January 31 - Numbers 5-8
As Moses leads the Israelites, there are some instructions from the Lord that are repeated often, and some that are given only once. Some things are easy to understand and some are more difficult. The grain offering of jealousy for the wife who is suspected of unfaithfulness to her husband is one of the more unique practices given by the Lord. It would be tempting to some to dismiss it as weird to put dust in water and make a lady drink it to reveal her guilt or innocence, but I would caution you against rejecting this. This is the same God who brought them across the Red Sea on dry ground. If He said to do this, I would accept it. The same principle goes for the whole Bible.
The main point that it makes with me is the seriousness of jealousy between a husband and wife, not to speak of the seriousness of unfaithfulness. Marriage is built upon trust. Marriage consists of growing together, not growing apart. Anything that drives a wedge between a couple is a serious situation, and it must be dealt with before it destroys the relationship. Some couples allow these things to develop unchecked; they stay together, but they do not really have the marriage relationship God intended for them to have. It is a very sad situation, and it is a bad witness for Christians.
The Nazarite vow in chapter 6 is interesting because it allowed a man or a woman to present themselves before the Lord as totally holy. Remember, holy is separated from the world, and set apart for God's service. In the Old Covenant this was an optional vow, but now all believers have the Holy Spirit, and we are all "holy ones" or saints. Therefore, I believe that we should all be continual Nazarites today. We should be willing not just to wear our hair a certain way or stay away from wine and grapes, but to do anything the Lord Jesus calls us to do in His service. Like the Nazarite vow this does not just apply to full time Christian servants, but to all believers.
When the Tabernacle was dedicated to be used for the worship of God, the leaders of the tribes presented their special offerings first as an example to all of the people. Leaders must always realize their responsibility to step up and show the way. We must all remember that each of us is a leader to someone. You may be the leader of many people or of a few people. However, the responsibility is the same. They are looking at you to know what to do and how to do it. Also, the Levites were cleansed and consecrated for their service. I am ever mindful that no servant of the Lord has authority for his or her duties just because of a position. The authority comes from the Lord. He only gives the power to go with the authority when we stand clean before Him in humility. The Lord needs to see that, and the people to whom we minister need to see that, too.
Tomorrow, I plan to read Numbers 9-12, if you want to read ahead.
The main point that it makes with me is the seriousness of jealousy between a husband and wife, not to speak of the seriousness of unfaithfulness. Marriage is built upon trust. Marriage consists of growing together, not growing apart. Anything that drives a wedge between a couple is a serious situation, and it must be dealt with before it destroys the relationship. Some couples allow these things to develop unchecked; they stay together, but they do not really have the marriage relationship God intended for them to have. It is a very sad situation, and it is a bad witness for Christians.
The Nazarite vow in chapter 6 is interesting because it allowed a man or a woman to present themselves before the Lord as totally holy. Remember, holy is separated from the world, and set apart for God's service. In the Old Covenant this was an optional vow, but now all believers have the Holy Spirit, and we are all "holy ones" or saints. Therefore, I believe that we should all be continual Nazarites today. We should be willing not just to wear our hair a certain way or stay away from wine and grapes, but to do anything the Lord Jesus calls us to do in His service. Like the Nazarite vow this does not just apply to full time Christian servants, but to all believers.
When the Tabernacle was dedicated to be used for the worship of God, the leaders of the tribes presented their special offerings first as an example to all of the people. Leaders must always realize their responsibility to step up and show the way. We must all remember that each of us is a leader to someone. You may be the leader of many people or of a few people. However, the responsibility is the same. They are looking at you to know what to do and how to do it. Also, the Levites were cleansed and consecrated for their service. I am ever mindful that no servant of the Lord has authority for his or her duties just because of a position. The authority comes from the Lord. He only gives the power to go with the authority when we stand clean before Him in humility. The Lord needs to see that, and the people to whom we minister need to see that, too.
Tomorrow, I plan to read Numbers 9-12, if you want to read ahead.