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Today I read Numbers 22 through 32. I think the coolest story in this section is the story of Balaam. When the king of Moab sends messengers to Balaam and asks him to curse Israel, Balaam does the right thing. He prays to God and listens to God’s advice, sending the messengers away.

Then the messengers return with an offer of more money, more prestige. Balaam prays to God and asks His guidance again. Because Balaam is obviously wanting to go, God allows him to leave with the messengers, though not without a confrontation on the journey.

In spite of Balaam going against God’s ideal plan, God has the last word. When Balaam opens his mouth before the Israelites, he blesses them. Not only does Balaam bless the Israelites twice, he utters one of the earliest prophecies about the Messiah!

I shall see him, but not now:
I shall behold him, but not nigh:
there shall come a Star out of Jacob,
and a Scepter shall rise out of Israel…
Numbers 24:17.

I didn’t read this morning. Usually, I try to read my Bible first thing in the morning or right after I get back from exercising. Today I had to be ready to leave the house at 8:30 and spent the whole morning scrambling. I didn’t read today’s assignment until 4:00 this afternoon.

I missed my morning reading. I felt like I was getting the day off on the wrong foot by not reading the Bible first thing. It’s amazing how quickly I’ve come to rely on that prayer time and devotional time spent in God’s word.

Today’s reading was Numbers 9 through 21. What impressed me the most was how often I read “and the Israelites became angry and complained about God’s care.” Over and over and over again. God took care of His people. He still takes care of His people. And yet the Israelites complained because they weren’t happy with the food. They were afraid God wasn’t going to provide water. They were jealous of Moses being the leader even though Moses had the job they would probably run screaming from if they really understood what was involved!

Lord, please help me to be content and to trust You. Help me to avoid complaining but to remember that You ALWAYS provide. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

I started Numbers today. The overwhelming majority of the reading was about the first Israelite census and the sacrifices given when the sanctuary was completed.

God gave the priests an awesome blessing that they were to bestow on the people.

The Lord bless thee, and keep thee:
The Lord make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee:
The Lord lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace
Numbers 6:24-27.

What an amazing blessing!

I finished reading Leviticus today, covering chapters 15 through 27. These chapters covered laws about adultery, lying, Sabbath breaking, etc. It also talked about how to diagnose illness and if someone is considered unclean, as well as the steps for them to become clean.

The reading was a bit dry but I had to wonder how many of these guidelines should still be followed today. The laws for cleanliness would probably still be considered good guidelines for avoiding contagions.

I’ve realized that spending so much time in the Bible, between half an hour and an hour a day, has left me more picky about my leisure time. Hubby and I wanted to rent a movie tonight. Most of the time we rent from Redbox as we generally have codes for free movies. Unfortunately, Redbox didn’t have any movies that we wanted to see. Prior to starting this challenge, I might have wanted to see some of the newer dramas. But I looked at the R rating and realized that I didn’t want to watch something that would push me out of the comforting feeling that Christ is nearby.

I can’t guarantee that my pickiness concerning books and movies will continue. I hope I will continue to be more aware and choosy of what I’m watching. But for tonight, we chose to visit Blockbuster and picked up Toy Story and Toy Story 2. Good clean fun and they are movies that I would feel comfortable watching with Christ.

Wow. My takeaway from the day’s reading is that sin is serious. I read Leviticus 1 through 14 and most of it was about different types of offerings. The lists are detailed. Specific sins require specific offerings. The age, type, and gender of an animal is detailed. Each animal had to be in perfect condition, not a spot or blemish on it.

Sin is very serious if it requires such attention to detail when the sinner sacrifices to receive atonement.

I am so glad that I was born in this time period. It would be really hard to stomach picking out an animal, taking it to the sanctuary, and then slitting it’s throat. All because I lied. But that’s how serious sin really is. My sins killed Jesus Christ. And the Jewish sacrifices illustrated the gravity of sin. I am thankful that I don’t have to sacrifice an animal every time I sin. But I also pray that I will be ever mindful of how serious my sins are, how much they cost both the Father and the Son.

First week is complete! I’ve read all of Genesis and Exodus.

This morning, I found my thoughts drifting during the reading. Parts of it were really interesting (golden calf) but most of it was a list of lists about the tabernacle. I know the details are important and the sanctuary is a great study. But it’s hard to just read it all, especially 11 chapters of it.

I love how Exodus concludes.

Then a cloud covered the tent of the congregation, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. And Moses was not able to enter into the tent of the congregation, because the cloud abode thereon, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. And when the cloud was taken up from over the tabernacle, the children of Israel went onward in all of their journeys: But if the cloud were not taken up, then they journeyed not till the day that it was taken up. For the cloud of the Lord was upon the tabernacle by day, and fire was on it by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel, throughout all their journeys
Exodus 40:34-38.

God was physically with the children of Israel throughout their journey to Canaan. Even after the Israelites rejected God’s leading them into Canaan, He didn’t abandon them. The text says that God was there throughout all their journeys.

Even when I am not perfect, when I speak crossly to my husband or don’t study my Bible as I should, God is still with me. He loves me. And for that, my natural response is to love Him in return.

I’ve already read more than half of Exodus, today completing chapters 16 through 28. One more day in Exodus and then I’m into the challenging material – laws, numbers, and genealogies.

Several observations about today’s reading…

Then went up Moses, and Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel: And they saw the God of Israel: and there was under his feet as it were a paved work of a sapphire stone, and as it were the body of heaven in his clearness. And upon the nobles of the children of Israel he laid not his hand: also they saw God, and did eat and drink
Exodus 24:9-11.

I would have loved to see this in person. Can you imagine? Seeing God. Seeing the pavement under His feet. Being at peace enough with God to eat and drink there. Amazing.

The only trace of sadness in the above text is that Nadab and Abihu were present at this event and they still disobeyed God. They later committed a sin so grievous that they were killed on the spot. Seeing God once is no guarantee that you will continue to live a righteous life. I believe that’s where daily prayer, daily study, and daily communion with God are necessary.

My second thought is one I’ve heard preached on a number of times. Israel was blessed by God. They were cared for by God. First they were taken out of Egypt. Then they were protected from the Egyptians as they crossed the sea. They found bitter water and God made it sweet. They were lacking food and God provided quail and manna. They ran out of water and God provided it from a rock. They were attacked by the Amalekites and God made them victorious. And yet. The big YET. They forgot it all. They continued to complain. They wanted to return to Egypt. They wanted to die.

How often am I like this? God provides for me every day, even though it’s not always as visible a provision as the Israelites were given. And yet I continue to worry, to fret about the future. I complain when things go wrong. I need to cultivate a spirit of gratefulness and trust. God always provides for His children. I am His child. He will provide for me.

Hopefully I can remember this lesson tomorrow when I’m faced with a petty frustration.