Day 64

This week we wrap up the book of Numbers.  For each of these seven days you will be reminded of God’s Perspective.  God’s perspective has to do with His purpose, His plans, His discernment, His assessment, and the like.
We are often guilty of letting our human reasoning try to evaluate God’s decisions.  As we read the next few days of God’s detailed plans for Israel, His purpose in discipline, and His motives for rules, we will come to understand the futility in trying to outguess God.  Instead, we should take great pleasure in our God who has a perfect perspective.

Numbers 19-21.  “Rationalizing”

Is that fair?  Moses has been antagonized by these people for 39 years.  He has just buried his sister, Miriam.  All he does is hit a rock to silence the complaints, and next… Moses is in serious trouble.  His punishment meant he would not enter the Promised Land.
Isn’t that the way we often read this passage?  Don’t we often try to justify the situation?  In actuality, we may not fully understand the situation.
In this instance, Moses was the leader, and example.  Moses was also told by God exactly what to do.  “Take the staff”—most likely not the staff of 40 years earlier, but the budding staff of Aaron the priest from the Ark of the Covenant.  “Command the rock”—which even the word for “rock” is different than the one used in the Exodus 17 passage (where striking the rock was what God wanted).  
The emphasis of Exodus 17 was judgment, foreshadowing the smitten Christ on the cross.  The emphasis of Numbers 20 was on priestly work, foreshadowing the exalted Christ.  
May we take following the determined commands of God’s seriously.

General Questions for each day:
Summarize the day’s Bible passage in your own words.
What thoughts, actions, attitudes or beliefs are addressed in the passage?
How is the Holy Spirit leading you to apply this passage to your life today?