Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | July 23, 2023

“You shall not show partiality in judgment” – “Righteousness and justice are the foundation of His throne.”

Today’s devotion comes from Deuteronomy 1:9-18.  Here is a link to this Scripture – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Deuteronomy%201&version=NASB1995

I quote only the following verses.

“Then I charged your judges at that time, saying, ‘Hear the cases between your fellow countrymen, and judge righteously between a man and his fellow countryman, or the alien who is with him.  You shall not show partiality in judgment;  you shall hear the small and the great alike.  You shall not fear man, for the judgment is God’s.  …”  Deuteronomy 1:16-17.  

——————-

We continue to consider the importance of justice to the LORD.

In brief review, in the July 18, 2023 devotion, we considered that a trial by jury is one of the pillars of justice and should be treasured as a provision of the LORD.

“The LORD reigns, let the earth rejoice;
Let the many islands be glad.
2 Clouds and thick darkness surround Him;
Righteousness and justice are the foundation of His throne.” Psalm 97:1-2.

In today’s devotion, we consider that impartiality in judgment is another pillar of justice.  “You shall not show partiality in judgment;  you shall hear the small and the great alike.  You shall not fear man, for the judgment is God’s.  …”  Verse 17. 

“There will be tribulation and distress for every soul of man who does evil, of the Jew first and also of the Greek, but glory and honor and peace to everyone who does good, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For there is no partiality with God.” Romans 2:9-11.

Let us consider that the temptation to be partial in judgment is greater in difficult (close) cases than it is in easy cases. 

In a case in which it is easy to decide who is right and who is wrong, then it is easy to be impartial and give judgment in favor of the right one.  A judge would know that if he or she gave judgment to the wrong one, then many others would be critical of the obvious partiality by the judge and the judge could lose his or her position as judge.  

But, in a case that it is difficult to determine who is right, there is more temptation to be partial. In a difficult (close) case, there are evidence and arguments supporting each side (person) and a judge could get away with being partial in judgment. The judge could hide his or her partiality, because there were evidence and arguments supporting the decision of the judge.    

In order to consider this point further of the temptation to be partial in a difficult case, let us use an actual case that King Solomon decided that is in 1 Kings 3:16-28.  In brief summary, two woman lived alone in the same house, there were no other witnesses, and each woman gave birth to a child within three days of each other.  One of the children died, and each woman claimed that the surviving child was her own child. If there was some judge deciding this case other than Solomon, and the judge liked something about one of the women, then that judge could be tempted to rule in favor of that woman, knowing that such partiality could be easily hidden.

But, we know that Solomon decided this case and used his wisdom, not partiality in judgment, to base his judgment. Solomon showed his impartiality in the words that he used to base his judgment. “The king said, “Divide the living child in two, and give half to the one and half to the other.” Then the woman whose child was the living one spoke to the king, for she was deeply stirred over her son and said, “Oh, my lord, give her the living child, and by no means kill him.” But the other said, “He shall be neither mine nor yours; divide him!” Then the king said, “Give the first woman the living child, and by no means kill him. She is his mother.” 1 Kings 3:25-27.   

“When all Israel heard of the judgment which the king had handed down, they feared the king, for they saw that the wisdom of God was in him to administer justice.”  1 Kings 3:28.

But, there is hope for us too!

First of all, and above all, God is in perfect total sovereign control. “but let him who boasts boast of this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD who exercises lovingkindness, justice and righteousness on earth;  for I delight in these things,” declares the LORD.”  Jeremiah 9:24.

“But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.”  James 1:5.

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.” Galatians 5:22-24.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | July 21, 2023

“But those who wait for the LORD, they will inherit the land.”

Today’s devotion comes from Deuteronomy 1:1-8.  Here is a link to this Scripture – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Deuteronomy%201&version=NASB1995

I quote only the following verses.

“These are the words which Moses spoke to all Israel across the Jordan in the wilderness, in the Arabah opposite Suph, between Paran and Tophel and Laban and Hazeroth and Dizahab.  …  Across the Jordan in the land of Moab, Moses undertook to expound this law, saying,

“The LORD our God spoke to us at Horeb, saying, ‘You have stayed long enough at this mountain.  Turn and set your journey, and go to the hill country of the Amorites, and to all their neighbors in the Arabah, in the hill country and in the lowland and in the Negev and by the seacoast, the land of the Canaanites, and Lebanon, as far as the great river, the river Euphrates.  See, I have placed the land before you;  go in and possess the land which the LORD swore to give to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to them and their descendants after them.’”  Deuteronomy 1:1 and 5-8.

———————-

First, let us remember all the precious and magnificent promises of God.

“Abram (Abraham) took Sarai (Sarah) his wife and Lot his nephew, and all their possessions which they had accumulated, and the persons which they had acquired in Haran, and they set out for the land of Canaan; thus they came to the land of Canaan.  …  The LORD appeared to Abram and said, “To your descendants I will give this land.”  So he built an altar there to the LORD who had appeared to him.”  Genesis 12:5 and 7.

“Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord;  seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence.  For by these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, so that by them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust.”  2 Peter 1:2-4.

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him.  In love He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved.”  Ephesians 1:3-6.

Second, let us be patient while we wait.  Israel had to wait 40 years in the wilderness before the LORD allowed them to go in and possess Canaan, the Promised Land.

“7 Rest in the LORD and wait patiently for Him;
Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way,
Because of the man who carries out wicked schemes.
8 Cease from anger and forsake wrath;
Do not fret; it leads only to evildoing.
9 For evildoers will be cut off,
But those who wait for the LORD, they will inherit the land.” Psalm 37:7-9.

Consider the following from the Canons of Dordt in the section titled FIRST HEAD OF DOCTRINE Of Divine Predestination.

Article 16.  Those who do not yet experience a lively faith in Christ, an assured confidence of soul, peace of conscience, an earnest endeavor after filial obedience, and glorying in God through Christ, efficaciously wrought in them, and do nevertheless persist in the use of the means which God hath appointed for working these graces in us, ought not to be alarmed at the mention of reprobation, nor to rank themselves among the reprobate, but diligently to persevere in the use of means, and with ardent desires, devoutly and humbly to wait for a season of richer grace.  …  since a merciful God has promised that he will not quench the smoking flax, nor break the bruised reed.  …  

“And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence so as to realize the full assurance of hope until the end, so that you will not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.”  Hebrews 6:11-12.

“28 Do you not know? Have you not heard?
The Everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth
Does not become weary or tired.
His understanding is inscrutable.
29 He gives strength to the weary,
And to him who lacks might He increases power.
30 Though youths grow weary and tired,
And vigorous young men stumble badly,
31 Yet those who wait for the LORD
Will gain new strength;
They will mount up with wings like eagles,
They will run and not get tired,
They will walk and not become weary.” Isaiah 40:28-31.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | July 20, 2023

“an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you”

Today’s devotion comes from Numbers chapter 36.  Here is a link to this chapter – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Numbers%2036&version=NASB1995

I quote only the following verses.

“And the heads of the fathers’ households of the family of the sons of Gilead, the son of Machir, the son of Manasseh, of the families of the sons of Joseph, came near and spoke before Moses and before the leaders, the heads of the fathers’ households of the sons of Israel, and they said, “The LORD commanded my lord to give the land by lot to the sons of Israel as an inheritance, and my lord was commanded by the LORD to give the inheritance of Zelophehad our brother to his daughters.  But if they marry one of the sons of the other tribes of the sons of Israel, their inheritance will be withdrawn from the inheritance of our fathers and will be added to the inheritance of the tribe to which they belong;  thus it will be withdrawn from our allotted inheritance.  When the jubilee of the sons of Israel comes, then their inheritance will be added to the inheritance of the tribe to which they belong;  so their inheritance will be withdrawn from the inheritance of the tribe of our fathers.”

Then Moses commanded the sons of Israel according to the word of the LORD, saying, “The tribe of the sons of Joseph are right in their statements.  This is what the LORD has commanded concerning the daughters of Zelophehad, saying, ‘Let them marry whom they wish;  only they must marry within the family of the tribe of their father.’  Thus no inheritance of the sons of Israel shall be transferred from tribe to tribe, for the sons of Israel shall each hold to the inheritance of the tribe of his fathers.  …

Just as the LORD had commanded Moses, so the daughters of Zelophehad did:  Mahlah, Tirzah, Hoglah, Milcah and Noah, the daughters of Zelophehad married their uncles’ sons.  They married those from the families of the sons of Manasseh the son of Joseph, and their inheritance remained with the tribe of the family of their father.”  Numbers 36:1-7 and 10-12.

———————

It is fitting that this last chapter of the Book of Numbers is devoted to the preserving of an inheritance.  The LORD thereby is teaching us how important it is to Him, and how great our hope can be, that the LORD will preserve our inheritance.  

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.”  1 Peter 1:3-5. 

Consider the following from the Canons of Dordt in the section titled FIFTH HEAD OF DOCTRINE Of the Perseverance of the Saints.  

Article 3.  By reason of these remains of indwelling sin, and the temptations of sin and of the world, those who are converted could not persevere in a state of grace, if left to their own strength.  But God is faithful, who having conferred grace, mercifully confirms, and powerfully preserves them herein, even to the end.  

Article 8.  Thus, it is not in consequence of their own merits, or strength, but of God’s free mercy, that they do not totally fall from faith and grace, nor continue and perish finally in their backslidings;   which, with respect to themselves, is not only possible, but would undoubtedly happen;  but with respect to God, it is utterly impossible, since his counsel cannot be changed, nor his promise fail, neither can the call according to his purpose be revoked, nor the merit, intercession and preservation of Christ be rendered ineffectual, nor the sealing of the Holy Spirit be frustrated or obliterated.

Article 9.  Of this preservation of the elect to salvation, and of their perseverance in the faith, true believers for themselves may and ought to obtain assurance according to the measure of their faith, whereby they arrive at the certain persuasion, that they ever will continue true and living members of the church;  and that they experience forgiveness of sins, and will at last inherit eternal life.

“…  In Him (Christ) also we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will, to the end that we who were the first to hope in Christ would be to the praise of His glory.  In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation—having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God’s own possession, to the praise of His glory.”  Ephesians 1:10-14.

“And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.  For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren;  and these whom He predestined, He also called;  and these whom He called, He also justified;  and these whom He justified, He also glorified.”  Romans 8:28-30.

“My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me;  and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish;  and no one will snatch them out of My hand.  My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all;  and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand.”  John 10:27-29. 

“Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has chosen gladly to give you the kingdom.”  Luke 12:32.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | July 19, 2023

“without shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.” – “In Him we have redemption through His blood”

Today’s devotion comes from Numbers 35:29-34.

“‘These things shall be for a statutory ordinance to you throughout your generations in all your dwellings.

‘If anyone kills a person, the murderer shall be put to death at the evidence of witnesses, but no person shall be put to death on the testimony of one witness.  Moreover, you shall not take ransom for the life of a murderer who is guilty of death, but he shall surely be put to death.  You shall not take ransom for him who has fled to his city of refuge, that he may return to live in the land before the death of the priest.  So you shall not pollute the land in which you are;  for blood pollutes the land and no expiation can be made for the land for the blood that is shed on it, except by the blood of him who shed it.  You shall not defile the land in which you live, in the midst of which I dwell;  for I the LORD am dwelling in the midst of the sons of Israel.’”  Numbers 35:29-34.

——————-

“And according to the Law, one may almost say, all things are cleansed with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.”  Hebrews 9:22.

But, there is hope!

“He made Him (Christ) who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.”  2 Corinthians 5:21.

“But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things to come, He entered through the greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this creation;  and not through the blood of goats and calves, but through His own blood, He entered the holy place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption.”  Hebrews 9:11-12. 

“For by one offering He has perfected for all time those who are sanctified.”  Hebrews 10:14.

Consider the following from the Canons of Dordt in the section titled SECOND HEAD OF DOCTRINE Of the Death of Christ, and the Redemption of Men Thereby. 

Article 8.  For this was the sovereign counsel, and most gracious will and purpose of God the Father, that the quickening and saving efficacy of the most precious death of his Son should extend to all the elect, for bestowing upon them alone the gift of justifying faith, thereby to bring them infallibly to salvation:  that is, it was the will of God, that Christ by the blood of the cross, whereby he confirmed the new covenant, should effectually redeem out of every people, tribe, nation, and language, all those, and those only, who were from eternity chosen to salvation, and given to him by the Father;  that he should confer upon them faith, which together with all the other saving gifts of the Holy Spirit, he purchased for them by his death;  should purge them from all sin, both original and actual, whether committed before or after believing;  and having faithfully preserved them even to the end, should at last bring them free from every spot and blemish to the enjoyment of glory in his own presence forever.

“In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace which He lavished on us.  …”  Ephesians 1:7-8. 

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | July 18, 2023

“the congregation shall judge between the slayer and the blood avenger” – “Righteousness and justice are the foundation of His throne.”

Today’s devotion comes from Numbers 35:16-28.

“‘But if he struck him down with an iron object, so that he died, he is a murderer;  the murderer shall surely be put to death.  If he struck him down with a stone in the hand, by which he will die, and as a result he died, he is a murderer;  the murderer shall surely be put to death.  Or if he struck him with a wooden object in the hand, by which he might die, and as a result he died, he is a murderer;  the murderer shall surely be put to death.  The blood avenger himself shall put the murderer to death;  he shall put him to death when he meets him.  If he pushed him of hatred, or threw something at him lying in wait and as a result he died, or if he struck him down with his hand in enmity, and as a result he died, the one who struck him shall surely be put to death, he is a murderer;  the blood avenger shall put the murderer to death when he meets him.

‘But if he pushed him suddenly without enmity, or threw something at him without lying in wait, or with any deadly object of stone, and without seeing it dropped on him so that he died, while he was not his enemy nor seeking his injury, then the congregation shall judge between the slayer and the blood avenger according to these ordinances.  The congregation shall deliver the manslayer from the hand of the blood avenger, and the congregation shall restore him to his city of refuge to which he fled;  and he shall live in it until the death of the high priest who was anointed with the holy oil.  But if the manslayer at any time goes beyond the border of his city of refuge to which he may flee, and the blood avenger finds him outside the border of his city of refuge, and the blood avenger kills the manslayer, he will not be guilty of blood because he should have remained in his city of refuge until the death of the high priest.  But after the death of the high priest the manslayer shall return to the land of his possession.”  Numbers 35:16-28.

————–

A trial by jury is comparable to “the congregation shall judge between the slayer and the blood avenger according to these ordinances.”  Verse 24.  Likewise, in yesterday’s Scripture, we read:  “The cities shall be to you as a refuge from the avenger, so that the manslayer will not die until he stands before the congregation for trial.”  Numbers 35:12.  

A trial by jury is one of the pillars of justice and should be treasured as a provision of the LORD.

“Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne;
Lovingkindness and truth go before You.” Psalm 89:14.

“The LORD reigns, let the earth rejoice;
Let the many islands be glad.
2 Clouds and thick darkness surround Him;
Righteousness and justice are the foundation of His throne.” Psalm 97:1-2.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | July 17, 2023

“I am the LORD who exercises lovingkindness, justice and righteousness on earth; for I delight in these things,” declares the LORD.”

Today’s devotion comes from Numbers 35:1-15.  Here is a link to this Scripture – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Numbers%2035&version=NASB1995

I quote only the following verses.

“Now the LORD spoke to Moses in the plains of Moab by the Jordan opposite Jericho, saying, “Command the sons of Israel that they give to the Levites from the inheritance of their possession cities to live in;  and you shall give to the Levites pasture lands around the cities.  The cities shall be theirs to live in; and their pasture lands shall be for their cattle and for their herds and for all their beasts.

…

The cities which you shall give to the Levites shall be the six cities of refuge, which you shall give for the manslayer to flee to;  and in addition to them you shall give forty-two cities.  All the cities which you shall give to the Levites shall be forty-eight cities, together with their pasture lands.  …

Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, “Speak to the sons of Israel and say to them, ‘When you cross the Jordan into the land of Canaan, then you shall select for yourselves cities to be your cities of refuge, that the manslayer who has killed any person unintentionally may flee there.  The cities shall be to you as a refuge from the avenger, so that the manslayer will not die until he stands before the congregation for trial.  The cities which you are to give shall be your six cities of refuge.”  Numbers 35:1-3 and 6-7 and 9-13.

—————–

Today’s Scripture, through God’s provision of cities of refuge, gives us opportunity to meditate on the lovingkindness, justice, and righteousness of God.

In tomorrow’s devotion, God willing, we will consider more examples of unintentional conduct of the manslayer compared to examples of intentional conduct of the manslayer.  But, I thought the following example is one of the clearest examples of unintentional conduct of the manslayer.

“Now this is the case of the manslayer who may flee there and live:  when he kills his friend unintentionally, not hating him previously— as when a man goes into the forest with his friend to cut wood, and his hand swings the axe to cut down the tree, and the iron head slips off the handle and strikes his friend so that he dies—he may flee to one of these cities and live;”  Deuteronomy 19:4-5. 

We note in today’s Scripture that the manslayer is not off the hook, not completely free, by fleeing to the city of refuge, the manslayer will still need to stand trial.  It is possible that the manslayer may be tried and found guilty of intentional murder and put to death as a murderer, or he may be found guilty of unintentional killing and still receive some punishment proportionate to the guilt of his conduct even though he would not be put to death as a murderer.  

But, these cities of death protect the manslayer from the avenger “so that the manslayer will not die until he stands before the congregation for trial.”  So, these cities of refuge are an exercise of God of lovingkindness, justice and righteousness on earth;  for the LORD delights in these things. 

“Thus says the LORD, “Let not a wise man boast of his wisdom, and let not the mighty man boast of his might, let not a rich man boast of his riches;  but let him who boasts boast of this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD who exercises lovingkindness, justice and righteousness on earth;  for I delight in these things,” declares the LORD.”  Jeremiah 9:23-24.

“He loves righteousness and justice;
The earth is full of the lovingkindness of the LORD.” Psalm 33:5.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | July 16, 2023

“For He has strengthened the bars of your gates; He has blessed your sons within you. He makes peace in your borders”

Today’s devotion comes from Numbers chapter 34.  Here is a link to this Scripture – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Numbers%2034&version=NASB1995

I quote only the following verses.

“Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, “Command the sons of Israel and say to them, ‘When you enter the land of Canaan, this is the land that shall fall to you as an inheritance, even the land of Canaan according to its borders.  …

…

So Moses commanded the sons of Israel, saying, “This is the land that you are to apportion by lot among you as a possession, which the LORD has commanded to give to the nine and a half tribes.  For the tribe of the sons of Reuben have received theirs according to their fathers’ households, and the tribe of the sons of Gad according to their fathers’ households, and the half-tribe of Manasseh have received their possession.  The two and a half tribes have received their possession across the Jordan opposite Jericho, eastward toward the sunrising.”  

Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, “These are the names of the men who shall apportion the land to you for inheritance:  Eleazar the priest and Joshua the son of Nun.  You shall take one leader of every tribe to apportion the land for inheritance.  These are the names of the men: of the tribe of Judah, Caleb the son of Jephunneh.”  Numbers 34:1-2 and 13-19.

———————-

The LORD was not only concerned about driving out the inhabitants of the land as He commanded in Numbers 33:50-56, the LORD was also concerned about clearly establishing the borders of Canaan (the inheritance that He had given to Israel), and the LORD was also concerned about appointing leaders to apportion the land so that each tribe would receive a portion of Canaan as an inheritance for each tribe. Later, we also read: “Thus no inheritance of the sons of Israel shall be transferred from tribe to tribe, for the sons of Israel shall each hold to the inheritance of the tribe of his fathers.”  Numbers 36:7.

The establishment of borders gives us hope that the LORD makes peace in your borders also described as “He has strengthened the bars of your gates”. 

“12 Praise the LORD, O Jerusalem!
Praise your God, O Zion!
13 For He has strengthened the bars of your gates;
He has blessed your sons within you.
14 He makes peace in your borders;
He satisfies you with the finest of the wheat.” Psalm 147:12-14.

The inheritance given and preserved for each tribe also gives us hope that there will be people saved by God from “every tribe and tongue and people and nation.”

“And they *sang a new song, saying,

“Worthy are You to take the book and to break its seals;  for You were slain, and purchased for God with Your blood men from every tribe and tongue and people and nation.

“You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to our God;  and they will reign upon the earth.”  Revelation 5:9-10.

“And I heard the number of those who were sealed, one hundred and forty-four thousand sealed from every tribe of the sons of Israel:

from the tribe of Judah, twelve thousand were sealed, from the tribe of Reuben twelve thousand, from the tribe of Gad twelve thousand, from the tribe of Asher twelve thousand, from the tribe of Naphtali twelve thousand, from the tribe of Manasseh twelve thousand, from the tribe of Simeon twelve thousand, from the tribe of Levi twelve thousand, from the tribe of Issachar twelve thousand, from the tribe of Zebulun twelve thousand, from the tribe of Joseph twelve thousand, from the tribe of Benjamin, twelve thousand were sealed.

After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could count, from every nation and all tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, and palm branches were in their hands;  and they cry out with a loud voice, saying,

“Salvation to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.”  Revelation 7:4-10.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | July 14, 2023

“For by these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, so that by them you may become partakers of the divine nature”

Today’s devotion comes from Numbers 33:50-56.  Here is a link to this Scripture – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Numbers%2033&version=NASB1995

I quote only the following verses.

“Then the LORD spoke to Moses in the plains of Moab by the Jordan opposite Jericho, saying, “Speak to the sons of Israel and say to them, ‘When you cross over the Jordan into the land of Canaan, then you shall drive out all the inhabitants of the land from before you, and destroy all their figured stones, and destroy all their molten images and demolish all their high places;  and you shall take possession of the land and live in it, for I have given the land to you to possess it.  …  But if you do not drive out the inhabitants of the land from before you, then it shall come about that those whom you let remain of them will become as pricks in your eyes and as thorns in your sides, and they will trouble you in the land in which you live.  And as I plan to do to them, so I will do to you.’”  Numbers 33:50-53 and 55-56.

—————

Today’s Scripture leads us to consider how the world around us can distract us from our devotion to the LORD, lead us astray, and tempt us to follow its practices and sin. 

We are different from the world, but the world pressures us to be like the world and follow the world’s desires rather than follow God’s will for our lives.  

“Beloved, I urge you as aliens and strangers to abstain from fleshly lusts which wage war against the soul.  Keep your behavior excellent among the Gentiles, so that in the thing in which they slander you as evildoers, they may because of your good deeds, as they observe them, glorify God in the day of visitation.”  1 Peter 2:11-12.

“Therefore, prepare your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.  As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance, but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior;  because it is written, “YOU SHALL BE HOLY, FOR I AM HOLY.”  1 Peter 1:13-16.

But, there is hope!

“But you are A CHOSEN RACE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR God’s OWN POSSESSION, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;  for you once were NOT A PEOPLE, but now you are THE PEOPLE OF GOD;  you had NOT RECEIVED MERCY, but now you have RECEIVED MERCY.”  1 Peter 2:9-10.

“Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord;  seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence.  For by these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, so that by them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust.”  2 Peter 1:2-4.

“But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.  …  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.  Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.”  Galatians 5:16 and 22-24.

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him.  In love He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved.”  Ephesians 1:3-6.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | July 13, 2023

“Nevertheless He looked upon their distress When He heard their cry; … Save us, O LORD our God”

Today’s devotion comes from Numbers 33:1-49.  Here is a link to this Scripture – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Numbers%2033&version=NASB1995

I quote only the following verses.

“These are the journeys of the sons of Israel, by which they came out from the land of Egypt by their armies, under the leadership of Moses and Aaron.  Moses recorded their starting places according to their journeys by the command of the LORD, and these are their journeys according to their starting places.  They journeyed from Rameses in the first month, on the fifteenth day of the first month;  on the next day after the Passover the sons of Israel started out boldly in the sight of all the Egyptians, while the Egyptians were burying all their firstborn whom the LORD had struck down among them.  The LORD had also executed judgments on their gods.

Then the sons of Israel journeyed from Rameses and camped in Succoth.  They journeyed from Succoth and camped in Etham, which is on the edge of the wilderness.  They journeyed from Etham and turned back to Pi-hahiroth, which faces Baal-zephon, and they camped before Migdol.  They journeyed from before Hahiroth and passed through the midst of the sea into the wilderness;  and they went three days’ journey in the wilderness of Etham and camped at Marah.  They journeyed from Marah and came to Elim;  and in Elim there were twelve springs of water and seventy palm trees, and they camped there.  They journeyed from Elim and camped by the Red Sea.  They journeyed from the Red Sea and camped in the wilderness of Sin.”  Numbers 33:1-11. 

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Today’s Scripture mentions Elim and the wilderness of Sin.  “They journeyed from Elim and camped by the Red Sea.  They journeyed from the Red Sea and camped in the wilderness of Sin.”  Verses 10-11.  So, I will present an example of Israel’s grumblings and God’s deliverance.  

“Then they set out from Elim, and all the congregation of the sons of Israel came to the wilderness of Sin, which is between Elim and Sinai, on the fifteenth day of the second month after their departure from the land of Egypt.  The whole congregation of the sons of Israel grumbled against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness.  The sons of Israel said to them, “Would that we had died by the LORD’S hand in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the pots of meat, when we ate bread to the full; for you have brought us out into this wilderness to kill this whole assembly with hunger.”

Then the LORD said to Moses, “Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you;  and the people shall go out and gather a day’s portion every day, that I may test them, whether or not they will walk in My instruction.  On the sixth day, when they prepare what they bring in, it will be twice as much as they gather daily.”  So Moses and Aaron said to all the sons of Israel, “At evening you will know that the LORD has brought you out of the land of Egypt;  and in the morning you will see the glory of the LORD, for He hears your grumblings against the LORD;  and what are we, that you grumble against us?”  Exodus 16:1-7.

Psalm chapter 106 presents a lengthy history of summary of Israel’s grumblings, rebelliousness, and their other sins through their journeys. Here is a link to Psalm chapter 106 –  https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%20106&version=NASB1995  

“43 Many times He would deliver them;
They, however, were rebellious in their counsel,
And so sank down in their iniquity.

44 Nevertheless He looked upon their distress
When He heard their cry;
45 And He remembered His covenant for their sake,
And relented according to the greatness of His lovingkindness.
46 He also made them objects of compassion
In the presence of all their captors.

47 Save us, O LORD our God,
And gather us from among the nations,
To give thanks to Your holy name
And glory in Your praise.
48 Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel,
From everlasting even to everlasting.” Psalm 106:43-47.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | July 12, 2023

“Therefore encourage one another and build up one another, just as you also are doing.”

Today’s devotion comes from Numbers chapter 32.  Here is a link to this Scripture – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Numbers%2032&version=NASB1995

I quote only the following verses.

“Now the sons of Reuben and the sons of Gad had an exceedingly large number of livestock.  So when they saw the land of Jazer and the land of Gilead, that it was indeed a place suitable for livestock, the sons of Gad and the sons of Reuben came and spoke to Moses and to Eleazar the priest and to the leaders of the congregation, saying, “Ataroth, Dibon, Jazer, Nimrah, Heshbon, Elealeh, Sebam, Nebo and Beon, the land which the LORD conquered before the congregation of Israel, is a land for livestock, and your servants have livestock.”  They said, “If we have found favor in your sight, let this land be given to your servants as a possession; do not take us across the Jordan.”

But Moses said to the sons of Gad and to the sons of Reuben, “Shall your brothers go to war while you yourselves sit here?  Now why are you discouraging the sons of Israel from crossing over into the land which the LORD has given them?  This is what your fathers did when I sent them from Kadesh-barnea to see the land.  For when they went up to the valley of Eshcol and saw the land, they discouraged the sons of Israel so that they did not go into the land which the LORD had given them.  …

Then they came near to him and said, “We will build here sheepfolds for our livestock and cities for our little ones;  but we ourselves will be armed ready to go before the sons of Israel, until we have brought them to their place, while our little ones live in the fortified cities because of the inhabitants of the land.  We will not return to our homes until every one of the sons of Israel has possessed his inheritance.  For we will not have an inheritance with them on the other side of the Jordan and beyond, because our inheritance has fallen to us on this side of the Jordan toward the east.”

So Moses said to them, “If you will do this, if you will arm yourselves before the LORD for the war, and all of you armed men cross over the Jordan before the LORD until He has driven His enemies out from before Him, and the land is subdued before the LORD, then afterward you shall return and be free of obligation toward the LORD and toward Israel, and this land shall be yours for a possession before the LORD.  But if you will not do so, behold, you have sinned against the LORD, and be sure your sin will find you out.  Build yourselves cities for your little ones, and sheepfolds for your sheep, and do what you have promised.”

The sons of Gad and the sons of Reuben spoke to Moses, saying, “Your servants will do just as my lord commands.  Our little ones, our wives, our livestock and all our cattle shall remain there in the cities of Gilead;  while your servants, everyone who is armed for war, will cross over in the presence of the LORD to battle, just as my lord says.”  Numbers 32:1-9 and 16-27.

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As highlighted above, the lesson that we can learn from Moses is the importance of not discouraging others.  Instead, we need to encourage one another and build them up.

“For God has not destined us for wrath, but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep, we will live together with Him.  Therefore encourage one another and build up one another, just as you also are doing.”  1 Thessalonians 5:9-11.

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