Numbers 31:25 - 32:42
Today we see God giving them the regulations for dividing the plunder from the Midianites. I don't want to sound legalistic, but I do think it's interesting that God mandated a "tithe" from the spoils from everyone who received. God told them how to figure out how much of each portion belonged to Him. While I don't believe that God is sitting in Heaven with a clipboard checking off all of our income, no matter the source, and making sure we tithe, I DO believe that God wants to own our provision. He wants us to honor Him with the things He has provided.
Today we also see the first of the inheritance being granted. The Reubenites, Gadites and half tribe of Manasseh have decided that they want to just settle on the east side of the Jordan instead of crossing over into the Promised Land. I think this is another example of the permissive will of God, verses His perfect will. God planned for them to all be in the land of Canaan, but allowed them to stay on the other side, with the proviso that they help their brothers clear out the land first. To me, it sounds like they settled. Let's not settle for what seems easy at the time, let's follow God all the way and get into that land He has promised us!
Luke 8:40 - 9:9
I love this story about the sick woman who touches Jesus' cloak. She was really determined to be healed. She was unclean and taking a big risk pushing her way through the crowd to get to Jesus. It's amazing to see her faith, in that she knew she just had to touch Jesus because He was just THAT powerful. And Jesus knew, too. Isn't that crazy?! He knew that power had gone out from His being. Lord, may we even touch the hem of Your garment today in some way!
Psalm 40:1-8
Verses 6-8 are so key! David is confirming that God isn't looking for our sacrifices and our offerings, per se. This is just like the story (we'll get there soon!) of Saul offering the sacrifice before Samuel got there and Samuel said that the Lord desires obedience, not sacrifice. That's what David is saying here. "But my ears you have pierced", or opened. God has opened our ears to hear His voice. We need to train ourselves to hear that voice and obey. Verse 8 sums it up well, "I desire to do your will, O my God; your law is within my heart."
Today we see God giving them the regulations for dividing the plunder from the Midianites. I don't want to sound legalistic, but I do think it's interesting that God mandated a "tithe" from the spoils from everyone who received. God told them how to figure out how much of each portion belonged to Him. While I don't believe that God is sitting in Heaven with a clipboard checking off all of our income, no matter the source, and making sure we tithe, I DO believe that God wants to own our provision. He wants us to honor Him with the things He has provided.
Today we also see the first of the inheritance being granted. The Reubenites, Gadites and half tribe of Manasseh have decided that they want to just settle on the east side of the Jordan instead of crossing over into the Promised Land. I think this is another example of the permissive will of God, verses His perfect will. God planned for them to all be in the land of Canaan, but allowed them to stay on the other side, with the proviso that they help their brothers clear out the land first. To me, it sounds like they settled. Let's not settle for what seems easy at the time, let's follow God all the way and get into that land He has promised us!
Luke 8:40 - 9:9
I love this story about the sick woman who touches Jesus' cloak. She was really determined to be healed. She was unclean and taking a big risk pushing her way through the crowd to get to Jesus. It's amazing to see her faith, in that she knew she just had to touch Jesus because He was just THAT powerful. And Jesus knew, too. Isn't that crazy?! He knew that power had gone out from His being. Lord, may we even touch the hem of Your garment today in some way!
Psalm 40:1-8
Verses 6-8 are so key! David is confirming that God isn't looking for our sacrifices and our offerings, per se. This is just like the story (we'll get there soon!) of Saul offering the sacrifice before Samuel got there and Samuel said that the Lord desires obedience, not sacrifice. That's what David is saying here. "But my ears you have pierced", or opened. God has opened our ears to hear His voice. We need to train ourselves to hear that voice and obey. Verse 8 sums it up well, "I desire to do your will, O my God; your law is within my heart."
1 comment:
The whole settling issue hit me as well. In fact, that's what stuck out the most to me today.
On one hand, it was admirable that they did commite to help fight and gain the promise land for thier fellow tribes.
But on the other hand, I wonder how much they missed out on by staying behind.
Post a Comment