60 - God is not a man, that He should tell or act a lie

Balaam and the Ass
by James Tissot 1900

Chareen's Thoughts

• The Israelites continued their journey and camped in the plains of Moab. The people of Moab were frightened of them and so their king sends for Balaam to curse them so he can go to war and win.
• ... for I know that he whom you bless is blessed, and he whom you curse is cursed. Numbers 22:6
• The LORD appears to Balaam and insructs him not to curse Israel because they are a blessed nation and not to go with the officials of Moab.
• The king then bribes Balaam with the promise of honour and requests his presence and curse Israel. He said no way even if I was given a house hold full of silver I could not go.  But the Lord appears to him and says go.
• Interesting God tells Balaam to go to the king and then sends an Angel to confront him because He is not pleased with Balaam going and calls it an evil thing.  Twice he warns Balaam to only say what He tells him to say.
• The king meets with Balaam but Balaam warns him I can only say what God wants me to not what you want me to.
• Balaam requests 7 altars, 7 bulls and 7 rams. Balaam meets with the Lord who gives him a poem to tell the king that there is no curse.
  How can I curse those whom God has not cursed? How can I denounce those whom the LORD has not denounced? Numbers 23:8
• Once again the king tries, he takes Balaam to another look out over Israel and sacrifices with 7 altars, 7 bulls and 7 rams  and God says no they are blessed.
  God is not a man, that He should tell or act a lie, neither the son of man, that He should feel repentance or compunction [for what He has promised]. Has He said and shall He not do it? Or has He spoken and shall He not make it good? You see, I have received His command to bless Israel. He has blessed, and I cannot reverse or qualify it. Numbers 23:19-20 
• Balak takes Balaam yet to a third look out and sacrifices once again. So God used Balaam to pronounce His blessing over Israel from the heights surrounding their encampment.
• Balak then got angry with Balaam because he blessed and did not curse and Balaam says to him but I told you I can not curse whom God has not cursed.

Today I was reminded of just how great our God is. He is not a man He does NOT lie and what He has said He will do He WILL do. He has a good plan for me and And I am convinced and sure of this very thing, that He Who began a good work in you will continue until the day of Jesus Christ [right up to the time of His return], developing [that good work] and perfecting and bringing it to full completion in you. Philippians 1:6 I know He says For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11 and therefore I need to Lean on, trust in, and be confident in the Lord with all your heart and mind and do not rely on your own insight or understanding. In all your ways know, recognize, and acknowledge Him, and He will direct and make straight and plain your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6
Blessings
Chareen

59 - You have lacked nothing

The Brazen Serpent
by James Tissot

Chareen's Thoughts:

• The Israelites are instructed to pass through the land the Lord had given to Esau as an inheritance.  He is quite specific about what they may or may not do. 
• Look at this beautiful verse that is a testomy of the Lords faithfulness to His people:
  For the Lord your God has blessed you in all the work of your hand. He knows your walking through this great wilderness. These forty years the Lord your God has been with you; you have lacked nothing. Deuteronomy 2:7  
• Once again the people became impatient and spoke against the Lord asking WHY ?  As a consequence of their descent the Lord sent a plague of snakes and many died.  The people then repented of their sin and the Lord instructed Moses to make a snake image and mount it on a pole so when anyone was bitten they could look on it and be healed. Moses did as the Lord commanded. 
• The congregation traveled to Oboth and Lye-Abarim and north through Moab.
• For 38 years the Israelites traveled from Kadesh-barnea until they crossed the Zered Valley.
• Why did they have to travel this long ? : ...until the whole generation of the men of war had perished from the camp, as the Lord had sworn to them. Moreover the hand of the Lord was against them to exterminate them from the midst of the camp, until they were all gone Deuteronomy 2:14-15 The Lord is faithful to His word.
• The Lord instructed Israel was not to fight the Ammonites because their land was an inheritance to the descendants of Lot.
• The first land given as a possession to Israel was the land of Sihon.
• The second land given as a possession was from Og king of Bashan.

And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert [on a pole], so must [so it is necessary that] the Son of Man be lifted up [on the cross], In order that everyone who believes in Him [who cleaves to Him, trusts Him, and relies on Him] may [a]not perish, but have eternal life and [actually] live forever! John 3:14-15

Blessings
Chareen 

Brazen Serpent Monument
Mount Nebo (Jordan)

For Further reading:

•  Lifted Up on Chritianity Today.
• Caduceus medical symbol over at Ancient Sculpture
• Caduceus over at Wikipedia
• Medical Iconography over at University of Virginia.
• Caduceus Sculpture Plaque over at Ancient Sculpture Gallery.
• Nehushtan over at Wikipedia
• Mount Nebo, Jordan over at Atlas Tours.

59 - The Lord your God has been with you and you have lacked nothing!

Kathleen's thoughts

Caduceus medical symbol

Deuteronomy 2,3
Numbers 21,33
The Biblical days and today is no difference. The people in the wilderness were always grumbling and never satisfied. God was with them supplying all their needs and even witnessed the presence of God being among them and today we also always grumbling about what we have and what we don't have. We are never satisfied. God dwelled amongst them in the wilderness for 40 years feeding them giving them water.
Philippians 2:14 Do all things without murmuring and disputing:

Deuteronomy 2:7 For the Lord your God has blessed you in all the work of your hands. He watched over your journey through this immense wilderness. The Lord your God has been with you this past 40 years, and you have lacked nothing.

Have you ever wondered why there is a snake in the symbol of the medical symbol we see today but then when you investigate where it suppose to have originated from the Greek The Rod of Asclepius The Greek god of medicine and healing, he used only one snake on a staff. It is here that we see how stories from generations to generation is passed down and it takes one man to twist it to become demonic this is a good link for you to read. Rod of Asclepius.

The photo on this page is a medical symbol used mostly around the world.
Below is the truth about the bronze rod and the snake symbol.

Numbers 21: 5-9
God - when the Israelites were speaking against him He got angry and sent poisonous snakes amongst the people and it bit them so that many Israelites died. The people came to Moses and said we have sinned by speaking against the Lord and against you, Intercede with the Lord so that He will take the snakes away from us and this Moses did.

The Lord then told Moses to make a snake image and mount it on a pole. When anyone who is bitten looks at it, he will recover. So Moses made a bronze snake and mounted it on a pole. Whenever someone was bitten, and he looked at the bronze snake, he recovered.

This reading is also about the Israelites walking to the land God had promised.

Blessings

58 - Miriam and Aaron goes home to be with the Lord.

Kathleen's thoughts.

Numbers 18,19.20,21,33

Death of Aaron by James Tissot

Once again the Israelites are grumbling and have no water they complained about the vegitation Moses and Aaron went to the entrance of the tent of meeting and fell on their faces. God gives instruction for them to assemble the people and to take their staffs to the rock and Moses hits the rock and water flows.

Burning of the red Heifer is a sin offering.

Miriam dies and is buried in Kadesh.

The Lord told Moses to take Aaron's son Eleazar and bring them up Mount Hor. Remove Aaron's garments and put them on his son Eleazar, Aaron will be gathered to his people and die there.

So Moses did as the Lord commanded, and the climbed Mount Hor in the sight of the whole community. After Moses removed Aaron's garments and put them on his son Eleazar, Aaron died there on top of the mountain. Aaron was 123 years old when he died on Mount Hor.

Imagine knowing when you walk up the mountain you going to die. Ummm

The community and the whole house of Israel mourned for 30 days.

Eleazar son of Aaron became priest in the place of Aaron.

blessings

57 - Dissatisfaction among the people

Kathleen's thoughts

Numbers 16,17,18

It's hard to believe after all the time the people spent with Moses and Aaron they should have known that it was God who placed them in charge of the people. God's wrath is sent out on Dathan and Abiram and their families God opened up the earth and swallowed them up in front of all the other Levities and the 250 of them that were left with their pans of fire and incense, the fire came out from the Lord and consumed the 250 men who were presenting the incense.

The next day the whole Israelite community complained about Moses and Aaron, saying " You have killed the Lord's people!" God told Moses to make atonement for the people and after Moses took the fire pan placed fire from the altar in it and added incense. Aaron then ordered by Moses ran into the middle of the assembly and saw that the plague had begun among the people. After he added incense he made atonement for the people He stood between the dead and the living and the e plague halted, theses who died that day was 14,700. Then God proved His chosen by making each of the 12 tribes bring a staff with their names on it to the tent of meeting and the one which sprouts is the one who with be in charge. Aaron also placed his staff there and it was his that sprouted buds and leaves. This was proof from God that it was Aaron to be in charge of the tent of meeting. So it was Aaron and his sons that were responsible for the tent of meeting. The Levites responsibilities was given to take care of the outside of the tent.

One of the interesting read was about Aaron and God.

Numbers 18: 20 When the Lord told Aaron, You will not have an inheritance in their land; there will be no portion among them for you. I am your portion and your inheritance among the Israelites.

Blessings

56 - Wondering in the desert

Kathleen's thoughts

Numbers14,15,16

Deuteronomy 1

Psalm 90: 1-7

Because of the conspiracy against the Lord they were cursed that generation by not entering into the land that God promised them They will die in the wilderness and only Joshua and Caleb and their generation who obeyed the Lord's commands will enter into the land that the Lord promised them.

The Israelites were overcome with grief and tried to rectify their mistakes but there repentance was too late.

Psalm 90 a beautiful Psalm to read. Verse 12 Teach us to number our days carefully so that we may develop wisdom in our hearts.

I just love Numbers 15: 38 - 41

Speak to the Israelites and tell them that through out their generations they are to make tassels for the corners of their garments and put a blue cord on the tassel at each corner. These will serve as tassels for you to look at, so that you may remember all the Lord's commands and obey them and not become unfaithful by following your own heart and your own eyes. This way you will remember and obey all My commands and be holy to your God. I am the Lord your God who brought you out of the land of Egypt to be your God: I am the Lord your God"

Blessings

58 - Red Heifer

Moses Strikes the Rock
James Tissot 1902

Chareen's Thoughts:

• In yesterdays reading we learned that the Levites did not inherit land but were given the tithe as their payment for their service in the tabernacle. Today's reading starts off telling the Levites to tithe on tithe.
• The Lord gives instruction to burn a red heifer and use it's ashes to make purification water for those who are unclean.  His instructions for its use are quite specific.
• Miriam dies in Kadesh and is buried.
• The people once again revert to their habit of complaint and unbelief in Meribah. Aaron and Moses go before the Lord and He instructs them to speak to the rock before the assembly so that the Lords holiness would be known but Aaron and Moses disobey the Lord and strike the rock twice to bring forth water.  Hence the name Meribah.
• The consequence of Aaron and Moses disobedience is that the Lord says that neither of them shall enter the promised land.
• At this point in Moses life he is blessed with grand children.
• Israel continued their journey to Mount Hor.  Along the way the Edomites refused them passage along the King's highway.
• At Mount Hor the Lord instructs Moses, Aaron and Aarons son Eleazar to ascend the mountain and pass on the office of High Priest.  It is here that Aaron died he was 123 years old and it had been 40 years since the Israelites had departed from Egypt. The whole house of Israel mourned the death of Aaron for 30 days.

 I often wonder why Moses chose to disobey the Lord and strike the rock rather than speak to it.  This man of God who walked before the Lord, who saw His form who often interceded for the people of Israel.  One of my frustrations too with this story is the consequence the Lord gave him of denying him entry to the Promised Land after all that he had done.  One day while meditating on this I realised that Moses did set foot in the Promised land.  He saw the fulfilment of the Lords promises.  He stood their with the very son of the Most High God.

Blessings
Chareen

For Further Reading:

• The Mystery of the Red Heiffer: Divine Promise of Purity over at The Temple Institute.
• Red Heifer over at Wikipedia.
• Audio A Red Heifer is Alive and well in Israel over at Israel National News
• The Red Heifer over at Great Dreams.
• Red Heifer born in Israel over at The Temple Institute. (Photographs)
• Complete video on Red Heifer teaching from The Temple Institute.

57 - I am your portion and your inheritance

Chareen's Thoughts:

The death of Korah, Dathan & Abiram.

• Today's reading started with the story of Korah, Dathan and Abiram who rebelled against the leadership of Aaron and Moses. 
• The Lord then calls them and their 250 followers to appear before Him in the morning.  The Lord decided they needed to die for their sin but Aaron and Moses interceded for the crowd.
• The Lord then said that Korah, Dathan and Abiram will die by the land swollowing them and their families. Their deaths were a sign of God's choice of Aaron and Moses as leaders.
• The Lord sent a holy fire to consume the 250 followers of Korah, Dathan and Abiram.
• It intrigued me that the very next day after witnessing the Lord dealing with jealsousy and insurrection the congregation grumbled and complained about Moses and blamed him for the deaths of the others. 
• The Lords anger burned against them and He sent a plague to consume Israel.  Aaron makes an atonement offering and the plague is halted. 14 700 died in addition to Korah and the others.
• You then see the patience and love of the Lord as He chooses to prove that He has chosen Aaron.  He asks for a staff from each house in Israel with the name of the leader of each tribe.
• The rods were placed in the tent of meeting. And the next day Moses went into the Tent of the Testimony, and behold, the rod of Aaron for the house of Levi had sprouted and brought forth buds and produced blossoms and yielded [ripe] almonds. Numbers 17:8 
•  The Lord once again confirms the Levitical responsibilites to the people.  

These are two verses that stood out to me today: And the Lord said to Aaron, You shall have no inheritance in the land [of the Israelites], neither shall you have any part among them. I am your portion and your inheritance among the Israelites. Numbers 18:20 and And, behold, I have given the Levites all the tithes in Israel for an inheritance in return for their service which they serve, the [menial] service of the Tent of Meeting. Numbers 18:21
This second verse stood out because often times people grumble and complain about the tithe being used to pay the pastor or staff of a church but the Lord Himself declares that is what it's for !
Blessings
Chareen

More about the Tassels (Tekhelet)

I was searching for more information on the prayer shawels and tassels in todays readings and found this very interresting documetary

Quote from YouTube - The Mystery of Tekhelet is a fascinating documentary that takes the viewer on a journey through history in search of the ancient blue dye, Tekhelet. The movie, richly filmed, travels through 3000 years of Jewish history. Come see scuba divers collecting the snails of Tekhelet off the coast of Israel. Observe Bedouin shepherds shearing sheep. Participate in sophisticated chemical analysis of the dyes as well as the actual dyeing of Tekhelet in a 2500 year old Tekhelet factory. The Biblical commandment of Tzitzit and Tekhelet becomes meaningful in a profound way in P'til Tekhelet's The Mystery of Tekhelet.
 

The Mystery Of Tekhelet Part I of III

The Mystery Of Tekhelet Part II of III

The Mystery Of Tekhelet Part III of III

May you be as blessed as I was by these videos
Blessings
Chareen

56 - Tassels a sign of Seperation

40 years based on 40 days of exploration
Map from 1871 click to enlarge

Chareen's Thoughts

• The consequence of Israel's sin of unbelief was death and one year for each day they explored the promised land. Numbers 14:31-38
• Only Joshua and Caleb survived of the men who went to Canaan because they followed the Lord completely. 
• Psalm 90:1-17 is the earliest psalm.
• There were more instructions for offerings once the Israelites entered their promised land.
• As a sign of separation the Israelites were to make tassels for the corners of their garments, and put a blue cord on the tassel at each corner.  These will serve as tassels for you to look at, so that you may remember all the LORD'S commands and obey them and not become unfaithful by following your own heart and your own eyes. This way you will remember and obey  all My commands and be holy to your God. Numbers 15:38-40
• The consequence of work on a Sabbath was death by stoning.

As I read all about the tassels and the colour I gained a better understanding for branding.  I love christian clothing and jewellery.

What are some of your favourite items that remind you of your Lords love and that you are to be set apart ?
Blessings
Chareen

For Further reading:

Quoated from Wikipedia: The tzitzit ("knotted fringes") of the tallit ("[prayer] shawl") are connected to the 613 commandments by interpretation: principal Torah commentator Rashi bases the number of knots on a gematria: the word tzitzit (Hebrew: ציצת (Biblical), ציצית, in its Mishnaic spelling) has the value 600. Each tassel has eight threads (when doubled over) and five sets of knots, totalling 13. The sum of all numbers is 613. This reflects the concept that donning a garment with tzitzit reminds its wearer of all Torah commandments.

• Everyone has their time in the Wilderness
• 1871 Map
• Strike two and you're out of the Promised Land.
• 
  

55 - Unbelief had shut them out.

Chareen's Thoughts

The Grapes of Canaan

• Todays reading is from Numbers 13, 14, 33,  Deuteronomy 1, 
• What a sad day turning back from Canaan must have been for the Israelite camp. 
• 40 days were spent scouting the land the Lord was giving the Israelites.
• Two out of the twelve gave a good report and ten poured feared into the hearts and minds of the people.
• Israel grumbled in fear and despondency based on the negative report.  They did not base their decision on the past experience with God who stood before them they turned their eyes to people.
• Then Israel declared their unbelief and wanted to return to bondage in Egypt.  God became angry and wanted to destroy them.  
• Moses reminded God His reputation is at stake.  Moses declares: And now, I pray You, let the power of my Lord be great, as You have promised, saying, The Lord is long-suffering and slow to anger, and abundant in mercy and loving-kindness, forgiving iniquity and transgression; but He will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, upon the third and fourth generation. Pardon, I pray You, the iniquity of this people according to the greatness of Your mercy and loving-kindness, just as You have forgiven [them] from Egypt until now. Numbers 14:17-19
• The Lord pardoned the people but they still had to live with the consequence of their sin. All those who had seen His deliverance in Egypt and His glory were not to see the promised land.
•  Only Joshua and Caleb were excepted in this declaration. 

So we see that they were not able to enter [into His rest], because of their unwillingness to adhere to and trust in and rely on God [unbelief had shut them out]. Hebrews 3:19 I wonder how many "promised lands" I have missed out on because my unbelief has shut me out.

Blessings
Chareen

55 - Generation cursed to die in wilderness.

Kathleen's thoughts

Numbers 13,14,33

Deuteronomy 1,

When you read these chapters I find it so hard in trying to understand the Israelites and their grumbles and unbelief. After all the signs and wonders of God that they had seen with their own eyes they still threw temper tantrums and moaned and unbelief - a never satisfied generation that caused their whole generation of not entering into the promised land. God diverted them back into the wilderness through dissatisfaction. The only people will see it was Caleb who had a different spirit and has followed the Lord completely, the Lord said I will bring him into the land where he has gone and his descendants will inherit it.

The beautiful scriptures here to me are Numbers 14: 17 19 So now may my Lord's power be magnified just as You have spoken; The Lord is slow to anger and rich in faithful love, forgiving wrongdoing and rebellion, But He will not leave the guilty unpunished, bringing the consequences of the fathers' wrongdoing on the children to the third and fourth generation. Please pardon the wrongdoing of this people in keeping with the greatness of Your faithful love, just as You have forgiven them from Egypt until now.

Hebrews 3:19-4:1

So we see that they were unable to enter because of unbelief. Therefore, while the promise remains of entering His rest, let us fear so that none of you should miss it.

Blessings

54 - Clouds lead them!

Kathleen's thoughts today

Exodus 40

Numbers 10,11,12

The military divisions of the camp of Judah with their banner set out first. The tabernacle was then taken down, and the Gershonites and the Merarites set out, transporting the tabernacle.

The Kohathites then set out, transporting the holy objects; the tabernacle was to be set up before their arrival

Clouds lead them... The Israelites set out whenever the cloud was taken up from the tabernacle throughout all the stages of their journey. If the cloud was not taken up,k they did not set out until the day it was taken up. For the cloud of the Lord was over the tabernacle by day, and there was a fire inside the cloud by night, visible to the entire house of Israel through all the stages of their journey.

Whenever the ark set out, Moses would say. Arise, Lord! Let Your enemies be scattered, and those who hate You flee from Your presence...When it came to rest, he would say Return Lord, to the countless thousands of Israel.

Moses questions God about all the work that had to be done and the Lord said to Moses "Is the Lord's power limited. Moses recruited 70 men to take the work load off his shoulders just as God ordered. God then took some of the Spirit that was on Moses and placed the Spirit on the 70 elders as the Spirit rested on them they Prophesied.

Miriam and Aaron Criticize Moses and the Lord heard them and then summoned all three of them to come out to tent of meeting. The Lord told Aaron and Miriam this...

Listen to what I say If there is a prophet among you from the Lord, I make Myself known to him in a vision; I speak with him in a dream Not so with My servant Moses; he is faithful in all My household. I SPEAK WITH HIM DIRECTLY OPENLY, AND NOT IN RIDDLES; HE SEE THE FORM OF THE LORD.

Blessings

54 - The Lord is our Banner

Chareen's Thoughts:

• Today we are reading in Numbers 10, 11, 12
• Numbers 10:14-28 speaks about how the Israelites camped, marched moved on and obeyed the Lords command daily. I found the references to banners interesting. He had order among the tribes. His presence was visible day and night. His presence was a banner over Israel for all to see.
• And I will come down and talk with you there; and I will take of the Spirit which is upon you and will put It upon them; and they shall bear the burden of the people with you, so that you may not have to bear it yourself alone. Numbers 11:17 This verse reminds me of the Lord sending the Holy Spirit to be our helper and guide. John 14:26 But the Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, Strengthener, Standby), the Holy Spirit, Whom the Father will send in My name [in My place, to represent Me and act on My behalf], He will teach you all things. And He will cause you to recall (will remind you of, bring to your remembrance) everything I have told you.
• Numbers 12:6-8 And He said, Hear now My words: If there is a prophet among you, I the Lord make Myself known to him in a vision and speak to him in a dream. But not so with My servant Moses; he is entrusted and faithful in all My house. With him I speak mouth to mouth [directly], clearly and not in dark speeches; and he beholds the form of the Lord. Why then were you not afraid to speak against My servant Moses?Can you imagine being this blessed ?? This part of the story of Aaron and Mirriam complaining and being jealous of Moses also reminds me that we need to have respect for those in leadership of our congregations.  It's amazing how often the people in a church complain about their leadership.

Today's reading reminded me that we need to trust Him and leave the past behind so that we may walk forward into our own portion He has for us. Philippians 3:13-14 I was also reminded He has given us the Holy Spirit to empower and encourage and teach us.

Blessings
Chareen
Thus says the Lord God: Behold, I will lift up My hand to the Gentile nations and set up My standard and raise high My signal banner to the peoples; and they will bring your sons in the bosom of their garments, and your daughters will be carried upon their shoulders Isaiah 49:22

For Further Reading.

• 12 Tribes of Israel Banners over at Banah Torah. Excellent post on each tribe with a picture of their banner and corrosponding scripture showing where the symbols came from.
• The Four Banners of Israel over at Bible Fragrances.
• What are Banners ? over at Christ Centered Mall.
• The Twelve Tribes of Israel: In Symbol & Blessing over at Lion and Lamb Ministries.
• How Big is a Bushel ?

53 - Of peace and Order

Chareen's Thoughts

source

• Today we arrived in the book of Numbers.  I love the story of Joshua son of Nunn.  As I have read I have been inspired to read a historical fiction account of Moses and Joshua.  I have found this to be an enriching journey.
• Thirteen months into the journey from Egypt the Lord instructed a census be taken. There were a total of 603 550 males 20 years old and older in the eleven tribes in the house of Israel. (The Levites were excluded from this census.
• They were to encamp in their military divisions under their banners.  God is a god of order. 1 Corinthians 14:33 For He [Who is the source of their prophesying] is not a God of confusion and disorder but of peace and order. As [is the practice] in all the churches of the saints (God's people),

I feel challenged today to make my home a place of peace and order.

Blessings
Chareen

For Further Reading:

source

• B'Midbar:"Marching Orders" by Ariel Ehrmantrout over at Messianic Pastor's Weblog.
• Notes - Numbers at Trans World Radio - India.  Great summary. Excellent
• The Place - of Learning Fear at Thinking 7
• The Camp over at The Church of God Daily Bible Study.
• The 12 Tribes of Israel at Israel a history of
• The Tribes of Israel; How they started 
• Twelve Tribes of Israel Banners.  Interesting pictures of the banners.

53 - Time to move out of Sinai

Kathleen's thoughts

Numbers 1,2,10,33

Deuteronomy 1

The Lord spoke to Moses in the tent of meeting in the Wilderness of Sinai. Moses was to take a census of the entire Israelite community by the clans and their ancestral houses, counting the names of every male one by one. You and Aaron are to register those who are 20 years old or more by their military divisions - everyone who can serve in Israel's army. A man from each tribe is to be with you, each one the head of his ancestral houses.

The descendants of Reuben, male of 20 years old or more 46,500

Simeon 59,300

Gad 45,650

Judah 79,600

Issachar 54,400

Zebulun 57,400

The descendants of Joseph

Ephraim 40,500

Manasseh 32,400

Benjamin 35,400

Dan 62,700

Asher 41,500

The descendants of Naphtail 53,400

These are the men Moses and Aaron resigered by their ancestral houses. All those registered numbered 603,550

The Levites were not registered as the Lord told Moses not too. They were to take care of the tabernacle of the testimony and its furnishings and everything in it. They are to transport the tabernacle and all its articles, take care of it, and camp around it.

The Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron "The Israelites are to camp under their respective banners beside the flags of their ancestral houses. They are to camp around the tent of meeting at a distance from it.

God gave specific instructions to each tribe where to camp.

And so the journey from Sinai to Kadesh-Barnea begins

Numbers 10:11 During the second year, in the second month on the twentieth day of the month, the cloud was lifted up about the tabernacle of the testimony. 13. They set out for the first time according to the Lord's command through Moses.

John 3:8

The wind blows where it pleases, and youxhear its sound, but you don't know where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.

Blessings

52 - God reminds Israel to keep Passover.

Kathleen's thoughts

Leviticus 22,24 Numbers 5,6,9,24

God gives Moses instructions and requirements for animal sacrifices.

Leviticus 24 Speaks on using the Lord's name in vain., (blasphemy) Verse 16 Whoever blasphemes the name of the Lord is to be put to DEATH; the whole community must stone him.

Today the name of the Lord is used so freely and at times in such a provocative way it's shocking!

Murder is murder and you were put to death.

Jealousy is the root of all evil. Jealousy of a husband. This is an eye opener in what happens to a woman if she is found to be in an adulterous situation - A frightening situation to be in and how she is cursed but if she is innocent all is well.

Numbers 6: 22-27

My favourite verse.

The Lord bless you and protect you'

the Lord make His face shine on you, and be gracious to you;

the Lord look with favour on you and give you peace.

In this way they will put My name on the Israelites and I will BLESS THEM.

Numbers 9: 4-14

So Moses told the Israelites to observe the Passover, and they observed it in the fist month on the fourteenth day at twilight in the wilderness of Sinai. The Israelites did everything as the Lord had commanded Moses.

Blessings

52- His Holy Name

Chareen's Thoughts:

• Leviticus 22:31-32 So shall you heartily accept My commandments and conform your life and conduct to them. I am the Lord. Neither shall you profane My holy name [applying it to an idol, or treating it with irreverence or contempt or as a byword]; but I will be hallowed among the Israelites. I am the Lord, Who consecrates and makes you holy, 
• Leviticus 24:15-16 And you shall say to the Israelites, Whoever curses his God shall bear his sin. And he who blasphemes the Name of the Lord, he shall surely be put to death, and all the congregation shall certainly stone him; the stranger as well as he who was born in the land shall be put to death when he blasphemes the Name [of the Lord]. It is a serious thing to use His holy name in vain.
• Leviticus 24:19-20 And if a man causes a blemish or disfigurement on his neighbor, it shall be done to him as he has done: Fracture for fracture, eye for eye, tooth for tooth; as he has caused a blemish or disfigurement on a man, so shall it be done to him. Jesus said: You have heard that it was said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth. But I say to you, Do not resist the evil man [who injures you]; but if anyone strikes you on the right jaw or cheek, turn to him the other one too. And if anyone wants to sue you and take your undershirt (tunic), let him have your coat also. And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two [miles]. Give to him who keeps on begging from you, and do not turn away from him who would borrow [at interest] from you. Matthew 5:38-42  
• I found this verse interesting today especially in the light of allowing other cultures to practice their own set of laws when their populations grow in the land because of political correctness: Leviticus 24:22 You shall have the same law for the sojourner among you as for one of your own nationality, for I am the Lord your God.  
• Numbers 5:6-7 Say to the Israelites, When a man or woman commits any sin that men commit by breaking faith with the Lord, and that person is guilty, Then he shall confess the sin which he has committed, and he shall make restitution for his wrong in full, and add a fifth to it, and give it to him whom he has wronged. What an excellent verse to remember and teach to our children and one another.  When we sin we are breaking faith with our Lord and these are the steps the Lord wants us to follow.
• Numbers 5:11-31 An interesting look at the treatment of a woman if she commits adultery or if she commits adultery and her husband does not know but feels jealous.  The Lord would curse her and close her womb.

The Lord bless you and watch, guard, and keep you;

The Lord make His face to shine upon and enlighten you and be gracious (kind, merciful, and giving favor) to you;

The Lord lift up His [approving] countenance upon you and give you peace (tranquility of heart and life continually).Numbers 6:24-26



Blessings

Chareen

51 - Be holy because, the Lord your God, am holy.

Kathleen's thoughts

Leviticus 19,20,21,22.

This book of the Bible is the most amazing read. One can fully understand why this year of the Lord 2012 is so corrupt and walking in deadly sin. We are doing all the things God says we must not do.

1. Firstly God says we are to KEEP HIS STATUES! Do we or don't we?
2. Honour our mother and our father
3. Do not turn to idols or foreign gods for yourselves
4. Do not eat food that is prepared after or on the 3rd day it is a repulsive thing

When it concerns our soil and planting - God has given us instruction how to plant and harvest

1. Reaping harvest - not to reap to the very edge of the field or gather the gleanings of your harvest.
2. Vineyard must not be stripped bare or gather its fallen grapes
3. All this is so the poor and the foreign resident can collect and have food. Food for thought...these days they tell you, you are stealing if you do that...Very sad indeed!!
4. Do not oppress your neighbour or rob him
5. Do not curse the deaf...Make fun of them or put a stumbling block in front of the blind.
6. Do not unjustly judge
7. Do not prefer the rich over the poor - this is very common in society. One will serve the rich before going forward to serve the poor. Extremely sad!
8. Do not hate your brothers in your heart
9. Do not take revenge or bear a grudge against your community but to love your neighbour as your self. Just as Jesus said "And the second is like unto it. You shall love your neighbour as yourself" Matthew 22:39 (KJ)
10. Do not turn to mediums or consult spiritists
11. This one I just love YOU ARE TO RISE IN THE PRESENCE OF THE ELDERLY AND HONOUR THE OLD
12. Foreigners lives within your land we are not to oppress them we are to love them as ourselves and treat them with respect.
13. DO NOT MAKE GASHES ON YOUR BODIES FOR THE DEAD OR PUT A TATTOO ON YOURSELVES look around and almost everyone has a tattoo on themselves and some of the markings are so demonic.
14. Don't debase your daughter into prostitution.
15. When selling goods DO NOT steal by giving short on the product you selling.
16. This one is very interesting and especially if you listen to God in the planting of your food trees.

• When you come into the land and plant you are to consider the fruit forbidden.
• It will be forbidden to you for three years;it is not to be eaten.
• In the fourth year all its fruit must be consecrated as a praise offering to the Lord
• But in the firth year you may eat its fruit.
• In this way its yield WILL INCREASE FOR YOU.

Disobedience.

Consecrate yourselves and be holy, for I am the Lord your God. Keep My statutes and DO THEM. I am the Lord who sets you apart.

Do not curse your mother or father If you do this the blood is on your own head,

A man must not have sexual intercourse with another man it is an ABOMINATION

In this chapter Sex is to between a married couple and not outside marriage with sisters aunts uncles cousins and family and worst still with animals!

Priestly instructions

The main one here is a priest is NOT to make himself ceremonially unclean in anything he does. Chapter 21 is all about what he is allowed to do and not to do according to his lifestyle he must lead.

1 Cor. 6: 11 (KJ) And such were some of you; but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of God.

Blessings.

51- Guidance for Godly living.

Chareen's Thoughts

Guidance for Godly Living

• Leviticus 19:2 ...You shall be holy, for I the Lord your God am holy.
• Leviticus 19:3 Each of you shall give due respect to his mother and his father, and keep My Sabbaths holy. I the Lord am your God.
• Leviticus 19:1-37 is a summary of the conduct of the Lords people.
• Leviticus 19:11 You shall not steal, or deal falsely, or lie one to another.
• Leviticus 19:14 You shall not curse the deaf or put a stumbling block before the blind, but you shall [reverently] fear your God. I am the Lord.
• Leviticus 19:15 You shall do no injustice in judging a case; you shall not be partial to the poor or show a preference for the mighty, but in righteousness and according to the merits of the case judge your neighbor.
• Leviticus 19:16 You shall not go up and down as a dispenser of gossip and scandal among your people, nor shall you [secure yourself by false testimony or by silence and] endanger the life of your neighbor. I am the Lord.
• Leviticus 19:17 You shall not hate your brother in your heart; but you shall surely rebuke your neighbor, lest you incur sin because of him.
• Leviticus 19:18 You shall not take revenge or bear any grudge against the sons of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord.
• Leviticus 19:19 You shall keep My statutes. You shall not let your domestic animals breed with a different kind [of animal]; you shall not sow your field with mixed seed, neither wear a garment of linen mixed with wool.
• Leviticus 19:23-25 We are to plant fruit trees and not eat fruit for the first three years, fourth year give it to the Lord and in the 5th year we may start to eat it.  God promises to increase our yield if we do this. But in the fifth year you may eat of the fruit [of the trees], that their produce may enrich you; I am the Lord your God.
• Leviticus 19:28 You shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead nor print or tattoo any marks upon you; I am the Lord. Interesting verse.  Why is it many Christians tattoo themselves with christian verses / pictures ??  yet the word of the Lord is clear do not do it.
• Leviticus 19:30 You shall keep My Sabbaths and reverence My sanctuary. I am the Lord. Great verse. One of the ways we can reverence the Lords sanctuary is to dress well as a sign of respect.  I remember as a little girl we always wore our Sunday best to church.  Today you can go to church and some of us are dressed as though we are about to go to the beach.  ??
• Leviticus 19:31 Turn not to those [mediums] who have familiar spirits or to wizards; do not seek them out to be defiled by them. I am the Lord your God. Have you ever read your star sign ? Have you ever read the week ahead ? We are defiled by reading these things.  Stay away from palm readers etc. What programs do we watch on TV, how do they measure up in relation to this verse ?
• Leviticus 19:32 You shall rise up before the hoary head and honor the face of the old man and [reverently] fear your God. I am the Lord. One of the things that sadden me deeply is to see how badly the elderly are treated in our day.  The elderly are to be honoured according to the Lord.
• Leviticus 19:34 But the stranger who dwells with you shall be to you as one born among you; and you shall love him as yourself, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt. I am the Lord your God. Challenging verse.  Applicable to us today just as much as to them then.  Our Egypt is our state before Christ.  Foreigners anyone not a Christian.  Even more so those who are literal foreigners.  How often do we make a mockery of those who are not blood of our own nation. We mimic their accents and if their skin tone/facial features are different we look down on them.  The Lord asks us not to do this.
• Leviticus 19:35 You shall do no unrighteousness in judgment, in measures of length or weight or quantity. I wish more people lived by this verse it really annoys me when I buy something and feel like I have been cheated.

It amazes me as I read God's punishment for different sins.  Most were death. Leviticus 20:7-26

• Verse 9 Everyone who curses his father or mother shall surely be put to death; he has cursed his father or mother; his blood guilt is upon him. Disrespect carried the penalty of death.  Respecting our parents is an important thing before the Lord
• Verse 10 - 12 Adultery = death
• Verse 13 Homosexuality = death
• Verse 14 Polygamy = death
• Verse 15-16 Bestiality = death
• Verse 17 Incest = disgrace and being cut off 
• Verse 18 - 21 Sexual consequences

 Leviticus 21:1-24 Instructions to priests and High Priests. verse 7 is of interest to me: They shall not take a wife who is a harlot or polluted or profane or divorced, for [the priest] is holy to his God. because later on as an illustration of God's love for Israel He asks the prophet Hosea to marry a harlot.

Wow great reading today.  If you have children or are a new Christian Leviticus Chapter 19 is an excellent summary outlining godly living.

Blessings
Chareen

PS found a very interesting article on word definitions:  What is Sodomy ?