Numbers 30:2 “When a man makes a vow to the LORD or takes an oath to obligate himself by a pledge, he must not break his word but must do everything he said.”
We live in a disposable society. Nothing really is seen as permanent or lasting. Unfortunately, that philosophy seems to apply to our promises as well. If it’s easy to keep, the promise will *probably* be kept. If the going gets tough, it could just as easily be tossed aside.
Numbers 30:3 “When a young woman still living in her father’s household makes a vow to the LORD or obligates herself by a pledge….”
But when I think of vows or pledges, I think of my wedding vows, of the pledge I made before God and my family, the pledge that included “for better or for worse, in sickness or in health, till death do us part.” That pledge was not made lightly. And it’s not a vow I ever intend to walk away from.
Numbers 30:6 “If she marries after she makes a vow or after her lips utter a rash promise by which she obligates herself…”
Lord, Thank You for this day, for this scripture, for this opportunity to think about pledges and vows. Help us to be an honorable people, Lord. Help us to give and keep our word as a way to honor You and each other. Draw us closer. Amen.
Numbers 30:10 “If a woman living with her husband makes a vow or obligates herself by a pledge under oath….”
Have a blessed day.
An aroma pleasing to the LORD…. (devo reflection)
Numbers 29:2 As an aroma pleasing to the LORD….
The word aroma has a positive connotation. When I think of aromas, I think of the yeasty scent of bread baking, the spicy scent of cinnamon and apples, the sweet floral scent of spring. The word odor has a negative connotation: body odor, nasty socks, flatulence, poop. Both aromas and odors are pervasive. They are not easily contained to a specified area.
Numbers 29:8 Present as an aroma pleasing to the LORD….
If our actions were scents, I can easily divide several into odors and aromas, negative and positive. Ephesians 4:31 and 1 Peter 2:1 give a long list of offensive odors: bitterness, rage, anger, brawling, slander, malice, deceit, hypocrisy, envy. Meanwhile, Galatians 5:22-23 and Colossians 3:12-13 provide an extensive list of pleasing aromas: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control, compassion, humility, meekness, forgiveness.
Numbers 29:13 Present as an aroma pleasing to the LORD….
Lord, Thank You for this day, for this scripture, for this reminder that our actions carry with them a scent that reaches all the way to You. Help us to always act in such a way that provides an aroma pleasing to You and not an offensive odor. Help us to root out and eliminate offensive odors from our behavior. Draw us closer to You. Amen.
Numbers 29:36 Present as an aroma pleasing to the LORD….
Have a blessed day.
A sacrifice of praise…. (devo reflection)
Numbers 28:4 “Offer one lamb in the morning and the other at twilight….”
This chapter brought to mind Hebrews 13:15: “Through Jesus, therefore, let us offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that openly profess His name.” While we do not offer sacrifices in the manner of the Old Testament, sacrifices of praise can definitely be offered. But what does that look like in today’s climate?
Numbers 28:9 “On the Sabbath day, make an offering….”
The fruit of the Spirit, according to Galatians 6:22-23, is: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. I think any time we respond with one of these traits instead of giving in to fear, selfishness, anger, bitterness, then we are offering a sacrifice of praise.
Numbers 28:11 “On the first of every month, present to the LORD a burnt offering….”
Lord, Thank You for this day, for this scripture, for the reminder that we can offer a sacrifice of praise to Your holy name so easily in today’s time. Thank You that so many are so cognizant of the need to focus on You instead of giving in to despair during this uncertain time. Thank You for Your deep, fierce love for us, for Your sovereignty, for Your grace and mercy. Draw us closer with every breath. Help us to shine Your light. Amen.
Numbers 28:16 “On the fourteenth day of the first month the LORD’s Passover is to be held.”
Have a blessed day.
The trap of our feelings;the truth of God’s character…. (devo reflection)
Numbers 27:12 Then the LORD said to Moses, “Go up this mountain… and see the land I have given the Israelites.”
Sometimes, when my sweet husband plucks my last nerve, I have to remind myself that he is not a mean-spirited person, that what I am perceiving as an intentional slight is not what it seems, that my feelings cannot be trusted. This situation feels similar in that on the surface, it almost seems like God is taunting Moses, saying, “Haha! See the Promised Land? YOU will never set foot there!” But that is not who God is. Not at all.
Numbers 27:13 “After you have seen it, you too will be gathered to your people, as your brother Aaron was….”
Rather, it almost feels like God is reassuring Moses. “See the Promised Land? It’s right there. The Israelites WILL make it, thanks in part to your faithfulness.” And Moses, who has developed such a servant’s heart, only wants to be sure they are not left without a shepherd.
Numbers 27:14 “…for when the community rebelled at the waters in the Desert of Zin, both of you disobeyed my command to honor me as holy before their eyes.”…
Lord, Thank You for this day, for this scripture, for the reminder of Who You are and Whose we are. Thank You for the humble, obedient heart that Moses developed. Thank You for the ability to move past the trap of our feelings into the truth of Your character. Draw us closer, Lord. Amen.
Numbers 27:15-17 Moses said to the LORD, “May the LORD, the God who gives breath to all living things, appoint someone over this community…so the LORD’s people will not be like sheep without a shepherd.”
Have a blessed day.
An opportunity to shine…. (devo reflection)
Numbers 26:63 These are the ones counted by Moses and Eleazer the priest when they counted the Israelites on the plains of Moab by the Jordan across from Jericho.
The Israelites have been wandering in the wilderness for 38 years. There has been during that time almost zero growth. That boggles my mind—38 years of stagnation, waiting for the faithless generation to die out.
Numbers 26:64 Not one of them was among those counted by Moses and Aaron the priest when they counted the Israelites in the Desert of Sinai.
As I was praying, the phrase “Wash your hands and say your prayers because Jesus and germs are everywhere” came to mind, an apt expression for these troubling times. Just like the Israelites wandering in the dessert, we have no idea how long the threat of COVID-19 might last. Just like the Israelites, we have the opportunity to shine God’s light while we wait, or we could stagnate in the wilderness, languishing in our faith. Just like the Israelites, God loves us, chose us, is with us, but leaves it to us to act in faith.
Numbers 26:65a For the LORD had told those Israelites they would surely die in the wilderness….
Lord, Thank You for this day, for this scripture, for this opportunity to shine Your light in troubling times. Help us to approach each day as an opportunity to shine for You, to help our fellow man, to shine light into the world. Draw us closer. Amen.
Numbers 26:65b …and not one of them was left except Caleb son of Jephunneh and Joshua son of Nun.
Have a blessed day.
As for me, I will always have hope…. (devo reflection)
Numbers 25:3 So Israel yoked themselves to Baal of Peor. And the LORD’s anger burned against them.
In light of the last couple of chapters where God keeps Balaam from cursing the Israelites, I find this chapter fascinating because the Israelites, God’s chosen people, curse themselves by their behavior. God loves the Israelites. He chose them. But He doesn’t protect them from themselves, and He makes them face the consequences of their actions. He doesn’t shield them from that.
Numbers 25:4 The LORD said to Moses, “Take all the leaders of these people, kill them, and expose them in broad daylight before the LORD, so that the LORD’s fierce anger may turn away from Israel.”
Not only does He allow the Israelites to suffer because of their actions, he also rewards the Israelites because of the faith of one man, Phinehas, because of his zealousness for God’s honor and his actions in light of that zealousness.
Numbers 25:11 “Phinehas…has turned my anger away from the Israelites. Since he was as zealous for my honor among them as I am, I did not put an end to them in my zeal.”
Lord, Thank You for this day, for this scripture, for the reminder that our actions are important. In this unprecedented time, help us to strive first and foremost to honor You in our words and our actions. Help us to live faithfully Psalm 71:14: “As for me, I will always have hope; I will praise you more and more.” Draw us closer. Amen.
Numbers 25:12 “Therefore tell him I am making my covenant of peace with him.”
Have a blessed day.
Trying to exert control…. (devo reflection)
Numbers 24:10a Then Balak’s anger burned against Balaam….
Balak wanted to curse the Israelites because he was afraid they would take over his land. Because he was afraid, he sought to control the situation, so he hired Balaam to curse the Israelites. At this point in Numbers 24, he had gone to tremendous expense (21 bulls and 21 rams) with nothing to show for his efforts. He knew the LORD was with the Israelites, he knew his efforts were defeated, and he “went on his way.”
Numbers 24:10b …He struck his hands together and said to him, “I summoned you to curse my enemies, but you have blessed them three times.”
These are definitely uncertain times in which we are living. There is much confusion and fear. The lesson I want to take from Balak and Balaam, from this section of Numbers, is NOT to allow my fear to make me try to take matters into my own hands in a vain attempt to exert control over a situation that brings me fear. These two have shown that doesn’t end well, and I know without a doubt Who is in control.
Numbers 24:11 “Now leave at once and go home! I said I would reward you handsomely, but the LORD has kept you from being rewarded.”
Lord, Thank You for this day, for this scripture, for lessons that are timely and directly applicable to my life. Thank You that You are loving and merciful, sovereign and in control. You are still on Your throne, Lord. Help me to trust You, to seek You, and not to be afraid. Draw me closer. Amen.
Numbers 24:25 Then Balaam got up and returned home, and Balak went his own way.
Have a blessed day.
Observations and insights…. (devo reflection)
Numbers 23:3 Then Balaam said to Balak, “Stay here beside your offering while I go aside. Perhaps the LORD will come to meet with me….
I wish I had wonderful words of wisdom on Numbers 23, but I don’t. I was thinking, “Even though Balaam was acting out of self-interest, God still spoke through him,” but commentary reminded me that God spoke through a donkey in Numbers 22. So in light of my utter inability to speak eloquently on Numbers 23, let me offer some observations instead.
Numbers 23:4-5 God met with him…. The LORD put a word in Balaam’s mouth and said, “Go back to Balak and give him this word.”
1. This section of Numbers offers a shift in perspective. We were seeing how God was working in and through (and dealing with) the Israelites. Now we are looking at how He is dealing with outside forces against them. 2. He knows Balaam’s heart is not right. He could have reduced him to a pillar of salt. And yet, He chooses to speak to Balak through him. 3. Balaam was paid to curse the Israelites, but God will only let him bless them.
Numbers 23:11 Balak said to Balaam, “What have you done to me? I brought you to curse my enemies, but you have done nothing but bless them!”
Lord, Thank You for this day, for this scripture, for the ability to make connections and gain insight from Your word, even when I don’t feel I have any earth-shattering revelations to add. Thank You that even when humans intend harm, You use it for good (Gen 50:20). Draw us closer. Amen.
Numbers 23:12 He answered, “Must I not speak what the LORD puts in my mouth?”
Have a blessed day.
Not My will…. (devo reflection)
Numbers 22:12 But God said to Balaam, “Do not go with them. You must not put a curse on those people, because they are blessed.”
I was confused when I read this chapter initially. It seemed like God gave Balaam permission to do something and then got mad when he did, which made no sense, as God is not fickle nor irrational. Commentary helped me make sense of what I was reading. Balaam asked. God said no. Balaam was offered more money and REALLY wanted to say yes, so he asked again, and God said no. Again. But more money was offered, so Balaam asked a third time. God said, “Go but only say what I tell you.” His answer every time was very clear, yet Balaam kept asking, so He allowed Balaam to go, testing his faithfulness.
Numbers 22:16-17 They came to Balaam and said: “…Do not let anything keep you from coming to me, because I will reward you handsomely….”
I am reminded very clearly of Jesus praying on the Mount of Olives, “Father, if You are willing, take this cup from Me; yet not My will, but Yours be done” (Luke 22:42). Balaam is essentially advocating for the exact opposite: “I hear You tell me no, but I’m going to keep asking in hopes you’ll see things my way.”
Numbers 22:20 That night God came to Balaam and said, “Since these men have come to summon you, go with them, but do only what I tell you.”
Lord, Thank You for this day, for this scripture, for these comparisons. Thank You for showing us the humble heart of Your servant Jesus, a heart worth emulating. Thank You also for showing us Balaam’s heart, which is selfish and self-serving. Help us to root out that side of ourselves and humble ourselves before You. Draw us closer. Amen.
Numbers 22:21-22 Balaam… saddled his donkey and went with the Moabite officials. But God was very angry when he went, and the angel of the LORD stood in the road to oppose him.
Have a blessed day.
Removing barriers…. (devo reflection)
Numbers 21:4 They traveled from Mount Hor along the route to the Red Sea, to get to Edom. But the people grew impatient on the way;
I have been dealing with pain and swelling in my foot for the past two months. Doctors are still trying to figure out what’s going on. It’s not the worse pain of my life, but it is a constant, dull pain, and after two months with no permanent relief, it’s definitely making me impatient.
Numbers 21:5 they spoke against God and against Moses, and said, “Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? There is no bread! There is no water! And we detest this miserable food!”
God is certainly using the Israelites behavior to humble me at present. As quickly as I roll my eyes and heave a sigh at their whining yet again, I recognize that my behavior of late isn’t much different. I am frustrated and impatient, too. Help me, Jesus.
Numbers 21:6 Then the LORD sent venomous snakes among them….
Lord, Thank You for this day, for this scripture, for an honest look at my own behavior. Thank You that You are loving and merciful, that You would rather have my heart than vengeance for my whining and ungratefulness. Thank You for a clear look at what I need to address within myself to remove a barrier between us. Give me strength and grace to get over myself and draw closer to You. Amen.
Numbers 21:7 The people….said, “We have sinned against the LORD and against you. Pray that the LORD will take the snakes away….”
Have a blessed day.