The Saturday Evening Post – He Fell Upon His Face – by Pastor Ted Stahl

Today’s Passage – Numbers 16 – 18 (Click on the references to listen to the audio – Click here to view the passage from Blue Letter Bible)

(Second Milers also read – Acts 22 – 24; Proverbs 21; Psalms 106 – 110)

Read the “0221 Evening and Morning“ devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon.

“Now Korah, the son of Izhar, the son of Kohath, the son of Levi, and Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab, and On, the son of Peleth, sons of Reuben, took men: And they rose up before Moses, with certain of the children of Israel, two hundred and fifty princes of the assembly, famous in the congregation, men of renown: And they gathered themselves together against Moses and against Aaron, and said unto them, Ye take too much upon you, seeing all the congregation are holy, every one of them, and the LORD is among them: wherefore then lift ye up yourselves above the congregation of the LORD? And when Moses heard it, he fell upon his face…” (Numbers 16:1-4)

Good morning. Have you ever been attacked by other Christians, or for that matter, the unsaved? You were just going along fulfilling God’s will when somebody sins, and because sin does not only affect the sinners, but those around them too, something happens to you too. You may have to shift things around because you lost a good worker. You may not be able to see them again because they moved away. Sin affects everybody.

Moses had a problem with Korah, Dathan, and Abiram. They assembled two-hundred and fifty princes, famous in the congregation, men of renown: and they gathered themselves against God’s men: Moses and Aaron. What was the final outcome? God was not pleased with their actions…

“And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, Speak unto the congregation, saying, Get you up from about the tabernacle of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram. And Moses rose up and went unto Dathan and Abiram; and the elders of Israel followed him. And he spake unto the congregation, saying, Depart, I pray you, from the tents of these wicked men, and touch nothing of theirs, lest ye be consumed in all their sins. So they gat up from the tabernacle of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram, on every side: and Dathan and Abiram came out, and stood in the door of their tents, and their wives, and their sons, and their little children. And Moses said, Hereby ye shall know that the LORD hath sent me to do all these works; for I have not done them of mine own mind. If these men die the common death of all men, or if they be visited after the visitation of all men; then the LORD hath not sent me. But if the LORD make a new thing, and the earth open her mouth, and swallow them up, with all that appertain unto them, and they go down quick into the pit; then ye shall understand that these men have provoked the LORD. And it came to pass, as he had made an end of speaking all these words, that the ground clave asunder that was under them: And the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed them up, and their houses, and all the men that appertained unto Korah, and all their goods. They, and all that appertained to them, went down alive into the pit, and the earth closed upon them: and they perished from among the congregation. And all Israel that were round about them fled at the cry of them: for they said, Lest the earth swallow us up also. And there came out a fire from the LORD, and consumed the two hundred and fifty men that offered incense.” (Numbers 16:23-35)

A horrible price to pay for rebellion. But this could have happened to the whole congregation: all of Israel…

“And the LORD spake unto Moses and unto Aaron, saying, Separate yourselves from among this congregation, that I may consume them in a moment. And they fell upon their faces, and said, O God, the God of the spirits of all flesh, shall one man sin, and wilt thou be wroth with all the congregation?” (Numbers 16:20-22)

What did Moses and Aaron do? They fell on their faces, and asked God to forgive the congregation. God would later tell King Saul, through the prophet Samuel…

“For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft…” (1Samuel 15:23)

It commanded in Exodus 22:18, “Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live.”

What did Jesus say to do?

“But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you, Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you.” (Luke 6:27-28)

Jesus tells us…

1) Love your enemies. You only have one enemy: the devil. He is the slug that infests and destroys the world that God created. Others may appear to be like enemies, but the real enemy is the devil.

2) Do good to them which hate you. They hate you because they are not like you: they don’t have Jesus. The best ‘good’ you could do for them which hate you is to give them Jesus.

3) Bless them that curse you. That curse was put there in their mouth by the devil, so be a blessing to them. If they need help, help them. Show them Jesus in action.

4) Pray for them which dispitefully use you. Dispitefully use means to insult, slander, or falsely accuse. Pray for these people. Moses and Aaron fell on their faces before God, begging His mercy on the congregation. Should the congregation have to pay for one man’s sin? No, but this sin of Korah’s took out three families, and two-hundred and fifty princes. Remember Jesus on the cross…

“Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.” (Luke 23:34)

Peace!


Posted in Devotions, Guest Posts, Thoughts from Numbers and tagged , , , , , , , , by with no comments yet.

Korah’s Rebellion: When Discontent Destroys the Church

Listen to today’s passage – Numbers 16 – 18 

Follow along on Blue Letter Bible – Numbers 16 

Second Milers also read – Acts 22 – 24; Proverbs 21; Psalms 106 – 110

Listen to this morning’s Scripture Song – Psalm 121

Read the “0221 Evening and Morning“ devotion for today by Charles Spurgeon.

Read a previous post from this passage – “Standing Between the Living and the Dead,” and “A Tithe of a Tithe”

“Seemeth it but a small thing unto you, that the God of Israel hath separated you from the congregation of Israel, to bring you near to himself to do the service of the tabernacle of the LORD, and to stand before the congregation to minister unto them?” – (Numbers 16:9)

“And it came to pass, as he had made an end of speaking all these words, that the ground clave asunder that was under them: And the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed them up, and their houses, and all the men that appertained unto Korah, and all their goods. They, and all that appertained to them, went down alive into the pit, and the earth closed upon them: and they perished from among the congregation.” – (Numbers 16:31-33)

In chapter 16, we see a group within the congregation of the children of Israel who were rebelling against the God-ordained leadership of Moses. One of the leaders of this insurrection was Korah, who was a Kohathite. The Kohathites were part of the tribe of Levi, but their specific responsibility involved transporting the ark and the other pieces of furniture and instruments that were used in the service of the Tabernacle. They were not priests, but they were servants for the Lord in the Tabernacle.

In verse 9, Moses rebukes Korah for not being content with the job that the Lord had given him. Korah wanted more. He wanted to grab some of the glory that he saw Moses and Aaron getting. It reminds us of Lucifer, who was not content guarding the holiness of God. He wanted more too; he wanted to be like the “most High” (see Isaiah 14:12-14). This rebellion resulted in the death of Korah, along with the other men involved and their families. Further, many more people from the congregation perished the next day after they complained about the death of Korah.

You would think that Moses would have been very happy that God was removing all these “nelly naysayers” from the congregation. However, in Numbers 16:41-50, we see him interceding to God for these folks. Verse 48 tells us that Moses “stood between the dead and the living; and the plague was stayed.” A true spiritual leader will have a broken heart for the people within his congregation that are rebelling against his leadership.

We see this same type of behavior today in our local churches. God puts in place leadership for the congregation, but there will always be some Korahs within the congregation who will become disgruntled and some will even attempt to gain control. The process usually begins with murmuring and complaining about the job that the pastor and other leaders are doing. They will often grab the ears of other disgruntled people and try to bring them in with them. Before you know it, there is a group of people within the congregation who are gaining power, working against what the leadership is trying to do. It won’t be long before it comes to a head. Somebody will have to go. Sometimes it’s the pastor. Sometimes it will be the Korahs of the congregation; but when he leaves, he usually pulls a bunch of people out with him.

While legitimate concerns should be raised respectfully and through proper channels, chronic murmuring that undermines God’s appointed leadership often reveals a heart issue.

God has set up the leadership structure in our churches today and we can usually trust the process. He calls a man to a ministry. That calling is then confirmed by a vote of the congregation. The congregation still has the power to remove the pastor and other leaders if there are serious enough issues. But usually, unless there is something immoral, heretical, or seriously unethical, the congregation should rally behind the pastor and leaders, pray for them, and work with them as they lead the congregation in the fulfillment of the Great Commission.

At Jersey Shore Baptist Church, the senior pastor and deacons are voted on by the congregation. All other leaders are appointed or at least approved by the senior pastor. Other churches may have elders or assistant pastors that are voted on by the congregation. Ultimately, the congregation and God have the final authority.

Don’t be a Korah. Support your pastor and the other leaders that God has placed within your church. Work with them. Help them as they try to win souls and disciple new converts. Pray for them and their families. Love them by making sure their needs are met. You may not appreciate or agree with every decision they make, and you may have some concerns about the ministry direction they are going, but you can still be patient and offer your support for their leadership. And, in the case that you absolutely cannot cheerfully support the leadership within your church, find a church where you can, but carefully and prayerfully consider also that the problem may very well be you.

Notice the three admonitions given in the Letter to the Hebrews regarding spiritual leadership:

“7 Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation. … 17 Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you. … 24 Salute all them that have the rule over you, and all the saints. They of Italy salute you.” (Hebrews 13:7, 17, 24)

A Note to Pastors and Spiritual Leaders

An additional note should be made here regarding leadership. Moses was not a dictator. He was the appointed representative of God who directed him personally – face to face. Leaders today are not dictators either. They are appointed to follow the principles of Scriptures and the guidance of the Holy Spirit. They are to be servant leaders who model what they are directing their congregations to do. Peter summed up spiritual leadership. He stated:

“1 The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed: 2 Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; 3 Neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being ensamples to the flock. 4 And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.” (1 Pet 5:1–4)

Paul also gave qualifications for leadership in 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1, and he expressed his heart regarding leadership when addressing the elders from Ephesus:

“28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. 29 For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.” (Acts 20:28–29)


Posted in Devotions, Thoughts from Numbers and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , by with no comments yet.

Gathering Sticks on the Sabbath: When Disobedience Costs Everything

Listen to today’s passage – Numbers 14 – 15

Follow along on Blue Letter Bible – Numbers 14

Second Milers also read – Acts 19 – 21; Proverbs 20; Psalms 101 – 105

Listen to this morning’s Scripture Song – Psalm 119:105

Read the “0220 Evening and Morning“ devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon.

Read previous posts from today’s passages – “Fear Not,” and “Obstacles“

In our reading today there was a very scary story involving a man that was stoned to death for gathering sticks on the Sabbath Day. Wow! Does that mean that God will kill us if we work on Sunday? Let’s explore this topic together.

The Passage

“And while the children of Israel were in the wilderness, they found a man that gathered sticks upon the sabbath day. And they that found him gathering sticks brought him unto Moses and Aaron, and unto all the congregation. And they put him in ward, because it was not declared what should be done to him. And the LORD said unto Moses, The man shall be surely put to death: all the congregation shall stone him with stones without the camp. And all the congregation brought him without the camp, and stoned him with stones, and he died; as the LORD commanded Moses.” – (Numbers 15:32-36)

Relevant Passages

“Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work: But the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates: For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.” – (Exodus 20:8-11)

“And he said unto them, The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath:” – (Mark 2:27)

The Story in a Nutshell

In Numbers 15 there is a very interesting story about a man that was caught “gathering sticks” on the Sabbath day. The congregation was not sure what they should do to this man for his violation of the Law, so they went to Moses. Moses wasn’t sure, either, so he went to the Lord, and the Lord declared that the man should be put to death. That’s a pretty harsh punishment for working on Sunday. (I know the Sabbath was on Saturday, but you get my point.) Every time that I have read this story I have thought to myself that the punishment that was inflicted upon this man was too severe for the crime he committed.

What is a Presumptuous Sin?

I think the key to understanding why God did what He did is found in the preceding verses:

“But the soul that doeth ought presumptuously, whether he be born in the land, or a stranger, the same reproacheth the LORD; and that soul shall be cut off from among his people. Because he hath despised the word of the LORD, and hath broken his commandment, that soul shall utterly be cut off; his iniquity shall be upon him.” – (Numbers 15:30-31)

God made a distinction between sins of ignorance, and sins of presumption. The word “presumptuous” in the passage literally means to “raise high,” or to “exalt.” This means that the person guilty of presumptuous sins was exalting himself above the law, and above God Himself. This man was guilty of willful disobedience. (See “When We Miss the Mark: The Sin Offering and Our Saviour,” a previous post discussing presumptuous sins)

How Do We Willfully Disobey Today?

In my home there were only three offenses that one of my children could commit which would warrant them discipline, and one of them was willful disobedience. The other two were disrespecting an adult and lying. Anyway, this man in Numbers 15 blatantly ignored the will of God. He lifted himself above God, and above the leadership that God put in place. God wanted to set an example with this man to demonstrate to the congregation that a blatant and willful violation of His law was very serious.

Lessons from the Passage

There are many lessons that we can learn from this passage, but I will share only three thoughts:

  • God is serious about the Sabbath, meaning that even today He thinks it is best for us to take one day out of seven, and dedicate it to rest and spiritual refreshment. I realize that we are no longer under Law regarding the Sabbath, and I also realize that there are occasions where we will be unable to rest or attend church, but the principle of one day out of seven still applies. Be careful about ignoring this principle that was designed by God for your own good. In Christ, we’re free from rigid rules, but the wisdom of regular rest remains God’s gift for our flourishing.
  • The congregation did not act alone in punishing this man. They went to Moses to find out what should be done, and then Moses went to God. We saw this in an earlier passage regarding the man who blasphemed God in Leviticus 24:10-14. In that account, the congregation also put the man in ward (prison) until they knew from God what they should do. (See “The Mind of the Lord: Discerning the Will of God When Faced With Difficult Decisions” for more about this story from Leviticus) 
  • God is also serious about willful disobedience (sinning presumptuously). All sin is bad, but there is something more serious about boldly and proudly doing what we know to be wrong. I do not believe that God will kill us today (in most cases) for presumptuous sins, but I do believe that He will eventually chasten severely the child of His that blatantly ignores His will. Thank God that the death sentence for presumptuous sins was paid by the Lord when He shed His blood on the Cross of Calvary.

We live in the day and time where Christians have the idea that “everything goes.” This is simply not true. Though, through faith in Christ, we have experienced the grace and mercy of God needed because of our falling short of His commands, this does not give us license to ignore the will of God. God is still God and He has the right to order the affairs of our lives. Do not be guilty of exalting yourself above His will by presumptuously ignoring and violating His commands.

Is there an area of your life where you know God wants you to do something (or stop doing something? Yield that area to God.

Are you doing your best to remember to keep a weekly sabbath in your life? God designed us with a need to take time away from the business of life to break from our normal routines, rest our bodies, and reflect on Him.


Posted in Devotions, Thoughts from Numbers and tagged , , , , , , , , , , by with no comments yet.

Speaking Against God’s Servant: The Danger of Jealousy in the Family of Faith (Numbers 12)

Listen to today’s passage – Numbers 11 – 13 

Follow along on Blue Letter Bible – Numbers 11

Second Milers also read – Acts 16 – 18; Proverbs 19; Psalms 96 – 100

Listen to this morning’s Scripture Song – Psalm 92:1 – 4

Read the “0219 Evening and Morning“ devotion for today by Charles Spurgeon.

Read a previous post from today’s passage – “We Could Use Some More Spirit-Filled Preachers,“ and “When the People Complained“

As we’ve discussed in previous blogposts, the wilderness journey of Israel was marked by a persistent undercurrent of murmuring. In today’s reading, we have seen complaints that began with the people’s dissatisfaction over food (Numbers 11), escalated as family members challenged the leadership of Moses (Numbers 12 – the focus of this devotion), and finally culminated in national unbelief and rebellion at the edge of the Promised Land (Numbers 13). These chapters reveal how grumbling, when left unchecked, erodes faith in God and His miraculous provision and protection.

In Numbers 12, the grumbling hits close to home: it comes from Miriam and Aaron, Moses’ own sister and brother—respected leaders in their own right. Miriam, the prophetess who once led Israel in a triumphant song after crossing the Red Sea (Exodus 15:20–21), and Aaron, the high priest, speak out against their brother Moses, but what was worse was they were speaking out against the leader of God’s people:

“1 And Miriam and Aaron spake against Moses because of the Ethiopian woman whom he had married: for he had married an Ethiopian woman. 2 And they said, Hath the LORD indeed spoken only by Moses? hath he not spoken also by us? And the LORD heard it. … 9 And the anger of the LORD was kindled against them; and he departed. 10 And the cloud departed from off the tabernacle; and, behold, Miriam became leprous, white as snow: and Aaron looked upon Miriam, and, behold, she was leprous.” (Num 12:1–2, 9–10)

The Complaint and Its Deeper Root (vv. 1–3) The text opens: “Miriam and Aaron spake against Moses because of the Ethiopian woman whom he had married” (v. 1). This likely refers to Zipporah (or possibly a second wife), from Cush (modern-day Ethiopia or Sudan), making her probably a darker-skinned outsider to the Israelites. But the surface issue quickly gives way to the real heart problem: “Hath the Lord indeed spoken only by Moses? Hath he not spoken also by us?” (v. 2).

Jealousy over Moses’ God-ordained authority surfaces. They question not just his marriage but his singular role as God’s chosen leader. Moses, described as “very meek, above all the men which were upon the face of the earth” (v. 3), does not defend himself. He remains silent—leaving the defense to God.

God’s Direct Defense and Rebuke (vv. 4–9) God summons the three siblings to the Tabernacle. In a pillar of cloud, He affirms Moses’ unparalleled relationship with Him: “With him I speak mouth to mouth, even apparently, and not in dark speeches; and the similitude of the LORD shall he behold” (v. 8). Other prophets receive visions and dreams, but Moses spoke with God face to face.

“Wherefore then were you not afraid to speak against my servant Moses?” (v. 8). God’s anger burns against both Miriam and Aaron, though the consequence falls differently. The Lord departs, and the rebuke stands: challenging God’s chosen leader is ultimately challenging God Himself.

The Consequence and Mercy (vv. 10–16) As the cloud lifts, Miriam stands leprous, “white as snow“—a visible, isolating affliction that turns her skin deathly pale. Aaron, turning to look, sees it first and immediately pleads with Moses: “Alas, my lord, I beseech thee, lay not the sin upon us, wherein we have done foolishly, and wherein we have sinned” (v. 11). He begs that she not be like a stillborn child, flesh half-consumed (v. 12).

Moses, ever the intercessor, cries out simply: “Heal her now, O God, I beseech thee” (v. 13). God responds with measured mercy: If a father had spit in her face in public shame, she would bear it seven days. So let her be shut out of the camp seven days, then restored (v. 14). The people wait for her—no journey until Miriam returns (v. 15). Restoration follows shame.

Why Miriam and Not Aaron? The Bible doesn’t state an explicit reason, but the text and context offer insight:

  • Miriam appears as the primary instigator. The Hebrew verb (dāḇar) in verse 1 is 3rd person feminine singular (“she spoke”), suggesting she led in the complaint, with Aaron joining or following. Her prophetic role and bold personality (seen in Exodus 15) may have made her words more influential and accountable.
  • Aaron shows immediate repentance and intercession (vv. 11–12), aligning with his priestly calling to mediate.
  • Striking the high priest with leprosy would have defiled him, halting sacrifices and disrupting Israel’s worship system at a critical time. God preserves the priesthood’s function.
  • The punishment serves as a public warning: leprosy isolates and visibly marks sin, teaching Israel not to challenge God’s choices in leadership or marriage. Ironically, Miriam’s skin turns “white” after objecting to a dark-skinned wife—highlighting the folly of prejudice.

Both face God’s anger (v. 9), but the consequences are different—showing God’s chastisement is tailored, not arbitrary, always with mercy in view.

Devotional Takeaways for Today

  • Jealousy poisons even close relationships. Family or ministry envy can disguise itself as concern (“Hasn’t God spoken through us too?”). It questions God’s wisdom in how He distributes gifts, roles, or blessings. Guard your heart against comparison (Galatians 6:4–5; 2 Cor 10:12).

“4 But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. 5 For every man shall bear his own burden.” (Gal 6:4–5)

“For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.” (2 Cor 10:12)

  • God defends His own. Moses didn’t need to retaliate; God stepped in decisively. When we face unfair criticism—especially for following God’s call—trust Him to vindicate (Romans 12:19).

“Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.” (Rom 12:19)

  • Humility and intercession triumph. Moses’ meekness and quick prayer model Christlike response. Aaron’s repentance shows that turning back opens the door to mercy.
  • God’s discipline aims at restoration. Seven days of shame for Miriam led to healing and return. Discipline isn’t final rejection but loving correction (Hebrews 12:5–11).

“5 And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him: 6 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. 7 If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? 8 But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons. 9 Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live? 10 For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness. 11 Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.” (Heb 12:5–11)

Is there an area where envy or comparison is tempting you to murmur against God’s appointed order in your life, church, or family? How can you replace it with gratitude and prayer today?


Posted in Devotions, Thoughts from Numbers and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , by with 1 comment.

Don’t Move Until God Tells You To: Lessons from Numbers Nine

Listen to today’s passage – Numbers 8 – 10 

Follow along on Blue Letter Bible – Numbers 8

Second Milers also read – Acts 13 – 15; Proverbs 18; Psalms 91 – 95

Listen to this morning’s Scripture song – Joshua 1:8

Read the “0218 Evening and Morning“ devotion for today by Charles Spurgeon.

Read a previous post from today’s reading – “Wait Until I Pray“

Have you ever felt stuck, waiting for direction on a big life change—like a move, job, relationship, or ministry step? In Numbers 9, God gave Israel a vivid picture of how to wait: Don’t move until He moves.

“At the commandment of the LORD they rested in the tents, and at the commandment of the LORD they journeyed: they kept the charge of the LORD, at the commandment of the LORD by the hand of Moses.” – (Numbers 9:23)

In Numbers 9, the Bible tells us that the children of Israel only moved when God moved. They followed the cloud by day, and the fire by night. If the cloud rested, they stayed in one spot; if the the cloud moved, they followed it. This kept life pretty simple for them. They did not have to make a decision about where they were going to go, they just followed God.

We can do the same thing today when deciding where we are going to go, or what we are going to do. We can simply follow God. Determining the will of God in our time is just as easy as it was in Bible times. God guides us through his Word, through prayer, and through counsel. Let’s say you are contemplating a move to a new geographic location. You need to check out what the Bible says about that place. Is there a good, Bible believing church for your family?

The Bible says a lot about people moving. Abraham moved into Egypt after being told that Canaan was the place of God’s blessing. He had some problems in his life as a result of that move. There are many other examples and principles in the Bible that will help you to make a decision. One thing is for sure, you do not want to move simply for financial reasons, or because you think the grass will be greener somewhere else. Lot moved because the grass near Sodom looked good, but he ended up losing everything, including most of his family.

Prayer and counsel are also important steps in determining a decision. All three need to be in agreement, however; and you know what the Bible says about a threefold chord (Ecclesiastes 4:12), right? It’s not easily broken. Pray about your decision, but be aware that God will never reveal in prayer something that goes against the principles found in the Word of God.

Then you need to get counsel. Have some people in your life that you can go to for advice. People who will be honest with you. People that won’t tell you just want you want to hear. Don’t “shop” for counsel, either. People often will go from person to person until they find someone who will agree with them. That’s not counsel. Ask your pastor, ask your parents, or ask some godly person in your life who will tell you the truth.

When are you going to move, and where? Who are you going to marry, and when? Where will you go to college? Which church will you attend? Where will you work? These are all important decisions. You don’t have to decide these for yourself. Follow God. He will direct your path and He will light the way. I promise if you follow God all the way, you will be pleased with what He does with your life.

Steps for Discerning the Will of God
  1. Start with Scripture: Does the choice align with God’s revealed will? Prioritize a Bible-believing church community (Hebrews 10:24–25), godly relationships (e.g., marrying a believer who pursues Christ—2 Corinthians 6:14), and honoring God in work (Colossians 3:23). Avoid paths that contradict clear biblical principles.
  2. Pray persistently: Seek God’s peace and direction (Philippians 4:6–7; James 1:5). God won’t contradict His Word in prayer.
  3. Seek counsel: Turn to trustworthy voices—pastor, parents, mature believers—who speak truth in love, not just what you want to hear (Proverbs 11:14; 15:22). Avoid “counsel shopping.”
  4. Watch for providence: God often guides through open/closed doors, circumstances, and inner conviction as we walk faithfully in what we already know.

Ultimately, as Proverbs 3:5–6 promises:

“5 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” (Prov 3:5–6)

Following God wholeheartedly leads to a life of purpose and blessing, even through challenges. When we surrender the decisions to Him, we can trust He’ll direct our paths and bring joy in the outcome.

May the Lord give you clear guidance in whatever steps lie ahead. He is faithful to lead those who seek Him!

What decision are you facing today? Pause, pray, and ask the Lord to guide. Share in the comments if you’d like prayer—I’d love to join you in seeking Him!


Posted in Devotions, Thoughts from Numbers and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , by with 5 comments.

Hearing the Voice of God

Listen to today’s passage – Numbers 7

Follow along on Blue Letter Bible – Numbers 7 

Second Milers also read – Acts 10 – 12; Proverbs 17; Psalms 86 – 90

Listen to this morning’s Scripture Song – Psalm 89:1

Read the “0217 Evening and Morning“ devotion for today by Charles Spurgeon.

Imagine hearing an audible voice from heaven like Moses did—mind-blowing! Yet today, many of us scroll past the very place God speaks loudest: His Word. Have you paused long enough lately to really listen?

“And when Moses was gone into the tabernacle of the congregation to speak with him, then he heard the voice of one speaking unto him from off the mercy seat that was upon the ark of testimony, from between the two cherubims: and he spake unto him.” – (Numbers 7:89)

“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:” – (John 10:27)

Chapter 7 of Numbers is a very long chapter, and not exactly what I would call great devotional reading. However, as with the rest of the Bible, this is a very important passage. Here we see the heads of the tribes of Israel all presenting to the Lord their offerings at the dedication of the Tabernacle. Each tribe had to offer the same thing which included some gold and silver, incense and flour, and an assortment of animals. We can see from this passage and from many other recent chapters that the Israelites were dedicated in the area of giving, and they not only gave what was required, they also gave over and above what was asked of them.

The last verse of this long chapter tells us that after the offering was made, Moses went into the Tabernacle to speak with God, and he heard the voice of God coming out from between the cherubims on top of the mercy seat in the Holy of Holies. I cannot imagine what it must have been like to hear the audible voice of God – to actually hear Him speak personally to his physical ears. I can, however, hear the voice of God today as much as I desire to because He speaks to me through His Word.

Unfortunately, the people of God do not always heed the voice of God when He speaks with them. The psalmist tells us to not harden our hearts as these Israelites often did in the wilderness:

“6 O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the LORD our maker. 7 For he is our God; and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand. To day if ye will hear his voice, 8 Harden not your heart, as in the provocation, and as in the day of temptation in the wilderness: 9 When your fathers tempted me, proved me, and saw my work. 10 Forty years long was I grieved with this generation, and said, It is a people that do err in their heart, and they have not known my ways: 11 Unto whom I sware in my wrath that they should not enter into my rest.” (Ps 95:6–11)

The Bible is God’s voice. He spoke to me this morning about this dedication offering. He also gave me some wisdom from Proverbs 17. And then he motivated me and stirred me as I read about Peter and the other apostles and people from Acts (see the “Second Miler” readings for today).

God speaks to me in other ways also besides the Bible. Sometimes, as I walk and pray, God will speak to my heart. Now, we have to be careful about these “still small voices” that we hear in our heads and our hearts. We need to be sure that it is God who is speaking with us. Sometimes our flesh and even the devil can put thoughts in our heads that are not of God. One way you can tell if it is actually God speaking is if the thing that He tells you is in agreement with the Word of God. He never goes against His Word. It always alarms me when people tell them that God told them to do something that was in complete contradiction to His clear revelation in the Bible.

“While God can impress thoughts on our hearts during prayer or daily life, test every impression against the Bible—He will never contradict His written Word.”

Have you listened for His voice today? Did you open up your Bible this morning, along with your heart and mind, and hear what God has to say to you? Have you waited on Him today in your prayer closet to hear Him speak to you about specific areas of your life? It is not that God is not still speaking today as much as it is that His children are not listening.

Today, carve out 10–15 minutes to read a chapter aloud, pray over it, and ask: “Lord, what are You saying to me right now?” Then wait in silence. It might be a good idea to journal what comes to mind or record it in the margins of your Bible.

 


Posted in Devotions, Thoughts from Numbers and tagged , , , , , , , , , , by with 6 comments.

The Lord Bless Thee: A Reminder of God’s Love

Listen to today’s passage – Numbers 5 – 6

Follow along on Blue Letter Bible – Numbers 5

Second Milers also read – Acts 7 – 9; Proverbs 16; Psalms 81 – 85

Listen to this morning’s Scripture Song – Psalm 61:1 – 3

Read the “0216 Evening and Morning“ devotion for today, by Charles Spurgeon.

Read a previous post from this passage – “The Nazarite Vow“

Have you ever felt like God’s Word is full of rules and requirements, only to stumble upon a verse that suddenly reminds you how deeply He loves you? That’s exactly what happens at the end of Numbers 6.

“The LORD bless thee, and keep thee: The LORD make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.”  (Numbers 6:24-26)

Quick Review of Chapters Five and Six
  • In chapters 5 of the Book of Numbers, God is instructing the children of Israel about what they should do if a man suspects that his wife has been unfaithful to him. The Bible talks about “the spirit of jealousy” that comes upon a man if there is something going on behind his back. I believe the same holds true for the wife. While we often view jealousy negatively today, the Bible shows God is jealous over His children, and a healthy, controlled jealousy in marriage can reflect that protective love. 
  • Chapter 6 discusses the rules concerning the vow of the Nazarite. When a person took this special vow of consecration in Old Testament days, he would not cut his hair or his beard, and he was not permitted to touch any alcohol, or come near anything (or anybody) that was dead. This vow was a vow of “separation unto the Lord”. The person that took this vow was declaring that his or her life was wholly dedicated to God. Usually, a person would be under this oath of separation for a period of time, not for his entire life. By the way, don’t confuse a Nazarite with a Nazarene, which is a person that comes from the city of Nazareth. Jesus was a Nazarene.
The Priestly Blessing (Numbers 6:24 – 26)

This morning, I was struck afresh by the prayer of blessing found at the end of chapter 6. It seemed almost strange for this beautiful prayer to be placed in this particular place. I mean, we have been reading a lot lately about commandments, sacrifices, rules, etc. Here, God tells Aaron that he wants him to pronounce this prayer of blessing over the people. I think God just wanted to remind the people that he loved them and that He was for them. I think we can learn a few lessons from this as well.

  • First, we need to be reminded that God loves us and wants nothing but the best for us. We sometimes picture God as an angry, cold dictator that is ready to pounce upon us when we do wrong. That is not God. He loves us and He wants to give us the richest blessings and a life full of abundance.
  • The second lesson that we should learn from this is that when we are trying to teach our children, we need to remember to let them know often that we love them. Yes, we need to give them all of the rules, commandments, and instructions; and yes, we ought to discipline them when they do wrong, but we also need to make sure that they know that we (and especially God) are in their corner, and that we want nothing but the richest blessings for their lives.
  • This principle extends beyond parenting and would also be a good lesson for preachers and spiritual mentors to learn as well. In our zeal to instruct, we sometimes come across as being uncaring and unloving. You have heard the old saying: “People do not care about what you know, until they know that you really care.” Well, we ought to really care, and we ought also to express that love and care often to the people that we are trying to help.

We ought to really care, and we ought also to express that love and care often to the people that we are trying to help. So this morning, why not follow God’s example? Speak blessing over someone in your life—your child, spouse, friend, or maybe your students—using these very words: “The LORD bless thee, and keep thee: The LORD make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.”

Carry that assurance today: Your Father is for you, and His love surrounds you.

Remember: Amid life’s rules, requirements, and corrections, God inserts this beautiful reminder—He loves you, He’s for you, and He longs to bless you abundantly. Rest in that truth today, and let it shape how you love others.

 

  


Posted in Devotions, Thoughts from Numbers and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , by with 2 comments.

A Job For Everybody

Today’s Passage – Numbers 3 – 4 (Click on the references to listen to the audio – Click here to view the passage from Blue Letter Bible)

(Second Milers also read – Acts 4 – 6; Proverbs 15; Psalms 76 – 80

Listen to this morning’s Scripture song – 1 John 3:1

Read the “0215 Evening and Morning“ devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon.

“Bring the tribe of Levi near, and present them before Aaron the priest, that they may minister unto him.” (Numbers 3:6)

“For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.” – (Romans 12:3-8)

In chapters 3 and 4 of the Book of Numbers, we see God’s instructions to the families of the tribe of Levi. They were placed in charge of the ministry of the Tabernacle. Aaron and his sons were the priests and they were put in charge of the service of the other families. The Gershonites were responsible for the setting up, taking down, and transportation of all of the curtains and coverings of the Tabernacle with the exception of the vail. Only Aaron and his sons were permitted to remove the vail and it was to be placed upon the Ark of the Covenant. The Kohathites were responsible to transport all of the furniture in the Tabernacle, though they were not permitted to touch any of the “holy things” or even be present when they were being covered by Aaron and his sons. The Merarites were responsible to set up and transport all of the boards and bars that served as the framework of the Tabernacle. Each family had their responsibility and each family had their place where they were to camp around the Tabernacle.

The thought I had this morning regarding this passage is this: what if one of the Merarites didn’t want to transport bars and boards? Maybe they wanted to transport coverings instead like the sons of Gershon. The point is that these people were not given the choice about what they wanted to do. They were assigned a task by God and were expected to do it. It is sort of like the military. They don’t really care about what you want to do. They are going to assign you a duty and you will be expected to do it.

It is not at all like this in the local church today. We tell people that they can do whatever they want to do. We tell them that they have the liberty to choose where, why, and how they can serve the Lord. But should it really be that way? Shouldn’t we still be seeking to discover what the Lord’s will is regarding who will serve and in what capacity. There are many guidelines given in the Bible regarding service within the local church and that certainly is where we should start the process, but we also ought to be very careful that we are very prayerful about what each person is given to do within the body. We also need to be careful about just sticking people in positions simply because there is nobody else to do it. We see a perceived need so we place anybody we can find in the position. I believe that if the need is genuine, God will supply the right person. Maybe we are creating needs and positions that are not of God. I remember at one church we were serving in years ago, I felt that it was my duty to fill every perceived need that was present. I was working with the youth, junior church, bus ministry, Sunday School, and much more. The problem was that it wasn’t God’s will for me to be doing all of those things, so I began doing them in the flesh, which profited nothing. And maybe somebody else was missing out on their true calling because I was doing too much.

I believe that God has got a job for everybody to do within the local church and I also believe that God has got the right person for every need within the body. Leaders need to be admonished to pray earnestly about finding the right, biblically qualified person to do the job. The people need to be willing to fulfill God’s will for their lives, whether it be teaching people or cleaning toilets. Every task within the church is important and every worker within the church is equal in the sight of God, as long as they are doing what God has called them to do. The ministry is much more than just preaching and teaching the Word of God. In order for the Great Commission to be fulfilled within a local church there are a lot of tasks that need to be performed. God has gifted certain people to perform each of these duties.

I believe that all ministers need to be willing to do whatever is necessary in order for the ministry to function, but we also need to be constantly on the lookout for people who will be willing and able to do all of the things that need to be done. Every duty is important and every person that performs these tasks are also important to the cause of Christ. The janitor that does his job well is just as much in the center of God’s will as the preacher who prepares, prays, and preaches.

What is your job within the local body of believers? What has God equipped you to do? Find your niche within the church and help your church fulfil the Great Commission.


Posted in Devotions, Thoughts from Numbers and tagged , , , by with 5 comments.

Be Sure Your Sin Will Find You Out

Today’s Passage –Numbers 32 – 33 (Click on the references to listen to the audio – Click here to view the passage from Blue Letter Bible)

(Second Milers also read – 1 Corinthians 1 – 4; Proverbs 27; Psalms 136 – 140)

Listen to this morning’s Scripture Song  – Micah 6:8

Read the “0227 Evening and Morning“ devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon.

 “And Moses said unto them, If ye will do this thing, if ye will go armed before the LORD to war, And will go all of you armed over Jordan before the LORD, until he hath driven out his enemies from before him, And the land be subdued before the LORD: then afterward ye shall return, and be guiltless before the LORD, and before Israel; and this land shall be your possession before the LORD. But if ye will not do so, behold, ye have sinned against the LORD: and be sure your sin will find you out.” – (Numbers 32:20-23)

I have used the phrase “be sure your sin will find you out” many times as a parent, as a school teacher, and as a preacher. I usually use it as a warning to people who are in a situation where there are no human eyes on their conduct in order to try to keep them from the temptation of yielding to sin. For example, in our little Christian school, I have often had to walk out of the room when the students were taking a test. I would remind them that cheating is a sin, and that they could be sure that somehow I would find out about it, and even if I never did, God knows what they are up to. I remember telling my children when they became young adults that I could not be everywhere they were, monitoring their every move; but God saw everything that they were doing.

It is interesting, however, that I have never used this phrase exactly in the same way that Moses used it in the context of Numbers 32. In our text this morning, we see the tribes of Reuben and Gad asking permission of Moses to let them possess and develop the land that was on the eastern side of the Jordan River. This particular area was not originally supposed to be inhabited by Israel, at least not yet. Israel was instructed by God to cross the Jordan, and take possession of the land that was on the west side. Moses, at first, objects to their request because he says that the tribes of Reuben and Gad were needed to fight along with the other ten tribes as they took possession of the land on the other side of the river. Moses actually compares the situation to when the 12 men went in to spy out the land; ten of them returning with “an evil report”, which discouraged the people. Moses told Reuben and Gad that their absence from the battles will cause the other tribes to become discouraged as they finished the job of removing the inhabitants of the land of Canaan.  An agreement is finally reached when the men of the tribes of Reuben and Gad offer to go with the other tribes across the Jordan, and remain with them until all of the enemies of Israel have been removed from the land, and then when the job was done, they would then cross back over to their families and cattle waiting on the other side. However, Moses warns them that if they don’t follow through on what they promise to do, their sin will find them out.

Perhaps the best way to apply this principle to us today is to use it the way Moses used it. Let me explain. God has given us an assignment today just as he had given the children of Israel. Our job is not, however, to invade the land and remove people. Our job today is to invade the land and save people. Well, we don’t save them, but we can introduce them to the One who can. Then we are to train these people through the teaching and preaching of the Word of God so that they can become less like the Canaanite world around them, and more like the Lord Jesus Christ; and as they become more Christlike, they then begin to influence the people around them. So, how does this relate to what Moses warned the people of Gad and Reuben about? Moses was concerned that the lack of participation on the part of these two tribes would discourage the rest of the congregation from doing what they were called to do. Are you getting it? When we don’t participate in the Great Commission: when we don’t support the services, the studies, the Sunday School, and the soul winning programs of the church with our presence and participation, it discourages others, and may cause them to want to stop coming as well. When we don’t participate in giving our tithes to the local church, and our offerings to special projects like world missions, it can be very discouraging to the others in the congregation. Our support is not only commanded, it is very necessary. When more of God’s people are involved, it encourages, and motivates the rest of the church to get more involved as well. But, if we don’t do our part, we are indeed sinning against the Lord, and that sin will come back to haunt us eventually. Get involved. Find ways to increase your participation in the ministries of the local church. Your involvement will encourage your pastor tremendously, and it will also stir up the people around you to get on board as well.

 


Posted in Thoughts from Numbers by with 4 comments.

God Knows Why

2a89104

Today’s Passage – Numbers 30 – 31 (Click on the references to listen to the audio – Click here to view the passage from Blue Letter Bible)

(Second Milers also read – Romans 13 – 16; Proverbs 26; Psalms 131 – 135)

Listen to this morning’s Scripture Song – Isaiah 51:11

Read the “0226 Evening and Morning“ devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon.

“And Moses said unto them, Have ye saved all the women alive? Behold, these caused the children of Israel, through the counsel of Balaam, to commit trespass against the LORD in the matter of Peor, and there was a plague among the congregation of the LORD. Now therefore kill every male among the little ones, and kill every woman that hath known man by lying with him.” (Numbers 31:15-17)

Numbers 31 is a very somber passage of Scripture. Moses is commanded by the Lord to perform one last task before he dies, which was to “avenge the children of Israel of the Midianites”. 12,000 men from Israel went out and attacked a much greater number of Midianites, and were able to conquer them completely without losing one of their own men. Of course, the Midianites were not so fortunate; they ended up losing everything with all of the adult males being immediately slain. At first, the women and small male children were all spared. However, when the victors returned to camp with the spoils and the captives, Moses commanded that all of the small male children, as well as all of the adult women would also have to be slaughtered. Only the small girls were spared.

I must confess that Bible passages such as this are not the ones I look forward to reading. Later on, in 1 Samuel 15, God would once again order the annihilation of an entire nation of people (the Amalekites), including all of the women, children, and even the livestock. I have often wondered why God would command such a thing. I have examined these Scriptures carefully in the past and have even preached messages from them. I have explained to people some of the reasons why God would need to be so severe, but I was always left with more questions in my own mind. Wasn’t there any other way? Couldn’t God have spared even just the children? How do we reconcile this Old Testament God of vengeance with the New Testament God of love and mercy? My human reasoning cannot fully comprehend the answers to all these questions regarding what God was thinking when He chose such drastic courses of action.

I still don’t have all the individual answers to these and many other questions, but I have come to a place in my faith that has helped me tremendously. I no longer question God. There are a lot of things about God that make absolutely no sense to my finite brain, but I trust that He knows what He is doing, and He does not have to offer me any explanation. Why did God kill all of the Midianites? Why did He destroy the entire world with a flood? Why did He kill the Amalekites? Why did God allow the Towers to come down on 9/11? Why does He permit the pain and suffering of millions of people today? I know why, and yet I don’t know why. I mean, I may understand partially, but I can’t comprehend fully; but I do know God, and I trust Him that He knows why, and that’s good enough for me. I know God loves me, and I know He loves the world and all of the people in it, and I know that God does everything right, even when I can’t see any right in it.


Posted in Thoughts from Numbers by with 8 comments.

‹ Older Posts