Feb. 21, 2021

Numbers 9, Numbers 10, and Numbers 11

The Lord prepared His people to leave the Wilderness of Sinai and set off for the Promised Land. He had transformed a group of slaves into an organized, prepared nation. The Lord established a system to purify and cleanse them through sacrifices and rituals. 

Before the Israelites embarked, God blessed them and provided helpful tools for their journey. Yet, even with all this preparation, the Israelites were still completely dependent upon God. When the cloud of God’s presence moved, they moved. When it stayed put, they set up camp. 

But the excitement of following God through the wilderness wore off. The miracle of manna became mundane. The people complained to God because they craved meat. They had already forgotten the hardships of Egypt and longed to return. The Lord gave them up to the consequences of their greed with a great plague. 

“And the Lord said to Moses, ‘Is the Lord’s hand shortened? Now you shall see whether my word will come true for you or not.’” - Numbers 11:23
Mark 4:1-20

Jesus continues to show His authority by teaching in parables. He started with a story and the people had to either draw their own conclusions or ask Jesus for the “key” to unlock the true meaning of the story. The parables of Jesus were like doorways, inviting seekers in and keeping scoffers out.

In the parable of the sower, Jesus speaks a prophetic warning against those who do not open their hearts to Him and His message. He quotes Isaiah 6:9-10 to draw a comparison to the hard-heartedness of Israel in the Old Testament. Yet, he offers a path of repentance to those "who hear the word and accept it."

Make It Personal
  • Like the Israelites, we are completely dependent upon God. Does this give you peace or anxiety? What does your answer say about your view of God’s character?  
  • Have any “miracles” become mundane to you? Take some time to thank God for His provision.
Learn More

Ever wonder why the Lord commanded Israel to use unleavened bread for the Passover? Read this article to explore the significance of then and now. 

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