Numbers 25 – 27
Verse 25:4 is the retribution being handed down from God:
And Moses said to the judges of Israel, “Each of you kill those of his men who have yoked themselves to Baal of Peor.”
Once again a group of Israelites are worshiping other God’s and going outside their nation.They are nearing entering the Promised Land and still they drift. I read this and wonder if mankind can be restored ever! Think about it, they saw the Red Sea part, they saw the pillar of fire and smoke leading them, they experienced the plagues and yet they still drift. How can we today be expected to follow a God that when He does show Himself is quickly explained away by science or chance, if someone who walked on dry ground where there once was water can’t?
Granted we have the Holy Spirit to guide us, our faith is tried and tested differently than those who walked in the face of God. I am concerned about the way things are going with the acceptance of sin and debauchery in our churches. We question a lifestyle or an act and immediately get slammed for judging and have our own sins thrown back in our faces. What is right and what is wrong, I get lost so often these days also but pray we don’t get judged harshly by God.
Chapter 26 has a census being taken and in verse 26:62 they count the Levites:
And those listed were 23,000, every male from a month old and upwards. For they were not listed among the people of Israel, because there was no inheritance given to them among the people of Israel.
Then the leaders of the church used the “tithe” to live on and expected that to be the case until death. My uncle, father John, is a Catholic priest and currently lives in a home in Los Angeles. He never has owned much other than a car and a few items. The church took care of the ministers of the word. Many other denominations have drifted from this practice and often you see mega-churches where the preacher has very large land holdings. Am I saying one church has it right over another? No, but just wondering what is right in God’s eyes, or if both work?
Verse 27:18 has God preparing who will lead the people into the Promised Land:
the LORD said to Moses, “Take Joshua the son of Nun, a man in whom is the Spirit, and lay your hand on him.
Since God made it clear that Moses will not enter the Promised Land, He is preparing Joshua to lead them. Think about how many years it took to raise up Moses to lead the nation of Israel. God is not going to get to the Jordan and say “ok, Joshua take over!” He realizes that making Joshua capable of leading the people will take some time.
I often wonder if we jump too quickly into trying to lead before learning how to lead? I know I have often wanted more responsibility before I am ready and quickly get humbled. My company hired me as a junior engineer and with 30 years’ experience. I have just expected to get promoted the last few years without it coming, instead as I branch get a more “global” view of our product I realize how little I know about the other pieces. I have become an expert on a chunk, but not on the whole. Should I quit and look for greener pastures or work to become that leader I expect I should be? I think the answer lies in this story!