March 2nd Chronological Bible Readings

Numbers 11:1-13:33
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Today we begin to read about the Israelites discontent with God’s provision and care in Numbers chapter 11, and this discontent & disobedience we will read about through chapter 25. As we read through these chapters, I do think we would do well to not point fingers at the Israelites and say that we would have behaved differently back then. I’m not so sure that I would have. . . I think these chapters will very likely speak into our lives today and we might find that we are often not so different from the Israelites. In Numbers chapter 11 verse 1 today we read: “Now the people complained about their hardships in the hearing of the LORD, and when he heard them his anger was aroused.” How does this verse speak to you today? I don’t know about you, but for me this verse is convicting. Simply because I know that I often complain more to God than I actually thank God for the blessings he has poured out into my life. It really is incredible to stop and think about how good God is to us. In fact, one of our Bible participants in the past had a blog called “God is Good All the Time.” And this is so true. And yet, what is our percentage of thanksgiving to God versus our complaining to God? I’m afraid my percentage is way skewed toward complaining or worrying (worrying is really similar to complaining I think). I pray that as I go forward in my walk with God that I will do a lot more thanking and a lot less complaining & worrying. It is an amazing thing – this gift of life. Even in the midst of all of our daily challenges and storms, let us know that God is the anchor and harbor in our life. And he continues to pour out blessings upon blessings upon our life – oftentimes without us consciously being aware of the blessings. And oftentimes without us thanking God for the blessings. How about you? How is your thanksgiving of God’s blessings in your life going these days?

Today in Numbers chapter 11 we read about God's Spirit resting upon 70 leaders!  I loved verse 29 where Moses responded to Joshua's protesting of Eldad and Medad prophesying in the camp: ""Are you jealous for my sake? I wish that all the LORD's people were prophets, and that the LORD would put his Spirit upon them all!"" This is great humility on Moses part!  He was not threatened by others using gifts of the Spirit in public.  "I wish that all the Lord's people were prophets."  These words of Moses remind me of a more modern day quote I read somewhere that went something like this: "We are all called to be saints."  I like that...  Do you believe that you are called to be a saint? How will you be made to be a saint? Or, perhaps I should ask, through Whom will you be sanctified?

Below is an image for Numbers chapter 13, where we read about twelve scouts exploring the Promised Land, and Moses sending them out in verse 17 & 18: "Moses gave the men these instructions as he sent them out to explore the land: "Go northward through the Negev into the hill country.  See what the land is like and find out whether the people living there are strong or weak, few or many."

Worship God: Today's readings in Numbers today reminded me of Third Day's song "Consuming Fire:"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-fK9_7ldUvs

Have you experienced the holy fire of God? Click here and receive His Holy Spirit!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today: "Then Caleb silenced the people before Moses and said, 'We should go up and take possession of the land, for we can certainly do it.'" Numbers 13:30 NIV

Prayer Point: Pray that you will live your faith boldly for the LORD. Pray that you will not fear, but will trust God wholly.

Comments from You:  What verses or insights stand out to you in today's readings?  Please post up by clicking on the "Comments" link below!

God bless,
Mike

Comments

[Ramona]

Exodus 19, 5 Now therefore, if you will obey My voice in truth and keep My covenant, then you shall be My own peculiar possession and treasure from among and above all peoples; for all the earth is Mine.

6 And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests, a holy nation [consecrated, set apart to the worship of God]. These are the words you shall speak to the Israelites.

7 So Moses called for the elders of the people and told them all these words which the Lord commanded him.

8 And all the people answered together, and said, All that the Lord has spoken we will do. And Moses reported the words of the people to the Lord. (Amp)

Exodus 20 18 Now all the people perceived the thunderings and the lightnings and the noise of the trumpet and the smoking mountain, and as [they] looked they trembled with fear and fell back and stood afar off.

19 And they said to Moses, You speak to us and we will listen, but let not God speak to us, lest we die.

We begin one of my favorite sections in the Bible, a section that so typifies the natural man, man controlled by the flesh instead of by the Holy Spirit. I copied in the above two passages found in Exodus 19 and 20 because it shows me how double minded we can be and that double mindedness leads to an instability that is unable to handle the things of God. James states in his letter to the New Testament church, 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. 6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. (NKJ)

The next fifteen chapters or so reveal an Israel with a double mind, unstable in all her ways, the next fifteen chapters reveal how man will justify his/her actions and behaviors to validate a personal agenda which centers on self-interest. The next fifteen chapters or so lay out case studies for us to observe, take note and be forewarned on the traps the enemy will use to block us from receiving our promise, and that enemy is more us than Satan.

We can also observe how sedition and rebellion begins with leadership, Aaron and Mirium, Moses’ older sister and brother, and filters down to the crowd.

The Book of Numbers has always been a place of personal conviction exposing tendencies in me that are selfish and self-serving every time I go through this book.

[Beth]

Since Mike mentioned worrying being like complaining and in the context of manna, I thought I'd mention a sermon called, "This is My Story" from 10/3/10 at the following website: www.maranathabible.org (Go to the "New to Maranatha" tab and click on "Sermons"). I hope someone is blessed.