"Rebellious Kids"

Scripture Read:

Deuteronomy 18 - 21

Insight Verse(s):

^{21 : 18} “If a man has a stubborn and rebellious son who will not obey the voice of his father or the voice of his mother, and who, when they have chastened him, will not heed them,

Insight Gained:

As a youth I was rebellious and did not listen to my parents as they tried to discipline me. I went my own way, away from God and my parents. If I had grown up in early biblical times, I would have been stoned for my offenses instead I was welcomed back to my family, back to my church and open loving arms of my Lord as if I hadn't offended anyone.

My Prayer to God:

Thank you Lord for your forgiveness of sin.

"Take Care of Your Own"

Scripture Read:

Deuteronomy 14 - 17

Insight Verse(s):

⁴ except when there may be no poor among you; for the LORD will greatly bless you in the land which the LORD your God is giving you to possess as an inheritance— ⁵ only if you carefully obey the voice of the LORD your God, to observe with care all these commandments which I command you today. ⁶ For the LORD your God will bless you just as He promised you; you shall lend to many nations, but you shall not borrow; you shall reign over many nations, but they shall not reign over you.

⁷ “If there is among you a poor man of your brethren, within any of the gates in your land which the LORD your God is giving you, you shall not harden your heart nor shut your hand from your poor brother, ⁸ but you shall open your hand wide to him and willingly lend him sufficient for his need, whatever he needs.

Insight Gained:

We should have no poor people, God has given me enough wealth and security to help others out. He has blessed me and wants me to bless others. I have gifts, if I don't use them, they are wasted. If my finances are spent on myself they are wasted, if I spend my time, gifts and money to serve God and his people I will forever be more blessed.

My Prayer to God:

Thank you for my blessings Lord, I love them, you, and all those you put in my life.

"Love & Obey the Lord"

Scripture Read:

Deuteronomy 9 - 13

Insight Verse(s):

^{11 : 1} “Therefore you shall love the LORD your God, and keep His charge, His statutes, His judgments, and His commandments always.

^{11 : 8} “Therefore you shall keep every commandment which I command you today, that you may be strong, and go in and possess the land which you cross over to possess,

^{11 : 13} ‘And it shall be that if you earnestly obey My commandments which I command you today, to love the LORD your God and serve Him with all your heart and with all your soul,

^{11 : 18} “Therefore you shall lay up these words of mine in your heart and in your soul, and bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. ¹⁹ You shall teach them to your children, speaking of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. ²⁰ And you shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates, ²¹ that your days and the days of your children may be multiplied in the land of which the LORD swore to your fathers to give them, like the days of the heavens above the earth.

Insight Gained:

Moses is trying to remind the people that they need to be sure to obey God and all his commands. The people need to show love for God and constantly strive towards Godliness. This is the place I am at, I need to continue to show my love for my Lord, I need to continue to follow his commands and please him by my obedience. It says to "fix his word on our hearts..." in other words, memorize scripture and really know it. That is what I need to do, focus on knowing not only the words but also what they mean.

My Prayer to God:

Lord, bless this humble servant and forgive him his iniquities. Allow him to, with purpose, serve you in all his ways in all his days. Lead him and help him to follow.

Amen.

"Follow His Commands Or Else!"

Scripture Read:

Deuteronomy 5 - 8

Insight Verse(s):

^{Deuteronomy 8:10} When you have eaten and are full, then you shall bless the LORD your God for the good land which He has given you.
¹¹ “Beware that you do not forget the LORD your God by not keeping His commandments, His judgments, and His statutes which I command you today, ¹² lest—when you have eaten and are full, and have built beautiful houses and dwell in them; ¹³ and when your herds and your flocks multiply, and your silver and your gold are multiplied, and all that you have is multiplied; ¹⁴ when your heart is lifted up, and you forget the LORD your God who brought you out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage; ¹⁵ who led you through that great and terrible wilderness, in which were fiery serpents and scorpions and thirsty land where there was no water; who brought water for you out of the flinty rock; ¹⁶ who fed you in the wilderness with manna, which your fathers did not know, that He might humble you and that He might test you, to do you good in the end— ¹⁷ then you say in your heart, ‘My power and the might of my hand have gained me this wealth.’
¹⁸ “And you shall remember the LORD your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth, that He may establish His covenant which He swore to your fathers, as it is this day. ¹⁹ Then it shall be, if you by any means forget the LORD your God, and follow other gods, and serve them and worship them, I testify against you this day that you shall surely perish. ²⁰ As the nations which the LORD destroys before you, so you shall perish, because you would not be obedient to the voice of the LORD your God.

Insight Gained:

Throughout Deuteronomy Moses is educating the Israelites on the importance of following God. He repeatedly tells them to remember the laws, and even goes through an exhaustive list of what they are. He tells God's people to not only know the laws but to also live the laws and teach them to others. In 8:10-20 Moses lays it all out on the table telling the Israelites to remember God always. After they have eaten and are satisfied, they are to remember that it was God who gave the food to them. He explains that if they forget they will become boastful and proud. Moses reminds the people that God took them out of Egypt, through the desert, provided food and water to them through all their travels. Moses reminds them that their fathers were tested, as they will be, and the penalty for turning away from God or forgetting him is destruction, total destruction.

I look at this and hope that I always remember to teach the laws to not only my family but also to those around me lest anyone be tested and be able to say "Andrew could have taught me, but chose not to."

My Prayer to God:

Help me to be faithful and remember the suffering you have taken me out of, the "deserts" you have walked me through, the provisions you have made for me that no other could do, and the gifts you have given me so far. Please continue to help me to tell others what you have done so that they too may see you through your wonders.

"Remembering the Law (The First Classrom Review)"

Scripture Read:

Deuteronomy 1 - 4

Insight Verse(s):

^{Deuteronomy 4:9} Only take heed to yourself, and diligently keep yourself, lest you forget the things your eyes have seen, and lest they depart from your heart all the days of your life. And teach them to your children and your grandchildren

Insight Gained:

Moses is reminding God's people to always remember the law and their teachings, both what they heard and what they saw so that they may pass it along to their children and their grandchildren. It is much the same today, I am reminded that I must keep focus on the laws of God, and teach and relate to my children and one day my grandchildren all i have seen and heard of the matchless grace of our loving Lord and savior. But I must also teach all other children as well, both those who don't have training at home and need to hear about this the first time and those who do have the teaching but can do with a reminder once in a while as to how truly remarkable our God is.

My Prayer to God:

Heavenly Father, help me to be honor my responsibility to pass alone the knowledge you have given me, let me continue to learn and continue to teach. Lord allow me and help me to be successful as a teacher.

"Multiple Witnesses Needed for Death Penalty"

Scripture Read:

Numbers 33 - 36

Insight Verse(s):

^{Numbers 35:30} Whoever kills a person, the murderer shall be put to death on the testimony of witnesses; but one witness is not sufficient testimony against a person for the death penalty.

Insight Gained:

Even in the days of Moses, while wandering the desert, God was creating a judicial system that formed the backbone of the system utilized and followed in most civilizations since. One where a man was not convicted solely on the report of one witness, but through the witness of multiple people he could be found guilty and punished for his crimes.

My Prayer to God:

Lord, thank you for further revealing to me how you were and have been shaping the world since before Moses day and beyond mine. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you.

"A Man of His Word"

Scripture Read:

Numbers 29 - 32

Insight Verse(s):

^{Numbers 30:2} If a man makes a vow to the LORD, or swears an oath to bind himself by some agreement, he shall not break his word; he shall do according to all that proceeds out of his mouth.

Insight Gained:

This is a very self-explanatory verse yet many do not follow. When a man gives his word, he must keep it. When I say I am going to do something, I better do it. I need to keep my word and build the trust others have in me and the trust I have in others to do what they say will be done.

My Prayer to God:

Lord, allow me to be the man you want me to be, help me to keep my word and through my words bring honor to you.

"A Spirit of Maturity, Passing the Torch"

Scripture Read:

Numbers 25 -28

Insight Verse(s):

^{Numbers 27: 16} “Let the LORD, the God of the spirits of all flesh, set a man over the congregation, ¹⁷ who may go out before them and go in before them, who may lead them out and bring them in, that the congregation of the LORD may not be like sheep which have no shepherd.”

¹⁸ And the LORD said to Moses: “Take Joshua the son of Nun with you, a man in whom is the Spirit, and lay your hand on him;

Insight Gained:

Even though Moses has been told he will not lead the people to nor enter the promised land, he still has an attitude of commitment to the people. He knows he can't go, so his first thought is, the people need a leader and prays that the Lord provide for his people a leader of worth and value. As always the Lord, in his infinite wisdom, had already had Joshua working with Moses for years, so upon Moses request the Lord calls Joshua to take that next step in his career.

How true should this be within our churches, and home groups and bible study classes. How often is a leader called away or required to step aside for any reason. How wonderful would it be to know that our leaders, all leaders, had the maturity and commitment to their groups to realize when their time is up and instead of selfishly causing harm, not only step aside but make it their goal and driving ambition to find the best possible leader to take over and pray with and over that person so that their ministry is effective. This leadership is learned from example.

My Prayer to God:

Lord, please help me with any ministry or task that you assign me, help me to lead the way you would want me to and graciously step aside when my time is up and prayerfully pass the ministry to the next person you have called. Amen

"Listening to God"

Scripture Read:
Numbers 21 - 24

Insight Verse(s)

Numbers 22:18-20, 28-35 & 23:12,26

Insight Gained:
In verse 20 the Lord says to Balaam “If the men come to call you, rise and go with them; but only the word which I speak to you—that you shall do.” After leaving an angel comes and startles Balaam's donkey three times before God first opens the Donkeys mouth and it speaks to Balaam and then God opens Balaams eyes so that he too can see the angel and Gods words are reinforced, go, but only say what I tell you to say. We are not told if Balaam ever had second thoughts or not, but we do know that God visits Balaam a second time to say, Hey, remember to only say what I tell you to say. Balaam obeys to the great dismay of Balak, but Balaam simply says 23:26 “Did I not tell you, saying, ‘All that the LORD speaks, that I must do?” To often I am realizing that I am not listening close enough to what God is telling me to do or say and through this I am recognizing the lost opportunities that have past me by.

My Prayer to God:

Lord, though I have no donkey, I often find things to blame when I end up off the path. Please help me to recognize when you have placed things in my path for my safety or as a reminder or as something you want me to take notice of. Help me to hear your words and obey, regardless of my ignorance as to their purpose. Continue to lead me and guide me always. Amen

"Do What God Tells You to Do!"

Scripture Read:

Numbers 17 - 20

Insight Verse(s):

^{Numbers 20:6} So Moses and Aaron went from the presence of the assembly to the door of the tabernacle of meeting, and they fell on their faces. And the glory of the LORD appeared to them.

⁷ Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, ⁸ “Take the rod; you and your brother Aaron gather the congregation together. Speak to the rock before their eyes, and it will yield its water; thus you shall bring water for them out of the rock, and give drink to the congregation and their animals.” ⁹ So Moses took the rod from before the LORD as He commanded him.
¹⁰ And Moses and Aaron gathered the assembly together before the rock; and he said to them, “Hear now, you rebels! Must we bring water for you out of this rock?” ¹¹ Then Moses lifted his hand and struck the rock twice with his rod; and water came out abundantly, and the congregation and their animals drank.
¹² Then the LORD spoke to Moses and Aaron, “Because you did not believe Me, to hallow Me in the eyes of the children of Israel, therefore you shall not bring this assembly into the land which I have given them.”

Insight Gained:

God says in vs 8 "Speak to the rock before their eyes, and it will yield its water;" In verse 10 Moses says to the people "... “Hear now, you rebels! Must we bring water for you out of this rock?” ¹¹ Then Moses lifted his hand and struck the rock twice with his rod;

When did God tell Moses to strike the rock?

All I saw was God telling Moses to speak to the rock.

¹² Then the LORD spoke to Moses and Aaron, “Because you did not believe Me, to hallow Me in the eyes of the children of Israel, therefore you shall not bring this assembly into the land which I have given them.”

Wow, of all the stupid things you could do... these men have seen God literally destroy armies, part seas, and even kill specific individuals mixed amongst thousands. They have even seen the fire of God come down and engulf 250 people who didn't listen. Why then would Moses make the mistake to portray that it was he, or his staff that had the power, and was owed the glory. God said speak, and they struck... God wants to reenforce that it is he who is looking after the needs of the Israelites and leading them , not Moses or Aaron. Yet Moses chooses to act on his own, even to the point of leading up to it with his comment "Must we bring water for you out of this rock?" Does Moses forget that he is only a shepherd that God has entrusted these people to? He is not God, he is one man and God says, Hey you, with the stick, for being an idiot after all this time and after all you have seen, you will never enter the land I promised to my people! That had to hurt, but what could he expect, God is God, and Moses has felt the power of God, he knows the might of God and he has seen the wrath of God when people don't listen and obey. How much more are we disobedient today, we have the stories of the Old Testament, and the lives of Jesus and his disciples and yet we still choose to go our own way, do things our own way, and then when we don't see the gift we felt we were promised... we blame God.

My Prayer to God:

Lord, father in heaven, designer of my world and director of my paths, please forgive me for all of the times I have not searched out your will but followed my own. Guide me with your words to do your actions to bring glory to your name. Amen.

"Do Not Grumble Against God."

Scripture Read:

Numbers 13 - 16

Insight Verse(s):
Korah, Dathan, Abiram (leaders of the Levites) went before Moses and Aaron and claimed that all of them were holy and questioned why it was that Moses and Aaron were held out above all others. Moses, with God's wisdom, challenged the men to show up the following morning and all light their censers and present an offering to the Lord and the Lord would call out the man he wants. The men meet, and God opens up the earth and swallows Korah, Dathan and Abiram and all their families and belongings.

Insight Gained:

Moses was faithful in his actions, he knew what to do. He had everyone go before the Lord and let God sort it out. Moses knew how God was going to respond and how he was going to handle the situation. He knew people would die, and they did. God wiped out the followers and families of the Levite leaders.

I am not God, nor am I a priest or a leader of a community, why then should I beleive that God would only listen to me? God listens to all his people, the whole of the world, the grumblers and complainers as well as the wise, humble and meek.... everyone! The Lord shows that he will punish those who do not listen and continue to bless those who do. But he hears everyone, and sees everything. Why grumble against God, he has everything in his control, your grumbling will get you no where.

My Prayer to God:

Lord, let me let you have the controls in my life, let me speak only truth, and through your power, help me to clean up my life so others will see you in me. Amen.

"Moses Rebellion"

Scripture Read:

Numbers 5 - 12
Insight Verse(s):
Numbers 11:11 So Moses said to the LORD, “Why have You afflicted Your servant? And why have I not found favor in Your sight, that You have laid the burden of all these people on me? 12 Did I conceive all these people? Did I beget them, that You should say to me, ‘Carry them in your bosom, as a guardian carries a nursing child,’ to the land which You swore to their fathers? 13 Where am I to get meat to give to all these people? For they weep all over me, saying, ‘Give us meat, that we may eat.’ 14 I am not able to bear all these people alone, because the burden is too heavy for me. 15 If You treat me like this, please kill me here and now—if I have found favor in Your sight—and do not let me see my wretchedness!”

The Seventy Elders

16 So the LORD said to Moses: “Gather to Me seventy men of the elders of Israel, whom you know to be the elders of the people and officers over them; bring them to the tabernacle of meeting, that they may stand there with you. 17 Then I will come down and talk with you there. I will take of the Spirit that is upon you and will put the same upon them; and they shall bear the burden of the people with you, that you may not bear it yourself alone. 18 Then you shall say to the people, ‘Consecrate yourselves for tomorrow, and you shall eat meat; for you have wept in the hearing of the LORD, saying, “Who will give us meat to eat? For it was well with us in Egypt.” Therefore the LORD will give you meat, and you shall eat. 19 You shall eat, not one day, nor two days, nor five days, nor ten days, nor twenty days, 20 but for a whole month, until it comes out of your nostrils and becomes loathsome to you, because you have despised the LORD who is among you, and have wept before Him, saying, “Why did we ever come up out of Egypt?”’”

Insight Gained:

How often as a christian have I said, "I can't do all of this by myself," "It's too much for me to do alone," and God is there saying, "I know, I never told you to do it on your own, I gave you help and if you ask I will give you more." Moses had Aaron and Miriam and a staff of judges and elders and yet he still felt he was carrying all the load. It was only when he said it was too much and asked for help that God gave him leaders. God showed him and me that we can't do it all ourselves but if we ask for help he will provide. If I lean on God and realize my own shortcomings and do it without complaining at God, he will bless me with wisdom and help.

My Prayer to God:

Lord, help me wait for your word. Let me lean on you and allow you to lead the way and help me to trust you as you lead.

"Levites Exchanged For Isrealites"

Scripture Read:

Numbers 1 - 4

Insight Verse(s):

Numbers 3:11 Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying: 12 “Now behold, I Myself have taken the Levites from among the children of Israel instead of every firstborn who opens the womb among the children of Israel. Therefore the Levites shall be Mine, 13 because all the firstborn are Mine. On the day that I struck all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, I sanctified to Myself all the firstborn in Israel, both man and beast. They shall be Mine: I am the LORD.”

Census of the Levites Commanded

14 Then the LORD spoke to Moses in the Wilderness of Sinai, saying: 15 “Number the children of Levi by their fathers’ houses, by their families; you shall number every male from a month old and above.”
16 So Moses numbered them according to the word of the LORD, as he was commanded.

39 All who were numbered of the Levites, whom Moses and Aaron numbered at the commandment of the LORD, by their families, all the males from a month old and above, were twenty-two thousand.

Levites Dedicated Instead of the Firstborn

40 Then the LORD said to Moses: “Number all the firstborn males of the children of Israel from a month old and above, and take the number of their names. 41 And you shall take the Levites for Me—I am the LORD—instead of all the firstborn among the children of Israel, and the livestock of the Levites instead of all the firstborn among the livestock of the children of Israel.” 42 So Moses numbered all the firstborn among the children of Israel, as the LORD commanded him. 43 And all the firstborn males, according to the number of names from a month old and above, of those who were numbered of them, were twenty-two thousand two hundred and seventy-three.
44 Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying: 45 “Take the Levites instead of all the firstborn among the children of Israel, and the livestock of the Levites instead of their livestock. The Levites shall be Mine: I am the LORD. 46 And for the redemption of the two hundred and seventy-three of the firstborn of the children of Israel, who are more than the number of the Levites, 47 you shall take five shekels for each one individually; you shall take them in the currency of the shekel of the sanctuary, the shekel of twenty gerahs. 48 And you shall give the money, with which the excess number of them is redeemed, to Aaron and his sons.”
49 So Moses took the redemption money from those who were over and above those who were redeemed by the Levites. 50 From the firstborn of the children of Israel he took the money, one thousand three hundred and sixty-five shekels, according to the shekel of the sanctuary. 51 And Moses gave their redemption money to Aaron and his sons, according to the word of the LORD, as the LORD commanded Moses.

Insight Gained:

The Lord saves 22,273 Isrealites and takes the service of the Levites in exchange and accepts 5 sheckles in exchange of each of the 273 left over. The Lord has claim to anything he wants and had previously taken the first born for himself as he saved them in Egypt. It is just amaziong to see how God would provide such close numbers to both the Isrealites and the Levites to make the numbers so close.

My Prayer to God:

Lord, thank you for continuilly amazing and impressing me with you complete and supreme control over your world and the wonders you work with and for your people.

"God Provides For Those Who Are Faithful""

Scripture Read:

Leviticus 24 - 27

Insight Verse(s):

Leviticus 26:3 ‘If you walk in My statutes and keep My commandments, and perform them,

4 then I will give you rain in its season, the land shall yield its produce, and the trees of the field shall yield their fruit.

5 Your threshing shall last till the time of vintage, and the vintage shall last till the time of sowing;
you shall eat your bread to the full, and dwell in your land safely.

6 I will give peace in the land, and you shall lie down, and none will make you afraid;
I will rid the land of evil beasts,
and the sword will not go through your land.

7 You will chase your enemies, and they shall fall by the sword before you.

8 Five of you shall chase a hundred, and a hundred of you shall put ten thousand to flight;
your enemies shall fall by the sword before you.

9 ‘For I will look on you favorably and make you fruitful, multiply you and confirm My covenant with you.

10 You shall eat the old harvest, and clear out the old because of the new.

11 I will set My tabernacle among you, and My soul shall not abhor you.

12 I will walk among you and be your God, and you shall be My people.

13 I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, that you should not be their slaves;
I have broken the bands of your yoke and made you walk upright.

Insight Gained:

By following the Lords commands he provides for all the Isrealites needs. All of them! He will provide food, safety, victory in battle and and increasing numbers of descendants. This is true for all of us as we follow his commands the Lord will bless us and protect us. He will provide food when needed, safety from those who may threaten and the inner peace to keep us from the need to worry. He will make us fruitful and take care of our families needs. All we need to do is follow and obey.

My Prayer to God:

Lord, help me to remain in you. Help me to listen and obey and rely on you for all my needs and trust that you will provide.

"God Provides"

Scripture Read:

Leviticus 19 - 23

Insight Verse(s):

19:9 ‘When you reap the harvest of your land, you shall not wholly reap the corners of your field, nor shall you gather the gleanings of your harvest. 10 And you shall not glean your vineyard, nor shall you gather every grape of your vineyard; you shall leave them for the poor and the stranger: I am the LORD your God.

Insight Gained:

God will provide for his people, to some he gives more than they need, but he also requires that we share with those who do not have enough. God tells the Isrealites to not go over their fields twice, to not "reap" the very edges of their fields. In other words God instructs his people to not be greedy and leave the extras for those in need. God uses what is left in those fields to provide for the rest of his people. If he could use a few fish and loafs of bread in the New Testament to feed 5000 families, how much more can he do with the extras in all those fields and vineyards. It is the same today when we look at the surplus he provides for many and asks that some of that be given to be used for those without.

My Prayer to God:

Lord, help me to realize that you are in control and that you will provide for me no matter what the circumstances as nothing is too difficult for you. Please also help me to remember that as you provide for me I need to use those gifts or your use.

"Do Not Slander..."

Scripture Read:

Leviticus 19

Insight Verse(s):

16 " 'Do not go about spreading slander among your people.

Insight Gained:

How often do I hear something about someone or something that happens to me and I run to my friends or family and convince myself it is for the best to share with everyone what has happened or what I heard. But how upset do I get when someone goes spreading things I've done or they heard or think I have done. They tell others and I get upset but do not seem to get it when others get upset at me for doing the same thing.

My Prayer to God:

Lord, help me to hold my tongue when I know something about someone or I have heard something about them.

"Keep Clean"

Scripture Read:

Leviticus 13 - 15

Insight Verse(s):

15:31 " 'You must keep the Israelites separate from things that make them unclean, so they will not die in their uncleanness for defiling my dwelling place, which is among them.' "

Insight Gained:

God loves his people but "God cannot be in the presence of sin or uncleanliness" and the Isrealites will die if they approach his throne with sin. Through this, God reminds me that I must remember to confess all of my sins and clear all uncleanliness before coming before him in worship. I must have atonement made as the Isrealites did by asking for forgiveness.

My Prayer to God:

Lord, as I sin, please convict me to confess, teach me to not repeat and help me to seek forgiveness from you and those I sin against.

"You Shall Therefore be Holy, For I am Holy"

Scripture Read:

Leviticus 9 - 12

Insight Verse(s):

10: 1 Then Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, each took his censer and put fire in it, put incense on it, and offered profane fire before the LORD, which He had not commanded them. 2 So fire went out from the LORD and devoured them, and they died before the LORD. 3 And Moses said to Aaron, “This is what the LORD spoke, saying:

‘By those who come near Me
I must be regarded as holy;
And before all the people
I must be glorified.’”

So Aaron held his peace.
4 Then Moses called Mishael and Elzaphan, the sons of Uzziel the uncle of Aaron, and said to them, “Come near, carry your brethren from before the sanctuary out of the camp.” 5 So they went near and carried them by their tunics out of the camp, as Moses had said.
6 And Moses said to Aaron, and to Elemazar and Ithamar, his sons, “Do not uncover your heads nor tear your clothes, lest you die, and wrath come upon all the people. But let your brethren, the whole house of Israel, bewail the burning which the LORD has kindled. 7 You shall not go out from the door of the tabernacle of meeting, lest you die, for the anointing oil of the LORD is upon you.” And they did according to the word of Moses.

11:44 For I am the LORD your God. You shall therefore consecrate yourselves, and you shall be holy; for I am holy. Neither shall you defile yourselves with any creeping thing that creeps on the earth. 45 For I am the LORD who brings you up out of the land of Egypt, to be your God. You shall therefore be holy, for I am holy.

Insight Gained:

Do you think Aaron and his sons paid real close attention to Gods instructions after watching two family members consumed by fire? I think they probably didn't miss a word, and probably checked twice before doing anything or eating anything. In 9:24 the Isrealites watched as fire from God came and consumed the burnt offering, and it says "they shouted and threw themselves to the ground." Now Aaron has seen Gods fire take a sacrifice and take two of his sons, I think God got his attention. I think the people are going to listen. I hope God doesn't need to light up someone close to me to get my attention. I hope I can stay close enough to him that he can just talk to me and I will listen and follow what he says.

My Prayer to God:

Lord, your power is unbelievable, unbeatable, and unmatchable. Please let me hear your voice and follow your instructions.

"Blind (Crazy) Faith"

Scripture Read:

Leviticus 5 - 8

Insight Verse(s):

8:22 And he brought the second ram, the ram of consecration. Then Aaron and his sons laid their hands on the head of the ram, 23 and Moses killed it. Also he took some of its blood and put it on the tip of Aaron’s right ear, on the thumb of his right hand, and on the big toe of his right foot.

Insight Gained:

I think God has a sense of humor. I believe that God tells Moses to do these things just to see if he will do them. I am sure that scholars will dispute the fact and point out that I am wrong and that there is in fact a logical reason to put blood on your toe, thumb and ear all on the right side. But me... I believe that God is testing Moses faith, and I think that making him do something strange is just a way of seeing how far Moses will go for God. What makes me laugh though is imagining Aaron's face as Moses approaches him with the blood and I can see him looking at Moses and saying; "You want to put what... where?" "What will blood on my big toe or my ear and thumb do, and why the right side?"

My Prayer to God:

Lord, thank you for laughter and thank you for laughing with us and at us as we travel through this world you have created.

"Salted or Unsalted"

Scripture Read:

Exodus 39 -40, Leviticus 1 - 4

Insight Verse(s):

Leviticus 2:13 And every offering of your grain offering you shall season with salt; you shall not allow the salt of the covenant of your God to be lacking from your grain offering. With all your offerings you shall offer salt.

Insight Gained:

This passage made me laugh, it put God in a new light for me and made him seem more personal. The fact that God requests salt be added to the offerings before it is served to him is cute. It makes it easier to grasp the concept that we have been made in his image. It is fun to think of God saying to Moses; "oh yeah, make sure you don't forget the salt."

My Prayer to God:

Lord Almighty, Ruler and King, I love you, I really love you and worship you. Thank you for this dose of humor in my dry spell of reading. It has made my day.

"Lots of Gold"

Scripture Read:

Exodus 37 - 38

Insight Verse(s):

38:24 All the gold that was used in all the work of the holy place, that is, the gold of the offering, was twenty-nine talents and seven hundred and thirty shekels, according to the shekel of the sanctuary.

Insight Gained:

When God asked for gold he really got gold! He had them use over a ton of gold to make his tabernacle. I love the fact that God never does anything second class or half way. It all has to be the best, which is what he wants for me. The best for me and the best from me.

My Prayer to God:

Lord, help me to give you the best of me and to have faith that you will give me your best because that is your desire.

"God Will Provide"

Scripture Read:

Exodus 35 -36

Insight Verse(s):

36:2 Then Moses called Bezalel and Aholiab, and every gifted artisan in whose heart the LORD had put wisdom, everyone whose heart was stirred, to come and do the work. 3 And they received from Moses all the offering which the children of Israel had brought for the work of the service of making the sanctuary. So they continued bringing to him freewill offerings every morning. 4 Then all the craftsmen who were doing all the work of the sanctuary came, each from the work he was doing, 5 and they spoke to Moses, saying, “The people bring much more than enough for the service of the work which the LORD commanded us to do.”
6 So Moses gave a commandment, and they caused it to be proclaimed throughout the camp, saying, “Let neither man nor woman do any more work for the offering of the sanctuary.” And the people were restrained from bringing, 7 for the material they had was sufficient for all the work to be done—indeed too much.

Insight Gained:

When the people followed Gods will, he provided for all their needs and more. God is so ready to bless me that if I was to receive all the blessing I would have to cry out "bless me no more", I would be so blessed. Moses had to say no more, and I will too, as i trust God more and follow him he will bless me continually.

My Prayer to God:

Lord, thank you for the blessing you have given me and thank you for those yet to come.

"True Leadership"

Scripture Read:

Exodus 29 - 34

Insight Verse(s):

32:31 Then Moses returned to the LORD and said, “Oh, these people have committed a great sin, and have made for themselves a god of gold! 32 Yet now, if You will forgive their sin—but if not, I pray, blot me out of Your book which You have written.”

Insight Gained:

Moses was willing to be erased from the book of life if need be to take responsibility for his people. Moses was their leader and he took responsibility for their actions, even to death. He is the true example of leadership and offers a great example to me as to how I should act as a leader.

My Prayer to God:

Lord, thank you for the responsibilities you have given me in leadership. Please help me to look to you for continued knowledge on how to be a good leader.

"Those Guilty Will Die"

Scripture Read:

Exodus 25 - 28

Insight Verse(s):

28:31 “You shall make the robe of the ephod all of blue. 32 There shall be an opening for his head in the middle of it; it shall have a woven binding all around its opening, like the opening in a coat of mail, so that it does not tear. 33 And upon its hem you shall make pomegranates of blue, purple, and scarlet, all around its hem, and bells of gold between them all around: 34 a golden bell and a pomegranate, a golden bell and a pomegranate, upon the hem of the robe all around. 35 And it shall be upon Aaron when he ministers, and its sound will be heard when he goes into the holy place before the LORD and when he comes out, that he may not die.
36 “You shall also make a plate of pure gold and engrave on it, like the engraving of a signet:

HOLINESS TO THE LORD.

37 And you shall put it on a blue cord, that it may be on the turban; it shall be on the front of the turban. 38 So it shall be on Aaron’s forehead, that Aaron may bear the iniquity of the holy things which the children of Israel hallow in all their holy gifts; and it shall always be on his forehead, that they may be accepted before the LORD.
39 “You shall skillfully weave the tunic of fine linen thread, you shall make the turban of fine linen, and you shall make the sash of woven work.
40 “For Aaron’s sons you shall make tunics, and you shall make sashes for them. And you shall make hats for them, for glory and beauty. 41 So you shall put them on Aaron your brother and on his sons with him. You shall anoint them, consecrate them, and sanctify them, that they may minister to Me as priests. 42 And you shall make for them linen trousers to cover their nakedness; they shall reach from the waist to the thighs. 43 They shall be on Aaron and on his sons when they come into the tabernacle of meeting, or when they come near the altar to minister in the holy place, that they do not incur iniquity and die. It shall be a statute forever to him and his descendants after him.

Insight Gained:

When the Lord gives an order he expects it followed on penalty of death. He refers to specific cloths and garnishes to the clothes and if not followed precisely those involved die. I to often think of God as a passive God, who requests but no consequence other than lost blessing. When God says he wants something, he wants it now. God can take back any gift he gives including life. I need to remember that when I am called to service, he means now, and he means his way not mine. I must follow his rules.

My Prayer to God:

Lord, allow me to not only see where you want me to go but to have the courage to actually go there and obey you when I get there.

"Do Not Deal in Cults or Deviations from God"

Scripture Read:

Exodus 21 - 24

Insight Verse(s):

22:18 “You shall not permit a sorceress to live.
19 “Whoever lies with an animal shall surely be put to death.
20 “He who sacrifices to any god, except to the LORD only, he shall be utterly destroyed.

Insight Gained:

Anyone who displays an action or attitude not reflective of God or more precisely those who choose to deviate from Gods plan will be killed. When those laws are considered how many people would be put to death today for their actions. I believe that the world has strayed a long way away fro God and from his teaching.

My Prayer to God:

Lord help me ensure that at all times I am following your plan and not off following the world.

"Being Overloaded & the Importance of Delegation"

Scripture Read:

Exodus 17 - 20

Insight Verse(s):

18:21 Moreover you shall select from all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over them to be rulers of thousands, rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens. 22 And let them judge the people at all times. Then it will be that every great matter they shall bring to you, but every small matter they themselves shall judge. So it will be easier for you, for they will bear the burden with you. 23 If you do this thing, and God so commands you, then you will be able to endure, and all this people will also go to their place in peace.”

Insight Gained:

Not only is it smart to seek and listen to wise council, (it may really help), but it is also important to learn to delegate. One man is only that, one man, he cannot do everything and neither can I. I need to learn to not only listen and ask for the wise council of those equipped to give it but I also need to learn to delegate some of the responsibilities given me. Not just to anyone but to those who "fear God, are trustworthy & hate dishonest gain." By placing others in positions that I cannot serve in, either because of time or ability, I increase my productivity in what God has me doing and I also increase their productivity.

My Prayer to God:

Lord, help me to realize when my plate is too full and help me to find those things you want me to continue to do and those you want me to delegate to others. Please put in my life those who are F.A.T. (faithful, available, teachable). Those who will honor you and give you all the glory.

Praise and Thanksgiving to God

Scripture Read:

Exodus 13 - 16

Insight Verse(s):

15:The Song of Moses

1 Then Moses and the children of Israel sang this song to the LORD, and spoke, saying:

“I will sing to the LORD,
For He has triumphed gloriously!
The horse and its rider
He has thrown into the sea!

2 The LORD is my strength and song,
And He has become my salvation;
He is my God, and I will praise Him;
My father’s God, and I will exalt Him.

3 The LORD is a man of war;
The LORD is His name.

4 Pharaoh’s chariots and his army He has cast into the sea;
His chosen captains also are drowned in the Red Sea.

5 The depths have covered them;
They sank to the bottom like a stone.

6 “Your right hand, O LORD, has become glorious in power;
Your right hand, O LORD, has dashed the enemy in pieces.

7 And in the greatness of Your excellence
You have overthrown those who rose against You;
You sent forth Your wrath;
It consumed them like stubble.

8 And with the blast of Your nostrils
The waters were gathered together;
The floods stood upright like a heap;
The depths congealed in the heart of the sea.

9 The enemy said, ‘I will pursue,
I will overtake,
I will divide the spoil;
My desire shall be satisfied on them.
I will draw my sword,
My hand shall destroy them.’

10 You blew with Your wind,
The sea covered them;
They sank like lead in the mighty waters.

11 “Who is like You, O LORD, among the gods?
Who is like You, glorious in holiness,
Fearful in praises, doing wonders?

12 You stretched out Your right hand;
The earth swallowed them.

13 You in Your mercy have led forth
The people whom You have redeemed;
You have guided them in Your strength
To Your holy habitation.

14 “The people will hear and be afraid;
Sorrow will take hold of the inhabitants of Philistia.

15 Then the chiefs of Edom will be dismayed;
The mighty men of Moab,
Trembling will take hold of them;
All the inhabitants of Canaan will melt away.

16 Fear and dread will fall on them;
By the greatness of Your arm
They will be as still as a stone,
Till Your people pass over, O LORD,
Till the people pass over
Whom You have purchased.

17 You will bring them in and plant them
In the mountain of Your inheritance,
In the place, O LORD, which You have made
For Your own dwelling,
The sanctuary, O Lord, which Your hands have established.

18 “The LORD shall reign forever and ever.”
19 For the horses of Pharaoh went with his chariots and his horsemen into the sea, and the LORD brought back the waters of the sea upon them. But the children of Israel went on dry land in the midst of the sea.

The Song of Miriam

20 Then Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took the timbrel in her hand; and all the women went out after her with timbrels and with dances. 21 And Miriam answered them:

“Sing to the LORD,
For He has triumphed gloriously!
The horse and its rider
He has thrown into the sea!”

Insight Gained:

I need to learn to worship and Praise God like they did. Mentioning the wonders he had accomplished for them and the things he had done. I need to remember to praise God always but I also need to set aside a time each day to focus on God and all the wonderful things he has done to help me or to make me feel good.

My Prayer to God:

Lord thank you for teaching me and allowing me to see my shortcomings. Teach me to listen to you and to praise you always. Thank you.

The Lord Knows his People

Scripture Read:

Exodus 9 - 12

Insight Verse(s):

9:4 And the LORD will make a difference between the livestock of Israel and the livestock of Egypt. So nothing shall die of all that belongs to the children of Israel.”’” 5 Then the LORD appointed a set time, saying, “Tomorrow the LORD will do this thing in the land.”
6 So the LORD did this thing on the next day, and all the livestock of Egypt died; but of the livestock of the children of Israel, not one died. 7 Then Pharaoh sent, and indeed, not even one of the livestock of the Israelites was dead. But the heart of Pharaoh became hard, and he did not let the people go.

9:20 He who feared the word of the LORD among the servants of Pharaoh made his servants and his livestock flee to the houses. 21 But he who did not regard the word of the LORD left his servants and his livestock in the field.
22 Then the LORD said to Moses, “Stretch out your hand toward heaven, that there may be hail in all the land of Egypt—on man, on beast, and on every herb of the field, throughout the land of Egypt.” 23 And Moses stretched out his rod toward heaven; and the LORD sent thunder and hail, and fire darted to the ground. And the LORD rained hail on the land of Egypt. 24 So there was hail, and fire mingled with the hail, so very heavy that there was none like it in all the land of Egypt since it became a nation. 25 And the hail struck throughout the whole land of Egypt, all that was in the field, both man and beast; and the hail struck every herb of the field and broke every tree of the field. 26 Only in the land of Goshen, where the children of Israel were, there was no hail.

10:21 Then the LORD said to Moses, “Stretch out your hand toward heaven, that there may be darkness over the land of Egypt, darkness which may even be felt.” 22 So Moses stretched out his hand toward heaven, and there was thick darkness in all the land of Egypt three days. 23 They did not see one another; nor did anyone rise from his place for three days. But all the children of Israel had light in their dwellings.

11: Then Moses said, “Thus says the LORD: ‘About midnight I will go out into the midst of Egypt; 5 and all the firstborn in the land of Egypt shall die, from the firstborn of Pharaoh who sits on his throne, even to the firstborn of the female servant who is behind the handmill, and all the firstborn of the animals. 6 Then there shall be a great cry throughout all the land of Egypt, such as was not like it before, nor shall be like it again. 7 But against none of the children of Israel shall a dog move its tongue, against man or beast, that you may know that the LORD does make a difference between the Egyptians and Israel.’

Insight Gained:

The lord knows who is his and he will protect them. The Lord saved his peoples livestock while killing all of the Egyptians stock. He brought down hail everywhere except on his own people, he took the light away but let it remain for his people. He took the first born of every family, (animal and man alike) and yet did not touch the Israelites. If God can control the weather conditions, and the lives and deaths of everything on the planet. Why then am I worried about my little problems. Why not ask him and let him deal with them in his way and in his time. He knows best and he protects his own.

My Prayer to God:

Lord, help me remember that you are in control of my life and my surroundings, help me to have faith in you and your ability to take care of me.

Trust & Obey

Scripture Read:

Exodus 5 - 8

Insight Verse(s):

8:29 Then Moses said, “Indeed I am going out from you, and I will entreat the LORD, that the swarms of flies may depart tomorrow from Pharaoh, from his servants, and from his people. But let Pharaoh not deal deceitfully anymore in not letting the people go to sacrifice to the LORD.”

Insight Gained:

For a man who only a few chapters ago is try to justify to God why he can't face Pharaoh and the main reason being, not knowing what to say and not having the ability to say it, he certainly said it pretty well. Warning Pharaoh how to act took guts. Too often I forget that God has given me the words and the voice to them, and I panic when given the opportunity to share with someone by answering a question or sharing my opinion. God has taught me what to say, now i just need to say it.

My Prayer to God:

Lord, thank you for the insights into the verses I have read. Please help me to have opportunities to share and the right words to use.

Fearing God

Scripture Read:

Exodus 1 - 4

Insight Verse(s):

1:8 Now there arose a new king over Egypt, who did not know Joseph. 9 And he said to his people, “Look, the people of the children of Israel are more and mightier than we; 10 come, let us deal shrewdly with them, lest they multiply, and it happen, in the event of war, that they also join our enemies and fight against us, and so go up out of the land.” 11 Therefore they set taskmasters over them to afflict them with their burdens. And they built for Pharaoh supply cities, Pithom and Raamses. 12 But the more they afflicted them, the more they multiplied and grew. And they were in dread of the children of Israel. 13 So the Egyptians made the children of Israel serve with rigor. 14 And they made their lives bitter with hard bondage—in mortar, in brick, and in all manner of service in the field. All their service in which they made them serve was with rigor.
15 Then the king of Egypt spoke to the Hebrew midwives, of whom the name of one was Shiphrah and the name of the other Puah; 16 and he said, “When you do the duties of a midwife for the Hebrew women, and see them on the birthstools, if it is a son, then you shall kill him; but if it is a daughter, then she shall live.” 17 But the midwives feared God, and did not do as the king of Egypt commanded them, but saved the male children alive. 18 So the king of Egypt called for the midwives and said to them, “Why have you done this thing, and saved the male children alive?”
19 And the midwives said to Pharaoh, “Because the Hebrew women are not like the Egyptian women; for they are lively and give birth before the midwives come to them.”
20 Therefore God dealt well with the midwives, and the people multiplied and grew very mighty. 21 And so it was, because the midwives feared God, that He provided households for them.

Insight Gained:

Even though an earthly King gave them a command, they knew that their heavenly King had different commands, so they honored God and did what he wanted, and God honored them by giving them children of their own. If I honor God in my decisions even if different than what my boss or leader wants God is to be honored in all circumstances.

My Prayer to God:

Thank you Lord for teaching me everyday something new or reminding me of something you have already taught me.

"Doubting Brothers"

Scripture Read:

Genesis 47 - 50

Insight Verse(s):

15 When Joseph's brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, "What if Joseph holds a grudge against us and pays us back for all the wrongs we did to him?"

Insight Gained:

No matter how many times Joseph has told his brothers they are forgiven they still do not believe it. They are afraid in 45:3 ( 3 Joseph said to his brothers, "I am Joseph! Is my father still living?" But his brothers were not able to answer him, because they were terrified at his presence.) but is verse 5 he tells them they are forgiven, (5 And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you.) How true is that with me? Even though God assures me he has separated me from my sins of past, they are forgotten and forgiven. I still dwell on them and try to apologize and make amends. I need to remember that like Joseph was telling his brothers, God has told me "You are forgiven, it is forgotten."

My Prayer to God:

Thank you God for your forgiveness and grace. Thank you for loving me and cleansing me of my sins and forgiving me even when I do it again and patience with me when I forget that I am forgiven.