Read the Bible in One Year!

The Truth! Weekly Devotional February 14— Psalm 12 : The Truth Reflection In your reading these past few days you’ve started wandering in the wilderness with the nation of Israel. Now would be a good time to pause and ask yourself how you would have responded to the situation they faced if you had been there. It’s easy to point our finger at these faithless people and wonder how they could be so lacking in trust. And yet, if we really admitted the truth, we can see ourselves often in the same place. When the pressure builds and the fears increase, we’re quick to take the easy way out. Today, let’s think about trusting our worthy God with David by mediating on the words of Psalm 12 . Changeless Truth Truth is unchangeable. Winston Churchill once said of truth, “Panic may resent it, ignorance may deride it, malice may distort it, but there it is.” One plus one equal two. It always has, and always will. Nothing can change the accuracy of such a statement...

Death and Wondering in the Wilderness for 40 years Scripture February 13—Numbers 13-16: Death and Wondering in the Wilderness Observation At the Lord’s command, Moses selects one man from each tribe to form a spying party and survey the land of Canaan. They return forty days later having all seen the same thing but with a divided opinion as to what it means. The majority opinion: “The people are too strong for us.” The minority opinion: “We shall surely conquer.” Disheartened and faithless, the people threaten to stone Moses and return to Egypt rather than face what seems to them certain massacre. God’s punishment upon their unbelief is severe: one year of wilderness wandering for each day the spies were in the land—and death in the wilderness for that entire generation. And yet God would ultimately bring them into the land, they could be sure of this because the law he gave them contained instructions for living in the land....

Beginning the Journey with a Pillar of Cloud Scripture February 12—Numbers 9-12: Carping and Complaining and Longing for Egypt Observation Finally, the day has arrived for the nation to “pull up stakes” and set out for Canaan. As silver trumpets herald the trip’s commencement the huge camp prepares to march. The long-awaited journey has begun! But all too soon gratitude turns to grouchiness: the people complain about their daily diet of manna and express jealousy over Moses leadership. In the midst of miraculous provision, there is persistent complaining until at last the weary Israelites arrive at Kadesh-barnea, on the very border of Canaan. Application How many things can you think of that were truly “good” about the “good old days”? When you experience adversity—even though you’re obeying God—you may catch yourself looking back on the “good old days” with a moment for the past. Memory is a selective thing. Current ...

Numbers 6:22-27 (The Aaronic Blessing) Scripture February 11—Numbers 5-8: The Commands for Cleansing and Congregating Observation With the Israelites numbered and positioned, God further prepares the nation for entering the Promised Land by giving Moses instructions for cleansing and worship. First, Israel must be free of defilement from immorality and suspicions. The people must sense the sanctity of binding commitments such as the Nazirite vow. They must provide for the material needs of the tabernacle. And they must have a purified group of Levites to minister effectively for them in the corporate worship and celebration of Israel. Application A jealous husband. A suspicious wife. The combination can eat like acid into the marriage relationship. For this reason, God provided the seemingly strange ritual of Numbers 5:11-31 in order to deal decisively with jealousy and suspicion in the home. The ordeal by “bitter wat...

Tents Around Tabernacle as God Commanded Numbers Introduction Numbers begins with Israel’s eleven-day march from Sinai to Kadesh, records the subsequent rebellion and thirty-eight years of wilderness wandering, and ends with a new generation poised on the doorstep of the Promised Land. Numbers contrasts the faithfulness of God with the fickleness of his people. Even though he must judge their disobedience, God faithfully leads his people through forty years of agony. Working through Moses, Caleb, and Joshua, God demonstrates his willingness to reward those who trust him. Scripture February 10—Numbers 1-4: Counting and Camp of Israel Observation With the laws given and the ceremonies specified, God now commands Moses to count the people and position them in a square formation around the Tabernacle, the number of suggested fighting men for a  total population in excess of 3 million men, women and children. The Levites...

Dwelling in the Word! Scripture February 9—Leviticus 24-27: Keeping Holiness in the Promised Land Observation The final chapters of Leviticus deal with various regulations regarding cursings, vows, and conservation of the land—all in view of Israel’s approaching occupation of Canaan. The needs of the tabernacle must be met with a daily supply of oil and bread. The land must be given a sabbatical rest every seventh year. The Year of Jubilee provides that all debts be canceled, and all property returned to the original owner—clear reminder that the people are only tenants on God’s land. Penalties for disobedience are severe, but blessing is assured for those who keep God’s commands. Application Question: What do a speeding ticket, an overdue library book and a bounced check have in common? Answer: Each represents a violation of a posted restriction. When you exceed the speed limit on the highway, keep a library book more th...

Required Festivals on Israel's Calendar Scripture February 8—Leviticus 21-23: The Priests and Annual Feasts Observation Israel’s priests are representatives of the infinitely holy God. As such, God demands that they accept greater restrictions on their conduct and assume more responsibility than their countrymen. Priests must be free from defilements and defects in order to serve in the tabernacle. God also demands that they be responsible for maintaining the acceptability of the sacrifices they offer. But while the requirements are stringent, the blessings of service are great, as seen in the priests’ participation in Israel’s yearly feasts. Application The God of Israel wanted his people to bring the best of their flocks and herds, not merely the blemished and useless, as offerings to him. By demanding only perfect sacrifices, God revealed something about his perfect character. He also revealed something about the off...