Having an authority figure in life will bring a multitude of thoughts and emotions to different people. The variety of these figures are endless: police officers, parents, teachers, employers, or siblings. What makes us respect someone in authority over us? An ability to administer punishment is one reason we can tolerate authority because it means that our lack of submission results in a loss for us. I remember growing up I respected my father’s authority mostly because of an illogical fear I felt. I would constantly remember my interactions with him and I would always be on the defensive in any conversation. The fear of my father developed because I was afraid of making a wrong move that would result in his anger. Punishment and fear have permeated the essence of what we think about authority. Why has this permeation happened? Is there a better way to attain authority? Continue Reading…
I think that I’ve fallen for you.
Past remembered and future foretold within Numbers 33 and 34
We get a look at the past and future of Israel in Numbers 33 and 34. The past 40 years of the Israelites journeying in the wilderness is chronicled by each spot where the people camped. It is amazing to think of a few million people moving from place to place. I am amazed by the thought of coordinating so many people. Why was it important for the people to remember where they had been? I can only think of my own life and walk with God. There are moments in my life when it is absolutely necessary for me to look back and remember the journey that God is leading me on. In the same way the Israelites needed to be able to look back upon their history to remember their past and the God that they served. Continue Reading…
Keys to effective and powerful leadership glimpsed: Numbers 27 and 28
How would you view the end of your life? When I die what will my thoughts be like? Moses’ life is coming to an end in Numbers 27 and God tells him to walk up a mountain to see the promised land and then he would be gathered to his people. Why do both Moses and Aaron climb a mountain to die? I suppose for Moses it was to gain a view of the promised land before his death. When I learn that death is close at hand how will I act? I yet to face the reality of my own death and I feel like my whole life is still before me with an unlimited number of things to accomplish. Moses had a full life of learning to depend upon God as the people of Israel were brought out of captivity in Egypt. Moses’ main concern was for the well-being of the people when he asks God to “appoint a man over the congregation, who will go out and come in before them, and who will lead them out and bring them in, so that the congregation of the Lord will not be like sheep which have no shepherd.” Continue Reading…
Hope in a High Priest of a new order: Numbers 19 and 20
In Numbers 19 gives greater detail about how a person who is unclean becomes clean. I am amazed at how much death, sacrifice, and blood are apart of cleansing. Eleazar, a priest and Aaron’s son, was to watch the killing and burned of an unblemished red heifer outside the camp. Cedar wood was added to the burning heifer and the ash was collected in a clean spot outside. This ash was mixed with water and an unclean person would wash themselves with the water to become clean. It sounds a little savage to wash yourself with water containing ash from a burnt heifer. It makes sense to me because in Hebrews 9:22 states, “And according to the Law, one may almost say, all things are cleansed with blood, and with out the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.” Continue Reading…
A High Priest stands between life and death: Numbers 15 and 16
I’ve neglected my blogging for the last two months because I have been studying Hebrews, 1 John, and Nehemiah but I think it is important for me to continue the story and journey of blogging through the Bible. In Hebrews the author is proclaiming Jesus Christ as better than everything that Jew’s hold as important. John is fighting against false teaching in 1 John. The ruined wall is being rebuilt in Nehemiah. The story of scripture all ties together and it is best seen as we read through the Bible. Continue Reading…
Fear and disbelief at the precipice of promise: Numbers 13 and 14
In Numbers 13 and 14 we are continuing with the Israelites as they are sojourning with God. In chapter 13 God tells Moses to send 12 men to scout out the promised land to determine what the land is like. One man from each of the 12 tribes of Israel head out into the promised land. They spend 40 days scouting out the land. To give perspective on how amazing the promised land is the 12 men cut a cluster of grapes which was tied to a pole and required two men to carry it. That is an amazingly massive cluster of grapes. There were many strong people within the promised land who the Israelites would have to kill and cast out for them to take possession. The scouts collected all of the information they needed and returned to Moses, Aaron, and the people of Israel. Continue Reading…
Silver trumpets heralding the Israelites journey: Numbers 9 and 10
“Rise up, O Lord!
And let Your enemies be scattered,
And let those who hate You flee before You.”
– Numbers 10:35
The Israelites are setting out in Numbers chapter 10 to claim the land that God had promised Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. What an amazing site it must have been to hear the ring of a silver trumpet and then the orchestration of the multiple millions began as the Israelites set out and follow God. The image that is given in Numbers chapters 9 and 10 is one of dependance. The only time that the Israelites moved the camp was when God raised the cloud up from the Tabernacle. Continue Reading…
Dedication of the Tabernacle and foreshadowing of the Messiah: Numbers 7 and 8
I wonder what the energy level of the Israelites was like on the day that Moses had finished setting up the Tabernacle? Was there an awe and reverence of God? Were the millions of men, women, and children pressing in to see just a glimpse of the Tabernacle? In Numbers chapters 7 we get a little of the feeling of what took place when the Tabernacle was completed. What blessing God bestowed upon Moses. Moses was within the Tabernacle anointing and consecrating the walls, furnishings, and utensils. Moses was declaring that the Tabernacle and all with in it was Holy and God’s. Continue Reading…
Precipice of my Mary transformation: a look back at my Martha
Let’s take a journey together. I have been going through a lot of upheaval in my life as of late. I want to share with you my worries, concerns, and hardship. I am looking for a job which has been a very tedious process, I am still recovering from my most recent surgeries, and I am a single guy in a super sex saturated world. In light of all of these things in my daily life I find it all too easy to fall in to the snare of depression, sadness, and anxiety. Let’s look at my situation in light of what God says in the Bible and add some perspective to these events and feelings. Continue Reading…
A developing faith in God shown throughout years of blogging
I am very happy at this moment. I can finally say that the conversion of my website is complete. There are around 180 blog post looking at my life and my journey through the Bible. I would like to have you take time to look around at the posts and leave comments (which are now working again). I can tell you that these post will show you the lowest lows of my life and the amazing relationship with God that is growing daily. Continue Reading…
