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the  Preachers  blog

Blogs are posted every Wednesday

Blood is thicker than water - by Richard Neufeld

2/26/2021

 
Observe –

                In chapters 13-14 of Deuteronomy we see first a warning towards anyone who would call themselves a prophet and how to spot the false ones. It is laid out plainly that there is a specific way these prophets ought to conduct themselves, followed by the command to purge evil from the midst of the Israelites. What’s given next is a series of warnings against following family or friends or neighbours into serving other gods.          Chapter 14 details specific foods that are out of bounds for the Israelites and what sorts of foods that may be clean originally have died in a way that made them unclean. The last paragraph details tithes, what they consist of, and how they are to be enjoyed to the glory of God.

Interpret –

                “The blood of the covenant is thicker than the water of the womb,” or the abridged “blood is thicker than water,” is a paraphrase of medieval poetry that is nearly one thousand years old. It popped into my head as I read Deuteronomy chapter 13. It is here that Moses lays out the charge that if a friend, neighbour, or even one of your own kin tries to entice you to follow other gods and abandon the God of Israel, you are to purge their evil from your midst: “you shall not yield to him or listen to him, nor shall your eye pity him, nor shall you spare him, nor shall you conceal him,” (13:8).

                This also correlates with what Jesus teaches in Matthew 10:34-39 when He says He has not come to bring peace, but a sword. He will set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother – a person’s enemies will be those of his own household. All this is to say that those who are one with God by the blood of His covenant are bound with cords infinitely tighter than any familial relations could create. The blood of His covenant is higher and more worthy than any family ties. This needs to be kept in tact at all costs. Jesus asks us to lay everything down and follow Him. He asks us to count the cost, to bear our cross, and die to our sin – it is then that we are free to walk with Him wherever He may lead.

Application –

                Life is messy and it is incredibly rare that our family and friends and other relationships fit neatly in to organized piles. Some are blessed with a cohesive and unified family. For others, that possibility disappeared long ago, and this can be heartbreaking. We live in a broken world and despite our best efforts, we will carry with us broken relationships. Things are not the way God made them, and often our relationships with our family especially can be fractured. I think it is of the utmost importance that we remember our allegiance is to the Lord Jesus first before any other. We cannot fully live for Him or make sufficient room in our hearts for Him to work when we warp our priorities and relegate Him to the back row of our lives.

                When we put God first in our lives, we affirm Him as Lord of our hearts. We say we trust Him with anything and everything that weighs on us. We honour Him as Sovereign and make ourselves vulnerable to His grace and goodness. Most importantly, we surrender ourselves more and more to His will and His timing! Deuteronomy 13 and Matthew 10 show us that we must be all in for Jesus just as He was all in for us.

Application question –

                Is there a particular relationship in your life that you need to surrender to Jesus? How can we practice surrendering ourselves to His will each day?
 
Prayer –

                Thank you, Lord, for being our Father and giving us a new family. We are not worthy to be adopted as your children, but you make us worthy by the blood of Jesus Christ.  I pray that each person reading your word today will make you the leader of their lives and learn to live in complete surrender to your will. We give you our aching hearts and pray that you work good things into even the most confusing, desperate relationships we may have. Amen!
 
Song – Goodness of God  (Bethel Music)

Strategies for Face-to-Face Relationship (By Lory Mitton)

2/25/2021

 
Text: Deuteronomy 10-12

Observation:
In his distress at witnessing the people of Israel worshipping the golden calf, Moses destroyed the first set of stone tablets on which were inscribed the Ten Commandments. Moses concludes a review of Israelite history with the new generation that is about to enter the Promised Land recalling the second chance God gave them as he received a second set of tablets. Moses also reminds of the appointment of Eleazar and the tribe of Levi to administer worship in the temple.

Next Moses lays out the ultimate requirement that God desired from His people: that they fear the Lord, walk in His ways and love Him, serving Him with all their heart and soul—which really is for their own benefit. Moses affirms the majesty and power of the Lord their God and reminds the people that out of all nations, this loving and merciful God chose them. He rescued them from slavery and made them His own people. Moses therefore commands the people “do not be stiff-necked any longer”.

Moses sets before the people both a blessing and a curse:
If the people obey the commands and love God with all their heart and soul, the land they are entering will be secure for them and will be blessed by God. If they forsake the Lord and embrace other gods, the consequence and curse is that God will take away His security and blessing on the land, causing them to perish.

The Lord specifically highlights through Moses the dangers of worshipping the gods in the land the people are entering. Therefore, he commands Israel completely destroy all the places of worship to false gods. He gives the people instructions for worship in only one place, which He will show them when they arrive in the land.

Interpretation:
Let’s look at the word translated in Deut 10:16 as “stiff-necked”. In Hebrew the word is “oreph” (Strong’s #6203) and is used descriptively for the neck or back. But it is also used for its figurative meaning denoting stubbornness. This word is used in Exodus 23:27 when God tells Moses that He will send terror ahead of Israel and He will make all their enemies “turn their backs and run”. This is also the word we find God chose repeatedly to describe Israel, originally and specifically in reference to the time they set up the golden calf idol and worshipped it. (Ex 32:9; 33:3, 5,9; Deut 9:6, 13)

Here in today’s passage, we hear Moses’ plea to the people that they stop being “stiff-necked”. Essentially, it’s a command for the people not to turn their backs on the God of gods, the Lord of lords, and specifically, that they don’t reject God by falling again into idol worship.

Remember the priestly blessing God gave for Aaron to bless the people? “…the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you…” (Num 6:24-27). There is a sense that God desperately wants to be in face-to-face relationship with His people. The ultimate rejection of God’s heart was when Israel fell into idol worship by making the golden calf. God says that the people turned their backs on Him in that moment. They did not value the relationship He was building with them; it was an act of complete rejection.

Once again, Moses sees the potential for Israel to reject their God as the Promised Land is full of idols worshipped by the residing nations. These idols must be completely destroyed so that the people do not reject their God again. If Moses had not interceded on behalf of the people when they made the golden calf, he knows God would have completely destroyed them. So, Moses, of all people, knows just how deadly it would be for Israel to make the same mistake their parents made by rejecting God in idol worship.
Through Moses, God gives the people some key strategies for success so that they don’t make the same mistake again.

1) One strategy involves teaching their children everything they have learned so far so that each generation that follows will understand the “whys” behind all the laws and rituals they follow.

2) Another strategy is to make physical reminders of the words from God, which are set up in places where they will be seen as reminders many, many times a day. Every time an Israelite person moves from one room to another, every time they leave their home and return, they will be reminded again and again of their special relationship with the Lord their God.

3) Worship of the true God of gods, the Lord of lords happens in only one place, facilitated by the ordained and appointed Levites and priests of God. The people cannot worship wherever and however they please, surely if they did, the traditions and customs of the Canaanites and other nations of the land would infiltrate their practices.

4) Drive out all previous inhabitants of the land, leaving no one to badly influence the Israelites into idolatrous practices. Destroy all the false gods and the places used for idol worship so no opportunities for idolatry remain.

Application:
Do we recognize the commands God gives us are strategies to keep us in face-to-face relationship with him? Sometimes following God can be made into a ritualistic system of rule-keeping but that falls drastically short of God’s heart-intention. It’s all about relationship with Him! Anything God asks of us has a direct impact on keeping us close to His heart.

Consider making a practical step to keep close to God’s heart: write out a scripture verse, encouragement, or affirmation and post it on a door frame in your home as a reminder.

Prayer:
Father God, we thank you for choosing us to know you and belong to you through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. Help us to trust you by recognizing the direction and commands you give us are meant to keep us close to your heart. Help us to surrender to you the attitudes, thoughts and actions by which we turn our backs toward you. Give us your strategies to be victorious over sin so we can be in close, face-to-face relationship with you and serve as bright and shining lights to those around us. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.

Song:
Draw Me Close To You (Cover by Life Worship) 

In the World but not of the World by Pastor Dave

2/24/2021

 
”For you are a people holy to the Lord your God. The Lord your God has chosen you out of all the peoples on the face of the earth to be his people, his treasured possession.”
Deuteronomy 7: 6
 
Deuteronomy 7-9 (Psalm 55)
 
Observe
  • Moses gives direction to the people for entering the promised land. They are to drive out those living there by ruthless means. They must not enter into any form of relationship with these nations nor worship their gods
  • God’s people are reminded of His love for them and their covenant relationship. They must keep God’s laws and He will bless them. They are not to fear the other nations.
  • The lessons from their journey in the wilderness are to be remembered; God is not to be forgotten. It is by God’s strength that they will live in the Promised Land, not their own. If they turn away from God and worship false gods there will be consequences
  • It is not the people’s righteousness that has brought this about but God’s choice of them as His. They are reminded of their folly in worshiping a golden calf, they made, with the judgement that followed. Moses had to intercede for them to save them from God’s destruction
 
Interpretation
     Moses is presenting the covenant to the people and preparing them for the Promised Land. The directions for removing the people of the nations are harsh to say the least and are difficult to equate with the God of love the Bible teaches and we know. I think the answer in part is Israel’s tendency for waywardness and the godless, warring context they live in. God’s people were to be holy, set apart, and a light to those around to show that there is another way. If they absorbed the culture, ways and gods of the other nations not only would they lose their way but the other nations would also not know salvation.
     We do, also read, of the God of love who is working tirelessly for His creation. In relation to His people Moses describes how God has: set His affection on them; chosen and loved them; redeemed them; blessed them and will bless them with health, provision and life; and all within a covenant relationship. The people, for their part, were to: keep His commands; follow His ways; serve Him alone, not other gods; trust Him, not fear; and to praise Him.
 
Application
     In many ways these chapters display the seriousness of our sin and the utter holiness of God. His love is very real; He is love. However, as we considered on Sunday, justice needs to be satisfied. God has made this possible for us in and through Jesus Christ who has paid our price for us and intercedes on our behalf. God has set His affection on us and has made redemption possible. We are called, as the people of Israel, to follow His ways and trust Him. As His people, the Church, we are to be counter cultural and not absorb the ways of the world into our lives; we are to be His beacon to show the light of Christ to a world that so desperately needs Him.
 
A Question of Application
     In what ways do you think your Church and you have allowed worldly values and culture take you away from God’s truth; what should you do about this?   
 
Prayer
     Almighty God, whose Son Jesus Christ fasted forty days in the wilderness, and was tempted as we are yet without sin: give us grace to discipline ourselves in obedience to your Spirit; and, as you know our weakness, so may we know your power to save; through Jesus Christ your Son and our Lord. Amen
 
Praise
Broken Vessels (Amazing Grace) by Hillsong Worship
The Kingdom of God is Justice and Joy

Deuteronomy 4-6 (By Rev. Deacon Margaret Friesen)

2/23/2021

 
What other nation is so great as to have their gods near them the way the Lord our God is near us whenever we pray to him? 4:6
 
OBSERVATION
  • Remember the laws I have already given you.
  • Moses reviews the wilderness journey with the new generation who will be the people to enter the promised land. Moses also reviews the actions that led to the previous generation being denied entry to the new land.
  • Review of commandments and laws given to the people at Mt. Sinai.
  • Scouting (12 people) expedition to new land led to more fear on part of 10/12 but optimism on part of 2/12 – Caleb and Joshua
  • Destruction of people and homes
 
INTERPRETATION
  • As indicated in the introduction to the book of Deuteronomy, this last book of the Torah describes the transition period from the wilderness to the promised land.
  • I’ve noticed that a phrase frequently used in Scripture is: “Remember”—“Remember the day…the Lord brought us out of Egypt, remember when the Lord led us through the wilderness by cloud and by fire…”.  In this case, Moses used “remember” to review the law given to Moses and taught to the whole assembly. The purpose of the review was to teach the new generation so they would learn to revere God and teach these truths to their children.
  • It is beyond me to try to fully understand God’s commands to completely destroy the people in the promised land before Hebrew people could move in. Although I do understand the requirement for the people to overcome the “old world” in order to begin their life in the “new land”, I don’t understand why the means used for that were so violent.
 
APPLICATION
  • I find it very encouraging when meeting with my house group or meeting new people to hear their stories of what God has been doing in their lives in the past weeks or months. It is also encouraging for me to review what God has been doing in my life.
  • Re: violence and destruction: I usually take these aspects of the scripture I don’t understand, as though lifting a big sack, give them back to the Lord Jesus and say something like, “I don’t understand, Jesus, but I trust you and give myself to you”, as I let this sack of non-understanding roll to the foot of the cross.
 
QUESTION
Take some time to review how God has been present in your life from childhood until the present day. Do this in the context of a conversation with Jesus where you ask Jesus to bring to your mind where and when he was active in your childhood, your adolescence, as a young adult, middle-age adult and older adult, and in your old age. Then take some time to journal this and thank God for his presence.
 
PRAYER
Oh Lord, our God, you have given us this good land as our heritage. May we prove ourselves a people mindful of your generosity and glad to do your will. Bless our land with honest industry, truthful education and a way of life that glorifies our Father in heaven. When troubled times come, do not let our trust in you fail. Through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.
 
SONG
“Goodness of God” by Bethel Music

Do Not Be Afraid (By Chris Barnes)

2/22/2021

 
Text: Deuteronomy 1-3
 
OBSERVE – The book of Numbers ended with Israel on the plains of Moab, on the east side of the Jordan, across from the Canaanite city of Jericho (Numbers 36: 13). The book of Deuteronomy then follows functioning as a transitional book, both concluding the Torah and introducing the history of the nation recorded in Joshua through to 2 Kings. It is here on the plains of Moab where Deuteronomy begins and associated with this beginning are the elements of suspense, urgency and anticipation. The time to enter the land promised to Abraham is finally arriving. However, the man who has encouraged them to this point will not be joining the Israelites. Moses would however leave Joshua with the following charge: “You have seen for yourself everything the Lord your God has done to these two kings. He will do the same to all the kingdoms on the west side of the Jordan. Do not be afraid of the nations there, for the Lord your God will fight for you.” (Deuteronomy 3: 21-22).

INTERPRET – The Canaanites who occupied the land were fierce warriors, and it was clear that the people of Israel could never occupy the land in their own strength. The hand of their God, Yahweh, must deliver the land to them. Though the Canaanites would be tough fighters, the sovereign God promised to be with the Israelites and give them victory. Whether it was Moses or Joshua, the people needed to rely on their God who brought them out of Egypt and who defeated the kings in the Wilderness. Although the land was now within sight, reliance and dependence on their God was still needed to possess it, their strength would not be enough. No human leader would be able to accomplish this on their own.

APPLICATION – This charge from Moses to Joshua is very similar to the charge that Jesus gave to his followers. At the end of Matthew’s gospel, Jesus left his disciples with the following words: “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matthew 28: 18-20). Just as Israel was to enter Canaan confident in the power of God, we are to go into the world, making disciples and teaching the nations not to depart from the Word of God. And just as God would be with the Israelites, so too is Jesus with us. He will never leave us nor forsake us.

PRAYER – Lord Jesus; I am weak, but you are strong. I am confident that you are with me and that you go before me. I pray for courage, to be able to make you known to the world while reflecting your grace and love. I desire to expand your kingdom here on earth and I trust that you are going ahead of me and breaking down all spiritual barriers.

Reflection – Reflect on God’s promise to always be with us, even to the end of the age. How does this impact the way that you respond to the Great Commission (Matthew 28: 18-20)?

Song - See A Victory by Elevation Worship

The Vengeance on Midian - by Richard Neufeld

2/19/2021

 
Observe –

                Numbers 31 tells the account of the Lord ordering vengeance on Midian for their attacks on and infiltration of the Israelite people. 12,000 Israelites went out with Phinehas the priest, along with all the vessels of the sanctuary and trumpets for the alarm. They inflicted great blows on the Midianites and, against the orders of Moses, brought back many Midianite women and children. Many of the women were killed as a result and the ones who were too young found homes among the Israelites.

                The rest of the gold, silver, bronze, and other loot was purified and distributed, and a specific amount set aside for the Lord as an offering. In the following chapter, the people of Reuben and Gad are looking to settle on one side of the near side of Jordan as the rest of their brethren were preparing to cross the river and take possession of the Promise Land. Moses rebukes them, telling them that the rest of Israel will lose heart and be discouraged if they are fragmented before the land is theirs. Reuben and Gad swear that, if they settle in place, they will send their fighting men along with Israel to help with the fighting that is to come.
 
Interpret –

                The vengeance of the Lord is not something to consider lightly. It is vital to recall that each command given by the Lord has moral justification, even if it is not readily available to the 21st century reader. The people of Midian had deliberately wounded Israel when they came out of Egypt, had conspired to have them cursed, and let them astray into all sorts of idolatry and debauchery. These were wilful acts of evil purported on a very impressionable Israel. The Lord did not let the Israelites off for walking away so blatantly, and the Midianites were called to account as well.

                It is important to note that the Israelite warriors were not supposed to bring back the women and children. They were supposed to drive them out and take their possessions, and it is easy to see that the Midianite people represented a creeping sin that would soon overtake the weak will of the Israelites, and that bringing them home was a bad idea. It fell to a hot-headed Moses who, apparently giving orders without consulting God first, took matters into his own hands.

                The Israelites were led into battle by the priests and all the fixings of the sanctuary, presumably the ark as well. The Lord personally led the way as the Israelites embarked on a limited campaign of Divine Judgement to drive out the evil in the land, yet the Israelites used this as an opportunity for overreaching and greed, the result of which was more judgement. Indeed, when Moses is talking to Gad and Reuben in the next chapter he says, regarding their obligation to the Lord, “But if you will not do so, behold, you have sinned against the Lord, and be sure your sin will find you out,” (Num. 32:23).
 
Application –

                We are in a daily struggle against our own sin, though as Christians we can be sure that this battle has been won by the death of Christ and that we are given his righteousness. This doesn’t mean that we don’t have ongoing issues to deal with, sins to kill. Like the Israelites we have the Lord going before us, directing the way and giving us the will and the strength to conquer sin as He sanctifies us. The Son of God Almighty gave His life that we may be free!
 
                It is with that in mind that we are urged to take no prisoners in our fight against sin – do not slay the greater sin yet tolerate the lesser. “Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.” (James 1:15) The Israelites saw that the Midianite women were beautiful and surely could not pose a threat to the life for which God had freed them, yet we have seen and will see again in later reading that the seductive words of idolatry are as deadly as any sword.

                Remember, the Lord is fighting with us, and in Him we are more than conquerors. Let us strive to remove any stain of sin – to confess, repent, and always fight the good fight so that we may be the light of Christ to all who look our way.
 
Application question –

                As we settle into the Lenten season, what are some areas in which you need light shone? Is there anything that you have been holding onto that needs to be surrendered to Christ?  
 
Prayer –

                Lord God, we thank you for paying the price of our sin on the cross and that we are hidden in Christ. We pray that we are vigilant in our walk with you, careful of the way we live, and surrender each part of our heart to you, our loving and forgiving Father. Thank you that we can always come to you for help, direction, and guidance as we walk this narrow path.
 
                Song - His Mercy is More - Matt Boswell and Boyce College Choir

Festivals and Promises (By Lynne McCarthy)

2/18/2021

 
 Text: Num. 28–30  (Ps 49)

Observe:       The Lord speaks to Moses regarding special additions to their daily burnt offerings, a “pleasing aroma” that speaks their obedience in sacrificing, and God’s joyous response.
 And, festivals -- oh, my!  There is no grim joylessness in the Lord, though out of love He does not skimp in His demands on His beloved, wayward people. In the regular and special offerings from the people through the priest to the Lord, there is indeed a sense of the festive – five annual celebrations, joyful or solemn.
Vows made by men or women were considered binding. Because women were under the protection of father or husband, there were parameters for her vows, which could be agreed to or annulled by her relatives. 

Interpret: (In the Hebrew Bible, Numbers is “Bemidvar” – “in the wilderness”.)  Israel wanders in the Sinai desert for what turns out to be 40 years. Yet, the Lord is always with them, His presence in cloud and fire as He leads and protects, in the words He speaks through Moses and His presence  in the Tabernacle, the ultimate separate space.

Five festivals and their required sacrifices are described in detail:
Passover (Pesach) -- Festival of Unleavened Bread, (15th of the first month (Nisim): seven days of joy as the Israelites recall their salvation from slavery, where yeast is forbidden, recalling their haste in leaving Egypt. 
Harvest, or Firstfruits, (Yom haBakkurim or Reshit haKatzir):  the last day of Passover when sheaves from the first of the barley crop are presented to the Lord. Five days later comes … 
Weeks (Shavuot), 50 days after Pesach, (around the 6th of Shivan), the end of the wheat harvest. 
Shelters or Tabernacles (Sukkot), in the seventh month, Tishrei: recalls the temporary shelters of tents (sukkah) that the Israelites lived in after fleeing Egypt. It celebrates the grape, fig and olive harvests. 
Trumpets (Rosh Hashanah = ‘head of the year’), usually the seventh month (Num. 10:10) the Jewish New Year. A ram’s horn (shofar) is blown to signal beginnings, and festivals.
Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur), also in month of Tishrei.  See Lev. 16.
​
Vows made to the Lord (Num. 30) indicate the seriousness of a man’s or woman’s commitment to obey God; the thread running through Numbers is ‘holiness’. Vows were not to be taken lightly nor broken at whim. A woman’s decision to take a vow “to humble herself” (Num. 30:13) could be agreed to or annulled by father or husband. The point is, a man or a woman must keep the vow until the period of setting apart is over. Or they can become permanent vows. We glimpse relationships between spouses or father and daughter in Israelite life.

Apply:    We have much to celebrate in our relationship with the Lord, with the knowledge that Jesus is the centre of all our special and ordinary times.

We are free to make carefully considered vows to the Lord.  Our priests and deacon made vows at their ordination; a couple vows at their wedding. We think of what we can do through Lent and consider this a kind of vow but we must realize that God takes us at our word, and to make a promise to Him and then break it on a whim is wrong. Best not to do anything if we’re not serious about what we’ve promised.

Ask:  Have there been times when I’ve treated my promises to God lightly?  What does that say about the quality of my relationship with Him? It’s Lent; how can I renew my determination to stick to these 40 days of practising self-denial?  Does this only mean “giving up” –coffee, sweets?  How can I practice the presence of God?

Sunday is a time of festival in a way, to thank God and recall His blessings and faithfulness. What can I do to celebrate His mercies?  How can I make an ordinary day into festival despite present difficulties, a truly joy-filled time because God made it for His purposes and our joy?

Pray:  Lord God, we thank you for how you love us, how seriously you take us in our relationship with You.  Grant us a deep awareness of Your presence that goes with us, and let Your Spirit and Your Word dwell in us richly as we come to know You more and more.

A Tale of Consequences by Pastor Dave

2/17/2021

 
“After you have seen it (the Promised Land), you too will be gathered to your people, as your brother Aaron was, for when the community rebelled at the waters of the Desert of Zin, both of you disobeyed my command to honour me as holy before their eyes.”
Numbers 27: 13-14 The Lord speaking to Moses
 
Numbers 25-27 (Psalm 48)
 
Observe
  • The People of Israel whilst staying in Shittim, are seduced by the Moabites into idolatry, sexual sin and disobedience. Their sin has harsh consequences with what could be described as executions and death from the plague (24 000 in all!)
  • After the plague the Lord directs Moses to complete a census. The list is completed and a fair and equitable distribution of land/inheritance is directed. The Priestly tribe of the Levites were not counted amongst the others and they did not receive an inheritance
  • None of those who rebelled against the Lord in the wilderness were counted nor entered the Promised Land; only Caleb and Joshua who had demonstrated faith and belief in God
  • An inequality based on gender was resolved as female only descendants were also given the right of inheritance
  • Joshua is appointed and commissioned to succeed Moses; the latter not being able to enter the Promised Land because of his own disobedience
 
Interpret
     These chapters are a harsh reminder of the seriousness of sin and the consequences that come even with God’s grace. The people as a whole rebelled falling into sexual sin, idolatry and general disobedience. A whole generation die in the wilderness without the blessing of entering the Promised Land. A plague is seen as God’s judgement with the death of 24, 000. Moses and Aaron are not exempt, neither entering the Land. A census is taken identifying the next generation and those who will be blessed with a new home. Fairness and equality are the mark for an obedient community. Caleb and Joshua are honoured for their faith and obedience; the latter becoming the successor to Moses.
     The harshness of the punishment for and consequences of sin demonstrate its reality and the holiness of God. It also explains the price that Jesus paid to justify us by His self-sacrifice and our faith in Him. We see that even with forgiveness, which is utterly complete in Christ, sin damages situations, relationships and has consequences that need to be dealt with. Faith, trust and obedience, however, result in blessing and the power of God working in us to grow the community and glorify God. Identifying our calling under God and following His direction is a vital step in this life of faith as Joshua’s example illustrates.
 
Application
     There is real need for obedience to God born out of love for Him and empowered by His Holy Spirit within us. If caught in sin we need to genuinely repent and seek His forgiveness. In that forgiveness we know no condemnation and are utterly forgiven and justified. We may, though, need to live and deal with the aftermath of our sin (damage to relationships, healing of situations and so on). Discerning God’s call on our life requires eyes and hearts of faith as well as obedience.   
 
The Question of Application
     We each have a calling in God’s community the Church. What might God be calling you to, in His Church; are there any sins or consequences of sin that need to be dealt with first?    
 
Prayer
 Almighty Father, whose Son was revealed in majesty before He suffered death upon the cross: give us grace to perceive His glory and repentance to receive His pardon. Strengthen us that in this life, with blessing and suffering, we may be changed into His likeness to your glory. Amen
 
Praise
Only by Grace can we enter by WMTV Music

Numbers 22-24 (By Rev. Deacon Margaret Friesen)

2/16/2021

 
OBSERVATION
Characters:  Balaam, the donkey and Balak (king of Moab)

  • Balak, the king of Moab had observed over many days the huge Israeli army camped along its borders. He had heard of the Amorites’ defeat against Israel and was loath to go fight against these new enemies unless he would be assured victory. For this reason, he decided to consult with a prophet, a diviner, to curse Israel and to assure them victory against Israel.
  • When Balaam, the prophet (diviner) initially refused because God had not given him that type of message, the king offered more money. Apparently, Balaam had a hard time saying no to the king (and the money) because he negotiated extra time to “wait on God”. God’s message for Balaam to speak to the king, however, was clear. Balaam was to bless Israel for the God above all gods was with Israel.
  • Nevertheless, the prophet set out on his donkey to meet with the king. Then – we read about a real “Narnia-type” event. The donkey saw the angel of the Lord blocking the path and stopped immediately, even lay down in the road. What did Balaam do but beat on the donkey. Upon which, the donkey turned around to speak to his master Balaam. Telling him to look – the angel was blocking the road. Balaam was then finally brought to face the angel of God, to face God’s instructions.
  • Chapter 23 is all about Balaam trying to convince the king through multiple sacrifices that he could only speak what God gave him and it was all about blessing Israel; that ordinary magic could not speak against Almighty God.
  • Eventually, King Balak give Balaam permission to speak but begged him –if he could not curse Israel, could he, at least, not bless them. Alas, King Balak was to be disappointed once again. Not only did Balaam bless Israel, he prophesied the destruction of Moab , its neighbours and all of Assyria.
 
INTERPRETATION
  • These chapters of Scripture Numbers 22-24 would make a great little drama: Balaam the prophet, Balak the king, and the Donkey. How did a godly prophet find his way into a foreign land? Or How did a prophet in a foreign land know that the true God was speaking to him and not some foreign spirit? Perhaps he was a run-away Hebrew and married into a Moabite family; But God had not given him up. Perhaps his parents back in the Hebrew camps were praying that he would come back to the one true God.
  • Balak, the king of Moab, was convinced that if this prophet were to curse Israel, Moab would be victorious. The backstory questions I have are – I’m sure there were other prophets and diviners who would say the words Balak wanted to hear. Why did he not contact them? Why persist with the one prophet who spoke the words of Almighty and True God? Did he somehow recognize that the true God was with Balaam but not with the other diviners?
  • I am reminded of God’s words in 2Chronicles 16:9, “The eyes of the Lord search the whole earth in order to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.” Perhaps God directed the eyes of King Balak to Balaam. In turn, God directed Balaam’s eyes to God Himself. Thus, the prophecy that was delivered was a true prophecy from God.
 
APPLICATION
This scripture story is one of encouragement to Israel who might not see beyond their camp nor beyond their own leaders. They were always faced with possible failure to gain the land that God had promised to them. But God did not always tell them how this was to happen.
Another application of this scripture is:  Even though a loved son or daughter (like Balaam) appears to be completely lost to you and to God, God is still at work behind the scenes. Keep on praying for your loved ones who walked away from truth and salvation. God says, “I’m not willing that anyone dies without salvation—but that all will come to repentance.”
 
QUESTION
When did you last pray for your loved ones who have walked away from you and from God? How will you pray? Perhaps you are the one who has walked away? God is faithful, he will not leave you lost. You can come back to Jesus.
 
PRAYER
Our times are in your hands, oh God. Even though we cannot see what you are doing, show us how we can be part of your glorious work. Because we want to work with you, not against you. Amen.
 
SONG
Jesus Kind and Strong – Colin Buchanan
Your Will be Done—City Alight

​Fixing Our Eyes (By Chris Barnes)

2/15/2021

 
Text: Numbers 19-21

OBSERVE: As we read Chapter 21, we encounter a strange story about snakes. God had just given the Israelites victory over the Canaanites yet there was continued unrest. Instead of being content by God’s provision; instead, the Israelites became impatient about getting to the land God had promised to them and started grumbling once again against God and Moses. At this point God had enough of their complaining as we read: “So the Lord sent poisonous snakes among the people, and many were bitten and died” (Numbers 21: 6). The snakes had their intended effect and the people began to confess their sin. Then the Lord told Moses: “Make a replica of a poisonous snake and attach it to a pole. All who are bitten will live if they simply look at it!” Moses made a snake out of bronze and attached it to a pole. Then anyone who was bitten by a snake could look at the bronze snake and be healed! (Numbers 21: 8-9).

INTERPRET: It was this picture from the past that Jesus put before Nicodemus, a Pharisee who came to Jesus in the middle of the night. In their discussion that night, Jesus was less interested in explaining himself than in offering himself to Nicodemus who was seeking. Jesus wanted to impress on him the life-or-death decision he had to make. Jesus recalled the familiar story in the wilderness, saying, “As Moses lifted up the bronze snake on a pole in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, so that everyone who believes in him will have eternal life” (John 3: 14-15).

APPLICATION: Jesus wanted Nicodemus to understand that we, too, have been bitten. Not by a poisonous snake per say, but by the poison of sin. We too need a cure to break the curse or we face certain death. And just as God provided the cure for his people in the desert, so has he provided a cure for us today. But it is important to remember that this cure requires something of us. We have to look to Jesus.

Jesus invited Nicodemus to turn away from his learned ways of religiosity and self-righteousness and to look to him in repentance and dependence. This was a simple remedy, but one that required action. In its simplicity, this saving invitation often becomes a stumbling block to many. However, when we humble ourselves to look at Jesus lifted high on the cross, he breaks the power of the poison of sin and brings healing to our very souls.

REFLECTION / QUESTION: Are there any “snakes” in your life that you are trying to battle on your own? Are your eyes fixed on the cure?

PRAYER: JESUS, you have saved me and I will follow your voice through the darkest of days. I will continue to fix my eyes and heart on you.

SONG: Eyes Fixed (Phil Wickham)
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