Thursday, February 25, 2010

Korah's "connections"

We just recently read in Numbers 16 about a man named Korah. I find it interesting that his story doesn't stop here. Even though he died from his rebellion against Moses, many of his descendants proved to be godly men such as Temple gatekeepers (1Chron 9:19), singers and musicians in the Temple choir (1 Chron. 6:31-47) and authors of several psalms.
See below:

Korah was the leader of a rebellion against Moses. He was the son of Izhar, grandson of Levi, and a first cousin to Moses. Korah headed a group of 250 prominent men, who challenged the leadership of Moses and Aaron while the Israelites were in the desert (Num 16:1-2).

Moses challenged Korah and his fellow rebels to a trial by ordeal. They all were to bring pans with incense and the Lord would choose who were to be his rightful leaders. A fire from the Lord then destroyed the conspirators, thus vindicating Moses and Aaron. When the earth opened to swallow the rebels (Num 16:31-35; 26:9-10), Korah's three sons -– Assir, Elkanah and Abiasaph (Ex 6:24) – were spared, intimating that they may not have participated in the revolt. Later rabbinic tradition explained that this earned them their place of prominence in the Book of Psalms where the authorship of several psalms (Ps 42; 44; 45; 47; 48; 49; 84; 85; 87; 88) is attributed to "the sons of Korah", a guild of Temple singers. Some of these psalms refer to events falling centuries later than the Mosaic era, such as the Davidic dynasty (Ps 45) and the destruction of the Temple (Ps 84; 85; 87). The Korahites are also named alongside of the Kohathites as singers in II Chronicles 20:19. In Jude verse 11 Korah is named as the rebel par excellence.

Share what you are learning!

We had a great meeting today at Starbucks! A couple things we touched on:

1) "Wilderness wanderings" (Deut 8:15-18) Often God allows us to wander in the "wilderness places" in our lives for our own good-to teach us great godly lessons and for us to ultimately rely on God's strength, not our own.

2) A great summary of the history of the Israelites is found in Deuteronomy 6:21-25. Keep reminding yourself of the great journey and provision of God for His people!

3) Balaam and his talking donkey: Balaam ultimately realized the awesomeness of God, and did not resort to cursing Israel. Instead, he blessed them. "Blessed is everyone who blesses you, O Israel, and cursed is everyone who curses you."

4) Share what you are learning on the blog! It doesn't have to be that week's readings in particular, just whatever God is teaching you :)

Press on friends!

Sunday, February 21, 2010

Revelation Song

Today in church, we sang Revelation Song (one of my favorites). But, this morning, it took on an even deeper meaning in light of our readings the past few weeks about the tabernacle, sacrifices and the holiness of God. I have posted the lyrics below.

Revelation Song

Worthy is the, Lamb who was slain
Holy, Holy, is He
Sing a new song, to him who sits on
Heaven's mercy seat

Holy, Holy, Holy Is the Lord God Almighty
Who was, and is, and is to come
With all creation I sing Praise to the King of Kings
You are my everything And I will adore You

Clothed in rainbows, of living color
Flashes of lightning, rolls of thunder
Blessing and honor, strength and glory and power be
to You the only wise King

Holy, Holy, Holy
Is the Lord God Almighty
Who was, and is, and is to come
With all creation I sing
Praise to the King of Kings
You are my everything
And I will adore You

Filled with wonder, awestruck wonder
At the mention of your name
Jesus your name is power
Breath, and living water
Such a marvelous mystery

Holy, Holy, Holy
Is the Lord God Almighty
Who was, and is, and is to come
With all creation I sing
Praise to the King of Kings
You are my everything
And I will adore You

Saturday, February 20, 2010

Painful Splinters

From Thursday's reading, God clearly directed Israel to completely rid the land of it's pagan inhabitants when the time came for the conquest of Canaan. He warned that any Canaanites left behind would become like painful splinters and thorns to the Israelites (Num 33:55-56).
Disobeying God, Israel failed to rid the land of its pagan populace and was eventually corrupted by immorality and idolatry.

How can this serve as a warning to us today? Are there any "splinters" in your spiritual life-secret sins...nagging habits...little things you know displease God? What you fail to remove now will only fester and cause more pain in the future.

[Daily Walk Bible, Feb. 18]

Trivia Question: the Promised Land

Who was able to enter the Promised Land?
Who was NOT able to enter the Promised Land? and why?


Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Numbers: Saved to Serve!

The children of Israel were saved to serve. So is every child of God today.

Numbers is often called the book of the wilderness, recording the pitiable failure of Israel at Kadesh-barnea, and the consequent wanderings and experiences of the people in the wilderness. It records the pilgrimage, warfare, service and failure of the second generation of the nation after the Exodus from Egypt.

This, however, is not all the message of Numbers. The first ten chapters give us the divine legislation; chapters 11-20 tell the story of the nation's failure; but the closing chapters of the book record Israel's return to Jehovah's favor and final victory, even in the wilderness. [H.Mears]

Only someone who is saved can serve and worship God. Remember, we are saved to serve. We are not saved by good works, but we are "created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do" (Ephesians 2:10).

How can you see God working in your "wilderness wanderings" to prepare you for His service?

Wednesday, February 3, 2010

Leviticus: Sacrifice and Santification

Leviticus centers around the concept of the holiness of God, and how an unholy people can acceptably approach Him and then remain in continued fellowship. The way to God is only through the blood sacrifice and the walk with God is only through obedience to His laws.

Leviticus falls into two major sections: the first dealing primarily with the sacrificial system in worship (chs. 1-17) , and the second dealing primarily with the sanctification of the people of Israel as a whole through ceremonial and moral holiness (chs. 18-27). [Nelson's Bible Maps]

If you want to remember two key words for Leviticus: Sacrifice and Sanctification

Your challenge: how does the Book of Leviticus point toward the work of Jesus Christ?
Post your comments and share your insights.

Press on girls!

Trivia Question for today

What three items were contained inside the Ark of the Covenant?

Tuesday, February 2, 2010

Trivia Question for today

How many offerings were established by the Lord and what were they? (See Leviticus 7:37)