Musings on the Tough Life Questions

Day 68,  March 9 Num. 33:1-49        Journeys of the Israelites from Egypt to Moab Num. 22:1-20        Balak summons Balaam to curse the Israelites Num. 33:1-49        Journeys of the Israelites from Egypt to Moab Num. 22:1-20        Balak summons Balaam to curse the Israelites Israel just defeated the Amorites under King Sihon who had himself conquered some of the lands from Ar the previous king of Maob. King Og (nasty sounding fellow) of Bashan was defeated  next.  You can see Israel growing in strength as a might nation, yet still had lessons to learn in being content in God.   Balak, the King of Moab and the elders of Moab began to be afraid and they enlist Balaam to prophesy against Israel. Let’s observe how an esteem prophet such as Balaam listened to God.  God explicitly told him not to go with the elders of Moab to curse Israel for they were blessed.   ...

In 1911 mummified remains were found by guano hunters in Lovelock Cave, a large rock shelter in Nevada’s Lake Lahontan region. According to legend, these skeletons belong to a cannibalistic tribe of red-haired giants. Known to the Paiute indians as the Si-Te-Cah, these cannibals were at war with the Paiute until a number of tribes came together and trapped the Si-Te-Cah in Lovelock Cave, started a fire and asphyxiated them. Post credit: Raven Day 67,  March 8 Num. 21:1-9 The destruction of Arad (Hormah) / The bronze serpent Num. 21:10-20 / Deut. 2:1-23 From the Red Sea to Moab Num. 21:21-32 / Deut. 2:24-37 The defeat of Sihon Num. 21:33-35 / Deut. 3:1-11 The defeat of Og Num. 21:1-9 The destruction of Arad (Hormah) / The bronze serpent Num 21:1-3 One positive experience. Finally. Israel made a vow to God that If He would deliver Arad and the Canaanites, who wanted to fight Israel and took some prisoners, into their hand, then they would utterly destroy their cities.  Well God ...

  Day 66,  March 7 1445-1407 BC Num. 16-17   Korah’s rebellion / The fruit of Aaron’s staff Num. 18:1-7  New responsibilities for priests and Levites Num. 20:1-13        Miriam’s death / The waters of Meribah: Moses and Aaron sin Num. 20:14-29      Edom refuses passage / Aaron’s death on Mount Hor Num. 16-17   Korah’s rebellion / The fruit of Aaron’s staff Num 16:1-3  Moses had another rebellion on his hands.  This time it was not from Miriam nor Aaron but from 250 leaders, who he previously selected from the Levites to adjudicate lower court cases, along with ring leaders, Korah, Dathan and Abiram.  Their case? All the congregation is holy.  Why do you Moses and Aaron assume they are above everyone else? You view yourselves too highly. Num 16:4-11 What was Moses’ reaction? He fell on his face.  This is an example of Moses’ meekness.  He did not rail or fight or defend himself.  Are we dev...

Day 65,  March 6 Num. 13 / Deut. 1:19-25 Moses sends twelve spies to Canaan / The spies’ report Num. 14 / Deut. 1:26-46 The Israelites rebel / Forty years of wandering begin Num. 13 / Deut. 1:19-25 Moses sends twelve spies to Canaan / The spies’ report Deut 1:19-21 It is only an 11 day journey to the promise land from Horeb and Mt. Sinai. Moses is recounting how they journeyed to Kadesh Barnea, to the mountains of the Amorites which God promised to them as a possession. Deut 1:22-25 According to Deut. account, it was the people who suggested sending out men to search out the land to understand which way they should go and what cities they would encounter.   It is interesting to me that God dwelling in the ark was the One who directed them through the wilderness. Why would they suddenly decide not to have God direct the way they should possess the land.  Well it shows that if a human wants to take some initiative in activation of the promises, God can accommoda...

Day 64,  March 5 Deut. 1:6-18  The command to leave Mount Horeb / Appointing leaders Num. 10:11-33      The Israelites leave Sinai Num. 9:15-23                    The cloud of the Lord Ex. 40:36-38 / Num. 10:34 – (chap)11 The cloud of the Lord / Fire and quail from the Lord Num. 12     Miriam and Aaron speak against Moses / Miriam’s leprosy Deut. 1:6-18  The command to leave Mount Horeb / Appointing leaders Deut 1:6-8 Time to move from Mt. Sinai/ Horeb to go to the promised land.  It was an eleven day journey.  Deut 1:9-15 Leaders were appointed to help Moses.  Moses released that as the leader, it would be too much to hear everyone’s complaints, and problems. The criteria: possess wisdom, understand and knowledge,  What is the difference among all three? Knowledge is the ability to take raw data/ facts, and distill the appropriate information from it, placing it into di...