Friday, February 19, 2010
February 20 ... Numbers 21 - 22 "Awakened out of relief or passion"
Numbers 21:6-7 - The people complained more about God and Moses. And God sent poisonous snakes. I wonder what people do with verses like this one? I am so moved that God demands our holiness. So drawn to a good God this day. These people wanted relief from the consequences of their sin not cause they had rebelled against a holy God. Do I awaken out of relief or passion for God? I am somber after reading this and thinking about some things happening in my world. I love HIM so and don't want to miss Him as I walk through life each day.
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So true, wise Bev.
ReplyDeleteSo much in this passage of scripture. As I step back and look at the panoramic view of these two chapters:
*more whining
*they despised the wandering
*wished to die
*God obliged
*sent a cure
*if they would only look to the cure
*they would be saved
*war
*victory
*the greatest enemy arises--Baal (another word for satan)
*a holy man sent to curse them
*a donkey warns
*a holy man can only bless them
---Balaam answered,
"Balak son of Zippor, king of Moab, sent them with a message:
'Look, the people that came up out of Egypt are all over the place! Come and curse them for me. Maybe then I'll be able to attack and drive them out of the country.'"
God said to Balaam, "Don't go with them. And don't curse the others—they are a blessed people."
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Wilderness wanderings have taken a huge toll on these people, but they are His. He provides for them and protects them. He blesses them. Even against the greatest enemy.
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Thank you, Bev and Deborah! Love what both of you said. Today's readings got a bit confusing for me. Maybe I need more coffee and read it again. I had to open up 66 Love Letters. Dr. Larry Crabb made it simple. "But know this: I only kill to resurrect. Everything in you that's bad I destroy in order to release everything in you that's good."
ReplyDeletexoxo
All I could think of as I read these chapters was God is all around me and in me and yet I still can be so deaf and blind to the obvious especially as described in chapter 22.
ReplyDeleteI praise God for His continued Amazing Grace and Mercy in giving me more than one opportunity to recognize His Holiness and make the right choice to Choose God and His Holiness as I live my daily life.
Blessed be the name of Elohim, God Almighty, Jehovah God. There is no one like Jehovah.
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ReplyDeleteThe bronze snake and the golden calf seem like similar stories. Yet one was provision and one was idol. So, I ask what was the difference? God was with one of them. How do I know the difference this day? God is with one choice and not another. God is with only one choice. In that one Choice holds every provision; in all the others, betrayal. Lord, give us eyes to see and willing hearts to choose wisely...even when donkeys have to tell us Your Perfect Will for our lives.
ReplyDeleteI need a donkey like that...
ReplyDeleteExcellent point, Annette. I hadn't made the connection between the snake and the golden calf until I read your comment. Thank you for that.
ReplyDeleteThere certainly was a lot in this reading, but my tired brain is only registering one thing. It's amazing to me how quickly the Israelites have turned into disobedient children. They had incredible experiences with God - parting of the Red Sea, following the Cloud, provision of manna, seeing the ground open up and swallow whole families, etc.
God is reminding me that spiritual victories or experiences with God do not guarantee my fellowship with Him forever. It's a day by day choice to follow Him. No resting on laurels of what I've been or done in the past. Where am I with my Lord TODAY? That's the only question that matters for me.
Pretty profound Annette!
ReplyDeleteThe panoramic view Deborah is priceless!
Sylvia's song always sings the supernatural!
Cici shows up true to her humble holy self!
And Ang, so genuine and such good stirring in you!
Always a joy to read your hearts!
You put words to my experiences.