Pastor Billington's Blog

Numbers 21

The Israelites endure a demoralizing defeat. Then, they pray to God and experience a decisive victory. So decisive, in fact, that they name the place of their victory “Utter Destruction.”

But as they journey on, they suffer discouragement and cry out to God in complaint. God sends fiery serpents among them to poison them. Their salvation is to look at a serpent that Moses lifts up on a pole. Foreshadowing, anyone?

John 3:14-15 (WEB) “As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life.”

They journey on, mostly without incident. But then they get to Sihon. Since they look more like an invading army, they again ask for permission to take the main road through Amorite territory. Not only are they refused passage, but they are attacked! God gives them the victory, and verse 31 looks forward to their ultimate conquest and resettlement (as does verse 35). King Og of Bahan was next to try his luck, and he too was defeated!

Thought for the day: No matter what we face in life, we can face it with confidence and calm, because of Jesus Christ.

John 14:27 (WEB) “Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you; not as the world gives, I give to you. Don’t let your heart be troubled, neither let it be fearful.”

Numbers 20

Sibling rivalry extends from Esau and Jacob all the way to Edom and Israel. Edom refuses to let Israel travel through the heart of their territory, even though it would be easier for them.

Does Moses’ punishment seem overly harsh to you? Think about this: not only does he disobey God, but he also neglects to give God the glory. “Must we bring you water from this rock!” These indications show us that something is off with Moses heart. If we can see that, then God certainly knows that!

Thought for the day: How is your heart?

Jeremiah 17:10 (WEB) “I, Yahweh, search the mind. I try the heart, even to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his doings.”

Numbers 19

The red heifer and the redness of the cedar wood and scarlet probably represent blood. Hyssop seems to have been used for cleansing (Psalm 51:7), and the ashes gathered following the burning were considered to be a sin offering (19:9). When mixed with water it was used for purification and was employed for ritual cleansing after a person came in contact with a dead body.

Thought for the day: We don’t have to worry about such things anymore, because of Jesus Christ!

Hebrews 9:13-15 (WEB) “For if the blood of goats and bulls, and the ashes of a heifer sprinkling those who have been defiled, sanctify to the cleanness of the flesh, how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without defect to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? For this reason he is the mediator of a new covenant, since a death has occurred for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first covenant, that those who have been called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance.”

Numbers 18

God tries to assuage the people’s fear (“Will we all perish?”) by assuring them that they are safe as long as the priests and Levites “perform the duty of the sanctuary and the duty of the altar.” In return, they receive a portion of the tithes and offerings. But that doesn’t mean they aren’t to give! The Levites are told that they too must give a “tithe of the tithe.”

Thought for the day: Giving is something that should be a blessing and a joy for all God’s people.

2 Corinthians 9:6-7 (WEB) “Remember this: he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly. He who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Let each man give according as he has determined in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”

Numbers 17

God tries to quell future rebellions with an object lesson. Aaron’s staff is the only one that buds out of all the tribes of Israel! What should serve as a confirmation of God’s presence and a reminder to follow His commands becomes a reason for fear. Instead of trusting, people seem determined to believe the worst.

Thought for the day: Are we any better? Do we trust God the way we should?

Jeremiah 17:7-8 (WEB) “Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, and whose confidence is in the LORD. For he will be as a tree planted by the waters, who spreads out its roots by the river, and will not fear when heat comes, but its leaf will be green, and will not be concerned in the year of drought. It won’t cease from yielding fruit.”

Numbers 16

Some of the Levites (!) rebel against Moses and Aaron. They aren’t happy with their own leadership positions and instead want to be priests. Some also continue to complain about the continuing journey and Moses’ leadership. God threatens to start over as a result, but Moses and Aaron intercede for the congregation, and God’s judgment only falls on the guilty and their families. The incense censers from the guilty are gathered and hammered out so that they cover the altar as an ongoing reminder of who is supposed to serve as priests. When more complain the next day, God’s wrath falls again, and Aaron (at Moses’ request) literally stands between the congregation and God’s judgment!

Thought for the day: Is what happened in the congregation of Israel any different than what sometimes happens in a local church? The pastor/elders are the ones who are responsible before God to lead, teach, and guide the people. Problems arise when someone outside of that leadership decides that they are spokesperson for God and that the congregation needs to follow them. Unfortunately, opposition to godly leadership has always been an issue with God’s people.

3 John 9-10 (WEB) “I wrote to the assembly, but Diotrephes, who loves to be first among them, doesn’t accept what we say. Therefore, if I come, I will call attention to his deeds which he does, unjustly accusing us with wicked words. Not content with this, he doesn’t receive the brothers himself, and those who would, he forbids and throws out of the assembly.”

Numbers 15

Chapter 15 continues the idea that God will do what He has promised, and relays how the people are to behave once they arrive in the promised land. There are instructions for offerings, worship (firstfruits), how to deal with intentional and unintentional sins, Sabbath breaking (which is an example of intentional sin), and clothing. Clothing? Even the adornments on their robes were to serve as a reminder that they were to be holy and obedient.

Thought for the day: The best way we show who we serve is by the way we live, not by what we wear.

Philippians 2:15 (WEB) “that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without defect in the middle of a crooked and perverse generation, amongst whom you are seen as lights in the world”

Numbers 14

Yes, God certainly could have started over, but it seems like He is willing to be swayed. Considering Moses’ previous attitude, is it out of bounds to suggest that God is testing Moses?

John 6:1-6 (WEB) “After these things, Jesus went away to the other side of the sea of Galilee, which is also called the Sea of Tiberias. A great multitude followed him, because they saw his signs which he did on those who were sick. Jesus went up into the mountain, and he sat there with his disciples. Now the Passover, the feast of the Jews, was at hand. Jesus therefore, lifting up his eyes and seeing that a great multitude was coming to him, said to Philip, ‘Where are we to buy bread, that these may eat?’ He said this to test him, for he himself knew what he would do.”

When it comes right down to it, Moses pleads for the people. This should not only be the role of leaders in the church, but should also be how we relate to one another.

1 Samuel 12:23 (WEB) “Moreover, as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against Yahweh in ceasing to pray for you; but I will instruct you in the good and the right way.”

Ephesians 6:18 (WEB) “with all prayer and requests, praying at all times in the Spirit, and being watchful to this end in all perseverance and requests for all the saints.”

God’s plans will not be thwarted. His people will inherit the promised land – just not the current generation. The people try to backtrack, and in effect rebel against God again! It’s a good thing we aren’t that dense! Or are we?

Thought for the day: God doesn’t leave us alone in our testing, and for that we should be eternally grateful.

1 Corinthians 10:13 “No temptation has taken you except what is common to man. God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted above what you are able, but will with the temptation also make the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.”