The Daughters of Zelophehad Speak Right

Listen to today’s passage – Numbers 27 – 29

Follow along on Blue Letter Bible – Numbers 27

Second Milers also read – Romans 9 – 12; Proverbs 25; Psalms 126 – 130

Listen to this morning’s Scripture song – Psalm 51

Read a previous post from this passage – “A Pastor’s Heart“

Read the “0225 Evening and Morning“ devotion for today, by Charles Spurgeon.

“1 Then came the daughters of Zelophehad, the son of Hepher, the son of Gilead, the son of Machir, the son of Manasseh, of the families of Manasseh the son of Joseph: and these are the names of his daughters; Mahlah, Noah, and Hoglah, and Milcah, and Tirzah. 2 And they stood before Moses, and before Eleazar the priest, and before the princes and all the congregation, by the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, saying, 3 Our father died in the wilderness, and he was not in the company of them that gathered themselves together against the LORD in the company of Korah; but died in his own sin, and had no sons. 4 Why should the name of our father be done away from among his family, because he hath no son? Give unto us therefore a possession among the brethren of our father. 5 And Moses brought their cause before the LORD.” (Num 27:1–5)

In Numbers chapter 27, we have the story of the daughters of Zelophehad. The land of Canaan was about to be divided among all of the tribes of Israel, and within each of the tribe’s portions, the land would be divided among the families of that tribe. Zelophehad’s family was entitled to a portion of the land but because he had no sons, there was nobody to give the land to. The five daughters of Zelophehad boldly come to Moses and ask him to authorize that Zelophehad’s portion of land be given to them because there was no son to receive the inheritance. Moses didn’t know what to do. The law up until this point read that only a son could receive the inheritance. There was no previous case to use for precedence in this matter. Moses then goes to God, and asks Him what they should do. God settles the question in favor of the daughters and establishes new law that would cover unique cases like this.

“7 The daughters of Zelophehad speak right: thou shalt surely give them a possession of an inheritance among their father’s brethren; and thou shalt cause the inheritance of their father to pass unto them. 8 And thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel, saying, If a man die, and have no son, then ye shall cause his inheritance to pass unto his daughter. 9 And if he have no daughter, then ye shall give his inheritance unto his brethren. 10 And if he have no brethren, then ye shall give his inheritance unto his father’s brethren. 11 And if his father have no brethren, then ye shall give his inheritance unto his kinsman that is next to him of his family, and he shall possess it: and it shall be unto the children of Israel a statute of judgment, as the LORD commanded Moses.” (Num 27:7–11)

The point of my thought this morning is not about land distribution and inheritances, however. I wanted to point out that Moses did not take matters into his own hands. He went to God when he wasn’t sure what to do. This particular question regarding inheritances was not clearly covered in the Bible up until this point and Moses wanted to be sure that he would give the right answer – God’s answer – to these ladies.

I think there is an important lesson that we can all learn from this. There are many situations in life that will come up that are not clearly dealt with in the Scripture. There may be Bible principle that deals with it generally, or partially, but often questions arise that are not specifically covered by God in His Word. That’s when we need to do three things:

  • First, we need to immerse ourselves in Scripture to see if there are any passages that deal with something even remotely similar that might apply to our situation.
  • Second, we need to go to God in prayer, just like Moses did.
  • Third, we need to seek some godly counsel from others who may have dealt with this situation before.

Parents can find out from other, more experienced Christian parents about what to do in certain situations regarding their children. Young pastors can go to the older pastors. We can benefit from the godly wisdom of others.

Now I want to emphasize again that most of our questions that we face can be answered from the principles found in the Bible, but in those unique situations where there seems to be no Scriptural answer, seek God through prayer, and seek counsel from some godly influences in your life. Remember, in the multitude of counselors there is safety (Proverbs 11:14; 15:22; 24:6).


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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?


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Should Christians Drink? The Bible’s Clear Warnings on Alcohol’s Perils

Listen to today’s passage – Leviticus 8 – 10 

Follow along on Blue Letter Bible – Leviticus 8 

Second Milers also read – John 3 – 4; Proverbs 5; Psalms 26 – 30

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

Read the “0205 Evening and Morning“ devotion for today, by Charles Spurgeon.

Read previous posts from this passage – “Strange Fire“ and “A Downward Spiral.“

The Cause of the Strange Fire?

“8 And the LORD spake unto Aaron, saying, 9 Do not drink wine nor strong drink, thou, nor thy sons with thee, when ye go into the tabernacle of the congregation, lest ye die: it shall be a statute for ever throughout your generations: 10 And that ye may put difference between holy and unholy, and between unclean and clean; 11 And that ye may teach the children of Israel all the statutes which the LORD hath spoken unto them by the hand of Moses.” (Lev 10:8–11)

This is the first mention of strong drink (שֵׁכָר – shêkâr) in the Bible, which Strong described as “intensely intoxicating liquor.” This is also the first reference to wine given in Scripture in association with the priests who ministered for the Lord. The location of this command for priests to abstain from wine, within the immediate context of the deaths of Nadab and Abihu, is likely an indication that they had been drinking when they offered the “strange fire” which resulted in God’s judgment upon them. Consuming alcohol can make good people do dumb things.

Scriptural Support

“2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; 3 Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous;” (1 Tim 3:2–3)

“For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre;” (Titus 1:7)

“4 It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink: 5 Lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted.” (Prov 31:4–5)

In the New Testament, Paul also admonished Timothy and Titus to not be “given to wine” (1 Timothy 3:2-3; Titus 1:7). Notice also that kings were admonished to stay away from alcohol as it would cause them to “forget the law” and “pervert judgment” (Proverbs 31:4-5). Paul also warned the Ephesian church about being influenced by alcohol as it would interfere with the influence that the Holy Spirit would have on them:

“18 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;” (Eph 5:18)

There are many other places in the Scripture that discourage the consumption of alcohol:

“Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.” (Prov 20:1)

“20 Be not among winebibbers; among riotous eaters of flesh: 21 For the drunkard and the glutton shall come to poverty: and drowsiness shall clothe a man with rags. … 29 Who hath woe? who hath sorrow? who hath contentions? who hath babbling? who hath wounds without cause? who hath redness of eyes? 30 They that tarry long at the wine; they that go to seek mixed wine. 31 Look not thou upon the wine when it is red, when it giveth his colour in the cup, when it moveth itself aright. 32 At the last it biteth like a serpent, and stingeth like an adder. 33 Thine eyes shall behold strange women, and thine heart shall utter perverse things. 34 Yea, thou shalt be as he that lieth down in the midst of the sea, or as he that lieth upon the top of a mast. 35 They have stricken me, shalt thou say, and I was not sick; they have beaten me, and I felt it not: when shall I awake? I will seek it yet again.” (Prov 23:20–21, 29–35)

There are around forty references in the Bible that speak about drunkenness. Bad things happen when people get drunk. That does not mean that everyone who has a social drink now and then is a drunk, or is getting drunk, but with all of the warnings presented in Scripture, it ought to cause believers to be very careful about consuming alcoholic beverages. 

Another key New Testament principle is avoiding becoming a “stumbling block” to our brothers and sisters in Christ (Romans 14:13; 1 Corinthians 8:9). Even if moderate alcohol consumption is permissible for some believers, it could tempt or harm a weaker brother or sister if it leads them toward something they struggle with. Reliable data shows that roughly 10% of Americans (including many who drink) experience alcohol use disorder or face significant problems related to alcohol each year, while millions more suffer “secondhand” harms—like family strain, financial issues, or physical threats—from someone else’s drinking. As followers of Christ, do we want to casually promote or model the use of something with such widespread potential for harm? Is the personal benefit truly worth the risk to others’ well-being and our witness?

To be completely fair, the Bible does not always speak of alcohol in a completely negative light. Psalm 104:15 speaks of wine gladdening the heart, but then the Scripture also tells us that sin can be pleasurable for a season (Hebrews 11:25). Paul also recommended the use of wine medicinally for Timothy (1 Timothy 5:23).

The other possible positive reference is the creation of wine by Jesus at the wedding in Cana. Personally, I do not believe the wine that Jesus made in John 2 was fermented as it symbolically connects to the pure blood that He would shed on Calvary. When Mary told Jesus that the hosts had run out of wine, Jesus said his “hour [had] not yet come.” The word “hour” in John’s Gospel is often a reference to Jesus’ suffering on the Cross. Jesus blood was pure and uncorrupted by sin and I believe the wine that he made for the wedding guests at Cana was unfermented, pure grape juice. 

What we do know for sure:
  • God gives us far more warnings about the dangers of alcohol than any possible benefit.
  • He clearly commands those of us who minister or lead for Him to abstain completely.
  • There is no positive reference for “strong drink” with the exception of giving it to those who are “ready to perish,” seemingly to deaden the pain as a narcotic (Proverbs 31:6). 
  • Drunkenness is always wrong and according to Ephesians 5:18, a person is considered drunk when the influence of alcohol is affecting or hindering the Holy Spirit’s influence.
  • Influencing others to drink through your example could possibly cause a huge problem for them or the people they love.
Staggering Statistics

The Centers for Disease Control and other reputable organizations reference many disturbing statistics regarding alcohol related problems:

  • Excessive alcohol use causes about 178,000 deaths each year in the United States (data from 2020–2021, the most recent comprehensive estimate), a 29% increase from 2016–2017. This averages roughly 488 deaths per day, shortening lives by an average of 24 years.
  • About two-thirds of these deaths stem from chronic conditions (e.g., liver disease, cancers), while the rest include acute issues like accidents, poisonings, and violence.
  • Alcohol remains a leading preventable cause of death, behind only tobacco and poor diet/inactivity. It contributes to roughly 20–25% of traffic fatalities involving impaired drivers.
  • Nearly 1 in 10 Americans aged 12+ (about 29–30 million people) have alcohol use disorder (AUD), with binge drinking reported by around 22% of adults in recent surveys.
  • Globally, alcohol contributes to over 2.6 million deaths annually (WHO data), with heavy impacts on health, families, productivity, and society—mirroring biblical cautions about forgetting the law, perverting judgment, and excess leading to ruin.

In light of Scripture’s clear warnings and our culture’s alcohol epidemic, many believers choose abstinence to honor God, love others, and maintain a clear witness.

Sources

https://www.cdc.gov/alcohol/facts-stats/index.html;

https://www.cdc.gov/impaired-driving/facts/index.html;

https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/alcohols-effects-health/alcohol-topics-z/alcohol-facts-and-statistics/alcohol-related-emergencies-and-deaths-united-states


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Who Is On The Lord’s Side?

Listen to Today’s Passage – Exodus 30 – 32 

Follow along on Blue Letter Bible – Exodus 30

(Second Milers also read – Luke 15 – 16; Proverbs 30; Psalms 146 – 150

Listen to this morning’s Scripture song – Psalm 55:17

Read the “0130 Evening and Morning” devotion for today by Charles Spurgeon.

Read a previous post from this passage – “Called, Equipped, and Filled.“

Today’s Scripture Focus: Exodus 32

“And Moses besought the LORD his God, and said, LORD, why doth thy wrath wax hot against thy people, which thou hast brought forth out of the land of Egypt with great power, and with a mighty hand? Wherefore should the Egyptians speak, and say, For mischief did he bring them out, to slay them in the mountains, and to consume them from the face of the earth? Turn from thy fierce wrath, and repent of this evil against thy people. Remember Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, thy servants, to whom thou swarest by thine own self, and saidst unto them, I will multiply your seed as the stars of heaven, and all this land that I have spoken of will I give unto your seed, and they shall inherit it for ever. And the LORD repented of the evil which he thought to do unto his people.” – (Exodus 32:11-14)

“And it came to pass, as soon as he came nigh unto the camp, that he saw the calf, and the dancing: and Moses’ anger waxed hot, and he cast the tables out of his hands, and brake them beneath the mount. And he took the calf which they had made, and burnt it in the fire, and ground it to powder, and strawed it upon the water, and made the children of Israel drink of it. … And when Moses saw that the people were naked; (for Aaron had made them naked unto their shame among their enemies:) Then Moses stood in the gate of the camp, and said, Who is on the LORD’S side? let him come unto me. And all the sons of Levi gathered themselves together unto him.” – (Exodus 32:19-20, 25-26)

“And Moses returned unto the LORD, and said, Oh, this people have sinned a great sin, and have made them gods of gold. Yet now, if thou wilt forgive their sin–; and if not, blot me, I pray thee, out of thy book which thou hast written.” – (Exodus 32:31-32)

The Golden Calf Incident

Moses was a great leader; a strong leader. He not only had to obey God and implement His laws, but he also had to work with a congregation that often resisted those laws and would often complain about every decision that was made. Moses was often blamed for any problems that Israel faced as they wandered through the wilderness those forty years. Though Moses struggled at times, he never stopped loving and obeying His Lord, and He never quit serving the people that He was called to serve, even when it was very difficult.

In our story, we learn that Moses was up on Mt. Sinai with the Lord receiving the Word of God. Moses was with Lord and away from the congregation for a long time, and because the people thought that he possibly was never coming back, they began to put the pressure on Aaron (Moses’ brother) to lead them in Moses’ absence. The problem was that Aaron was not the strong leader that Moses was, and he gave in to all of the whims and wishes of the people. The people literally “heaped to themselves” a leader that would give them what they wanted rather than what was right. So, in just a few short weeks after Moses left the congregation to meet with God, we see the congregation of Israel abandoning all of the principles that they had learned from God through Moses. The people were now creating their own god – a golden calf.

Moses’ Leadership in the Crisis

When God reveals to Moses what is going on with the people down in the valley, Moses immediately begins to intercede on behalf of the people. He begs God not to destroy the people. It would have been very easy for Moses to irrationally desire that God get rid of the people and start over again, but Moses loved the people that God had entrusted to his care, and he did not want to see any harm come to them. However, when Moses finally gets down to the people, he literally throws a fit of righteous indignation and he takes the hard steps that were necessary to root the evil out of the congregation. Ultimately, 3,000 people were put to death. I am sure that Moses had some friends and maybe even family members among the group that were killed as a result of his order, but he did what he had to do in order to save the entire congregation. That is leadership. Leaders are not always popular, but they are willing to do what is right at the risk of losing some people.

Notice in vv. 31 – 32, after Moses dealt with the people, he is back with God interceding for the people he loved. He even goes as far as to tell God that if He wouldn’t forgive the people then God should blot Moses out of “thy book that thou hast written.”  That is love, and that is leadership. Leaders are not only brave, willing to stand for what they believe, but they are also compassionate and patient.

Joshua faced similar battles and also proved to be a strong leader. He drew a line in the sand and offered his congregation the same choice:

“14 Now therefore fear the LORD, and serve him in sincerity and in truth: and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt; and serve ye the LORD. “15 And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” (Josh 24:14–15)

Our Lord, Jesus, was also a very strong leader. Though He loved people and was full of compassion for them when they fell into sin, He also had to fight against a religious culture that was very resistant to changes in their extra-biblical traditions and extremely intolerant to anyone who dared violate or even question them. 

Application for Today

Unfortunately, there is a serious famine of strong leadership in our culture today. Moses, Joshua, and Jesus risked unpopularity to confront sin and resist the challenges from those who attempted to lead the people away from the will of God. Modern leaders must also sometimes say “no” to cultural pressures, even if it costs them followers or approval. They must also be willing to stand against those who would attempt to promote their own agenda. We need more of this type of strong leadership in our country today. We need it in our churches, and we need it in our families. Too many leaders today are politicians like Aaron that only want to score points with people. They don’t want to risk their popularity by standing on principle.

“God, give us some men and women that will be willing to make the hard decisions that need to be made in order to do what is right. Give us men that will fight evil and will stand on the principles of the Word of God. God, give us some strong leaders.”

  • Have you faced pressure to compromise your faith?

  • Have you been forced to biblically re-examine issues and make unpopular decisions in light of a changing culture?

  • How can you lead with Moses-like courage this week?


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Pattern What You Preach: Example + Exhortation in Ministry

Listen to Today’s Passage – Exodus 25 – 27 

Follow along on Blue Letter Bible – Exodus 25

(Second Milers also read – Luke 11 – 12; Proverbs 28; Psalms 136 – 140

Listen to this morning’s Scripture song – Psalm 48:1 & 2

Read the “0128 Evening and Morning” devotion for today, by Charles Spurgeon.

“And let them make me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them. According to all that I shew thee, after the pattern of the tabernacle, and the pattern of all the instruments thereof, even so shall ye make it. … And look that thou make them after their pattern, which was shewed thee in the mount.” – (Exodus 25:8-9, 40)
God’s Plan for the Tabernacle

In chapters 25 – 27, God is instructing Moses regarding the construction of the Tabernacle. He first tells him that he must take up an offering from the people, collecting all the materials that would be needed to construct it. This was no small undertaking as the tabernacle with all its curtains and coverings, and with all its gold, silver, and brass; not to mention the wood that would be required, was a masterpiece of magnificent beauty and elaborate detail. Yet, it is interesting to note, as we will learn later in future passages, that Moses had to eventually stop the people from giving because they had given more than enough. We don’t see that very often today, do we? Can you imagine what could be done in our churches today if God’s people were this excited about giving to the work of God?

God’s Pattern for the Tabernacle

God then shows Moses a pattern, a picture of what the tabernacle was to look like. He no doubt also showed him blueprints of each element of the tabernacle, including all the pieces of furniture. Moses had a clear picture in his mind of what it all would look like when he was finished. Then God goes on for several chapters giving Moses detailed instructions outlining precisely how the tabernacle was to be built. So, in review, we see that God showed him an example; and then he gave him clear instructions, or exhortation.

Pattern and Preaching in Ministry Today

The practice of revealing a pattern and then giving instructions is how ministry should also work today. God commands those of us who minister to His people to be good examples (or patterns) of what He expects in a finished product; and then He wants us to give clear instructions of how the people are to go about it. If the picture we are presenting is not consistent with the instructions we are giving, we will not be able to clearly help the people do and be what God expects of them. I know that none of us is perfect, but it is imperative that we keep this thought in mind as we go about our business of serving the Lord. People will sometimes learn more from what they see, than from what we tell them. Both our example and our exhortation must be right, if we are going to effectively be used by God in building the lives of people for His glory.

Pattern and Preaching Christ in Everyday Life

This does not only apply to pastors and teachers. It applies to every believer. Your life (pattern, example) must back up what you are trying to instruct people. Parents, you need to be the right example to your children. They will not listen to your exhortation if your example is not what it should be. And to those of you that are concerned about winning people to Christ, which should be all of us; make sure your life backs up your profession. We have an awesome obligation to show people Christ with our lives as well as telling them with our words. Think about it. Have you given much thought to your example, your pattern? Is it sending the right message to the people around you? Do the things that you do and say point people to the Lord, or do they send a conflicting message?

Applications
  • Pastors/teachers: Your life must match your teaching.
  • Parents: Children watch what you do more than what you say.
  • Every believer: Your example strengthens (or weakens) your witness.


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Avoiding Ministry Burnout: A Lesson from Jethro Regarding Delegation

Listen to Today’s Passage – Exodus 16 – 18

Follow along on Blue Letter Bible – Exodus 16

(Second Milers also read – Luke 5 – 6; Proverbs 25; Psalms 121 – 125

Listen to this morning’s Scripture song – Psalm 34:1 – 4

Read previous posts from this passage – “Murmuring” and “Remember Sunday.”

Read the “0125 Evening and Morning“ devotion for today by  Charles  Spurgeon.

“And it came to pass on the morrow, that Moses sat to judge the people: and the people stood by Moses from the morning unto the evening. And when Moses’ father in law saw all that he did to the people, he said, What is this thing that thou doest to the people? why sittest thou thyself alone, and all the people stand by thee from morning unto even? … Thou wilt surely wear away, both thou, and this people that is with thee: for this thing is too heavy for thee; thou art not able to perform it thyself alone. … If thou shalt do this thing, and God command thee so, then thou shalt be able to endure, and all this people shall also go to their place in peace. So Moses hearkened to the voice of his father in law, and did all that he had said.” – (Exodus 18:13-14, 18, 23-24)

Jethro’s Observation

In our passage today, we see that Moses gets a visit from his father-in-law who is not an Israelite but apparently had placed his faith in the Lord (see Exodus 18:11 – 12). While visiting with Moses, Jethro got a chance to observe the day-to-day ministry of his son-in-law and determined that Moses was doing way more than any man could handle by himself. Moses was judging and advising the large congregation of Israel all by himself from early in the morning until late at night. Moses, like many leaders, apparently felt that he was the only one who could do the job right, so he did it alone. However, Jethro knew that if Moses kept up that pace without getting any help, he would wear down physically and eventually would become less effective at what God had called him to do.

Jethro’s Advice

Jethro advised Moses to allow other godly men within the congregation to share in the burden that Moses was carrying. Moses would still be in charge, and he would handle all the important matters, but others would be assisting him in dealing with the day-to-day decisions within the congregation. This advice given by Jethro helped in several ways:

  1. Moses got the help that he needed, which freed him up to dedicate more time and do a better job in the more important matters.
  2. Moses was probably less stressed and better rested than before.
  3. The congregation was served better. Even though Moses may have been able to do a better job than most of his helpers, he certainly could not get as much accomplished as all of them together. More was getting more done.
  4. Leaders were being developed within the congregation. People need to be given opportunities to serve if they are going to be able to grow.
Application

If our ministries are going to get all the help that they need today to fulfil the will of God, more people than just the pastor are going to have to be involved. The pastor must work at developing leaders and delegating responsibility. This is why discipleship and developing mentoring relationships is critically important. Paul told Timothy:

“And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.” (2 Tim 2:2)

Caution: Always Filter Advice Through God

A secondary thought from this passage is that Moses was willing to listen to advice, even from a guy that was not an Israelite and may not have been a believer very long. Pride will sometimes keep us from listening to sound wisdom. God will often use people to teach us things, even people from different spiritual perspectives. Jethro was “the priest of Midian” (Exodus 3:1 & 18:1), so he was a Gentile who had apparently become a believer in Israel’s God. When listening to people who are either not believers or perhaps are  believers but from a significantly different theological perspective, caution should be taken:

  • We should be ready to listen.
  • We need to make sure their advice is in agreement (or at least not in disagreement) with the principles given by God in His Word.
  • We need to check with God prayerfully to see if the advice given is in fact His will.

“Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.” (Proverbs 11:14)

“Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counsellors they are established.” (Proverbs 15:22)

“1 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. 2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.” (Psalms 1:1–2)

Questions for Reflection

Who in your life might God be using to offer you wise counsel right now?

Are there areas in your ministry where you’re carrying too much alone?

How can you start identifying and developing leaders in your congregation this week?

Note – This is an expanded and revised version of a post originally published in 2022.

 


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Stop Murmuring!

Listen to today’s passage – Exodus 13 – 15

Follow along on Blue Letter Bible – Exodus 13

Second Milers also read – Luke 3 – 4; Proverbs 24; Psalms 116 – 120

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

Read the “0124 Evening and Morning“ devotion for today, by Charles Spurgeon.

Read previous posts from today’s passage – “Moving Forward,” and “He Brought Us This Far.”

“Then sang Moses and the children of Israel this song unto the LORD, and spake, saying, I will sing unto the LORD, for he hath triumphed gloriously: the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea.” – (Exodus 15:1)

“And the people murmured against Moses, saying, What shall we drink?” – (Exodus 15:24)

From Praising to Complaining

Exodus 15 is an amazing chapter of Scripture which demonstrates the fickle nature of God’s children. The first 21 verses, which comprises more than three-fourths of the chapter, is the record of God’s people singing, dancing, and praising Him for the great miracle that He had done in delivering them from the hand of the Egyptians. Specifically, they are praising God and thanking Him for parting the Red Sea so that they could pass through on dry ground. You will recall that the Egyptians tried to follow them and that same sea closed upon them and drowned them. The people of God were thrilled that God took away the water so that they could travel to the other side. Now at the end of the chapter, they are complaining that there is no water. First, they wanted the water to go away, and then they wanted it back again. You just can’t make these Israelites happy, can you? I am kidding, of course; but I do want to point out the tendency that Israel had (and we have today) to forget about all of God’s past blessings by griping about some apparent injustice that they felt to be taking place in the present. Here, they think that God delivered them from Egypt only to kill them with dehydration in the wilderness. Absurd! That big God that they were worshipping in the beginning of the chapter suddenly became smaller when the people got a little thirsty.

God’s Character Does Not Change

God’s people are no different today. We sometimes see God do wonderful things in our lives, and from that mountaintop we offer up to Him praise and worship. But then when God allows a little testing to come our way, our attitude changes completely. Our view of God seems to be based solely upon what He does for us recently. When we are getting popcorn, bubble gum, and ice cream, God is good; but when God says that we should eat a little broccoli because it’s what we need at the time, God becomes some mean ogre. We act like little children in the nursery, don’t we? Let’s grow up! Let’s mature in our faith to the point where we trust God completely. God is good when the circumstances in life are great; but God is also good when things are not going as we would like them to.

Choose Gratitude Over Griping

God is always good. He loves us. He said that He will never leave us and never forsake us. He has our very best interests at heart. Trust Him even when you don’t understand; and whatever you do, don’t gripe. Griping is one of the most frequent triggers of divine judgment in the Old Testament. I am not saying that you should not bring your concerns and burdens to Him. There is a big difference between a prayer request and a complaint. Let’s get to the point in our Christian walk where we can praise Him even in the dark days. Remember, there are others out there that have it worse than you. God is not just good, He is awesome. Learn to wait on Him. He will deliver you if you simply trust Him, obey, and be patient.

Be a Problem Solver

Look, we are all good at spotting problems, but instead of murmuring, why don’t we try becoming part of a solution. We can pray and we can work to make the situation better. Anybody can complain, and they often do; but it takes a person of true character to make a difference.

“Do all things without murmurings and disputings:” – (Philippians 2:14)

Questions for Reflection

We all are guilty at times of viewing life pessimistically through the lens of a half-empty cup, but when your negative spirit brings you to the point of opening your mouth and discouraging others, you are sinning against God.

  • When has God done something amazing in your life, only for you to complain shortly afterward?

  • What’s one situation right now where you could choose praise instead of murmuring?

Today, let’s commit to catching ourselves before we murmur and turning it into praise.


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You Are Free to GO!

Listen to today’s passage – Exodus 10 – 12

Follow along on Blue Letter Bible – Exodus 12

Second Milers also read – Luke 1 – 2; Proverbs 23; Psalms 111 – 115

Listen to this morning’s Scripture Song – Isaiah 40:31

Read the “0123 Evening and Morning“ devotion for today, by Charles Spurgeon.

Read previous posts from today’s passage in Exodus – “Do I Have Your Attention” and “What Can Wash Away My Sin?“

“And Moses and Aaron came in unto Pharaoh, and said unto him, Thus saith the LORD God of the Hebrews, How long wilt thou refuse to humble thyself before me? let my people go, that they may serve me.” – (Exodus 10:3)

“31 And he called for Moses and Aaron by night, and said, Rise up, and get you forth from among my people, both ye and the children of Israel; and go, serve the LORD, as ye have said. 32 Also take your flocks and your herds, as ye have said, and be gone; and bless me also.” (Exodus 12:31–32)

“Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you:” – (2 Thessalonians 3:1)

“Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage…. For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.” (Galatians 5:1, 13)

“And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” – (Mark 16:15)

In Exodus 12, true freedom came only through the blood of the lamb on the doorposts. Today, that Lamb is Christ—His blood sets us eternally free from sin’s bondage, and commissions us to go and tell others.

Moses made the demand to Pharaoh that the people of God must be let go, but notice that the reason that God wanted them free was so that they could serve their Lord. Why is it that free people so often neglect the freedom that they have been given by God to use in the service of the King of Kings? We live in America, and here we are free to preach the Bible openly to whoever will listen, but for the most part we keep silent. Peter wrote that we are to use our freedom as the servants of God:

“As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God.” (1 Peter 2:16)

Our Constitution in America guarantees the right of religious freedom:

“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.” (First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States)

Our Founding Fathers understood the importance of freedom. Patrick Henry is famous for stating:

“Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!” – Patrick Henry

Patrick Henry understood physical and political liberty; how much more should we cherish and use the spiritual liberty Christ has purchased for us with His own blood?”

Take full advantage of the freedom that you have been granted by God and use it to spread the good news of salvation to the people around you. It is my fear that the day is coming soon that this liberty that we enjoy today may be taken away, and then we will want to serve God, but we will be banned from doing so. Spurgeon said:

“Liberty is the birthright of every believer; but it is a birthright which must be guarded, or it will be lost.” – Charles Spurgeon

Jesus said:

“If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.” (John 8:36)

We have been made free by the Lord. Let’s use that freedom to serve the Lord and send His Gospel to the world. 

  • Assemble now with God’s people.
  • Serve the Lord with gladness.
  • Testify of His goodness and glory.
  • Win souls – share the gospel with your family, neighbors and co-workers.
  • Invite someone to church this Sunday.
  • Support a missionary.
  • Street preach if the Lord leads.

Do it now, while you are still free to do so! Whatever your hand finds to do—do it with all your might, for the King’s business requires haste.

 


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Wait… What!? – Three Surprising Lessons from Moses’ Call in Exodus 4–6

Listen to today’s passage – Exodus 4 – 6 

Follow along on Blue Letter Bible – Exodus 4

(Second Milers also read – Mark 13 – 14; Proverbs 21; Psalms 101 – 105

Listen to this morning’s Scripture song – 1 John 4:7 & 8

Read previous posts from this passage – “Expect Opposition,“ and “What’s Your Excuse?”

Read the “0121 Evening and Morning“ devotion for today, by Charles Spurgeon.

I don’t know how many times I have said those words to myself while reading this book. Exodus is fascinating. It is full of unbelievable stories played out by some very interesting characters. If you read the Book of Exodus like a novel that you’re interested in, and not just out of good Christian duty, it really brings the stories and characters to life.

The main character of Exodus is Moses, and the first few chapters really give an insight into God developing him first as a believer, then as a leader. 

In Chapter 3, God tells Moses that He is going to do something big, and that Moses is the man He has chosen to do it through. This came as a shock to Moses. By this time, Moses was already getting up there in years, and was probably pretty set in his ways with a good life. What God was asking him to do now was going to change everything. 

In Chapter 4, God begins to teach Moses some things that I believe we can learn from:

  1. If God asks you to do something for Him, He will give you everything you need.

“And he said, Certainly I will be with thee…” (Exodus 3:12a)

“And the LORD said unto him, What is in thine hand? And he said, A rod. And he said, Cast it on the ground. And he cast it on the ground, and it became a serpent;…” (Exodus 4:2 – 3a)

“Now therefore go, and I will be with thy mouth, and teach thee what thou shalt say.” (Exodus 4:12)

2.  Sometimes, He will ask you to do something that scares you.

“And he said, Cast it on the ground. And he cast it on the ground, and it became a serpent; and Moses fled from before it. And the LORD said unto Moses, Put forth thine hand, and take it by the tail…” (Exodus 4:3 – 4)

Wait…what!? Moses was my kind of guy! It says that when he saw the snake, he fled! And if you know anything about snakes, you know that you don’t try to catch them by the tail. This was something that scared Moses. But God was teaching him to just trust Him. It might scare you, and it might not make sense, but if God is asking you to do it, trust Him.

3.  Sometimes, He will ask you to do something that might be painful.

“And the LORD said furthermore unto him, Put now thine hand into thy bosom. And he put his hand into his bosom: and when he took it out, behold, his hand was leprous as snow.” (Exodus 4:6)

Wait…what!? Leprosy was a horrible, painful disease that would cause people to have to separate from their friends and family. 

Can you imagine being Moses in this moment? Going about, minding your own business, then God shows up and things go crazy. God would continue to have to teach Moses many more lessons on trusting Him. Moses was not yet convinced, and came up with excuse after excuse about why God has chosen the wrong man. But Moses was God’s man, and God would use him in a mighty way. Moses’ life had many ups and downs. Happy times and great victories, and sad times and regrets. But that was Moses life, and that is your life. There will be many times in your Christian life where you scratch your head and say, “wait…what!?” And God is saying, “Just trust Me.” None of us know what all God has in store for our lives, but we can know that He knows, and that He loves us. Sometimes it will scare us, sometimes it will hurt. But He will always give us exactly what we need, when we need it. We just need to trust Him.

Has God ever given you a ‘Wait… What!?’ assignment that scared you or felt painful at first? Share below—I’d love to hear your story!

Phil Erickson Jr. and his wife, Katelyn, serve the Lord at the First Baptist Church of Cottondale, TX. They have four sons – Jaxon, Caleb, Philip III, and Kade.


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Back in His Mother’s Arms: The Miraculous Rescue of Baby Moses

Today’s Passage – Exodus 1 – 3 (Click on the references to listen to the audio – Click here to view the passage from Blue Letter Bible)

(Second Milers also read – Mark 11 – 12; Proverbs 20; Psalms 96 – 100)

Listen to this morning’s Scripture Song – Psalm 121

Read the “0120 Evening and Morning“ devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon.

Read previous posts from this passage – “Growing Through Affliction,“ and “The Call of God.“

“1 And there went a man of the house of Levi, and took to wife a daughter of Levi. 2 And the woman conceived, and bare a son: and when she saw him that he was a goodly child, she hid him three months. 3 And when she could not longer hide him, she took for him an ark of bulrushes, and daubed it with slime and with pitch, and put the child therein; and she laid it in the flags by the river’s brink. 4 And his sister stood afar off, to wit what would be done to him. 5 And the daughter of Pharaoh came down to wash herself at the river; and her maidens walked along by the river’s side; and when she saw the ark among the flags, she sent her maid to fetch it. 6 And when she had opened it, she saw the child: and, behold, the babe wept. And she had compassion on him, and said, This is one of the Hebrews’ children. 7 Then said his sister to Pharaoh’s daughter, Shall I go and call to thee a nurse of the Hebrew women, that she may nurse the child for thee? 8 And Pharaoh’s daughter said to her, Go. And the maid went and called the child’s mother. 9 And Pharaoh’s daughter said unto her, Take this child away, and nurse it for me, and I will give thee thy wages. And the woman took the child, and nursed it. 10 And the child grew, and she brought him unto Pharaoh’s daughter, and he became her son. And she called his name Moses: and she said, Because I drew him out of the water.” (Exod 2:1–10)

Have you ever looked back on events in your life and realized that God was working in them to orchestrate His divine plan? Even those painful, scary, and troubling times were used by the Lord to bring you to where He has you now. The story of Moses’ early life in Exodus 2:1–10 is one of the clearest pictures in Scripture of God’s hidden, sovereign care over one of His children and ultimately over His entire plan of redemption for Israel’s from their bondage in Egypt.

A Quick Recap of the Story:
  • A Levite couple has a son during the period when Pharaoh decreed to kill all Hebrew baby boys.
  • The mother hides him for three months, then places him in a basket among the reeds of the Nile.
  • Miriam, his sister, watches from a distance.
  • Pharaoh’s own daughter comes to bathe, discovers the basket, recognizes the baby as a Hebrew, and yet takes pity on him.
  • Miriam boldly offers to find a Hebrew nurse; the princess agrees, and the baby is returned to his own mother to nurse—paid wages by Pharaoh’s daughter—until he is old enough to be adopted into the palace.
  • The child is named Moses (“drawn out”), because he was drawn out of the water.
  • God not only spares this child’s life but orchestrates circumstances so that Moses is protected, provided for, and—even more remarkably—raised for a season in the arms of his own mother.
Thoughts from the Passage
  • God works behind the scenes, often through ordinary human actions. The mother’s act of faith—building the basket and placing her son in the Nile—was an act of both obedience and heartbreak. She could not have scripted what happened next. Yet God was already moving the heart of Pharaoh’s daughter, directing her steps to that exact spot at that exact time. Even the heart of a pagan princess is turned by God’s quiet providence.

“The king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will.” (Prov 21:1)

  • God preserves the deliverer in the very household of the oppressor. The irony is thick: the one who will one day lead Israel out of Egypt is raised in the court of the one trying to destroy Israel. God places Moses under the protection of the enemy’s own roof—and even has the enemy pay Moses’ mother to care for him and nurture him in those crucial very early years when his character is being formed. This is divine humor and divine sovereignty at work.
  • God honors a mother’s love and faith. Jochebed (named later in Exodus 6:20) gets her son back for the crucial early years. She is able to nurse him, teach him, sing to him, pray over him—all while being compensated through the Egyptian government’s payroll. Those formative years in a Hebrew home, not an Egyptian nursery, shaped Moses’ identity in ways that would later surface when he chose “rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;” (Heb 11:25).
  • This small story points to the larger story of redemption. A helpless child is hidden from a wicked king’s murderous decree, and adopted into a royal family. Sound familiar? Centuries later, another wicked king (Herod) tries to kill Hebrew babies; another child is hidden and rescued; and this true Deliverer survives to save His people. Moses’ preservation foreshadows Christ’s.
Application:
  • Where in your own life have you seen God’s protection in ways you didn’t recognize until later?
  • When have you had to release something precious into God’s hands (like Jochebed releasing the basket), trusting Him to care for it better than you could? Jochebed had to release her son into God’s hands (literally). What precious thing might God be calling you to entrust fully to Him?
  • Pharaoh’s own daughter became the instrument of deliverance. How has God used unlikely people or circumstances in your life to show His care?
Closing Thought for Reflection:

God is never hurried, never late, and never limited by circumstances – He is sovereign over them. The same God who watched over a helpless baby in a basket is watching over His children now, weaving even the darkest threads into a tapestry of deliverance. Romans 8:28 tells us:”

“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” (Rom 8:28)

This passage is a beautiful reminder that no child (and no situation or problem) is ever outside His sovereign, loving care.

Share your thoughts – Leave a comment!


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