"But the LORD said to Moses and Aaron, "Because you did not trust me enough to demonstrate my holiness to the people of Israel, you will no lead them into the land I am giving them!"
Numbers 19:12
Numbers 19:12
My Take Aways
Something Old:
God watches over, cares for, gives grace and mercy to His children in the wilderness even when the wilderness is a result of discipline.
Something New:
Numbers 21:4-9
The entire story of the bronze snake was something I did not remember from my other reading of the Bible.
Something to Do:
Pray for my leaders.
24 Comments:
good morning,
hey karen in basel, are you up yet? you are usually the 1st poster!! :)
i parrott wendy's thoughts on moses not talking back to God about this huge edict... not even a 'selah' after the passage...we just quickly move onto the next thing....???
not even a 'God, can we talk about this?' ?? moses talked God out of offing the isrealites SO MANY TIMES, when God wanted to wipe them out and just start over....i'm quite sure moses couldn've mounted a good arguement regarding his infraction, and swayed God's thinking...he'd done it multiple times before...???? not even a pout? (is this foreshadowing to Jesus on trial when 'He opened not His mouth', and didn't mount a defense against the charges brought against Him??)
this all makes me uncomfortable. if someone so moses-esque can mess up and miss out, i'm scared...i might as well throw in the towel now! i am much more grumbling isrealite-esque!! there's no chance for me.... BUT JESUS!!!!
praise the Lord, that i/we live under grace...there is no way i can even make it to breakfast without some infraction/judgement/ selfish thought or tone of voice... i deserve harsh judgement from the Lord, but thank HIM, i got a good 'stander in the gap', a good lawyer to plead my case...and i couldn't even afford Him or deserve Him....i guess He's the Public Defender!!
i'm still uncomfortable about moses, but i'm even more rejoicing about Jesus!
have a great weekend everybody,
amy jane
Wendy, you are amazing, serving us even when you are out of town and you've had a l o n g day of travel! Thank you, thank you ! I'm praying that you will be richly blessed this weekend, and that many hearts will come wide-open to hear your Spirit-filled words! All weekend long, "May the LORD show you his favor and give you his peace." May your family be safe, also.
My Old:
My heart was again sad this year as I read about the disobedience of our faithful leaders, Moses & Aaron. Moses started out ok, but shortly after, did not do what God’s Words told him to do. God said, “assemble the entire community…speak to the rock over there, and it will pour out its water: (20:10). But, Moses and Aaron called the people to come and gather at the rock, and stated, “Listen, you rebels!” he shouted. “Must we bring you water from this rock?” Then Moses raised his hand and struck the rock twice with the staff, and the water gushed out” (20:10 & 11). Moses and Aaron twisted the directions a tad bit! The rock was ‘struck’ rather than ‘spoken to.’ Unfortunately, again today, I can see myself doing this very same thing. Adding a tad-bit of drama to the situation! I know without a doubt that I would never have been as patient with those people, as these two faithful men were! I do believe God is after our total obedience. Just think what we are missing out on when we do a tad bit of our own thing!
My New: Another visual is described! A bronzed snake attached to pole. Surely, a tall snaked-pole would keep me from complaining-thoughts!!! I’m getting pretty good with complaining-free words…but, oh those thoughts! And, they are just as sinful!
My To Do: To know God, to hear God with wide-open ears, and to eagerly obey God. Every part – not just a tad of this and a bit of that! I see so clearly this year how it is the utmost importance to read God’s Word, every word of it, bit by bit, each day, all year long. That’s the only way we can even stay in His Will.
H a p p y F r i d a y, dear friends! Thank you for blessing me all week long! I love each and every one of you! Peace be with you, Lori
I was troubled by today's reading in similar ways that you mentioned, Amy Jane. I really didn't even see what Moses and Aaron had done wrong with the rock/water incident at first. And then I thought - well, that's not really a big deal! How many times do I disobey in big ways and justify it? Thank God for Jesus...
I have a prayer request for you all out there. My friend Blair's husband John is facing a challenge today. He has MS and some pretty serious heart problems. While he was in the hospital last month w/ heart problems, they discovered a mass on his pancreas. He's having surgery today to have that mass removed. I'd appreciate your prayers for John & Blair.
Wendy - have a wonderful weekend up north. I pray that you and the women who hear you are all blessed by God's spirit. Thank you for all that you do for us with this study. It is WONDERFUL!
Yay for Friday! Another week zips by.
I noticed that the Lord instructed Moses and Aaron to TAKE THE STAFF with them when they assembled the people. He instructs Moses to "speak" to the rock and the water will pour forth; but Moses "strikes" the rock instead which was disobeying God. Moses also says, "must WE bring you water from this rock?" taking God's credit. I wonder why God had them take the staff if they weren't to use it?
Regarding the bronze snake lifted up: Great parallel between a problem with snakes and a model snake that saves; and a problem with people and a model person who saves. (both lifted up high for the people to see)
Blessings in Wisconsin Wendy! May God's word and spirit flow thru you into the hearts and minds of the people.
Morgen
Good Friday morning everyone! TGIF!
I too was troubled with the repurcussions of Moses' and Aaron's unbelief. It got me to wonder - what are the repurcussions of my own unbelief? What am I missing out on because I don't put my whole trust in the Lord? I still want to be in control and somehow define the outcome. David Guzik's commentary put it this way: "Moses’ sinful attitude and action was rooted in unbelief. He didn’t really believe God when the LORD told him to speak to the rock and not to strike it. What Moses did was an unholy thing. He made God look no different than an angry man or one of the temperamental pagan gods. He did not reflect the heart and character of God before the people."
Wow, I never looked at it this way. I am not reflecting the heart and character of God before others when I am walking in unbelief.
Blessings to all. Wendy, I'll be praying for you and your time in Wisconsin...I know it will be a wonderful time in the Lord!
Diana
Midland, Texas
Blessed Friday and weekend to you all!
Praying for you this weekend, especially, Wendy!
I found Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary very helpful today -
..."We live in a wanting world, and wherever we are, we must expect to meet with something to put us out. It is a great mercy to have plenty of water, a mercy which, if we found the want of, we should more own the worth of. Hereupon they murmured against Moses and Aaron. They spake the same absurd and brutish language their fathers had done. It made their crime the worse, that they had smarted so long for the discontent and distrusts of their fathers, yet they venture in the same steps. Moses must again, in God's name, command water out of a rock for them; God is as able as ever to supply his people with what is needful for them. But Moses and Aaron acted wrong. They took much of the glory of this work of wonder to themselves; Must we fetch water? As if it were done by some power or worthiness of their own. They were to speak to the rock, but they smote it. Therefore it is charged upon them, that they did not sanctify God, that is, they did not give to him alone that glory of this miracle which was due unto his name. And being provoked by the people, Moses spake unadvisedly with his lips. The same pride of man would still usurp the office of the appointed Mediator; and become to ourselves wisdom, righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption. Such a state of sinful independence, such a rebellion of the soul against its Saviour, the voice of God condemns in every page of the gospel".
Hope that helps some of you too.
Love
Marianne
Hi Everybody..."Happy Friday!!"
Wendy happy to hear you made it safely. Blessings to you this weekend.
So blessed to have each and everyone of you...Wearing my braclet this week...I have caught myself not to complain.
Today a Wow!! Came to me….being raised on a family farm growing up the word “red heifer” caught my attention. Why a red heifer? Lead me to some searching....and filled with amazement how certain events lead us into the New testament.
Sacred Scripture In Our Life
The Red Heifer Sacrifice: We come to this very mysterious Old Testament sacrifice- that of the Red Heifer sacrifice. While somewhat mysterious to us today, this sacrifice played a most important role in the worship of the ancient Hebrew people.
My verse for today: Numbers 19:3, “Give it to Eleazar the priest, and it will be taken outside the camp and slaughtered in his presence.”
The red heifer was to be led, according to sacred Scripture, “outside the camp” by the High Priest (Numbers 19:3). It interesting that several of the Church Fathers saw this as a foreshadowing of Christ’s death outside of the walls of Jerusalem, where he was led to the place called Calvary, or Golgotha (John 19:20; Hebrews 13:12 in particular). As well, the “purifying water” (Numbers 19:17-19) was seen to be a tight of the cleansing waters applied during Baptism.
Verses seen put together:
John 19:20, Now many of the Jews read this inscription, because the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city, and it was written in Hebrew, Latin, and Greek.
Hebrews 13:12, Therefore, Jesus also suffered outside the gate, to consecrate the people by his own blood.
Numbers 19:17-19, For anyone who is thus unclean, ashes from the sin offering shall be put in a vessel, and spring water shall be poured on them. 18 Then a man who is clean shall take some hyssop, dip it in this water, and sprinkle it on the tent and on all the vessels and persons that were in it, or on him who touched a bone, a slain person or other dead body, or a grave.
If…the sprinkled ashes of a heifer sanctify the unclean unto the cleansing of the flesh, how much more will the blood of Christ…cleanse your conscience from dead works to worship the living God.” (Hebrews 9: 13-14).
To Do: Be in Prayer…
Today is “World Day of Prayer”…The world Day of Prayer is held each year on the first Friday in March. It is held in more than 170 countries and regions around the world.
PGIF
Rhonda
Good Morning all!
Wendy - praying for a blessed weekend for you and all at the event in WI, and for your family.
Kate -Lifting up John and Blair and his doctors.
My takeaways today:
1) Moses yells at the people in anger and hits the rock instead of speaking to IT. "Must WE bring you water from this rock?" Taking God's glory by stating that he and Aaron were providing the water. Our hearts need to be in the right place before we move forward in obedience ... or our "self" will get in the way and, as you said Lori .. add a tad bit of drama. Moses was the most humble man on the earth (Num 12:3) ...he was a friend of God and spoke face to face with Him...but our God is a holy and jealous God and He will not share his glory with another. No one, not even Moses, was set above his laws and decrees...He will forgive and always love, but He told them he will "not excuse the guilty." (Ex 34:6-7). Moses and Aaron were not killed instantly like Aaron's sons, nor did the earth swallow them up like it did Korah and the other rebels, but there was a consequence. Don't get me wrong ... I would have added "a tad bit of drama" long ago, thrown up my hands and stomped my feet.. and I am switching the blue bracelet from one wrist to the other MANY times a day! How thankful I am for Jesus and his atoning sacrifice! We are saved from the punishments we deserve.
2) Num 21:4-9 - The Israelites are headed back on the road to the Red Sea to go around Edom .. maybe angry at another detour ...and complain that there is no food or water "and we HATE this HORRIBLE manna!" Yikes! HOWEVER, when God sends snakes, for the first time, the Israelites say "We have sinned by speaking against the Lord and against you."
3) Num 21: 8-9 -The bronze snake that was lifted up on a pole so that all who looked upon it would live. A foreshadowing of Jesus being lifted up on the cross .. all who look to him and believe will have eternal life.
4) In Num 21:18 - THEN the Israelites LEFT the wilderness. Wow and finally - they are leaving the wilderness. Num 21:21-35 - God gives the Israelites victory over King Sihon and Og, and (v35) "THEN Israel occupied their land."
Have a blessed weekend!
Leslie
Wow this week went fast. Wendy, praying for you and those you are ministering to this weekend.
Grace and Peace--when I have done braiding I used cotton crochet thread. It makes a more delicate bracelet or could be used for a bookmark--you could add a charm to one end or just have tassels at both. I think you could use just acrylic yarn to make the bracelets.
all this week God has been dealing with me on disobedience--thinking I can do His job better, unforgiveness, and humility. I am so thankful for his GRACE and have been challenged from yesterday to get on my face before Him.
May God grace you all with His Shalom this weekend.
Good Morning All,
Wendy glad you are safe & sound in WI. Praying for each & every need.
Just as an aside, from today's reading. Several people have sent websites that can farther help us to understand Scripture. Many are wonder tools in helping to understand God's Word. Please, please before you read from these sites, pray that the Lord gives you discernment about them. One of them was very troubling to me. The Scripture quote on the site was incorrect! I checked 5 different translations & this scripture was out in out misquoted. Not only that, it was used in a way that was not scriptural. So please pray as you go onto any new site, that the Holy Spirit will give you wisdom in regard to the contents of the site.
Enjoy you weekend
Blessings & Peace, Mary
Wendy, saying prayers right now for you this weekend that God will pour out His Spirit upon you as you speak and upon the hearts of the women coming to the conference.
Kate- Praying for John and Blair right now as well.
I loved Wendy's point about victory in the wilderness today. This whole week as we read I have been feeling I am in that waiting time, the wilderness time praying for God's direction. Waiting can be hard. I know He will guide and I know that He will give me the strength to do all He asks.
Have a blessed Friday GIG!
Brandee, TN
May God bless you Wendy! May HE thank you as only HE can for your dedication to this study, and your worship this weekend.
May HE also care for your family in your absence. I know they will miss you, but not enough to mop while you are gone:P
Moses was a good man, blessed of God. I have to wonder, since Miriam died, if he wasn't angry. He hit the rock 2xs instead of speaking to it. WOW! Jesus was faithful on HIS promise to let the water flow anyway.
I feel sad to be like the Israelites, I need constant reminders of the grace and faithfulness of Jesus. I fall away from HIM when my life is easy.
Help me fall to the ground and ask for forgiveness. I don't want snakes!! I want to learn faster, so I don't have to have snakes in my face!!
Kate, special prayers for your friend. May God be with the family, as well.
Noni, thanks! I'll check out the yarn section later.
Praying for John's health challenges.
I didn't get to read the commentary last night because of a slight case of food poisoning but what I remember from the bible study I attended years ago from Dr. Bill Creasy re Moses and the rock was this:
Moses did not represent God correctly. I think someone mentioned that above - he portrayed God as an angry God. Another thing is that Moses already struck the rock the first time before. Jesus is our Rock. He was striken and died once and that was enough. In striking the rock again instead of speaking to it in this case, it was as if Jesus had to die over and over again. It was a misrepresentation of God which is a huge offense. That's why Moses could not enter the Promised Land. I suppose his anger got the better of him and he got tired of the constant complaining. I can't say I blame him but it just shows there are always consequences to our actions.
Have a blessed day, everyone!
Happy Friday everyone!
Wendy, praying for you and for those attending the weekend worship.
I was struck today by Miriam's death and how very little was mentioned. I know that she was the first of Moses' siblings to die. She showed so much courage in assisting Moses and she was chosen to lead the community in praise. But she was disgraced for her rebellion against Moses. Without our Savior, Jesus, I would certainly be disgraced not just once but many many times.
We're approaching the end of their journey through the desert since in Numbers 33:37 where there is again mention of Aaron's death... "This happened in midsummer on the first day of the fifth month of the fortieth year after Israel's departure from Egypt. Aaron was 123 years old when he died there on Mount Hor." Aaron joins his ancestors. What joy there will be when we enter the kingdom of God!
Love this journey everyone. Blessings for a wonderful weekend.
Betty
I am reading Jon Courson's commentary re Moses. He added this after citing the reasons Moses could not enter the Promised Land: "But God is so merciful and gracious that 1,500 years later, who stands on the Mount of Transfiguration in the Promised Land? Moses himself (Matt 17:3). God snuck him in! Oh, the grace and goodness of our God." I thought that was awesome because I really felt bad for Moses.
Thank You Wendy for you commitment to this study and the time you spend either at home or away. Thank You!
I have come to learn that I need to be in God's word everyday it is the most important thing I do with my day. (Agreeing with you Lori on my to do).The Obedient is a must.
Obedience=Blessing/Joy
Disobedience=Trouble.
Note-Lori in Phoenix, by chance was your maiden name Peters?
To Grace and Peace, Thank You for that added comment, I felt bad for Moses also. I love that: God snuck him in! To Cool!
Good Afternoon!
Ladies of the blue bracelets....Keep on keeping on! You will prevail!
Not from me but Jon Courson - the rod that Moses struck the rock with had been covered with blossoms and fruit. After striking a rock twice, what do we think happened to those "fruit and blossoms."?
My to do - because of my anger let me not lose my fruit and blossoms.
Amen and Amen.
Dixie in Florida
Hey, y'all! Wendy, glad you made it safely. Will cont to pray that God will give you wisdom and discernment as you minister to the ladies in WI. :)
I am praying for John's health challenges as well. My sister-in-law has MS and had an MS induced stroke 4 years ago, so I can empathize with the health issues that they are dealing with.
Girls, y'all have done some incredible research today. I had the same questions about what did Aaron and Moses exactly do to offend and anger God. It didn't click until I read you comments.
I DID remember the bronze snake, but not the part about the buds and blossoms...wow! This journey is simply amazing to me!
Time for carpool!
Enjoy this beautiful day!
Hugs!
Susan
I am totally out of the loop--what is the blue bracelet thing?? I remember doing one with a Beth Moore study yrs ago, but I am clueless! Someone please clue me in!! :)
Thanks!
Susan
Wendy, bless your heart, now you are traveling and ministering to us all online AND in person in Wisconsin. I pray for you the blessing that we read this week in Numbers 6 - May the Lord bless you and protect you, may the Lord's face radiate with joy because of you; may he be gracious to you, show you his favor and give you his peace. THANK YOU dear Wendy for your servant heart. And thank you to all who have commented - this study is an incredible, life changing blessing to me.
~Val
Hi Susan and Yahl -
Don't feel out of the loop as I will fill you in re the bracelets. On Tuesday I blogged about what our congregation did to remind us about our complaining. To summarize, our "bracelet" happened to be blue rubber. We placed it on one wrist and every time we voiced or even thought about complaining, it was moved to the other - the goal being 21 days without a complaint. Several women liked the idea and the next day's lesson was about the tassels on the corner of Jewish garments tied with a violet cord as a reminder to keep God's commands. Rhonda was going to make violet tassels to put around her home as a reminder and wear something on her wrist. Leslie wrote that in Beth Moore's study "Believing God"
she asked that blue yarn bracelets be worn as a reminder. Amy later asked if anyone had a way to come up with blue bracelet craft for Bible study girls. P&G found a bracelet locally. Noni shared a websiste to make a bracelet of yarn or crochet thread. I checked it out and it does look easy - even for someone who is "not a crafty lady". It even has two tassels on it! http://www.wonderhowto.com/how-to-braided-friendship-bracelets-159975/
This is a long blog for someone who doesn't blog much. I forgot to mention other GIGs who have commented and are doing this. I apologize.
I am delighted that this idea from our congregation in Cape Coral, Fl. is going all over!!!! The power of God's word via computer! And I was most hesitant to write that initial blog............
Keep on keeping on and leave off the judgment!
Dixie in Florida
Dear Grace and Peace,
Thanks for the reminder that it was Moses who stood on the Mount of Transfiguration!!!!! Wow!!! Isn't our God good?! That tid-bit just makes my day.
Love,
Nancy
Hi Debra ~ Nope, I was not a "Peters," before I married my handsome "Prince." :)
Hoping that John's operation was successful and that he is resting peacefully.
Continuing to pray for you, Nancy & Tom.
Mary, Thank you for keeping all of us pointed to God's Truth.
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