In my opinion, the Book of Numbers is interesting. It begins with a census of the families who left Egypt for a journey to the Promised Land. This is a census year in America and the every-ten-year event is one that someone with my interests finds, well, interesting. I'm a genealogist and the information found can be illuminating. By studying the answers our ancestors gave we can learn so much about them. Remember that as you fill out your forms this summer. Your descendants will one day be poring over them searching for clues about you.
We find a numerical census in Numbers that helps us understand just what a large slave workforce had departed from Egypt. No wonder Pharoah was loathe to let them leave! We also see how much that Jacob's family had been blessed in the intervening 400+ years. Do you find it hard to believe the numbers? One might think them unbelievable unless compared to more modern-day folk. See the number of known descendants of the Pilgrims, John Alden and Priscilla Mullens, here if you need some convincing. And remember that these are only the known ones. It can be seen that after approximately 400 years this couple's offspring are numerous even with so many unknowns and the modern limitations of family planning.
On a more spiritual note, I'd like to point out something I noticed as a passage in Luke was juxtaposed with one from Numbers. In Luke 6 Jesus explained that anyone who obeys His words is like a man who builds his house upon the rock so that it will stand when faced with adversity, but the person who doesn't obey is like the person who builds a house on a sandy foundation that will give way at the first sign of trouble.
Right after this I read Numbers 13. This is the passage about the 12 spies that returned with a report about the land God had promised them. Two spies (Joshua and Caleb) knew that the battle was God's to fight so they suggested proceeding immediately. They were building their houses upon The Rock. But the other ten spies were discouraged because they knew that the enemy was stronger than they and could not be defeated in their own power. They were building their houses upon the sands of frail humanity. Do you find it ironic that God left them all to die in the sands of the wilderness as punishment? I don't think that's just a coincidence.
Make sure you believe God because He will deliver on His promises! He expects obedience so that you can take possession of them. He already fought the battle. And won!
I pray you have a blessed week with the Lord as you study His word.
Schedule for March 8-14, 2010
Monday, March 8th
Numbers 20, 21
Luke 11
Tuesday, March 9th
Numbers 22, 23
Luke 12
Wednesday, March 10th
Numbers 24-26
Luke 13, 14
Thursday, March 11th
Numbers 27-29
Luke 15, 16
Friday, March 12th
Numbers 30, 31
Luke 17
Saturday, March 13th
Numbers 32-34
Luke 18, 19
Sunday, March 14th
No reading today. Finish any that have not been completed.
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Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.
Psalms 19:14 (KJV)