Judges 1-2 Unbreakable Covenant

by Jill Ice


Now the angel of the Lord went up from Gilgal to Bochim. And he said, “I brought you up from Egypt and brought you into the land that I swore to give to your fathers. I said, ‘I will never break my covenant with you' - Judges 2:1


Beautiful words from God Himself.  It's amazing that God would enter into covenant with sinful people.  And, because of God's very nature, we know God would never break that covenant.  


The new covenant through Christ's sacrifice on the cross is even better than the old covenant the Israelites knew in Judges 2.  Hebrews 8:6 - But as it is, Christ has obtained a ministry that is as much more excellent than the old as the covenant he mediates is better, since it is enacted on better promises.

What reason have I to doubt

Why would I dwell in fear

When all I have known is grace

My future in Christ is clear

My sins have been paid in full

There's no condemnation here

I live in the good of this

My Father has brought me near

I'm leaving my fears behind me now

Chorus

The old is gone, the new has come

What You complete is completely done

We're heirs with Christ, the victory won

What You complete is completely done

I don't know what lies ahead

What if I fail again

You are my confidence

You'll keep me to the end

I'm leaving my fears behind me now

"Completely Done"

by Jonathan Baird, Ryan Baird and Rich Gunderlock

Shout for the LORD...

by Rebekah Johnson

"...Shout, for the LORD has given you the city." - Joshua 6:16b

This whole story is AMAZING. I can't help but notice the confidence Joshua projects in this statement. I mean really, he tells them to simply shout because the LORD has given them the city. That's IT!

I don't know about you, but if I was in Joshua's shoes and God had told me how Jericho was going to go down, I'm not sure I would have been able to believe without reservations. We're talking about Jericho, God.... JERICHO. Are you SURE that walking around the walls and shouting is going to be enough? We're scared of Jericho. Terrified!

Joshua knew his God well, intimately. He knew he could trust the One who had created it all, had led them out of captivity, and had never failed them yet. Jericho was nothing but another proof, another opportunity for God's glory to shine.

Our God is BIG. The obstacles we are facing are not too big or too small for Him to have the victory.

Joshua 1-4 Be Strong and Courageous

by Jill Ice

“Be strong and courageous.” Who doesn’t love this phrase?  It evokes ideas of digging deep within ourselves, finding the strength we didn’t know was there, and conquering fears or tasks that lie in our paths.

But it’s much more than that.  God clarifies the phrase in Joshua 1:7-8:

Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go.  This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.

Be strong and courageous… to do according to the law – do not turn from it

Be strong and courageous… to meditate on the law day and night

Be strong and courageous… to be careful to do according to all that is written in the law

What happens when we keep God’s law?

…you may have good success wherever you go

…you will make your way prosperous

…you will have good success

By God’s grace, we are given strength and courage to live for Him!

Deuteronomy 28, 29

It can't get much more black and white than these two chapters on the consequences of obedience compared to the consequences of disobedience. Reading through the blessings and the curses you get the feel wow, this is basically performance based. But this passage shows us how much God does hate sin. And He has not changed. He still feels hatred toward our rebellion, but He still also loves the sinner. It also makes me thankful we live in the church age of grace rather than under the law. The law showed God's chosen people that they could never make it on their own, they had to have another sacrifice for their sins. In ch. 28 of Deuteronomy God judged sin, something He still does today, because He wanted their obedience. This reminds me of a similar passage that we are now under in the age of grace:

Hebrews 12:5,6 And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons? My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him. For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.

Deut 24-27

by Paul Ice

When I read today's reading I am reminded of the importance of proper Bible interpretation.  Many of the misdirected teachings in Christianity comes from improper exegesis.  When you are faced with someone just pulling individual verses out of their context, maybe you should ask them if they follow all the commandments in this passage.  This persons sister-in-law or brother-in-law might be nervous.

Deuteronomy 21-23

by Adam Johnson

But the LORD your God would not listen to Balaam; instead the LORD your God turned the curse into a blessing for you, because the LORD your God loved you. Deuteronomy 23:5

Moses was giving this new generation a reminder of the things that God had done for the people of Israel in their wilderness wanderings. The Israelites had come through many trials and judgments on the way to the Promised Land. This instance was a reminder, not just of God's protection, but also His blessing and love.


Its good just to sit down and think through all that the Lord has done for us over the years - the times God provides or protects us from bad decisions. It's more than just being grateful, but it's also to direct us and keep the right perspective of who we are and who God is.

Deuteronomy 17-20

by Rebekah Johnson

"You shall not sacrifice to the LORD your God an ox or a sheep in which is a blemish, any defect whatever, for that is an abomination to the LORD your God. If there is found among you, within any of your towns that the LORD your God is giving you, a man or woman who does what is evil in the sight of the LORD your God, in transgressing his covenant, and has gone and served other gods and worshiped them, or the sun or the moon or any of the host of heaven, which I have forbidden, ...you shall stone that man or woman to death with stones."

- Deuteronomy 17:1-3, 5b

God's requirements for sacrifice were clear. The Israelites were to only choose perfect animals to offer up to God. They had to be pure, clean, and without any defects whatsoever. He demanded their best just as He demands our best in our offerings of service and worship to Him. Our God is a jealous God -- He forbid the Israelites to "transgress his covenant" by serving and worshiping other Gods. The punishment for idolatry is pretty fierce, don't you think? God views idolatry very very seriously. We would do well to guard our hearts and minds and daily examine whether we are placing any thing, any person above or in place of God.

He demands our exclusive worship.

Deuteronomy 14-16 A Chosen People

posted by Jill Ice


For you are a people holy to the Lord your God, and the Lord has chosen you to be a people for his treasured possession, out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth. -Deuteronomy 14:2

Taken from Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary:

Moses here tells the people of Israel how God had dignified them, as a peculiar people, with three distinguishing privileges, which were their honour, and figures of those spiritual blessings in heavenly things with which God has in Christ blessed us.

1. Here is election: The Lord hath chosen thee, v: 2. Not for their own merit, nor for any good works foreseen, but because he would magnify the riches of his power and grace among them. He did not choose them because they were by their own dedication and subjection a peculiar people to him above other nations, but he chose them that they might be so by his grace; and thus were believers chosen, Eph.1:4.
2. Here is adoption (v. 1): "You are the children of the Lord your God, formed by him into a people, owned by him as his people, nay, his family, a people near unto him, nearer than any other.’’ Israel is my son, my first-born; not because he needed children, but because they were orphans, and needed a father. Every Israelite is indeed a child of God, a partaker of his nature and favour, his love and blessing Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed upon us! 
3. Here is sanctification (v. 2): "Thou art a holy people, separated and set apart for God, devoted to his service, designed for his praise, governed by a holy law, graced by a holy tabernacle, and the holy ordinances relating to it.’’ God’s people are under the strongest obligations to be holy, and, if they are holy, are indebted to the grace of God that makes them so. The Lord has set them apart for himself, and qualified them for his service and the enjoyment of him, and so has made them holy to himself.

Deuteronomy 5-7

So two things, first of all here in the OT the motivation and key to keeping the law is found in Deuteronomy 6:5 You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.

Christ confirms this in Matthew 22, and this principle is just as true today in the period of grace as it was from the beginning. Jesus says the same thing another way in John 14:15 If you love me, you will keep my commandments. Our obedience to God our Savior, Sustainer and Provider all hinge on our love for Him. It's something that has to grow.

Secondly, Deuteronomy 6:12 holds another key to having love.

Then take care lest you forget the Lord, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.

Right before the 10 commandments are given in Deut. 5:6 God reminds them of who He is and what He has done. God calling the Hebrews to remember how they were delivered out of the slavery of Egypt is absolutely everywhere, and is that not also what we are to do in this age of grace! Focus on the Gospel, and meditate on God's offer of forgiveness when we didn't deserve it. The way we have victory in Christ is to remember Christ's death and resurrection on a daily basis! (Titus 2:11-3:8)

Deut 3-4

by Paul Ice

It is a constant theme to see the promises of the Lord throughout the Bible.  This passage explains that the promises given here were given for many purposes. 

1. “Do not fear,”
2.  “. . .charge Joshua, and encourage and strengthen him,”
3. Other nations will say, ‘Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.’
4. “. . .what great nation is there that has a god so near to it as the Lord our God is to us, whenever we call upon him.”
5. “To you it was shown, that you might know that the Lord is God; there is no other besides him.”

But I would like to note the dialogue at the end of chapter 3.  God had made all these promises to his people and Moses was discouraged that he would not even see the land that was promised. 

23 “And I pleaded with the Lord at that time, saying, 24 ‘O Lord God, you have only begun to show your servant your greatness and your mighty hand.

25 Please let me go over and see the good land beyond the Jordan, that good hill country and Lebanon.’ 

26 But the Lord was angry with me . .

29 So we remained in the valley opposite Beth-peor.

It can be difficult to understand the timing of God’s plan.  When we are encouraged by the thoughts and plans God has for His people, it can be difficult to be patient for God’s timing.  But even more than that, put yourself in Moses sandals.  He helped lead God’s people, he has taught them the promises of God, and the next leader would be the one chosen to lead them into the Promised Land. 

            “Be still, and know that I am God.

                        I will be exalted among the nations,

                        I will be exalted in the earth!”

(Psalm 46:10 ESV)

Maybe the difficulty is that we are thinking the plan revolves around us, when God is working a plan that exalts His name - which by the way will eternally bring us the greatest satisfaction.  Something to ponder. 

Deuteronomy 1-2

by Adam Johnson

'Not one of these men of this evil generation shall see the good land that I
swore to give to your fathers, except Caleb the son of Jephunneh. He shall see it, and to him and to his children I will give the land on which he has trodden, because he has wholly followed the LORD!' Deuteronomy 1:35-36


The Old Testament is full of stories that inspire and encourage us to greater faith in the Lord. Children's story books are full of the twelve spies who went in to Canaan and gave an evil report to the people, causing them not to believe that God could give them the Promised Land. However, in the time when God's anger was fierce, there still stood men who refused to disbelieve God. The Bible states this man WHOLLY followed the Lord. It was a testimony that is given to few individuals in the Scriptures. That man is Caleb -- when potentially millions refused to follow God he not only believed, but rebuked the millions.

Our families will be affected, our culture will be affected, our very being will be changed into the image that God has for us. It begins with a determination - a refusal to believe that God could ever fail us in His Word. Lets take hold of the promises and commands God has given us!

Numbers 35 & 36

by Rebekah Johnson


"These are the commandments and the rules that the LORD commanded through Moses to the people of Israel in the plains of Moab by the Jordan at Jericho." Numbers 36:13

This is the end of the book of Numbers - the end of the Israelites' wilderness wanderings. Before crossing the Jordan River and heading into the land God had promised them, there were rules and laws about the land. They had left Egypt where they owned no land. They had wandered in the wilderness for 40 years without a claim to any land, and God had guided them every step of the way and protected them. Now it's time; now He has brought them to His promise. If they obeyed God and followed His directions, they would be able to go into Canaan, their promised land and possess it. It was to be theirs just as God had promised, and God always always keeps his promises.

Just as God had guided the Israelites through the wilderness, so He desires to guide us through our wilderness of life. He will guide us if we will obey. He will protect us and provide for us what we need if we will trust. He promises to be with us always.

Numbers 33-34 Roadmap

by Jill Ice

“These are the stages of the people of Israel, when they went out of the land of Egypt by their companies under the leadership of Moses and Aaron.” Numbers 33:1

Numbers 33 is more than just an itinerary of Israel’s trip from Egypt to the land of Canaan.  It is a record of God’s faithfulness and guidance from captivity to the Promised Land.

God led His people and provided for their every need. Hunger was defeated through the provision of manna and quail. Thirst was satiated through the water gushing from the rock. Dangerous enemies were conquered time and again – maybe the most notable was the safe passage of the Israelites through the Red Sea and the drowning of the Egyptian army.

What is your itinerary of God’s faithfulness from "captivity" to the "Promised Land"?  How have you seen His loving provision for your every need?

“And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19

Numbers 26-27 Promises and Discrepancies

"After the plague" in vs. 1 confirms that the judgement is over. The old generation has passed and God is ready to fulfill his promise with the next. This has to be a bittersweet time for Moses. He's already been here before, and he has to be reflecting on what could have been. But at the same time there must be enormous satisfaction in seeing God's patience, forgiveness and hope for the future.

On a different note in 26:15-18 we have the potentially routine listing of the sons of Gad. However, acute observers will notice a couple variations on the names of Gad's sons in comparison to the parallel passage in Genesis 46:16. Look it up if you feel so inclined, but all the names are the same except Zephon of v. 15 is Ziphion in Gen. 46 and Ozni of v. 16 is Ezbon in Gen. 46.  Is this an embarrassment for Biblical inerrancy? How does this line up with inspiration of the Holy Spirit? This isn't the first and only instance of "muddled" names in the Bible. With the important understanding that only the original text was inspired and not the scribes hands who made copies thereafter let's get some explanations.  But first, consider for a moment you are a Hebrew scribe. You know full well with articulate detail what was penned in Gen 46 and yet here you come to Numbers 26. How easy would it be to collaborate over a few names? Spellings could easily have been agreed upon and divergences smoothed over.  But the preservation of these different spelling or names actually speaks highly of textual integrity. If the scribes did not solemnly regard this text as the sacred word of God then we wouldn't even be wondering about these "blemishes" today. When scribal errors crept in, or when alternate names were used that resulted in some confusion, the scholars of later generations did not disturb the evidence they had.  To me that says much about the accuracy and devotion to which this book has been preserved. So what could cause this? 1) different spellings of the same name (which is a possibility with extended periods of time and language translation) 2) different names for the same person (This happened in the NT with Peter who was also called Cephas, and it happens today. Some people have called me Allan while most call me David.) 3) A scribe could have even made a mistake in copying the name. Does that last one bother you? It really shouldn't. No intellectually honest person holds to innerency on every copy of every manuscript. There are variations, and the multiple copies of manuscripts solve that problem. When I first studied Biblical innerency there were just over 5,000 known New Testament manuscripts, now there are closer to 6,000. That's alot of words to be cross referenced. It's not hard to find the exact original word in the NT when you have 4,500 manuscripts that spell it one way and another set of 500 manuscripts that spell it the alternative way.  The book of Numbers doesn't have the mind boggling textual evidence the NT has, but it's not a scary thing. It's an exciting thing. To see this proves to me that what we hold in our hands is accurately God's Word. Thanks be to Him!

Numbers 21-22

by Adam Johnson


But Balaam answered and said to the servants of Balak, "Though Balak were to give me his house full of silver and gold, I could not go beyond the command of the LORD my God to do less or more." Numbers 22:18

This is without doubt my favorite story from childhood. It tells of a man who was being used by God to do great things, but he wanted the power and prestige of a king. He said the right things at first, but God knew his covetous heart. When God speaks it should be enough for us to be content and abide with Him.


"Forsaking the right way, they have gone astray. They have followed the way of Balaam, the son of Beor, who loved gain from wrongdoing," 2 Peter 2:15

Numbers 18-20 A warning

by Rebekah Johnson


And you shall bear no sin by reason of it, when you have
contributed the best of it. But you shall not profane the holy things of the
people of Israel, lest you die. Numbers 18:32

WOW! Aaron is given an important reminder. God has just very
specifically outlined the priestly duties and the holy requirements for
handling the offerings. God has graciously provided for Aaron's earthly
needs from the contributions. However, the holy obligation to give the best to God is unwavering. The responsiblity is great, and the price for not fulfilling it is death.


All of us today as believers are priests. How many times does God provide for us what we need, but we expand that into what we want and think we deserve? We become gluttonous and covetous desiring to take more than what God has blessed us with and deemed good and holy for us. Aaron's penalty was physical death, perhaps we should take our responsibilty as priests of God's kingdom more seriously.

But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. 1 Timothy 6:9

Numbers 16-17 Mutiny

by Jill Ice

“You have gone too far! For all in the congregation are holy, every one of them, and the Lord is among them. Why then do you exalt yourselves above the assembly of the Lord?”  (Numbers 16:3, spoken by Korah to Moses)

Hold on to your hats, kids.  We’re in for a strong lesson on pride.

Let’s set the stage.  There are four men – Korah, Dathan, Abiram, and On who think Moses has gotten above himself, setting himself up as leader of the Israelites.  These four men are backed by “250 chiefs of the congregation, chosen from the assembly, well-known men” who would like to take a vote to see who should serve as priests in the Tabernacle (these men were already doing other duties in the Tabernacle). 

Never mind the fact that God Himself appointed Aaron and his descendants to this duty.  Korah and the gang think differently.

In the space of three days, the entire congregation of Israel will witness God’s disapproval of their rebellion.  The earth swallows up the leaders of the mutiny; 14,700 grumbling Israelites die by the plague; and Aaron’s authority is validated by the miraculous budding of his rod. 

These are not minor demonstrations of God’s guidance.  It seems odd that it took the Israelites so long to give up their feeble attempts at managing God. 

Do we sometimes miss God’s clear guidance because of our overwhelming desire to manage our circumstances?  What if we gave up control of our relationships, our schedules, our finances, our _________, and let the rightful owner guide through life’s uncharted territory?  Might we find the things He has promised - joy, peace, contentment?

“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11

So close, yet so far. Numbers 14-15; Psalm 90

[12] So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom. - Psalm 90:12 ESV

So close, yet so far.

 Can you see Joshua and Caleb walking the land God had promised to give to Israel? With certainty, they could envision the miraculous way God would give it to them. They even tasted the fruit of the land before it was technically theirs. Their eyes were on the prize God had promised, not on the obstacles in the way. 

Yet, the majority could not see it. The score was 10-2 in favor of the naysayers. As a competitor, it is my nature to look at life through competitive lenses! As you read the whole story, you see that Joshua and Caleb were out-numbered, but not out-matched. Any player who is on God's team will always win in the end. Why? Their faith was in the unfailing promise of God. 

In the end, God did number their days. And their number was bigger than the faithless. Joshua and Caleb were the only men over 40 years of age who would enjoy the victories God would provide in the Promised Land. 

[6] And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. - Hebrews 11:6 ESV