It’s time to try again. After the forty years of consequences for not entering the promised land the first time, Moses is preparing the people for a second go: A recounting of men, a restating of key ordinances, a reappointing of leadership. These things became necessary, because sometimes everything gets thoroughly screwed and you’ve got to start over.

Human history is full of false starts, death, destruction, rebuilds, rebirth and vicious cycles. Living in Europe has given me a more tangible idea of just how many layers of cities can be built on the ruins of others.

It felt a little different reading yesterday’s chapters about the casualties of the plague after skimming the news for updated coronavirus stats.

But here we arrive: at the dawn of a new Israelite day, armed with inheritance rights for women, a newly appointed Joshua, and a reminder about sacrifice. Unfortunately, we know it’s just the beginning of another eventual end.

Today is the end of the first month of 2020, and it has not been a great year so far. The US lost a hero in the tragic death of Kobe Bryant, his daughter, and seven others. This coronavirus has claimed over 200 souls and has infected more people than SARS did. Today the UK Brexits.

The facts of human circumstance on large scales is overwhelming. In the apex of Israel’s affluence, King Solomon writes Ecclesiastes.

While this can all be pretty depressing (sorry), I find a weird kind of peace knowing the LORD has maintained His sameness throughout. He’s also perpetually down for a reboot. He doesn’t give up, and He gives us New Years, new months, and new days–all the time.

Let’s count up what we have, find our leaders, respect each other’s rights, and never fail to skip a holy convocation–a celebration together before the LORD–for the Good He brings into our lives, allowing us to sacrifice when needed.

-Bethany

Israel is lured into worshiping Baal through sex and food. Does it get any more primitive than that?

Bethany covered these chapters well before and it’s definitely worth a second read.

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How have your God-given desires led you into sin?

-Carly

“Then Balak said to Balaam, ‘Please come, I will take you to another place; perhaps it will be agreeable with God that you curse them for me from there.’” (23:27‬)

When I read this sentence, my first thought is: how ridiculous! You think location makes a difference? But yes! To Balak, it did, because the gods of Canaaan (along with many other international pagan deities) are localized, and must be worshiped–or called upon–in a certain place. They’re also more easily wielded to bless or curse others at the whim of spiritual people.

The LORD is not that way. The whole earth is full of Him. He is creator, and He doesn’t change His mind, or bend to the will of man.

Balaam wasn’t sure how else to explain this situation. I literally cannot move against Him. I cannot curse what He has blessed. All the money in the world couldn’t affect this outcome.

Much of this is taking place unbeknownst to Israel. They’re still across the river grumbling about petty stuff, while the LORD introduces Himself to their enemies.

We don’t know what all the LORD does on our behalf, but by now, we should recognize Who He Is enough to find our place. He is for us, but unable to be manipulated by us. He is over all creation, He’s not the mascot of our club.

If you find yourself praying and praying for something, inventing new ways–places–to ask for the same thing, perhaps it’s time to ask the LORD for His Will. Ask the LORD for His perspective today.

-Bethany

I recently listened to a podcast that noted, from a psychology stand point, how genius the bronze snake is in this story. The remedy to the Israelites’ snake bites is to stare into the face of a snake.

I liked the reminder that God often has us face our problems head-on.

Sometimes it bothers me that God sent snakes down to bite them. But I wonder if the analogy of discontentment, spreading like venom in someone’s bloodstream, helped them see how toxic their complaining was. Bitterness leads to death. It kills joy, relationships and growth.

Also at this point I’m surprised he hadn’t totally given up on the Israelites. I will try to keep this in mind when enduring the complaining of my children, who only contribute two tiny, and very cute, voices.

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Did you notice the red flags we see in Balaam’s character (I think this is a good practice and also maybe points to my trust issues)?

He’s motivated by money, instead of the Lord, and he’s cruel to animals (who treats their lifelong traveling companion that way?).

You can tell a lot about a person based on those two qualities.

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What stuck out to you in these two very unique stories?

-Carly

-Carly

It may not seem like it, but chapter 19 is incredibly important and has saved countless lives throughout history.

The LORD teaching Israel about hygiene, and how to handle dead bodies, saved them from numerous plagues, most famously–the bubonic plague—which decreased the population of Europe by half. This actually caused most Jews to relocate to Poland, because of the massive persecution they endured at the time for not being affected.

They probably didn’t know hyssop was an antiseptic with other medicinal purposes when the LORD told them to use it, but it is. They used it, washed with water, and didn’t spread disease.

Europeans thought the Jews were using dark magic to curse them. They over spiritualized a physical fact with superstition.

Often times we over spiritualize our blessings and curses, as we see them in life, and forget that obeying the LORD is simply smart. He is the Creator. He created hyssop and knows how to instruct people to not pass on diseases. His laws bring life, and not just in a spiritual way.

We find in our lives both grace and discipline. Sometimes discipline is just natural consequences to going against the created order. It’s that simple. It’s not the LORD’s personal vendetta against you. You’re the one endangering yourself by fighting science.

How do you find yourself fighting the natural order? In what areas are you ignoring the commands of the LORD? Talk to Him about that today.

-Bethany

“When he went into the Tabernacle of the Covenant the next day, he found that Aaron’s staff, representing the tribe of Levi, has sprouted, budded, blossomed, and produced ripe almonds!” 17:8

Instead of just budding, Aaron’s staff completes an entire season’s growth cycle in one night. I love when God gives big, clear signs on what he wants to happen next.

When has God given you a clear sign?

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“Be sure to give to the Lord the best portions of the gifts given to you.” 18:29

When you tithe, do you offer what money is leftover? Or do you immediately set aside money for the Lord, no matter what debt, bills or expenses you have coming up?

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Bethany wrote a great response to chapter 18. I loved what she said about pastor’s kids!

-Carly

“As for the assembly, there shall be one statute for you and for the alien who sojourns with you, a perpetual statute throughout your generations; as you are, so shall the alien be before the LORD. There is to be one law and one ordinance for you and for the alien who sojourns with you.” (15:15-16‬)

Also know as Equal Rights. There aren’t two sets of rules. I am very glad this statute was made.

We are in the thick of rebellion, in these chapters. Korah and the people are coming up against Moses and Aaron. At first, Moses responded with, “yeah we’ll see what the LORD says about that.” (16:5) But then it was he who begged the LORD–multiple times–to not wipe them out completely.

What a great leader. While I’m sure there were people in the crowd he didn’t want swept away, Moses states that his primary reason for not letting the LORD kill them and start over with him, is what it would communicate to the Egyptians.

What would the nations think about the LORD if He killed them all now? He couldn’t do it? He isn’t loving? Moses deeply wants the nations to see that the LORD is able and full of steadfast love (14:18).

However, directly after that interception, the LORD has cause to, yet again, strike the rebels down.

“Then the LORD spoke to Moses and Aaron, saying, ‘Separate yourselves from among this congregation, that I may consume them instantly.’ But they fell on their faces and said, ‘O God, God of the spirits of all flesh, when one man sins, will You be angry with the entire congregation?’ Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, ‘Speak to the congregation, saying, “Get back from around the dwellings of Korah, Dathan and Abiram.”‘” (16:20-24)

Whoever doesn’t want to experience their punishment better take a few steps back. I can almost hear the LORD say, “hold my hoops”.

As servants of the LORD, what do we hope to communicate to the world about who He is? Israel was His representatives and we have joined their ranks. Are we cheering for the destruction of power grabbers? Are we grabbing for power? Are we drawing lines in the sand? Are we making distinctions?

What does it mean to you to be His servant? What will it look like today?

-Bethany

“Then they plotted among themselves, ‘Let’s choose a new leader and go back to Egypt!’ ” 14:4

The foreshadows and symbolism of Christ are endless in these chapters, but I felt especially drawn to this sentence.

I feel like I’ve been in the middle of that huddle. Haven’t you? The root of all their doubt in God’s plan is fear and they are ready to abandon Moses as their trusty leader and go back to slavery. SLAV-E-RY is the better option to them.

Moses has performed miracles in front of them, in the name of provision and protection, and they are still ready to bail. We are not logical people. We are fearful. We scare easily and run around, crashing into to one another like cartoon, when fear takes over.

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What’s your knee-jerk reaction when you’re afraid?

Do you run towards God, or away from him?

Think of a time you’ve turned on a spiritual leader out of fear. Do you repeat this pattern in your relationship with the Lord?

-Carly

“Then Joshua the son of Nun, the attendant of Moses from his youth, said, ‘Moses, my lord, restrain them.’ But Moses said to him, “Are you jealous for my sake? Would that all the LORD’s people were prophets, that the LORD would put His Spirit upon them!'” (11:28-29)

I love these chapters.

After much more complaining about food, and how “great” things were back in Egypt, the LORD brings food for the people, but also another thing: Seventy more people start prophesying. Moses has been overwhelmed with these needy people. He’s exhausted from being their go-between and the only one who “get’s it”. He isn’t proud about this, in fact he’s “more humble than any man on the face of the earth.” (12:3) When more people prophesy, he’s like, “FINALLY! Someone is experiencing the LORD without my help!” But, good old Joshua anticipates it as something that must be squelched.

What actually needs squelching, is the pride that follows Aaron and Miriam when they see that they’ve heard the LORD too.  They think this is a green light to judge Moses for marrying a Cushite.

The LORD responds in a very cool way (in my opinion). He spells out just how important Moses is to Him. He’s not just someone who prophesies or sees visions. The LORD is his friend. They talk face to face.

So the LORD strikes Miriam with leprosy and Moses cries out for her to be healed (because, seriously… he’s the nicest). But not unlike a daughter who has disrespected her father, Miriam must stay outside the camp for seven days before she can come in and be cleansed.

There is so much to glean from these stories.

1. Don’t complain!
2. Don’t compare yourself to others!
3. Don’t be jealous of power
4. Don’t disrespect those the LORD chooses to exalt
5. Pride puts you in opposition to the LORD
6. Humility is the greatest possible feature the LORD can find in us
7. Don’t be possessive of the LORD, we should want EVERYONE to experience Him.

What do you notice about Moses’ relationship with God? Last time, Carly pointed out how Moses (even as the LORD’s closest human) called himself servant. We can make the mistake of being too ‘chummy’ sometimes. The best thing we could ever be in this life is  a servant of the LORD.

-Bethany

“At the command of the Lord they camped. As long as the cloud rested over the tabernacle many days, the people of Israel kept the charge of the Lord and did not set out.” 9:18

I love imagining the Israelites eyeing the sky, watching to see if the flame-cloud was lifting. Would it be time to pack up camp again? If you’ve ever been camping, you know this is not a quick task. I’m trying to imagine a constant camping trip, with children, animals and a ton of equipment and belongings. It sounds exhausting! Yet when you are literally draped with God’s protection and guidance, how could you complain? (As we all know, they found plenty of opportunities to fit it in.)

Are you in a season like that? Where every day (every hour), you’re waiting for God to lead you to your next spot?

Following a cloud filled with Lord’s presence sounds easier, honestly. Better than a constant guessing game of should we go here, should we take that job, is this relationship okay, what’s going to happen next blah blah blah.

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When things are particularly rough and I’m not sure where to go next, he’s shown up in my dreams. Spelling out a very articulate message. “Do this.”

Often times I’ll pray and ask him to tell a specific person what I need to do next. I have several people who are messengers like this to me, like my husband or Bethany. (No pressure guys.) It’s okay to ask for confirmation and affirmation when you’re trying to follow the Lord.

It takes a certain about of faith, prayer and discernment to hear from God, but sometimes it’s just nice to have it confirmed by someone else. (If you feel like God is giving you a specific message for someone, pass it along!)

What does it look like for God to lead you around the wilderness?

-Carly