: Numbers 19-21, Psalms 46

Today’s passage became a lot more real to me a couple of summers ago when I was on a tour in Israel and Jordan. On the final day of our tour, I found myself standing on the summit of Mt. Nebo where Moses looked out over the Jordan River valley before he died. In addition to the beautiful church, a magnificent statue has been erected that combines the cross with the bronze serpent from today’s story and has an inscription from the passage in John 3:14 that refers to Jesus being “lifted up” just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness. Why is this reference important? John 3:15 states it plainly, “so that whoever believes in Him may have eternal life.”

Our God is a God of salvation. Whatever else you may say about God, you must say this. From the beginning of Scripture until the end, God reveals Himself to be a God who saves. A God who delivers. A God who rescues His people. When the people of Israel complained to God - once again - about their conditions, He sent a plague of fiery serpents. The plague raged throughout the camp, killing many Israelites and they cried out for relief. So God directed Moses to craft a bronze serpent and “lift it up” on a pole tall enough for all to see. Those who had been bitten could look to the serpent and find healing, those who did not would find death. Interestingly enough, this same bronze serpent would later become an idol in the national life of Israel and it was destroyed under the reign of King Hezekiah as an act of faithfulness to Yahweh.

So much of the Old Testament foreshadows the eventual fulfillment of salvation history. It’s why the New Testament writers filled their gospels and letters with allusion after allusion to the Old Testament stories. In this way, Jesus refers to Himself as the “bronze snake” who saves. He will be lifted up at the end of His life and that those who look upon Him in faith will live. How is Jesus lifted up? He is clearly speaking of His manner of death. He will be lifted up on a cross and put on display for all to see. Those who look to Him and trust in His atoning death will be healed of their sin for all eternity while those who look away will only find judgment and death.

Friends, the message of the gospel is very simple…Jesus came to earth to die and be raised and all who believe in Him will not perish but have eternal life. I love St. Augustine of Hippo’s commentary on today’s passage, “Just as they who looked on that serpent perished not by the serpent’s bites, so they who look in faith on Christ’s death are healed from the bites of sins.”

Readings for tomorrow: Numbers 22-24, Psalms 47

Confirmation

Readings for today: Numbers 17-18, Psalms 45

One of the things I appreciate most about God is His willingness to give us signs. He doesn’t just ask us to take Him at His Word. He actually provides tangible, visible signs because He knows how easy it is for us to forget or lose heart. Abraham and Sarah received the sign of a child in their old age. Jacob was given all kinds of visions in the night. Joseph clearly interpreted the signs when his brothers showed up before him after he became a ruler in Egypt. Moses was given the sign of a burning bush, a parting in the Red Sea, the pillar of fire and cloud, and manna from heaven. These signs were also given to Israel to bolster their faith as they made their journey to the Promised Land.

Over the last few chapters, Moses has had to deal with significant conflict. The people he has been called to lead have rebelled against him. His own brother and sister have questioned his authority. He has been accused of all kinds of things. But, as we’ve seen, he remains humble and intercedes every single time on behalf of the people before God. Most recently, Moses had to confront the rebellion of Korah. They sought to overthrow his leadership. And what does Moses do? Does he marshal his forces and march against them? Does he call God’s people to take his side? Does he get angry and lash out? No. He puts his future in God’s hands. He calls on God to give them a sign. And God causes the earth to open and swallow Moses’ enemies. Tragically, the people blame Moses for the deaths of the family of Korah. Once again, Moses intercedes to save their lives. And that brings us to the passage for today where God confirms Moses’ leadership by causing Aaron’s staff to bud.

I have been a pastor for over twenty years now and I’ve seen my share of conflict. Leading God’s people is not always easy. First and foremost, I recognize that I am chief among sinners. I am compromised myself in so many ways. And that makes it hard at times to know if I am leading from a place of humility or a place of pride. Second, the people of God are also sinners. Shocking I know! ;-) And when we gather as a church all we are doing is bringing a bunch of sinful, broken people into close proximity. Is it any wonder that sparks often fly? I’ve felt the sting of betrayal. I’ve had people try to destroy my career by making false accusations against me. I’ve been criticized more times than I can count, much of it probably warranted. Thankfully, God has provided godly men and women in my life who have confirmed for me - over and over again - my call to lead. They have encouraged me and blessed me as well as spoken truth into my life and held me accountable. In short, God has used them as living “signs” to let me know His call on my life has not come to an end.

What about you? What signs has God given you in your life? As you look back over the course of your life, can you see where God provided the right people at the right time? Or perhaps intervened in a particular circumstance? Answered a prayer? Performed a miracle? These are signs given to encourage you, dear friends, as you seek to follow Him.

Readings for tomorrow: Numbers 19-21, Psalms 46

Humble Leadership

Readings for today: Numbers 14-16, Psalms 44

What qualities do you look for in a leader? What kind of leader do you vote for, follow, or admire? One can draw all kinds of conclusions simply based on what leaders are the most popular or who gets platformed. In politics, it seems clear that we admire the leaders who project the most strength. We look for leaders who have the guts to stand up for what we believe in and fight against our political enemies. We look for leaders who can score the most points, denigrating their opponents. We look for leaders who confirm our bias and affirm our worst fears. I see the same thing in business, education, and sadly, in the church as well. Those pastors who seem to be the strongest and most certain and most successful are the ones who get the most attention. Even though they also fall at an alarming rate, we excuse their behavior and restore them quickly to their positions of influence and power.

Now consider the leadership of Moses. The man is as humble as it gets. How many time does he save Israel through his prayers of intercession? How many times does he stand in the gap before God as their mediator? How many times does he fall on his face before the Lord in humility rather than fight back against those who reject him or even seek to stone him? He’s simply incredible and it’s because he has a healthy, God-centered view of himself. He doesn’t think more highly of himself than he ought. He doesn’t think less of himself than he ought. He simply thinks of himself less. That’s humility. That’s the very definition of humble leadership.

I do my best to follow examples like Moses. Thankfully, I’ve had several mentors over the course of my life and one of the qualities almost all of them shared was humility. Steve Hayner was the president of Intervarsity and the president of Columbia Theological Seminary when he took me under his wing. A more humble man I have never met. Bud Sparling was a pastor at the church I serve for over fifteen years. He was an incredible man with an incredible testimony and humble to the core. Don Bachman is a highly successful businessman and one of the most passionate believers in Christ I’ve ever been around but what strikes me the most from meeting with him for almost thirty years now is his humility. I can only hope to attain to the level of humility each of these mentors have achieved. They remind me of godly men like Moses. Godly women like Mary. Godly people who do not seek their own good but instead, seek to love God and love others with all their hearts.

Readings for tomorrow: Numbers 17-18, Psalms 45

Taking God for Granted

Readings for today: Numbers 11-13, Psalms 43

It’s so easy to take God for granted. It’s so tempting to treat God’s miracles as mundane. It’s so common for us to grumble and complain. It’s like our national past-time. As a pastor, I have spent time with people who literally have it all. They are among the wealthiest people on the face of the earth. They have a loving spouse and great kids. They have a good career and meaningful work. But still they are not satisfied. Still they struggle with discontent. No matter how much God gives them, it never seems to be enough. The same was true for Israel.

Think of all God has done for His people. Delivered them from Egypt. Wiped out their enemies. Created a path through the Red Sea. Met them face to face at Mt. Sinai. Fed them with manna in the wilderness. Gave them water from a rock. One would think after experiencing such miracles that they would never lose faith. Not true. As their journey drags on and more hardships come, they forget what God has done for them and they begin to complain. The journey’s too hard. They’re tired of eating manna. Those closest to Moses - Aaron and Miriam - question his leadership ability. The scouts return with a report about giants in the Promised Land. And with each successive blow, the people’s faith grows weaker and weaker. They have taken their eyes off God.

What about you? Have you taken your eyes off Christ? Are you feeling weighed down by the burdens you carry? Have you forgotten all God has done for you? Have the miracles He’s performed become mundane? Do the blessings you’ve received never seem to satisfy? Accept the invitation of Christ. The author and perfecter of our faith. The One who promises to give rest to all who come to Him. The only One who can truly satisfy every longing of our hearts.

Readings for tomorrow: Numbers 14-16, Psalms 44

Cultural Distance

Readings for today: Numbers 5-7, Psalm 41

The Bible is full of rituals that seem strange to us. This is part of the cultural distance we must keep in mind as we read. What may have been normative for an ancient near east Israelite is certainly not normative for a 21st century American and vice versa. Of all the strange rituals recorded in the Bible, the one detailed in Numbers 5 has to be among the strangest. A woman suspected of adultery is put to a test whereby she has to drink bitter water to determine if she is guilty of committing adultery.

First and foremost, we need to remember the context. Women and men were not considered equals in the ancient near east. In fact, women were more property than they were people so we shouldn’t be surprised at the patriarchal tone of the text. It doesn’t make it right. It doesn’t mean God is in favor of patriarchy. It simply means God is speaking to His people through the cultural norms of the day and revealing His sovereign will just as He does to this day.

Second, we need to remember the seriousness of adultery. Adultery was one of the “big three” crimes in ancient Israel. It was punishable by death along with idolatry and murder. The reason God lays out such harsh penalties is to protect the family. The family unit is the fundamental building block for God’s chosen people. It is through the family unit that faith is passed from one generation to the next and the story of God’s history with His people kept alive. God wants to protect the family at all costs and adultery puts the family at significant risk.

Third, God is a God of justice. Unlike the pagan cultures that surrounded Israel, God wanted to make sure that women were not cast aside on the jealous whims of their husbands. He wanted to protect women by providing a way for them to prove their innocence. He uses the cultic practices of the ancient world to place a hedge of protection around women to prevent them from being slanderously accused.

Finally, God is a God of honor. The honor of the wife and the honor of the husband and the honor of the family are of paramount importance to Him. Jealousy threatens the honor of the family as does suspicion, gossip, and whisper campaigns that human beings seem to take so much delight in. By subjecting the woman to a public sacred ritual, all potential dishonor is put to rest. Furthermore, the public nature of the ritual would also act as a deterrent to husbands who might be tempted to bring frivolous charges against their wives.

So what do we take away from our reading today? Well, it’s worth pondering our own attitudes towards sexual fidelity in marriage. Do we guard our hearts and take adultery as seriously as God? Second, how can we protect the honor of our families in the way we think, speak, or act? How can we protect those we love from frivolous and slanderous accusations? Finally, we look to Christ who drank the bitter cup and took on the curse for us and we give thanks for His willingness to take our place.

Readings for tomorrow: Numbers 8-10, Psalm 42 (No devotionals on Sundays)

Assignment

Readings for today: Numbers 1-4, Psalm 40

As a young pastor just out of seminary, I struggled with my “call.” I am not sure what I expected. A voice from heaven? A burning bush? A pillar of fire? I had multiple opportunities to consider and didn’t quite know how to make a decision. So I asked an older, wiser pastor for his thoughts. He challenged me to stop overthinking things and instead simply focus on the “assignment” the Lord had given me. It was a great reminder to me that my life was not my own. My calling was not to build a successful career. God had singled me out for a special purpose and that was to serve His people. Nothing more. Nothing less. Nothing else.

I thought about those words as I read the passage for today. The Levites are set apart for service to God. “The Lord spoke to Moses: “See, I have taken the Levites from the Israelites in place of every firstborn Israelite from the womb. The Levites belong to me, because every firstborn belongs to me. At the time I struck down every firstborn in the land of Egypt, I consecrated every firstborn in Israel to myself, both man and animal. They are mine; I am the Lord.” (‭Numbers‬ ‭3‬:‭11‬-‭13‬ ‭CSB‬‬) Furthermore, the sons of Levi and their descendants are also set apart for specific tasks. The Kohathites are charged to carry the most holy objects from the Tabernacle. The Gershonites are to carry the curtains and the tent. The Merarites are to basically carry the rest of the equipment. Each of these sons and their descendants would shoulder this burden into perpetuity. They don’t get a choice. They don’t get to opt out. They are not free to move into another profession. As Levites, they have been redeemed. Bought with a price. Chosen by God to serve a specific purpose.

Everyone is born with a divine assignment. I know this may be hard to understand. After all, we live in a culture where we get to choose our profession. Choose, to some extent, our place in society. Choose where we will live and who we will live among. Most of humanity throughout history has not had the freedom to make such choices. And with such freedom comes an even greater temptation. We are tempted to believe we are the captains of our fate, the masters of our destiny. We are tempted to believe we are in control of our lives. We are tempted to believe we somehow are free from any “assignment” others might place on us. However, this is all a lie. God has a plan for each of our lives. His divine plan includes our assignment in His Kingdom. It’s a space only we can occupy because each of us is unique and, as such, have a unique contribution to make. What is your assignment? Have you asked God to show you His plan for your life in this particular season?

Readings for tomorrow: Numbers 5-7, Psalm 41