For a full description of the (Y4) reading plan, see the “About” page.
Num. 11
The text doesn’t specifically say, but the fact that God’s fire consumed some of the outskirts of the camp makes me think that the outskirts are where the complaints were most prevalent. And that presents a great graphic to me. The farther away from God we are, the easier it is to focus on what we don’t have instead of what we have. It’s easier to complain instead of worship. And it’s easier to serve self rather than God. I don’t want to live my life on the outskirts.
Ps. 48
This Psalm praises Mount Zion, God’s city, saying it is, “the joy of the whole earth” (Ps. 48:2b). Not just the joy of those who live there, but of the whole earth. I’ll bet that tidbit is a newsflash to most of the earth! I just can’t see most people identifying Mount Zion as the source of their joy. This started a train of thought down the track in my mind.
I realize that Mount Zion isn’t just a place. It’s something more. It’s representative of our unity with God, which comes through Jesus Christ. The Bible also says that Jesus is the salvation of the whole world. John wrote, in his first letter, “We have seen and testify that the Father has sent the Son to be the Savior of the world.” (1 Jn. 4:14). Sadly, however, we also know that the whole world won’t be saved. Why? Not because salvation wasn’t available to them, but because they refused to recognize it for what it was, drop their pride, and receive it.
Oddly, I kinda get why people have a hard time with salvation. Nobody wants to admit that they need it. But what about joy? Everybody wants joy, right? The trouble is, salvation and joy are the same thing; they have the same source. So it isn’t that people don’t want joy. They just don’t want to recognize it for what it is, drop their pride, and receive it. Thus, they look for it in all the wrong places. But the truth remains – reconciliation with God through Jesus Christ is our salvation, joy, peace, comfort, and every other good thing we need and desire. This is true for the whole world, not just for Christians. But sadly, far too many choose to turn their backs on the truth.
Is. 1
Through Isaiah, God told His people, “Bring your worthless offerings no longer, incense is an abomination to Me…. I hate your new moon festivals and your appointed feasts…” (Is. 1:13a, 14a). The offerings, incense, festivals, and feasts – all of these were instituted at God’s command. So how is it that He is now telling His people to stop them because He hates them?
I go straight to Romans 1 for that answer. “For they exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.” (Rom. 1:25). God’s people completely missed the point of all those holy things. Thus, they turned them into something they were never meant to be. Instead of a means to worship and honor God as holy, the people used them to justify their evil ways. But God isn’t fooled by outward appearance and flowery speech. Obedience is not an action but, rather, a state of heart that guides and directs behavior. That is what God desires.