Avoid Greed 02.26.08

Hello My Friend/Guest,

It is Tuesday February 26, 2008 and today we are continuing our studies on the book of Numbers. Please read, Numbers 30 -- 31 in your Bible or Click Here to read online. In today's lesson we will read and learn about the law concerning vows; the Midianites are conquered; and the officers and captains bring an offering to the Lord.

When pharaoh sought to slay Moses, he fled Egypt and went to Midian, a shepherd country, on the eastern gulf of the Red Sea. The Midianites were descendants of Abraham through his second wife Keturah, whom he married after Sarah died (See Genesis 25:1-2). Jethro was its priest and Moses married Zipporah one of his daughters. Later, after nearly forty years in the wilderness, as we read earlier, the Israelites became involved in idolatry by attending their worship of the false god Baal-peor, followed by physical adultery with their women. This resulted in the death of 24,000 Israelites.(See Numbers 25-26) Some time later, God spoke to Moses about taking vengence on the Midianite's. "And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, Avenge the children of Israel of the Midianites: afterward shalt thou be gathered unto thy people. And Moses spake unto the people, saying, Arm some of yourselves unto the war, and let them go against the Midianites, and avenge the LORD of Midian." (Numbers 31:1-3).

In this war, Moses sent a thousand of every tribe and Phinehas to the war, with the trumpets to blow in his hand to execute the judgment of God upon the Midianites. "And Moses sent them to the war, a thousand of every tribe, them and Phinehas the son of Eleazar the priest, to the war, with the holy instruments, and the trumpets to blow in his hand. And they warred against the Midianites, as the LORD commanded Moses; and they slew all the males." (31:6-7). The trumpets were symbols both of truth and of His direction. Not one Israelite died in that battle which resulted in the deaths of every Midianite male, including Balaam, all five kings of the confederation, and the women who caused Israel to sin . "And they slew the kings of Midian, beside the rest of them that were slain; namely, Evi, and Rekem, and Zur, and Hur, and Reba, five kings of Midian: Balaam also the son of Beor they slew with the sword. And the children of Israel took all the women of Midian captives, and their little ones, and took the spoil of all their cattle, and all their flocks, and all their goods." (31:8-9).

It was not incidental that Balaam had chosen to live in luxury among the Midianites while enjoying the esteem of the king and the people. Like Balaam, how easy it is to say: I cannot go beyond the Word of the LORD my God, to do less or more. Let me die the death of the righteous, and let my last end be like his (Jacob)! (See Numbers 23). Unfortunately, like Balaam, greed and compromise have deceived many who will not die the death of the righteous, but face eternity in hell.

There are spiritual laws that are just as absolute as natural laws. Sin results in consequences affecting generations to come that often include sorrow and suffering and a wasted life. However, God has graciously provided His Word to open our eyes to the true values of life. He also provided a way for us to be free from an eternity in hell and that is by our Lord, Jesus Christ. "How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts. These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit.But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life." (Jude 1:18-21).

In today's lesson Jesus Christ is revealed as the Ruling One Who will righteously judge the wicked (Numbers 31:1-17). In righteousness He does judge. "And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war." (Revelation 19:11)

Today's Psalm: 37:4-6
"Delight thyself also in the LORD: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass. And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday."

Today's Prayer:
Dear Lord,
God of your goodness, give me yourself, for you are sufficient for me. If I were to ask anything less I should always be in want, for in you alone I have all and shall receive all things for Your glory. In Jesus name, I pray....Amen.

Have a wonderful day/night.
God Bless.

I have a correction from yesterday's message. I mistakenly entered the wrong verse for Psalm 1:3. This is the correct verse, "And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper."

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