Perfectly Imperfect Together

In Deuteronomy 5, Moses reminds the new generation of the 10 Commandments. This generation will be entering a pagan land full of idolatry. He wants to ensure God's laws are written on the hearts of God's people. In Matthew 22:37-39, Jesus sums up the commandments by saying First and foremost "You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind".  Secondly and...

In Deuteronomy 3 & 4, Moses reminds God's people that God has given them the victory over their enemies. God has been the One fighting for them and leading them into victories. God has all power and all authority. The enemy might be ruling the earth for right now, but God has the final victory and He is fighting on our behalf. We don't have to be subject to the enemy - God wins. God has alread...

In Deuteronomy 2, Moses continues his plea to Israel to stay close to God and choose life as he continues to remember what God has brought them through and where they are going. He reminds them of when God told them "You have been wandering around in this hill country long enough". (vs 2) He repeatedly reminds them of times God has told them to "Get moving". He reminds them that God has been with...

In Deuteronomy 1, Moses starts his final plea to God's people encouraging them to choose God and choose life. He gives a final call to covenant faithfulness for the new generation that will be moving forward into the Promised Land. He recounts the day God told them "You have stayed at this mountain long enough. It is time to break camp and move on." There have been countless times when I've wander...

In Numbers 34-36, the Israelites are still east of the Jordan River preparing to cross into the Promised Land. God gives clear instruction to Moses on how to divide the land without leaving out the Levites. God Himself is the portion for the Levites, but they still need somewhere to live. Cities of refuge are put in place so people who accidentally take someone's life can stay safe until they are...

In Numbers 32 & 33, compromise enters. Two of the tribes of Israel decide they have followed God "far enough" and they no longer want to follow Him all the way to the land that was promised to them. They will fight for God with their brothers for the land, but they ultimately decide they only want to follow God "some of the way" and want to come back to the land they are in now. Moses is not h...

In Numbers 30 & 31, we see that God is the first to outline the integrity and value of our words and vows. To make sure we truly mean what we say, say what we mean, and say it nicely. The weight of vows is shown as well as the respect and responsibility needed to maintain a household with character and integrity. God takes vengeance on the Midianites for turning God's people away from Him. He...

In Hebrews 10:1-18, the sacrifice Jesus made on the cross was the final sacrifice for us - the once and for all - ultimate sacrifice. We are cleansed completely from any and all sins if we believe in Jesus. If we believe and have faith in Jesus, God "will never again remember our sins and lawless deeds." We are made holy because of the sacrifice Jesus made for us on the cross when He suffered, die...

In Numbers 29, the Fall feasts are reviewed. The first is the Festival of Trumpets. Trumpets were used to gather people, move people, and sound a battle alarm. The two times trumpets are used directly in connection to God are when the laws were given at Mt Sinai and the day Jesus will return for His people. The trumpets will sound and Jesus will come again. It's a promise. We don't know the time o...

In Numbers 28, the rhythms of every single day, week, month and year are reviewed and the importance of honoring God in every single day, week, month, and year of our lives. The importance of giving Him our whole selves completely to God, giving our fellowship to God, the fruits of our labors, as well as our joys and sufferings is reiterated. When God's people keep these rhythms at the heart of th...

In Numbers 27, God's people have been counted and the Promised Land was going to be distributed. An issue arose for 5 daughters whose father had passed. If the land was distributed according to the count of the men, they'd be left without a home. They brought their concern straight to Moses who brought it straight to God. That's where all our concerns should go. God told Moses their concern was le...

In Numbers 25 & 26, Balaam was not able to bring a curse onto the Israelites but recommends they battle them spiritually instead. The men are seduced and enticed by the Moabite women and in turn they worship the false gods of Moab. They fall for it and the plan works. God gets angry  and a plague falls on the Israelites taking out 24,000 people. A grandson of Aaron acted in His zealous fa...

In Numbers 23 & 24, no matter how many times they switch mountains to ask God or how many sacrifices they make only blessings are brought forth from Balaam's mouth. Balaam has been humbled and can only say what God tells him to say but he is still divided since he cannot get paid unless he curses Israel. The first blessing comes forth for God's chosen people and God reminds them that if God ha...

In Numbers 22, the Moabites are terrified by the coming Israelites. In fear, they call upon Balaam who is a well known prophet they want to hire to curse the Israelites so they are able to conquer them. God tells Balaam directly exactly what His will is. God tells him not to go and not to curse them because they are blessed people. Balaam clearly knows God's power and authority and tells Balak's o...

In Numbers 21, the Israelites enter into their first battle as they get closer to the Promised Land. They are given their first victory in this battle, but only by the will of God. The Canaanites were wicked to the core which is a picture of sin in our own lives. Sin comes after us, but God destroys sin if we trust in Jesus. Godlessness deserves wrath but Jesus gives us victory over our sins. Judg...

In Numbers 20, the Israelites have been wandering for 37 years. Reactions to life's situations and struggles are a pretty good indication of spiritual maturity. God has come through for them again and again, but they still aren't able to trust Him. They continue the cycle of God giving them instruction, they disobey and face punishment, Moses and Aaron intercede, and...repeat! This is the sin cycl...

In Numbers 19, the sacrifice required for when a person comes into contact with death is explained. The sacrifice was a very rare red heifer with no defects. Jesus was pure, holy, innocent of any and all evil and sacrificed Himself for us on the cross. Jesus beat death once and for all when He shed His blood for us on the cross. The sacrifice is burnt in its entirety. Jesus crushed all sin, guilt,...

In Numbers 17 & 18, God settles the leadership issue in the camp. He publicly confirms Aaron, his sons, and his tribe of Levites are indeed the chosen leaders and anointed by God. God puts an end to the grumbling, complaining, and murmuring in the camp. He puts an end to the distrust. Grumbling and complaining destroys our faith. Aaron's staff comes to life and produces ripe almonds. His old,...

In Numbers 16, an uprising against Moses, Aaron and ultimately God is started due to envy among the Levites. The people anointed by God to do His work are rebelling against their leaders and God. They fail to stop and pray and seek God's will. Moses responds to their uprising by taking it straight to God. His answer is always to seek God first and let Him decide. This is what we should all be doin...

In Numbers 15, the sacrifices needed for the day they enter the Promised Land are reviewed. God says "when" they enter, not "if" they enter. God is faithful to His will, even when we ourselves are faithless. The next generation will see the Promised Land. Regret does not equal repentance. Repentance is a heart change and the current generation has not experienced a heart change. For 40 years, a wh...

In Numbers 14, the Israelites are hopeless. They are overwhelmed with fear rather than faith. They don't trust God and His promises. They've seen God's power move time and time again yet they doubt and refuse to believe or obey. God has the power to give them the Promised land and told them He would. Caleb and Joshua are the only two that stand up in faith on that promise and are therefore, the on...

In Numbers 12 & 13, envy tries to creep into the camp. God stops it in its tracks. Envy is a root sin that leads to evil and can take down a whole team. God speaks of the relationship He has with Moses and his humility. Humility is the only prevention and solution for envy. Miriam's arm becomes leprous which is what sin looks like inside us - death and decay. She is quarantined for 7 days. Mos...

In Numbers 10 & 11, the trumpet's purpose is explained and will be used for assembling people, moving forward, battle calls, and feasts and celebrations. When Jesus returns, a trumpet will sound. The trumpet will call all His people to Him, moving us up to be with Him. A battle will break out as the tribulation period begins and when the victory is won defeating Satan once and for all, a celeb...

In Numbers 8, the Levites' lives are dedicated as missionaries for God. They will be working for God and in turn serving God's people. In preparation, they are cleansed both inside and out. When we put our faith in Jesus, we are giving all our sin and guilt to Him. He became the perfect Sacrifice for us and took all that sin and guilt to the cross with Him. We don't have to pick it back up, it's b...

In Numbers 7, we flash back to the end of Exodus. You may be wondering how the Levites are going to carry all the equipment it takes to put up the Tabernacle and take it down again as they travel. That question is answered by going back to the dedication offerings that were given to God when the Tabernacle was built. Gifts and offerings were given by each of the tribes of Israel and then re-gifted...