Numbers 14 - 25: A talking donkey, ripe almonds, & the gathering

This morning I set out to do my reading and I was distracted by the newspapers lying on the table. For some reason, the newspapers beckoned and I had a hard time concentrating. This was my first day of being really tempted to break my vow of reading my Bible first and leaving the papers until the end of the day, if I have time. I did not give in to temptation! But it was a struggle.

The reading today was extremely intense. Lots of death and disobedience. I got a real sense of the struggle against sin and the difficulty of living a holy life in those times.

- Back to slavery?  The Israelites were in an uproar when the scouting party returned with their report after surveying the Promised Land. Rumors abounded regarding the power of the land's occupants. The Israelites lost their nerve and wanted a new leader. "Let's head back to Egypt," they said (Numbers 14:4). This shocked me. Head back into their oppressive slavery under a brutal pharoah?
- Voices of courage:  But Joshua and Caleb, two of the scouts, spoke up and vouched for God's plan. They believed the Israelites could take the land from the occupants: "They have no protection and God is on our side," they said. "Don't be afraid of them!" (Num 14:6-9).

- Cycles of disobedience:  I could not believe how, time after time, the Israelites forgot God's supremacy and decided to go their own way. Each time, God's anger flared and Moses had to intercede for them. Some of the results of their disobedience: the current generation of adults would not get to enter the land, they were sentenced to wander in the wilderness for 40 years, and at one point the earth opened up and swallowed a group of insurgents, along with their families. God also used lightning to destroy 250 men who were part of a conspiracy to get rid of Moses. (Numbers 16).
- Almonds from a staff:  God caused Aaron's staff to sprout buds, blossoms, and ripe almonds as a demonstration that he was God's chosen priest. A beautiful story of life coming from something quite dead (Numbers 17).
- The gathering:  When the time came for Aaron's death, God directed him to ascend Mount Hor, explaining that "Aaron will be gathered there." What a great way to describe a godly person's death (Numbers 20:26).
- Talking donkey:  Love, love, love the story of Balaam and the talking donkey (Numbers 22). It also appeared that Balaam was a godly man chosen and used as a prophet, even though he was not an Israelite (Num 23:26). Balaam blessed Israel and said this about God: "Only what he speaks, I speak."
- Wow:  I don't know what else to say about the story of Phinehas. It's in chapter 25, and I don't remember ever reading it before. Suffice it to say that you could not make this story up. It really came alive in the Message version.

Elena's Verse of the day:  "Show us your great power, Lord. You promised that you love to show mercy and kindness" (Numbers 14:17-8 CEV)

Exodus 21-33: Pomegranates, craftsmanship, and when God changed his mind

- He'll be there:  Love this verse from yesterday's reading: "Every place where I cause my name to be honored in your worship, I'll be there myself and bless you" (Exodus 20:22-26). I wonder if this is why I always feel lighter and happier coming out of church? It's so simple--God is there and he blesses me.
- Intent:  I notice that God takes a person's "intent" into consideration when determining punishment for breaking the law. God is fair.
- Slurs against our leaders:  "Don't curse God and don't damn your leaders" (Exodus 22:28). It's tempting to damn leaders from the other political party. Don't.
- Get ready:  God tells the Israelites to get themselves ready for where God is taking them. Am I ready for where God is taking me? Are you?
- Pomegranate:  God designed Aaron's priestly clothing with pomegranate trim (Exodus 32:9-13). I wonder what the significance of the promegranate is? Research says: "The pomegranate, from the abundance of its seeds, was regarding in ancient times as an emblem of fruitfulness."
- Mysterious book:  What is the "book of the Covenant"? (Exodus 24:7). Apparently it's the second set of laws/codes given to Moses on Mt Sinai (the first was the 10 Commandments).
- Called & equipped:  God designed the tabernacle and everything in it, then he filled the craftsmen with the Holy Spirit so they could do the work. He gifted them with the skill, the know-how, and the expertise (Exodus 31:1-4).Please, Lord, do that for me!
- Chutzpah:  Moses pleaded with God and God changed his mind. Wow! (Exodus 32:2-4)

Verse of the day:  "I know you by name" (God speaking to Moses in Exodus 33:17)

Sharing a few thoughts from each day's reading. Feel free to jump in and share your own!