Sonshine's Journal

When we murmur or complain the Lord is displeased. These chapters prove that point and are a reminder of what that cost is. God sent them to spy out the land and they did but the report they brought back put fear into the hearts of the people. Here we see the “deadly d” of discontent, discouragement, dismay, and more. Only Joshua and Caleb had pure faith and God spared them with His outstretched hand with the promise of inheriting the land they had seen. Forty years and the death of that generation only these two would be alive to tell about it to the next generation. Caleb would remind Joshua of God’s promise and he did indeed inherit the land he had seen. 

How often do we complain and murmur? It displeases God and it spreads like a plague through the camp or in our case, our church, our families, our nation etc. Beware of this sin! 

From early on, Moses inquired of the Lord how to worship Him. God gave Moses several requirements and now the time has come for them to consecrate the work and the workers. Great detail is given so that all are aware of the price that was paid for this place of worship. Moses listed not only the gifts but the men who came forward to present the offerings. After the last of the presentation of the gifts, Moses consecrated the Tabernacle. From there, Moses led them further into the wilderness where they could worship the Lord. As they journeyed, the cloud moved or lingered. The flame of the Light of God also illuminated their journey and it too, moved or lingered. But, the most important part of this movement were the words Moses spoke: 

Then it came about when the ark set out that Moses said, 

“Rise up, O Lord! 

And let Your enemies be scattered, 

And let those who hate You flee before You.” When it came to rest, he said, 

“Return, O Lord, 

To the myriad thousands of Israel.”

What a wondrous set of verses to remind them and us in turn, that God goes before us and behind us to protect us. Today, we have the Holy Spirit to do the same. Do we honor the Lord such as this to honor the Lord who is our Protector? 

As we have seen over and over that God is the God of order and this also pertains to how he ordered the movement of the Tabernacle from one place to another. Aaron and his two remaining sons were given strict orders in how to prepare the furniture in the Holy Place. First they were to cover all with a blue cloth and then to cover that with a leather cloth. The leather would thus protect in inclement weather and also the sun’s harsh rays. How good is our God to give these men explicit instructions which they followed for years. How good are these men to be obedient. 

The lesson we learn from this chapter is that God desires obedience with clear instructions for Him to bless them. This is a beautiful reminder to us about  these same standards. The question before us is: Are we following God’s explicit instructions regarding the things pertaining to the house of God? I love how our church does this in the preparation of the communion elements which are covered until the appropriate time in the service. How about you? Are you obeying God in all His instructions whatever they may be? 

God called Moses to teach and to prepare the nation of Israel so they were given such orders that all may be organized and with proper design. Paul referenced this about God to the Corinthians and to us in turn: “1Co 14:33 for God is not characterized by disorder but by peace. As in all the churches of the saints,” He spoke to the church but the principle is such: all things are to be done in order just as He ordered creation from day one to day six and then rested on the seventh. 

Here God orders that creation of a protective group of the nation, specifically the Levites to serve Aaron and the priesthood. He told them to organize them with specific duties to assist Aaron and his remaining two sons. Guzik writes a helpful note: “to be a priest and to be a Levite were not the same thing at all. Only those who were descendants of Aaron could be priests.”  

Today as you observe your church’s function, note the order and honor such for in doing so you present men to serve and to honor God’s design. 

The Lord God gave the Israelites several commandments to follow with principles that would guide them when they entered the Promised Land as well as the consequences of their failure to do so. Although today we do not follow those perfectly, the principles are the same. God promises blessing and curses for His people. If our nation would adhere to these, He would bless us as well. So what keeps us from this blessing but arrogance and disrespect. We do not honor nor follow these principles which are wise and instructive. 

Today as we enter the time of voting, take time to speak and follow these principles. Choose wisely those who will obey and instruct the people. Today unfortunately there are rumors and charges against those who already hold office. Be discerning and check the charges before you vote lest God’s curse come upon you and our nation. 

God gave regulations for the priesthood and Jesus fulfilled that to the letter. He was set aside and followed the pattern given on Mt Sinai. But, today He is in heaven having ascended to the Father. Some say today there are Levitical priests yet after Jesus ascended Peter wrote to the diaspora and other believers: “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people of his own, so that you may proclaim the virtues ofthe one who called you out of darkness into his marvelouslight.  You once were not a people, but now you are God’speople. You were shown no mercy, but now you have received mercy.” 

Today honor the sacrifice of Jesus and live your life as a priest because you are chosen and He has paid the price. That means live a holy life, pure and unadulterated. 

These comprehensive laws are in effect even today and the consequences of disobedience to them is still today. Incest is wrong and the children of that union will be defiled. Protect the line of God so you are perfect before those who are not. God’s laws are not hard and when obeyed, they bring righteousness and purity to the land and the people. 

Today choose God’s way and be blessed. 

At the time of the OT in the wilderness, God gave instructions for the cleansing of those who were found ill or diseased. Live animals gave their lives for this purpose and the priest was the one following this ritual for the person found in sin or in some way diseased. The priest offered not only live animals but also their blood sprinkled on them. When Christ offered His body on the cross for our sins and it completed that by His blood. In the OT the word atonement was used, but in the NT it is propitiation. The difference between two words explains this ritual. Atonement is a broader, man-focused term for covering, forgiving, or cleansing sin to reconcile humanity with God. Propitiation is a more specific, God-focused term meaning to satisfy or appease divine justice/wrath, thereby removing that wrath. 

The NET Bible explains it this way: In theology, the atonement or atoning sacrifice offered to God to assuage his wrath and render him propitious to sinners. Christ is the propitiation for the sins of men. Rom 3. 1 John 2.

Today stop and consider the price paid for your sins through the blood sacrifice of Christ our Lord. 

As we read these chapters, which to us seems boring, we must stop and ask why God included them. Perhaps one reason is to help the people understand the gravity of sin. Sin encroaches and destroys and so God has given us a visual image of its destruction. In addition these chapters give us rules for what is edible to what is not, and there is also the prescription to keep a nation pure from all that unclean.  

Today we have doctors and health systems that study infectious disease but in the days of Leviticus that was an unknown. How gracious is our God to give us plain and simple rules to keep the body pure of that which would infect them and others. The Israelites wandered in the desert for 40+ years without medical advancement. God was not only the Dr. but also the pharmacist. 

Thank God for the doctors we have today and thank God for His clear prescriptions for healthy living. 

This week is Holocaust week and the stories abound of those whose lives were preserved from the evil plans of one man, Hitler. Exodus tells us the story of one man whose life was preserved because two women boldly stepped forward to refuse to obey Pharaoh’s order to kill the male babies. During WWII, there were several men and women who sought ways to preserve the Jews from extinction. Had it not been for these bold people today the evil plans of Pharaoh and Hitler would be carried out. Thankful for these two midwives who boldly stood against Pharaoh. 

Today we have many who are standing strong against the abortion lobby to protect women who are found to be with child. Will we be like the many who join in this horrid way or will we be like the two midwives who ignored Pharaoh and preserved Moses? Who knows what man or woman is even now in the womb of protection and one day will rise to be a voice for those who cannot speak? God’s ways are not the ways of man whose heart is evil continually because they blinded by the evil one, “the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving so that they might not see the light.” [2 Cor 4:4] 

Pray for the unborn today that their lives may be preserved.