relationships (Numbers 27:11-23) Being a True Leader

(Numbers 27:11-23)  Then the Lord said to Moses, “Go up to this mountain of Abarim, and see the land which I have given to the sons of Israel. 13 When you have seen it, you too will be gathered to your people, as Aaron your brother was; 14 for in the wilderness of Zin, during the strife of the congregation, you rebelled against My command to treat Me as holy before their eyes at the water.” (These are the waters of Meribah of Kadesh in the wilderness of Zin.)

15 Then Moses spoke to the Lord, saying, 16 “May the Lord, the God of the spirits of all flesh, appoint a man over the congregation, 17 who will go out and come in before them, and who will lead them out and bring them in, so that the congregation of the Lord will not be like sheep which have no shepherd.” 18 So the Lord said to Moses, “Take Joshua the son of Nun, a man in whom is the Spirit, and lay your hand on him; 19 and have him stand before Eleazar the priest and before all the congregation, and commission him in their sight. 20 You shall put some of your authority on him, in order that all the congregation of the sons of Israel may obey him. 21 Moreover, he shall stand before Eleazar the priest, who shall inquire for him by the judgment of the Urim before the Lord. At his command they shall go out and at his command they shall come in, both he and the sons of Israel with him, even all the congregation.” 22 Moses did just as the Lord commanded him; and he took Joshua and set him before Eleazar the priest and before all the congregation. 23 Then he laid his hands on him and commissioned him, just as the Lord had spoken through Moses.

TODAY'S THOUGHTS AND MEDITATION:

We see here the value of a church being "institutional" (organized).  Having a pastor commissioned before the congregation is important.  As God calls people into various ministries, the act of commissioning is not only significant, but it is symbolic of passing along or including another person's position of leadership, giving them a "higher" level of authority.  

It is always critical that we all realize - the final authority is the Lord's!!!  And in any position of authority, one is more of a humble servant, with greater responsibility and accountability.  The person in a leadership role is always to lead by example, in God's truth and love.  

It is the same way for all men within their own family.  When husbands and fathers do all of this with God's love and guidance, as humble servants, the family unit will be far more willing to respect this and work together in a healthy way, supporting and encouraging one another.  The closer we all grow to the Lord, the closer we will all grow together in unity.

relationships (Numbers 27:1-11) Focus on What is Important

(Numbers 27:1-11)  Then the daughters of Zelophehad, the son of Hepher, the son of Gilead, the son of Machir, the son of Manasseh, of the families of Manasseh the son of Joseph, came near; and these are the names of his daughters: Mahlah, Noah and Hoglah and Milcah and Tirzah. 2 They stood before Moses and before Eleazar the priest and before the leaders and all the congregation, at the doorway of the tent of meeting, saying, 3 “Our father died in the wilderness, yet he was not among the company of those who gathered themselves together against the Lord in the company of Korah; but he died in his own sin, and he had no sons. 4 Why should the name of our father be withdrawn from among his family because he had no son? Give us a possession among our father’s brothers.” 5 So Moses brought their case before the Lord.

6 Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 7 “The daughters of Zelophehad are right in their statements. You shall surely give them a hereditary possession among their father’s brothers, and you shall transfer the inheritance of their father to them. 8 Further, you shall speak to the sons of Israel, saying, ‘If a man dies and has no son, then you shall transfer his inheritance to his daughter. 9 If he has no daughter, then you shall give his inheritance to his brothers. 10 If he has no brothers, then you shall give his inheritance to his father’s brothers. 11 If his father has no brothers, then you shall give his inheritance to his nearest relative in his own family, and he shall possess it; and it shall be a statutory ordinance to the sons of Israel, just as the Lord commanded Moses.’”

TODAY'S THOUGHTS AND MEDITATION:

We see God being an advocate for women!  And very practically, and fairly, the Lord sees to it that everyone is physically looked after.  Basically God provided a very straightforward will for when someone passed away.  As a parent, I am inspired to be fair towards both our son and our daughter.  This includes how we make arrangements for their inheritance.  In today's society, wills can become very complicated.  And even when they are simple, arguments can still arise because of greed and selfishness.  

As we are concerned for our loved ones' welfare, it benefits all of us to realize that earthly things are only just "things".  Understanding this, as well as being thankful for what we do have, can alleviate a lot of stress and will bring about contentment in life, in general.  So as a parent, another truth that we taught both children was that our faith and trust should be in the Lord, who looks after all our spiritual and our physical needs.  And while we are to be productive, wise and responsible with finances, our focus shouldn't be on earthly riches, but on God and His will for our lives, which does include being advocates for those who are vulnerable.

relationships (Numbers 26:1-65) Be Fair and Just

(Numbers 26:1-65)  Then it came about after the plague, that the Lord spoke to Moses and to Eleazar the son of Aaron the priest, saying, 2 “Take a census of all the congregation of the sons of Israel from twenty years old and upward, by their fathers’ households, whoever is able to go out to war in Israel.” 3 So Moses and Eleazar the priest spoke with them in the plains of Moab by the Jordan at Jericho, saying, 4 “Take a census of the people from twenty years old and upward, as the Lord has commanded Moses.”

Now the sons of Israel who came out of the land of Egypt were:

5 Reuben, Israel’s firstborn, the sons of Reuben: of Hanoch, the family of the Hanochites; of Pallu, the family of the Palluites; 6 of Hezron, the family of the Hezronites; of Carmi, the family of the Carmites. 7 These are the families of the Reubenites, and those who were numbered of them were 43,730. 8 The son of Pallu: Eliab. 9 The sons of Eliab: Nemuel and Dathan and Abiram. These are the Dathan and Abiram who were called by the congregation, who contended against Moses and against Aaron in the company of Korah, when they contended against the Lord, 10 and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them up along with Korah, when that company died, when the fire devoured 250 men, so that they became a warning. 11 The sons of Korah, however, did not die.

12 The sons of Simeon according to their families: of Nemuel, the family of the Nemuelites; of Jamin, the family of the Jaminites; of Jachin, the family of the Jachinites; 13 of Zerah, the family of the Zerahites; of Shaul, the family of the Shaulites. 14 These are the families of the Simeonites, 22,200.

15 The sons of Gad according to their families: of Zephon, the family of the Zephonites; of Haggi, the family of the Haggites; of Shuni, the family of the Shunites; 16 of Ozni, the family of the Oznites; of Eri, the family of the Erites; 17 of Arod, the family of the Arodites; of Areli, the family of the Arelites. 18 These are the families of the sons of Gad according to those who were numbered of them, 40,500.

19 The sons of Judah were Er and Onan, but Er and Onan died in the land of Canaan. 20 The sons of Judah according to their families were: of Shelah, the family of the Shelanites; of Perez, the family of the Perezites; of Zerah, the family of the Zerahites. 21 The sons of Perez were: of Hezron, the family of the Hezronites; of Hamul, the family of the Hamulites. 22 These are the families of Judah according to those who were numbered of them, 76,500.

23 The sons of Issachar according to their families: of Tola, the family of the Tolaites; of Puvah, the family of the Punites; 24 of Jashub, the family of the Jashubites; of Shimron, the family of the Shimronites. 25 These are the families of Issachar according to those who were numbered of them, 64,300.

26 The sons of Zebulun according to their families: of Sered, the family of the Seredites; of Elon, the family of the Elonites; of Jahleel, the family of the Jahleelites. 27 These are the families of the Zebulunites according to those who were numbered of them, 60,500.

28 The sons of Joseph according to their families: Manasseh and Ephraim. 29 The sons of Manasseh: of Machir, the family of the Machirites; and Machir became the father of Gilead: of Gilead, the family of the Gileadites. 30 These are the sons of Gilead: of Iezer, the family of the Iezerites; of Helek, the family of the Helekites; 31 and of Asriel, the family of the Asrielites; and of Shechem, the family of the Shechemites; 32 and of Shemida, the family of the Shemidaites; and of Hepher, the family of the Hepherites. 33 Now Zelophehad the son of Hepher had no sons, but only daughters; and the names of the daughters of Zelophehad were Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah and Tirzah. 34 These are the families of Manasseh; and those who were numbered of them were 52,700.

35 These are the sons of Ephraim according to their families: of Shuthelah, the family of the Shuthelahites; of Becher, the family of the Becherites; of Tahan, the family of the Tahanites. 36 These are the sons of Shuthelah: of Eran, the family of the Eranites. 37 These are the families of the sons of Ephraim according to those who were numbered of them, 32,500. These are the sons of Joseph according to their families.

38 The sons of Benjamin according to their families: of Bela, the family of the Belaites; of Ashbel, the family of the Ashbelites; of Ahiram, the family of the Ahiramites; 39 of Shephupham, the family of the Shuphamites; of Hupham, the family of the Huphamites. 40 The sons of Bela were Ard and Naaman: of Ard, the family of the Ardites; of Naaman, the family of the Naamites. 41 These are the sons of Benjamin according to their families; and those who were numbered of them were 45,600.

42 These are the sons of Dan according to their families: of Shuham, the family of the Shuhamites. These are the families of Dan according to their families. 43 All the families of the Shuhamites, according to those who were numbered of them, were 64,400.

44 The sons of Asher according to their families: of Imnah, the family of the Imnites; of Ishvi, the family of the Ishvites; of Beriah, the family of the Beriites. 45 Of the sons of Beriah: of Heber, the family of the Heberites; of Malchiel, the family of the Malchielites. 46 The name of the daughter of Asher was Serah. 47 These are the families of the sons of Asher according to those who were numbered of them, 53,400.

48 The sons of Naphtali according to their families: of Jahzeel, the family of the Jahzeelites; of Guni, the family of the Gunites; 49 of Jezer, the family of the Jezerites; of Shillem, the family of the Shillemites. 50 These are the families of Naphtali according to their families; and those who were numbered of them were 45,400.

51 These are those who were numbered of the sons of Israel, 601,730.

52 Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 53 “Among these the land shall be divided for an inheritance according to the number of names. 54 To the larger group you shall increase their inheritance, and to the smaller group you shall diminish their inheritance; each shall be given their inheritance according to those who were numbered of them. 55 But the land shall be divided by lot. They shall receive their inheritance according to the names of the tribes of their fathers. 56 According to the selection by lot, their inheritance shall be divided between the larger and the smaller groups.”

57 These are those who were numbered of the Levites according to their families: of Gershon, the family of the Gershonites; of Kohath, the family of the Kohathites; of Merari, the family of the Merarites. 58 These are the families of Levi: the family of the Libnites, the family of the Hebronites, the family of the Mahlites, the family of the Mushites, the family of the Korahites. Kohath became the father of Amram. 59 The name of Amram’s wife was Jochebed, the daughter of Levi, who was born to Levi in Egypt; and she bore to Amram: Aaron and Moses and their sister Miriam. 60 To Aaron were born Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar. 61 But Nadab and Abihu died when they offered strange fire before the Lord. 62 Those who were numbered of them were 23,000, every male from a month old and upward, for they were not numbered among the sons of Israel since no inheritance was given to them among the sons of Israel.

63 These are those who were numbered by Moses and Eleazar the priest, who numbered the sons of Israel in the plains of Moab by the Jordan at Jericho. 64 But among these there was not a man of those who were numbered by Moses and Aaron the priest, who numbered the sons of Israel in the wilderness of Sinai. 65 For the Lord had said of them, “They shall surely die in the wilderness.” And not a man was left of them, except Caleb the son of Jephunneh and Joshua the son of Nun.

TODAY'S THOUGHTS AND MEDITATION:

Numbering the tribes of Israel was not so much about seeing how many men were available for war, because God always fought for them as they were obedient to Him.  The numbering was meant to keep accurate records, as well as to help Moses divide up their inheritance (the promised land) fairly among the people.

God not only keeps His promises, and looks out for and protects His children, and wisely disciplines them when defiant, but He is fair and just.  This has inspired me as a parent to keep things fair between our children.  We have tried very hard to not play favorites, and to instill in both of them the same values, and guide them with the same advice, and most importantly teach them that success in life is to be a child of God who strives to live in God's will.  

Even if one doesn't have children, these are principles that we can and should apply to those around us.

relationships (Numbers 25:1-18) Our Inspiration and Motivation

(Numbers 25:1-18)  While Israel remained at Shittim, the people began to play the harlot with the daughters of Moab. 2 For they invited the people to the sacrifices of their gods, and the people ate and bowed down to their gods. 3 So Israel joined themselves to Baal of Peor, and the Lord was angry against Israel. 4 The Lord said to Moses, “Take all the leaders of the people and execute them in broad daylight before the Lord, so that the fierce anger of the Lord may turn away from Israel.” 5 So Moses said to the judges of Israel, “Each of you slay his men who have joined themselves to Baal of Peor.”

6 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. 7 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, 8 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. 9 Those who died by the plague were 24,000.

10 Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 11 “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. 12 Therefore say, ‘Behold, I give him My covenant of peace; 13 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.’”

14 Now the name of the slain man of Israel who was slain with the Midianite woman, was Zimri the son of Salu, a leader of a father’s household among the Simeonites. 15 The name of the Midianite woman who was slain was Cozbi the daughter of Zur, who was head of the people of a father’s household in Midian.

16 Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 17 “Be hostile to the Midianites and strike them; 18 for they have been hostile to you with their tricks, with which they have deceived you in the affair of Peor and in the affair of Cozbi, the daughter of the leader of Midian, their sister who was slain on the day of the plague because of Peor.”

TODAY'S THOUGHTS AND MEDITATION:

"Adultery" is not just cheating in one's marriage, but it also includes premarital sex.  Basically - sex outside of marriage.  Sex in itself is an emotional "marriage" as the two bodies become one.  So for a believer to marry or "just" have sex with an unbeliever, one is aligning themselves with a person who is against God.  If one isn't for God, then one is against God.

Adultery against God carries a greater weight.  When we become believers, we become His children.  And in the book of Revelation, the Church (all true believers) is even considered the bride of Christ, so we can see how personal of a relationship we have with the Lord!  It is the most intimate, since God is all-knowing and knows absolutely every single thing about us, even every single thought we've ever had.  Plus, we should know, the Lord is faithful and cares, and is looking out for us.

As we see how true and faithful God is, why would we go and give honor to another "god"???  The Lord came in flesh to die in our place to pay the price for our sin, and saves us and keeps us - so why - would we even consider looking to another thing or person???  Now, if a believer commits any sort of adultery (against their spouse or the Lord), they cannot lose their salvation, but one shouldn't be surprised if there are consequences here on earth!  But why focus on that.  Instead, we can focus on the love that God has for us!  THIS - God's love - should be our inspiration and motivation in all things!

relationships (Numbers 23:25-24:25) Aligning Ourselves

(Numbers 23:25-41)  Then Balak said to Balaam, “Do not curse them at all nor bless them at all!” 26 But Balaam replied to Balak, “Did I not tell you, ‘Whatever the Lord speaks, that I must do’?”

27 Then Balak said to Balaam, “Please come, I will take you to another place; perhaps it will be agreeable with God that you curse them for me from there.” 28 So Balak took Balaam to the top of Peor which overlooks the wasteland. 29 Balaam said to Balak, “Build seven altars for me here and prepare seven bulls and seven rams for me here.” 30 Balak did just as Balaam had said, and offered up a bull and a ram on each altar.

(Numbers 24:1-25)  When Balaam saw that it pleased the Lord to bless Israel, he did not go as at other times to seek omens but he set his face toward the wilderness. 2 And Balaam lifted up his eyes and saw Israel camping tribe by tribe; and the Spirit of God came upon him. 3 He took up his discourse and said,

     “The oracle of Balaam the son of Beor,
     And the oracle of the man whose eye is opened;
4   The oracle of him who hears the words of God,
     Who sees the vision of the Almighty,
     Falling down, yet having his eyes uncovered,
5   How fair are your tents, O Jacob,
     Your dwellings, O Israel!
6   “Like valleys that stretch out,
     Like gardens beside the river,
     Like aloes planted by the Lord,
     Like cedars beside the waters.
7   “Water will flow from his buckets,
     And his seed will be by many waters,
     And his king shall be higher than Agag,
     And his kingdom shall be exalted.
8   “God brings him out of Egypt,
     He is for him like the horns of the wild ox.
     He will devour the nations who are his adversaries,
     And will crush their bones in pieces,
     And shatter them with his arrows.
9   “He couches, he lies down as a lion,
     And as a lion, who dares rouse him?
     Blessed is everyone who blesses you,
     And cursed is everyone who curses you.”

10 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! 11 Therefore, flee to your place now. I said I would honor you greatly, but behold, the Lord has held you back from honor.” 12 Balaam said to Balak, “Did I not tell your messengers whom you had sent to me, saying, 13 ‘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’? 14 And now, behold, I am going to my people; come, and I will advise you what this people will do to your people in the days to come.”

15 He took up his discourse and said,

     “The oracle of Balaam the son of Beor,
     And the oracle of the man whose eye is opened,
16 The oracle of him who hears the words of God,
     And knows the knowledge of the Most High,
     Who sees the vision of the Almighty,
     Falling down, yet having his eyes uncovered.
17 “I see him, but not now;
     I behold him, but not near;
     A star shall come forth from Jacob,
     A scepter shall rise from Israel,
     And shall crush through the forehead of Moab,
     And tear down all the sons of Sheth.
18 “Edom shall be a possession,
     Seir, its enemies, also will be a possession,
     While Israel performs valiantly.
19 “One from Jacob shall have dominion,
     And will destroy the remnant from the city.”

20 And he looked at Amalek and took up his discourse and said,

     “Amalek was the first of the nations,
     But his end shall be destruction.”

21 And he looked at the Kenite, and took up his discourse and said,

     “Your dwelling place is enduring,
     And your nest is set in the cliff.
22 “Nevertheless Kain will be consumed;
     How long will Asshur keep you captive?”

23 Then he took up his discourse and said,

     “Alas, who can live except God has ordained it?
24 “But ships shall come from the coast of Kittim,
     And they shall afflict Asshur and will afflict Eber;
     So they also will come to destruction.”

25 Then Balaam arose and departed and returned to his place, and Balak also went his way.

TODAY'S THOUGHTS AND MEDITATION:

It benefits us to be careful about not trying to impress and/or please people, or make allies and/or friendships with the wrong people.  Throughout the exchanges that Balaam had with both king Balak and the Lord, Balaam's eyes were opened to see that God's blessings and riches are far more valuable than anything Balak could ever offer him.  And Balaam suddenly understood what pleases the Lord... a humbled heart with a desire to be aligned with Him!

When we "fall down" with a humble heart to give our lives to Him, He is the one who plants us and establishes us!  As believers, we have the indwelling Holy Spirit who guides us and helps us understand His will.  He is the one who opens our eyes and ears to God's word, so that as we read and study the Bible, we are able to KNOW the Lord's visions which are written down for us. Through His word, and living out His word, we will see HIs goodness and His majesty!  And we can know that we are secure in our relationship with Him because of who He is!

relationships (Numbers 22:36-23:24) Be Confident in the Lord

(Numbers 22:36-41)  When Balak heard that Balaam was coming, he went out to meet him at the city of Moab, which is on the Arnon border, at the extreme end of the border. 37 Then Balak said to Balaam, “Did I not urgently send to you to call you? Why did you not come to me? Am I really unable to honor you?” 38 So Balaam said to Balak, “Behold, I have come now to you! Am I able to speak anything at all? The word that God puts in my mouth, that I shall speak.” 39 And Balaam went with Balak, and they came to Kiriath-huzoth. 40 Balak sacrificed oxen and sheep, and sent some to Balaam and the leaders who were with him.

41 Then it came about in the morning that Balak took Balaam and brought him up to the high places of Baal, and he saw from there a portion of the people.

(Numbers 23:1-24)  Then Balaam said to Balak, “Build seven altars for me here, and prepare seven bulls and seven rams for me here.” 2 Balak did just as Balaam had spoken, and Balak and Balaam offered up a bull and a ram on each altar. 3 Then Balaam said to Balak, “Stand beside your burnt offering, and I will go; perhaps the Lord will come to meet me, and whatever He shows me I will tell you.” So he went to a bare hill.

4 Now God met Balaam, and he said to Him, “I have set up the seven altars, and I have offered up a bull and a ram on each altar.” 5 Then the Lord put a word in Balaam’s mouth and said, “Return to Balak, and you shall speak thus.” 6 So he returned to him, and behold, he was standing beside his burnt offering, he and all the leaders of Moab. 7 He took up his discourse and said,

     “From Aram Balak has brought me,
     Moab’s king from the mountains of the East,
     ‘Come curse Jacob for me,
     And come, denounce Israel!’
8   “How shall I curse whom God has not cursed?
     And how can I denounce whom the Lord has not denounced?
9   “As I see him from the top of the rocks,
     And I look at him from the hills;
     Behold, a people who dwells apart,
     And will not be reckoned among the nations.
10 “Who can count the dust of Jacob,
     Or number the fourth part of Israel?
     Let me die the death of the upright,
     And let my end be like his!”

11 Then Balak said to Balaam, “What have you done to me? I took you to curse my enemies, but behold, you have actually blessed them!” 12 He replied, “Must I not be careful to speak what the Lord puts in my mouth?”

13 Then Balak said to him, “Please come with me to another place from where you may see them, although you will only see the extreme end of them and will not see all of them; and curse them for me from there.” 14 So he took him to the field of Zophim, to the top of Pisgah, and built seven altars and offered a bull and a ram on each altar. 15 And he said to Balak, “Stand here beside your burnt offering while I myself meet the Lord over there.” 16 Then the Lord met Balaam and put a word in his mouth and said, “Return to Balak, and thus you shall speak.” 17 He came to him, and behold, he was standing beside his burnt offering, and the leaders of Moab with him. And Balak said to him, “What has the Lord spoken?” 18 Then he took up his discourse and said,

     “Arise, O Balak, and hear;
     Give ear to me, O son of Zippor!
19 “God is not a man, that He should lie,
     Nor a son of man, that He should repent;
     Has He said, and will He not do it?
     Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good?
20 “Behold, I have received a command to bless;
     When He has blessed, then I cannot revoke it.
21 “He has not observed misfortune in Jacob;
     Nor has He seen trouble in Israel;
     The Lord his God is with him,
     And the shout of a king is among them.
22 “God brings them out of Egypt,
     He is for them like the horns of the wild ox.
23 “For there is no omen against Jacob,
     Nor is there any divination against Israel;
     At the proper time it shall be said to Jacob 
     And to Israel, what God has done!
24 “Behold, a people rises like a lioness,
     And as a lion it lifts itself;
     It will not lie down until it devours the prey,
     And drinks the blood of the slain.”

TODAY'S THOUGHTS AND MEDITATION:

In these verses, I'm just in awe of how we can be confident in the Lord and our relationship with Him.  When God makes a promise, He is faithful to carry it out.  And whether we are aware of it or not, He is looking out for us!