God Speaks
Consequences for Rebellion, Various Offerings, a Prayer of Moses
Verse of the Day: “You will have these [visible reminders] to look at and so you will remember all the commands of the LORD, that you may obey them and not prostitute yourselves by chasing after the lusts of your own hearts and eyes. Then you will remember to obey all my commands and will be consecrated to your God.” (Numbers 15:39-40 NIV 2011)
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We Respond
Reflection: Consider the following questions regarding Numbers 14-15:
1. What does this chapter tell me about God?
2. What does this chapter tell me about the human beings He created?
Here is one possible answer to each of these questions. Ask the Holy Spirit if there are any others for you personally to ponder.
Numbers 14
1. The LORD God “is slow to anger, abounding in love and forgiving sin and rebellion. Yet He does not leave the guilty unpunished; He punishes the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation.” (14:18 NIV)
2. People of faith like Moses can request: “In accordance with Your great love, forgive the sin of these people, just as You have pardoned them from the time they left Egypt until now.” (14:19 NIV) Even when we have been forgiven, there still may be consequences.
Numbers 15
1. While treating all people equally (both the native-born Israelite and the alien living among them), God holds both the whole community and the individual responsible for unintentional sin. He holds the individual responsible for intentional sin.
2. People are responsible to inform others of the laws, plans, and purposes of God.
Prayer:
3. How might I pray regarding Numbers 14-15?
Dear Gracious LORD, thank You for being the only true God who is slow to anger, abounding in love, and forgiving sin and rebellion. Please listen to the pleas of people like Moses who are crying out to You to forgive Your rebellious people for the sake of Your holy name and reputation. Even though You may have to punish evildoers, please keep Your promise to reserve a remnant to carry out Your plans and purposes. For example, even though You punished the rebellious generation that You had brought out of Egypt, You gave directions for how the succeeding generations were to behave and worship You when they occupied the land You had promised to their forefathers–Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob–centuries before. May it be so even in this time; punish the sin that is so rampant in the world today but reserve a remnant to carry Your name and kingdom reign throughout the world. May all the people that You have set aside for Yourself love and serve You faithfully and bring You great glory, LORD. AMEN
Action: (Ask God, the Holy Spirit, if He wants you to work on one of the suggestions below or something else more personal that He points out.)
4. What action does the LORD want me to take in response to Numbers 14-15? With the help of God’s Holy Spirit:
- Whenever I sin unintentionally, I will pray, offering the blood of Jesus Christ as my sin offering.
- I will keep my focus on the LORD (His word, His will, and His ways) so that I can avoid intentionally sinning.
- In consultation with the Holy Spirit, I will intentionally formulate and carry out a plan to inform others of the laws, plans, and purposes of God.
- I will work with local, state, and national officials to see that the laws of the land are carried out fairly and equitably for everyone.
Psalms 90
Reflection:
1. God is from everlasting to everlasting, and He is the dwelling place of all who will turn to Him.
2. People’s days are fleeting and full of trouble apart from the mercy and grace of the LORD God.
Prayer: Dear LORD God, Thank You for Moses. He definitely earned the right to be called one of the most revered men of God. He is a man who knew God well. Therefore, I do consider his intercession to be a model for my prayers. Thank You that You are more stable than the mountains and will last longer than the stars. After all, You created them. I can rely on You forever. In contrast we humans can be blown away like dust, are limited by time, grow up quickly, and wither like grass. It is by Your mercy that I even draw breath. As Moses noted, Your anger at my wickedness is justified. I acknowledge that my life is short and full of trouble. Because of this, I must turn back to You and seek wisdom from You alone. Then You, LORD God, will be compassionate and satisfy me with Your lovingkindness. By Your wonderworking power, You will give me gladness in proportion to my previous sadness. I humbly ask, “Please reveal how and where You are working and to confirm the work of my hands.”
Action: (Ask God, the Holy Spirit, if He wants you to work on one of the suggestions below or something else more personal that He points out.)
- I will use these Psalms in interactive prayer–letting each phrase (God speaks) guide me as to what I should pray back to Him (we respond).
- I will ask the LORD to reveal how He is working and to confirm the work of my hands.
- I will teach the children in my life how to number their days and gain a heart of wisdom.
- I will memorize Psalm 90:1-2.
Share: I plan to share what I’ve learned with __________.