Led By The Spirit ...
Psalm 78:9-16
9 The men of Ephraim, though armed with bows,
turned back on the day of battle;
10 they did not keep God’s covenant
and refused to live by his law.
11 They forgot what he had done,
the wonders he had shown them.
12 He did miracles in the sight of their ancestors
in the land of Egypt, in the region of Zoan.
13 He divided the sea and led them through;
he made the water stand up like a wall.
14 He guided them with the cloud by day
and with light from the fire all night.
15 He split the rocks in the wilderness
and gave them water as abundant as the seas;
16 he brought streams out of a rocky crag
and made water flow down like rivers.
Reflections: We see here that the downfall of the men of Ephraim (the northern kingdom) was related to their willful choices of disobedience. The turned back on the day of battle, did not keep God’s covenant, and refused to live by His law. Can we say “stubborn hearts”! Despite all God had done for them, they were still unwilling to turn to fully put their trust in God.
Before we get too down on them, how do we do the same thing today? We who know of the miracle of the resurrection of our Lord, who was raised from the dead, the greatest miracle since the Red Sea, but do we still refuse to live a surrendered life?
Numbers 35:31-Deuteronomy 1:18
The Appointment of Leaders
9 At that time I said to you, “You are too heavy a burden for me to carry alone. 10 The Lord your God has increased your numbers so that today you are as numerous as the stars in the sky. 11 May the Lord, the God of your ancestors, increase you a thousand times and bless you as he has promised! 12 But how can I bear your problems and your burdens and your disputes all by myself? 13 Choose some wise, understanding and respected men from each of your tribes, and I will set them over you.” 14 You answered me, “What you propose to do is good.” 15 So I took the leading men of your tribes, wise and respected men, and appointed them to have authority over you—as commanders of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties and of tens and as tribal officials. 16 And I charged your judges at that time, “Hear the disputes between your people and judge fairly, whether the case is between two Israelites or between an Israelite and a foreigner residing among you. 17 Do not show partiality in judging; hear both small and great alike. Do not be afraid of anyone, for judgment belongs to God. Bring me any case too hard for you, and I will hear it.” 18 And at that time I told you everything you were to do.
Reflections: The word “Deuteronomy” means “second law”, and in a sense is repetition of many of the narratives up to this point in the first five books of the OT (called the Pentateuch or “Torah”). But in Deuteronomy, we get more of a glimpse into the relationship with God and His people. It is a long pause on the threshold of the promised Land God had given to the Israelites, but Moses (the assumed author of most of the book) needs to remind the people of what God has done for them and what God requires of them.
As Moses realizes today the immensity of the task, similar to Exodus 18, we see God instructing Moses to appoint wise men from each of the tribes to help out in the task of leadership. As God brings growth to our churches it will be wise for us to be developing wise and mature leaders who can lead and pastor the growing flock!
Luke 4:1-13
Jesus Is Tested in the Wilderness
4 Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, left the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, 2 where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing during those days, and at the end of them he was hungry.3 The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, tell this stone to become bread.”4 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone.’”5 The devil led him up to a high place and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. 6 And he said to him, “I will give you all their authority and splendor; it has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want to. 7 If you worship me, it will all be yours.”8 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.’”9 The devil led him to Jerusalem and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down from here. 10 For it is written: “‘He will command his angels concerning you to guard you carefully; 11 they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’” 12 Jesus answered, “It is said: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’” 13 When the devil had finished all this tempting, he left him until an opportune time.
Reflections: This is of course one of the major stories in all of Scripture reflecting how Jesus is led by the Spirit into the wilderness. A battle that takes place here will be a leading indicator of how Jesus will fight the battle against his enemy. The devil even knows scripture but uses in a way to try and get Jesus to sin and not trust God. Still today people can be confused and try to use scripture to justify things that are clearly against the intent of the biblical witness.
This is why it is important to learn how to interpret the bible correctly, and also the importance of the role of the Holy Spirit in discerning the truth of God’s word and the proper application in our lives. As you read the bible ask the Holy Spirit to help you understand God’s truths contained in the 66 books of the Old and New Testament. Importantly ask the question as you read, God what are you saying to me? How can I apply this truth in my life in obedience and in Your power!
Why should the nations say, “Where is their God?” Our God is in the heavens; he does whatever he pleases. Psalm 115:2-3
The message about the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 1 Corinthians 1:18
Scribe of salvation, we confess that we doubt you, forgetting your promises fulfilled in Christ Jesus. As we reflect on the suffering of the cross, let us also remember that which is beyond—the promise of life anew! Amen
9 The men of Ephraim, though armed with bows,
turned back on the day of battle;
10 they did not keep God’s covenant
and refused to live by his law.
11 They forgot what he had done,
the wonders he had shown them.
12 He did miracles in the sight of their ancestors
in the land of Egypt, in the region of Zoan.
13 He divided the sea and led them through;
he made the water stand up like a wall.
14 He guided them with the cloud by day
and with light from the fire all night.
15 He split the rocks in the wilderness
and gave them water as abundant as the seas;
16 he brought streams out of a rocky crag
and made water flow down like rivers.
Reflections: We see here that the downfall of the men of Ephraim (the northern kingdom) was related to their willful choices of disobedience. The turned back on the day of battle, did not keep God’s covenant, and refused to live by His law. Can we say “stubborn hearts”! Despite all God had done for them, they were still unwilling to turn to fully put their trust in God.
Before we get too down on them, how do we do the same thing today? We who know of the miracle of the resurrection of our Lord, who was raised from the dead, the greatest miracle since the Red Sea, but do we still refuse to live a surrendered life?
Numbers 35:31-Deuteronomy 1:18
The Appointment of Leaders
9 At that time I said to you, “You are too heavy a burden for me to carry alone. 10 The Lord your God has increased your numbers so that today you are as numerous as the stars in the sky. 11 May the Lord, the God of your ancestors, increase you a thousand times and bless you as he has promised! 12 But how can I bear your problems and your burdens and your disputes all by myself? 13 Choose some wise, understanding and respected men from each of your tribes, and I will set them over you.” 14 You answered me, “What you propose to do is good.” 15 So I took the leading men of your tribes, wise and respected men, and appointed them to have authority over you—as commanders of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties and of tens and as tribal officials. 16 And I charged your judges at that time, “Hear the disputes between your people and judge fairly, whether the case is between two Israelites or between an Israelite and a foreigner residing among you. 17 Do not show partiality in judging; hear both small and great alike. Do not be afraid of anyone, for judgment belongs to God. Bring me any case too hard for you, and I will hear it.” 18 And at that time I told you everything you were to do.
Reflections: The word “Deuteronomy” means “second law”, and in a sense is repetition of many of the narratives up to this point in the first five books of the OT (called the Pentateuch or “Torah”). But in Deuteronomy, we get more of a glimpse into the relationship with God and His people. It is a long pause on the threshold of the promised Land God had given to the Israelites, but Moses (the assumed author of most of the book) needs to remind the people of what God has done for them and what God requires of them.
As Moses realizes today the immensity of the task, similar to Exodus 18, we see God instructing Moses to appoint wise men from each of the tribes to help out in the task of leadership. As God brings growth to our churches it will be wise for us to be developing wise and mature leaders who can lead and pastor the growing flock!
Luke 4:1-13
Jesus Is Tested in the Wilderness
4 Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, left the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, 2 where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing during those days, and at the end of them he was hungry.3 The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, tell this stone to become bread.”4 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone.’”5 The devil led him up to a high place and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. 6 And he said to him, “I will give you all their authority and splendor; it has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want to. 7 If you worship me, it will all be yours.”8 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.’”9 The devil led him to Jerusalem and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down from here. 10 For it is written: “‘He will command his angels concerning you to guard you carefully; 11 they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’” 12 Jesus answered, “It is said: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’” 13 When the devil had finished all this tempting, he left him until an opportune time.
Reflections: This is of course one of the major stories in all of Scripture reflecting how Jesus is led by the Spirit into the wilderness. A battle that takes place here will be a leading indicator of how Jesus will fight the battle against his enemy. The devil even knows scripture but uses in a way to try and get Jesus to sin and not trust God. Still today people can be confused and try to use scripture to justify things that are clearly against the intent of the biblical witness.
This is why it is important to learn how to interpret the bible correctly, and also the importance of the role of the Holy Spirit in discerning the truth of God’s word and the proper application in our lives. As you read the bible ask the Holy Spirit to help you understand God’s truths contained in the 66 books of the Old and New Testament. Importantly ask the question as you read, God what are you saying to me? How can I apply this truth in my life in obedience and in Your power!
Why should the nations say, “Where is their God?” Our God is in the heavens; he does whatever he pleases. Psalm 115:2-3
The message about the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 1 Corinthians 1:18
Scribe of salvation, we confess that we doubt you, forgetting your promises fulfilled in Christ Jesus. As we reflect on the suffering of the cross, let us also remember that which is beyond—the promise of life anew! Amen
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