Week of October 11, 2009

 
Monday - Numbers, Chapter 26
1. This census was taken 500 years after God asked Abraham, a 75 year old man, to leave his country and travel a thousand miles to a new country. (Gen. 12:1-3)  He promised Abraham land and descendants.  Twenty five years later He was still childless. (Gen. 17). But God was Faithful to His promise, and these are his descendants. All of the first generation had died except for Caleb and Joshua, and this chapter begins with the new generation for the Promised Land. 
2. The census was taken to prepare the nation for their military responsibilities when entering Canaan, to possess their inheritance. (Vs. 2)

Tuesday - Numbers, Chapter 27
1. God gave Moses the basic laws of government, but there were times when he was not certain what to do, so he asked God for direction. That decision became the basis for future cases that were similar. (Vs. 5-11)  When we are uncertain regarding a situation, let us turn to God for the answer. If we truly want His impute, He will give it to us.
2. Joshua had godly qualities that enabled him as a spiritual leader. He was sensitive to the things of God. When Moses laid hands on him, he also received the Spirit of Wisdom.  (Vs. 18) See Deut. 34:9) Today, let us pray for God to give us the Spirit of Wisdom.

Wednesday - Numbers, Chapter 28
1. Burnt offering was offered twice a day, so the whole 24 hour period was dedicated to the worship of the Lord. (Vs. 1-8)  Let us begin worshipping the Lord day and night, even as we go about our day working, etc. Worship comes from within, it is an attitude of heart, which can spring forth verbally while alone, or in a corporate setting, or kept close to our heart.
2. Usually wine or oil was given as a sacrifice to honor God, and to express thankfulness. (Vs. 7)  Give God a sacrifice of praise today! Thank Him for all that He has done in your life. Honor Him with your giving.
3. Each period of time, day, week, month, is committed to the Lord as an act of worship. (Vs. 11-15) Let us be always be aware of the presence of the Lord, and draw near to Him in prayer each day.
4. Any animal offered to God had to be perfect. Only a clean animal could symbolize the purity that a holy God demanded. Anything less would mean that the worshiper was not giving his best sacrifice to Him. (Vs. 31) Jesus became the perfect Sacrifice, once and for all. He was the Spotless Lamb, sinless, pure in every way.

Thursday - Numbers, Chapter 29
1. The day of blowing of the trumpets announced the beginning of a new agricultural year. (Vs. 1-6)
2. The Day of Atonement is considered the most holy day of the year. Fasting was demanded for those seeking forgiveness of sins. (Vs. 7)
3. The Feast of Tabernacles commemorated Israel's wandering in the wilderness and the end of the harvest. This was a holy assembly and the Israelites lived in booths of palm trees to remember the wilderness wandering. (Vs. 12-39) This is also called the Feast of Booths.

Friday - Numbers, Chapter 30
1. When the Israelites wanted to show their love and devotion to God, they did it with vows and pledges. This was above what God required of them, and it usually was a promise to deny themselves of something. There was no release of these vows. (Vs. 2) Jesus cautioned against reinforcing our promises to God with vows. (Matt. 5:33-37) Demonstrating our love for God should be a lifestyle of devotion, not something we just offer at times.
2. Women had to have their vows authorized by men because if a husband or father had to go to war, she had to be free to make decisions that would affect the family. God. (Vs. 3 - 16)

Saturday - Numbers, Chapter 31
1. The Midianite women prompted the war by seducing the men of Israel into idolatry and immorality. In retaliation Israel spared only the virgins of Midian, those who had nothing to do with the seduction. (Vs. 18) Let us know God's Word and be firm in our belief. Stand firm and be steadfast!