Bible Pathway - Feb. 12, 2010
Highlights:
First military census of the Israelites; encampment location of each tribe in relation to the Tabernacle.
Verse for Today:
The Lord spake unto Moses . . . Take ye the sum of all the congregation of the children of Israel. . . . As the Lord commanded Moses, so he numbered them in the wilderness of Sinai (Num. 1:1-2,19).About 70 times in the Book of Numbers, we read: The Lord said or the Lord spake unto Moses. These were the words of our Heavenly Father speaking to His children. The desire of God was to have a people that would love, obey, and follow Him without compromise. He, in turn, would be their God, lead them into the promised land, provide their needs, and protect them. While the Israelites remained at Mount Sinai, it was twice said of them: And the children of Israel did according to all that the Lord commanded Moses (1:54; 2:34).
As long as the Israelites were neither accomplishing anything for the Lord nor going anywhere, but were just talking about it, they were satisfied.
However, just days after they departed from the mount of the Lord . . . . the people complained. . . . Who shall give us flesh (meat) to eat? We remember the fish . . . the cucumbers, and the melons . . . and the onions . . . But now . . . there is nothing at all, beside this manna (10:33; 11:1,4-6). Rather than see their difficulties as an opportunity to thank God for providing their needs, they chose to be dissatisfied.
In much the same way, we are also on a journey through life. Just think, you're here not by chance, but by God's choosing. His hand formed you and made you the person you are. He compares you to no one else. You are one of a kind. You lack nothing that His grace can't give you. He has allowed you to be here at this time in history to fulfill His special purpose for this generation.
You too are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people (special, purchased people); that ye should shew forth the praises (be entrusted with the proclamation of eterna life) of Him who hath called you out of darkness into His marvelous light: Which in times past were not a people, but are now the people of God (I Pet. 2:9-10).
We all can avoid wasted years as we faithfully read the Bible with an unreserved desire to know and then do His will. You possess all the talents that God expects you to use. His Word enables us to be all that He would have us be and to do all that He would have us do.
Thought for Today:
It is easier for heaven and earth to pass, than one tittle of the Law to fail ( Luke 16:17).
Christ Portrayed:
By Moses as he led the people (Num. 1:54). Jesus said: I am the Good Shepherd, and know My sheep. . . . My sheep hear My voice . . . and they follow Me ( John 10:14,27).
Word Studies:
1:2 Take ye the sum =take a census; by their polls =by head count; 1:16 renowned =chosen national representatives; 1:17 expressed =designated; 1:18 pedigrees =ancestry; 2:2 ensign =ribal banner.
Prayer Needs:
Pray for International Broadcasts in honor of Bonnie Wilhite • Staff: Karen Hawkins • Government Official: Sen. Arlen Specter (PA) • Country: Vatican City (900) in Rome, Italy • Major languages: Italian and Latin • Religious freedom • Approximately 100% Roman Catholic • Prayer Suggestion: Pray the Lord of the harvest to send workers to harvest for Him (Matt. 9:38).
Optional Reading: Mark 15
Memory Verse for the Week: Exodus 20:7-11
