Sonshine!

Then I said to you, “Do not be terrified; do not be afraid of them.”  Deuteronomy 1:29 (Chapter 1)

The word ‘Deuteronomy’ means ‘repetition of the law’. On the eve of entrance into Canaan Moses expounds on God’s commands and leads the people in rehearsal for their new way of life. From verse 26-31Moses recounts the weakness of the people’s faith, but reminds his hearers of God’s faithfulness to them, His loved people, and His covenant.

The episode of total, spiritual breakdown, after the spies return and tell of great walled cities and vast armies already residing in Canaan, is told once again. The rebellion that followed cost a generation their inheritance, yet God forgave, and those who knew nothing but absolute reliance on God would soon enter their homeland.

The mentality of the original Israelites was to constantly questioned God’s dedication and love. They felt certain God was toying, playing them for fools, and staging them for total failure. How little self-respect and worth they must have felt to have arrived at these conclusions.

God has no hidden agenda. He may be jealous of our affections, but He is NOT malicious. The plan is quite obvious in the story of man’s history. Each of us is born to worship God alone, love one another and experience eternal life. It is a free choice, but God is Good, loving and faithful. He will care for you as a father cares His Son.

Love,

Gretchen

These are the commands and regulations the LORD gave through Moses to the Israelites on the plains of Moab by the Jordan across from Jericho. Numbers 36:13 (Chapters 34-36)

Moses’ life is coming to an end. He will not enter the promised land. This privilege was lost when he threw an angry fit and undermined the Israelites recognition of God’s love and miracle of water from a rock. But, aside from Jesus, no man in history has been associated with so many manifestations of God’s Divine Power.

Moses was God’s agent to the plagues of Egypt and a nation of slaves was set free. Soon, the waters of the Red Sea parted, but there was a desert awaiting. For forty years, Israel wandered in a hostile environment and miracles became a regular part of everyday life. From bad water turning sweet to quail and manna for food, Moses’ God let no one starve or dehydrate. Moses presented the tablets of law written by God’s own hand and remained in constant communion with God, with his face radiating God’s glory. Some of the miracles Moses is associated with are punitive in nature. The ground swallowed Korah and his rebels, Miriam was infected with leprosy, then healed. There was a plague of vipers, but Moses was commanded to fashion a brass rod that healed the people of their venomous bites. Aaron’s rod budded to show God’s authority and Balaam’s donkey spoke.

Led for forty years with a cloud by day and a fire by night, Moses could not have delivered Israel out of Egypt and to the Promised Land without the help and intervention of Almighty God. He paid a human price. He grew weary and frustrated often, but eternity was more than worth the cost.

Love,

Gretchen

“ ‘But if you do not drive out the inhabitants of the land, those you allow to remain will become barbs in your eyes and thorns in your sides. They will give you trouble in the land where you will live. And then I will do to you what I plan to do to them.’ ” Numbers 33:55-56 (Chapters 31-33)

The Midianites lured the Israelites into whoredom and idolatry. God gave a divine command for war, Moses undertook the order and the Israelites had phenomenal success. God passed judgement and swift consequences for evil doers, but warned that the presence of this temptation would mean the downfall of the nation if it wasn’t removed completely!

Temptation is not sin, but the beginning of following human urges rather than God’s perfect perseverance and Holiness. Putting satan behind you means removing temptation at all costs. It is to protect so that you may have more, never less.

It would be nice to think that at some point we could sequester ourselves tightly enough that temptation would not come knocking. This is an impossibility, but God always makes a way for us to overcome sin, to the extreme of grace and mercy. 

Love,

Gretchen

“Say to the Israelites, ‘If a man dies and leaves no son, turn his inheritance over to his daughter.’” Numbers 27:8 (Chapters 25-30)

A generation has come and gone.  Of the thousands of original men and women who left Egypt’s bondage, only two will enter into the land of Canaan.  In the forty years of travel there were two censuses, giving this book its name, Numbers.  It’s time to claim the inheritance and settle down, but the land must be fairly shared, and so, there is a counting of each member of tribe and clan. 

Israel’s law said land must pass from father to eldest son. This was a protection of the tribe, but Zelophehad had only daughters and he was dead. In the surrounding Eastern countries, women were not allowed to inherit, but our God made a concession.  In Israel, women could inherit but must marry within their tribe.

Over and over again, God’s care for human dignity is what sets His law apart. It is not His order to harm, but to protect and provide. How much more should we share these attitudes among each other.

You Are Loved,

Gretchen

But God said to Balaam, “Do not go with them. You must not put a curse on those people, because they are blessed.” Numbers 22:12 (Chapters 22-24)

The LORD delivered the Amorites into the hands of the Israelites. It was obvious that the Israelites were a powerful force, on the move toward Canaan.  Balak, king of Moab decided to be proactive in a very pagan manner. He summoned Balaam to come and curse his enemies.

The use of words, in the manner of blessings, curses and elaborate ceremony, was held in high regard and perceived as an extremely powerful bond with one’s friends and a tool against one’s enemies. Balak summoned Balaam, a diviner, a prophet of some notoriety, and offered him great financial gain if he would curse Israel. Balaam was not an Israelite nor a follower of the One True God, but God used this man of evil intent to deliver His own message. 

In a dream, Balaam saw that God blessed Israel and no promise of doom from him will alter their course, so he refuses to go with Balak’s elders. They offer more money. He saddles his donkey and heads out only to be stopped by a stubborn pack animal in the middle of the road. After many beatings, the animal speaks and soon Balaam sees the Angle of the LORD that the donkey sees. This experience did not turn Balaam’s heart toward the LORD, but it did give him indisputable conviction that God would have his way over Balak, the Moabites and the Midianites. 

Evil will not overcome God’s goodness, even when it seems evil has permeated all there is to see, hear and feel. Numbers 23:19 tells the character of God. He is not of human source, therefore, not held by man’s restrictions.  He is a God of action and He will bless those who honor Him. 

Have a Great Monday,

Gretchen

“Take the staff, and you and your brother Aaron gather the assembly together. Speak to that rock before their eyes and it will pour out its water. You will bring water out of the rock for the community so they and their livestock can drink.” Numbers 20:8 (Chapters 20-21)

Thirty-eight years pass between chapters 19 and 20.  One of the Bible’s greatest miracles is the untold story of this time.  How did a desert wilderness support 3,000,000 people for forty years? Only by God’s intervening, miraculous help.

The desert had its purpose. It transformed a people of Egyptian idolatry into a nation who witnessed God’s presence daily. They grew a faith in The One True God to be the example for the rest of the world and to be the testimony that God can be trusted in all experiences of life.

Moses was the Holy, faithful leader that transported an entire nation, bodily, from one land to another. This alone is a miracle for the ages.  For those who doubt this as fact, remember: Archeology supports this history and it is easier to believe God’s miraculous intervention rather than some of the strange theories that try to logically explain it.

Sadly, near the end of the journey, even Moses, faithful and true, sinned by letting his anger take credit for God’s gift.  The LORD said to ‘speak’ and water would come from the rock, but Moses shouted grumblings at the people, then struck the rock twice. For this sin Moses was denied entry into the Promised Land.

When I look back over the more than 60 years of my life, it is evident that I have not come this far except by the miraculous, patient, grace and gifts of God. I am nothing but a sinner, saved by grace and the recipient of Heaven’s bounty. I am a miracle. Aren’t you?

Have a great weekend’s Eve!

Gretchen

They came as a group to oppose Moses and Aaron and said to them, “You have gone too far! The whole community is holy, every on of them, and the LORD is with them. Why then do you set yourselves above the LORD’s assembly?” Numbers 16:3 (Chapters 15-19)

These chapters give detailed laws of sacrifice and worship, specifically to Aaron, the high priest, and his sons. But in the middle of these instructions we find the recounting of three men, Korah, Dathan and Abiram and their fatal fight with God. Apparently, there was some arm chair quarterbacking to Moses’ leadership. Some smack talk got folks worked up and the most aggressive of the group confronted not only Moses, but Aaron too. They declared themselves holy and insinuated they had been robbed of their inheritance in the land flowing with milk and honey, even though they listened to the spies morbid report, then refused to enter.

God is all knowing.  There is nothing in the heart of man hidden from Him.  The insubordination of these men and their followers was a direct challenge to God, not Moses and Aaron. When man declares himself holy and authors his own truth, it is called blasphemy. Moses and Aaron knew what fate this faction faced. They interceded, twice! These men refused to humble themselves before God and they did not live to see another day. In the ashes of the dead God took what was Holy and set apart as a remembrance to Truth.

Do not engage in power struggles with God. You lose, the end. However, to those who make a sacrifice of themselves to God’s will and ways, all the power and peace of Heaven is theirs.

Love,

Gretchen

If the LORD is pleased with us, He will lead us into that land, a land flowing with milk and honey, and will give it to us. Numbers 14:8 (Chapters 13-14)

It was Moses’ plan to go straight from Sinai to Canaan. Arriving at the southern entrance, the people suggested the land be scouted.  Moses obliged and sent men from each tribe. The spies brought back a discouraging report of gloom and doom. Walled cities and giants threatened their promise so they revolted and threatened Moses’ life. All they wanted was to return to Egypt, even if it meant slavery. Caleb and Joshua intervened and spoke the words above. (I encourage you to read verse 9 also.) All those who left Egypt, were witness to the miracles of God’s provision and protection, turned back into the desert and away from hope in their Faithful, Almighty God and His gift to them.

The glory of the LORD appeared to the Israelites and God spoke His plan to destroy all of these rebellious people. Moses, humble leader, stood between God’s anger and those who nearly killed him. He spoke God’s own words back to Him, vs. 18, and the LORD forgave. However, the opportunity for this entire generation to enter their homeland had come and gone. Only Caleb and Joshua, out of 600,000 men, will finally make it home.

Human nature is fear and distrust, but we must not be bound to our instincts. The three men who held themselves to the higher standard of faith and love of others were the game changers.

I understand fear. Struggling in faith is difficult, but these people let their fear turn to anger and anger into the sin of murder. Give your fears to the LORD. He wove you together, He will show you just how very strong you are if you will allow.

Love,

Gretchen

Now Moses was a very humble man, more humble than anyone else on the face of the earth. Numbers 12:3 (chapters 11-12)

The journey from Sinai is under way.  This nation is moving forward, God has proven faithful and the fulfilled promise is in sight, but that’s not good enough. Their food supply, manna, is given each day, free of charge. It’s laying on the ground. Just bend in the middle, a little at the knees, pick it up and you are fed! Yet, they grumble over the monotony. The food of Egypt, gained through loss of rights and freedoms, is remembered fondly. God, in love and patience, provides quail.

Moses displays a remarkable attitude as leader. He has complete power, but absolutely no corruption, seeking no earthly gain for himself.  His eyes are on God’s plan, but he has become weary. Mentally and physically Moses is exhausted!  In response, God sends 70+ leaders some of the ‘spirit’ or knowledge of Moses, so that he can delegate. God didn’t ask him to do more than he was able. Help was freely given.

Finally, Moses’ older siblings, Miriam and Aaron, begin to mumble and undermine Moses’ authority. God will have none of it! He calls Moses and these two into the tent of meeting and straightens Miriam and Aaron out! They know who’s who when all is said and done, and the instigator, Miriam, is cursed with leprosy for seven days.

These people were their own worst enemy! Gratitude was lost at a pity party, and gossip came at a very high cost……BECAUSE GOD HEARS EVERYTHING! Watch your heart and your mouth will follow.

Love,

Gretchen

Whether the cloud stayed over the tabernacle for two days or a month or a year, the Israelites would remain in camp and not set out; but when it lifted, they would set out. Numbers 9:22 (Chapters 7-10)

With the dedication to the tabernacle the new nation is sealed and whole. The Levites are consecrated, and Passover has been observed. Everything is ready, but God is in no hurry. He has a nation to mold in strength and faithfulness. This cannot be rushed.  God’s guidance is clear, a tangible reality in the form of a cloud by day, and a fire at night.  When God did not move, the people didn’t either.

“No LORD, I cannot do this!” would be my reply when told to sit tight until the cloud lifted from the tabernacle. I need a plan, a time table, and a map with a reliable ETA.  I’m glad to do God’s will when He kindly accommodates these area’s of anxiety. I desire to be organized and prepared. Then, I can free God up for others who are prone to crisis due to careless lack of planning. I can need Him less, so others can need Him more.

This journey across the Sinai peninsula was so much more than getting from point A to point B.  It was formative and educational.  God was protector, provider and navigator, but the foundation of this nation was faith! And an impenetrable, rock solid determination to obey takes a little spiritual and physical conditioning.  The faith of an entire people, their thought processes and panic mode defaults were being set. Oh! The precious, patient love of God, that led them to these strengths! He is leading you too. There is value in waiting. Obedience is what’s asked for. Give it in every season of your life.

Love,

Gretchen