Under the Cloud

What is your first instinct when you need help? Do you call a friend, a family member, a neighbor? Do you exhaust  all of  your own resources before turning to the Lord?  After Israel finished mourning Aaron, they   moved on.  As they were going, they were threatened by a Canaanite king.  The king of Arad attacked and took some hostages. Israel prayed to the Lord and vowed to destroy these people completely if God gave them the victory.  The Lord listened to their plea and Israel  completely destroyed  Arad and its towns.   For once, Israel’s instinct  wa s to turn to the Lord.  And how great a response they received!  It is refreshing to see Israel take their troubles to God and vow to obey Him.  I love the Bible verse that says, "We don't know what to do, but our eyes are on You." ( 2 Chronicles 20:12b ) God already told Israel that they would have to totally annihilate the  Canaanites  or their ...

Sometimes we think that a person, even a relative should treat us better than they do. At this time of year, we may feel that peace on earth should have an even higher priority than it does the rest of the year. However, just because it is Christmas time or someone is related to us, do not assume that there will be cooperation  and harmony .     As Numbers chapter 20 continues, Israel is being led to travel through Edom.  This is the land of Esau, Jacob’s twin brother.  Abraham, Esau’s grandpa, was the first Hebrew.  God chose Abraham to receive the Promise of a people of God.  These are the Jewish nation.  Abraham and Sarah had a son named Isaac, a child of promise born in their old age.  Isaac’s wife Rebekah was also kept from conceiving for a time.  When she finally conceived, two children were in her womb.  Even while she was still carrying the twins, Rebekah was told the younger would be greater than the older....

Change. To some it is a thing to be avoided at all costs. Others embrace change and thrive on it. The rest of us fall in the middle somewhere; happy to go along with how things are if they are good and looking for change when they are not. Numbers Chapter 20 is full of changes. The old regime is ending and a new one is going to prepare to enter the Promised Land. In this case, change is very painful yet it is going to lead to a step out of the wilderness for Israel and that is very good. This is a difficult chapter for Moses.  He loses both his siblings and his right t o enter the Promised Land all at  the same  time .  In this chapter, we see the ending of the old regime.  God is paving the way for Joshua to  take over the mantle of leadership and guide  His people into the Promised Land.   First, Miriam dies at Kadesh.  The last time we were told of their location was when the spies were sent out in chapter 13.  At that p...