61 - Census

Chareen's Thoughts

• Today is the start of the third month on our journey through the Word of our Lord.  I have enjoyed the last two months and hope you will be blessed over the next month with us too.
• In yesterday's reading we met Balaam and the king of  Moab who wanted Balaam to curse Israel but the Lord gave him a blessing to pronounce three times. 
• Today we read the Poem / Prophecy of destruction over Moab and Edom and Amalek.
• While in the plains near Moab some Israelites started worshiping Baal and the Lord commanded Moses to execute them in front of Israel.
• After this execution one man still brazenly took a midianite for a wife and in front of the assembly took her home. Then Phinehas killed the two of them.  Because of this act the Lord stopped allowing the Israelites dying [24,000 had died so far.] and placed a perpetual blessing on his home. (Numbers 25:6-18 & Psalm 106:28-31)
• The Lord required a census. There total number of men 20 years and older were: 601,730 In the tribe of Levi there were 23,000 males one month old and older.
  
  

  First Census		Second Census
  		Reubin	43,730
  Simeon	59,300	Simeon	22,200
  Gad	45,650	Gad	40,500
  Judah	79,600	Judah	76,500
  Issachar	54,400	Issachar	64,300
  Zebulun	57,400	Zebulun	60,500
  Ephraim	40,500	Ephraim	32,500
  Manasseh	32,400	Manasseh	52,700
  Benjamin	35,400	Benjamin	45,600
  Dan	62,700	Dan	64,400
  Asher	41,500	Asher	53,400
  		Naphtali	45,400
  Total Registered:	603,550	Total Registered:	601,730
  Levites	22,000	Levites	23,000

  
  
• After the census was taken the people realise that not one person from the previous generation was alive accept Joshua and Caleb. 603 548 males alone had died in the wilderness.
•  The Lord instructed the Israelites on how to divide the land and gave them the inheritance laws.

 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.

29 - Passover a symbol of deliverence

"Departure of the Israelites", by David Roberts, 1829

Chareen's Thoughts

• The FIRST Passover: Exodus 11:1-8
• Exodus 11:5  and every firstborn male in the land of Egypt will die, from the firstborn of Pharaoh who sits on his throne to the firstborn of the servant girl who is behind the millstones, as well as every firstborn of the livestock.
• The death of Pharaoh's son was revealed to Moses before he even returned back in Egypt. Exodus 4: 22 Then you will say to Pharaoh: This is what the LORD says: Israel is My first born son. I told you: Let My son go so that he may worship Me, but you refused to let him go. Now I will kill your first born son!"
• Passover instructions: Exodus 12:1-12 The Lord is very specific in His requirements of the people of Israel.  
• He declarers His reason for His treatment of Egypt Exodus 12:12 ... I am the LORD; I will execute judgements against all the gods of Egypt.
• ...when I see the blood I will pass over you.  Exodus 12:13 and it's the same for us today but we are covered in the blood of Jesus and He passes over us and forgives us. Therefore Jesus also suffered and died outside the [city's] gate in order that He might purify and consecrate the people through [the shedding of] His own blood and set them apart as holy [for God]. Hebrews 13:12 And to Jesus, the Mediator (Go-between, Agent) of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood which speaks [of mercy], a better and nobler and more gracious message than the blood of Abel [which cried out for vengeance].Hebrews 12:24 And Jesus said to them, I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, you cannot have any life in you unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood [unless you appropriate His life and the saving merit of His blood]. John6:53
• Passover is declared a memorial and it must be celebrated as a festival to the LORD Exodus 12:14
• A second festival is declared: Festival of Unleavened Bread Exodus 12:17 The new testament speaks thus of unleavened bread Therefore, let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, nor with leaven of vice and malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened [bread] of purity (nobility, honor) and sincerity and [unadulterated] truth. 1 Corinthians 5:8
•  Exodus 12:28-35 The first Passover happens and the Israelite s are asked to leave immediately.
• 70 people arrived in Egypt Genesis 46:27 and 430 years later 600,000 foot soldiers and their families departed. Exodus 12:37

Purge (clean out) the old leaven that you may be fresh (new) dough, still uncontaminated [as you are], for Christ, our Passover [Lamb], has been sacrificed 1 Corinthians 5:8

Blessings
Chareen

For Further reading:

• The Exodus
• One Year Bible Blog
• The Finger of God

28 – The last 8 plagues

Kathleen’s thoughts

The 3^rd plague was gnats… Exodus 8: 16-19. I found this interesting is that here the magicians tried to produce gnats using their occult practice but failed in doing so! They told Pharaoh but his heart hardened even more to not releasing the Israelites. The wonderful part here is the magicians said “This is the finger of God”

The 4^th plague was flies. Exodus 8:20-32…I can imagine what it must have been like. Just being in the outback here in Australia with flies swarming around is bad enough but to have that amount and yet Pharaoh in his craftiness after saying he would let the people go to Moses and did not, and his heart hardened even more. The amazing thing here is how God protected the Israelites. I can see the barrier around them and not a fly in site.

The 5^th Plague was the death of livestock. Exodus 9:1-7. Pharaoh’s stubbornness of not letting the Israelites go is just so wrong. Can you imagine having all your livestock die in front of you and not believe in God Almighty? It’s beyond me!

The 6^th Plague was having boils. Exodus 9:8-12 This is just oh so painful! I can see Moses standing there and a handful of dust looking towards the heavens and throwing it towards the heavens and falling on the whole of Egypt and everyone gets boils. And Pharaoh still does not let the Israelites go. I just had a wee giggle now thinking of the magicians not being able to stand because of them.

The 7^th Plague was Hail Exodus 9: 13-35 We all know what damage hail does and we are protected in our homes etc. but in those days a lot of them lived in tents as well so now down comes the hail and destroys the place and Pharaoh still relents to let the people go. You would think by now he would have learnt a lesson after all seeing it firsthand what God can do, he has seen it happen before his very eyes even when Moses liftted his hands up to the Lord and everything ceases.

The 8^th Plague was Locusts, Exodus 10: 1-20 In this chapter God tells Moses this… “Go to Pharaoh, for I have hardened the hearts of Pharaoh and his officials so that in generations to come will know of the miraculous signs of mine and to know how severely I dealt with the Egyptians and you will know that I am Lord” Here one can see what God had in mind for our own generation so we can sit here and read the wonders of His mighty hand of that day and it still happens today the wonderful miracles. So here we see the locust invasion, it must have been awful with the sound of those things munching must have been very over powering.

The 9^th Plague of darkness Exodus 10: 21-27 We have a power failure and we all run for the candles but can you imagine being in complete darkness with no moon or stars to shine on the earth and living like that for 3 days. Then Pharaoh in his desperation says to Moses “Go and worship the Lord with your families but leave your livestock behind” But Moses says he needs them for the sacrifice

Blessings
Kathleen.

28 - Goshen protected as a sign of His presence in the land

Chareen's Thoughts

• Plague 3 Gnats Exodus 8:16-19 This was the first plague that Pharaohs magicians could not mimic using occult practices. The magicians concede that This is the finger of God Exodus 8:19
• Plague 4 Flies Exodus 8:20-32 This was the first of the plagues that the Lords people were protected from and God declares it is a sign of HIS presence in the land. Exodus 8:22 .But on that day I will give special treatment  to the land of Goshen, where My people are living; no flies will be there. This way you will know that I, the LORD, am in the land.
• Plague 5 Death of Livestock Exodus 9:1-7 This plague the LORD set a time for. Exodus 9:5 And the LORD set a time, saying, "Tomorrow the LORD will do this thing in the land."
• Plague 6 Boils Exodus 9:8-12 This plague made the magicians so ill they could no longer stand in Moses and Pharaohs presence. Exodus 9:11
• Plague 7 Hail Exodus 9:13-35 In this plague God shows his merciful heart in that He warns the Egyptians of His intent and gives them time to bring their life stock indoors for protection. Exodus 9:19 Therefore give orders to bring your livestock and all that you have in the field into shelters. Every person and animal that is in the field and not brought inside will die when the hail falls on them." It did not hail in Goshen.  I see this as an act of mercy to the Egyptians too.  When the Israelite s leave there was one small area left unscathed by the hand of the Lord for them to use.  The hail in this plague not only killed the living but destroyed all crops and plant material in the whole land of Egypt. Verse 32 but the wheat and the spelt were not destroyed since they are later crops.  This is an act of His mercy too.  Food to grow for the remnant.
• God declares His reasons for allowing the plagues and allowing survivors of the plagues: Exodus 9:14-16 For this time I will send all My plagues upon your heart and upon your servants and your people, that you may recognize and know that there is none like Me in all the earth. For by now I could have put forth My hand and have struck you and your people with pestilence, and you would have been cut off from the earth. But for this very purpose have I let you live, that I might show you My power, and that My name may be declared throughout all the earth.
• Plague 8 Locusts Exodus 10:1-20 When Moses declares this plague the officials finally start to question WHY of their Pharaoh. Exodus 10:7 And Pharaoh's servants said to him, How long shall this man be a snare to us? Let the men go, that they may serve the Lord their God; do you not yet understand and know that Egypt is destroyed? Nothing green was left in all the land. Can you picture such devastation ?
• God declared His reasons for hardening the hearts of Pharaoh and the hearts of the officials: Exodus 10:1-2 ... so that I may do these miraculous signs of Mine among them, and so that you may tell your son and grandson how severely I dealt with the Egyptians and performed miraculous signs among them, and you will know that I am the LORD.
• Plague 9 Darkness Exodus 10:21-27 A darkness so invading it can be felt Exodus 10:21  ... there was thick darkness throughout the land of Egypt for three days. Exodus 10:22  The three days speaks to me of the three days that Jesus was in the grave.

Blessings
Chareen


For Further Reading:

• Is there evidence that the Israelis once lived in Egypt ? over at Christian Answers.
• Plagues in Egypt over at Bible History.com
• Meanings of the Ten Plagues over at Bible History.com
• Lego construction of the Ten Plagues.
• Watch on YouTube
• One Year Bible Blog January 28th

27 - A journey with Moses walking with the Lord to free the Israelites.

Kathleen’s thoughts

Exodus 4 -8

The Lord instructs Moses to go back to Egypt – He was told by the Lord that the men who wanted to kill him are dead. Moses took his wife and sons and they set out for the land of Egypt.

Instructions given by the Lord to Moses and also told him he has hardened the Pharaohs heart.

And so the journey in trying to march the Israelites out of Egypt began.

Moses was at the age of 80 and Aaron 83. God told Moses because of his speech impediment He has given Aaron to him as a prophet.

God told Moses that “I am Yahweh.” I appeared to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob as God Almighty but I did not make My name Yahweh known to them. So God told Moses to tell the Israelites that He is Yahweh! A deliverer, a redeemer who will take you as My people, and I will be your GOD. You will know that I am Yahweh your God, who delivered you from the forced labour of the Egyptians, The sad part here is when Moses told this to the Israelites, they did not listen to him because of their broken spirit and hard labour.

Pharaoh sees Moses staff turn into a serpent and so Pharaoh brings out his wise men a sorcerers magicians and wise men do the same thing.

Frog Plague - Ted Larson

So God now hardens the Pharaohs heart and the 10 plagues begin.

1. Water turns to blood. I can’t even imagine this it must have been awful and smelt.

2. Frogs invade everywhere. This must have been awful. Imagine climbing into a bed full of them or sitting in your lounge and it’s covered with them Then the sound of frogs croaking- what a noise. You think after this Pharaoh would listen but God was in control of the situation.

These sorcerers being able to do the same thing as our God remind me of Satan the fallen angel and bring to mind that scripture that He is known as a Angel of lies, a deceiver, and a thief who roams around looking to see who he can devour. It’s like he is tempting God as he did with Jesus in the desert.

Blessings

Kathleen.

27 - Begining of Egypts judgement by the LORD

Painted by William Brassey Hole. Exodus 5

Chareen's Thoughts:

• Exodus 7:3 & Exodus 4:21 ... But I will harden his heart so that he won't let the people go This verse has often been a stumbling block of mine in the story of the Exodus of Israel.  Why did the LORD choose to harden the heart of the king ?  Because of this so many died.
• Exodus 4:23 I told you: Let My son go so that he may worship Me, but you refused to let him go. Now I will kill your first born son!" The Lord told Moses the end before he even got back to Egypt.
• Exodus 7:4 & Exodus 6:6 ... I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and great acts of judgement. Ah now I understand.  The plagues are an act of judgement.  He hardened the King's heart because it is an act of judgement against the land of Egypt.
• 1st Plague - Water into blood Exodus 7:14-25  Seven days passed.  Blood everywhere.  The stench must have been really bad.  All the fish died.  It must have been really difficult on the people of Egypt.
• 2nd Plague - Frogs Frogs Everywhere! Exodus 8:1-15

Interesting read
Blessings
Chareen

For Further Reading:

• Is there evidence that the Israelis once lived in Egypt ? over at Christian Answers.
• Plagues in Egypt over at Bible History.com
• Meanings of the Ten Plagues over at Bible History.com
• Lego construction of the Ten Plagues.
• Watch on YouTube
• One Year Bible Blog January 27th