Wednesday, February 28, 2018

TCN's Biblical Journey Feb. 28th

Today's reading is Joshua 24 and Judges 1-4

When considering Joshua 24 most people look at verse 15 where Joshua gives the command to choose whom they will serve, or Joshua’s warning that they won’t be able to serve the Lord in verse 19, or the covenant and monument that Joshua made with the people verses 21-27, or the faithfulness of that first-generation verse 31. However, not many look at the burial of Joseph which is what I want to look at today.

Before Joseph died, he told the children of Israel that his body was not to remain in Egypt but was to be returned to the land God had promised them. Even in death, Joseph knew that Egypt though necessary for the time was not the final destination for God’s people. He wanted, even in death, to be where God’s people were. I could talk about the need for those claiming to be Christians to be where the people of God are, but I believe another lesson on Hebrews 10:25. It is good to note though.

The most fascinating thing I see is where Joseph is buried. Everything has now come full circle when you consider the history of the place. Barnes notes on the Bible explains this place like this, “Jacob consecrates his ground by the erection of an altar. He calls it the altar of the Mighty One, the God of Israel, in which he signalizes the omnipotence of him who had brought him in safety to the land of promise through many perils, the new name by which he himself had been lately designated, and the blessed communion which now existed between the Almighty and himself. This was the very spot where Abraham, about one hundred and eighty-five years ago, built the first altar he erected in the promised land Genesis 12:6-7.”[1] It is now consecrated anew to the God of promise.” Now on this place filled with history and the promise that God is the Mighty One of Israel, Joseph is laid to rest as we see the fulfillment of God’s promise to Abraham that his dependents would inherit the land. How did they inherit the land? By the hand of God Almighty, by the hand of our God.



[1] Barnes' Notes on the Bible. Accessed 2/26/18. http://biblehub.com/commentaries/genesis/33-20.htm

Tuesday, February 27, 2018

TCN's Biblical Journey Feb 27th

Today's reading is Joshua 19-23

Joshua 19:9 tells the inheritance of Judah was too much for them so part of it was given to the children of Simeon. There is no real answer given as to why Simeon wasn’t given its own portion like everyone else. There are two things we can deduce, one is it was a divine act in regards to a prophecy and the other is for an example to us.

First, in Genesis 49:5-7 Jacob remembering the history of Simeon and Levi gives this prophecy concerning their future “Simeon and Levi are brothers; Their swords are implements of violence. Let my soul not enter into their council; Let not my glory be united with their assembly; Because in their anger they slew men, and in their self-will, they lamed oxen. Cursed be their anger, for it is fierce; and their wrath, for it, is cruel. I will disperse them in Jacob and scatter them in Israel.” The Levites were dispersed in Israel because of their role as the priest but the tribe of Simeon was placed within the tribe of Judah and slowly faded away as a distinct tribe. We see here that the actions of the parents affect the children for generations, but I want to point out the difference between what happened to the children of Levi verses the children of Simeon. Both are dispersed through the tribes, but Levites gain a level of dignity and respect. What was the difference? I can only see one and that came in the name of a man called Moses.

The destiny of the Levites was dispersal, but it ended up not being division and oblivion. The actions of one man, Levi, set his family on a course which could not be changed but the actions of Moses caused the final destination to be far different then it would have been. This gives me hope that my actions (your actions) can make a difference in ways we may never expect. We might be on a course which we can not change but our lives can change what the final destination will look like.

The second thing we see is the actions of the men of Judah, which are an example for us today. Bible commentator Matthew Henry put it this way, “The men of Judah did not oppose taking away the cities within their border when convinced that they had more than was right. If a true believer has obtained an unintended and improper advantage in anything, he will give it up without murmuring. Love seeketh not her own, and doth not behave unseemly; it will induce those in whom it richly dwells, to part with their own to supply what is lacking to their brethren.”[1] All I can add is Amen.




[1] Matthew Henry's Commentary. Accessed Feb. 25, 2018. http://biblehub.com/commentaries/joshua/19-9.htm

Monday, February 26, 2018

TCN's Biblical Journey- Feb 26 God rarely gives us slack

Today's reading is Joshua 14-18

Here in Joshua 17:14-18, the children of Joseph are complaining they don’t have enough room. However, part of their complaint is in the fact that there is a portion of the territory which they believe can’t be conquered. It is as if they are saying, this is too hard give us something else. Joshua isn’t moved and doesn’t give in to their complaints. He points out there is land for them if they cut down trees and if they actually go into battle against what is a powerful enemy.  

This applies to us because there are times when we may be tempted to go to God and say, “I want more but I want it the easy way.” Yes, God sometimes gives us easy victories but more often He tells us, “You know what you need to do, do it.” God often doesn’t cut us any slack. To say it another way, He wants us to grow up and use what strength He has given us to face the challenges before us even if they seem too much for us.

The problem with the children of Joseph here and with us many times is a lack of faith in God. If you remember God had promised the Children of Israel that he would drive out the inhabitants before them. There wasn’t an “unless they have iron chariots” clause in the promise so they didn’t have an excuse. We don’t either. The question we have to ask ourselves, “Do we really trust God or are we trying to do this ourselves?” 

Friday, February 23, 2018

TCN's Biblical Journey Feb 23

Today's readings are Joshua 10-13


Joshua chapter 10 holds a story of a miracle which has long been ridiculed by opponents of the Bible as impossible. The story goes that in the battle Joshua needed more time to complete the victory. Joshua tells the Lord to hold the moon and the sun fixed in the sky until the victory can be won. Joshua and the Israelites win the battle after a full day passed without the sun or moon moving. Scientifically speaking there are so many reasons why this is impossible. We know that for the moon and sun to stop in the sky that the earth would have to stop turning. Without the rotation of the earth gravity is no longer in effect, not to mention a whole host of other issues.

So, it must not have happened right?

It might seem that way, but could it be that more is going on than we realize. Could it have appeared the sun and moon didn’t move but the real miracle was something else? I believe the Bible, so I think a miracle took place. I believe that since God made the laws of the universe he can certainly change them if he wants to. So, what do I do about this? First, I trust the power of God. Second, I realize that what Joshua and Israel saw might have been something that appeared as if the sun and moon stopped but what really happened was something they couldn’t have explained.

I am amazed at how some can quickly say the unexplained is dismissed as something we don’t understand scientifically yet, but when Christians want to say we don’t have an explanation we are dismissed. At the end of the day, most people believe what they want to believe and dismiss anything else. I am not trying to do that. I want to admit, this seems problematic, but not impossible.  


Side note: Many believe man will someday have the technology to regrow arms and legs, control the weather, and develop Star Trek style replicators, but want to deny an all-powerful creator God could have the power to do it.

Photo by Laib Khaled on Unsplash

Thursday, February 22, 2018

Tcn's Biblical Journey Feb 22

Today's readings are Joshua 5-9

Joshua chapter 7 could cause people to cry, "That's not fair!" We see Achan disobeying God by taking spoils from the battle of Jericho he wasn’t supposed to take. However, because of his actions Israel losses the next battle and once he had been discovered, him and all of his family are killed. It just doesn’t seem fair to many, especial with God making it very clear in the law that only those responsible for a crime are supposed to pay for it. So, what is the deal.

First, God knows, and we see it here, that the actions of others can cause devastating repercussions on others, especially family. Many people who are abusers were the children of abusers. The same with alcoholics and most other moral failings. The problem doesn’t end with family as the drunk driver effects those who are in no way related to them. We know the big names, Hitler, Stalin, just to name a couple, but what we don’t realize are the little names which have changed our lives forever and we will never know. We don’t know but the woman who was going to give us the cure for cancer, may have been killed because someone took a shortcut on her brake job.

Second, God’s command was for us to only hold those who have done wrong responsible, God who knows all does what is right on a greater scale than we could image. Here God gives an example to the children of Israel in a dramatic way just how powerful the actions of one person are to a nation and to a family.

We have talked about how the actions of a parent effect the rest of the family some, but you may not realize the actions of one person can change the outcome of a battle. If you like him or not Stonewall Jackson’s actions in the first major land-based confrontation of the civil war changed what could have been a quick victory for the north into a long drawn out conflict (It is possible without the drawn-out conflict the 13th amendment may not have passed until years later). This is just one example, God though didn’t here allow Achan’s actions to continue to their logical end but allowed a defeat to teach Israel what disobedience cost. We have to trust that God knew he was doing the right thing.


We may not like God’s way here, but he knows more than we do. Some may wish that Stonewall Jackson had failed ending the civil war quickly and saving tens of thousands of lives. Personally, though that cost was great in human lives, the idea that the sin of slavery could have gone of for possibly decades longer is inconceivable.    

Wednesday, February 21, 2018

TCN's Biblical Journey Feb. 21

Today's reading is Deuteronomy 33-34 and Joshua 1-4

What catches my attention in chapter 2 of Joshua was the number of spies Joshua sends in. Moses sent in 12 spies one for each of the twelve tribes. Moses actions seem like a very democratic and fair way of doing things, the problem was the majority only saw the problems. Joshua, on the other hand, picks two people and sends them in. There is no committee of tribes picking their favorites, no democratically elected representatives, only Joshua saying, go look at the land.

I want to say that I appreciate democracy and what it brings but I understand that often the majority can’t see the possibilities for something better. In the real world, studies tell us it is when the innovators and early adopters reach a certain level that the majority take up the idea (want more info on this read Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell).  To say it another way, most people are followers or as God calls us sheep.

In our spiritual life, and don’t be miss it God was trying to teach Israel to live spiritually, I can’t help but think that we would do better not following the majority but the minority. A minority of one, Jesus Christ. This doesn’t mean we live the Christian life on our own. The Bible teaches us that we are part of the body of Christ, the church. However, Jesus clearly teaches that the minority will choose to follow him, remember the wide and narrow gates (Matthew 7:13-14).

Joshua had seen what had happened before. This time he wasn’t choosing 12 but chose 2, the same number which brought back a good report the first time. Joshua threw out the democratic method and choose the number which was faithful before. As we see in the book of Joshua, this time the outcome was far different.


I am not saying we should ignore the majority, we should see why they are doing what they are doing. They could be right as enough people have followed the minority into something right. However, often Jesus and his true followers are in the minority. 

Tuesday, February 20, 2018

TCN's Biblical Journey Feb. 20

Today's reading is from Deuteronomy 28-32.

“IF” is a big word.


There are plenty of people who have beat themselves up of the thought, “what might have been” or “if only.” Quaker poet, John Greenleaf Whittier, wrote the verse so often quoted on the subject of regret, “For all sad words of tongue and pen, the saddest are these, ‘It might have been.’” The “ifs” in life have caused much heartache and looking at the history of Israel there is much to be saddened by.

However, there is another side of the word if. In Deuteronomy 28 (and many of the following chapter), if isn’t a word giving despair, it is a word giving us freedom. Israel and us today have the freedom to chose or reject what God has to offer. There isn’t a mandatory path we have to go down, we can choose our path. We aren’t free from the consequences of those choices, but we are free to choose. God doesn’t want follower who are little more than robots, programed to do certain things. God wants people who will chose him and chose what is right.

These chapters laying out the Blessings and the Cursing’s are not God’s way of saying, be good or else. These chapters are laying out the options and the results of those choices. Did many make the choice which lead to pain? Yes, and people do today, but they and we had the freedom to choose.


So what are you going to choose? 

(picture from Brainyquotes.com )

Monday, February 19, 2018

TCN's Biblical Journey Feb. 19th

Today’s reading is Deuteronomy 23-27.

In Deuteronomy 24, there are a host of small regulation and laws given by God to the Children of Israel. In them, I see a pattern that God set up which carries into the New Testament, the idea of doing unto others as you would have them do to you. These commands carry in them the idea of what I would call true social justice.

I won’t look at them all, but God told the Israelites to treat people as people don’t take advantage of their position especially if it because they are poor or in an unusual circumstance (newly married, related to a criminal, etc.).  God’s solution as I see it here is to treat the unfortunate like an equal and give them the opportunity to better themselves.  The key for many of these commands was to make sure the person could work for themselves so they could get ahead.


We may not be able to change the way the government or business dealings with the less fortunate, but we could look at these laws and ask ourselves, what we could do personally to treat people like equals. We could ask ourselves if there is something we could change either as the person who is in the fortunate position or how you need to work if you’re the person who is poor or in that unfortunate life circumstance.  God may ask us to help change the government or our business, but he always asks us to change ourselves and in truth, it is what we need to change first, before anything else. 

Friday, February 16, 2018

TCN's Biblical Journey Feb 16

Today's reading is Deut 18-22

As I read today's readings I was reminded of the Parable of the Birds by Paul Harvey(you can watch the video below). In the middle of repeating the commands and the law, Moses gives a prophecy about a coming prophet who would both be like God and like him. The people feared the God on the mountain and asked that God not speak to them, but here God says he will fill the gap with someone more than a prophet. This is another reminder in the Torah of a coming Messiah. It would be easy to miss but in light of the New Testament, it is clear.

God came himself as Jesus, a man but more than a man, the God/man. Someone we could understand. Here in Deuteronomy, we get a picture of the incarnation which would come thousands of years later. Someone would we could relate and not fear.




Thursday, February 15, 2018

TCN's Biblical Journey Feb 15 Miracles can't lead us

Today's reading is Deut. 13-17

Though most cultures, especially in the West, have some form of pluralism when it comes to religion, the children of Israel were not to allow this in their midst. They had seen God proform mighty miracles to bring them out of Egypt and into the Promised Land, so God demanded complete allegiance. 

In Deuteronomy 13, God tells the people that even if a prophet can perform signs and wonders, they are supposed to kill him if he asks them to serve any other God. Though in the New Testament we are called to watch out for false prophets we are not called to kill them. However, what I want to look at is the children of Israel are warned that some false prophets would be able to do miraculous things. 

What matters then and now is not if someone does something amazing, or if they have a compelling story or any kind of miracle, what matters is are they speaking the truth. There were people able to do the miraculous in the past and there will be in the future, but we have to be motivated by truth. Jesus warned us in Matthew 24:24 "For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.

Don't be deceived by signs, just follow the truth. 

PS Not all miracles are wrong, God does them on occasion (They're called miracles, not commons;  pastors remind us). However, God's miracles will never lead you away from the truth of scriptures. 

Wednesday, February 14, 2018

TCN's Biblical Journey Feb 14

Today's Reading is Deut. 8-12


I notice in Deut. 8:10-14, God gives a warning which I believe is true for every generation. The warning is when things are going well it is easy to forget God. When things aren't going well or we are weak then we have no choice but to look to God. However, once things turn and things go well then it is easy to slide into complacency. This isn't just true in spiritual life but in every area of life. Business authors point out that once a company or a person hits the pinnacle there is often a tendency to let the things slide which have gotten you there.


The key to not falling into complacency is constantly challenging yourself (or your business). When it comes to our spiritual life it is during the good times when we can set our roots deep so when the storm comes then you can survive. Methodist Pastor Talbot Davis points out in his book, The Storm Before the Calm, it is during the times of calm (when everything is going well) we need to prepare for the storm. It's hard to get the house ready for a storm if you're in the middle of it. Let's be honest storms do come. The key to spiritual success is using the times when things are going good not as a time to relax, but as a time to secure our relationship with Jesus. If we don't we will be doomed to follow the path of the children of Israel.

Tuesday, February 13, 2018

TCN's Biblical Journey Feb 13

Today's reading is Deuteronomy 3-7

We see here in Deut. 6, God commands parents to teach their children about the things of God. This isn't a new idea for most Christians. There are few Christians who would say they don't have some responsibility to at least show their children how to live for God. However what God commands is something far more, and I believe it is something we who live under the New Covenant can learn from.  


God's command about teaching children isn't a once a week teaching or a youth group. God takes teaching children seriously and commands parents to teach children nearly all the time. Just look at verse 4-9: "Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates" (NIV). This isn't go to church once a week for Sunday school and maybe Sunday morning service. What God is calling for is constantly finding teachable moments to tell your children about the things of God. This is both a talking and a living type of teaching. It requires a complete commitment, yet what has God called for anything less? 


Too often Christian parents, have either not taught their children the things of God, have not lived out their Christian faith, or both. These parents have looked back and asked, "God I took them to church, why aren't they serving you?" God's answer I fear may be, "You didn't teach them the way I told you too." 


One final note, there is always the chance that parents who do everything correct still end up with children who forsake God. This isn't a promise that if you do everything right your kids will be perfect. NO! The greatest teacher in the world was Jesus and after 3 years of teaching the disciples, one betrayed him and the rest forsook him. This being said, don't blame God, if your not doing all you are called to do.  

Monday, February 12, 2018

TCN's Biblical Journey Feb 12th

Today's reading is Numbers 34-36 & Deuteronomy 1-2

Numbers 35

I have often noted that people look at the Old Testament Law as being overly harsh. In the New Testament, the religious leaders had in fact added quite a number of new regulations to what God intended. So much so that almost no one could even come close to obeying them. However, in its day the Law, was one of the most revolutionary methods of organizing a society. It offered methods to resolve debts, gave opportunities for the poor to survive, and had a way to reset wealth (the year of Jubilee). There was the religious side, which called for those who refused to serve God to be cast out of the nation or put to death (this is the area most have trouble with today) but considering they were supposed to represent God's people it was understandable (a church member who is a reprobate or an atheist is just as out of place, though we wouldn't kill them we would remove them from the membership roles). However, today I want to look at one of God's unique methods of justice, the cities of refuge.

The city of refuge offers a place for those who had accidentally killed a person to go and receive protection. There were several scattered across the nation giving the accused a greater chance of being saved. The city was a place of safety from the family who lost their loved one. The congregation would judge the case and if they found the person had committed a murder then the person was killed, but if not the person was not put to death. The one caveat was the person had to stay in the city of refuge until the death of the high priest.

One can try to guess, why an innocent person had to stay in the city and not be allowed to go home. However, my own guess is there was a two-fold reason. The first is for the family who realizes that the person did commit murder but there wasn't enough evidence to convict the person. This would give the family a sense of justice. The second is to acknowledge that human life is worth something, and even a life taken accidentally cost society. There is a price which society pays when a human is lost before its time. In other situations, God required even accidental losses be reimbursed but how do you do that in the case of human life? The answer is what He did, requiring they stay in the city of refuge. There is a feeling of fairness about it, though I will have to admit if you were the person having to live out possible the rest of your life there, it may not seem so. However, at that place, you did have freedom and you couldn't be killed. 

I think it shows the justice and if I could use the term fairness of God. It's something to think about.

Friday, February 9, 2018

TCN's Biblical Journey- Feb 9th

Today's reading is from Numbers 29-33


In Numbers 32 we see the request of the tribes of Gad and Reuben to stay where they are and not cross over with the rest of the people. At first Moses is upset, believing they are seeking to disobey God and desert their fellow Israelites. The tribes of Gad and Reuben make it clear that though they want to stay they have no intentions of leaving their fellow Israelites without help. They promise and eventually deliver the needed help when the time comes.

What stands out is two things Moses first reaction and Gad and Reuben’s faithfulness. The reaction of Moses is understandable. It looks like these people have got what they want and are ready to leave everyone else to do for themselves. However, Moses reaction was wrong. He jumped to a conclusion, which let’s be honest most of us have done on occasion. We see a sound bite from a political figure we don’t like and formulate an entire reason new reason to continue our dislike, without hearing the whole story. This isn’t just true in American politics but around the world and most are quick to point out when those who disagree with them do it but fail to see it in themselves. Let me just say, we should do better and move on.

What I really appreciate in this chapter is the attitude of the tribes of Gad and Reuben to continue fighting even though they have what they wanted. They keep their commitments even though it would gain them nothing more. The only thing that they could get by going to war is death, except for one little thing which I think is worth a fortune: honor. They would keep their word. Even if it might hurt them. I am reminded of the person who can come onto God’s holy mountain in Psalms 15 who “who keeps an oath even when it hurts, and does not change their mind” (verse 4b). This is the kind of person we all need to be. 

Thursday, February 8, 2018

TCN's Biblical Journey- Feb 8th

Today's Reading is from Numbers 24-28

Numbers 25

Balaam work is  done in Chapter 24, yet as we read  later the idea to have the daughters of Moab entice the people of Israel came from Balaam. In Numbers 31:16 we find our Balaam gave to King Balak exactly what he wanted, a way to destroy Israel. The way was to cause the people of Israel to sin.

The rest of the story is interesting that someone even in the middle of God causing a plague and Moses killing those who were disobedient that someone would continue to sin. They didn't only sin they were doing it in a way to make it clear to everyone what was happening. What was he thinking? I have no idea, but the blatant act shows no hint of repentance so it is hard to feel pity for them.

However, we see Balaam choosing to help Israel's enemies in spite of all that God did and here in this story a man choosing to do what he knew was wrong even as others were being punished for it. A reminder that people who should see the truth can still choose the wrong.

My prayer is that we always see the truth and obey it.

Wednesday, February 7, 2018

TCN's Biblical Journey- Feb.7th

Today's reading is Numbers 18-23

Numbers 20

At the beginning of chapter 20 we see the children of Israel complaining agian. Once agian they are without water and they complain agianst Moses and Aaron. Moses is given the solution by God, but Moses disobeys.

I notice here a couple of interesting facts, one is that this time Moses was to speak to the rock (a type of Christ which on His second coming he will not be smitten), second is that even though Moses disobeyed God still supplied water.

Moses disobedience is often contributed to his anger and I wouldn't want to dismiss that component. Some suggest that Moses due to the circumstances did what he did before and hit the rock. God was displeased and punished Moses.

In overview, we see two mistakes. First, Moses says He and Aaron were going to get the water. What? God was the one to bring it not Moses and Aaron. We might again blame Moses anger but still, God was supposed to honor God in this time, yet he didn't. The second was, of course, he hit the rock. What faith would it have taken to look at the rock and just talk to it?  I have to admit, talking to a rock sounds pretty lame. Hitting the rock that does make sense to me, but that wasn't what God commanded.

What might have happened if Moses had done exactly what God commanded? Instead of throwing a fit, what if Moses had stood in front of the rock and had a prayer meeting? How might that have stunned these people? We will of course never know. I personally think it might have strengthened the faith of many. Yet the people got a second-rate miracle because Moses, according to God, didn't believe.

I wonder what would happen if the people of God lived by the faith God has called us to? Would it make a difference? I think so. So what do we do now? We can't change the past, but we can do our best to live according to God's commands even if they don't make sense to us.

Tuesday, February 6, 2018

TCN's Biblical Journey- Feb 6th

Today's reading is Numbers 14-18

We see here the grace of God and judgment. The people were once again complaining because they thought they couldn’t take the promised land. What we see in the middle of this chapter is an interesting conversation between God and Moses where is appears that Moses is changing God’s mind. How can this be? If God doesn’t change then how come he is changing his mind here? I want to point out that he didn’t.

Some may argue my point is speculation and perhaps it is some but I believe it fits into the character of God. God says what is deserved is that the Children of Israel be wiped out and God raise up a better people. I have to interject here, I have wondered myself sometimes: Why didn’t God just forget them. Moses gives the answer, “Because if God can’t work with this group then he must not be great.” I don’t believe that God heard this and thought, “Your right Moses, I never thought of that.” God knew the reasons but by having Moses argue them in this verse, we are allowed to see why God didn’t hit the reboot button.

However, did God wipe out these people? The answer is yes, but he did it slowly. God made them wait in the wilderness. A note here, Joshua and Caleb were faithful, but the disobedience of others cost them 40 years away from the promised land. The actions of evil people affect the lives of good people.

There is another judgment coming in this chapter, the removal of God’s protection. At the end of the chapter, we see a number of the people decided they did wrong so to make it right they would attack the promised land. It is what God had told them to do earlier, but now everything had changed. They attacked not out of faith but out of shame and when something is done out of shame it rarely brings about anything of lasting good. What happened? They lost, not really a surprise since they didn't have God with them.

One final thought, Though God is great a redeeming our lives, there are still consequences which can't be undone. As they say, "You can't just put the cork back in the bottle."

Monday, February 5, 2018

TCN's Biblical Journey- Feb. 5th

Today's readings are Numbers 9-13


Numbers 9

This chapter shows God’s mercy in allowing people who through no fault of their own are given a second opportunity to celebrate Passover. There is also another reference that there is to be no difference in how the stranger or the Israelite was to be treated, one law for both (no prejudice). However, the last part of this chapter is what has caught my attention, when do we move.


However, we are reminded that when the pillar of cloud/fire was taken us it was time for the children of Israel to move. In verses 21-22, you get the idea that no matter how early or late, or how short or long they had stayed in a spot when God decided it was time to move the people moved. In our world, people tend to fit into two categories those that are always ready to go and those who are fine where they are at. The first look around and see nothing changing and want to do something even if its wrong. The latter don’t want to move even if it means survival (okay, those are over-generalizations I know, but that is normally how the extreme on either side sees the other). In this chapter, the children of Israel see God not taking one extreme or the other. He works on His one timetable and the children of Israel are expected to respond. This is also how it needs to work in our lives.

The key is to move when God moves and to stay put when God isn’t ready to move. For me, I have times where I am ready to change and don’t find it easy to leave things alone, yet there are some things which don’t need to be changed. At other times, I catch myself sliding into being comfortable with things as they are.


The difficulty is, for me at least, is to know for certain if why I am doing my own thing or God’s. To keep in tune with God, I try to stay active in worship, prayer, Bible reading and seek Godly counsel. These are amazingly accurate detectors of whether or not the cloud is moving. For the New Testament believer, worship, prayer, Bible reading, and seeking Godly counsel are the best ways to know if you need to move or stay.   


Friday, February 2, 2018

TCN's Biblical Journey Feb. 2nd

Numbers 6

The vow of the Nazarite (not the same a being from Nazareth) was a unique person vow. There doesn’t seem to have certain corresponding works or deeds other than not touching the dead, not touching anything from the grapevine, and not to cut the person’s hair. No one other than the person could tell someone they could or couldn’t be a Nazareite. The most interesting fact I notice is that a Nazarite could be a man or a woman.

The fact that a woman could be a Nazarite was startling in a male-dominated society. As in other places in the law God is giving women a status they would not have received anywhere else. Many point out the unfairness they see in the Old Testament toward women but fail to appreciate the protections God gave them in a society which devalued and typically ignored them. The Pulpit Commentary said it this way: “As the prophetic office might be exercised by women so the Nazirite vow might be taken by women. In either case, we find a tribute to and a recognition of the Divine liberty of the Holy Ghost, and an anticipation of the time when the spirit of self-devotion should be poured out without distinction upon men and women.[http://biblehub.com/commentaries/numbers/6-2.htm  Accessed 2-18-1]”

God never thought of women as second class. Society has twisted scripture to make it say what they wanted it to say, but it has never been designed that way by God.

Thursday, February 1, 2018

TCN's Biblical Journey Feb. 1st

Today's readings cover Leviticus 26-27; Numbers 1-3

Leviticus 26

Here at the end of the book, God lists the blessing he will give to the children of Israel if they are obedient. However, there is another list, a list of curses if they disobey.

Some may wonder how God could be so cruel in his judgment, but we have to realize God had given the nation of Israel a lot, he had humbled Egypt and brought them out. He had shown himself to them in a pillar of fire and cloud. He had provided greatly for them. We remember the words, "To whom much is given much is required" and they had been given a lot.

It is like a child, we expect more out of a teenager than a toddler. Both may receive a punishment, but the punishment for the older is going to be greater because they should know better.

However, the thing I want to look at is in verse 44, God promises to not cast them away completely. We see the love and faithfulness of God in spite of human rebellion. This is the God that at the right time will send Jesus to save not just the Jew but the Gentile as well. This is the God who time after time in the rest of the story of the Bible is true to his covenant, even when people aren't. This is our God who is good, all of the time...