Blog Archives - Mt. Ephraim Baptist Church

March 1, 2017

2/27/2017

Insights on Today's Reading

Numbers 14 - As you read through your Bible you'll come to see some "sad chapters." I've already mentioned a few and here's one more. Israel had the chance to go into the Promised Land at this time but they were discouraged by the bad report given by 10 of the 12 spies who explored Canaan. The people of Israel were even ready to stone Moses and Aaron and return to Egypt! God spoke and Moses intervened to keep God from destroying the people. God made it clear that they would wander in the wilderness for 40 years, one year for each day the spies were in the land of Canaan.

Numbers 15 - God gave reassurance to the people that they would eventually come into the Promised Land. He made sure they understood the seriousness of offering their sacrifices. God made provision for the foreigners living with them to have opportunity to worship Him too. A man gathering sticks on the Sabbath was executed. God required the sewing of blue tassels on their garments to remind them to obey His laws.

Psalm 90 - As you are reading chronologically through the Bible you're being directed to read Psalm 90 which was written by Moses. Its a great passage to speak of God's majesty and man's frailty. God is from everlasting to everlasting but man might live on the earth for 80 years! Quite a contrast. Praise God He has made provision for believers in Christ to spend eternity with Him!

February 28, 2017

2/27/2017

Insights on Today's Reading

Numbers 11 - This chapter brings us into the awful pattern of complaining and murmuring that would characterize the Israelite people during their trek through the wilderness. How quickly they forgot all of God's miracles in Egypt and His great miracle of parting the Red Sea so they could get away from slavery! We read of their lusting after the food of Egypt and their lack of appreciation for the daily manna from God. God had every right to judge them, but He did so with a desire that they would grow to trust Him and stop their doubting. This pattern is still seen today among God's people, who, though they have received a magnificent salvation from a Majestic God, they (we) are still prone to forget God's power and provision and worry, fret, and complain. May God help us to learn from what we read. This chapter also speaks of the 70 elders who would assist Moses in handling civil disputes among the people. God still looks for "peace-makers" today.

Numbers 12 - Another sad chapter of the Bible is this one. Aaron and Miriam became jealous of Moses' access to God and his position as God's spokesman to Israel. God is angry with their insubordination and ultimate rejection of God's choices. He sharply disciplines Miriam with leprosy for a week to teach her a valuable lesson. Aaron and Miriam had great influence in Israel and they should have been appreciative of the ways God was using them. Again, a lesson for all of us to learn from.

Numbers 13 - In this chapter we clearly see God's plan to choose twelve men, one from each tribe, to send them into Canaan and get a firsthand look at the Promised Land! What a privilege they had, and at least two, Caleb and Joshua, would see what God wanted them to see: a land "ripe for the picking!" God wanted these men to see the great land He had promised them and come back and encourage the rest of the people to take possession of it! But, as you'll see at the end of this chapter ten of the men can only look at the obstacles and overlook the magnitude and the greatness of the land! Caleb had the "right stuff!" He wanted to go immediately and conquer it. However, you'll see how discouragement is like a contagious disease and how quickly the rest of the adult Israelites would refuse to go.

February 27, 2017

2/26/2017

Insights on Today's Reading

Numbers 8 - God instructed Moses to set the lampstand in the Holy Place to give light on all the objects there. Then He ordered Moses to have all the Levites cleansed and prepared for service. They were chosen by God in place of all the first born of Israel. They would assist Aaron and his two sons, Eleazar and Ithamar in their duties in the Tabernacle. This was especially necessary since the death of Nadab and Abihu when they offered strange incense before the Lord. The Levites had a special responsibility to perform and they were to live dedicated lives to God as they served.

Numbers 9 - As the second year came while Israel was camped at Sinai they were to hold the celebration of the Passover at the appropriate time. When some men had been defiled by a corpse, they were told to celebrate the Passover one month later. God reminded the people to keep their eyes on His cloudy pillar in the daytime and the pillar of fire at night. That would assure them of God's presence but also would be used to signal the times they were to resume their journey. For us today our times of prayer with the Lord and obeying His Word gives us the guidance we need each day.

Numbers 10 - God gave the people the practical instruction of making trumpets to be used in giving the appropriate signals to the people of Israel in a way they all could hear. The trumpets were to be used in this manner as well as in warfare and in their various celebrations. By verse 11 of this chapter the people of Israel were instructed and led by God to leave Sinai and begin their march toward the borders of the Promised Land. Each tribe moved in order of their encampment and the Levitical families disassembled the Tabernacle and moved in their place amongst the tribes. Moses asked Hobab, the son of Moses' father-in-law, to journey with them and give them practical advice along the way. The Lord clearly led the people in their journeys.

February 26, 2017

2/24/2017

Insights on Today's Reading

Numbers 7 - Yes, just one chapter today. But when you finish reading this one chapter you'll be wondering, "Why?" Why is this chapter in the Bible and why are the offerings of each tribe repeated twelve times, especially when each tribe is giving the exact same things? I, too, wondered about this some years ago, but now I've come to recognize there are reasons why God chose to place this in His word.

First, "Inventory." What you will read is an inventory of each tribe's offering and it is recorded for all to see. I've often used the idea of twelve trailer trucks filled with emergency supplies going to twelve rescue squads across the country. Each individual truck is filled with the exact same items and the amounts are equal as well. The foreman overseeing the loading is going to want an exact inventory of what is going into each truck. He will be meticulous in keeping records and he will want an accounting of each truck. God is no less particular with the offerings given for His service.

Second, "Important Inventory." As I just said, the items given by each tribe were all necessary things used for the ministry of the Levites at the Tabernacle and for the way these items would be transported.

So, should you read every word? My simple reply: If God wanted it written, then He wanted it read.

February 25, 2017

2/24/2017

Insights on Today's Reading

Numbers 5 - Sometimes you read in God's Word what appears to be harsh, such as you see in this chapter, namely, the banishing of diseased people to be "put out of the camp." The real thought here should be quarantine and isolation to protect the rest of the people. God still wanted mercy and kindness shown to those who were put out. And there is ample proof that healing would come and these people could resume their normal living arrangements. Also, God wanted confession of sin and restitution once sin had been found out. The passage of a man checking into the faithfulness of his wife reminds all of us to be faithful to our mates. God is the one who always sees what everyone does.

Numbers 6 - A person who would take a Nazirite vow would be someone who wanted to dedicate themselves to the Lord for a period of time. They were under certain physical and dietary restrictions throughout their period of dedication. A Christian today may set aside a special period of time to give themselves time alone with God. Retreats and Bible Conferences are often a place and a way for the child of God to separate from their normal routine to renew their love for Christ. The closing words of this chapter gives the blessing a priest would give to the people especially after a period of worship. This blessing is still appropriate for us to share today.

February 24, 2017

2/21/2017

Insights on Today's Reading

Numbers 3 - The tribe of Levi was not counted along with the rest of the tribes. The reason was their ministry primarily dealt with the Tabernacle, its construction, moving, and operation. No other tribe was permitted to handle these important duties. The Levites were the priestly tribe and they conducted the worship services for all of Israel. When God had judged Egypt with the death of their firstborn, God set the firstborn of Israel aside for His service. In this chapter the Lord has Moses substitute all the firstborn of the families of the other tribes to be replaced by the Levites.

Numbers 4 - When the Tabernacle had to be moved it would be the duty of the high priest and his sons to cover all the sacred furniture including the Ark of the Covenant. Only after they were covered could the family of Kohath come and carry these items to the next location. (This is important to remember because David would suffer the death of Uzzah when he loaded the Ark of the Covenant on a wagon). The rest of the structure and the courtyard curtains would be moved on wagons by the families of Merari and Gershon. You can see how the Lord put everyone to work and gave them a sense of responsibility in the His work.

February 22/23*, 2017

2/21/2017

Insights on Today's Reading
*see note on home page

Today, you begin to read the neat book of Numbers. I say that because it is far more than just a bunch of numbers! You will see the registration of all fighting men in the twelve tribes of Israel, but you'll also see the stages of Israel's history before entering the Promised Land. Pay attention to what you read. You'll come upon some of the most familiar stories in the Bible, including how a bronze snake would be used in the New Testament as a visual aid to Christ's crucifixion!

Numbers 1 - You may or may not remember that back in Exodus 38:26 the number of fighting men in Israel's twelve tribes was known. The reason why is that they were numbered in Numbers chapter one. That doesn't mean that Moses guessed the number. The actual numbering of these men took place at Mt. Sinai where so much of Exodus, Leviticus, and the first chapters of Numbers took place. When you read these books please note the events happened in the same place until you get to Numbers 10:11.

Numbers 2 - This chapter records the order of Israel's settlement around the Tabernacle. The entrance of the Tabernacle was toward the east and the tribes of Judah, Issachar, and Zebulun would camp in front of that entrance. The tribes of Reuben, Simeon, and Gad would camp to the south; the tribes of Ephraim, Manasseh, and Benjamin would camp behind the Tabernacle to the west, and the tribes of Dan, Asher, and Naphtali would camp to the north. This would be their arrangement throughout their 40 years in the wilderness.

February 21, 2017

2/20/2017

Insights on Today's Reading

Leviticus 25 - God created man to have dominion over the earth. God established rules for agriculture that were extremely practical and helpful to assure the best use of the land. One of those was directing each land owner to plant and harvest crops six years in a row but to let the land rest for the seventh year. This would allow the land to replenish much needed nutrients for future harvests. Also, God wanted every 49th year to be a Year of Jubilee when debts would be canceled and slaves could go back to their families. God also shows His concern that the poor of the land would be cared for.

Leviticus 26 - This chapter is so much like Deuteronomy 28. Both chapters give a clear description of the blessings Israel would enjoy if they obeyed God's clear instructions, and the cursed life they would have if they disobeyed Him. When you look over the blessings you can't help but wonder why would anyone disobey God and miss receiving all that He would love to give!

Leviticus 27 - Making vows and keeping promises is very important to God, especially when those promises are made to Him! We should be very careful with our attempts to "please God" by making commitments we may find difficult to fulfill.

Now that you have read through Leviticus I hope you've realized that it doesn't just speak of sacrifices and rituals. It does speak of God's holiness and His desire that His people live holy lives in all they do.

February 20, 2017

2/17/2017

Insights on Today's Reading

Leviticus 22 - There should be no defects in the way priests live their lives, serve their food, or in the quality of the animals used for sacrifice. The priest was to be holy. He was not to serve any of the holy food with those who were not part of his family. And he was to be careful that the animals he accepted for sacrifices would be animals without defects. He served a holy God and only in holiness would his service be pleasing to God.

Note - it should be very evident by now that God places a high priority on personal holiness in the lives of His children. As we serve God and seek to do our best we should also concentrate on being our best. Holy service for God requires holiness in the server.

Leviticus 23 - The Hebrew calendar was organized around a series of sevens. The seventh day of the week was the Sabbath. They celebrated seven annual feasts, three of which occurred in the seventh month. The seventh year was their Sabbatical Year, and after forty-nine years (seven times seven), they celebrated the Year of Jubilee. The feasts and ceremonies described in this chapter show God's desire that the Jewish people would celebrate their redeemed lives together throughout each year.

Leviticus 24 - The oil and the flour that the Israelites would provide to the priests would allow the lamp to be kept burning in the Tabernacle and assure there would always be bread on the Table of the Showbread. Even if the Israelite could not go into the Tabernacle he would be glad to know he contributed to the service of honoring the Lord. The man who was put to death at the end of this chapter was not judged because of his lineage (part Egyptian). He was judged because of his blasphemy.

February 19, 2017

2/16/2017

Insights on Today's Reading

Leviticus 19 - This chapter presents many aspects of the Law that can and should be practiced today. Examples of this can be seen in verse 3 - giving respect to parents; verse 13 - pay your workers when you should; verse 31 - avoid fortune tellers and psychics. These practical injunctions can keep believers from offending a holy God and can help them live wholesome and productive lives.

Leviticus 20 - The death penalty was God's way of warning people to avoid sinful activity that requires such a judgment. I've often said that the death penalty in and of itself is not a deterrent to murder. But, carrying out the death penalty is!

Leviticus 21 - God expects those who serve Him as priests would maintain a high priority on their own personal holiness. They were not to act proud of their godliness, but they were to humbly honor God because they have been given the privilege of serving the Lord in this way. Today, as believers, we all serve the Lord as priests, and, therefore, we should have no less concern for our own holiness than the priests of Moses' day had on theirs.