SOAP 03/14/2015; Numbers 23:19

Today's reading: Numbers 23

S) "¹⁹ God is not a man, that He should lie,
Nor a son of man, that He should repent;
Has He said, and will He not do it?
Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good?"

Numbers 23:19 (NASB)

O) Balaam was hired by Balak to curse Israel, because he had learned that Balaam heard from the LORD, and what he spoke would come true. Balaam's first word about Israel, though, was a blessing and not a curse. When Balak got angry about this, the verse above was Balaam's response. While there is a lot of context for the reasons Balaam said these things, the character of God is plainly on display. God has no fears, and no cause to lie about what He can or will do. God makes no mistakes and is sovereign, so He never makes mistakes that He should repent. God is trustworthy, and what He says He will do, He will do.

A) This is a lesson in trust, humility, and understanding who God is. I will benefit from meditation on this verse, and reference to this verse, every time I am faced with uncertainty, doubt, or stress. God is who He says He is, does what He says He will do, and He is for His people (as displayed in the entirety of the story about Balak and Balaam). I am included in His people, through the redemptive work of Jesus Christ.

P) Father, You speak truth and make no mistakes. What You have said, You will do. What You have spoken, You will make good. Increase my faith and help me to trust You more, Father. Please forgive me for my unbelief, Lord. Thank You for Your faithfulness, and trustworthy character. Thank You for revealing Your character to me, in truth. Let Your will be done. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 03/13/2015; Numbers 19:11-13

Today's reading: Numbers 19

S) "¹¹ The one who touches the corpse of any person shall be unclean for seven days. ¹² That one shall purify himself from uncleanness with the water on the third day and on the seventh day, and then he will be clean; but if he does not purify himself on the third day and on the seventh day, he will not be clean. ¹³ Anyone who touches a corpse, the body of a man who has died, and does not purify himself, defiles the tabernacle of the Lord; and that person shall be cut off from Israel. Because the water for impurity was not sprinkled on him, he shall be unclean; his uncleanness is still on him."

Numbers 19:11-13 (NASB)

O) This is, in a sense, this ceremonial unclean status (from touching a corpse) is one of the best analogies for sin, repentance, and restoration as it now exists under the new covenant. Sin separates a man (or woman, so throughout) from God, just as being unclean meant being separated. Then, God provides the way for becoming clean again. There was no cost for the man receiving this cleansing. He only had to accept the free offer, and follow through as God ordained. The man was not "earning" this cleansing. He was just following God's precepts to accept a free offer. If a man did not follow this process, if he refused this free offer (regardless of motive), then he remained unclean and separated. That separation was in two ways. He remained separated from the LORD, because God is pure and the man is defiled. But also, the man is separated from the people (in effect, no longer an Israelite) in his refusal to follow God's ways. The separation from the people also served two purposes, because it protected the people from the risk of becoming unclean (by touching the unclean man, or what he touched), and also it prevented the rebellion of that man from influencing others toward an obstinate view. This separation also translates to the new covenant. In spite of the fact that God provided for the cleansing of sin for all people, if a man refuses that free gift, he remains in his sin, separated from God An unrepentant man cannot rightly call himself a Christian, either (just as a cut-off Israelite could not be rightly called an Israelite). Sin is not "transferred" as being unclean was, but there is added temptation to sin with proximity to sin. There is also, still, the same danger of falling into a shared rebellious attitude.

A) This is such a great representation of God's grace. I need to remember this as an example of grace versus works. I cannot earn my salvation, but if I want to receive forgiveness, I need to live my life according to God's ways. I need to be willing to confess and repent of my sins. If I am not willing, then I am plainly refusing God's gift, by refusing to accept His ways, and I would remain in my sin. I thank God for His grace, though. In the passage above, an unclean man could do nothing to purify himself, just as I cannot cleanse myself of my sins. God makes the way as easy as it could ever be.

P) Father, thank You for the free gift of salvation. Your grace has remained the same, providing a way to save helpless people, which includes myself. Please forgive me of my sins, Lord. Thank You for the grace You continue to show me. Help me remember this example of Your grace, beyond our ability to earn. Help me to share this great example with others, and please open their eyes to see Your ways clearly and accept them. Let Your will be done. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 03/12/2015; Numbers 17:8

Today's reading: Numbers 17

S) "8 Now on the next day Moses went into the tent of the testimony; and behold, the rod of Aaron for the house of Levi had sprouted and put forth buds and produced blossoms, and it bore ripe almonds."

Numbers 17:8 (NASB)

O) Another rebellion against God's elected leadership had just been quelled, and God brought forth a leader from every tribe to express His clear selection of Aaron (and the Levites) as His holy priests. After each leader wrote their names on a rods, God had them placed inside the tabernacle over night. In verse 5, God told the people that the rod of His chosen would "sprout" in the morning. So, when we read verse 8, we see a few things. First, we see God's specificity in His choosing. He makes no mistakes when He chooses to raise up a leader. Second, we see the perfection of God's timing. God told them it would happen the next day, and so it did. Last, and this is what really grabbed me from this story, we see the abundance of God on display. He told them that the chosen rod would "sprout," and indeed it sprouted, and put forth buds, and produce blossoms, and it bore ripe almonds!

A) This is the sort of unexpected, added grace that I love to show to my own children. It is such a blessing to exceed their expectation for things they want, and that is the same way God treats His children. Just as I don't do this every single time, neither does my Father God. I should be careful not to expect the unexpected, so that I am not feeling entitled to more than what God has promised. However, I should take joy in the simple knowledge that God loves to bless. He is able to do more than I could ever expect (see Ephesians 3:20-21). So, I ask in humble prayer, trusting that He will do what He promises, and joyfully wondering if He may do even more.

P) Father, Your grace and mercy are such a treasure to me. Help me to share that hope and peace with others, and also to express examples of grace and mercy, especially to my children. Please forgive me when I am not as gracious or merciful as I should be. Keep me humbled by what I have received, to reflect Your grace and mercy to others. Thank You for taking care of my needs, Father God. I am never abandoned or isolated in my needs. You have surrounded me with the support of other people, and in You I have every need met. Recently, it seems like financial struggles are unending. Please give me more discipline with the way I am stewarding Your providence. Please increase my trust and faith in who You are. Please provide more solutions, especially to eliminate some of the debts I have acquired. I know that can be a long process, so again, help me be disciplined and also to be patient. Let me keep my eyes fixed on the eternal, not the temporal. You have always been so good to me, Lord, and there is no reason to think that is going to change. Be glorified in every part of my life. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 03/11/2015; Numbers 16:43-48

Today's reading: Numbers 16

S) "⁴³ Then Moses and Aaron came to the front of the tent of meeting, ⁴⁴ and the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, ⁴⁵ 'Get away from among this congregation, that I may consume them instantly.' Then they fell on their faces. ⁴⁶ Moses said to Aaron, 'Take your censer and put in it fire from the altar, and lay incense on it; then bring it quickly to the congregation and make atonement for them, for wrath has gone forth from the Lord, the plague has begun!' ⁴⁷ Then Aaron took it as Moses had spoken, and ran into the midst of the assembly, for behold, the plague had begun among the people. So he put on the incense and made atonement for the people. ⁴⁸ He took his stand between the dead and the living, so that the plague was checked."

Numbers 16:43-48 (NASB)

O) There are a few principles at work in this story. Another rebellion had sprung up among the people who opposed the leadership God had elected. In response to that rebellion, God was showing Himself to be perfectly just. He was about to execute righteous justice on those who rebelled against His rule and authority. In addition to revealing His justice, He also showed His compassion to Moses and Aaron, in the warning He gave them to protect themselves. Then, we also see the remarkable faithfulness of Moses over his flock. God warned them to separate themselves and Moses' immediate response was worship (falling on his face before God). Then, he quickly took action in sending Aaron as a mediator, to atone for the sins of the people to prevent the plague that had broken out against them (which again, was completely justified). Next, we have a great example of loyal obedience on the part of Aaron. Not only did he react the same way his brother did when he heard the same warning God gave to him, he was also ready to obey in spite of that warning. That is not to say he was disobeying God. Aaron had already learned his own, personal lesson regarding rebellion (when he and his sister opposed Moses in Numbers 12). His own discipline and his experience with his brother's leadership allowed him to trust the leadership his brother was displaying. He knew that God gave an ear to Moses, and that Moses had interceded in the past. He was also moved with a different compassion for this people, having lived through the same misconceptions they were holding at that time; he had true empathy for them. Lastly, we see the mercy of God. When Aaron jumped in front of this spreading plague, he wasn't holding himself hostage against God. He was still following God's precepts for atonement, and was seeking the mercy of God. He wasn't defending the innocent, he was pleading for mercy toward the guilty. God was faithful to respond and relent, despite the fact that His justice was already being executed.

A) There are so many points to draw from this story. I can find myself in any of three people in this story. Like Moses, I need to be ready to respond to calamity very quickly, ready to worship and lead, implementing the ways of God I have learned over the years. Like Aaron, I need to follow the lead of the Godly people before me, especially in worship and action which protects and redeems. Like the rebellious people (and the formerly rebellious Aaron), I need to remember what is at stake in my life on earth. It's easy to become dissatisfied with where I am or what I am doing. Much of the media culture around me encourages discontent. But, remembering that God alone is sovereign, and that He puts authorities over my life, and that I'm ultimately accountable to Him - all of this will keep me grounded and humble. Lastly, this story is a foreshadow of Jesus standing in the gap. Christ took it beyond atonement, though, since He actually bore the punishment of my sins in His eternal redemption, but this story is nevertheless an encouraging story to prompt me to act on a number of levels.

P) Father, the grace and mercy You displayed at this time, along with Your justice, is humbling. I never want to stand in rebellion, against You or the leadership You have placed over me. Help me to be humble and obedient. I will worship You alone, and trust the leadership over me that is calling me to stand in the gap for people. Help me to trust Your ways enough that I serve You regardless of the perceived dangers in obedience. You are merciful and good. So, be gloridied in my obedience, help me to lead others in righteousness, truth, and worship. Let Your will be done. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 03/10/2015; Numbers 12:2

Today's reading: Numbers 12

S) "² and they said, 'Has the Lord indeed spoken only through Moses? Has He not spoken through us as well?' And the Lord heard it."

Numbers 12:2 (NASB)

O) The first thing to acknowledge in the rebellion of Aaron and Miriam, is that they spoke the truth. In verse 1, we read that they spoke against Moses regarding the nationality of his wife. They were not lying, as Moses had indeed married a Cushite woman. Then, in verse 2, they contended that God had spoken through them as well (which He had, since Aaron was a mouth piece to Moses during the exile from Egypt, and Miriam herself was called a prophetess in Exodus 15:20). The problem was not the words they spoke, but the heart they had in the words they spoke. They were angry that they were not allowed to do what they wanted to do. We are not told the details of their desires, but the context of their words showed that they wanted to be equals with Moses (if not his superior). They were unsatisfied with the position where God put them. Despite the truthful expression of their words, God was looking at their heart, and He judged accordingly (see vv.9-10).

A) Speaking truth has a way of making my feelings seem justified. If the words I am speaking are valid, then I can more easily reason that my heart behind those words is also justified. This is a very dangerous game to play, and God refuses to play along. I cannot allow myself to try to justify my feelings with manipulative use of truthful words. This is another area where my heart must be convicted by the Holy Spirit and the Truth of the Bible. By engrossing myself in the Word, and allowing the Holy Spirit to convict me of this heart-sin, God will humble me before my pride causes me to stumble and costs me much more in a painful humbling process. God will discipline His children to humble them, and I am no exception. The alternative is that I humble myself before Him in self-discipline (which is of course, through grace as well).

P) Father, You are omniscient, and nothing is hidden from Your sight. You see my heart in all things, and You hear more than the words I speak aloud. Convict me from within, Lord, about more than just the words I speak. Convict me of pride and haughtiness, when I am wrongly ambitious. Help me remain submitted to Your sovereignty, as the sole rightful King of my heart. Sit alone on the throne in my heart, God, and discipline me quickly if I am ever trying to put myself higher than I ought. Help me to find my satisfaction only in You, Lord. Use me as You see fit, and let Your will be done in my life, and on earth, as it is in heaven. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 03/09/2015; Numbers 11:28-29

Today's reading: Numbers 11

S) "²⁸ Then Joshua the son of Nun, the attendant of Moses from his youth, said, 'Moses, my lord, restrain them.' ²⁹ But Moses said to him, 'Are you jealous for my sake? Would that all the Lord’s people were prophets, that the Lord would put His Spirit upon them!'"

Numbers 11:28-29 (NASB)

O) From the start, Moses was reluctant to be the leader of this people. In a sense, that humility might be the very reason he was chosen. Here, we see another example of the humble approach Moses had. He was clearly feeling overwhelmed by the people (see vv. 10-15), and was ready to quit. God laid out a plan for him to use seventy men, and God's Spirit would be with those men as well. Each of those men had a brief moment of prophecy, but two of them were in camp (instead of being at Moses' tent at that time), and they continued to prophesy. This was when Joshua apparently became jealous on behalf of Moses. But Moses replied that He wished all of God's people were prophets, probably in part because it would have taken the onus off of Moses. He would no longer feel the pressure of being the only intercessor for this obstinate people. Eventually, what Moses spoke that day is exactly what would come to pass, as the Holy Spirit is promised to every believer.

A) This sentiment might have come from a place of frustration and exhaustion, but it also teaches an important lesson in humility. Paul echoed the words of Moses, when he wrote in 1 Corinthians 14:5, "Now I wish that you all spoke in tongues, but even more that you would prophesy;" This is an excellent reminder to me that I cannot, and should not be doing it all for people. My desire must be that they would grow into a place that they are nurturing their relationship with God independent of me. As a husband, I should be leading my wife in such a way that, if the Lord took me home without her, she would continue to thrive in her relationship with Him. With my kids, my goal should be that they are raised up to a point of serving God without me dragging them to church. With every ministry opportunity, it should be my hope that the people who receive anything from me, would be growing to a point that they don't "need" me anymore.

P) Father, You are good. You provide me with everything I need to do what You have (and are) calling me to do. I am not burdened with half a million people, but even the small group of people who might look to me, can still feel overwhelming if I am tempted to think I'm doing it alone. In my life group, in my extended family, even in my immediate family and marriage, help me to lean on You, God. Remind me that the Holy Spirit within me is not just for understanding the Bible. Lead me by Your Spirit. Strengthen and sharpen me by Your Spirit. Keep me humble, Father God. At all times, let me remember that my goal in any ministry, is to help someone grow toward You, and away from me. In that way, let it always be less of me and more of You, God. Let me always be humble enough to let go of control. Be glorified in my life. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 03/08/2015; Numbers 9:22

Today's reading: Numbers 9

S) "²² Whether it was two days or a month or a year that the cloud lingered over the tabernacle, staying above it, the sons of Israel remained camped and did not set out; but when it was lifted, they did set out."

Numbers 9:22 (NASB)

O) The Israelites followed God out of Egypt while He appeared as a pillar of cloud (or smoke) by day, and a column of fire by night. In this chapter, we read that they continued to follow God through the wilderness in the same fashion, and wherever the LORD stopped, there they erected the tabernacle. In this passage (vv.15-23), Moses described in exhaustive detail, how they only moved according to the lead that God gave them. In the verse above, I took special note that they would even remain camped in one place for as long as a year, waiting for God to lead them before moving to the next place. Again, I think this shows a different perspective (the truth about it, to be sure), about the process the Israelites went through, on their way to the Promised Land. Not only were they not wandering as if they were aimless with no goal, they also were not wandering in the sense that they were actually following explicit directions. They were not lost, they were not directionless, they were not confused about how to get to the Promised Land. From the outside looking in, it might appear that they wasted forty years in the desert. From the inside looking out, we learn a much different perspective, that God was accomplishing His will for His people in His time.

A) God's ways are not our ways, His thoughts are not our thoughts. I know those facts scripturally, from Isaiah 55. But, His time is also not our time. He may require me to move quickly, never settling on a particular thing for more than one day at a time. Other times, God might want me to camp on something for longer, a month or two, or even a year. What I read clearly, throughout the Bible, is that God's timing is perfect, and our vision about things is limited. Whenever His people have rushed into things, or delayed, they have messed things up for themselves. This means that one of the most important things I can do, is to pray and ask God to move me according to His timing about things. After all, if I am not seeking His direction, if I am not paying close attention to His "cloud" in my heart, then I cannot rightly expect to be following His lead about when to proceed and when to stay.

P) Father, You are perfect in Your knowledge and will. You do not misunderstand and You cannot be deceived. You never misjudge time, and You're never early or late. I am not a good judge of time, at all. I confess that I am lazy and I procrastinate, trusting too often on my willpower and personality to get me out of the trouble that my sinful heart causes. I want to be more obedient with my time, Father God. I want more discipline when it comes to time management. I cannot create time or timing. I am only a steward of what You have given me. Lately, with my most recent job change, You have given me a trove of time each day. God, I want to honor You with that time. I want to obediently follow Your lead with it. Impress upon my heart, how to best glorify You with my time. Help me to be immediately obedient when You're calling me to action. Help me to be contentedly patient when You're calling me to stay. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 03/07/2015; Numbers 3:46

Today's reading: Numbers 3

S) "⁴⁶ For the ransom of the 273 of the firstborn of the sons of Israel who are in excess beyond the Levites,"

Numbers 3:46 (NASB)

O) There is no small amount of counting in the book of Numbers. While reading through the book, chapter by chapter, it can be tempting to assume that these numbers are estimates. Many of them seem conveniently even, or round in their totals. So, when I came to v.43, the number of the firstborn males among all the people, from one month old and up, I was a little surprised to read such an exact, seemingly random number (22,273). This stands in contrast to the number of the Levites, which was 22,000 (seemingly a rounded estimate of some kind). So, when I read the above verse, it served to confirm that these numbers are indeed exact. Furthering that point, God told Moses he was to ransom these 273 with five shekels per person, at 1,365 (see v.50).

A) Over and over, I am impressed by the specificity of our God. He is exact in His nature and instruction. Details matter to Him. This is important and relatable, because details matter to me. The details of my life might seem mundane or trivial to some, and it's easy to assume that the God of the universe who has so much to do and so many responsibilities, might also be unconcerned with the details of my life. But, details matter to Him. He knows the numbers of every hair on my head, He wants each and every life redeemed. He does not want any matter to be ignored or slip through the cracks. My details matter to Him, and that is a great comfort. At the same time, the details of the lives of other people, should also matter to me. I cannot be selfish about which details matter. This is the compassion of the LORD, the compassion I should have.

P) Father, thank You so much for being a detailed, personal God to me. I am so encouraged and comforted with the knowledge, that You can about my details. I want to serve others with that same kind of attention. I know I can't solve their problems, not like You can, but I want to come alongside them, bearing their burdens with them. Open my eyes to see and my ears to hear, not just about Your will and plans, but also to see and hear others the way You hear and see them. Soften my heart to encourage and comfort those in need, and to serve them the way You would serve them directly. Use me to glorify Your name and accomplish Your will. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.