15 Nov, 2021

Rebellion!

Numbers 16 – 17

READ –  “They incited a rebellion against Moses, along with 250 other leaders of the community, all prominent members of the assembly.” — Numbers 16:2 NLT

EXAMINE – Korah, a Levite, along with Dathan, Abiram, and On, from the tribe of Reuben, conspired against Moses and Aaron and incited a rebellion against them (Numbers 16:1-3). They convinced 250 prominent leaders from other tribes to join them in this insurrection. Even though Moses confronted them, the men refused to submit to leadership, and they even stirred up the entire community against Moses and Aaron (Numbers 16:19). God’s judgment fell upon Korah, Dathan, and Abiram when the earth opened and swallowed up them, their families and all who were standing with them (Numbers 16:31-33). Fire from the LORD burned up the other 250 leaders who had rebelled (Numbers 16:35). Instead of learning from the mistakes of others, the very next morning, the whole community of Israel began muttering again against Moses (Numbers 16:41) and the LORD sent another plague that killed over 14,000 people (Numbers 16:48). The LORD finally used the budding of Aaron’s staff to prove to the community that Moses and Aaron were truly the LORD’s chosen ones to lead the community spiritually and politically (Numbers 17).

APPLY –  Unfortunately, our nation knows all too well the horrors of rebellion and insurrection. Whether it’s the home, the church, the workplace, or the government, there must be leaders with authority and others who submit to their authority. Otherwise, rebellion and chaos lead to violence, which leads to destruction. “Rebellion is as sinful as witchcraft and stubbornness as bad as worshipping idols” (I Samuel 15:23a). Do you have an issue with leadership or what’s happening in your organization? Always use the legal, proper, and respectful way to resolve disagreements.

PRAY – Father God, please rebuke the spirit of rebellion in children and adults so that we may enjoy harmony and peace in our homes, churches, and communities. In Jesus’ Name, Amen!

12 Nov, 2021

Who Are Your Reminders?

Numbers 14:26 – 15:41

READ –  “The tassels will help you remember that you must obey all My commands and be holy to your God.” Numbers 15:40 NLT

EXAMINE – Be careful what you ask for. The LORD promised Moses and Aaron that He “would do the very things He heard the people say” (Numbers 14:28). Everyone twenty years old and older would die in the wilderness over the next forty years – a year for each day the spies were in the land (Numbers 14:29-35).  The ten spies who brought back the evil report were struck dead with a plague and only Joshua and Caleb survived (Numbers 14:36-38). When the people tried to go into the land on their own, they were defeated because the LORD had abandoned them (Numbers 14:39-45). The LORD gave Moses instructions on the offerings the people should present to the LORD (Numbers 15:1-31). When a man dishonored the Sabbath day, he was punished with death (Numbers 15:32-36). The LORD commanded that the people add tassels to their clothing to remind them to obey all the commandments (Numbers 15:37-41).

APPLY –  People do a variety of things to give themselves reminders – reminder apps, alarm clocks, string tied around a finger. The children of Israel attached tassels to the hem of their clothes as their reminder to obey all the commandments of God and to be holy. What are your reminders? Who are your reminders? Because we forget and because we just fail, all of us need some reminders.  I’m thankful for the BMBC text messages that remind me of the Word of God and our Worship of God. Today, remind some family members and friends to sign up by texting DEVOTIONAL to 27636 and by texting BMBC to 27636. And remind them to come to church this weekend for Worship!

PRAY – Father God, although our lives are cluttered with so many distractions, remind us to pause and pray and walk holy in all our ways. In Jesus’ Name, Amen!