OT: The Book of Deuteronomy, Chapter 6

Deuteronomy 6:1-25

The first chunk of this chapter is the foundation of Matthew 22:36-40. A disciple asks Jesus what the most important commandment is and Jesus responds that love is the most important. The most important thing we can do is to deeply, thoughtfully, passionately love our God. For our love of God will lead us through every circumstance of life.

36 “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”

37 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

6:1 Moses has just finished re-delivering the 10 commandments to the children of Israel (the group of 12 tribes, each representing one of Jacob's children. Moses gives us the reason for the commandments in this verse: these are the statutes and judgments which the Lord your God has commanded to teach you. 

The children of Israel are poised to enter a new place, a new season in their lives and God wants them to be prepared. Each of us are constantly entering new phases and places in our lives and God wants us to be prepared as well. He has established and delivered these commandments for our benefit. God finds joy in our joy; He consistently works for us to have joy. If we want to live a joyful life, He has given us the blueprint.

God has established these commandments in the hope that we will observe them as we cross over into new land, actual and figurative. We are encouraged to be these commandments, to embody them. As Paul wrote: 

Colossians 3:12  

“Clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” These commandments provide us with the method with which to do so.

6:2 We are encouraged to keep these commandments all the days of our lives and to re-establish them in the lives of the generations to come through us. If we are able to keep them, the days of our lives will be prolonged by God. When God says "prolonged," He means it. Life prolonged into eternity.

Moses is an elderly man at this point and the only reason his journey on earth is coming to a close is because his purpose is over. With God on our side, we are not dependent on or vulnerable to the limitations of our bodies. Our God is the God of life, John 4:14.

6:3 God's promises and blessings are packed with beauty and abundance. His promises are always unexpectedly. exceedingly good. He loves to surprise us with more than we ever could have dreamed of. When we walk in faith, pushing forward with love for Him even though we cannot visibly see Him, He finally, gently pulls the blindfold off to reveal our present. Tailored to us, perfected by Him. We walk in faith; we hear Him. We do not physically see Him yet but through perception we recognize Him. We have eyes to see and ears to hear and that spiritual perception allows us to walk directly toward our blessings and then inherit them in perfect time.

Faith provides our hope, our path, our direction, our guide and our destination. Faith hands us over to our God, our God who is so in love with us, and God takes over. If, through our faith, we hear and are careful to observe His guidelines, it will be well with us. We will be multiplied greatly, just as God has promised. We will be led into lands flowing with milk and honey: opportunity, justice, safety, abundance, love. Literally. Figuratively. God's gifts are beyond our imagination.

6:4-5 We cannot help but love God as we become familiar with Him. For God is life. God is love and light. God is justice and wisdom. God is compassion and joy. God is a provider and a creator.

God's love is explosive, decimating... in the best of ways. We are loved so fiercely that our bodies would shatter from it if He were not so careful to protect us. God's love is inspiring. Uplifting. Encouraging. God's love is an advocate, a cheerleader, a protector. 

His soul and mind wields all things: establishing beauty in every atom of every thing. Moses calls us to love the Lord our God with all our heart, with all our soul, and with all our strength. 

Because that is precisely the manner in which He loves us! Even though we do not deserve it, even though we cannot earn it, God's love for us is bold, forgiving, tender and constant.

God would literally, in the fullest sense of the word, do anything for us. God has flooded the earth to protect us from evil. God has reformed the earth, and will again, in concentrated effort to save us. God has manifested Jesus to come speak to us one-on-one. He goes to the infinite borders of the universe and back to try to reach us. 

Our love for Him reveals our gratitude. Our awe. Our humility. Our servitude. Our perception of His great Hand and Will in all things. We cannot describe the joy we give God when we love Him back. He has given us free will here on earth to choose Him, to love Him. Our love for Him completely lights up the universe. How can we not love an entity who loves us so much? Measly, fickle, fallible humans that we are. Allow yourself to perceive His love for you and then reflect on how astounding it is that He even takes an interest.

God think's you're the cat's pajamas. The coolest thing since sliced bread. God thinks you're a fundamental element of the universe. Of life. He cannot imagine life without you. How can we not fall in love with His generosity?

6:6 Keep these commandments in your heart. Allow them to be both your firm foundation and your lighted beacon. Why? Well, the commandments encourage us to shed jealously, anger, fear, hopelessness, covetousness, and violence from our hearts, minds and lives and to just allow love to fill in all those spaces. The commandments from God encourage us to led love lead and fill.

6:7 Imagine an earth on which each child of God impressed their faith into the hearts of their posterity. Moses's advice is for us to diligently, intentionally, carefully, teach our children about our creator's love for them. We are to keep the love and thought of our Spiritual Father in these moments: when we speak, when we sit, when we walk, when we lie down, and when we rise up. Keep in in every moment because He can do miraculous things with a moment.

6:8 God's love and guidance should be in every interaction we participate in. The works of our hands should be inspired and led by Him. God's love and guidance should be right between our eyes, founded in our brains, guiding and inspiring our minds. 

6:9 God's love and guidance should be on our doorstep, our bodies, our houses, should be temples constantly representing and worshiping Him:

1 Corinthians 6:9 

Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? 

6:10-12 Moses, and more importantly - God, knows how forgetful and ungrateful we become. The children of Israel are about to be led into a land already established for abundance: beautiful and stocked cities and homes, vineyards and gardens.

If you are wondering why the children of Israel are about to inherit this land:

Deuteronomy 9:5

It is not because of your righteousness or your integrity that you are going in to take possession of their land; but on account of the wickedness of these nations, the LORD your God will drive them out before you, to accomplish what he swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

As humans, we seem to only be grateful until we grow accustomed to what we have. Moses wants us to remain in wonder and gratitude all the moments of our lives. To discover that every breath is a blessing, every gust of wind. God is present in every moment and experience, and if we seek Him, He will make Himself known. He will completely take the reigns of our lives and wield us toward joy.

6:13 We are meant to keep our eyes fixed on Him, even (especially) when we do not know what to do, 2 Chronicles 20:12. We must be careful not to replace Him with other idols, other people, other obsessions. He is the only entity worthy of our reverence. 

6:14-15 God has claimed us; He loves us. He does not want us to flit to and from other relationships. It hurts Him when we leave Him or try to replace Him. Our relationship with Him should be at the forefront, more important than all others. We cannot serve Him and our material obsessions: 

Matthew 6:24

No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.

When we put God first, when we love Him the most, His love teaches us how to properly love others. He teaches us how to put our values first, above all temptation. We must be careful because we depart from Him in small moments, moments when we let temptation win or anger or jealously persevere over our patience..

6:16 We must stop tempting Him. We must stop doubting Him. We must walk by faith, rather than sight, 2 Corinthians 5:7. As long as our eyes, our hearts, souls and minds are fixed on Him, He is leading us toward blessing.

6:17 We must be diligent in our faith. Our faith is going to expertly guide us through the changing atmosphere and landscape of life. Faith always knows what to do, because faith is instructed by God. Faith allows God to propel us through life and into His love, will and blessing.

6:18 Moses reminds the children of Israel, and us, that in order for all to be made well in our lives, we must do what is right and good.

6:19 God is constantly removing the Balaam and Balaks from our periphery, Numbers 22. God does not allow the storm to entire into our lives... that is, if we give Him the authority (through faith) to protect us. No matter who is conspiring against us, no mater how powerful or capable or determined they are, they will fail at God's command. God is our strength and shield, Psalm 28:7. In order to have His protection, walk into His sphere.

Remember Romans 8:31

What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?

6:20-24 Remember God. Moses instructs the children of Israel to keep this covenant alive throughout generations. God is committed to each generation, no matter how much time passes:

Psalm 100:5 

For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.

We must keep the covenant alive on our side because God is certainly keeping up His end of it. It is important to remember all that God has done, all the places He has been for us. He has earned our trust and our remembrance and we benefit from remembering that.

6:25 This verse is a wonderful, blessed reminder of Romans 8:28.

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

God is faithfully committed to creating and ensuring goodness in the lives of His children. Since we know how capable He is, and how much He loves us, we know that He will always persevere on our behalf.

OT: The Book of Deuteronomy, Chapter 5

Deuteronomy 5:1-33

5:1 Moses reaches out for our attention: listen that you may learn and observe. The condition of our lives comes down to how well we listen, how often we a willing to learn, and how studiously we observe. Through the elements of life, God is constantly teaching us. Yet throughout history, He has needed to shout out to regain our attention.

Moses asks the children of Israel to learn in order to be able to observe the statutes and judgement of God. The interesting thing about the word observe is that Moses is using it to mean: do, follow, practice what God has taught. But in order to do, follow, and practice God's teachings, we must also observe perceptively. In every moment there is something to learn: small and large things which contribute to the whole picture. Self improvement in small moments leads to home, neighborhood, community and world improvement in large ones.

Therefore our first step is always to develop the willingness to learn from God. We should have a view and understanding of ourselves as students, no matter our age or educational degree. God encourages our humility for our own benefit: through it we learn the way through life.

5:2-3 God constantly renews His covenant with us and our ancestors. He never forgets His promises; He never grows lazy; He never becomes apathetic. He keeps this spiritual thread between us and Him alive. Moses is reminding the children of Israel (and us) to remain committed because God's promises are not ancient. They are just as present and promised as they were in Abraham's day.

5:4 God speaks with us face to face on every metaphorical mountain of our lives. Every time we approach Him we get His full attention. Each time we reach out for Him, He is present and transparent with us. He gives His whole, honest self.

5:5 Moses is the intermediary between God and the children of Israel. You do not need an intermediary. You may speak with God face to face, and He encourages you to do so. The children of Israel were afraid to approach Him; they were constantly hesitant to listen to Him, to accept Him, to remain steadfast with Him. They were afraid of Him because they were too stubborn to get to know Him. They did not spend time with Him, the time to discover the gentle and instructive wisdom in His words.

God's fire should never frighten you. God's fire is warmth to His children and the destruction of the evil against them.

We revisit the 10 Commandments, given in Exodus 20 (given for our benefit and quality of life):

5:6-8 No other Gods before our God. We are monotheistic believers but more than that, we do not put anything before God. Not money. Not fame. Not vanity. Not power. Not control. We must remain diligent to keep our eyes fixed on Him. It is so easy to become distracted or tempted by a thing or a person. To put anything before God is to remove wisdom, discernment, truth and justice from center-field. To put God first is to be on a straight, fast-tracked path toward life and joy, justice and compassion, wisdom and truth. To allow other things to win our heart, focus and attention is to deter from the path best suited for us.

5:9-10 God's mercy is abundant. Let yourself become absorbed by Him. God's gentle love is available to each of us in every moment of our lives... but just as important is God's tough love. He knows how to keep us focused and progressive. Sometimes He might allow us to be nipped if it means teaching us not to be swallowed whole. His actions, even His tough love, is merciful. Everything He does is done directly out of His heart in compassion rather than authority.

5:11 Moses reminds us to respect God's name. To honor Him for the blessing that He is. We should be careful not to blame God for things humans have caused. Our God gives life, fixes and restores. 

5:12-15 It is beneficial for our faith for us to reserve a day to reflect on our spirituality, on our God and our values. Our day and age is much different than the children of Israel's: we live in a world which constantly works to procure. Many people almost have no choice but to work every day of the week. The reason why our world is so hectic and strenuous is because somewhere along the line, humanity stopped respecting this Sabbath-day commandment. We become mesmerized, absorbed by the desire to procure material, wealth and power (even on small scales) and our faith was left in the gutter. Forgotten. Faith's values no longer serving as the bumper-rails which keep us on track.

5:16 We are instructed to honor our parents. Compassion begins in the home; we are meant to learn and practice respect with those who brought us into the world. We are cherished, guided, cared for servants of God not of man. If God encourages us to have compassion, it is not meant to make us weak... but is meant to make us strong in Him. Strong and understanding in faith. We cannot begin our lives with bitter, brittle relationships. If our relationships with our parents are strained, we are meant to begin practicing perspective and forgiveness. Why? Because anger and brokenness will hold us back our entire lives, constantly corrupting our view.

5:17 People interpret this commandment not to murder in different ways. God wants us to know that it is unacceptable to maliciously kill an innocent person. God understands self-defense; in these books of the first testament, we learn how committed God is to wiping out evil. 

5:18 Be faithful! In all relationships: social, platonic, romantic and spiritual.

5:19 Let the Lord provide. Do not steal because faith in God will ensure that you have everything you need. He will never leave you destitute. Do not let greed or temptation weaken your trust in His ability to provide. If you do not have something, you either do not need it, or it is coming to you in God's timing.

5:20 Be honest! Exclaim, always, the truth. Do not let lies corrupt and obscure what is simple.

We do not have to fear the intentions of others' because Genesis 50:20 reminds us that God redirects the harm hurled at us into blessings. God is present and working hard, always, for His honest, innocent child. He never fails. He never fails on our behalf.

5:21 Do not be jealous or greedy. Again: Let the Lord provide. Be happy for others when they have beautiful things and relationships. As God's children, we should want each other to thrive. We must always remember that God brings into our lives what He knows we need. He loves to make us happy! Does our faith allow us to wait for Him to deliver in His perfect time? God is an artist. He's making perfect what He has designated for you. Wait for the art to be perfected and gifted to you.

5:22 Moses reminds the children of Israel that God's commandments have no changed. He does not change; God is always consistent and comprehensive. Although the children of Israel's lives have changed drastically (and will continue to do so) He wants them (and us) to remember that God is steady. Our relationship with Him will consistently bring good change, progressive change in our lives. But His good, beautiful, generous, wise Spirit will never change.

5:23-27 The children of Israel refuse to develop personal, intricate relationships with God. Because of their refusal to get to know Him, they confuse His might with fearful authority. We must not make this same mistake. God does not control or hold His power over our heads. Instead He allows us to take the reigns of control, but always directs us to the places which are best for us.

5:28 Indeed, until we are willing to create person, intricate relationships with God, we will not truly understand Him. We will continue to see Him as a looming authoritarian rather than the gentle parent that He actually is.

5:29:31 Those who are willing to approach the Lord, to take the steps of humility and bow before Him as a child, as a student, are anointed by Him. Instead of returning to your tent, be drawn out of your tent by Him. Climb the mountain, as Moses does. Come to Him, fact to face, heart to heart, and receive your holy purpose. Many people stay in the tent out of doubt, out of fear, ignorance, lethargy, shame. Bare your soul to God so that you stand before Him in full honesty and courage. You have broken ways? A broken heart? He will mend them like broken bones. He will reset them, reform you and send you out as a leader. But you must come out of the tent.

5:32-33 Moses closes this chapter beautifully for us:

32 “Therefore you shall be careful to do as the Lord your God has commanded you; you shall not turn aside to the right hand or to the left. 33 You shall walk in all the ways which the Lord your God has commanded you, that you may live and that it may be well with you, and that you may prolong your days in the land which you shall possess.

OT: The Book of Deuteronomy, Chapter 4

Deuteronomy 4:1-49

4:1 Moses' speech is meant to bolster our determination to maintain our faith with diligence. We are the descendants of the children of Israel, who, by Moses in this chapter, are being implored to protect their posterity by keeping God in their lives (that's us)! Moses is packed with valuable and godly advice and he pours all of it out here for our benefit.

• We cannot be led into godly places and expect to remain there without godly behavior. If we enter the ocean, it is required that we swim. On mountains we must climb. When we enter God's space, we must journey His way in order to succeed and remain there. We cannot change the rules in the water or on the mountains, their specific conditions and terrain must be adapted to. God will lead us into the promised land, in heaven, and into our individual blessings here on earth but if He is leading we must follow. We must emulating our God's compassion, justice and truth in order to maintain the lifestyle He has given.

4:2

• We cannot be manipulators who tweak God's instruction to benefit our own selfish agenda. His word must be applied to all aspects of our lives. God has given us specific instructions because only His precision knows how to navigate this life toward Him, justice and compassion. 

4:3-4 

• Moses wants us to remember that our God is life: The creator as well as the sustain-er. Luke 20:38, John 7:38. Maintaining our faith is to maintain our lifeline. Moses' reminder is that God breathes perseverance into our lives just He breathed life into our lungs. God's children are not limited by statistics or vulnerabilities, or anything else; Moses reminds us that those who anchor themselves to the Lord endure. Those who love the Lord go the journey and arrive at the destination, fully intact, stronger every day.

4:5-6 

• From within God's promised land, we inherit responsibility. As His children, we represent His house. Our behavior must always reflect Him, naturally drawing others in, rather than pushing them away. Be careful to observe God's statutes and commandments because to whom must is given, much is expected, Luke 12:48. We should represent our creator's holiness by showing others that our greatness is drawn out of His wisdom and understanding of His principles. In crafting compassion, we are God's apprentices... His fellow workers, 1 Corinthians 3:9 and 2 Corinthians 6:1. We want to express to others that what is great in our lives, all of the joy, is born out of learning from Him.

• And God is teaching in every moment we are bowed at our desks as students. He is present in our daily interactions with others, our private thoughts, motivations, intentions, goals and hopes. He is within every space we will allow our faith to pour into, instructing with gentle wisdom and guidance.
• We each have the blessing of developing a personal and intricate relationship with Him. How He reaches out and into each of us is extremely specific. If there is every static on the communication line, it is not from His end. He is present, pure and clear, eternally. 

• Develop the personal and intricate communicative relationship and then utilize it, listen to it. What is right is not always easy but He is always right. Therefore even when skeptical, trust that His way enables a fruitful harvest, the results we hoped for in any situation.

4:7 

• God's love and attentive devotion to us is a privilege; God has declared it a right out of generosity, but He never had to take an interest in us or our concerns. The minutia of our lives does not effect Him but His generous and compassionate heart is affected by the minutia of our lives anyway. Moses wants us to realize and remember that having this holy lifeline is extraordinary, in many ways unearned and undeserved but present and committed all the same.

• For whatever reason we may call upon Him... God does not just listen to what we have to say, He also cares about what we say. His love for us transforms our irrelevance into substance, meaning. He transforms the inessential into essential. We must not overlook that blessing: He has made us each crucial pieces of the fabric. We must respect that cherished position and appropriately fill that opportunity.

4:8 

• The basis of our justice system was built from the foundation of the order God delivered to the children of Israel. Although some of the system is antiquated in our present time, (confuses us or maybe even upsets us) it was a massive change in social order centuries ago. It was the change the world needed to progress further into what we have today. Our system is flawed now just it was then, but God's intention has always been to inspire us to broaden the scope of justice to include all people. God's intention was never rigidity; His hope is that we abound in compassion and propel it infinity in all directions.

4:9-10

• Our diligence is required because we so easily and so often forget God's natural order. We forget Him and in our neglect of Him, we allow our joy and hope and opportunity to dwindle away as well. Because He is our source for all those things. Inherent goodness created us and wants to sustain us but it is a mutual effort. Our participation is required. We must be like Him when it is easy and when it is difficult; Matthew 5:46. We cannot only remember Him when it is convenient.

• The maintenance of our faith requires that we maintain it into the lives of the people who come through us, after us. We are meant to bend in such a way that we refract the beams of God's light into the lives of those around us and after us. The way we do that is to bend, bow down, before Him in grateful remembrance, inspired acknowledgement and diligent apprenticeship.

4:11-14 Moses speaks to the children of Israel, and perhaps directly to you: God has spoken to them and they have heard. They have willingly entered into a covenant with God. If we have heard, the honor and responsibility of creating a relationship with Him must be remembered and maintained. 

4:15-19 When humanity decided it wanted to be separate from God, God gave humanity what it wanted. A separation. When we are little there are sometimes situations where we are embarrassed by our parents or desperate for independence and those situations cause us to ask for things we are not prepared for. Essentially, we unclasped our hands from His and asked to walk to school alone. He let us, but like any good parent, He parks behind the bushes to watch us as we make our way.

God is always present, aware and prepared. He is willing and so able, without hesitation, to jump out from the bushes and retake our hand. Because as we walk we realize the distance is further than we thought. The scene so much more unfamiliar from this new perspective. We realize that the world is bigger and more unpredictable without Him. Suddenly we become hyper-aware of our vulnerability.

God is waiting for us to realize that we do not want to walk to school alone. He is waiting for us to realize that we were safer in His hands. He's waiting for us to find Him in the bushes and invite Him back on the walk to school. The walk through this schooling which is life. Safe, walking proudly with our hand in His.

We all get scared. In our fright, we consciously and subconsciously create supposed-comforts around us. We try to fill the place He stood with cheap, material things. Money. People. Power. Fame. Vanity. Although our lives are very different from the life of the children of Israel, we are more similar than different. Because just like them, when we feel a void or a fear in our lives, we try to fill that space or quiet that fear with just about anything except God.

Moses begins this set of verses with:  "...for you saw no form when the Lord spoke to you...". Of course we cannot see Him; He is giving us the space we asked for. But His perfect love comes rushing in the moment we invite Him back. Moses' statement should call us to remember that although we see no form, He still finds a way to speak to us. He's right behind the bush! He sees every step.

God loves us enough to remain attentive and vigilant and prepared. Imagine how He feels when we forget Him... because He watches it happen.  He watches us slip away from Him because although we forget, He never does. He is present in every moment we choose to spend away from Him or walk away from Him. Retake His hand; let everything in your grip fall out like the garbage that it is and let Him refill that space.

4:20 God does not deserve to watch such a tragic scene from behind a bush. He deserves to be center-stage in our lives because He has made us center-stage in His. He has claimed us and pinned an inheritance to our lives. The inheritance of His eternal love and home.

4:21-24 Moses' purpose on earth is coming to an end. The children of Israel will continue their journey with a new leader. Moses reminds the congregation as an imploration: I'm leaving, so listen closely. Moses was made into a sage and faithful leader by God yet the children of Israel still strayed. Moses is concerned for them (us), basically saying: listen, please... because quality of life truly does depend on one's ability to listen to God.

4:25-28 Moses knows what will happen within the group of the children of Israel. They will (and do) unfix their eyes on God and will go astray once again. Moses is familiar with this group, with the nature of humanity, and therefore he knows that we continually forget God. Moses also knows that when we let our connection with God wither, the conditions of our lives wither as well.

4:29 Although we are unfaithful to God, He remains faithful and merciful to us. Every time we seek Him "with all our heart and with all our soul" He makes Himself known. When we earnestly pursue our faith, our faith earnestly pursues our happiness.

4:30-31 When we are in distress and remember our God, He rushes in with love and mercy. Even though we do not deserve His faithful nature, He is generous in giving and promising it.

4:32-34 Moses asks us to take into consideration our great and unprecedented fortune: God has reached out to us. To claim us as His children; to bless us continually all the days of our lives. God did not have to take an interest in us, we certainly do not give Him too much reason to. But He does. We should honor Him by remembering Him and being grateful for His selfless generosity.

4:35 God comes rushing into our lives, caring and capable, to show us that He is our rescue. There is no entity capable of caring for us as comprehensively as He does. Not even close.

4:36 "Out of heaven He let you hear His voice, that He might instruct you..." God makes Himself known in an effort to give us an Advocate. He can see the whole labyrinth that is life. He knows where you should turn and why... He knows how and who.

4:37-38 He has been with us since before the beginning, Ephesians 1:4, and also since our ancestors first began here on earth. Since before day one, He has been slaying giants on our behalf, creating the conditions for us to thrive within. But we must follow Him into those protected places.

4:39-40 Moses has beautifully instructive words for us to live by:

39 Therefore know this day, and consider it in your heart, that the Lord Himself is God in heaven above and on the earth beneath; there is no other. 40 You shall therefore keep His statutes and His commandments which I command you today, that it may go well with you and with your children after you, and that you may prolong your days in the land which the Lord your God is giving you for all time.

4:41-43 Moses sets apart three neutral cities in which the law would be carried out for the tribes.

4:44-49 The children of Israel begin to settle in the spaces God has made for them.

OT: The Book of Deuteronomy, Chapter 3

Deuteronomy 3:1-29

3:1 In the beginning verse of this chapter we receive very dynamic imagery: beautiful, terrifying, hilarious, ironic imagery. The children of Israel are travelling toward their destination when suddenly they are being charged at by a powerful king and all his people! A battle is literally encroaching upon them.

This verse calls us to considering our own encroaching battles, internal and external. Those storms on the horizon we can visually see but cannot see how to defeat. 

3:2 And the Lord responds to us with the same solemnity as He does here with the children of Israel: do not fear him; do not fear that thing; I have already placed him, it, into your hand. You have and control its reigns. Very delicately, deftly, God removes the power from our enemy and places it in our hands. He gives us the power, the wisdom, the perception, the ability and opportunity to disable the battles encroaching upon us before they even get close.

When God tells us not to fear; he does so firmly and gently. He is not in a panic. He doesn't say it because He is frustrated with our fear. He doesn't say it because He doesn't understand. He tells us not to fear with love and promise in His heart. He projects His love and promise over us, over our fear, and says: my love, you do not have to worry because I'm never going to let that thing confront you. I'm never going to put you in harms way.

The reason we do not have to fear is not because our enemies are not ferocious. They often are. The reason we do not have to fear is because completely dissipates their ferocity... it cannot stand the heat of His powerful love for us. That storm can go on brewing in the horizon; it can work up every trick in its book but it's never going to be permitted to cross the barrier God's love have surrounded us with.

3:3-5 We are fortunate in a way the children of Israel were not: we read of these triumphant battles in simple sentences. Within five minutes we know that God was right and everything turned out exactly as He promised. The children of Israel never had that foundation of proof on which to build their trust.

But we do. We have the opportunity to apply these fulfilled promises to our own lives and our own battles. In the moment of the present, our lives seem disconnected, perhaps, from the children of Israel. When we put our bibles down, maybe it feels like we are putting the story away until we pick the book up again. Not so, our lives are a continuation of this story. A deep and intimate piece of the fabric. 

The children of Israel really never did have to fear because as we read here, despite the extremely fortified boundary, this enemy nation could not keep out the promises of God.

God tells us to charge forward. Straight toward Him. To disregard the barriers and the quagmire. God tells us to just plow on through, straight toward Him, straight toward Home. God tries to explain to us that we do not need to grit our teeth and push and force and manipulate our way. He's already carved our path out. He's gently sliding mountains out from our way as we continue in faith to walk. 2 Corinthians 5:7 For we walk by faith not by sight; so the mountains should not intimidate us. 

The difference, the make or break, is our perception. If we are walking toward a mountain, in a wilderness, we are worrying about food, water, shelter, the incline, the predators. Yet if we are walking toward faith, if we allow that mountain to be totally blocked, made totally irrelevant, by faith... those fears and worries are made irrelevant, too.

In the metaphorical garden of the book of Genesis, humanity grabbed autonomy out of God. God was the organizer of our lives but we dispossessed Him of the job He does so expertly well. The children of Israel are forging ahead on what that decision really meant. This journey through the wilderness is an effort toward a home. Symbolic of our lives on earth, this journey through the wilderness is an effort back toward home. 

Because we did not have to go anywhere before. We were home. Now we are scattered asunder, like the stars in the sky in the midst of a darkness. Little lights journeying toward home. It's time we, like the stars, race toward God at the speed of light. As fast as we possible can. Breaking sound barriers. Charging after Him so fast, so wholeheartedly that what is in the way does not matter because our faith is going to shatter right through.

3:6-11 This battle that moved ominously toward the children of Israel could have crippled them with fear. The trusting faith and leadership of Moses, Joshua and men and women like Caleb enabled the children of Israel to be triumphant when they were likely to be destroyed. 

At face value, this group of the children of Israel were nomads. A stranger would view them as ragamuffins, no land, no home... orphaned in the desert. A group of slaves. That is the perception we have of life when we do not input our faith, our God. That is the view of every situation, bleak and desperate, when we do not input out faith and our God.

The limitations of the world do not apply to children of God. With God, the maybes become definitely. The hopes are manifested. The darkness is transformed to light. Barriers are made passageways. And it is impossible to the rest of the world. Romans 8:31, if God is with us, who can be against us?  It is a rhetorical question; the answer is obvious: no one. No thing. 

When we are pursing Him, when we are pursuing order and restoration, God promises us that He will place blessings into our lives, love into our souls and enemies into our hands. Whatever you ask of Him, you shall receive, John 14:13.

3:12-22 God begins to distribute land allotments. Notice that as He answers the prayers of some, He places others in a comforting place to wait for theirs as He brings them into fruition. Wait patiently as God weaves the perfect conditions of your future. If you are a guest, waiting for God to distribute allotment to you, remain faithful and trusting in Him. Listen to Him, follow the little steps He's directing you to take. The little steps always come to reach His doorstep.

On the other side, if you have received a great blessing, host others. Be a host; offering the blessings you have to others who are in a season of waiting. Receiving blessings does not extricate you from the love and hope and waiting and the community. You do not detach like a shuttle as soon as God blesses or propels you. Remain in Him; proliferate His blessings. Extend them to others. Let blessings abound; turn your blessing into an opportunity to give blessings to others.

3:23-25 Moses can feel it in his soul; the children of Israel are about to receive God's blessing. He's exciting; Moses wants to see this land, to enter into it. But we can't help but wonder if Moses is momentarily forgetting about the ultimate blessing, the ultimate home and destination... life, return to spirit after earth. The true promise land.

The excitement is natural and it is good. Because Moses does not forget to be awed by God. He's amazed by the work that God is able to do and accomplish.

3:26 But as He does for us, He does for Moses too: He overrides the prayers we make that are not good for our well-being. He says no when we want to touch the stove. Not because He's mean or thirsty for power but because He's looking out for us. He's constantly guiding us along in our journey; even removing us from our when it is time or our journey to take place elsewhere. Romans 8:26, He knows what we need better than we do.

If God ever says no, it is because He has something better planned. No matter how much we grow up, we seems to retain the inability to understand "No's" as blessings. We always think of "No's" as punishment. As a thwarting. An inhibitor. A prison, even. But God's no is a redirection, a propellant toward something new. Toward something we need more than what we think we want. God's "No" is a staircase up a platform... a set of stairs that if we are willing to climb, will lead us up to a place where we can be more impactful to humanity that we ever thought possible. God's "No" unlocks happiness we've only ever dreamed of.

God's no says, as He does to Moses here, "Enough of that. Speak no more to Me of this matter." God's no says: Stop trying to walk off of this cliff, stop beginning me to allow you to do it... I'm not going to let you ruin yourself. Stop asking, stop wasting time and start walking toward this inclination... rather than toward that drop. God is always going to bring you up and away from that which will only ever bring you down.

3:27 God allows Moses to look. Our eyes to see, our eyes perceptive in faith, are able to see His will manifested across humanity and the earth. God involves us with the entire process but He still extricates us as participants when it is time. In His home, we all have a place and a love and an ability and God makes sure we are perfectly aligned to claim those things. Moses does not belong in that place; he belongs in a new place. Understand when God is trying to teach you the same lesson.

3:28-29 Moses's job as a leader on earth is coming to a close. God wants Joshua to be aptly prepared to take over. Moses's job here was over, but God already had the next phase of his life planned. God has known each of us before He even created the earth... He is so intricately involved with every aspect and moment of our lives. Ephesians 1:4.

OT: The Book of Deuteronomy, Chapter 2

Deuteronomy 2:1-37

2:1 Moses continues to recount the events of the journey out of Egypt and through the wilderness (desert). This opening speech, given by Moses, is essential instruction for the children of Israel and for us. Entrenched in our daily lives, we often miss the patterns as well as the broader scope. The children of Israel have arrived at the promised land; it is almost theirs. In the midst of the present, they forget the events of the past. The children of Israel are always only concerned about the present, pressing circumstance. They do not learn from their mistakes or God's triumphs on their behalf. How often are we guilty of the same crime?

God hopes for and encourages us to look to Him and love Him as children do, Matthew 18:3: in fascination, in obedience, as a child learning from a parent. He implores us not to ever worry, Deuteronomy 31:6. Moses reminds the children of Israel of the specifics of their journey so that they might notice and note a pattern: when they trust God, they persevere. When they distrust God, they wither.

God is about to enable and provide the land and materials and opportunities for the children of Israel to create a nation. Only diligent faith is going to uphold a nation. If they are not able to establish themselves in God, they will never establish themselves anywhere. Similarly, we will remain wanderers in deserts if we do not establish ourselves in God.

2:2-6 God instructs the children of Israel to pass peaceably through Mount Seir because that land is not theirs. Mount Seir has been given to the descendants of Esau (Jacob's twin brother). God promised Abraham that He would take care of his descendants -- not some of his descendants, all of them. The Bible very much follows the story of the children of Israel, the 12 tribes of Jacob, but we see here that God has also provided for the rest of Abraham's family.

The children of Israel carry an imperative mission: establishing the will and word of God on the earth. The children of Israel were born out of a faithful lineage of people; much is given to them and therefore, much is expected Luke 12:48.

2:7 Moses' words in this verse: "For the LORD your God has blessed you in all the work of your hand. He knows your trudging through this great wilderness. These forty years the LORD your God has been with you; you have lacked nothing."

This verse is breathtaking; God is breathing new life into this verse and is speaking directly to you. For the LORD our God is indeed blessing all of the work of our hands. In all of the ways we are living with active and impactful faith, He is blessing the works that we do. He is ensuring that we produce the fruit He has called us to bear, Matthew 7:17. He knows our trudging through this life, this great wilderness of learning and circumstance. He is in every step. Certainly all of the years of our lives He is with us; and when we have been with Him, we have lacked nothing. Our God provides:

• Psalm 107:8-9 Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind, for he satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things.
• For God, filling your belly is elementary. He's going to fill even the deeper hungers of your soul. All of the ways you want more of Him, to be more for Him... He's going to provide that sustenance. If there isn't a way to find, He will make a way. You never lack anything if He is your source for all things. He is abundant, generous, wise. He will specifically tailor your blessings to what your body needs to be alive... alive in Him, in faith, in love.

 2:8-9 The children of Israel are instructed to leave Moab alone because that land has been given as a possession to the descendants of Lot. God's promise to Abraham, Genesis 22:17, is so comprehensive! God's promises to you are the same. He sees every detail. 

• Symbolically, we ask God: Will you take care of my beach? Before He even responds, God is taking care of every component of our beach: each grain of sand, each seagull, each ocean wave, each wind gust, each palm tree, each leave and root, the surrounding sunshine... He's protecting the shores and the forests. In our lives, God is taking care of even the aspects we forget about. He knows what we need better than we do, Romans 8:26. God is powering blessings into our lives with a force we cannot even fully comprehend. He is always working for us diligently, passionately, and enthusiastically. At the very least, He deserves for us to match His work ethic.

2:10-12 Some of the history is given of Esau's descendants who overtook the land of the Horites (Emim) who are described to be a very tall population of people. 

2:11-15 God thwarted all of His opposition and disabled them from inheriting the promise land (after they rejected it).

2:16-19 God tells the children of Israel to leave the people of Ammon alone as their land was given to them by God (Lot's descendants).

2:20-23 Interestingly, these verses speak of giants. However, no matter their stature, they are overtaken by God because of corruption.

2:24-25 God gives the children of Israel (and us) permission to go forth in our lives and to conquer in the name of truth and justice. God's intention is to completely weed out evil and when we align ourselves with Him, we become participants (and proponents) of that intention.

2:26-30 The world and people who exist outside of us are always given a peaceably way and opportunity to host us, or to allow us to pass through. When they choose to reject us or oppress us, they become a barrier God shatters. Because no man or nation or force can go against the will of God.

2:31 Look out for these intimate talks God has with each of us, for the moments when He says: "See, I have begun to give..." because you and God are a team. Your participation in bringing about His will, which includes all your blessings, is an essential and beautiful opportunity.

2:32-37 God sends us out, but He remains. We our never orphaned because He is our home who moves with us. As long as we, like the children of Israel, follow His directives (which are only given to accomplish our blessings) we achieve our hopes, our dreams, our destinations. No matter who or what is against us. And life can be, should be, (is) a process of building that kind of trust. Learning to trust God when we says stay straight, do not turn left, do not turn right, even when right or left looks like a better option. We must remember that His view is more knowledgeable, more wise, comprehensive, perceptive.

God says to go straight and we buck against, in rejection, His command because we think taking a right looks better. More fun. Easier. Sometimes when God tells us to go straight we freeze and tell God, but there's an ocean! But there's a mountain! And if we will smother our worry and fear with faith, we will be able to hear God emphatically whisper in our ear, in our heart, "Yes, but, I'm going to teach you to swim, right on through that ocean... I'm going to teach you to fly right on over that mountain." Don't you know that? Don't you trust that? Your immediate response to all things should be: God will make me able.

OT: The Book of Deuteronomy, Chapter 1

Deuteronomy 1:1-46

The book of Deuteronomy is the fifth book of the Old Testament. Deuteronomy, meaning second law, and is a reiteration of God's first laws and commandments given to the children of Israel (our ancestors).

Remember that the twelve tribes of Israel were cultivated out of Jacob's 12 sons. Jacob, the son of Isaac and Rebekah, grew up and married Rachel (and Leah -- long story, go back to Exodus 29 to read!) Jacob was a man of great faith, his entirely life was a journey of delving more deeply into trust in God. In Genesis 32, Jacob's wrestling with God culminates with him giving himself completely to God. In the same chapter, God then changes Jacob's name to Israel, meaning: God prevails.

God prevails is the central theme of Deuteronomy: God works through Moses to make the 12 tribes understand that God is the One Who prevails over life. The 12 sons had children, and their children had children... and those families became the foundation of God's promise to Abraham: descendants as numerous as the stars, Genesis 15:5.

Jacob's sons (organized by Mother): (Each name now represents a large tribe of people, rather than an individual).

• Leah: Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Zebulun

• Zilpah: Gad, Asher

• Bilhah: Dan, Naphtali

• Rachel: Joseph, Benjamin 

Deuteronomy is also the book in which we will read about the earthly-death of Moses, who will be succeeded by Joshua, Numbers 27:18. Deuteronomy is similar to the books of Leviticus and Numbers.

For an overview of Deuteronomy before we begin, here is a visual source from The Bible Project:

1:1-8 In the fortieth year, in the eleventh month, on the first day of the month, God gave this message to the children of Israel through Moses: "... go in and possess the land which the Lord swore to your fathers-to Abraham, Issac, and Jacob- to give to them and their descendants after them."

1:9-18 Moses encourages the tribes to again appoint "wise, understanding, and knowledgeable men" from each of the tribes to lead and judge on behalf of each group. Remember, this is an extremely patriarchal society; the world was still dominated by men (but as we know now, God would bring eventual equality).

The children of Israel are about to cross a finishing, inherit a promise! Therefore it is important for each tribe to be well organized and focused for the task ahead. This is a particularly unruly group (as any group of humans is); God and Moses are working arduously to ensure each tribe is as prepared as possible.

All any of us truly needs is in order to accomplish anything is cooperation and participation with God's will -- however, we know from experience that we (and the children of Israel) are tragically bad at trusting God.

1:19-21 Moses begins to recount part of the journey the children of Israel have endured so far. Through it all, Moses emphasizes, God has been present and generous. God has consistently reminded the children of Israel to never fear or become discouraged... because He is in loving and comprehensive control.

1:22-23 Moses reminds the children of Israel that each tribe chose and sent a member of their own to scope out the promised land before entering it officially. The land was identified to be as good as God promised.

1:24-33 Moses continues to prepare the children of Israel by reminding them of their hesitation and even outright refusal to follow God into the great promised land. Despite God's comforting reassurance and power, the children of Israel chose fear over Him and many turned away.

" 30 The Lord your God, who goes before you, He will fight for you, according to all He did for you in Egypt before your eyes, 31 and in the wilderness where you saw how the Lord your God carried you, as a man carries his son, in all the way that you went until you came to this place."

1:34-38 God then ensured that all who refused to trust Him would not inherit the promised land (and would pass away before the group arrived). This is symbolic in that we must understand that God is our destination, the best Place we could ever arrive at. By opposing Him, there is really no (lasting) place to go.

We can also learn from the children of Israel's journey in this way: We are only going to go as far as we allow God to take us. We are only going to accomplish as much as we are willing to be led to. Many of the children of Israel gave up or did not trust and therefore remained idle or even backtracked! 

Follow God requires diligent and courageous faith but through those things, through Him, one always prevails. Because God Prevails. Many were happy to camp for life at the base of the mountain. A life of fear and mediocrity. Moses' faith encouraged him to climb the mountain. To see God, to communicate with Him, to journey with Him. The heights of Moses' faith allowed him to see a grand and miraculous future... not just for himself but for humanity through God. The heights of Moses' faith allowed him to accomplish a grand and miraculous future.

Through Moses:

• God chose a newborn, sentenced to death and transformed his life.
• God chose a baby born into slavery and raised him into royalty.
• God chose an orphan, separated from his family and restored him.
• God chose a prisoner and made him free.
• God chose a shy man and made him brave.
• God chose a man with a stutter and turned him into an orator. 
• God chose an elderly man and made him a leader.

No matter your shortcoming, no matter your displacement or disability God can transform, restore, turn, heal, strengthen, equip, train and lead you too. The children of Israel were never able to grasp that concept even though it lived right before their eyes. They chose not to climb the mountain. Climb the mountain.

Caleb and Joshua were chosen by God to continue into the promise land because of their faith, Numbers 14. They went against the majority and chose God Who is the True Majority. God blasts any debris or barrier and makes a way... once we understand that, we never cease progression.

1:39-40 Those who did not believe are turned away from the promised land. Children of the faithless are not punished because of their parents (written here and also in: Jeremiah 31:29.) The unbelievers are not being punished, either. They chose to turn away from God, and now He presents them with what they so wanted.

Nothing has changed in that department: those who wish to turn away are free to do so. Yet we must all remember that we choose our ultimate destination through our actions. God has promised each of us an inheritance and when we are presented with it, we will either be joyful for having trusted it would come... or will be indescribably frustrated with ourselves for rejecting it.

1:41-44 It is important that Moses reminds the children of Israel of their decisions. As fallible humans, we often forget how our own choices pointed us in the direction we find ourselves walking. We are quick to point a finger, place a blame. Moses highlights the specific moments in which the children of Israel rebelled against God. Moses knows that it is unfair to place any blame or distrust on God when He is and has been consistently faithful and generous with us. Moses also know that they and we, unfairly do it anyway: blame God, turn away, distrust him because of our own actions rather than His.

In an act against God's advice, the children of Israel attacked the Amorites and were easily defeated (chased as if by a swarm of bees). They were warned that God would not be with them in that battle. Perhaps they grew impatient or arrogant and believed that their success was due to their own volition. Wrong. God has been behind their every step -- guiding and protecting and ensuring. Without Him, they fall easily to their enemies. Allow God to lead and command -- with his leadership and commandments comes perfect power, love, direction and success.

1:45-46 Our God is a forgiving God, Daniel 9:9, but only if our apology is sincere. Authentic. Only if we are ready to stop resisting Him and opposing Him and become students of Him. Participators in faith.

OT: The Book of Numbers, Chapter 36

Numbers 36:1-13

36:1-13 Moses instructs the children of Israel to marry within their tribes as to keep the inheritance lines clear.

OT: The Book of Numbers, Chapter 35

Numbers 35:1-34

35:1-8 Land for the Levites is given, that they may be organized in such a way that would make them available to every tribe of Israel.

35:9-34 Construction of cities outside of the children of Israel's land allotments is commanded. This way, the judges would be impartial when making decisions in heated-arguments and debates (separate from the fray). These verses cover law regarding murder which are now well-established in our society.

OT: The Book of Numbers, Chapter 34

Numbers 34:1-29

34:1-15 The land divisions are given.

34:16-29 Leaders are appointed to divide the land.

OT: The Book of Numbers, Chapter 33

Numbers 33:1-56

33:1-49 The children of Israel's journey from Egypt is written.

33:50-56 God speaks through Moses instructions for the children of Israel before their conquest of Canaan:

• God commands the children of Israel to complete clear the land of corruption and idol-worship. This land is about to be a holy land, full of faithful children of the true God. The true God who represents justice, truth, compassion, and purity. The children of Israel are instructed to completely remove any evidence or remnants of the previous corrupt-lifestyle.

• God commands the children of Israel to divide the land evenly among them, according to their sizes. Larger tribes require a larger allotment of land, smaller tribes require smaller space. There is to be no partiality among them; each tribe receives it's fair share.

• God reminds the children of Israel (us) to remain with Him. We do not want to be in opposition to God, as the Canaanites were (look at what is about to happen to them)! God delivers His children. Blesses them with His presence, love and guidance. Blesses with home and health and provision. In essence, the children of Israel are cautioned to remember (and be inspired by) the long journey God has taken them on. Out of enslavement into freedom in a beautiful, fertile land.

• Spoiler alert: As many humans do, some of the children of Israel will take their blessing for granted and even altogether abandon God, forgetting all He has done for them. Therefore, God is right to begin this next journey cautioning them.

• We should learn from this advice from God. For when we decide to build a life with Him as our foundation, it is important that we clear all of the distractions out. In every aspect of our lives, we need to make room for Him. His word. His will. 

OT: The Book of Numbers, Chapter 32

Numbers 32:1-42

32:1-4 The tribe of Reuben and the tribe of Gad have a common interest: each tribe is pastoral. They raise, keep and care for sheep and cattle. Each tribe observes the land Jazer and Gilead and determine the land would be perfect for their lifestyles. 

32:5 The children of Israel still need to cross over the Jordan river in order to get to the promise land. Although they have not reached the promised land yet, the tribes of Reuben and Gad want to claim this land.

32:6-15 Moses shows concern: he asks the representatives of the tribes of Reuben and Gad if they intent to abandon the rest of their family and end their journey prematurely. Moses reminds each tribe of their ancestors mistakes: previously, certain of the children of Israel rejected God's promised land, wished to turn away from God, and thus were excluded from any inheritance at all.

32:16-19 Moses' questioning, however, reveals the honest intentions of Reuben and Gad. They do not want to abandon their family or God, in fact, they wish to help the group accomplish their goal of achieving their inheritance. The tribes promise to help each person receive his/her inheritance but then wish to return and claim their own inheritance, east of the Jordan river.

32:20-24 Moses explains that if the tribes of Reuben and Gad are honest, they may indeed inherit the land east of the Jordan. Moses cautions them to remain honest in faith, however, as any opposition against God will lose them their inheritance (more than land, they would also lose His love and guidance).

32:25-27 The children (families) of Reuben and God make a commitment to stand by their word, and by the rest of their group (the children of Israel) through the rest of their journey. This chapter is symbolic of the lesson that is: never place your desires before your family.

32:28-30 Moses passes on the news of this arrangement with Eleazar the priest and Joshua (who will be Moses' successor). Reuben and Gad are only allowed to inherit the land east of Jordan if the participate in the capture of Canaan.

32:31-32 Before Eleazar and Joshua, tribes Reuben and Gad remain committed to their cooperation. 

32:33-38 Moses gives tribes Reuben, Gad and half of Manasseh (which had split into two) land east of the Jordan. To understand this visually:

32:39-42 Gilead is conquered and given to half of the tribe of Manasseh (also featured in the above-map).

OT: The Book of Numbers, Chapter 31

Numbers 31:1-54

31:1 God's mission for the children of Israel is to uproot the evil that interferes with them. Moses' passing away is approaching; although we will not say goodbye to him until Deuteronomy 34.

31:2-4 Moses gathers 1,000 men from each of the tribes of Israel to be soldiers against the corrupt Midianites.

31:4-6 In all, 12,000 men from the children of Israel are sent into the battle (including Phinehas from the previous chapter, son of the priest Eleazar.)

31:7-8 The children of Israel prevail in overcoming all of the corrupt Midianite men.

31:9-11 The children of Israel gather the Midianite women and children, all of the Midianite nation's livestock and goods and then burned the cities.

31:12-13 The 12,000 return from the battle with all of the people and goods acquired.  Presently, the group is located in the planes of Moab by the Jordan, across from Jericho.

31:14-16 Moses is upset to find that the children of Israel brought back some of the corrupt Midianite women. Moses' concern is that the women will continue to plot against and tarnish the faith of the rest of the children of Israel.

31:17-18 This command is difficult perhaps to understand. Moses orders the corrupt women and their eldest sons to be killed. Although we know that life on earth is but a shadow, James 4:14, not our real or infinite life, Psalm 144:4, it is a difficult command to understand. Moses' intention is to root out evil at the beginning. He does not want any Midianite women raising their sons, with claims to Midianite nation, against the children of Israel. The unwed Midiante daughters are allowed to stay and marry with the children of Israel, assuming their innocence and assimilation to the faith.

31:19-20 The seven days away from camp, an order given by Moses, is meant to be a time of purification for the soldiers. War is, of course, traumatic, violent and destructive. It is always important for us to take time of reflection and re-alignment after any event, especially one so painful. The time is meant to remind the men of their values and priorities, motivations and intentions. God is not trying to create a brutal army. He is trying to root out evil through good. War never seems good but sometimes it is necessary (here in the world).

31:21-24 Eleazar the priest instructs the men (through Moses, from God) to only keep the strong metals. This is symbolic. God explains Himself as a hot fire: warm and refining to pure, kind, faithful souls but an eliminator of weak, corrupt souls.

31:25-54 The rest of this chapter is comprised of the divisions of all that was procured from the Midianites. 

OT: The Book of Numbers, Chapter 30

Numbers 30:1-16

30:1 Moses begins speaking to the children of Israel about instructions from God.

30:2 God teaches them (and us) through Moses that we must be true to our word. We must do what we say we will do without excuse or delay. This is corroborated in Matthew 5:33-37. God's advice to us is that in order to create a good and honest repuation, we must be good and honest. We should not have to convince people of our sincerity, our lives, our behavior and interactions with others' should be enough to show them we are true to our word. In other words, we should never give people reason not to trust us.

30:3-16 This particular law is antiquated and, most likely, tainted by the cultural context of the time. Women were protected by men because of a largely patriarchal society which did not value them. Women were both protected and oppressed by the system. We know now that God has given free will to all people. Men and women are supposed to respect each other and have equality in their relationships, Ephesians 5:28.

OT: The Book of Numbers, Chapters 28-29

Numbers 28:1-31

This chapter consists of Offerings. Sacrifice has been made defunct: Hosea 6:6 and Isaiah 1:11. The offering we now make to our beautiful God is to live a just and compassionate life in every moment. We make offerings to Him by using our resources as well as our strengths and abilities to promote justice and compassion for His children as we live in and interact with the world.

OT: The Book of Numbers, Chapter 27

Numbers 27:1-23

27:1 Of the tribe of Manasseh (one of Joseph's sons), this group of daughters' father passes away. The daughters' names are: Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah. The mention of Joseph's name is a reminder of the journey the children of Israel (through their ancestors) and we, have been through (following their lives). God made a promise to Jacob, and his grandfathers, that He would keep His promise with their posterity. This very moment is that promise being fulfilled in a specific moment.

27:2 The daughters present their case to Moses, Eleazar the priest and the leaders of the congregation of Israel.

27:3-4 Their father has died and while he was alive, he never produced any sons to inherit his portion from God on earth. The custom at the time was that sons inherited land. The daughters explain that their father was a just man, guilty of nothing except his own flaws (which we all have). They explain that their father was an honorable and faithful man and that he does not deserve to be forgotten just because he never had sons. 

This is an opportune time to explore God's love for each of us individually. Although the social construction of the time suggested otherwise, God has equal love for all of His children without partiality, Deuteronomy 10:17, Romans 2:11, Acts 10:34. Even now in our own generation, we might feel disconnected from God but He is not an exclusive club. He is a family and He draws us in, His children whom He knows intricately: 

• Luke 12:7, Matthew 10:30 Indeed the very hairs on your head are all numbered.

• Psalm 139:13 For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.

• Ephesians 1:4 For he chose us in Him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in His sight. In love...

Neither these daughters nor their father would ever be forgotten by God. Neither will you be forgotten:

• Isaiah 49:15 Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you!

27:5 Moses brings their concerns to our loving God.

27:6-7 God responds with an answer for the daughters: "The daughters of Zelophehad speak what is right; you shall surely give them a possession of inheritance among their father’s brothers, and cause the inheritance of their father to pass to them."

The daughters 1) spoke the truth, 2) genuinely cared about their father, which is a commandment and 3) believed in God's promised land even though they had not seen or arrived at it yet. They had faith.

27:8-11 God continues to respond with specific inheritance laws that will surely help many families of the congregation of Israel. God explains that a family's inheritance should always be passed to the next of kin.

27:12-14 God instructs Moses to climb this Mount Abarim to view the land which He has promised to give to the children of Israel. God wants Moses to see the promise land, but not enter it. Moses disobeyed God. Disobedience  is especially frowned upon by a prophet or teacher of the Word, because they are meant to be an example for the people, James 3:1. Even though Moses make a mistake, He did not lose God's love. He did however, relinquish his place as a prophet and therefore, God needs to appoint another and prepare Moses and the next prophet for the changeover. 

Aaron is mentioned and we are reminded that he too relinquished his "job" or responsibility given by God, Numbers 20.

Slight digression: God is busy. While settling matters for the congregation of Israel, He is protecting them from outsiders (Numbers 22) while simultaneously preparing the groups current and future prophet-leader. Meanwhile, He is listening to the prayers of each of His children. Providing food and water. Arranging their (our) future, collectively and individually. While teaching us, guiding us, loving us, forgiving us... yes, God is busy. Yet He does all of this with love and grace and ease. With precision.

27:15-17 Moses prays to God to choose a prophet who will shepherd the children of Israel in his absence. Someone who will lead them out and bring them in. Because as God's sojourning children, we are always on journeys. As a species. As a collection of souls. As individuals learning individual lessons. Moses' prayer is that we will have a helper, a comforter to lead us. 

God will answer Moses' prayer, multi-fold. Not only does God provide prophets throughout the Bible (and history of humanity), He also provides our Messiah as well as His holy spirit. Disciples and kind, faithful souls. For Jesus is our shepherd, Isaiah 40:11, John 10:11. We are the figurative sheep and God is so zealous about protecting us, John 21:15-17. God sends us a comforter, the Holy Spirit, John 14. We are never abandoned. We are never not led. When we are hungry for His love and wisdom we are never unfed. 

27:18 The Lord chooses His next prophet: Joshua, Moses' righteous assistant. The name Joshua means: God is salvation. God describes Joshua to be "a man in whom is the Spirit." The love and word and leadership of God is alive within his soul.

27:19-21 God instructs Moses to inaugurate Joshua before Eleazar the priest and before the children of Israel. In their sight, Moses is instructed by God to share some of his authority to Joshua thus creating a smooth transition. The people are used to following Moses; they will need time and opportunity to accept Joshua.

27:22-23 Moses does all that God instructs him to do; Joshua begins to take his place as the next leader of the children of Israel.

Leading our journey so far, the families and leadership of: Abraham - Isaac - Jacob - Moses - Joshua.

OT: The Book of Numbers, Chapter 26

Numbers 26:1-65

26:1-65 This chapter is another Census of the children of Israel. God apportions land to each according to the size of their tribe.

OT: The Book of Numbers, Chapter 25

Numbers 25:1-18

25:1-2 While God has been working arduously in their favor against their enemies, some of the children of Israel are disrespecting Him. Some of the men are engaging in corrupt relations with the Moabites. They have engaged in idol worship. When God proclaims that He is merciful (Luke 6:36) and loving, He clearly means it.

Generations of individuals have disrespected all of God's hard work on their behalf. They have strayed from the beautiful path He so carefully created. They have spoken ill of Him, opposed Him in word and action, and unfairly tainted and represented His name. Yet He remains the essence of patience and long-suffering, Exodus 34:6. 

25:3 Displeased with the actions of the children of Israel, God begins the procedure of tough-love. Evil actions are met with consequence.

25:4-5 Every man who rejected God and turned their reverence to Baal, an idol-god, is to be...removed from the earth. Their actions are corrupting and ruining the lives of the people around them and God will not allow it.

25:6-9 A man named Phinehas, a righteous child of God, takes it upon himself to literally pierce the root of the evil corrupting the children of Israel.

25:10-11 God is always comforted by His children Who rise and get to work in times of injustice. Phinehas posses zealous faith. Let's look at the definition of that work, zealous: great energy or enthusiasm in pursuit of a cause or an objective.

Faith is meant to be alive. Enthusiastic! Enlivened. Passionate. Forever in pursuit of its ideals and objectives. James 2:14-26 teaches us that faith without works is dead. To be in love with God, with His will is to be actively faithful. To be actively faithful is to pursue justice and compassion, hope and truth.

The nature of Phinehas' faith inspires God to bless him in a massive way. Read the next two verses, Phinehas' blessings from God, as blessing you will also receive when your faith becomes zealous.

25:12 God: "Behold I give to him My covenant of peace; ..."

Peace encompasses every nutrition our minds, bodies and souls need and hope for. More than contentment, peace is abundance. More than happiness peace is exuberant joy. Everlasting kindness. God makes a promise to plant peace into the lives of His children who are zealous for Him. For to be zealous for God is to be zealous for justice and compassion. We have witnessed how God continues His promises with generosity into eternity. Generation after generation, He remembers His promises. He remembers long after we forget.

25:13 "... and it shall be to him and his descendants after him a covenant of an everlasting priesthood..." God explains why: "... because he was zealous for his God, and made atonement for the children of Israel."

God is so pleased with Phinehas that He trusts that Phinehas will raise a faithful family, able to receive the everlasting promises and love of God. The world has tainted the word priest -- many think of religion, immediately. Rigid. Strict. Judgmental. Corrupt.

What God means is that He will remain with the generations of His zealously faithful children as they joyfully, compassionately, peacefully spread His word. After all, bringing news and wisdom of Him is the happiest feeling: 

Isaiah 57:7

7 How beautiful upon the mountains

Are the feet of him who brings good news,

Who proclaims peace,

Who brings glad tidings of good things,

Who proclaims salvation,

Who says to Zion,

“Your God reigns!”

Phinehas takes it upon himself to seek atonement for the children of Israel even though he is innocent. Long before Paul even teaches, Phinehas follows this advice:

Philippians 2:1-4

1 Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, 2 fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. 3 Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. 4 Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.

25:14-15 The root of the opposition against God came from these two people named: Zimri, "my music" and Cozbi, "my lie". Zimri was a child of Israel, beloved by someone enough to be named my music. You are God's music, do not ruin yourself with lies and corruption.

25:16-18 The children of Israel begin a battle against the Midianites whose corrupt and idol-worship lifestyle was pervading the land.