Ok...so I really wanted to use that title to snatch your attention. I'm still in the book of Numbers, but I'm surprised with this book of the Bible - it's really not just about taking a census.
For instance, there's a talking donkey in chapter 22! I'll let you read it for that story. Sometimes when I read the Bible, I try to put myself in their shoes and try to think of what my reaction would be. Well, I think I wouldn't believe my eyes/ears if a donkey started to talk to me. Just goes to show you that God can use anything to talk to you! And well, if He needs to use a donkey to talk to me...I guess I REALLY need to hear whatever God is trying to tell me. Lord help me to listen to YOU at all times and discern what is your voice.
In Numbers 20, the Israelites are complaining, and Moses asks God what to do. God instructs Moses to take his staff, congregate the people, and TELL the rock to yield water. So Moses takes his staff, congregates the people, but HITS the rock twice with his staff, and God yields water from the rock. This is the event where God tells Moses (in so many words), since you did not fully obey me, you will not bring the people to the promise land.
Questions/Thoughts: First, I love the fact that every time the people have a problem and bring it to Moses or Aaron, that Moses and Aaron run to God with the burden. I couldn't imagine leading thousands of people, but I love the fact that time after time when Moses and Aaron don't know what to do, they turn to God immediately. Definitely something I need to work on. Secondly, I'm wondering why after this specific event God chose to not let Moses to lead the people to the promise land. It's sad after leading the people all this time, that he would not be able to see the promised land. Thirdly, I find it interesting that even though Moses didn't fully obey God, that God still yielded water from the rock. So it makes me wonder, were there times in my life where I haven't completely obeyed God, and didn't receive ALL of the things that God intended good for me? Lord help me to obey you fully and completely, for I want more than the water from the rock, I want the promised land!
What are your thoughts on this chapter?
Chapter 21 - so the Israelites are complaining, once again. By the way, God really doesn't like complaining. (I need to remember this!) So God sends down fiery snakes down on the people, and the people are bitten (some even die). The people run to Moses and realize they have sinned. Moses turns to God, and God instructs Moses to build a bronze serpent and anyone who is bitten is to look at the snake and live. Hmmmm...interesting...I don't have many thoughts on this chapter...what about you?
Thank you God for giving me a desire to keep reading Your word! (even when it's hard to understand and read sometimes)
-MM
Love it! Thanks for sharing Miche. Hmm, I was thinking about chapter 20, and the reason why God still allowed water to come out of the rock even though Moses disobeyed His command. My thoughts are that God's will is ALWAYS accomplished, even when we disobey He finds another way to do it. But those that disobey still have to suffer the punishment. He wasn't going to punish all of Israel by making them go thirsty because of Moses' disobedience. It really makes you see how important God considers obedience!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the reminder about complaining. I've realized I've been doing that a lot lately...and then when I realize it, I just "complain" about complaining! That doesn't help at all. I definitely need to look to Christ for help in that.
I heard a commentary on this once and he said that just as the snake was lifted up, so Christ was lifted up. Sin bites like a snake and kills...but when we look to Christ we are completely healed. Pretty awesome!!!
I love reading your blogs :) Keep 'em comin! :)
Hey Miche, I just now found the time to check out your blog. With all the wedding planning and everything, I haven't been able to spend much time on Blogger lately. But I loved reading all of your thoughts on here!!
ReplyDeleteHere's something you might find interesting. Have you ever had moments when God emphasizes a specific person in the Bible to you? Well about a year ago, God kept pointing out things to me about Balaam. Do know how often he is talked about in the Bible? It's really incredible. He's talked about in about 10 different places--even in Joshua, Micah, Jude and Revelation (just to name a few)!! The sad thing is it doesn't seem like he ever learned from that donkey. Peter says he "loved gain from wrongdoing" (2 Pet 2:15). Anyway, kind of a random thought. But you really can learn a lot from studying Balaam!!
haha that's neat Katie! Thanks for sharing. I would have never guessed that Balaam pops up so much in the Bible. I'm said to see that he never learns his lesson...looks like a repeated theme in the old testament. haha.
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