The desire of Job is still that he could plead his case before God. Does job believe that God has been unjust? Job desires to argue with God but what recourse could that really be? Job is looking for a reason and answer as he searches for hope in his present circumstance. Where do we find our hope in our difficult moments? Job wants God to tell him what his sin is, if he has rebelled before God, if God is hearing him, and if he is an enemy? When we face troubles in life we will easily start questioning what we believe true of God. Job sees the feebleness of mankind and how brief his existence. What is God thinking in this moment? I find myself wondering what God will say when He responds. How will Job, Zophar, Bildad and Eliphaz react to God’s response. What will the conclusion be to the story of Job?

Idolatry has fully blossomed within the Israelite community in Judges chapter 17. A man named Micah who lived in the fill country of Ephraim took silver and madegraven images that he and his household could worship. This is directly against the commands that God laid before the people of Israel. Without diligence to hold to their faith the Israelites perverted their view of God into nothing less than idolatry serving their own lusts and desires. How many compromises does it take to fall away from true worship of God? The perversion of Micah and his household also extended to a Levite, Jonathan, who was traveling and entered the house of Micah to be his priest. This again perverts the structure that God instilled within his priesthood that only the descendants of Aaron would be priests. The only thought that resounds in my mind is that Moses and Joshua both warned that this time would come for the Israelites. In Deuteronomy 31:14-22 God tells the Israelites that they will turn away from Him. In the midst of their sin the Israelites could not see how far they had strayed from God.

In Judges 18 more disobedience and depravity is seen from the sons of Israel as the tribe of Dan seeks a land to live in within the promised land. They were not able to cast out the people who they were told drive out of the land of their inheritance so they now take action on their own accord apart from God’s desire and design. They took the idol and priest that Micah cherished and drove out the inhabitants form Laish as their possession. What was the motive of these men of the tribe of Dan? If they were seeking to obey God they would have driven out the inhabitants from the land which was promised to them initially by God. Instead they take of an idol and priest for their own and dwell in a land of their own choosing. Judges 18:30,31 speaks to how depraved and far from God the sons of Dan were, “The sons of Dan set up for themselves the graven image; and Jonathan, the son of Gershom, the son of Manasseh, he and his sons were priest to the tribe of the Danites until the day of the captivity of the land. So they set up for themselves Micah’s graven image which he had made, all the time that the house of God was at Shiloh.” The Danites set up for themselves a place to worship apart from the Tabernacle of God as Shiloh. I see that captivity is mentioned in verse 31 and I wonder if that is the only deliverance that the Israelites will learn from.

Then My anger will be kindled against them in that day, and I will forsake them and hide My face from them, and they will be consumed, and many evils and troubles will come upon them; so that they will say in that day, ‘Is it not because our God is not among us that these evils have come upon us?’ But I will surly hide My face in that day because of all the evil which they will do, for they will turn to other gods.

Deuteronomy 31:17,18

The words of God spoken through Moses have come to fruition for the Israelites. This is a low point for the Israelites and it is difficult to find hope. God who promised that the people would turn away gave them a song that their children would remember when they turned away from God and the song would remind them of their unfaithfulness and disobedience to God. I am excited to see the story of Israel when they see their sin and turn back to God but I first need to appreciate their depravity before I can truly see God’s mercy and faithfulness. It is just important that I see my own depravity so that I can feel the weight of the salvation that Jesus Christ gives to me. I am so thankful that my deliverance is based on the faithfulness of God and not the faithlessness of man.

The chapter 20 tells how the people of Israel grumble again because there is no water to drink. Moses and Aaron go before God where He instructs them to assemble the people and before them Moses was to talk to the rock and water would come forth from the stone. However Moses instead struck the rock with the rod that was in his hand. Moses and Aaron disobeyed God by showing their unbelief. With this unbelief Moses and Aaron were not allowed to bring the people into the promised land. Does my unbelief hinder me? I wonder what ways I have showed a lack of faith and belief before God and I miss out on blessing that God wanted to give me. I know that God’s love for me is not dependent upon anything i do because He loved me in my sinful state long before I was ever born. Lord, please grant me the faith to trust and believe you when it seems like the way seems impossible.

Chapter 20 ends with a changing of the high priest. God tells Moses and Aaron that Aaron would soon die. How would that make you feel if God tells you that you are going to die and be gathered with your people. Moses, Aaron, and Eleazar walked up Mount Hor where the garments of the high priest were taken off Aaron and placed upon Eleazar. Was this a tearful moment at the parting of a family member and friend? The end of the chapter tells about how the people of Israel upon realizing that Aaron was dead mourned and wept for 30 days. This story of the death of Aaron should bring hope to believers today. Hebrews 7:23 says, “The former priest, on the the one hand, existed in greater numbers because they were prevented by death from continuing.”  Aaron and every one of his descendants was going to die and that was a fact. When Jesus Christ came he was of a new order of priest not descended from the Levitical line of priests. He died once for all upon the cross. He was not hindered by death from continuing as the High Priest. Jesus Christ is the one true way that we can find hope for our future because He leads the way overcoming death for us.

In Numbers 15 God instructs the people to offer sacrifices to Him once they enter the land He promised to them. What is the importance of giving this offering when God brings them to the land he promised? I know that it is all too easy to forget God. Forgetfulness seems to be an ongoing problem for the people of Israel in my reading so far. God consistently showed Himself in mighty ways and repeatedly the Israelites strayed away. I am in the same place today in my life. Do I consistently have a thankful heart before my loving God? Sadly I do not but my hope is built upon Jesus Christ who is my High Priest who offered Himself up as a sacrifice for my sin.

The rebellion and disrespect of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram is shown in Numbers 16. These men and those who rebelled with them, the 250 who offered sacrifices, were Levites who God took into His service when the firstborn of Israel were redeemed. These Levites sought equality with the Aaronic priests because they were Levites. God rejected these men and they were killed just as Aaron’s sons, Nadab and Abihu, were killed for offering incorrect sacrifice before God. The utensils which were used in the offering became holy because they were used to present an offering to the Lord. In Romans 12:1 Paul exhorts believers to offer themselves to God as a living sacrifice. In light of Numbers 16 it reinforces the fact that through Jesus Christ I am made holy because I can offer myself as a living sacrifice.

You would think that seeing God kill all these men and seeing their tents, belongings, and familes being swallowed up by the earth would humble and amaze the people of Israel before the power of God. Amazingly the day after God worked in their midst the people grumbled. Sitting in the bleachers watching the action unfold it is easy to look down upon the Israelites but the reality check that I am just as bad at following God as they were. I am only spared because of Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit given to me. God told Moses and Aaron to “Get away from among this congregation, that I may consume them instantly.” God started a plague among the people. The best part in chapter comes next. Aaron stood between between the dead and the living and the plague was stopped. This is a foreshadowing of Jesus Christ dying for my sin. When God looks upon me He sees the blood of Jesus Christ and I am declared clean, holy, and without defect.

If you are reading this and wondering if Jesus Christ had paid the penalty for your sins. Please let me know and I will be happy to talk with you.

The reports of the scouts were tailored by 10 of the 12 men to instill fear of the land and doubt of God’s power into the hearts of the Israelites. Only Joshua and Caleb encouraged the people to enter the promised land to take hold of the promise that God had given. In the end the fear and disbelief of the people overcame the people and they wished they had died in the wilderness or were back in Egypt instead of having to fight their way into the promised land. God became angered with the people and He said that anyone who was counted in the census 20 years or older would not enter the promised land. He would grant their wish to die in the wilderness just as they had grumbled. God removed His blessing to enter the promised land from everyone except Joshua and Caleb who were faithful to God.

This story has direct impact on our lives. Are you living a life of blessing right now in a promised land or are you in a wilderness? Is sin ruling your life? God wants to direct you into a life of freedom and blessing but when we look at our life we sometimes like the bondage to sin in Egypt was more alluring and easy or we see how difficult the promised land seems to conquer and we wish for death. The Israelites lacked faith to trust that God was able to make a way where there seemed to be no way. They grumbled and complained and sought to solve their problems themselves. There is power that is given to believers today because of Jesus Christ’s death on the cross. Will you take hold of that promise and start the journey to enter your “promised life”? It means leaving behind sin and lust. It means learning to trust in Jesus Christ when the way seems impossible. It mean seeking to bring God glory in every aspect of your life. I pray that you can life your life under the blessing that God has given you. Start today by seeking out a daily relationship with Jesus Christ. Take time to read about the Truth in the Bible. When we know who Jesus Christ is we can have freedom.