Day 69, Chronological Bible Study Timeline. Map. Go to today’s Bible reading (use your browser arrow to return): Numbers 27:12–30:16
Getting Back on Track
At the end of winter, baseball season is ready to start. Several players who played poorly last year are looking to get back on track. How do they do that?
What about us—have we failed or lost discipline in our lives? Today, we will look at how we can get back on track in our spiritual life by learning from the Israelites.
The Israelites get off track
All along their wilderness journey from Egypt to Canaan, the Israelites complained. God supplied all their needs and even protected them from their enemies. However, they still failed to trust him. They even rebelled against him and his chosen leaders, Moses and Aaron. God was angry, but repeatedly, he was forgiving and extremely patient.
The Israelites' faith in God finally derailed—ten of the men sent to spy out Canaan reported there were giants in the land, and they could not defeat them! They refused to believe God could help them win against the Canaanites and bring them into their inheritance. Instead, they wanted to choose new leadership to take them back to Egypt.
Such ingratitude! What a slap in the face! As a punishment, the LORD declared the Israelites would wander in the wilderness for forty years. All who were at least twenty years old would die (except Joshua and Caleb).
Back on track with some changes
After almost forty years, God's judgment was complete, and he was bringing the Israelites back on track. This new generation began to trust the LORD. Although they still did wrong things, God was leading them into Canaan to receive their promised inheritance.
To get back on track, it is sometimes necessary to change leadership. Moses and Aaron had been Israel's leaders for the last forty years, but they failed in the desert wilderness and at Meribah. God told them to speak to a particular rock to get water for the Israelites and all their animals. But in anger, Moses said, “Listen, you rebels, must we bring you water out from this rock?” [emphasis mine] They did not honor God (Numbers 20:9-12; 27:14). They were taking the credit for something only God could do.Joshua commissioned for leadership
The Israelites needed new leadership. Aaron, the high priest, was dead. God's humble and faithful leader, Moses, knew his job was almost finished. He asks God to provide a shepherd to lead the people into the Promised Land. The LORD chooses Moses' aid and military leader, Joshua.
Joshua's name means “savior” and is the Hebrew language equivalent of the New Testament Greek name, “Jesus.” Joshua is a type of Christ. In Numbers 28:1–30:16, God gives more instructions to the Israelites regarding sacrifices and vows. Moses taught them to the first generation of Israelites, when they were at Mount Sinai forty years ago, but their parents were rebels. Most likely, the Word of God was not faithfully taught to their children and grandchildren. They were spiritually off-track.
A significant part of getting back on track is re-establishing good regular habits. In today's Bible reading, there is a particular emphasis on daily burnt offerings, besides weekly Sabbath offerings, monthly new moon offerings (something new), and the special days of Passover and the Day of Atonement with their accompanying feasts.
Our spiritual habits need to be daily habits if we want them to be effective. Here are some excellent spiritual practices:
• Read God's Word, the Bible
• Pray
• Be actively involved in church
• Be committed to following the teachings of God's Word
• Do good works of kindness for your family and community
• Be a witness to God's grace and blessings
Regulating Vows
Besides these regulations, God institutes a new one regarding the keeping of vows. Keeping vows is extremely important to GodRegulating Vows
In addition to these regulations is a new one regarding the keeping of vows. Keeping vows is extremely important to God (Numbers 30:2). This regulation protects Israelite women, in particular, from making foolish promises (Numbers 30:3-16). Otherwise, everyone is to keep his/her commitment to the LORD and accept whatever consequences there might be. Sometimes, when we seek to get back on track, spiritually, we, too, make vows which are hasty. The Scriptures warn us about making rash vows (Matthew 5:33-37; James 5:12). Let us be fully committed to the LORD to obey him but not over-zealous, making emotionally based promises we cannot keep.Discussion
How do Christians and Christian organizations get off track spiritually? How can they get back on?
What good habits can we establish to stay on track in our relationship with the LORD?
Why should we be careful about making vows?
.Focus Verse
Joshua 1:8 (NIV) “Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.”
Write a private prayer response to today’s Bible study:
Please send your comments to me, Rod, the author
Looking Ahead:God is jealous of his love for Israel (and us). He will act in vengeance against those who try to harm her, or he will discipline her if she gets off track again. God will reward her for faithfulness. Join us for our next lesson, entitled, Vengeance andRewards, to discover what that means and how it affects us.
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