Tag: Pentateuch

July 17, 2024

July 17th, 2024

Wednesday – History

Reading – 2 Chronicles 16-18

Highlight Verse:

“Then the fear of the Lord fell over all the surrounding kingdoms so that none of them wanted to declare war on Jehoshaphat.”
‭‭2 Chronicles‬ ‭17‬:‭10‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Did all the surrounding kingdoms fear Jehoshaphat because he had a mighty army?

That might have had a little to do with it.

I think it had more to do with the fact that

he was faithful to God and the surrounding nations knew that God was protecting him.

He even went so far as to send teachers of God’s word out across the nation to teach everyone about God and His Word.

The people saw his strong leadership guided by God and and

they loved him for it.

That loyalty is a big part of why he had such a mighty army.

Each of us is a leader to someone.

We can lead them to the Lord or be a stumbling block that would drive people away from the Lord.

How do your actions lead the people around you?
Would you be pleased if the people around you did the things you do?
July 9, 2024

July 9th, 2024

Tuesday – Pentateuch

Reading – Numbers 21-22

Highlight Verse:

“Then the Lord told him, “Make a replica of a poisonous snake and attach it to a pole. All who are bitten will live if they simply look at it!””
‭‭Numbers‬ ‭21‬:‭8‬ ‭NLT‬‬

The symbol of the snake on a pole is more than just a symbol of the medical profession (Though that’s another whole subject that we could explore).

It is one of many precursors to the Messiah, the one who can heal all those who turn to Him.

The symbolism doesn’t stop there.

The snake is a symbol of the tempter. Satan came as a serpent to fool Adam and Eve. He returns in this story to curse those who grumbled against Moses and God.

The snake empaled on a pole represents Satan’s defeat by the sacrifice of Jesus on the Cross.

We are all “bitten” by the curse of sin, but healing comes when we simply have enough faith to turn to Jesus to receive our healing from sin and its consequences.

Have you defeated the curse by turning to Jesus for healing?
Have you spread the word that healing is available that easily?
July 2, 2024

July 2nd, 2024

Tuesday – Pentateuch

Reading – Numbers 19-20

Highlight Verse:

“Why did you make us leave Egypt and bring us here to this terrible place? This land has no grain, no figs, no grapes, no pomegranates, and no water to drink!””
‭‭Numbers‬ ‭20‬:‭5‬ ‭NLT‬‬

They could have gone to Moses and begged him to ask God for water.

Mind you, they were still receiving Manna from God every morning except the Sabbath so

they knew God could provide.

Yet they dwelt on the negative.

Instead of asking for provision, they whined, complained, and tried to assign blame.

How often do we do that?

I work for a big corporation that swallowed up the smaller family company that I used to work for.

It’s very easy to look back at the family atmosphere of the smaller company and whine about that all being gone now.

I know because I’ve done it.

It’s not as easy to look at the positive side of working for a big corporation.

While I miss many of the good things of the past,

I find it makes my job much easier if I look at the advantages

I now have in the corporation.

Yes, it may be harder to find the positives, but they are there.

Even Moses got caught up in the negativity and it cost him entry into the promised land.

Is negativity taking a toll in your life?
What are some of the positive aspects of your current situation?
June 25, 2024

June 25th, 2024

Tuesday – Pentateuch

Reading – Numbers 17-18

Highlight Verse:

“And the Lord said to Moses: “Place Aaron’s staff permanently before the Ark of the Covenant to serve as a warning to rebels. This should put an end to their complaints against me and prevent any further deaths.””
‭‭Numbers‬ ‭17‬:‭10‬ ‭NLT‬‬

It should have put an end to rebellion.

It didn’t.

But at least the people recognized that they were helpless before God.

They knew at this point they needed someone to mediate between themselves and God because of their sin.

That’s where the Levites and priests came into play.

Ultimately, that’s why we needed Jesus.

This period of history laid the groundwork for Jesus to make the sacrifice in our place and give us back direct access to God.

If nothing else, we should look at this era of Hebrew history and the magnitude of God’s saving grace and exude unceasing gratitude.

Were you aware of how deep the gulf was between us and God?
How can we even come close to expressing an adequate amount of gratitude for the grace God has given us?
June 18, 2024

June 17th, 2024

Tuesday – Pentateuch

Reading – Number 15-16

Highlight Verse:

“When you see the tassels, you will remember and obey all the commands of the Lord instead of following your own desires and defiling yourselves, as you are prone to do.”
‭‭Numbers‬ ‭15‬:‭39‬ ‭NLT‬‬

No, I’m not advocating bringing back tassels on clothing (though that could be interesting).

But there are things we can put around us to remind us of the right way to live.

Notice that the purpose of the tassels was not to advertise how holy you are but to give you personal reminders to stay on the right path.

For this reason, the “tassels” we wear in public should draw our attention to God rather than drawing attention to ourselves.

My “tassels” range from the music I choose to start my day with (WAY-FM) or this little sign on the wall by my desk.

One of my favorites was a little polished square of steel in my pocket that reminded me to “stand like steel.”

What are your “tassels”?
What reminds you to keep following God and how do they work for you?
June 11, 2024

June 11th, 2024
Tuesday – Pentateuch

Reading – Numbers 13-14

Highlight Verse:

“Then they plotted among themselves, “Let’s choose a new leader and go back to Egypt!””
‭‭Numbers‬ ‭14‬:‭4‬ ‭NLT‬‬
- One sees the bone soaking cold rain darkening their spirits while another sees the miracle of water bringing life to the land.
- One sees the endless uphill trudge while another sees a majestic mountain to conquer.
- One hears an annoying high-pitched wail while another hears the healthy lungs of a newborn seeking love and attention.
- The majority of the Israelites saw potential defeat while Joshua and Caleb saw a land flowing with milk and honey that the Lord wanted to give to them.
When you look at your problems and challenges, what do you see?
June 8, 2024

June 8th, 2024

Saturday – Open Topic

Reading – Genesis 2

Highlight Verse:

“Then the Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper who is just right for him.””
‭‭Genesis‬ ‭2‬:‭18‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Today is wedding day for my daughter Hannah so

I thought that a peek back to the origin of marriage would be appropriate.

Many would say that the story of Eve coming literally from Adam’s rib was a literal historical account.

I’d say, God could create people however He wanted to and I’m fine with that.

Even if you come from the viewpoint that this story is more poetic than literal, that doesn’t keep it from being true. It was not good for Adam to be alone.

For one thing, none of us would be here if they didn’t have kids.

Though God could have created another way for humans to procreate.

Instead, He made us male and female so that we could raise kids and live life in partnership.

We give each other companionship.

We encourage each other.

We keep each other from doing stupid things(or at least try).

We pour our lives into our children.

Most importantly, we show each other love.

God could have created us however He wanted to, but He chose to make us in His image.

And God is Love! (1 John 4:8)

There is much more I could write about this subject regarding those called to be single or the problems with “pride.” I haven’t forgotten those aspects, but I chose to celebrate marriage today.

If you are married, how many years have you been married (10 for us)?
What secrets can you share for a long happy marriage?
May 7, 2024

May 7th, 2024

Tuesday – Pentateuch

Reading – Numbers 3-4

Highlight Verse:

“When their names were recorded, as the Lord had commanded through Moses, each man was assigned his task and told what to carry. And so the registration was completed, just as the Lord had commanded Moses.”
‭‭Numbers‬ ‭4‬:‭49‬ ‭NLT‬‬

The very fact that a book like Numbers exists points to the fact that, for a nation wandering the wilderness, Israel was very well organized.

Apparently, the jobs for the Levites were allotted to individuals right down to who carried which post.

I have worked within ministries and currently work as an outside contractor within a city government, and I can tell you that I have never seen this level of organization.

Some would say they are organized, but not to this level (though our church comes pretty close).

How would things be different if we were that organized?

As a person with OCD, I’d like to think it would be amazing!

I honestly admit that I think it would be a good standard to strive for.

But biblically, in the light of the entirety of the Bible, I cannot say with any certainty that this level of organization is something that God wants us to strive for.

What is your opinion?
Is detailed organization a Biblical standard to strive for?
Or would Jesus want us to be more relaxed in our methods?
April 30, 2024

April 30th, 2024

Tuesday – Pentateuch

Reading – Numbers 1-2

Highlight Verse:

“The total number was 603,550.”
‭‭Numbers‬ ‭1‬:‭46‬ ‭NLT‬‬

What better way to start a study of the book of Numbers than with a number – specifically, the size of Israel’s army as they travelled through the wilderness.

If you add in the women, children, the elderly, and the Levites, the nation of Israel had about as many people as the city of Philadelphia.

That’s a relatively compact city at 140 square miles or over 90 thousand acres.

Think about that.

A population the size of Philadelphia moved around the wilderness for 40 years.

The pillar of smoke and fire that led them through the wilderness had to have been an amazing site.

But, even without the pillar, it must have been an incredible site to see all those people in one camp, much less to see the camp move.

With that in mind, keep your eyes open as we go through Numbers.

You might be surprised what we find.

Was there anything that stood out to you in today’s reading?
What do you imagine it was like to be in the nation of Israel as they wandered the wilderness?
April 23, 2024

April 23rd, 2024

Tuesday – Pentateuch

Reading – Leviticus 26-27

Highlight Verse:

“I will give you peace in the land, and you will be able to sleep with no cause for fear. I will rid the land of wild animals and keep your enemies out of your land.”
‭‭Leviticus‬ ‭26‬:‭6‬ ‭NLT‬‬

This is one of those verses that would look good on a Facebook post with a tranquil scene.

That’s not why I highlighted it.

In context, many of those good things in today’s reading are a result of obedience.

The same principle holds true today.

I’m not saying life will be perfect if you only behave.

I am saying that God’s way of doing things will naturally have good results.

Likewise, going against God’s principles may naturally have bad results.

God created us.

He knows what works best for us.

He wrote a bunch of what works best down for us to benefit from.

I say, we should take advantage of that and follow His instructions.

Have you resisted Biblical principles for living because they seemed too restrictive or legalistic? (I have in the past).
Have you considered the possibility that those principles were given for our good?

Tag: Pentateuch

he was faithful to God and the surrounding nations knew that God was protecting him.

they loved him for it.

Each of us is a leader to someone.

It is one of many precursors to the Messiah, the one who can heal all those who turn to Him.

They could have gone to Moses and begged him to ask God for water.

they knew God could provide.

How often do we do that?

I find it makes my job much easier if I look at the advantages

But at least the people recognized that they were helpless before God.

If nothing else, we should look at this era of Hebrew history and the magnitude of God’s saving grace and exude unceasing gratitude.

But there are things we can put around us to remind us of the right way to live.

For this reason, the “tassels” we wear in public should draw our attention to God rather than drawing attention to ourselves.

When you look at your problems and challenges, what do you see?

I thought that a peek back to the origin of marriage would be appropriate.

Even if you come from the viewpoint that this story is more poetic than literal, that doesn’t keep it from being true. It was not good for Adam to be alone.

And God is Love! (1 John 4:8)

The very fact that a book like Numbers exists points to the fact that, for a nation wandering the wilderness, Israel was very well organized.

But biblically, in the light of the entirety of the Bible, I cannot say with any certainty that this level of organization is something that God wants us to strive for.

A population the size of Philadelphia moved around the wilderness for 40 years.

But, even without the pillar, it must have been an incredible site to see all those people in one camp, much less to see the camp move.

You might be surprised what we find.

In context, many of those good things in today’s reading are a result of obedience.

He knows what works best for us.

I say, we should take advantage of that and follow His instructions.