Deuteronomy 2:9-15 – Obey God and don’t gamble with your life

Being refused access through the land of the Edomites, the Israelites then proceeded toward the wilderness of Moab. Here the Lord again told them not to harass another group of people. This time it was the Moabites. Why? Because they were the descendants of Lot, Abraham’s nephew. God explicitly told them He would not give any bit of their land to the Israelites. Hence, they were neither to harass them nor to provoke them to war. The place the Moabites possessed was referred to as Ar. 

The passage tells us that the people of Moab, just as the Edomites, were not handed their land on a platter. They had to overcome the inhabitants who dwelled in the respective lands that they had to possess. The Moabites had to take on the Emims who were not only numerous but also as huge and tall as the Anakim. And just like the Anakim, the Emims were also referred to as the Rephaim, meaning “the terrible ones.” Probably, these two groups were terrifying and fierce war-formed people. It meant that the Moabites did not have it easy. They had to fight to conquer the people of the land. The Edomites on their end had to evict the Horites who had long dwelled in Seir, so that they could possess their land. Both these groups had to take some responsibility and overcome obstacles to possess their land. So like the Moabites and the Edomites, Israel would also need to play their part if they were to possess the promised land. The success of the Moabites and the Edomites were meant to show the Israelites that possessing the promised land was not an impossibility if God so willed. Notice that verses 10-12 are in parenthesis. This suggests that they were added to explain and provide clarity.

This passage has one subtle truth. That is: all nations are under God’s sovereign control. In these verses, we get the sense that He was the one who determined the land for the Edomites and the Moabites, and in later verses the Ammonites as well. Where these different groups of people should live and the events that led to their possession of the land were not left to the work of chance. God had a great part in arranging their ownership. This truth is also the same for us. We are not where we are by chance. We need to be conscious that nothing happens to us by chance. The people we meet, the circumstances we encounter are all part of God’s refining process in our lives.  

Verses 14-15 show us one more telling truth. Disobedience exacts a huge price that is more than what one can afford. It is also more than what any sensible person will be willing to pay. The disobedient Israelites took a long 38 years, about half their lifetime to pay for their disobedience. They all died and were buried along the way. There were no marked graves for their loved ones to return to grief or remember them. They perished in the desert never to be remembered again. This is too huge a price to pay. This should be a warning to us to live for God obediently. Obedience brings blessings. Disobedience brings death ultimately!

Deuteronomy 2:3b-8 – His grace is sufficient for us

The Israelites must have gone around Mount Seir so many times that they could even go around it blindfolded. So after what seemed like an endless circling of it, God decided that it was time for the Israelites to change direction. Even that was the grace of God. He could have left them to their mindless wandering since they would not believe in Him. But He did not. He told them to turn and take the route up north by the territory of the Edomites.  

The Edomites were the descendants of Esau who had been dwelling in Seir. Esau, as we know, was the twin brother of Jacob. God had given the land around Seir to Esau as a possession. Since they were relatives by reason of Esau’s kinship with Jacob, God would not allow them to annex any part of the land. Knowing that with such a big group of Israelites traveling through the land, the Edomites could feel threatened, so God told the Israelites to regard them as “brothers.”

Here in Deuteronomy, no detail was given about what transpired between the people of Israel and the people of Esau, but in Numbers 20:14-21, some details were given. We can now understand why Moses resorted to negotiating with the Edomites in the passage in Numbers. There he was seen seeking permission to pass through their land possessed by the Edomites, but his request failed. From Deuteronomy 2:4-5, we now understand why Moses chose to negotiate rather than force their way through the land.   

In Deuteronomy 2:6, God told the Israelites that they would need to pay for the food and drink, and services, should they be granted them by the Edomites. However, the request they made to the Edomites was turned down. They were denied access to pass through the land. Verse 8 seems to indicate that they passed by the way of the wilderness of Moab.

Passing by the land of Edom was probably a lesson for the Israelites. It should help them to see that if God could give the land to the sons of Esau, He could easily give the promised land to them. In this passage, we can also see the evidence of God’s grace. In the almost 40 years of wandering, they had acquired much wealth till they had the capacity to pay for their own food, drink, and services, had the Edomites granted them. Though the wilderness wandering was a judgment, yet in their discipline, God made sure they had enough wealth to subsist. While they might have angered God, yet He remained faithful in His provision to them. His eye was upon them through their hazardous journey. Think about it this way, if God's hand was still upon them in their discipline, how much more would He had done for them if they had obeyed Him.

While the grace of God is sure, the lesson for us here is never to take His grace for granted. Knowing that we have done nothing to deserve God’s love and care should make us more determined to trust Him and live our lives for Him. Be sure to obey God in what He has revealed to us and to trust Him in what He has not. It is true that His grace is sufficient for us. Thus, we must live to give Him praise!    

Deuteronomy 2:1-3 – Making progress with God

At the crucial moment, when a decision was needed to be made to trust God, believe in His words, and actively cross into the promised land, the Israelites faltered. This, despite the mighty wonders God had done to deliver them. They were literally plucked from the wicked hand of the Egyptians and miraculously sustained all the way. And yet they would rather trust the negative report of spies than God. In pandering to unbelief, they would not act to possess the promised land. Their unbelief angered God, who then swore that none of them would set foot on the promised land except for Caleb and Joshua. All this took place at Kadesh Barnea overlooking the promised land.

Since they would not trust God, Deuteronomy 1:40 said that they were told to “turn around and set out for the wilderness by the way to the Red Sea.’  So after being stuck at Kadesh Barnea for a season, they started out on the journey by the way of the Red Sea. This is where Deuteronomy chapter 2 picked up.  Moses was here recalling the different places in their journey that God had led them. Verses 1-3 tell us that they were merely only circling around Mount Seir for many days. 

The point is this: they were moving around but they were not progressing. Traveling does not mean progress. It is true that plenty of movements and activities in spiritual life do not necessarily mean progress. There is a need for us not to equate activities to progress. Even if we are engaged in plenty of activities and hopping from meeting to meeting and church to church, it does not mean that we are progressing in our spiritual journey.

The key to progress in Christian life is found in trusting God, in being connected to Him and being responsible and faithful in one’s life and ministry. It is taking personal responsibility for one’s personal life by listening to God and then acting on His instruction obediently. In so doing we will experience personal growth. And then we must also responsibly find a ministry in our church and serve faithfully, exercising our God-given gifts and talents. We must learn to live in the center of God’s will and plan for our life. When we do so we will incrementally progress in the fullness of His plan for our life. So let’s gird up our mind, trust God and move in tandem with Him! 

Deuteronomy 1:41-46 – No need to live with regrets, just repent

Repentance is about the realization and deep conviction that one has offended God. When that happens one would be truly sorry for that offense. It would result in a radical change of heart and attitude. A repented person will also take sincere steps to correct the wrong by doing the next appropriate thing. It is done to mend one’s broken relationship with God. The reason for the correction would be due to the realization that one has offended the Lord. It is not done to avert a punishment or to prevent one’s blessing from being forfeited.     

Remorse on the other hand, is markedly different from repentance. There would not be any sign of a radical change of heart and attitude. That person does not take time to reflect on what went wrong and doesn’t even realize where he or she has acted wrongly. Instead of taking appropriate steps to mend one’s relationship with God, remorse only leads one to rush rashly to do anything to avert punishment. Its entire purpose is to prevent the forfeiture of a promised blessing.   

Deuteronomy 1:41-46 picture for us what is being remorseful. When the Israelites heard that they would be wandering in the wilderness till all who were twenty years and above had died, they regretted it. They should have taken time to repent, admit to their unbelief, and seek God for the next appropriate thing to do. But they did not. They instead urged everyone to take up their weapons and go into battle against the Amorites to try and take the land, despite being told by the Lord not to do it. Moses was told to tell them that God would not be with them in their foolish attempt to take the land. God told them that they would be defeated if they did.  

Here again we see their unbelief played out. They just simply would not listen and again rebelled against the Lord by acted presumptuously. They charged into battle only to be defeated by the Amorites that came down from the hill. Verse 44 describes the extent of their defeat. The Amorites came out against them and chased them as bees do, and crushed them. Sadly verse 45 tells us that they returned and wept before the Lord, but the Lord did not listen to their voice nor give ear to them. They then returned to Kadesh and dwelt there for a season. Their tears were not a sign of repentance. They were sorry because of the defeat not because they had failed to listen to the Lord. In Deuteronomy chapter 1 Moses set out the premise for his call in the whole book, to seize the moment and progress with the faithful God. It was also a call not to emulate their fathers and incur the displeasure of God. Their experience is a lesson for us too. We must also heed the call to seize every God-given moment, obey and progress with Him in our faith journey. Truly repent when we need to and minimize the regret for our wasted moments in life. Don’t presume on God’s grace!

Deuteronomy 1:34-40 – Obedience or disobedience has a lasting impact

No murmuring or complaining escapes the ear of the Lord. Perhaps when the children of Israel were grumbling in their tent, they did not expect the Lord to hear their murmuring. And perhaps even if they knew God could hear what they were saying, they couldn’t be bothered. Deuteronomy 1:34 is explicit. It says that “the Lord heard the sound” of their words. He saw their spirit of discontent, heard every word of their careless grumbling, and was angry. Now we understand why Jesus tells us to be careful with our speech. He tells us that we will have to render an account for every careless word we have spoken.

Immediately the Lord swore that none of that evil unbelieving generation would enter the promised land. Their mindless complaint was costly. The hope of a great future for them was dashed. They were told they would not enter the good and rich land before them and would not enjoy a moment of it. The only two persons from this generation that had the privilege to go in were Caleb who had followed the Lord wholeheartedly, and Joshua who would lead the next generation into the promised land.

However, God would not allow their unbelief to affect His plan for the future of Israel. His promises made to them remained true. But it was not for that evil murmuring generation. So in verse 39, we see His reaffirmation that the promised land would be for the future generation. So he told them that their little ones who they reckoned would become prey, and who till then had no knowledge of good or evil, they would inherit the promised land. He said, “…I will give it to them, and they shall possess it.” See the grace of God! So that grumbling generation was told to “turn around and set out for the wilderness by the way to the Red Sea.”

Notice in these verses, Moses described his own outcome. He had allowed the rebellious spirit to affect him. Regarding the incidence at the water of Meribah recorded in Numbers 20:12, Moses did not “treat the Lord as holy in the sight of the sons of Israel.” For this falter, he would be barred from leading the people into the promised land.

Why did Moses refer to his own failing? It was a warning to the present generation that he was speaking to. If they thought that they could disobey, they should consider carefully. If they chose to disobey, they should not expect to enter the promised land either. Yes, God’s promises will always come true, but only for those who will obey Him. We see that one’s disobedience doesn’t just affect the person making the mistake per se, it also affects one’s family as well. Let us not make our children or family the victims of our bad decision and disobedience. Be sure to obey God!

 

Deuteronomy 1:26-33 – The devastating effect of unbelief

Deuteronomy 1:26-33  show us the devastating effect of unbelief. This is the clear warning from these eight verses. Somehow, unbelief tends to make one forgetful. It has a way of erasing one’s remembrance of the past good deeds that God had already done in one’s life. When we forget the wonderful grace that has already showered upon us, we become ungrateful and rebellious. Instead of progressing with God, one would be unwilling to go forward with Him.

These verses show that the children of Israel could see that Canaan was a good land. We learn from Numbers 13 that their recce team came back with clusters of grapes that they had cut down from the valley of Eschol. They could affirm that it was a land flowing with milk and honey and obviously a good land. But sadly they focused their eyes on the wrong thing and greatly feared the inhabitants of Canaan. What they saw was a large walled-up city, a land that would swallow its inhabitants. Seeing the Anakim, the giants that dwelt in the land, made them seem like grasshoppers in their own eyes.   

Despite the assurance of the Lord and the good reports of Joshua and Caleb, they rebelled against the commandment of the Lord. Here Moses listed out how serious their rebellion was. Not only did they grumble in their tents, but they also doubted the goodness of God and His unfailing love for them. Worst of all they had the audacity to insinuate that the Lord hated them.

In their grumbling mood, they failed to see how baseless their complaints were. In verses 30-31, Moses brought up the evidence of God’s faithfulness since the day He took their fathers out of Egypt. Reminding the new generation of what God had done for their fathers, he said, “The Lord your God who goes before you will Himself fight on your behalf, just as He did for you in Egypt before your eyes, and in the wilderness where you saw how the Lord your God carried you, just as a man carries his son, in all the way which you have walked until you came to this place.’ Yet in spite of all the clear demonstration of God’s faithfulness and grace, they refused to bulge. They held on to their unbelief.  

We need to know that unbelief is sin as far as God is concerned. Unbelief will not only give birth to sin but will also foster sin. Furthermore, unbelief will render us incapable of acting right and walking right with God. When the future before us is not as rosy as we will love it to be, don’t ever doubt God! Don’t focus on the bigness of our circumstances but on the bigness of our God. Victory for us rests in our faithful God. With faith in God, there are no insurmountable problems. With unbelief, every problem becomes insurmountable. So “Today, if you would hear His voice, do not harden your hearts….”

 

 

Deuteronomy 1:19-25 – Obedience versus rationalization

In Deuteronomy 1:19-25, we see a summarized account of Numbers 13-14. Here we are given a glimpse of how the decision to send the 12 men to spy on the promised land came about. They had moved from Horeb or Mount Sinai to Kadesh Barnea. At this point, leaders were already appointed over groups of thousands, hundreds, fifties, and tens. On seeing the hill country of the Amorites, Moses announced that this was the promised land that God was giving to them. He then clearly commanded them to go up and take possession as God had instructed, without fear nor dismay.  

Numbers 13:1-2 seemed to indicate that it was the Lord who told Moses to send out men to spy the land. From Deuteronomy 1:22-23, we can roughly construct how the whole spying mission came about. The idea to send the spies to explore the land was initiated by the people. They suggested to Moses saying, “Let us send men before us, that they may search out the land for us, and bring back to us word of the way by which we should go up and the cities which we shall enter.” Strategically, this was not a bad idea. They could size up and have a better understanding of the land. Then they could better strategize how best to possess it. This seemed like a good idea to Moses, and he was persuaded. And we can imagine that he would take the matter to the Lord, who concurred with what they wanted. So this was most likely how the spying mission came about. But was wanting to have a fail-safe strategy their purpose? Could they be delaying because they were not willing to act?

The importance here however is not so much who initiated the spying expedition but why did the people request for this mission? Shouldn’t they have just acted? This is the downside of listening to too many suggestions. Had Moses insisted that they trust God and go as they were told, they would have avoided all the miseries it eventually caused. For us, when we have a clear indication from God that He wants us to move in a certain direction, it is best not to seek too many suggestions. Listening to too many people can crowd up our minds.  

The questions to ask would be: (1) why then did Moses agree? (2) Why then did God not stop them but instead allow them to do what they wanted? To see the picture accurately, we must know that throughout their journey, God had been the initiator of when they should camp and when they should move. He guided them by the pillar of cloud by day and fire by night. And now at the crunch time, when clear obedient action to take the land was called for, what was in their hearts became evident. They entertained fear and wouldn’t take God at His word. Rather than acting on the clear command of God, they tried to skirt around the instruction of God with sound rationales. Isn’t this what many of us would also do sometimes? When confronted with the clear call to obey instantly, we would rather look for arguments of why we should not act.

Why then did God accede to their request?  God knew that it was difficult to change minds that were made up. The next best thing was to give them what they wanted and allowed them to experience the consequence of their insistence. This is also true of us, isn’t it? When our minds are made up, we are hard to move. We can be as stubborn as a mule and need to be curbed with bits and brittles. Bear in mind that we have the right to choose, but we have no control over the consequence of our decision. The best decision in life is to choose to stay with the clear instruction of God’s Word. When we do, we will never have to live with regrets!              

 

 

Deuteronomy 1:9-18 – Collaborate with God

In the covenant God had with Abraham, He promised the patriarch a land. He also promised to multiply his descendants till they would be as numerous as the stars in the sky. God had indeed kept His word. The children of Abraham grew so massively that they had become a force that would require skill and wisdom to manage. Moses of course was pleased that God had blessed them so much and he wished for a greater number to be added to them. And it happened as he had so wished that he soon found the load of bearing their care and burden too demanding. But this was a blessed problem and with wisdom, it was handled.

Wisdom for Moses came in the form of the counsel of Jethro, his father-in-law who visited him earlier. In that visit, Jethro saw how Moses was wearing himself out dealing with the needs of the people from morning to night.  It was then that he advised Moses to appoint leaders with the ability to help him to handle the needs of the people. He was to assign leaders according to their capacity to handle groups of thousands, hundreds, fifties, and tens. Moses proposed the plan which the people concurred and adopted. So they raised the wise and experienced leaders and Moses appointed them according to their capabilities.

Apparently, Moses had judges to handle the disputes of the people. In verses 16-18, he gave instructions that they handle those issues. Their judgment must be in sync with the character of God - fair and judicious. They were expected to be impartial. Whether judging people of status or not, Jews or foreigners, their dispute was to be fairly adjudicated. Only in cases beyond their capacity when they found them difficult to handle, then they should refer to Moses.

Four things stand out. Firstly, we learn that God always makes good His promise. In our own life when God’s promise seems long coming, we must remain faithful to Him,  fully trusting that He will never fail us. Secondly, we need to realize that the work of God is not just the work of the leader alone. All of us have a part to play. Moses recognized that, so he created a shared leadership. None of us should be content just being a spectator. Every one of us must be ready to roll up our sleeves to enter the fray. Thirdly, like the judges who were charged to deal judiciously, we must also seek to be fair in our evaluation of all matters. None of us is perfect like God, but we seek to do our best to be impartial. Fourthly, we must always take need to verse 17 where Moses said, “…You shall not fear man, for the judgment is God’s.” The Bible tells us that the fear of man brings a snare. In all that we do, be motivated by the fear of God, not by the fear of man. For the fear of God is the beginning of wisdom!

Deuteronomy 1:1-8 – Forward with God

This chapter opens with the first address Moses gave to the new generation of the children of Israel as they stood at the threshold of the promised land. In the first verse, Moses accurately captured the location that they were at. Numbers 36:13 simply referred to this location as “the plains of Moab by the Jordan at Jericho.” They were literally at the border of the promised land. God brought this new generation to the same place where their fathers failed. They were now confronted with the same opportunity and the same promise. What God had promised to the nation was within their grasp. It was time for a decision. They could step boldly into the promise of God, or be like their fathers, act in unbelief and forfeit the promise of God.

Here is our first lesson. Our journey with God also presents to us many opportunities and promises of God. Many of them can be defining moments for us. They require that we respond to God in faith. And how we respond to those turning points will hone our walk with God and shape our character.  

In Deuteronomy 1:2 Moses brought up Kadesh Barnea. We are told that it would only require an eleven-day journey from Horeb or Mount Sinai to Kadesh Barnea. This was where God first gave the command to the people to go in and take the promised land. But their fathers did not trust God. So that eleven-day journey turned into some 38 years of wandering in the wilderness until the last generation had all died except for Joshua and Caleb.  Here is lesson two. Disobedience always turns God’s promises into a nightmare for us. Years could be wasted foolishly and needlessly because of disobedience.

In Deuteronomy 1:6, Moses went back in time to refer to what God told the children of Israel at Horeb. Verse 8 captures for us what God said to them then, “See, I have placed the land before you; go in and possess the land which the Lord swore to give to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to them and their descendants after them.” As far as God was concerned, He would keep His words to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. The first generation, by their refusal to enter the land because of unbelief, had voided the promise of God. But God would never break a promise. So this new generation had arrived at the same place. The same opportunity and promise were before them. Here God gave the nation a second chance to possess the land.

Here is lesson three: sin and failure could never make God go back on His word. He will bring to pass whatever promise He has made. As Paul so aptly put in 2 Timothy 2:13, “If we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself.” This is the God whom we worship and serve. God will never fail us. With His help let’s seek to reciprocate His faithfulness by trusting and obeying Him.  

Introduction to Deuteronomy

Deuteronomy, together with the books of Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, and Numbers, are collectively called the Pentateuch. This is the fifth and last book of the law written by Moses. This title translated from Greek means “the second law.” Technically, it is not another law as the title suggests. But it contains Moses’ restatement of the commands of God given to the children of Israel in the 40 wilderness wandering years. 

Moses has widely been accepted as the author of this book. We need to note, however. that the last chapter talking about his death could not have been written by him. They were added to complete the account of the book. This, of course, did not affect Moses’ authorship of the book.

Why was this book necessary? Bear in mind that Deuteronomy was written 40 years after the book of Exodus. The clue for the purpose of Deuteronomy lies in the book of Numbers. During those 40 years of wandering, the generation that came out of Egypt had died because of unbelief. The new generation whom Moses was addressing in this book were children then. They were too small and could barely make sense of what happened when they came out of Egypt. Besides, they were too young then to be involved in the covenant ceremony at Mount Sinai. Hence, it was important for Moses to restate the commands God had given to them at the foot of that mount.  

Here is another reason why this book was needed. The new generation was now at the doorstep of the promised land, the land which their fathers had forfeited because of unbelief. It was therefore important for the law to be restated so that the new generation would know what God would require of them. This was especially needful since they were entering into a land full of idolatrous people and practices, which they were instructed to get rid of. Knowing what God required must be the starting point to put them on the right track. It must be noted that every generation must be responsible for their own relationship with God. Hence this restating of the Law was needful for a new generation.

In Genesis, God chose Israel to be His people. Now in this book, God required that the people whom He had chosen to make the decision to choose to live for Him. Look at the entreaty Moses gave in Deuteronomy 30:19-20. It is God’s challenge to us too. Moses said, “I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. So choose life in order that you may live, you and your descendants, by loving the Lord your God, by obeying His voice, and by holding fast to Him; for this is your life and the length of your days, that you may live in the land which the Lord swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to give them.”       

There is much to be discovered from a reflection of this book. And this shall be our attempt as we get on this expedition. As we prayerfully begin each day to reflect on this book, may we also choose to live our lives "…loving the Lord our God, obeying His voice and holding fast to Him.” Choose to live for God each day!   

Numbers 36 – Living a life that last

Numbers 27:1-11 described the account of the five daughters of Zelophehad approaching Moses to seek an inheritance for their father who died without a male heir. Admitting that while their father was a sinner who died in the wilderness, he however did not join in Korah’s rebellion against the leadership. And as a descendant of Israel, his daughters,  Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah, felt that their father was eligible to a portion of the inheritance among his brothers. Just because he had no son, they felt that his claim to a portion of the land should not be forfeited. As his daughters, instead of bearing their disadvantage silently and turn bitter about their circumstances, they chose to approach Moses. So they came to him to claim an inheritance for their dead father.  Moses after consulting with the Lord concurred with them and felt they had the right to their father’s portion. Numbers 36 now picked up where the account left off.

The tribe of Manasseh was concerned about Zelophehad’s inheritance being acquired by another tribe should his daughters, having been granted their father’s inheritance, married someone from another tribe. So they approached Moses to discuss the matter.  Having consulted the Lord, Moses' response was for the daughters to have the right to marry whomever they chose, but their husbands must be from within the tribe of Manasseh. This would not complicate the land distribution. Numbers 36:10-12 leave us something encouraging about the daughters of Zelophehad. They chose to walk in obedience to the Lord. So they chose to marry someone from their tribe and not complicate the issue.

What stands out for the daughters of Zelophehad was their choice to live in obedience to the command of God. They were unlike their fathers who chose to pander to their own carnal desire and joined themselves to the women of Moab. In so doing they had shown how nonchalant they were in preserving the heritage of their faith. They would not mind compromising their position to satisfy their basal desire. Whereas the daughters of Zelophehad were of a different class and category. They showed they understood that choosing to do otherwise would have implications on their inheritance.

For us, Zelophehad’s daughters had left us with a legacy of what it means to make God the pre-eminence in everything in our lives. Like them, we need to live our lives in accordance with the profession of the faith we have in God. We must seek to live our lives fully considering God and Jesus Christ our Lord. Any decision we make for Christ will impact not only our lives but also that of others watching us. It is fitting for us to close this book with the fitting words of Charles Thomas Studd, the English Missionary. 

Two little lines I heard one day,
Traveling along life’s busy way;
Bringing conviction to my heart,
And from my mind would not depart;
Only one life, twill soon be past,

Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, yes only one,
Soon will its fleeting hours be done;
Then, in ‘that day’ my Lord to meet,
And stand before His Judgement seat;
Only one life,’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, the still small voice,
Gently pleads for a better choice
Bidding me selfish aims to leave,
And to God’s holy will to cleave;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, a few brief years,
Each with its burdens, hopes, and fears;
Each with its clays I must fulfill,
living for self or in His will;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.

When this bright world would tempt me sore,
When Satan would a victory score;
When self would seek to have its way,
Then help me Lord with joy to say;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Give me Father, a purpose deep,
In joy or sorrow Thy word to keep;
Faithful and true what e’er the strife,
Pleasing Thee in my daily life;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Oh let my love with fervor burn,
And from the world now let me turn;
Living for Thee, and Thee alone,
Bringing Thee pleasure on Thy throne;
Only one life, “twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, yes only one,
Now let me say,”Thy will be done”;
And when at last I’ll hear the call,
I know I’ll say “twas worth it all”;
Only one life,’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.
And when I am dying, how happy I’ll be,
If the lamp of my life has been burned out for Thee.

Numbers 35 – Christ, our City of Refuge

The main subject of Numbers 35 is the Cities of Refuge. Of all the tribes of Israel, the tribe of Levi was chosen for religious services. Only the Levites were appointed as priests to serve God. They were also assigned to take care of the Tabernacle and all its furnishings during the transition. Different families of the Levites were also assigned to take care of the setting up, dismantling, and transporting of the different parts of the Tabernacle. God’s intention was also for the Levites to be teachers of the Law. They were also given judicial authority to help to settle any family dispute so that no further and needless bloodshed could be avoided.  

The tribe of Levi was specially chosen to serve God. Hence, they were not allotted any portion of the promised land. God Himself promised to be their inheritance. What a privilege! Therefore the other tribes of Israel were obliged to chip in to sustain them, from what was given to them. God instructed that the Levites be given a total of 48 cities as well as pasture lands for them to dwell in and to house their livestock. The bigger tribes allotted larger portions of land were to contribute more to them. The smaller tribes were expected to contribute lesser land. Out of the 48 cities given to them, six of them would be made Cities of Refuge.

The purpose of the Cities of Refuge was for anyone who had killed someone without the intention to seek protection for his unpremeditated act. The killer would be protected till his act be judiciously tried. This arrangement tells us that God treasures life. Being just, God would not allow the propagation of injustice. These cities were strategically located to allow easy accessibility for anyone who had committed a killing unintentionally. That killer could expect to be fairly dealt with. These Cities of Refuge depict for us the grace and mercy of God. They represent for us the unmerited favor of God. We worshippers of God have a safe refuge in Christ. In Him, we are protected and shielded from the threats of life. Remember that Christ is our refuge. For us, He is the embodiment of Psalm 46:1-3, our City of Refuge:

“God is our refuge and strength,
A very present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change
And though the mountains slip into the heart of the sea;
Though its waters roar and foam,
Though the mountains quake at its swelling pride.” Selah.

Numbers 34 - Pressing forward with God.

In Numbers 34, God specified the extent of the land that the children of Israel would be possessing. He sketched the borders from the south to the west and the north to the east. In Joshua 1:3-4, God reiterates the extent of the land that the children of Israel would possess. He said to Joshua, “Every place on which the sole of your foot treads, I have given it to you, just as I spoke to Moses. From the wilderness and this Lebanon, even as far as the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and as far as the Great Sea toward the setting of the sun will be your territory.” That was the extent of the promised land.

The tribes of Reuben, Gad, and half a tribe of Manasseh, had earlier requested for that stretch of land in the Transjordan area because they saw that it was good for cattle raising. They promised Moses saying that their able men would go and help the other tribes of Israel to possess Canaan before returning to unite with their families. So Moses left words that the land that they would soon be possessing be distributed only to the other nine and a half tribes of Israel.

The distributing of the land to the children of Israel was assigned to Eleazar the priest and Joshua the leader who would succeed Moses. God also left words that only one leader from each tribe would represent his tribe to receive the land on his tribe’s behalf. The rest of the chapter consists of the names of the leaders representing their tribes.

The distribution of the land was the easier part, the more difficult part was for each tribe to take responsibility to seal their possession. For each tribe to fully possess their inheritance meant that they had to responsibly do their part to own the land. None should expect to gain a hold of the land by sitting in an armchair. To truly possess the land they had to go out and get rid of the inhabitants, their carved and molten idols and their shrines, and their high places. In much the same way, we are each given a life to possess. We cannot expect to instill and cultivate good habits or get rid of bad ones without doing anything concrete. There is a need for us to evaluate our lives, and with the help of God strengthen our weak areas. Here the attitude of the Apostle Paul is worth our emulation. In Philippians 3:12 he said, “Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus.” No matter how much we feel we have achieved, we must not rest on our laurels. We must “…press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”

 

 

Numbers 33:40-56 – Living for the glory of God.

In Numbers 33, there were places listed where nothing dramatic or significant had taken place. This is much like life which we have lived as a matter 0f fact. It did not mean that every day something dramatic must happen. On those days where nothing sensational happened, it did not mean that God was uninterested in their lives. Like them, we need to know that when life seems ordinary, God is still with us in the mundane activities we are engaged in. His unseen hand is still guiding and averting dangers and threats from our lives. For each day we are alive, we must learn to live with an attitude of gratitude. So at the end of each day, we must not forget to give thanks and pray to the One whose life we owe.

In verse 50, we are told that they were now at the plain of Moab. They were at the edge of the promised land and at the brink of entering to possess it. Here God gave Moses instruction on what they must do when they entered the land. Firstly, they must drive out the inhabitants of Canaan. The critical things that must be done were: (1) they must destroy all the carved idols of stone. (2) They must destroy all their molten images. (3) They must demolish all their high places, the shrines that the inhabitants of the land would go to worship their idols.

Secondly, every tribe was to be allotted their land, which they would be responsible to possess and live in it. The larger tribe would be allotted a larger portion and a smaller tribe a smaller one. Each tribe would inherit whatever was given to them and be responsible for the inheritance allotted to them. And thirdly He left them with a warning in verses 55-56. If they failed to drive out the inhabitants, they would be a source of their constant trouble. If they were not dealt with totally, they would come and lead them astray into idolatry. When that happened, Israel would share the outcome with them.  

Unfortunately, Israel never lived up to these instructions. They could be seen at the end of the book of Joshua as well as in the book of Judges. But these are subject matters for another time. What we need to do today is to apply the lessons we have gleaned from this chapter.  The “Canaanites” to us would be like the people of the world that do not share Christian values. We are people drawn out of the world of darkness and planted in the God’s Kingdom of Light. No longer should we be conformed to the value of this world but instead to renew our minds. Take time to pull down the old and put up the new value system drawn from the Word of God. We must take heed to the words of 1 John 2:15-17 where we are told explicitly saying, “Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father but is from the world. The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives forever.” Let us take time to wait upon the Lord, and build our lives on His Word and deal swiftly with any area of unbelief. Live an uncompromising life for God’s glory! 

Numbers 33:11-39 – God is gracious.

The first lesson we gleaned from what God did for the people in various places is His faithfulness. Lesson two is God is gracious. In the list of places that the sons of Israel had passed through or camped, they showed themselves as grumbling and rebellious people, unworthy of God’s goodness. The places named were Marah where they grumbled because the water was bitter. Then in the Wilderness of Sin, they again grumbled against the Lord because their food ran out and they did not have enough food. Then in Rephidim, they grumbled because they did not have water. And in Kibroth-hattaavah they grumbled about the monotony of eating manna. So God sent them quails in abundance. Many ate the quails and were inflicted with a plague and died. They were buried there. Then in Kadesh and the water of Meribah, they again grumbled about not having water. In this incident, even Moses and Aaron did not honor the Lord. As a result, Moses was forbidden from entering the promised land. We must not forget Mount Hor where Aaron was buried. Here God did not even mention his wrong but just said that he died peacefully at 123 years of age.  

They were a people who were ungrateful to God. Yet in this chapter we see God mentioning these places and grossing over them as if nothing had happened. It is not because what they had done did not deserve to be made an example, so that the rest of the next generation would not do the same. It is because God chose to forget the offense. He chose not to mention their offence against Him. This is the grace of God.

Is this not the grace of God? And this grace is also extended to us. How many times have we offended God where we grumbled and murmured over the discomfort of life? How many times have we taken the Lord for granted yet He had chosen to forgive and forget our offence against Him? If God has chosen to keep a record of our wrongs, where would we be today? The good news according to Paul in 2 Corinthians 5:17 is this, “…if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.” God wipes away our old records and gives us a new start to life. What marvellous grace! Do not take the grace of God for granted! 

Numbers 33:1-10 – God is faithful

A quick scan of Numbers 33 gives us a sense that this chapter is just a random recollection of the journey of the children of Israel. If we do not take time to reflect on it, we may get away with the impression that nothing significant could be learned from this chapter. However, if we take time and dwell on them, we will see that there are lessons that can be gleaned from the description of what took place in those places.

Firstly we will see from the recollection of the places at the start of their journey was essentially a recollection of God’s faithfulness. The journey began with the sons of Israel leaving Egypt under Moses’ and Aaron’s leadership. At the Lord’s command, Moses recorded the starting places of their journey. At Rameses, they started off in the full sight of the Egyptians. Here their oppressors were dealt with a severe blow. They were left mourning and burying all their firstborn, slain by the angel of death. Whereas the sons of Israel with heads held high, boldly walked out of the crutches of their bondage. God had indeed dealt a severe blow on the gods of Egypt. In His faithfulness, He delivered them from their years of heavy bondage.  

Verse 8 mentioned their passing through the midst of the Red Sea. It was an allusion to how a way was opened for them when they seemed to be at a dead-end street. We remember that they were sandwiched between the Red Sea and the Egyptian army hot on their heels. This brief reference again pointed to God’s faithfulness in seeing them through what seemed like a sticky situation. There they safely passed through the sea into the wilderness.

The next place God’s faithfulness was clearly visible was when they journeyed to Elim where they found twelve springs of water and seventy palm trees and camped there. Here again, God’s faithfulness was obvious in providing them the oasis in the thirsty desert. This provision again highlighted the faithfulness of God.  

The recollection of these different places where God had shown faithfulness was to help them remember they had a faithful God and so to live their lives gratefully for Him. Like it or not, as the sons of Israel, we are a forgetful people. We often forget the good things God has done for us in the past. Jesus knew that so well when He instituted the communion. It was to be regularly conducted to recall that He died for us. He explicitly said that we are to do this in remembrance of Him. What are we doing to help us recollect the faithfulness of God in our lives? Journaling the goodness of God in our lives will be one certain way. However, whatever we do to recollect His faithfulness in our lives, it is needful to help us stay grateful to Him. Why don’t we start journaling our life experiences with God daily!    

Numbers 32:16-27 – Are we trustworthy?

Fortunately, this new generation of Israelites, including the Reubenites and the Gadites, was unlike the previous generation. Though they had a mind of their own, they were able to see where Moses was coming from. So they gave him a fresh proposal.  They assured Moses that they would build enclosures and dwelling places on this side of Jordan to house their livestock and families, respectively. Then they would send their able men to go with their brethren from the other tribes into the promised land to help them possess it. Only after the land was taken and allotted to them would they return to their family on this side of Jordan. They would not take a share of the land since they already had been allotted land in the Transjordan areas.

It is important to note that the Reubenites and Gadites did not respond to Moses resentfully. They had a change of heart and attitude and were sincere about their proposal. Verse 17 shows that they were eager to lead the Israelites in the advance to possess the land. They even promised to be there in the battle with them till their brethren had inherited the land.  Gallantly, they undertook to provide the lead till the task of taking the land had been done and their brethren had received their inheritance. They had literally committed themselves to a life war so long as their brethren had not received their land.

This was probably the reason that Moses could accept their proposal. Their commitment was an expression of faith. They were pledging their lives to fight with the Israelites for life. Moses’ response to them shows that he wanted some assurance from them that they would keep their words. And that they would only return to the families in the Transjordan free from obligation when their brethren had inherited their share of the promised land.

This was needful. Why? For it is one thing to make promises and quite another to follow through with the promises made. The same is for us. We can be stirred by a challenging sermon and respond to the altar call. But it would all mean nothing if it is not followed through with committed actions. Hence it is important for us to know that God is not interested in our lip service. We must not make a promise and not keep it. While it is wonderful to respond to the Lord after hearing from Him, the more important part, however, is to carry through with what we have committed to do. We must be people who will walk the talk. Let us be known for our trustworthiness. Be sure to make promises only when we mean it, and then to truthfully keep it!    

Numbers 32:6-15 – Be a positive influence for God

In Luke 12:15 Jesus reminds us that life does not consist in the plenty of one’s possession. In the same breath, He told a parable urging us to be rich toward God and not to be distracted by riches. When one’s focus is on the riches one has, there is the tendency to forget that God is one’s source. When that happens, there is the temptation to make plans contrary to God’s direction in one’s life. This was what happened to the sons of Reuben and Gad. What was their motivation? Was it not their comfort? Numbers 32:1 said that when they saw the lands of Jazer and Gilead, areas on the east of Jordan, a suitable place for their livestock, they no longer looked forward to the promised land. Their words to Moses in Numbers 32:5 were, “…do not take us across the Jordan.”  

The wealth of the sons of Reuben and Gad had made them inward-looking. Motivated by comfort and selfishness, they wanted to remain in the lands that Israel had already conquered and settled down. They were no longer concerned with the other tribes and were unprepared to go into the promised land to help their brothers to possess it. This always happens when one chooses to focus on oneself only. The inclination is to become inwardly focused on one’s own comfort and become unconcerned about the needs of others.  

So Moses rigorously challenged their foolish intentions. Rhetorically he asked, “Shall your brothers go to war while you yourselves sit here?” He pointed out to them that their decision would discourage the other tribes from going forward to possess what God had installed for them. He warned them of creating another debacle like what happened at Kadesh Barnea where their forefathers listened to the 10 spies and refused to move forward. Consequently, they were all made to wander in the wilderness for 40 years till that generation, except for Caleb and Joshua, was wiped out. Forcefully calling them “a brood of sinful men,” Moses warned them that they could kindle the anger of the Lord and cause the same calamity to fall on their brethren of the other tribes. When that should happen, they would be guilty of destroying the people.

Like the sons of Reuben and Gad, the lesson for us is the same. How we choose to live our lives never affect ourselves only. How we live will always impact the lives of others as well. What we do have the clear ability to set the spiritual atmosphere for the community that God has put us in. Whether we are committed or stay uncommitted, we unwittingly set an example for others to emulate. We can choose to stir them up to live for God or douse their passion for God. When we live passionately for Christ by pursuing a life of holiness and active service, we can spread our zeal to others as well.  Choose to live passionately for God and spread our spiritual fire. Remember these words?  

It only takes a spark
to get a fire going
And soon all those around
can warm up in its glowing.
That’s how it is with God’s love
Once you’ve experienced it.
You spread His love to everyone;
You want to pass it on.  

 

Numbers 32:1-5 – Don’t settle for anything less than God’s best

Numbers 32 began by describing the large number of livestock the sons of Reuben and the sons of Gad had. Verse 1 said "Now the sons of Reuben and the sons of Gad had an exceedingly large number of livestock." In other words, they had much possession in terms of cattle, sheep, goats, lambs and, etc. They were agricultural people, having plenty of livestock meant that they were rich. What they had acquired over the years of hard work plus what was added to them from their share of the spoil from their successful campaign over the Midianites described in Numbers 31, had increased their possession. Of course, having plenty was not wrong. It only became wrong when the plenty stopped one’s desire from moving forward into the land that God had promised.

Instead of being driven by the plan that God had for them in the promised land, their decision was driven by the livestock they had. They saw the stretch of land east of Jordan outside the promised land as a more suitable place for them to raise their livestock. Clearly, they were motivated by what they saw and not by what God had installed for them. So these sons of Reuben and Gad came to Moses and Eleazar the priest and before the congregation of the people of Israel, and made the request to be granted this stretch of agricultural land just outside the promised land. In other words they were willing to settle on this side of Jordan to raise their livestock, instead of following them in to possess the promised land. While what they saw was good, what God wanted them to have would certainly be far better. It is said that the good is often the enemy of the best. So they chose to give up on what would have been far better to settle for something that seemed good to their eyes.

From the decision that the sons of Reuben and Gad made, we learn the lesson to never settle for the good at the expense of God’s best for us. Instead of going for the promise God had for them these sons of Reuben and Gad  relied on their eyes. Driven by their livestock, they chose to settle for what seemed good to their eyes. It is not wise to make decision just based on possession and one’s limited perspective. To have God’s best for us we must view things from His perspective and what He has promised for us through His Word. Do not settle for the second best when God has promised us His best. You will be sorely disappointed if you do!  Always go for God’s best! 

Numbers 31:13-54 – Needful alignments along the way.

These verses described four events after the war with the Midianites. The first event described in Numbers 31:13-18 was Moses’ anger. When he learned that the men of Israel spared the Midianite women, he became angry with them. For these were the cause of Israel’s sin and downfall and should not be spared. So he commanded that all of them be destroyed except the virgins.  This tells us that sources of sin must be removed so that they would not remain to bring trouble to the people. In the same way we need to deal with the root causes of sin in our lives. They must not be left to bring trouble to us. Every time we identify something that can cause us to sin, it is wiser to deal with it swiftly and immediately. Keep short account with God.   

The second event was the cleansing of the men of Israel who had returned from the war described in verses 19-24. Since they had contacted many dead bodies that they had slaughtered in the battle they had become unclean and were all in need of ceremonial cleansing.  Their clothing was washed and purified. Any metal stuff that they used was made to go through the fire of purification and then washed. There is always a need to renew our life to God. None of us dare to claim that we have not soiled our feet in our journey in life. Hence, periodical introspection will help us to identify areas that we need cleansing and rededicate those areas of shortcomings to the Lord. It will help us to live a life of sanctification.    

The third event was the dividing of the spoils that they had seized from the Midianites described in verses 25-47. They were divided three ways. A portion went to the men that went out to fight. Almost the same amount was distributed to the people who remained home. And a small percentage of it was given to the Lord which was given to the Levites. As Christians, we don’t live for ourselves. We are a community, and we must see to it that everyone is equally taken care of. Each of us is given different tasks in life and ministry. Let us be sure to deploy them to serve the people and the Lord.      

The fourth event described in verses 48-54 was the offering they made to God. When they made a count of the people who had gone out to war and returned, they found that the number was intact. They lost none of them. In gratitude, they collected gold, and jewellery of all sorts and offered them to God, in thanksgiving for preserving their lives. Interestingly, in verse 50 it is said that their offering of gold and precious jewellery was made voluntarily to atone for themselves before the Lord. Why did they feel the need to do so? It was probably when they went out to war, that they realized their lives rightly belonged to the Lord. Here they were exterminating the evildoers and became aware that they like their forefathers were also equally rebellious. If not for the mercy of God, they would also have to suffer the same end. Realizing their own unworthiness, and the mercy of God, they offered offering to align their own relationship with God.  

The Bible is clear that we are engaged in a spiritual battle in our journey with God. We need to be vigilant to ensure that we do not have any besetting sin that will cause us to stumble on the way. We need to constantly evaluate our lives and jeep short accounts with God. If we need to make the needful adjustments to ensure a fuller dedication, we must make time to do it.  Always show gratitude to God for His unfailing mercies in our lives. From God we have received freely, so let us also give freely of ourselves to serve Him.    

Numbers 31:1-12 – Sin need to be dealt with radically

Numbers 31 is more than just a chapter on war against the Midianites. It is an indication of how much God detests sin and the purveyors of sin. He will deal with those who had sinned and he will also deal with those who encourage it. Israel had sinned but the Midianites had made themselves the willing contributors to Israel’s sin and downfall.

This chapter is also a follow-up to the event that took place in Numbers 25. There Balaam, the culprit, found himself incapable of bringing a curse upon the Israelites. Though we are not told what he did in that chapter, Numbers 31:8 revealed that it was him who counseled the king of Moab and the leaders of Midian on how to get Israel to lose their favored position with God. He knew that Israel’s covenant relationship with the Lord had made them impervious to his curse. That had prevented him from earning himself a tidy sum from the king of Moab. He was well-positioned to gain a position had he succeeded but it was made null by the Lord’s disapproval. However, he knew that the only way to get the Israelites into trouble was to get them to sin against God. The way was to get the man of Israel to commit adultery with the women of Moab and Midian. Through sexual immorality, they would then entice them into idolatry. the Midianites were willing cohorts of the sinister plot.

The war, therefore, was not so much against Midian as it was against their sin of bringing about Israel’s downfall. Notice God was the initiator of these acts of vengeance. The task was shared equally among the people of Israel. Each tribe contributed 1,000 men for the work, So the twelve tribes made up a total of 12,000 capable men ready for the work assigned them to do. They were led by Phinehas, the grandson of Aaron who had the guts to stand and killed Zimri, the Simeonite, and  Cozbi, the Midianite princess. He pierced them through their bellies with his spear. Phinehas was to bring along the holy objects and the priestly trumpets to represent the presence of God fighting with them.  In this divine dealing, Balaam for his part paid dearly with his life. He was killed.

Numbers 25 described how God dealt with His own people for their part in the sin. Here in Numbers 31, God had to deal with the purveyors of sin. God abhors those who commit sin. And those who encouraged it are equally responsible. Jesus tells us that temptation is sure to come but woe to him via whom the temptation comes. It is important that we do not sin against the Lord, but equally important is for us not to become the instrument of sin, causing the downfall of others. Both are equally sinful!     

 

 

 

 

 

 

Numbers 30:4-16 – Be true to God

God takes vows and oaths seriously. He expects any promise made to be honored. Keeping one’s words reflects one’s faithfulness. One must thoughtfully weigh a situation carefully before making a vow or an oath. This will prevent any rash or ill-considered decision. In these verses, God seems to say that a vow or oath made emotionally or hastily could affect a daughter’s relationship with her father, or that of a wife with her husband. Similarly, our rash and unwarranted vow or oath can also affect our relationship with God.   

In Numbers 30:3-16 we see that firstly, a vow or an oath made by a young unmarried daughter was not binding unless her father had ratified it. Secondly, a vow or an oath made by a young lady before she was married could be checked by her husband.  Thirdly, a married woman’s vow or oath needed the husband's approval. It would only be valid if he did not object when it was first made. If he objected to the vow when it was first made, it would not be valid. When a husband did not object to a wife’s vow or an oath, and then later forbade her from fulfilling it, he would have to bear the consequence of that broken vow or oath.  Fourthly, a vow or an oath made by a widow or divorcee must be honored.  

Why did God give such instructions for women? To be sure God did not give these instructions because women were weaker and more emotional than men. But He had made a father or a husband the head of his family and He did not want that covenant headship of the family to be violated. It is alright to pursue God, but not at the expense of sabotaging God’s order for the family.  

To be sure sons are equally possible to subvert a father’s headship. Why didn’t God address the males then? It is because God was providing a bigger picture of His own relationship with unfaithful Israel. God on His part would always be faithful to the promises that He had made. He had never reneged on any of them. On the other hand, Israel had been like an unfaithful wife who had continuously vowed herself to other gods and engaged in harlotry. She had shown infidelity to the marriage. So long as God remained Israel’s covenant head, He would never allow her to make a vow with other gods and run riot with her harlotry.  

Whether men or women, we are all capable of being unfaithful to our faithful God. Hence, this chapter is not about the incapability of a woman to make rational vows but is a call for all, male or female, to remain faithful to God, our covenant head. Paul in Philippians 1:6 said, “I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.” As He is true and faithful to us, let us be true and faithful to Him!