Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | May 19, 2023

“He took his stand between the dead and the living, so that the plague was checked.”

Today’s devotion comes from Numbers 16:41-50.  I am going on vacation.  My next devotion, God willing, will be on Sunday, May 28, 2023.

“But on the next day all the congregation of the sons of Israel grumbled against Moses and Aaron, saying, “You are the ones who have caused the death of the LORD’S people.”  It came about, however, when the congregation had assembled against Moses and Aaron, that they turned toward the tent of meeting, and behold, the cloud covered it and the glory of the LORD appeared.  Then Moses and Aaron came to the front of the tent of meeting, and the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, “Get away from among this congregation, that I may consume them instantly.”  Then they fell on their faces.  Moses said to Aaron, “Take your censer and put in it fire from the altar, and lay incense on it;  then bring it quickly to the congregation and make atonement for them, for wrath has gone forth from the LORD, the plague has begun!”  Then Aaron took it as Moses had spoken, and ran into the midst of the assembly, for behold, the plague had begun among the people.  So he put on the incense and made atonement for the people.  He took his stand between the dead and the living, so that the plague was checked.  But those who died by the plague were 14,700, besides those who died on account of Korah.  Then Aaron returned to Moses at the doorway of the tent of meeting, for the plague had been checked.”  Numbers 16:41-50.

————-

“He took his stand between the dead and the living, so that the plague was checked.”  Verse 48.

This verse points us to Christ.  We were all dead in our transgressions, and Christ interceded for us, God’s elect, so that we were made alive.

“And you were dead in your trespasses and sins, in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience.  Among them we too all formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest.  But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved),”  Ephesians 2:1-5. 

“And He saw that there was no man,
And was astonished that there was no one to intercede;
Then His own arm brought salvation to Him,
And His righteousness upheld Him.” Isaiah 59:16.

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.

“But the LORD was pleased
To crush Him, putting Him to grief;
If He would render Himself as a guilt offering,
He will see His offspring,
He will prolong His days,
And the good pleasure of the LORD will prosper in His hand.” Isaiah 53:10.

“But He was pierced through for our transgressions,
He was crushed for our iniquities;
The chastening for our well-being fell upon Him,
And by His scourging we are healed.” Isaiah 52:5.

“… Yet He Himself bore the sin of many,
And interceded for the transgressors.” Isaiah 53:12.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | May 18, 2023

“everyone among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think” – “we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us” – “we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.”

Today’s devotion comes from Numbers 16:36-40.  Here is a link to this Scripture – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Numbers%2016&version=NASB1995

“So Eleazar the priest took the bronze censers which the men who were burned had offered, and they hammered them out as a plating for the altar, as a reminder to the sons of Israel that no layman who is not of the descendants of Aaron should come near to burn incense before the LORD;  so that he will not become like Korah and his company—just as the LORD had spoken to him through Moses.”  Numbers 16:39-40.

———————–

We remember that Korah and his company were jealous of of Moses and Aaron.

“Now Korah the son of Izhar, the son of Kohath, the son of Levi, with Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab, and On the son of Peleth, sons of Reuben, took action, and they rose up before Moses, together with some of the sons of Israel, two hundred and fifty leaders of the congregation, chosen in the assembly, men of renown.  They assembled together against Moses and Aaron, and said to them, “You have gone far enough, for all the congregation are holy, every one of them, and the LORD is in their midst;  so why do you exalt yourselves above the assembly of the LORD?”  Numbers 16:1-3. 

And, we remember that the LORD punished Korah and his company.

Moses said:  “But if the LORD brings about an entirely new thing and the ground opens its mouth and swallows them up with all that is theirs, and they descend alive into Sheol, then you will understand that these men have spurned the LORD.”  Numbers 16:30.

“As he finished speaking all these words, the ground that was under them split open;  and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them up, and their households, and all the men who belonged to Korah with their possessions.  So they and all that belonged to them went down alive to Sheol;  and the earth closed over them, and they perished from the midst of the assembly.  All Israel who were around them fled at their outcry, for they said, “The earth may swallow us up!”  Fire also came forth from the LORD and consumed the two hundred and fifty men who were offering the incense.”  Numbers 16:31-35.

But, there is hope for us today that we “will not become like Korah and his company”!

“For through the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith.  For just as we have many members in one body and all the members do not have the same function, so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.  Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, each of us is to exercise them accordingly:  if prophecy, according to the proportion of his faith;  if service, in his serving;  or he who teaches, in his teaching;  or he who exhorts, in his exhortation;  he who gives, with liberality;  he who leads, with diligence;  he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.”  Romans 12:3-8.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | May 17, 2023

“He who walks with wise men will be wise, But the companion of fools will suffer harm.”

Today’s devotion comes from Numbers 16:12-35.  Here is a link to this Scripture – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Numbers%2016&version=NASB1995

I quote only the following verses.

“Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, “Speak to the congregation, saying, ‘Get back from around the dwellings of Korah, Dathan and Abiram.’”

Then Moses arose and went to Dathan and Abiram, with the elders of Israel following him, and he spoke to the congregation, saying, “Depart now from the tents of these wicked men, and touch nothing that belongs to them, or you will be swept away in all their sin.”  So they got back from around the dwellings of Korah, Dathan and Abiram; and Dathan and Abiram came out and stood at the doorway of their tents, along with their wives and their sons and their little ones.  Moses said, “By this you shall know that the LORD has sent me to do all these deeds;  for this is not my doing.  If these men die the death of all men or if they suffer the fate of all men, then the LORD has not sent me.  But if the LORD brings about an entirely new thing and the ground opens its mouth and swallows them up with all that is theirs, and they descend alive into Sheol, then you will understand that these men have spurned the LORD.”

As he finished speaking all these words, the ground that was under them split open;  and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them up, and their households, and all the men who belonged to Korah with their possessions.  So they and all that belonged to them went down alive to Sheol;  and the earth closed over them, and they perished from the midst of the assembly.  All Israel who were around them fled at their outcry, for they said, “The earth may swallow us up!”  Fire also came forth from the LORD and consumed the two hundred and fifty men who were offering the incense.”  Numbers 16:23-35.

——————

“16 When they became envious of Moses in the camp,
And of Aaron, the holy one of the Lord,
17 The earth opened and swallowed up Dathan,
And engulfed the company of Abiram.
18 And a fire blazed up in their company;
The flame consumed the wicked.” Psalm 106:16-18.

“He who walks with wise men will be wise,
But the companion of fools will suffer harm.” Proverbs 13:20.

“24 Do not associate with a man given to anger;
Or go with a hot-tempered man,
25 Or you will learn his ways
And find a snare for yourself.” Proverbs 22:24-25.

But, there is hope!

“How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked,
Nor stand in the path of sinners,
Nor sit in the seat of scoffers!
2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD,
And in His law he meditates day and night.” Psalm 1:1-2.

“But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption, so that, just as it is written, “LET HIM WHO BOASTS, BOAST IN THE LORD.”  1 Corinthians 1:30-31.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | May 16, 2023

“But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy.”

Today’s devotion comes from Numbers 16:8-11.

“Then Moses said to Korah, “Hear now, you sons of Levi, is it not enough for you that the God of Israel has separated you from the rest of the congregation of Israel, to bring you near to Himself, to do the service of the tabernacle of the LORD, and to stand before the congregation to minister to them;  and that He has brought you near, Korah, and all your brothers, sons of Levi, with you?  And are you seeking for the priesthood also?  Therefore you and all your company are gathered together against the LORD;  but as for Aaron, who is he that you grumble against him?”  Numbers 16:8-11.

—————

“But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, do not be arrogant and so lie against the truth.  This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, natural, demonic.  For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every evil thing.  But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy.  And the seed whose fruit is righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.”  James 3:14-18.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | May 15, 2023

“How blessed is the one whom You choose and bring near to You”

Today’s devotion comes from Numbers 16:1-7.

“Now Korah the son of Izhar, the son of Kohath, the son of Levi, with Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab, and On the son of Peleth, sons of Reuben, took action, and they rose up before Moses, together with some of the sons of Israel, two hundred and fifty leaders of the congregation, chosen in the assembly, men of renown.  They assembled together against Moses and Aaron, and said to them, “You have gone far enough, for all the congregation are holy, every one of them, and the LORD is in their midst;  so why do you exalt yourselves above the assembly of the LORD?”

When Moses heard this, he fell on his face;  and he spoke to Korah and all his company, saying, “Tomorrow morning the LORD will show who is His, and who is holy, and will bring him near to Himself;  even the one whom He will choose, He will bring near to Himself.  Do this:  take censers for yourselves, Korah and all your company, and put fire in them, and lay incense upon them in the presence of the LORD tomorrow;  and the man whom the LORD chooses shall be the one who is holy.  You have gone far enough, you sons of Levi!”  Numbers 16:1-7.

——————-

If we desire to be “His, and who is holy” and whom God “will bring him near to Himself”;  and if we desire to be “even the one whom He will choose”;  then why do we neglect the Reformed Doctrine of Election?

Why do we treat predestination as if it was distasteful?

Why do we hide it and minimize it?

“For consider your calling, brethren, that there were not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble;  but God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong, and the base things of the world and the despised God has chosen, the things that are not, so that He may nullify the things that are, so that no man may boast before God.  But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption, so that, just as it is written, “LET HIM WHO BOASTS, BOAST IN THE LORD.”  1 Corinthians 1:26-31.

“But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.  For by grace you have been saved through faith;  and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God;  not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.”  Ephesians 2:4-9.

Consider the following from Canon of Dordt in the section titled FIRST HEAD OF DOCTRINE Of Divine Predestination in which it is stated:  “election is the fountain of every saving good;  from which proceed faith, holiness, and the other gifts of salvation, and finally eternal life itself”.

Article 9.  This election was not founded upon foreseen faith, and the obedience of faith, holiness, or any other good quality of disposition in man, as the pre-requisite, cause or condition on which it depended;  but men are chosen to faith and to the obedience of faith, holiness, etc., therefore election is the fountain of every saving good;  from which proceed faith, holiness, and the other gifts of salvation, and finally eternal life itself, as its fruits and effects, according to that of the apostle:  “He hath chosen us (not because we were) but that we should be holy, and without blame, before him in love,”  Ephesians 1:4.

“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.

“How blessed is the one whom You choose and bring near to You
To dwell in Your courts.
We will be satisfied with the goodness of Your house,
Your holy temple.” Psalm 65:4.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | May 14, 2023

“so that you may remember to do all My commandments and be holy to your God.”

Today’s devotion comes from Numbers 15:32-41.

“Now while the sons of Israel were in the wilderness, they found a man gathering wood on the sabbath day.  Those who found him gathering wood brought him to Moses and Aaron and to all the congregation;  and they put him in custody because it had not been declared what should be done to him.  Then the LORD said to Moses, “The man shall surely be put to death;  all the congregation shall stone him with stones outside the camp.”  So all the congregation brought him outside the camp and stoned him to death with stones, just as the LORD had commanded Moses.

The LORD also spoke to Moses, saying, “Speak to the sons of Israel, and tell them that they shall make for themselves tassels on the corners of their garments throughout their generations, and that they shall put on the tassel of each corner a cord of blue.  It shall be a tassel for you to look at and remember all the commandments of the LORD, so as to do them and not follow after your own heart and your own eyes, after which you played the harlot, so that you may remember to do all My commandments and be holy to your God.  I am the LORD your God who brought you out from the land of Egypt to be your God;  I am the LORD your God.”  Numbers 15:32-41.

————————–

The theme of today’s devotion is God’s provisions “so that you may remember to do all My commandments and be holy to your God.”

Let us not dismiss today’s Scripture thinking that the tassels on the corners of the garments with a cord of blue would look ridiculous.  Our primary thought, our only thought, should be: how can we remember to do all of God’s commandments and be holy to our God?!  

God has provided much more.  

There are churches that we can attend with worship services, preaching, and sacraments.  The churches also provide Sunday school, Bible studies, and some churches even provide catechism classes.  

There are Bibles that we can buy, and there are also churches and other organizations like the Gideons that give out Bibles for free.

There are other good books that we can buy or borrow which help explain the Bible.  

There are Scriptures written on bracelets and signs that we can wear or put up in our home.  

But, God has provided even more, the very best, the Holy Spirit!   

“But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you.”  John 14:26. 

“But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth;  for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak;  and He will disclose to you what is to come.  He will glorify Me, for He will take of Mine and will disclose it to you.  All things that the Father has are Mine; therefore I said that He takes of Mine and will disclose it to you.”  John 16:13-15.

“I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will be careful to observe My ordinances.”  Ezekiel 36:27. 

“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.”  Galatians 5:16 and 22-23.  

“And the Holy Spirit also testifies to us; for after saying,

“THIS IS THE COVENANT THAT I WILL MAKE WITH THEM
AFTER THOSE DAYS, SAYS THE LORD:
I WILL PUT MY LAWS UPON THEIR HEART,
AND ON THEIR MIND I WILL WRITE THEM,”

He then says,

“AND THEIR SINS AND THEIR LAWLESS DEEDS
I WILL REMEMBER NO MORE.” Hebrews 10:15-17.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | May 12, 2023

“Therefore, my brethren, you also were made to die to the Law through the body of Christ, so that you might be joined to another, to Him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit for God.”

Today’s devotion comes from Numbers 15:22-31.

“‘But when you unwittingly fail and do not observe all these commandments, which the LORD has spoken to Moses, even all that the LORD has commanded you through Moses, from the day when the LORD gave commandment and onward throughout your generations, then it shall be, if it is done unintentionally, without the knowledge of the congregation, that all the congregation shall offer one bull for a burnt offering, as a soothing aroma to the LORD, with its grain offering and its drink offering, according to the ordinance, and one male goat for a sin offering.  Then the priest shall make atonement for all the congregation of the sons of Israel, and they will be forgiven;  for it was an error, and they have brought their offering, an offering by fire to the LORD, and their sin offering before the LORD, for their error.  So all the congregation of the sons of Israel will be forgiven, with the alien who sojourns among them, for it happened to all the people through error.

‘Also if one person sins unintentionally, then he shall offer a one year old female goat for a sin offering.  The priest shall make atonement before the LORD for the person who goes astray when he sins unintentionally, making atonement for him that he may be forgiven.  You shall have one law for him who does anything unintentionally, for him who is native among the sons of Israel and for the alien who sojourns among them.  But the person who does anything defiantly, whether he is native or an alien, that one is blaspheming the LORD;  and that person shall be cut off from among his people.  Because he has despised the word of the LORD and has broken His commandment, that person shall be completely cut off;  his guilt will be on him.’”  Numbers 15:22-31.

————–

It is not difficult for us to understand that there should be (and is) a distinction between unintentional sins and intentional sins.  

But, when we only consider today’s Scripture, it may be more difficult to understand why so much of today’s Scripture is devoted to unintentional sins, because it may seem that we sin much more intentionally than unintentionally.  But, that perception could be based on our sin that we only pay attention to the top ten sins, so to speak, namely the Ten Commandments, and that there are many more commandments that we unwittingly fail and do not observe.  

It is not difficult for us to understand that there should be (and is) a path for forgiveness for unintentional sins.

But, when we only consider today’s Scripture, it may be more difficult to understand why there was no path for forgiveness in today’s Scripture for intentional sins.  “But the person who does anything defiantly, whether he is native or an alien, that one is blaspheming the LORD;  and that person shall be cut off from among his people.  Because he has despised the word of the LORD and has broken His commandment, that person shall be completely cut off;  his guilt will be on him.’”  Verses 30-31.

But, there is hope!

“Therefore, my brethren, you also were made to die to the Law through the body of Christ, so that you might be joined to another, to Him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit for God.  For while we were in the flesh, the sinful passions, which were aroused by the Law, were at work in the members of our body to bear fruit for death.  But now we have been released from the Law, having died to that by which we were bound, so that we serve in newness of the Spirit and not in oldness of the letter.

What shall we say then? Is the Law sin?  May it never be!  On the contrary, I would not have come to know sin except through the Law;  for I would not have known about coveting if the Law had not said, “YOU SHALL NOT COVET.”  But sin, taking opportunity through the commandment, produced in me coveting of every kind;  for apart from the Law sin is dead.  I was once alive apart from the Law; but when the commandment came, sin became alive and I died;  and this commandment, which was to result in life, proved to result in death for me;  for sin, taking an opportunity through the commandment, deceived me and through it killed me.”  Romans 7:4-11.

“But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law, so that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.  Because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba!  Father!”  Therefore you are no longer a slave, but a son;  and if a son, then an heir through God.”  Galatians 4:4-7.

“Therefore the Law has become our tutor to lead us to Christ, so that we may be justified by faith.  But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor.  For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.”  Galatians 3:24-26.

“For if those who are of the Law are heirs, faith is made void and the promise is nullified;  for the Law brings about wrath, but where there is no law, there also is no violation.”  Romans 4:14-15.

“For sin shall not be master over you, for you are not under law but under grace.”  Romans 6:14.

“But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law.”  Galatians 5:18.

“For if I rebuild what I have once destroyed, I prove myself to be a transgressor.  For through the Law I died to the Law, so that I might live to God.  I have been crucified with Christ;  and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me;  and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.  I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness comes through the Law, then Christ died needlessly.”  Galatians 2:18-21.

“For, on the one hand, there is a setting aside of a former commandment because of its weakness and uselessness (for the Law made nothing perfect), and on the other hand there is a bringing in of a better hope, through which we draw near to God.”  Hebrews 7:19.

“For the Law, since it has only a shadow of the good things to come and not the very form of things, can never, by the same sacrifices which they offer continually year by year, make perfect those who draw near.  …  By this will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.  …  For by one offering He has perfected for all time those who are sanctified.”  Hebrews 10:1 and 10 and 14.

“And the Holy Spirit also testifies to us; for after saying,

“THIS IS THE COVENANT THAT I WILL MAKE WITH THEM
AFTER THOSE DAYS, SAYS THE LORD:
I WILL PUT MY LAWS UPON THEIR HEART,
AND ON THEIR MIND I WILL WRITE THEM,”

He then says,

17 “AND THEIR SINS AND THEIR LAWLESS DEEDS
I WILL REMEMBER NO MORE.”

Now where there is forgiveness of these things, there is no longer any offering for sin.” Hebrews 10:15-18.

“For of His fullness we have all received, and grace upon grace.  For the Law was given through Moses;  grace and truth were realized through Jesus Christ.”  John 1:16-17.

“It was for freedom that Christ set us free;  therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery.”  

“You have been severed from Christ, you who are seeking to be justified by law;  you have fallen from grace.  For we through the Spirit, by faith, are waiting for the hope of righteousness.”  Galatians 5:4-5.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | May 11, 2023

“But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness” – “I have spoken of Your faithfulness and Your salvation” – “we serve in newness of the Spirit and not in oldness of the letter”

Today’s devotion comes from Numbers 15:17-21.

“Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, “Speak to the sons of Israel and say to them, ‘When you enter the land where I bring you, then it shall be, that when you eat of the food of the land, you shall lift up an offering to the LORD.  Of the first of your dough you shall lift up a cake as an offering;  as the offering of the threshing floor, so you shall lift it up.  From the first of your dough you shall give to the LORD an offering throughout your generations.”   Numbers 15:17-21.

—————-

Today’s Scripture reminds me of the prayer that we offer to the LORD when we sit down for a meal and ask the LORD to bless the food.  But, we often do it as a legal duty or formality without much true spiritual thoughtfulness or thanks.  We may be thinking more of the food and our other earthly needs than the LORD and His spiritual kingdom.     

The following Scriptures may help us get back on track.

“6 Sacrifice and meal offering You have not desired;
My ears You have opened;
Burnt offering and sin offering You have not required.
7 Then I said, “Behold, I come;
In the scroll of the book it is written of me.
8 I delight to do Your will, O my God;
Your Law is within my heart.”

9 I have proclaimed glad tidings of righteousness in the great congregation;
Behold, I will not restrain my lips,
O LORD, You know.
10 I have not hidden Your righteousness within my heart;
I have spoken of Your faithfulness and Your salvation;
I have not concealed Your lovingkindness and Your truth from the great congregation.” Psalm 40:6-10.

“Do not worry then, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear for clothing?’  For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things;  for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.  But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

“So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself.  Each day has enough trouble of its own.”  Matthew 6:31-34.

“Therefore, my brethren, you also were made to die to the Law through the body of Christ, so that you might be joined to another, to Him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit for God.  For while we were in the flesh, the sinful passions, which were aroused by the Law, were at work in the members of our body to bear fruit for death.  But now we have been released from the Law, having died to that by which we were bound, so that we serve in newness of the Spirit and not in oldness of the letter.”  Romans 7:4-6.

“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.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | May 10, 2023

“There is to be one law and one ordinance for you and for the alien who sojourns with you.” – “For there is no partiality with God.”

Today’s devotion comes from Numbers 15:14-16.

“If an alien sojourns with you, or one who may be among you throughout your generations, and he wishes to make an offering by fire, as a soothing aroma to the LORD, just as you do so he shall do.  As for the assembly, there shall be one statute for you and for the alien who sojourns with you, a perpetual statute throughout your generations;  as you are, so shall the alien be before the LORD.  There is to be one law and one ordinance for you and for the alien who sojourns with you.’”  Numbers 15:14-16.

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Justice is important to the LORD.  As stated in the following Scriptures, “Righteousness and justice are the foundation of His throne.” and “He loves righteousness and justice”.  We should be eager to learn more about Justice.

“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.

“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.

“He has told you, O man, what is good;
And what does the LORD require of you
But to do justice, to love kindness,
And to walk humbly with your God?” Micah 6:8.

Another pillar of justice is the equal application of justice on all.  As stated in today’s Scripture, “There is to be one law and one ordinance for you and for the alien who sojourns with you.’” Verse 16. 

Yet, too often, we see one law applied on one group of people and another law applied on another group of people.  Justice does not favor the native above the alien.  Justice does not favor the powerful over the weak.  

“You shall not pervert the justice due to your needy brother in his dispute.  Keep far from a false charge, and do not kill the innocent or the righteous, for I will not acquit the guilty.

“You shall not take a bribe, for a bribe blinds the clear-sighted and subverts the cause of the just.

“You shall not oppress a stranger, since you yourselves know the feelings of a stranger, for you also were strangers in the land of Egypt.”  Exodus 23:6-9.

“30 The mouth of the righteous utters wisdom,
And his tongue speaks justice.
31 The law of his God is in his heart;
His steps do not slip.” Psalm 37:30-31.

So, getting back to the pillar of justice taught by today’s Scripture, which is the equal application of justice on all.  As stated in today’s Scripture, “There is to be one law and one ordinance for you and for the alien who sojourns with you.’”  Before we exclaim proudly, “I know that!”, thinking only that justice does not favor the rich over the poor (which is true and much more of a prevalent danger addressed by Scripture), let us consider that justice does not even favor the poor over the rich.    

“nor shall you be partial to a poor man in his dispute.”  Exodus 23:3.  

“‘You shall do no injustice in judgment;  you shall not be partial to the poor nor defer to the great, but you are to judge your neighbor fairly.”  Leviticus 19:15.

“You shall not show partiality in judgment;  you shall hear the small and the great alike. …”  Deuteronomy 1:17.

“You shall appoint for yourself judges and officers in all your towns which the LORD your God is giving you, according to your tribes, and they shall judge the people with righteous judgment.  You shall not distort justice;  you shall not be partial, and you shall not take a bribe, for a bribe blinds the eyes of the wise and perverts the words of the righteous.  Justice, and only justice, you shall pursue, that you may live and possess the land which the LORD your God is giving you.”  Deuteronomy 16:18-20.

“They questioned Him (Jesus), saying, “Teacher, we know that You speak and teach correctly, and You are not partial to any, but teach the way of God in truth.”  Luke 20:21. 

“For there is no partiality with God.”  Romans 2:11.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | May 9, 2023

“This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well-pleased.” – “But the LORD was pleased To crush Him, putting Him to grief; If He would render Himself as a guilt offering” – “He Himself bore the sin of many”

Today’s devotion comes from Numbers 15:1-13.

“Now the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, “Speak to the sons of Israel and say to them, ‘When you enter the land where you are to live, which I am giving you, then make an offering by fire to the LORD, a burnt offering or a sacrifice to fulfill a special vow, or as a freewill offering or in your appointed times, to make a soothing aroma to the LORD, from the herd or from the flock.  The one who presents his offering shall present to the LORD a grain offering of one-tenth of an ephah of fine flour mixed with one-fourth of a hin of oil, and you shall prepare wine for the drink offering, one-fourth of a hin, with the burnt offering or for the sacrifice, for each lamb.  Or for a ram you shall prepare as a grain offering two-tenths of an ephah of fine flour mixed with one-third of a hin of oil;  and for the drink offering you shall offer one-third of a hin of wine as a soothing aroma to the LORD.  When you prepare a bull as a burnt offering or a sacrifice, to fulfill a special vow, or for peace offerings to the LORD, then you shall offer with the bull a grain offering of three-tenths of an ephah of fine flour mixed with one-half a hin of oil;  and you shall offer as the drink offering one-half a hin of wine as an offering by fire, as a soothing aroma to the LORD.

‘Thus it shall be done for each ox, or for each ram, or for each of the male lambs, or of the goats.  According to the number that you prepare, so you shall do for everyone according to their number.  All who are native shall do these things in this manner, in presenting an offering by fire, as a soothing aroma to the LORD.”   Numbers 15:1-13.

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As highlighted by the bold italic font, we see the goal of these offerings to make a “soothing aroma to the LORD”.

A “soothing aroma to the LORD” points us to Jesus, the Son of God, Who was an offering to bear the sins of God’s elect.  

“and behold, a voice out of the heavens said, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well-pleased.”  Matthew 3:17.

“10 But the LORD was pleased
To crush Him, putting Him to grief;
If He would render Himself as a guilt offering,
He will see His offspring,
He will prolong His days,
And the good pleasure of the LORD will prosper in His hand.
11 As a result of the anguish of His soul,
He will see it and be satisfied;
By His knowledge the Righteous One,
My Servant, will justify the many,
As He will bear their iniquities.
12 Therefore, I will allot Him a portion with the great,
And He will divide the booty with the strong;
Because He poured out Himself to death,
And was numbered with the transgressors;
Yet He Himself bore the sin of many,
And interceded for the transgressors.” Isaiah 53:10-12.

“For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

…  For it was the Father’s good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him, and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross;  through Him, I say, whether things on earth or things in heaven.”  Colossians 1:13-14 and 19-20.

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