March 5, 2006 - Numbers 34-36 and Mark 9:30-50
The Israelites were about to enter a new phase in the life of their nation. They had finished the 40 years in the wilderness, and now they were about ready to enter the Promised Land, the Land of God's rest for them. It is very significant to notice these words of exhortation given at the end of Numbers. I pray that you will let them speak to your life today.
Numbers 34 gives the description of the inheritance, the land of Canaan, and it tells the new leaders of the tribes, who would divide the land. Think about God giving them a country. He gave them this land as an eternal inheritance. A lot of people have a problem with this politically today, but it is a fact, and God can do what He wants to do. The thing I see is a bountiful inheritance from a loving Father. I think of all that He has in store for us in heaven. God always gives His children more than they ask or think. We must be ready to receive it. These leaders were in place to make sure the people took the Land as God was directing them. They were to make sure the people followed the Lord. It is the same way with us today. God has an inheritance for us. He has planned rewards and blessings, but we can miss some of what He has for us, if we fail to trust Him. Will you be faithful and receive all God has for you? I hope you will.
Numbers 35 tells about the inheritance of the tribe of Levi and the need to keep the land clean from blood pollution. The Levites were to live among all the tribes to guide people to the Lord. However, they were to guard against a serious problem, too. They were to judge between cases of murder and man slaughter. Murder pollutes a nation. God did not want that to happen to Israel, and He does not want that to happen to us today. However, I believe we are polluting our land with abortion and murder each day, and there is no repentance. God will judge us for shedding innocent blood and not doing anything to stop it.
Number 36 simply states that God wanted the Land to remain in the tribe to which it was originally given. This was a good principle or eventually a few tribes could have had more. God wants His people to share with each other and to make sure all have enough for their needs. This is a part of godly love. This is what we see happening in the book of Acts in the early church, too. It should happen this way today.
Mark 9 shows us several ways that the disciples were still not understanding Jesus. They did not understand the talk about His resurrection. They did not understand the greatness of servanthood and the innocence of children. They did not understand that they were not the only believers do in the Lord's work. They did not understand the seriousness of sin and the importance of being salty believers to preserve God's truth. They were learning, but they had a long way to go. How about you? How are you doing in your Christian growth? It is very important for all of us to grow, so we can grasp essential truths and use them to further God's kingdom. This is not just for the Apostles or for preachers now. It is for all of us. He wants all of us to know Him intimately and to serve Him effectively.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Deuteronomy1-2 and Mark 10:1-31.
Numbers 34 gives the description of the inheritance, the land of Canaan, and it tells the new leaders of the tribes, who would divide the land. Think about God giving them a country. He gave them this land as an eternal inheritance. A lot of people have a problem with this politically today, but it is a fact, and God can do what He wants to do. The thing I see is a bountiful inheritance from a loving Father. I think of all that He has in store for us in heaven. God always gives His children more than they ask or think. We must be ready to receive it. These leaders were in place to make sure the people took the Land as God was directing them. They were to make sure the people followed the Lord. It is the same way with us today. God has an inheritance for us. He has planned rewards and blessings, but we can miss some of what He has for us, if we fail to trust Him. Will you be faithful and receive all God has for you? I hope you will.
Numbers 35 tells about the inheritance of the tribe of Levi and the need to keep the land clean from blood pollution. The Levites were to live among all the tribes to guide people to the Lord. However, they were to guard against a serious problem, too. They were to judge between cases of murder and man slaughter. Murder pollutes a nation. God did not want that to happen to Israel, and He does not want that to happen to us today. However, I believe we are polluting our land with abortion and murder each day, and there is no repentance. God will judge us for shedding innocent blood and not doing anything to stop it.
Number 36 simply states that God wanted the Land to remain in the tribe to which it was originally given. This was a good principle or eventually a few tribes could have had more. God wants His people to share with each other and to make sure all have enough for their needs. This is a part of godly love. This is what we see happening in the book of Acts in the early church, too. It should happen this way today.
Mark 9 shows us several ways that the disciples were still not understanding Jesus. They did not understand the talk about His resurrection. They did not understand the greatness of servanthood and the innocence of children. They did not understand that they were not the only believers do in the Lord's work. They did not understand the seriousness of sin and the importance of being salty believers to preserve God's truth. They were learning, but they had a long way to go. How about you? How are you doing in your Christian growth? It is very important for all of us to grow, so we can grasp essential truths and use them to further God's kingdom. This is not just for the Apostles or for preachers now. It is for all of us. He wants all of us to know Him intimately and to serve Him effectively.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Deuteronomy1-2 and Mark 10:1-31.