It Worked Last Time!

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 not lead them into the land I am giving them!” [Numbers 20.12] 

Should it not cause us to question why God told Moses and Aaron to specifically speak to the rock, and not strike it for water to come out?

In consistency with all God had done up to that point, we should not be surprised that God "mixed things up" a bit because God honors obedience above sacrifice. Obedience makes the distinction between those who are God's and those who are not. If we simply do things the same way because "it worked the last time," then we are not really obeying but instead mindlessly repeating ourselves.

Some time following Moses' and Aaron's failure to make the distinction of obeying God, the people of Israel once again sinned against God and we have the introduction of the bronze snake on a pole. Here it must be understood that God Himself instructed Moses to make the bronze snake:

Then the people of Israel set out from Mount Hor, taking the road to the Red Sea to go around the land of Edom. But the people grew impatient with the long journey, and they began to speak against God and Moses. “Why have you brought us out of Egypt to die here in the wilderness?” they complained. “There is nothing to eat here and nothing to drink. And we hate this horrible manna!” So the LORD sent poisonous snakes among the people, and many were bitten and died. Then the people came to Moses and cried out, “We have sinned by speaking against the LORD and against you. Pray that the LORD will take away the snakes.” So Moses prayed for the people. Then the LORD told him, “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!” So 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 21.4-9]

Yes, the bronze snake on a pole was God's idea. Moses and Israel obeyed God and it resulted in healing the people. But, that is not the end of the story... God's miracle was also a test. Let's look ahead to King Hezekiah:

He did what was pleasing in the LORD’s sight, just as his ancestor David had done. He removed the pagan shrines, smashed the sacred pillars, and cut down the Asherah poles. He broke up the bronze serpent that Moses had made, because the people of Israel had been offering sacrifices to it. The bronze serpent was called Nehushtan. [2 Kings 18.3-4]

The very same snake on a pole that Moses had made in obedience to God for a distinct time and place became an idol to Israel! Instead of getting fresh revelation and direction from God, the people operated in rebellious repetition instead of distinguishing obedience. They did the same thing Moses did to strike the rock: he went into "repetition mode" instead of distinguishing "obedience mode."

What Moses did in striking the rock (instead of simply speaking to it) to produce water effectively made an idol of a "stick" used to strike the rock. As much as I can tell, that particular staff (Aaron's staff of priestly authority) was never again used in the performance of miracles. Coincidence? Not likely. Why? Because God is a jealous God and He wants us to hang on His every word in distinguishing obedience (holiness) and not simply repeat ourselves in rebellious independence of Him. That's how God, Whose name is Jealous (Exodus 34.14), works.

We should now then consider Jesus.

So Jesus explained, “I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself. He does only what he sees the Father doing. Whatever the Father does, the Son also does. [John 5.19]

The reason Jesus performed miracles in such a variety of ways was because He was only doing what the Father God by the Holy Spirit was showing Him right then and right there. Every miracle Jesus performed was fresh from God and never a mindless "repeat" of what He'd done before. This proved Jesus' obedience. With every miracle, Jesus demonstrated the distinction of God's way and not His own. This is significant. This is holiness. Holiness distinguishes between those who are God's and those who are not, and it has everything to do with obedience.

In further consideration of Jesus then, we are faced with no uncertain, distinct terms of obedience:

If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me. [Matthew 16.24 (also, Mark 8.34 & Luke 9.23)]

It would seem then that my repetition of what worked previously, independent of fresh direction from the Holy Spirit, is the gateway to idolatry and rebellion. Ouch.

Father, my "own way" (my un-holiness) could quite possibly be my repetition. May I be found forsaking my own way, taking up my cross and following Jesus with no expectation of doing anything in a way that "worked previously." So be it.

Show me the right path, O LORD; point out the road for me to follow. Lead me by your truth and teach me, for you are the God who saves me. All day long I put my hope in you. [Psalm 25.4-5]

Who's The Boss?

One day Korah son of Izhar, a descendant of Kohath son of Levi, conspired with Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab, and On son of Peleth, from the tribe of Reuben. They incited a rebellion against Moses, along with 250 other leaders of the community, all prominent members of the assembly. They united against Moses and Aaron and said, “You have gone too far! The whole community of Israel has been set apart by the LORD, and he is with all of us. What right do you have to act as though you are greater than the rest of the LORD’s people?” When Moses heard what they were saying, he fell face down on the ground. Then he said to Korah and his followers, “Tomorrow morning the LORD will show us who belongs to him and who is holy. The LORD will allow only those whom he selects to enter his own presence. [Numbers 16.1-5] 

For years I have read this with the idea that this passage is about "spiritual authority." Today, I am not so sure...

In context of the Bible and its progression to this point, God had been distinguishing between who was His and who was not. This was really showcased in Israel's exodus from Egypt. Over and again, God declared His intent to make a distinction between who was His and who was not.

Then, as is seen in the passage above, when Moses and Aaron responded to Korah, Dathan and Abiram, his response wasn't about "who's the boss" but about who belongs to God and who does not - which is much more serious than "who's in charge."

As was seen in Korah, Dathan and Abiram (and then some of the people who followed their rebellion), the penalty for not being "holy" was death. The penalty for not being God's was annihilation. Interestingly enough, it was a "natural disaster" (the ground opening up) and then a plague of sickenss that carried out the death sentence upon the unholy ones.

Could it have been a sheer coincidence that the ground opened up at just the moment Moses said it would? Sure. Could it have been purely a coincidence that a deadly plague broke out upon the people when it did? Sure. Could it have been a coincidence that the plague stopped at the very moment Aaron stood between the people? Sure. BUT! Should we not understand that it was a natural disaster and sickness that killed the people? Shouldn't we see that it was a natural disaster and sickness that distinguished between who was God's and who was not? Do we not see that these deadly curses are indeed the prescribed punishments for disobedience to God (confirmed later in Deuteronomy 28)?

And yet today, we give no thought whatsoever to the distinction being made by these exact same natural disaster and sickness curses when we encounter them. Instead, we mitigate them with insurance, medicine, and, ...oh yeah, religious prayer - without a moment's consideration of what Moses and Aaron did... Look at verse 4 from the passage above:

When Moses heard what they were saying, he fell face down on the ground. [Numbers 16.4]

Moses and Aaron did not stick out their chests and demand subservience from the people. They fell on their faces before God in repentance and intercession. They knew a "distinction" was about to be made between who was God's and who was not - and it was not going to be pretty.

So, what do we do with our natural disasters and sicknesses? We do the same thing the world does: call our insurance agent or go to the doctor. Instead of resorting to repentance and intercession eliciting the distinction of God's blessings, we mitigate the curses with man-made solutions.

Is it any wonder Jesus laid out such a "distinct" gauntlet?

If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me. [Matthew 16.24 (also, Mark 8.34 & Luke 9.23)]

The curses upon Korah, Dathan and Ibiram are the same curses today. These "natural disaster" and "sickness" curses make the same distinction today between those who are God's (who have given up their own way, taken up their cross and followed Jesus) and those who are not.

I am afraid we missed the point regarding Korah's story... It's much deeper than just "Who's the boss?".

Father, help us to see that there is indeed a "distinction" between who are Yours and who are not. Forgive us for all our religious interpretations of Your Word that deny the distinctions made by curses past and present. May those who are Yours truly be distinguished from those who are not. So be it.

Salvation - An Illusion?

And if the LORD is pleased with us, he will bring us safely into that land and give it to us. It is a rich land flowing with milk and honey. [Numbers 14.8] 

There is little that I would add today to the 2024 article "In Christ" Is So Important. 

What stands out to me today is the phrase if the LORD is pleased with us. I am reminded that there is only one thing that yields God's pleasure: faith.

And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him. [Hebrews 11.6]

Obviously, "faith" is clearly defined as "faith in God" (that He exists and rewards those who sincerely seek Him). The qualification of believing God exists and rewards those who sincerely seek Him sets the contrast for what does not please God: believing idols exist and that they reward those who seek them.

Just get ready... this is going to get uncomfortable.

The first three of the Ten Commandments are meaningless unless we understand that God is a jealous God. The 2nd Commandment gives clarity:

You must not make for yourself an idol of any kind or an image of anything in the heavens or on the earth or in the sea. You must not bow down to them or worship them, for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God who will not tolerate your affection for any other gods. I lay the sins of the parents upon their children; the entire family is affected—even children in the third and fourth generations of those who reject me. But I lavish unfailing love for a thousand generations on those who love me and obey my commands. [Exodus 20.4-6]

"God and..." doesn't cut it with God. He is unwilling to share His glory (the glory of being our one and only God) with anything or anyone else. Ninety-nine percent faith in God and one percent faith in idols does not please God. He is either "all pleased" or "not pleased at all." This "all or none" demand is clearly repeated by God-in-the-flesh, Jesus:

If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me. [Matthew 16.24 (also, Mark 8.34 & Luke 9.23)]

Any time man today uses the phrase "God uses..." to defend something of man's own device, he has inadvertently identified an idol. This understanding clearly sheds light on a plethora of idols in modern society! These idols may be categorized in four broad groups: debt, insurance, medicine and technology. These four groups account for the wholesale violation of the 2nd Commandment (no idols) and, every time man defensively declares "God uses..." these man-made remedies, he tags on violation of the 3rd Commandment (misusing God's name) as well. God's Word is clear on the truth of this. It is man who is unclear - God's Word shines brightly and declares loudly on the subject, but man's eyes are blind and his ears are deaf. They have been made blind and deaf by man-made idols:

Their idols are merely things of silver and gold, shaped by human hands. They have mouths but cannot speak, and eyes but cannot see. They have ears but cannot hear, and noses but cannot smell. They have hands but cannot feel, and feet but cannot walk, and throats but cannot make a sound. And those who make idols are just like them, as are all who trust in them. [Psalm 115.4-8]

The idols of the nations are merely things of silver and gold, shaped by human hands. They have  mouths but cannot speak, and eyes but cannot see. They have ears but cannot hear, and mouths but cannot breathe. And those who make idols are just like them, as are all who trust in them. [Psalm 135.15-18] 

How can man so blindly and deafly presume that God is pleased with him when he adamantly holds to and defends man-made idols? Here's a hint: he can't. God is NOT pleased with man's idolatry regardless what man calls it. It's not man's "call" anyway (see Commandments 1-3 and Jesus' "follow Me" demands).

You know, we could think we were okay "in Christ" if only the Ten Commandments demanded singular, undivided faith. But the fact that Jesus demanded we must give up our own way and take up our cross to follow Him confirms that God is just as adamant about singular, undivided faith today as ever.

"Faith" that does not proactively turn away (repent) from idols is no faith at all in God's eyes. And, if there is no faith, then God is not pleased. If God is not pleased, then there is no salvation (regardless what we think or want to believe) - it is simply an illusion. Jesus said "give up your own way..." Idols are the way of man - solutions made by and for himself to meet needs God jealously said He would take care of. If we do not give up our idols, we cannot be followers of Christ. God in His Word simply (but adamantly) does not allow it.

Father, I know we can "ask for forgiveness" all day long. But as long as we defiantly refuse to "turn away from" our idols to follow Jesus, salvation is just a religious illusion. May those who truly wish to follow Jesus (myself included) genuinely forsake all (giving up their own way and taking up their cross) to follow Him. So be it.

The 1st Commandment - It Makes The Difference

But Caleb tried to quiet the people as they stood before Moses. “Let’s go at once to take the land,” he said. “We can certainly conquer it!” But the other men who had explored the land with him disagreed. “We can’t go up against them! They are stronger than we are!” [Numbers 13.30-31] 

Genuine 1st Commandment faith in God alone makes the difference in how we see every situation in life. At least, it should.

If we do not see every life situation as Caleb did, we fall into 2nd Commandment violation - idolatry.

If we do not see every life situation as Caleb did, and violate the 2nd Commandment, we attempt to excuse our sin of idolatry by misusing God's name - defending our idols as "gifts from God" in open verbal violation of the 3rd Commandment.

In summary, if we do not see every life situation as Caleb did, we disregard every single one of the "Godward" Commandments (the first three).

Now, what gave Caleb the audacity to see the Promised Land situation the way he did? Had he not seen what the others saw? He indeed saw what they saw, but not how they saw it because his response actually acknowledged the obstacles and he still said “We can certainly conquer it!” 

Ready for this? The giants Caleb saw and the giants the others saw were different giants...

Caleb simply saw the giants and fortitude of Canaan through the eyes of undeserved grace based on other previous physical obstacles (like the Red Sea) that presented no deterrent to God - and, therefore His people - whatsoever. The others saw the giants through the eyes of condemnation, knowing they had just failed miserably in their ingratitude for manna and their impatience and lust for meat. No doubt, they knew God could conquer Canaan, but doubted that He would.

Consequently, if we do not see every life situation as Caleb did, we, violating the first three Commandments unchecked, inadvertently digress to violate the 4th Commandment by underestimating the complete spiritual rest - the complete spiritual reset that is the Sabbath, that is Jesus Christ.

The story of Caleb here is the story of undeserved grace foretold by Caleb's understanding of God's character that conquers not only the obstacles of life but also the obstacle of living in sin and its condemnation. Caleb saw Jesus in God's promises and acted accordingly.

Condemnation does not cause us to doubt God's power to do mighty miracles, but to doubt God's power to completely forgive. We don't so much have a problem today knowing God can do miracles on our behalf but that God will do miracles on our behalf. We overwhelmingly misunderstand the Sabbath Rest - the complete reset - that is Jesus Christ. 

God's people totally underestimate the effect of genuine "belief" that follows genuine "repentance." If we "run this up the flagpole" of the Ten Commandments, we see that failure to see Jesus in the Sabbath (violating the 4th Commandment) is the result of misusing God's name justifying our idolatry (violating the 3rd Commandment) which is the result of actually embracing idols (violating the 2nd Commandment) which is the result of not trusting and serving God alone (violating the 1st Commandment).

As seen in the Israelite scouting party failure, a lax attitude regarding the 1st Commandment set Israel up to digress into violation of the 2nd Commandment (idolatry), starting with the idolatry of self-condemnation... the first idol that stands between us and God's undeserved grace leading us to all manner of idolatry following - doubting God's miraculous power on our behalf, leading us to make remedies for ourselves, and consequently (albeit mistakenly) consoling ourselves that our man-made remedies are God's doing.

Knowing our digression described above, God strategically placed the 4th Commandment right where it needed to be to show us Jesus. The 4th Commandment takes us back to the 1st Commandment, but in the person of Jesus Christ Who, in 1st Commandment singularity of commitment, said:

If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me. [Matthew 16.24 (also, Mark 8.34 & Luke 9.23)]

And,

I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me. [John 14.6] 

It is not surprising that Jesus would say this because:

...this is how [1st Commandment] God loved the world: He gave his one and only [4th Commandment] Son, so that everyone who believes in him [observes 4th Commandment God as 1st Commandment God] will not perish but have eternal life. God sent his Son into the world not to judge [condemn as per 2nd or 3rd Commandment warnings] the world, but to save the world through him. “There is no judgment [2nd or 3rd Commandment condemnation] against anyone who believes in him. But anyone who does not believe in him [in violation of 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Commandments] has already been judged for not believing in God’s one and only Son. [John 3.16-18 with explanation in []'s]

The 1st Commandment is where is all starts. The 1st Commandment makes the difference.

Jesus, Whom the 4th Commandment foreshadows, is how we fulfill the 1st Commandment.

So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. And because you belong to him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death. The law of Moses was unable to save us because of the weakness of our sinful nature. So God did what the law could not do. He sent his own Son in a body like the bodies we sinners have. And in that body God declared an end to sin’s control over us by giving his Son as a sacrifice for our sins. He did this so that the just requirement of the law would be fully satisfied for us, who no longer follow our sinful nature but instead follow the Spirit. [Romans 8.1-4]

It is only when we comprehend this that we can believe what the apostle Paul went on to write in Romans 8 and what Caleb believed long before Paul even wrote it.

What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us? Since he did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won’t he also give us everything else? Who dares accuse us whom God has chosen for his own? No one—for God himself has given us right standing with himself. Who then will condemn us? No one—for Christ Jesus died for us and was raised to life for us, and he is sitting in the place of honor at God’s right hand, pleading for us. Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? (As the Scriptures say, “For your sake we are killed every day; we are being slaughtered like sheep.”) No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us. And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.  [Romans 8.31-39]

Caleb did not lament, "If only we a nuclear bomb..." Instead, Caleb's faith was firmly in the unmistakable, indisputable power of God - for forgiveness, and therefore, for victory.

Father, may every person who reads this article today "see" Jesus all through it. May we all trust Jesus alone in repentance for our idolatry. May we intentionally and methodically rid our lives of idols and every self-motivated thought so that we might fulfill Your 1st Commandment as we give up our own way, take up our cross, and follow Jesus. So be it.

Discrepancies, Discrepancies...

They marched for three days after leaving the mountain of the LORD, with the Ark of the LORD’s Covenant moving ahead of them to show them where to stop and rest. As they moved on each day, the cloud of the LORD hovered over them. And whenever the Ark set out, Moses would shout, “Arise, O LORD, and let your enemies be scattered! Let them flee before you!” And when the Ark was set down, he would say, “Return, O LORD, to the countless thousands of Israel!” [Numbers 10.33-36] 

There seems to be a discrepancy between Numbers 10 (from today's One Year Chronological Bible reading) and Numbers 2.

In fact, there seems to be a discrepancy in the very context of the Numbers 10 passage above. Just before this passage stating that the Ark of the Covenant led the way showing Israel where to stop and rest (camp), Moses is on record just before that statement of asking his brother-in-law to guide them where to camp.

One day Moses said to his brother-in-law, Hobab son of Reuel the Midianite, “We are on our way to the place the LORD promised us, for he said, ‘I will give it to you.’ Come with us and we will treat you well, for the LORD has promised wonderful blessings for Israel!” But Hobab replied, “No, I will not go. I must return to my own land and family.” “Please don’t leave us,” Moses pleaded. “You know the places in the wilderness where we should camp. Come, be our guide. If you do, we’ll share with you all the blessings the LORD gives us.” [Numbers 10.29-32]

It should also be understood that Numbers 2 gives an order in which the tribes and groups of Israel should proceed when they moved that is different than what Numbers 10 states. In Numbers 2.1-31, God tells Moses that first, the tribes of Judah, Issachar and Zebulun are to lead out followed second by the tribes of of Reuben, Simeon and Gad:

So the total of all the troops on Reuben’s side of the camp is 151,450. These three tribes will be second in line whenever the Israelites travel. Then the Tabernacle, carried by the Levites, will set out from the middle of the camp. All the tribes are to travel in the same order that they camp, each in position under the appropriate family banner. [Numbers 2.16-17]

This is not the order Israel traveled in! Numbers 10 states a different order:

Then the Tabernacle was taken down, and the Gershonite and Merarite divisions of the Levites were next in the line of march, carrying the Tabernacle with them. Reuben’s troops went next, marching behind their banner. Their leader was Elizur son of Shedeur. [Numbers 10.17-18] 

So, what do we do with these discrepancies? Both accounts validate themselves as follows:

Then the LORD gave these instructions to Moses and Aaron... [Numbers 2.1] 

When the people set out for the first time, following the instructions the LORD had given through Moses... [Numbers 10.13] 

The first thing to understand is that God Himself made no mention of these discrepancies. And, that is also the last thing to understand: God Himself made no mention of these discrepancies.

Although the Numbers 2 details and the Numbers 10 details differ, we must understand that Biblical translation is no easy task in itself. That, coupled with the known fact that Numbers 2 and Numbers 10 are clearly recorded from different perspectives (Numbers 2 more focused on the tribes themselves, and Numbers 10 more focused on the Levitical roles with trumpets), makes it easy to see that the rules for moving and the logistics of moving still accomplish the same thing. Could we argue that this is still a big deal? Yes, we could, but, in times of uncertainty, we can rest assured that God's response (or lack thereof) tells all we need to know.

As far as Moses wanting his brother-in-law to show them where to camp... well, the brother-in-law apparently did not guide them, so, if we see anything from this event, it should be that Moses was indeed human. Could there have been some initial confusion about the Ark leading the way? It is possible since there were over 600,000 men plus women and children (not to mention enormous flocks and herds to be moved). And again, God is silent on Moses' action here (unlike God's unmistakable rebuke of Moses later concerning his striking the rock for water when God specifically said "speak" to the rock).

Does this still give me reason for pause? Absolutely! I will be paying attention elsewhere in the Bible for any mention of this topic to see if there is some explanation other that what I have concluded here. It's called "reading the Bible." I have never added another year of reading the Bible through that I did not "see something" I had missed in previous readings.

The one thing that has helped me the most in reading the Bible is to constantly look for Jesus. Whether it is Old Testament shadows of Jesus or New Testament revelations of Jesus, I am looking for Jesus.

I cannot say I "found Jesus" in today's OYCB reading, but, I am confident that He is indeed there and I will eventually find Him there one of these times through! In fact, just writing these words makes me remember that Jesus seemed to bring all manner of discrepancies in the eyes of religious people... Could that be the very "shadow of Jesus" contained in Numbers 2 and 10?

I have indeed written articles in the past stating my disdain for Bible "discrepancies" making no uncertain demands that answers needed to be produced! However, as I continue to read the Bible with an open heart to God, I am finding my "demands" are turning to "revelations of Christ" and I am overwhelmed - even embarrassed of my previous arrogance...

Father, thank You for Your Word - whether I understand it "today" or not. May I approach Your Word every time I read it with a heart fully open and submitted to You. Please continue to reveal Jesus to me on every page. So be it.

Stop Provoking God's Jealousy

The LORD gave these instructions to Moses: “Command the people of Israel to remove from the camp anyone who has a skin disease or a discharge, or who has become ceremonially unclean by touching a dead person. This command applies to men and women alike. Remove them so they will not defile the camp in which I live among them.” So the Israelites did as the LORD had commanded Moses and removed such people from the camp. [Numbers 5.1-4] 

The articles Health Is A Touchy Subject and Mechanics of Redemption were written in 2016 and 2017 respectively. Ten years later, I stand by the understanding explained in those articles.

For such a delicate topic, why would anyone take their health to a doctor or medicine? For all the Bible passages that attribute health and healing uniquely to God, should it not at very least intrigue us that in this day's same One Year Chronological Bible reading that the topic of jealousy is addressed (Numbers 5.11-31)? 

The most compelling of all the passages that discuss healing is this one:

He said, “If you will listen carefully to the voice of the LORD your God and do what is right in his sight, obeying his commands and keeping all his decrees, then I will not make you suffer any of the diseases I sent on the Egyptians; for I am the LORD who heals you.” [Exodus 15.26]

If "I am the LORD who heals you" is also "I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God" should we not give pause before going to a doctor or taking a pill?

You must not make for yourself an idol of any kind or an image of anything in the heavens or on the earth or in the sea. You must not bow down to them or worship them, for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God who will not tolerate your affection for any other gods. I lay the sins of the parents upon their children; the entire family is affected—even children in the third and fourth generations of those who reject me. But I lavish unfailing love for a thousand generations on those who love me and obey my commands. [Exodus 20.4-6]

I realize this pops a religious bubble big-time and may hurt a lot of feelings, but Jesus NEVER refused to heal anyone sending them to a doctor instead! Don't take my word for it, go ahead and look... the time in the Word will be well-spent.

If God forgives all my sins, why would I turn to anything or anyone else for salvation? Wouldn't that provoke God to jealousy?

If God heals all my diseases, why would I turn to anything or anyone else for health? Wouldn't that provoke God to jealousy?

He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases. [Psalm 103.3]

Obviously, "faith movement" people promote healing and provision (as I do in this article), but few (if any, really) produce indisputable miracles like Jesus. They do typically produce an abundance of emotion, but, clearly distinguishable, indisputable, unexplainable miracles of healing and provision are NOT the predictable and regular "norm" as it was with Jesus. We say we believe Jesus saves and heals, but, if clearly distinguishable, indisputable, unexplainable miracles of healing and provision (that are seen) are not our reality, how can really think (believe) that salvation (that is unseen) is any more real (just asking for a friend)?

If we are not feeling very "healed" and so the Church, suggesting God uses medicine, promotes the world's doctors and medicine, should not the same Church, when encountering those who don't feel very "saved" consistently suggest a worldly solution? (Again, just asking for a friend)

This would be an entirely different conversation if Jesus had not said:

I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father. You can ask for anything in my name, and I will do it, so that the Son can bring glory to the Father. Yes, ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it! [John 14.12-14]

What I am pondering here is, what if our worldly solutions, that we claim are from God, are really just idols? Wouldn't that do the trick of really provoking God to jealous anger? Who, do we think, would promote such a circumstance?

For you are the children of your father the devil, and you love to do the evil things he does. He was a murderer from the beginning. He has always hated the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, it is consistent with his character; for he is a liar and the father of lies. [John 8.44] 

What do we do then? We STOP provoking God's jealousy! We turn away from every idol (that means "repent") and turn only to God (Whose very name is Jealous - Exodus 34.14).

But, until we recognize, from passages like Numbers 5.1-4, that God distinguishes sickness as "not His" and therefore should be removed from the camp (His people), then there is little likelihood that God will move in any kind of notable (clearly distinguishable, indisputable, unexplainable) power among us today.

It might be concluded then that the Church today has a lot of repenting (turning away) to do!

Father, this "elephant-in-the-room" subject has been ignored far too long. May Your people understand that You make a distinction between those who are Your people and those who are not. Help us to see that "health" is just one of those distinctions. Forgive us for all our "playing church" while our lives are observably no different that those of worldly people. Forgive us for provoking Your jealousy as effortlessly as we breathe. May Your Holy Spirit, through the presentation of Your Word, draw us to genuine and thorough repentance... And may our lives demonstrate everything Jesus demonstrated. So be it.

Jesus In Numbers

So the total of all the troops on Judah’s side of the camp is 186,400. These three tribes are to lead the way whenever the Israelites travel to a new campsite. [Numbers 2.9] 

There is much more to the arrangement and order of the tribes of Israel than meets the eye. I am certain that as time goes on for a dedicated reader of God's Word, that more and more will be revealed with each reading. Such has been the case for me.

While Leviticus and Numbers certainly present their challenges for such revelation, they should never be discounted as "revelation-less." In fact, I believe time and dedication of reading these two books in particular will reveal some of the most profound revelation in the Bible.

Until then, I found the passage above to contain an interesting bit of information. When Israel moved from place to place, it was Judah's side of the camp (Judah, Issachar, and Zebulun) that led the way. What do we know about Judah, Issachar and Zebulun? Perhaps the best place to start is their own father's words over them before he died:

“Judah, your brothers will praise you. You will grasp your enemies by the neck. All your relatives will bow before you. Judah, my son, is a young lion that has finished eating its prey. Like a lion he crouches and lies down; like a lioness—who dares to rouse him? The scepter will not depart from Judah, nor the ruler’s staff from his descendants, until the coming of the one to whom it belongs, the one whom all nations will honor. He ties his foal to a grapevine, the colt of his donkey to a choice vine. He washes his clothes in wine, his robes in the blood of grapes. His eyes are darker than wine, and his teeth are whiter than milk. “Zebulun will settle by the seashore and will be a harbor for ships; his borders will extend to Sidon. “Issachar is a sturdy donkey, resting between two saddlepacks. When he sees how good the countryside is and how pleasant the land, he will bend his shoulder to the load and submit himself to hard labor. [Genesis 49.8-15]

First, let's consider Zebulun. Zebulun will be a harbor for ships. It is safe to conclude that Zebulun has to do with "international" when it comes to leading Israel.

Then, if we consider Issachar, we see hard work with a specific goal.

And finally, as we consider Judah in Jacob's words over him, we see Jesus - the Lion of the Tribe of Judah..

So, what group was it that was selected to lead Israel through the wilderness? The groups representing Jesus, the world, and hard work.

Here are a couple New Testament scriptures that come to mind:

“For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. [John 3.16]

Jesus came and told his disciples, “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] 

We can see then, from Israel's order of things, is that Jesus is revealed - Jesus, Who leads the way of salvation for the world as the work of all those in company with Him. 

Father, it is exciting to see how everything in Your Word ties together and points to Jesus. I am convinced that there is simply no other piece of literature that compares! May I be found dedicated to Your Word, learning more every day as Your Spirit opens my eyes and ears to the amazing truth found therein. So be it.