Month: February 2020

Numbers 11:4 The rabble with them began to crave other food, and again the Israelites started wailing and said, “If only we had meat to eat!”
One of our vocabulary words this week was status quo. We talked about how it doesn’t inherently have a negative connotation, but it could be a bad thing. Numbers 11 provides the perfect example, and I find it interesting that the unrest with the status quo began with the rabble but quickly spread to the Israelites.
Numbers 11:5-6 “We remember the fish we ate in Egypt at no cost—also cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions and garlic. But now we lost our appetite; we never see anything but this manna!”
The discontent spread rapidly and morphed to the point it romanticized the time of their captivity. The bounteous food they ate “at no cost” was bought at the cost of their freedom. This discontent in daily manna seems like boredom. They took their eyes off God and put faith in their bellies and their memories, and it did not end well.
Numbers 11:18-20 …”The LORD heard you when you wailed….You will eat it…until it comes out of your nostrils and you loathe it—because you have rejected the LORD, who is among you….”
Lord, Thank You for this day, for this scripture, for this reminder not to take our eyes off of You and get lost in memories or worldly desires. Forgive me for the times when I, too, have been ungrateful because what I had wasn’t what I wanted right that moment. Help me to never lose sight of Your blessings and provision in my life, no matter my present circumstances. Draw me closer. Amen.
Numbers 11:33 But while the meat was still between their teeth and before it could be consumed, the anger of the LORD burned against the people and He struck them with a severe plague.
Have a blessed day.

Numbers 10:13 They set out, this first time, at the LORD’s command through Moses.
What strikes me in this chapter is the beautiful sense of order. This is a people who know who they are, who know Whose they are. They are prepared. They know their job. They know Whose voice to follow. They are ready.
Numbers 10:14 The divisions of the camp of Judah went first, under their standard….
But once again, commentary gives me pause. “One would be tempted to think that after such extensive preparation…the actual entering into the Promised Land would be easy. This was not the case.” How many times have I been guilty of asking “After all I’ve been through, Lord, it’s going to get easier, right?” But God doesn’t promise us easy. He promises His presence, His peace, His hope.
Numbers 10:18 The divisions of the camp of Ephraim went next, under their standard….
Lord, Thank You for this day, for this scripture, for this reminder that while You don’t promise us easy, You promise us Yourself. That is all we ever need, Lord. Help us never forget that You are with us, and You are all we need. Draw us closer. Amen.
Numbers 10:25 Finally, as the rear guard for all units, the divisions of the camp of Dan set out under their standard….
Have a blessed day. 

Numbers 9:17 Whenever the cloud lifted from above the tent, the Israelites set out; whenever the cloud settled, the Israelites encamped. 
I often joke that God needs to send me flashing neon directions so that there is no doubt in my mind of His will for me. But I wondered as I read this passage if God’s presence ever felt like a burden to the Israelites. Sometimes the cloud would settle for a while. Sometimes it would lift in less than a day. Did the Israelites ever mutter under their breath, “Would You just make up Your mind already?!?”
Numbers 9:18 At the LORD’s command the Israelites set out, and at His command they encamped….
And this pondering forces me to look at the conditions of my own heart. It’s no secret that I love Jesus or that I have a death-grip on the steering wheel of my life. I want Him to give me direction and guidance, but I want to stay in control. Jesus, Help me.
Numbers 9:19 When the cloud remained over the tabernacle a long time, the Israelites obeyed the LORD’s order and did not set out.
Lord, Thank You for this day, for this scripture, for this reminder that You are in control of my life and that I need to yield to You. I know You created me as I am for a purpose, but I also know that I often get in Your way when I refuse to yield control. Help me. Guide me. Lead me. Draw me closer. Amen.
Numbers 9:23 At the LORD’s command they encamped, and at the LORD‘s command they set out. They obeyed the LORD’s order, in accordance with His command through Moses.
Have a blessed day.

Numbers 8:16 They are the Israelites who are to be given wholly to me. I have taken them as my own….
This morning I came to the scriptures feeling weary and beat down. This is a tough time of year for me. I’m tired—personally and professionally, and all my insecurities float to the surface. Everything feels personal. But as I was reading about the Levites in Numbers 8, my precious Savior reminded me of who I am. I am a deeply loved child of God. He has called me by name. He has a purpose for my life. I’m clinging to His promises because I know my feelings lie.
Numbers 8:18 And I have taken the Levites in place of all the firstborns in Egypt, I set them apart for myself.
Perhaps it is ironic that today is Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent, a time of “saying ‘no’ to sinful habits in the Spirit’s power.” Believing the lies of this world, collapsing under the weight of exhaustion, grief, bitterness, anger, that is a sinful habit, is it not? So if I make a concerted effort this Lenten season to cling to God’s truth about who I am and deny all the lies that the world and my weary mind try to claim about me, I am absolutely denying self and drawing closer to my Savior, which is the purpose of this season. Thank You, Jesus.
Numbers 8:19 From among all the Israelites, I have given the Levites as gifts to Aaron and his sons to do the work of the tent meeting on behalf of the Israelites….
Lord, Thank You for this day, for this scripture, for showing up so powerfully this morning and reminding me of who I am in You. I am a deeply, fiercely, completely loved child of God. You created me for a purpose. You ground me in truth and love and grace. You give me hope. Draw me closer during this season. Help me to die to self so I can live only for You. Amen.
Numbers 8:20 Moses, Aaron and the whole Israelite community did with the Levites just as the LORD commanded Moses.
Have a blessed day.

Numbers 7:10 When the alter was anointed, the leaders brought their offerings for its dedication and presented them before the alter.
There are days when I read scripture and it truly feels like it bounces off of me. I don’t feel enlightened. I have no insight. I feel inundated with numbers and words with nothing to show for it. That’s one of the reasons I began reading commentary on each chapter, in the hopes that it would become less an exercise in futility and more a way to connect with my Savior.
Numbers 7:11 For the LORD had said to Moses, “Each day one leader is to bring his offering for the dedication of the altar.”
Commentary on the repetitive list of gifts for Numbers 7 states: “Clearly, this was generous giving. God must show Promised Land people how to be givers—one of the best measures of one who has moved from a slave mind-set to a Promised Land mind-set.” Now this I understand, and it’s true for us, too. We are Promised Land people, but do we act like it? Do we love like it? Give like it? Jesus help us.
Numbers 7:84 These were the offerings of the Israelite leaders for the dedication of the altar when it was anointed: twelve silver plates, twelve silver sprinkling bowls and twelve gold dishes.
Lord, Thank You for this day, for this scripture, for commentary that helps me make sense of it all. Thank You that we are Promised Land people, too, and that You are still leading us from a slave mind-set to a Promised Land mind-set. Draw us closer. Amen.
Numbers 7:88b …These were the offerings for the dedication of the alter after it was anointed.
Have a blessed day.

Numbers 6:24 The LORD bless you and keep you….
I have heard the prayer of Numbers 6:24-26 before, but somehow I missed that it came directly from scripture, that God said to Moses, “Tell Aaron and his sons, ‘This is how you are to bless the Israelites’” (Numbers 6:23). Somehow, the fact that the wording is directly from God makes it even more beautiful, even more powerful.
Numbers 6:25 …the LORD make His face shine on you and be gracious to you….
How would it be if I tried to live Numbers 6:24-26? If I tried to be God’s hands and feet in these verses? How would all of our lives be changed, enriched, if I tried to show those I encounter God’s blessings through my words, my actions? How would my life be changed if I lived every moment of everyday in the certainty of this prayer? If, with everything I encountered in life, I approached it knowing somehow, the LORD is going to bless me through this. This, in some way, incorporates His grace, His graciousness? If I lived the certainty that through whatever I’m facing, God is working to give me peace? What a beautiful thought.
Numbers 6:26 …the LORD turn His face toward you and give you peace.
Lord, Thank You for this day, for this scripture, for Your amazing, undeserved love. Thank You for the prayer that is Numbers 6:24-26, and for what it teaches us about Your character. Help us to live this prayer in all we do and all we go through. Draw us closer to You. Amen.
Numbers 6:27 So they will put My name on the Israelites, and I will bless them.
Have a blessed day.

Numbers 5:6 “Say to the Israelites: ‘Any man or woman who wrongs another in any way and so is unfaithful to the LORD is guilty…’” (NIV)
When we wrong others, we are unfaithful to the LORD. Talk about a sentence that has the power to stop me in my tracks. Sometimes it is startlingly easy to wrong others—no one will notice, I feel I’ve been wronged anyway, this person is already held in low esteem by others. But to hold the glaring truth up to the light—when I wrong another in any way, I am unfaithful to the LORD—well, there’s just no way around that.
Numbers 5:6 “Give the following instructions to the people of Israel: If any of the people—men or women—betray the LORD by doing wrong to another person, they are guilty….” (NLT)
Again I am reminded of my dear friend’s truth that any time we draw a line between “us” and “them,” God is on the other side. God wants us to be unified. He wants us in communion with Him and with each other. My fellow man is so closely linked with my Savior that I have to be mindful of the one when I think of the other. God is with us. God is with them. And anything I say or do to them, I say or do to Him. That mindset is powerful.
Numbers 5:6 “Tell the Israelites that when a man or woman acts unfaithfully against the LORD by committing any sin against another, that person is guilty….” (BSB)
Lord, Thank You for this day, for this scripture, for this reminder that what I say and do matters. When I sin against others, I am unfaithful to You, Lord. That is an ugly truth, but one that bears remembering. Help me to always be mindful of my relationship with You and to strive to draw closer at every turn. Help me to do nothing that will cause barriers between us. Draw me closer. Amen.
Numbers 5:6 “Tell the Israelites: If you do something wrong to another person, you have been unfaithful to the LORD. When you realize your guilt….” (GWT)
Have a blessed day.

Numbers 3:38 …They were responsible for the care of the sanctuary on behalf of the Israelites….  (NIV)
I have felt the call to teach since I was a 15 year old high school sophomore who had a drama teacher whose belief in me changed my life. I wanted to provide that same kind of life-changing belief for others. The intervening decades haven’t all been sunshine and roses, but I have never lost that rock-solid faith that God called me to this profession and has equipped me to do this job well. Thank You, Jesus.
Numbers 3:38 …of Moses and of Aaron and his sons, who had the final responsibility for the sanctuary on behalf of the people of Israel…. (ESV)
Commentary on Numbers 3:38 verse states: “God’s order and organization extends to certain jobs for certain people to do,” which put me in mind of my journey into education. I think He could have used me effectively in other careers, I think I could have performed any job for His glory with the proper mindset, but I sure do feel like that fact that I felt and heeded His call into education has allowed me to love this job and my students like I do.
Numbers 3:38 …Moses, Aaron, and his sons, who performed the duties of the sanctuary as a service on behalf of the Israelites, camped in front of the tabernacle on the East…. (CSB)
Lord, Thank You for this day, for this scripture, for Your presence in my life. Thank You for calling me to this job and for sustaining me here. Any good I accomplish is to, for, and because of You. Draw me closer to You as I strive to shine Your light for all to see. Amen.
Numbers 3:38 …They were responsible for carrying out the services performed in the Holy Place for the people of Israel…. (GNT)
Have a blessed day. 

Numbers 2:1-2 The LORD said to Moses and Aaron: “The Israelites are to camp around the tent of meeting some distance from it….”
I love a good plan, and I am not a fan of chaos, so the book of Numbers is appealing to me in unexpected ways. As these chapters reveal the orderliness of Gods plan for the Israelites, I am reminded of the underside of a piece of cross stitch.
Numbers 2:17 Then the tent of meeting and the camp of the Levites will set out in the middle of the camps….
The back of a piece of cross stitch, with different colored threads stretched in a seeming jumble, can appear the epitome of chaos. But when you look at the piece from the top, you see order and precision, neat little Xs, exactly where they should be placed to create an amazing design. Organization. Order. A beautiful plan, if only we are looking with God’s eyes and not man’s.
Numbers 2:32 These are the Israelites, counted according to their families….
Lord, Thank You for this day, for this scripture, for this reminder of Your grand plan. Thank You that You can see the big picture, that You understand how everything will work together for our good and Your glory. Help us to trust You, to trust Your vision, even when we lack the faith or foresight to imagine it ourselves. Draw us closer. Amen.
Numbers 2:34 So the Israelites did everything the LORD commanded Moses….
Have a blessed day.