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    March 9th Chronological Bible Readings

    Numbers 30:1-31:54
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    Today in Numbers chapter 30 we read about the various complexities of vows, particularly related to women making vows. (and how their fathers or husbands can void them on day 1, etc.)  Apparently the Jewish system and tradition of vows and what counts and didn’t count got even more complex over the years between this chapter in Numbers and when Jesus was born.  I love that in the Sermon on the Mount Jesus simplifies the whole complex system of vows!  Check out Matthew chapter 5 verses 33 through 37 where Jesus says: ““You have also heard that our ancestors were told, ‘You must not break your vows; you must carry out the vows you make to the Lord.’ But I say, do not make any vows! Do not say, ‘By heaven!’ because heaven is God’s throne. And do not say, ‘By the earth!’ because the earth is his footstool. And do not say, ‘By Jerusalem!’ for Jerusalem is the city of the great King. Do not even say, ‘By my head!’ for you can’t turn one hair white or black. Just say a simple, ‘Yes, I will,’ or ‘No, I won’t.’ Anything beyond this is from the evil one.”  Let’s let our yes simply mean yes and our no’s simply mean no’s!


    Yes_no

    Below is an image for Numbers chapter 31 verses 11 & 12: “After they had gathered the plunder and captives, both people and animals, they brought them all to Moses and Eleazar the priest, and to the whole community of Israel, which was camped on the plains of Moab beside the Jordan River, across from Jericho.” 


    num31.jpg

    Worship God: Today’s readings in Numbers 30 and the vows reminded me of Avalon’s song “Testify to Love:”



    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EnlHGz0SPQo

    Have you ever testified to love? Click here and Testify!


    Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today: “When a man makes a vow to the LORD or takes an oath to obligate himself by a pledge, he must not break his word but must do everything he said. “ Numbers 30:2 NIV


    Prayer Point: Pray that your yes means yes and that your no means no. Pray that you don’t break your word, but that you do everything that you say you will do. Pray that you will be a person that under-promises, but over-delivers.


    Comments from You:  What verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings?  Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!

    God bless,
    Mike

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    2 responses to “March 9th Chronological Bible Readings”

    1. Ramona Avatar
      Ramona

      Numbers 30:1-31:54
      Upon reading this portion of scripture I began thinking of the following verses:
      Proverbs 20:25 (AMP)
      25 It is a snare to a man to utter a vow [of consecration] rashly and [not until] afterward inquire [whether he can fulfill it].
      Ecclesiastes 5 (AMP)
      4 When you vow a vow or make a pledge to God, do not put off paying it; for God has no pleasure in fools (those who witlessly mock Him). Pay what you vow.
      5 It is better that you should not vow than that you should vow and not pay.
      6 Do not allow your mouth to cause your body to sin, and do not say before the messenger [the priest] that it was an error or mistake. Why should God be [made] angry at your voice and destroy the work of your hands?
      How easy it is for me to open my mouth and utter some rash vow without thinking, This is so easy to do when you are amongst other “saints” in the church and they are standing around talking about what “work” they are either going to do for the church or God. Now wanting to feel left out the mouth opens and the foot goes in. Or I feel pressured to respond because I don’t want to look like a “bad” or “lazy” Christian.
      The reading today plus the verse I copied in show us that God takes our vows seriously and no matter the amount of pressure we experience or excitement in the moment should cause us to utter a vow to God. This is a much needed reality check for me. If I’m to do something for the church or God it should be done with a joyous heart and not out of a feeling of pressured obligation.
      Chapter 31 of Numbers is fascinating because God actually directed them to fight against the Midianites and because they obeyed not one life was lost. However, they didn’t fully listen to what they were told to do they spared some things that should not have been spared. However, again Moses came to the rescue. Even though Moses was told that after this battle, He would go the way of his ancestors, Moses’ heart always yearned for the best for his people. This shows me that our outlook on life must go beyond the current generation; we must have a heart for the generations to come. To have this attitude one must get out of selfishness and understand that this life on earth is about investing in the next generation and not consuming all the resources on self.
      Numbers 31:
      14 Moses was angry with the leaders of the army, the heads of thousands and the heads of hundreds, who had fought in the war.
      15 He said to them, ” Have you allowed all the women to live?
      This interpreting of God’s Word to confirm to lustful desires will bring much harm to leadership and the nation from the time of this battle until now. God tells us to completely destroy something in that will impact our lives in the future but because we don’t understand the danger, we preempt God’s all knowing knowledge and replace it with our reasoning. Joshua and King Saul will feel the sting on not adhering precisely to instructions from the Lord. I think this modifying of God’s Word began when Moses and Aaron struck the Rock twice; instead of speaking to the Rock back in Numbers 20:8.

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    2. Tabitha Avatar
      Tabitha

      I am noticing a trend in this blog. It seems when things like death and killing by God’s command come up they are just simply passed over. God was specific and clear about what should be done and not done. He kept His Chosen People a separate people. They had a great deal of things to do to remain clean. Even, as in this passage, killing women who were not virgins. How does this apply today?

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