As you know I have started reading the Bible. I have 90 days to complete it and I am reading it with hundreds of other women. Each week (and even day to day) we check-in with each other on our progress, to pray for each other, and to share our thoughts. How cool is that?
So, I thought I would take each Book of the Bible and share my thoughts, verses, or people that stood out or spoke to me on that particular day. I have been doing most of my reading in the mornings when it is quiet, but some days I have to finish up in the afternoon or evening. The key is to get it done. Even if you have to carry over into the next day...that happens. The readings are manageable and I am still praying it stays that way for me.
So, here are my thoughts from the Books of Leviticus and Numbers.
Leviticus 5 - What if everytime I sinned, I had to bring a lamb as a sacrifice? I am so glad Jesus became my sacrificial lamb.
Leviticus 11 - I found it interesting which animals God felt were unclean: camels, owls, storks, rabbits, pigs, and lizards, for example.
Leviticus 20:28 Do not....put tattoo marks on yourselves. I am the Lord. I am going to remember this verse for when the kids get older! Thanks God for backing me up on this one!
There were so many laws throughout Leviticus. But, I think God just wanted to keep the people away from those things that would bring destruction to their lives - adultry, worshipping other gods, etc. So, His laws and punishments were harsh, but he was also a loving and giving God.
Leviticus 25:35 If one of your countrymen becomes poor and is unable to support himself among you, help him as you would an alien or a temporary resident, so he can continue to live among you. When someone in our community is in need, we need to help them with whatever we can offer - food, clothing, money, a place to stay.
Leviticus 26:9 I will look on you with favor and make you fruitful and increase your numbers, and I will keep my covenant with you.
The Book of Leviticus was a reminder to me that He is the Lord God and we must follow His laws and fear Him. But remember that He is a loving and forgiving God as well.
Numbers - The size of the community around the Tent of Meeting was large and it was imperative that every tribe was assigned a job and accounted for. Imagine if our communities worked that way today.
Numbers 6:24-26 The Lord Bless ou and keep you; the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you, the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace. Just reading this brings a calmness to my day.
Numbers 7:89 When Moses entered the Tent of Meeting to speak with the Lord, he heard the voice speaking to him from between the two cherubim above the atonement cover on the ark of the testimony. And he spoke with him. How awesome it must have been for Moses to be able to talk to God and have God speak with him.
Numbers 11 - The people were such complainers, whining about their situation but not doing anything to change it. Kind of like how people can be today.
Numbers 14:18 The Lord is slow to anger, abounding in love and forgiving sin and rebellion.
Numbers 15:41 I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt to be your God. I am the Lord your God.
Numbers 16-18 Boy these Israelites just didn't get it! The constant complaining was wearing on me. I can't imagine how Moses and God must have felt.
Numbers 20:21 Since Edom refused to let them go through their territory, Israel turned away from them. Moses and the Israelites turned away from conflict. Rather than fighting, sometimes it is better to walk away and leave it alone. My husband did just that this week. A father at the pool was yelling profanity right next to us. He was yelling it quite loudly and rudely. My husband asked him to stop because of our children. He proceeded to continue his ranting at my husband and getting quite nasty. My husband again asked him to stop and he continued. So, my husband walked away. He knew it was pointless to go any farther with this man and this man didn't care too much about the consequences. So, there are situations where it is better to just walk away.
Numbers 22:18 Even if Balak gave me his palace filled with silver and gold, I could not do anything great or small to go beyond the command of the Lord my God. Nothing is greater than God.
Numbers 22:28-30 Balaam wasn't even shocked to have his donkey talking to him.
Numbers 24:9 May those who bless you be blesssed and those who curse you be cursed.
Numbers 27 - I loved how Zelophehad's daughters stood up for themselves and asked for their rightful inheritance...and God agreed.
Numbers 27:15 As Moses finds out he will be gathered to his people (die), he still worries about the Israelites by asking God not to leave them "like a sheep without a shephard". He needs someone new to lead them and Moses is being completely unselfish.
Lots of lessons in Leviticus and Numbers. Now off to learn from Dueteronomy.
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