aPut these staffs in the Tabernacle in front of the Ark of the Covenant, where I meet with you. Buds will sprout on the staff belonging to the man I choose. Then I will finally put an end to this murmuring and complaining against you.a Numbers 17:4-5
We love to grumble about the government, but there is one thing worse than governmenta"having no government at all. A state of anarchy has existed from time to time in countries like Sudan, Rwanda, Burundi, and Indonesia, where law and order collapsed and fear, violence, carnage, and destruction took over. Although we may not like those in authority, we need them to keep the peace.
There came a time in Israelas history when there was such a breakdown in law and order that athe people did whatever seemed right in their own eyesa (Judges 21:25). Those who resented being told what they could or could not do no doubt enjoyed the freedom to live without restrictions and enthusiastically indulge themselves in unrestrained living. This was not a new state of affairs. The Israelites had, throughout their history, shown a marked preference for the freedom to do what they wanted and a definite distaste for authority in any form. Even in the early days, after their remarkable deliverance from slavery of Egypt, when one would have thought they would be ecstatic about divine leadership and direction, they showed a const.i.tutional aversion to G.o.das leadership through Moses and Aaron.
The issue was of such magnitude to G.o.d that he explained to Moses how to aput an end to their complaints against me and prevent any further deathsa (Num. 17:10). It is important to note that the peopleas complaints against Moses and Aaron were, in G.o.das view, complaints against him. Moses and Aaron were not self-appointed or democratically elected; they were divinely ordained. So to question them was to question G.o.d, and to rebel against them was to rebel against the Holy One of Israel.
The Israelites were reluctant to accept G.o.das authority through Moses and Aaron, so G.o.d determined that a showdown was necessary. He instructed Moses to collect awooden staffs, one from each of Israelas ancestral tribesa (17:2). These staffs represented the leader of each tribe. Then Moses stored them in the tabernacle, per the Lordas instructions. On returning the next morning, the staff belonging to Aaron and the tribe of Levi ahad sprouted, blossomed, and produced almonds!a (17:8). Of all the leaders of Israel, when it came down to the priesthood, Aaron was G.o.das mana"the main man. It wasnat that Aaronas rod was special. Aaron was special because G.o.d had appointed hima"and the miraculous rod was G.o.das way of showing it to the people beyond doubt.
In our times, men still resent authority and much prefer the absence of restrictions. They fondly imagine that this leads to freedom and fullness of life. Granted, authority can be abused, and oppression can result. But rightly understood and appropriately applied, authority is divinely delegated for manas good. Man may not like ita"but G.o.d insists on it. A man may think that doing what seems right in his own eyes is the way to go. Sadly, he doesnat see it is the way to go downhilla"rapidly!
July 27
TO READ: Numbers 20:1-13
Miracle at Meribah
Then [Moses] and Aaron summoned the people to come and gather at the rock. aListen, you rebels!a he shouted. aMust we bring you water from this rock?a . . . But the LORD said to Moses and Aaron, aBecause you did not trust me enough to demonstrate my holiness to the people of Israel, you will not lead them into the land I am giving them!a Numbers 20:10, 12
That a great miracle occurred at Meribah cannot be disputed. The vast crowd of Israelites traveling through the barren wilderness had come to the end of their tethersa"and their water supply. So they did what came naturally. They blamed Moses and Aaron and delivered yet another litany of woes and complaints. They stated, rather obviously, aThis land has no grain, figs, grapes, or pomegranates. And there is no water to drink!a (Num. 20:5). We cannot, of course, minimize the seriousness of their predicamenta"no water in a barren wilderness spells disaster. Moses and Aaron did not dismiss the complaints. They went immediately to the tabernacle and prostrated themselves in prayer before the Lord. What else could they do?
The Lord instructed them to a.s.semble the people and acommand the rock over there to pour out its water. You will get enough water from the rock to satisfy all the people and their livestocka (20:8). The rock poured forth its water as promised, the people and their livestock were satisfied as predicted, and every one went home happy! Right? Wrong!
While the great miracle took place, something else of great significance happened, too. Moses and Aaron, after forty long years leading the people through the wilderness, were banned from entering the Promised Land. This surprising turn of events happened because, as the Lord explained to Moses and Aaron, aYou did not trust me enough to demonstrate my holiness to the people of Israela (20:12). The problem was a lack of trust which in some way detracted from the wonder of G.o.das action on behalf of his people. But what exactly was this lack of trust? It was betrayed by what Moses said, perhaps in a fit of frustration and temper: aaListen, you rebels!a he shouted. aMust we bring you water out of this rock?aa (20:10). Now, preachers are not supposed to talk to their people like that, but Mosesa intemperate language was not the problem. The issue was that Moses was implying that bringing water out of rocks was his specialtya"not G.o.das.
At this point G.o.d had had enough of Moses. G.o.das whole purpose in allowing the people to come to the point of desperation in the water shortage was to show his aholinessaa"his uniqueness. Moses had spoiled that by implying that he was doing the job.
It is sad that the miracle of rushing water was ruined by what gushed out of Mosesa mouth. Men who speak rashly and react impulsively run the risk of, like Moses, missing out on G.o.das best!
July 28
TO READ: Numbers 20:14-29
Relative Values
But the king of Edom said, aStay out of my land or I will meet you with an army!a . . . Because Edom refused to allow Israel to pa.s.s through their country, Israel was forced to turn around.
Numbers 20:18, 21
We can choose our friends, even if we do not have a similar freedom of choice with our relatives. In many instances, our closest friends are also our nearest relatives, but experience shows that it is not uncommon for tensions to exist between those who share a common heritage and genetics! In an extended family, quite often the origins of the tensions are long past, but succeeding generations keep the tensions alive by recounting, and even exaggerating, slights and insults. In extreme instances, b.l.o.o.d.y conflict has resulted.
Strong tensions existed between the Israelites and the Edomites. They were arelativesa (20:14), having descended from the brothers Jacob and Esau. But Esauas unresolved enmity toward Jacob became Edomas bitter grudge against Jacobas descendants. If Edom and Israel could have stayed out of each otheras way, all would have been well. But in the long march from Egypt to the Promised Land, the land of Edom offered a convenient route. So Moses asent amba.s.sadors to the king of Edoma (20:14), courteously asking permission for the Israelites to travel through Edomite territory. He reminded them of their blood relationship, he recounted Israelas hardships and the blessings of divine intervention, and he promised that no harm would come to either the economy or the infrastructure of the land. The king of Edom not only rejected the request but threatened military action if Moses and his people trespa.s.sed. Faced with a fight, the Israelites, deciding in this instance that adiscretion is the better part of valor,a turned around and embarked on yet another wearisome detour.
While it was understandable that the king of Edom was nervous about allowing this vast crowd of people, along with their flocks and herds, to traverse his land, the extent and manner of his reaction speaks volumes about his state of mind. Deep antagonisms were at work. Otherwise, he would have mixed his natural trepidation with concern for the well-being of his relatives, and would have made some attempt to help them even if he couldnat allow them to go through the territory.
Perhaps the Edomites were still smarting over the way that Esau, their forefather, had been mistreated by his brother Jacob, the forefather of the Israelites, years before, and they had not been willing to alet bygones be bygones.a In such cases someone needs to decide enough is enough, and instead of prolonging the estrangement, take steps to resolve the tension.
It may not always be possible to make your relatives your best friends, but it is surely worth working hard to ensure they arenat your worst enemies.
July 29
TO READ: Numbers 21:1-20
Serpent on a Pole
Then the LORD told him, aMake a replica of a poisonous snake and attach it to the top of a pole. Those who are bitten will live if they simply look at it!a So Moses made a snake out of bronze and attached it to the top of a pole. Whenever those who were bitten looked at the bronze snake, they recovered!
Numbers 21:8-9
To the modern mind, serpents hardly seem to be appropriate symbols of healing. And yet to this day, a serpent on a pole is a symbol of the medical profession. Greek mythology tells the story of Aesculapius, a revered healer, who used snakes in his healing practice. Statues of this mythological character show him holding a staff entwined with a serpent. A serpent cult was one of the most common cults in the whole of the Middle East in ancient times. What connection there is between the cult, mythology, and the biblical story of Moses and the serpents is not clear. As we shall see, however, Jesus took the story seriously, and so should we.
The Israelites had once again been disappointed and frustrated, so they reverted to blaming Moses, who himself had just been dealt the shattering blow that he would not be allowed into the Promised Land. The people complained about everything, including the food that G.o.d miraculously provided for them on a daily basis. So they were exposed to the snakes, many were bitten, and not a few died.
The people recognized that their sinfulness had contributed to their predicament, so they repented and begged Moses to pray for them, which he did. Moses received word from the Lord: aMake a replica of a poisonous snake and attach it to the top of a pole. Those who are bitten will live if they simply look at it!a (Num. 21:8). The result was astounding. aWhenever those who were bitten looked at the bronze snake, they recovered!a (21:9). Those who looked at the pole in obedience to G.o.das word and in dependence upon G.o.das promise were healed.
Apparently, Mosesa snake on a pole was preserved for future generations. In the time of Hezekiah, it became an object of idolatrous worship (2 Kings 18:4). The people had succ.u.mbed to the age-old problem of subst.i.tuting an aid to worship in place of the one to be worshiped. They were venerating a bronze snake on a wooden pole instead of trusting the eternal G.o.d on the heavenly throne.
Centuries later, Jesus told Nicodemus, aAs Moses lifted up the bronze snake on a pole in the wilderness, so I, the Son of Man, must be lifted up on a pole, so that everyone who believes in me will have eternal lifea (John 3:14-15). Jesus was repeating the age-old principle of blessing. It is G.o.d who heals both body and soul in response to faith and obedience, in the context of his eternal plan. And he regularly uses both modern medicine and old fashioned preaching to do it!
July 30
TO READ: Psalm 73
One Day in the Sanctuary
Then one day I went into your sanctuary, O G.o.d, and I thought about the destiny of the wicked. Truly, you put them on a slippery path and send them sliding over the cliff to destruction. . . . Their present life is only a dream that is gone when they awake. When you arise, O Lord, you will make them vanish from this life.
Psalm 73:17-18, 20
Do you remember Idi Amin, the infamous butcher of Uganda? The last I heard, he was sitting by a pool in Saudi Arabia, watching satellite television. How about Papa Doc, the ousted Haitian dictator? He settled down in a nice villa in the south of France. Some people sure land on their feet!
Wherever Asaph the psalm writer looked, he saw that athe proud . . . prosper despite their wickednessa (Ps. 73:3). They seem to be immune from pain, they enjoy good health, they appear to be trouble-free, they make money effortlessly, they have aeverything their hearts could ever wish fora (73:7), and all the time they ascoff and speak only evil . . . they boast against the very heavens, and their words strut throughout the eartha (73:9). In stark contrast, Asaph, who had tried to live rightly before the Lord, testified, aAll I get is trouble all day long; every morning brings me paina (73:14). He had to admit, aI envied the proud when I saw them prosper despite their wickednessa (73:3). It was a great mystery to him that the lives of the G.o.dless were trouble-free, while the lives of the G.o.dly were trouble-filled. This mystery so perplexed Asaph that he found himself being dragged down with envy, even questioning, aWas it for nothing that I kept my heart pure and kept myself from doing wrong?a (73:13). Like the G.o.dly people around him, he was adismayed and confused,a asking, aDoes G.o.d realize what is going on?a (73:10-11).
aThen one day,a Asaph wrote,a I went into your sanctuary, O G.o.d, and I thought about the destiny of the wickeda (73:17). Going into the place of worship and into G.o.das presence removed Asaph from a purely materialistic, secular environment, which had deeply permeated his thinking, and refocused his attention on such spiritual issues as adestinya and the meaning of this apresent lifea (73:17, 20). When material benefits and secular pleasures dominated his thinking and became the criteria by which he evaluated the agood life,a he knew nothing but despair and disillusionment. But when he remembered that life is more than athings,a he recognized that those who have it so good really are not having such a good time after alla"atheir present life is only a dream that is gone when they awakea (73:20).
But Asaph still needed rea.s.surance that the G.o.dly life is the right life. He began to think realistically: aMy health may fail, and my spirit may grow weaka (73:26). He should have said awill faila and awill grow weak.a That led him to think about aheavena and generated a triumphant exclamation, aWhom have I in heaven but you? I desire you more than anything on eartha (73:25).
With heaven in his thoughts, Asaph was back on tracka"sadder and wiser, stronger and settled, calm and collected, contented and confident. And no longer envying the G.o.dlessa"more likely, he was pitying them. A visit to G.o.das sanctuary can do that!
July 31
TO READ: Luke 2:25-40
Old, Bold Prophets
aI have seen the Savior you have given to all people. He is a light to reveal G.o.d to the nations, and he is the glory of your people Israel!a Luke 2:30-32
In the fraternity of fliers they say, aThere are old pilots, and there are bold pilots. But there are no old, bold pilots.a Those who choose to fly by the seat of their pants run the risk of being prematurely laid to their rest.
The same is not necessarily true of prophets. There are old, bold prophets. Simeon is a great example. He had been around a long time and had earned a reputation for righteousness and devotion. aHe was filled with the Holy Spirit, and he eagerly expected the Messiah to come and rescue Israela (Luke 2:25). Although he was advanced in years, he did not spend his time reminiscing about athe good old days.a Instead, he aeagerly expecteda Messiahas coming and the glory days that would follow. This did not mean he was living an illusion about his days being numbereda"he was fully convinced that ahe would not die until he had seen the Lordas Messiaha (2:26). As soon as he had seen Jesus, Simeon calmly prayed, aLord, now I can die in peace!a (2:29). In other words, here was an old man growing old gracefully.
But Simeon was a bold man, too. Referring to the baby Jesus in his arms, he prayed to the Lord in front of Mary and Joseph, with insight born of the Spirit, aHe is a light to reveal G.o.d to the nations, and he is the glory of your people Israela (2:32). Bold words, indeed. This baby, according to the bold old man, was none other than the Messiah. In addition to being the glory of Israel, he was about to bring light to the worlda"to Israel and to lands far beyond Israel. No wonder Joseph and Mary were amazed.
But there was more. Simeon went on, aThis child will be rejected by many in Israel, and it will be their undoinga (2:34). Simeon was daring to suggest not only that Messiah was not the exclusive preserve of an elite Judaism, but he was audacious enough to say that sections of Judaism would reject him and Messiah would be their undoing! And, speaking the truth in love, he did not hide from Mary the sobering news, even on this happiest of days, that aa sword will pierce your very soula (2:35).
Old, bold men speak truth with love in the Spirit out of rich experience. They are national treasures. We need more of them!
August 1
TO READ: Luke 2:41-52
Raising an Adolescent
[Jesusa] parents didnat know what to think. aSon!a his mother said to him. aWhy have you done this to us? Your father and I have been frantic, searching for you everywhere.a aBut why did you need to search?a he asked. aYou should have known that I would be in my Fatheras house.a But they didnat understand what he meant.
Luke 2:48-50
James Dobson, a highly-regarded Christian psychologist and best-selling author on family matters, says, aI used to have four theories and no children. Now I have four children and no theories.a Many people have benefited greatly from Dr. Dobsonas advice on child rearing. But realistically speaking, raising adolescents is not like drawing a picture by joining the numbersa"it is a matter of molding a person, of a.s.sisting in the development of a person of eternal worth. And every person is different.
We have very little information about the adolescent years of Jesus. But we do have the account of one telling incident that took place, which is full of great value to modern parents. The twelve-year-old Jesus had traveled from Galilee to Jerusalem for the Pa.s.sover festival. At the conclusion of the festival, the great crowd of Galileans set out for home through the wilderness of Judea, down to Jericho, and up the Jordan valley. During the first dayas journey, Jesusa parents a.s.sumed that he was with other friends or relatives among the travelers. It was only at the end of the day that they realized that he was not there. He was missing. So they retraced their steps to Jerusalem (a full dayas journey), hunted for him for three days, and eventually came across the boy. He was unperturbed, engaged in theological discussions with the teachers of the law. When they remonstrated with him, he calmly responded, aYou should have known that I would be in my Fatheras housea (Luke 2:49).
Not for the first time was it recorded that a pair of parents talking to their son adidnat understand what he meanta (2:50)! The root of the problem was that the parents did not understand their son and the son had little perception of what was in the parentsa hearts. And that is at the root of many problems in raising adolescents.
They all returned to Nazareth, where ahe . . . was obedient to them,a and Mary astored all these things in her hearta (2:51). (We donat know what Joseph did, though!) The boy was responsive to parental concerns, while the parent was reflective about the boyas development.
The boyas development took place in a balanced and G.o.d-honoring way. He agrew both in height and in wisdom, and he was loved by G.o.d and by all who knew hima (2:52). In other words, he developed physically, intellectually, spiritually, and socially. And no parent could ask for more than that.
It is without doubt that this should be the parentsa goal. How it is achieved will vary from child to child. But in every case, children need to be responsive, and parents need to be reflective. Imperfect parents never raise perfect kids. But mature parents give their children monumental advantages.
August 2