Death of 3 in 1 Family in 1 Year

O. T. #340  "Death of 3 in 1 Family in 1 Year"
August 11, 2014
Numbers 20
... and Miriam died there, and was buried there.  Numbers 20:1d

LET IT GLOW

Do you have any siblings who have died before you? So far, my sister, who turns 70, and my brother, who turns 67, this year, are still living. However, back in 1980, my husband's little brother drowned in a lake at age 20. Death can bring a family closer or wedge it apart. Which will it be for you? Which was it for Moses' family?

There was no special deal, arrangement, nor exceptions for the family of Moses with the LORD. All of the generation 20 years and older would die in the wilderness, except for Joshua and Caleb. (Numbers 14:30) (Guzik)

All three, Miriam, Aaron, and Moses, died in a space of one year. Miriam was first to die, at age 130,  four months before Aaron died, (Numbers 33:38), and eleven months before Moses died at age 120 (Deut. 34).

What does Guzik say about the life of Miriam?

• She showed  great courage in assisting baby Moses and her parents. (Ex. 2:4-8)
• She lead Israel in praise to God. (Ex. 15:20-21)
• However, she is disgraced for her rebellion against Moses. (Numbers 12:1-16)

The one incident of rebellion left a black mark on Miriam's whole life, though she was white with leprosy.
What are we going to be remembered for-our good or bad deeds?

LET IT GROW

In this chapter, we read of the parting of two dear brothers. It was time for Aaron was to die.

David Guzik described Aaron's life as:

• being used mightily as Moses' partner (in serving the Lord)( Exodus 4:27-31);
• used to initiate the priesthood (Lev. 8:1-36);
• used to plead with Moses for the people (before God) (Numbers 6:1-50, 17:1-13);
• an instrumental in the grotesque debacle of the golden calf (Ex. 32:1-35),
• and in challenging Moses' authority along with Miriam (Num. 12:1-16).

Aaron's life shows the office is more important than the man himself. Aaron the man wasn't worthy of respect, but Aaron the high priest was worthy of honor. No one's relationship with God in Israel was to depend on Aaron but on the high priest-whomever he was. God has ensured there will always be a high priest for us to come to in Jesus (Heb. 4:14-16) and we need not depend on any man for our relationship with God.

Aaron submits and dies in the method and manner appointed, with much cheerfulness as if he would have been going to bed. He was neither afraid nor ashamed to die. His going up the hill to die signified that the death of saints is their ascension. (Matthew Henry)

Moses represents the law, Miriam represents the prophets, and Aaron represents the priests, which could not lead Israel into the Promised Land. Only Joshua, JESUS, could do that.

(Moses' death is described in Deuteronomy 34.)

Is our faithfulness to God going to outweigh our unfaithfulness?
Are we ready to let go of this life for the one in eternity? Have you made preparation for your day in which you die? In order to go to heaven, you must know Jesus as your Savior, for He is the Way.

LET IT GO

Prepare to cross over into eternity.

Love people to Jesus while I am waiting.

Be sure my siblings are ready to go.

Purity

O. T. #339  "Purity"
August 8, 2014
Numbers 19
...it is a purification for sin.  Numbers 19:9d

LET IT GLOW

Purity is not a popular subject anymore. A person must determine that they will stay pure before marriage. It is hard in our society to keep pure thoughts. Immorality is so often portrayed on television as the norm. It is a difficult thing for a Christian to remain pure throughout the day and night. So we must teach our younger generation the pure way of God's Word. Israel had a problem with purity, only a different kind.

As the result of almost 18,000 Israelites dying due to their rebellion and God's judgment of such, those bodies had to be touched for burial. During the next period of 38 years, (2 had passed with the 40 year discipline), more than 1,200,000 would die so the Israelites would continually be in contact with dead bodies. This lead to ceremonial uncleanness. So the Lord provided a way of purification, cleansing those who came in contact with dead bodies.

The rite of the red heifer was God's solution to the problem. It involved:

• A reddish, brown young cow (heifer) without spot, blemish, and not a yoke upon it was to be offered. (verse 2)
• Eleazar, son of Aaron and deputy high priest, was in charge of slaughtering the red cow outside the camp, with its owner watching. Its ashes were stored there as well.(verse 3)
• The heifer's blood was to be sprinkled toward the tabernacle 7 times. (verse 4)
• It was to be burned along with cedar, wood, hyssop, and some scarlet cloth material. (verses 5-6)
• Water was to be added to the ashes of the heifer and sprinkled upon the defiles Israelite. (verse 17-19)
• This was the purification for sin.

Webster's Dictionary defines purify as to free from guilt or moral or ceremonial blemish.

Aren't we glad that we don't have to keep those laws as a New Testament believer? Jesus became our sacrifice for our sins.

LET IT GROW

An unclean person:

•  would be unclean for 7 days.
• If the unclean person does not purify himself with that water on the third and seventh days, he would be unclean.  
• Touching a dead body and not purifying himself defiles the LORD's tabernacle.
• That unclean person must be cut off from Israel; his uncleanness remains on him.

Others considered unclean include:

• those in a tent when one dies there;
• touching one killed with a sword or died a natural death out in the open;
• anyone who touches a human bone or a grave.

Verses 17-20 tells how to purify such an unclean person. Any person, not just a priest, could sprinkle the unclean with the purification water.
The man who sprinkled the water of cleansing must wash his clothes. If a person touched the water of cleansing would be unclean till evening. Anything that an unclean person touches becomes unclean and anyone who touches it becomes unclean until evening.

Perhaps we need to consider who we hang around.

In Titus 2, it says, Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us, to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for Himself a people that are His very own, eager to do what is good.

When we ask forgiveness of our sins, Jesus purifies our heart. Have you asked Him to purify your heart?

LET IT GO

Purify my heart, Lord. Cleanse me from my sins, deep within.

Reassurance

O. T. #338  "Reassurance"
August 7, 2014
Numbers 18
...it is a covenant of salt for ever before the LORD unto thee and to thy seed with thee.
Numbers 18:19

LET IT GLOW

Who doesn't need reassurance? There are times that I need reassurance that I am doing God's will, serving Him in the right place and right way. Especially when hard times come, people complain, and turn away, I need it. I wonder if the Levites needed it, too.

Oh my, we had such a terrifying sight of the rebellion of Korah and the other two who were swallowed up by the earth, and then those 250 following Levites who were destroyed by the dreadful flames of fire. One would think the rebellion had ended in Israel, but they blamed Moses for those deaths happened again. That time, their murmuring resulted in 17,700 of the Israelites complainers died by a plague. You will recall that Aaron made atonement for the people, standing in the gap between the living and the dead. The plague stopped. The rebellion was against the authority of Moses and Aaron and ultimately God's authority. God settled it when He caused Aaron's rod to bud, blossom, and produce almonds.

Thus ends the account of one of the most infamous troublemakers in biblical history. The author Jude would later refer to this tragic event. (Falwell)

Then the Lord spoke directly to Aaron, the high priest. Only here and Leviticus 10:8 is it mentioned that God did this. Maybe the Levites needed reassurance after the rebellion and death of some of their fellow Levite family that they were serving God in the ways that pleased Him.

According to The MacArthur Bible Commentary, the Levites were told:

• Aaron and his sons were responsible for any offense against the holiness of the tabernacle or violations of the rules of priesthood. (verse 1)
• Even though the priesthood demanded much, the priests were to view it as a gift from the Lord. (verse 7)
• In return for their service to the Lord, the priests were to receive a portion of the offerings which the people presented in worship. (verses 8-20)
• Priests could keep all the parts of the sacrifices not consumed on the altar by fire.
• The offerings of firstfruits and everything devoted to the Lord were theirs as well.
• The Levites received the tithes from the people. This was their source of income and compensation for their tabernacle service. (verse 21-24)
• The Levites were required to present a tithe (a tenth) of what they received to the Lord. (verse 25-32)

The priests were still serving God in the tabernacle. Do we continue to faithfully serve God?

LET IT GROW

In verse 19, we read of the salt covenant. It is one of three methods of covenants found in the Old Testament that could be ratified. The first mentioned was the blood covenant (Gen. 15:17) and the shoe covenant (Ruth 4:7-9). As salt is incorruptible and everlasting, salt purifies and preserves, so was this covenant made with God.

Of all the gifts of God to the Levites (the services, responsibilities, tithes, and sacrifices of the tabernacle), this was the grandest of all: He gave Himself!  (Falwell)

God was the Levites' inheritance. What an inheritance! What a privilege to be chosen and used by God to carry out His commands. And to be used to provide the cleansing of the people of their sins through the sacrifices they killed and presented to God. The tribe of Levite was blessed.
Jesus is our New Testament blood covenant.

Do we pray for our family to be obedient to God's call and their blessings?

LET IT GO

Serve God in ways that I know please Him.

Keep on keepin' on, staying faithful to the Faithful One.

Get my reassurance from God.

Rods

O. T. #337  "Rods"
August 6, 2014
Numbers 17
... And behold, the rod of Aaron for the house of Levi was budded, and brought forth buds, and bloomed blossoms, and yielded almonds. Numbers 17:8

LET IT GLOW

Rods can have many purposes-correction, support for walking, ruling over others. Guess which use it was exemplified here in this chapter.

God had vindicated the political leadership of Moses. In this chapter, He will do the same for the religious leadership of Aaron. (Falwell)

The people had seen God's power in several ways-10 spies who gave an evil report and unbelief died of a plague, a battle lost due to presumption, the earth swallowing up the three rebels, their families, and possessions, 250 of Korah's rebellious followers were killed by fire from the Lord, a plague that killed 14,700, and Aaron stood between the dead and the living and the plague stopped.

God is all powerful and no one can stand in His way. No one will stop His will from being accomplished. Reading about those things should humble us before our El Shaddah, Almighty God.
Yet, the Israelites had not learned their lesson.

God is now going to declare once and for all the authority of the Aaronic priesthood. (Wiersbe)

He instructed Moses to have each tribe bring a rod-a dead stick with their name on it-to be placed before the Ark in the Tabernacle, as well as Aaron's rod labeled. God announced that the rod that blossomed would indicate the one He had chosen for the priesthood. God would make the murmurings of the children of Israel to cease against Aaron.

The word rod used here means, in Hebrew, a branch, a tribe, a rod for chastening (correction), ruling (septre), throwing (lace), or walking (a staff, a support of life).

I wonder if those leaders expected to see the rods turn into a snake and their own eat up the others, as they heard happened to Moses' rod and Pharaoh's sorcerers back in Egypt. At any rate, it did not happen.


LET IT GROW

God showed His chosen priest by a unique event:

• The next morning, Moses went into the Tabernacle of Witness.
• Moses saw Aaron's rod had budded.
• Aaron's rod brought forth buds.
• Aaron's rod bloomed blossoms.
• Aaron's rod yielded almonds.
• Moses brought out all the rods from the presence of the LORD and showed the Israelites.
• The owners of the rods looked at the rods and each man took his own. (still dead rods) (verse 9)
• The Lord instructed Moses to place Aaron's staff in front of the Testimony, to be kept as a sign to the rebellious. 
• The Lord put an end to their grumbling and they did not die.

Clearly, Aaron was appointed God's high priest.
Apparently this act shook up those leaders. They were afraid they would die, perish, for such an act. but it did not happen.

This episode, of course, lends itself to a spiritual application of Christ's glorious resurrection! (Falwell)

Wiersbe's Expository Outlines on the Old Testament explains:

By means of the Resurrection, God has declared that Christ is His Son and the only Priest that God accepts. All other priests are rejected by God. It matters not how many people are involved, how great their names, or how sincere their work-all other priesthoods are rejected. There is One High Priest, one sacrifice, and only one open way to heave; read Hebrews 10. We have many today like Korah who presume to take over the priesthood, but they have no heavenly authority.

Zechariah 4:6 states: Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit, saith the LORD of Hosts.

Jesus is going to rule with an iron rod, septer. See Revelation 2:27, 19:15.

Are you ready, friends?

LET IT GO

Accept God's authority and those He places in authority over me.

Submit to authorities, not rebel.

Accept God's rod of correction for me.

Now, You

O. T. #336  "Now, You"
August 5, 2014
Numbers 16-Part 1
Now Korah...Numbers 16:1

LET IT GLOW

Sadly, I admit that there have been times that I rebelled against God's authority and those He placed in authority over me. I wish someone would have said, "Now, Linda, think about what you are doing/saying/thinking/considering. Consider the consequences for you and others."
Perhaps someone should have said that to Korah and nearly 15,000 would not have died as a result of his sin of rebellion.

God had called Moses to be the leader of the nation of Israel and Aaron to their high priest. The men of the tribe of Levite was established as the priesthood for the people. God is holy and He requires His standards be carried out according to His ways and laws which He established. The Levites knew them.
In verses 46-50, the next day after the Korah incident, Moses sent Aaron, the high priest, to quickly burned incense and walked among the rebellious Israelites, making atonement for assembly of Israelites.
Verse 48 states, He stood between the living and the dead, and the plague stopped. 

Atonement means to cover, appease, forgive, pardon, purge away, cancel, condone, reconcile, in Hebrew.

God was so angry with the congregation that he sent a plague that killed 14,700 people before the atonement could get made. This was in addition to those who died due to Korah's rebellion.

Romans 5:11 states, And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.

Can you joy in the Lord Jesus for making atonement for you? Or have you not yet received this atonement? Simply ask Jesus to forgive you of your sins and He will, dear one.

Romans 12:19 tells us that vengeance belongs to the Lord God so we should not avenge the person who did us wrong, nor be wrathful. Paul was referring to Deuteronomy 32:35.

LET IT GROW

Shall we back up to the beginning of this chapter to see what brought all this on?

Korah, a Levite, got 250 Israeli leaders to oppose Aaron as their high priest in a religious revolt. Also, Dathan and Abiram organized a political revolt against Moses as their leader.

The Kohathaites (of which Korah was a member) were assigned a very important task of caring for the tabernacle furniture (4:1-20). But he apparently coveted the office of the priesthood also, an office limited to Aaron and his sons. (Falwell)

They were slandering Moses making lying accusations against him-bringing them out of the land flowing with milk and honey, to die in the desert, and to set himself up as prince over them.

Moses left it all up to the Lord. Moses suggested that they all bring their incense burners and stand before the Lord for Him to  appoint the leader and high priest of Israel. God was going to immediately kill those rebels, but Moses intervened, asking why God should be angry with the entire assembly when only one sinned. God instructed the assembly to move away from the tents of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram. Those three men and their families were swallowed up by the ground as it split, closing over them. Then fire consumed the 250 men. As directed, Eleazar, Aaron's priestly son, emptied the censors held by the 250, hammered them into sheets to overlay the altar, and presented them to the Lord. It was the next day when the congregation grumbled against Moses and Aaron. Then Aaron took his censor, put incense and fire from the altar into it, and walked among the people, making atonement for them.

In name, number, unity, and attitude, those rebels seemed to have a strong case against Aaron and Moses. Their rebellion was based on their self-seeking and envy. They rejected God's Word and His prophet.  God placed people in positions as His willed. We are to use our spiritual gifts and offices for the work of the ministry, but not to covet another person's spiritual office. (See 1 Cor. 14:1,
1 Tim. 3:1, Acts 20:28-31, 2 Peter 2:10-22.) It is tragic when a few people sin and cause the deaths of many others. We are warned to not despise authority and rebel against God's truth. (Wiersbe)

Aaron literally became the Israelites' savior-he stood between the living and the dead and stayed the plague. His one censer accomplished more than the 250 censers of the rebels. Aaron illustrates the work of our Savior, for Christ left the place of safety to stand between the living and the dead and rescue sinners from death. (Wiersbe)

Are we willing to stand in the gap, to intercede for our loved ones, praying, so they can have spiritual life in Jesus Christ?


LET IT GO

Submit to the authority God has placed over me.

Surrender to God's Word as truth and obey it.

Be content with what God calls me to do in serving Him.

Intercede for loved ones.

Free Tickets

O. T. #335  "Free Tickets"
August 4, 2014
Numbers 15-Part 2
That you may remember, and do all my commandments, and be holy unto your God. 
Numbers 15:40

LET IT GLOW

In verse 41, God reminds Israel by saying, I am the LORD your God, which brought you out of the land of Egypt, to be your God: I am the LORD your God.

In Hebrew, the word LORD is Yhovah (Yeh-ho-vaw'), Jehovah, meaning Self-Existent or Eternal.

You will recall that Israel had been slaves in Egypt for 450 years. God brought the ten plagues upon Egypt, challenging their gods. Finally, the Pharaoh let the Israelites go into the desert to worship their God. He set two million people free. How powerful God showed Himself to His children. Jehovah provided for them while in the desert. He even gave them the Ten Commandments by which to live.

Has God brought you out of your Egypt, freed you from what held you slave to it? Has He broken those chains of sin for you to be free to worship and praise Him only? Is He still your God? Are you continuing to worship Him, love Him, and serve Him, obey Him?

LET IT GROW

Specific directions (verses 38-40) were given to the Israelites for the way they dressed and their diet. They were to not be conformed to the ways of the heathen. The tassels, fringe, blue hem on the bottom of their clothing served as a reminder of their heritage and the commandments of God. When tempted to sin, it would remind them of God's Words.

Our Savior, being made under the law, wore these fringes; hence we read of the them or border of his garment in Matthew 9:20. (Henry)

The woman with the issue of blood which lasted 12 years had enough faith to believe that if she only touched the hem of His garment, she would be made well. And so it was-her faith made her whole. Jesus healed the woman. What joy she must have experienced and expressed!

Just this week our Christian radio station was giving away two free tickets to hear well known author Lysa TerKeurst at a church only 20 miles from me. I called in three previous times, but did not win. Then the fourth time I called, I WON! I was so excited that I could hardly talk to give my address. Don't you know I did the happy dance! I could not contain the joy I felt.
Did I mention, I won 2 free tickets, valuing $50? My sister in law and I are going, friends. What a blessing from God! Our women's Bible study group has studied several of Lysa's books. We get to see and hear her in person! Now she has a new book coming out this month. Guess what I am buying-The Best Yes.

Are we willing to be set apart, recognizable as one of God's children? Will we obey God in His will for us? What about suffering ridicule for our Redeemer?


LET IT GO

Keep the LORD God as my God, daily worshiping Him.

Thank Him for being my Deliverer.

Praise You, Sweet Jesus!

I'm Going to Do It Anyway

O. T. #334  "I'm Going to Do It Anyway"
August 1, 2014
Numbers 15
When ye be come into the land of your habitations, which I give unto you. Numbers 15:2

LET IT GLOW

It may not be right, but I'm going to do it anyway. What a statement or thought. Shamefully, I admit that there have been times that I did such a thing. Later, circumstances didn't turn out like I had planned and I was sorry for doing it. Then I sought God's forgiveness. I know that I missed out on the blessing of doing it God's way.

The LORD mentions twice in this chapter, after the rebellion and sin of unbelief at Kadesh, that He was still planning to bring the next generation into Canaan (verses 2 and 18). The people of this generation were given the option, the opportunity, to take the fruitful land which God promised to them, but they let fear dominate them. Of course, we know it happened with Joshua leading Israel across the Jordan River into the Promised Land, some forty years later.

We know that God keeps His promises. However, don't we sometimes have a difficult time applying it to us personally and now? His mercies are new every morning. Great is Thy faithfulness O Lord!



LET IT GROW

He reminded Israel that the former commands given at Sinai concerning offerings were still in effect. This chapter is a repeat of the requirements for the offerings.

Liberty Bible  Commentary states:

The alien (non-Israelite) person was welcome to worship the God of Abraham alongside the seed of Abraham and to receive His manifold blessings. The heave offerings stressed thanksgiving to God for His providence (verses 17-21). Verses 22-26 describe those offerings (burnt, meal, sin, drink) which were to be used for unintentional national sins. Verses 27-29 refer to offerings for the purpose of unintentional personal sin.

Let's look at a different kind of sin-presumptuous sin. Presumptuously means with a high hand. (Young's Analytical Concordance to the Bible)
In Webster's Dictionary, it means overstepping due bounds (as property or courtesy): taking liberties.

These sins, committed knowingly and deliberately, were described as blasphemous because they were an arrogant act of insubordination against the Lord. (MacArthur)

For this kind of sin there was no sacrifice; however, God forgives after the sinner repents. An example is given of the account of a man gathering sticks on the Sabbath. Although the punishment of stoning to death seems harsh, unrest and rebellion continued to remain in the hearts of the Israelites at that time. Strictly enforced discipline was absolutely necessary, lest open anarchy took place.  [Reference: Liberty Bible Commentary]

Do we presumptuously commit sins, knowing that it is such? We count on God's grace to be there whenever we ask? Do we raise our hand high, doing something our own way, even though we know it is not God's will? Guilty.

Are we striving to please God or live in the flesh, pleasing ourselves?



LET IT GROW

LET IT GO