Insight Into the Scriptures Numbers 16-18
The function of incense censers was to serve as portable altars. Burning incense purifies the area of the altar and signifies God's presence.
Moses really is an amazing man. Moses is only doing what God called him to do, he is being obedient to God. But, all the Israelites can do is complain to him about God and how unfair things are. Moses in his wisdom falls to the ground and prays on the Israelites behalf, they were very lucky that God chose Moses as their leader.
Scripture Reading Numbers 14:1-4, 10-14, 26- 35
1 That night all the people of the community raised their voices and wept aloud. 2 All the Israelites grumbled against Moses and Aaron, and the whole assembly said to them, "If only we had died in Egypt! Or in this desert!
3 Why is the LORD bringing us to this land only to let us fall by the sword? Our wives and children will be taken as plunder. Wouldn't it be better for us to go back to Egypt?" 4 And they said to each other, "We should choose a leader and go back to Egypt."10 But the whole assembly talked about stoning them. Then the glory of the LORD appeared at the Tent of Meeting to all the Israelites. 11 The LORD said to Moses, "How long will these people treat me with contempt? How long will they refuse to believe in me, in spite of all the miraculous signs I have performed among them? 12 I will strike them down with a plague and destroy them, but I will make you into a nation greater and stronger than they."
26 The LORD said to Moses and Aaron:
27 "How long will this wicked community grumble against me? I have heard the complaints of these grumbling Israelites. 28 So tell them, 'As surely as I live, declares the LORD, I will do to you the very things I heard you say: 29 In this desert your bodies will fall— every one of you twenty years old or more who was counted in the census and who has grumbled against me. 30 Not one of you will enter the land I swore with uplifted hand to make your home, except Caleb son of Jephunneh and Joshua son of Nun. 31 As for your children that you said would be taken as plunder, I will bring them in to enjoy the land you have rejected. 32 But you—your bodies will fall in this desert. 33 Your children will be shepherds here for forty years, suffering for your unfaithfulness, until the last of your bodies lies in the desert. 34 For forty years—one year for each of the forty days you explored the land—you will suffer for your sins and know what it is like to have me against you.' 35 I, the LORD, have spoken, and I will surely do these things to this whole wicked community, which has banded together against me. They will meet their end in this desert; here they will die."
Thought for the Day
If you saw the movie Bruce Almighty, you might remember the part where Jim Carrey is filling in for God while He takes a vacation. Jim Carrey who thinks God's job will be easy, is soon bombarded by prayer requests, he takes all night to answer all the requests, only to find out in the morning he is bombarded by one million more prayer requests, and these requests are only from one square block! The point here is just think how many requests are lifted up to God in one minute? Now, think how many of those requests are complaints.....we do not have enough money, You are not being fair, why does she get the promotion, why am I still living in this dump.... I am sure that you can come up with some on your own, I know that I could.
Prayer is a wonderful, and amazing way of communicating with God, but, how is your prayer life? Does it go something like this? "Dear God, please help Sue to figure out what is bugging her so she will stop annoying me, we need more money this month so we can go on that vacation, help John he is ill........ hmmm bless my cat and dog. Amen"God wants you to talk to Him, but are your prayers one sided? Are they all about you? Or do you take time to praise and thank Him? Do you take time to listen? The Israelites complained and complained, finally God gave them over to what they had been complaining about, now they really had something to grumble about! I encourage you to examine your prayer life, is it one sided?
Closing Prayer
My Heavenly Father,
Thank You Father for the many blessings everyday that I receive. Father I am sorry for the small and insignificant prayers I pray sometimes, the ones that are meaningless and human. Father please forgive me for my many sins and I pray that You will help me to seek You more and step back, take a deep breath and realize exactly what is out there that You have given me. I pray that I always see everything and if I don't, I thank You for all the things that I am not worthy but You so generously give. I love You!!
In Your Name I pray, Amen
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