Numbers 12 - Praying God's Word

 

Please read Numbers 12.

www.blueletterbible.org/nasb/num/12/1/s_129001

Meditate on verses 1-2.

 

Then Miriam and Aaron spoke against Moses

 because of the Cushite woman whom he had

 married (for he had married a Cushite woman);

and they said, “Has the LORD indeed

spoken only through Moses? 

Has He not spoken through us as well?”

 And the LORD heard it.

 

 

Oops!  The LORD heard Miriam and Aaron grumble against Moses, and He held them responsible for their sinful words.  Amazingly, faithful, humble Moses interceded on behalf of those who spoke ill of him.  “Oh, LORD, give us a faithful, humble heart like Moses!”

 

The LORD hears what we say.  The LORD sees what we do.  The LORD knows what we think.  I wonder if Miriam and Aaron knew God was listening when they complained about Moses.  I wonder if they would have stopped themselves from saying the regrettable if they had thought about what was said in the presence of God.  I wonder… I wonder if knowing this story will make a difference in your life and mine.  Will knowing God hears, sees, and knows cause us to pause and consider the consequences the next time we are tempted to grumble about others?  I pray it does!  I pray it will keep us from sinning with our mouths (Psalm 39:1).

 

Use the words from Numbers 12:11 and 13, asking God to forgive and heal you and those for whom you stand guard as a faithful, prayerful watchman (Isaiah 62:6-7).

 

“Oh, my LORD, I beg You, do not

account this sin to ________ and me

 in which we have acted foolishly

and in which we have sinned.

 O God, heal us, I pray!

In Your name, Jesus~”

 

The WATCHMAN on the WALL, 4 – Dr. Ron and Marsha Harvell

Numbers 11 - Praying God's Word

 

Please read Numbers 11.

www.blueletterbible.org/nasb/num/11/1/s_128001

Meditate on verse 1.

 

Now the people became like those who complain of

 adversity in the hearing of the LORD, and when the

LORD heard it, His anger was kindled, and the

fire of the LORD burned among them

and consumed some of the outskirts of the camp.

 

Oh, the whining and complaining in this chapter!  Despite being miraculously freed from slave-owners, the Israelites wistfully longed for Egyptian fish (v. 5).  Despite being hand-picked by God to lead His people, Moses bemoaned God’s calling, making it a personal burden (v. 11).  Despite the refreshing sound of prophecy amongst a grumbling camp, a young man complained to Moses about the Spirit-led act (vs. 26-29).  And, the chapter ends with a bunch of grumblers greedily gathering God’s generous provision of quail, angering the LORD to such a degree He struck and killed them (v. 33).  This place of grumbling and greed was named Kibroth-hattaavah, which means “graves of greediness” (v. 34).¹   What a poignant picture of greediness being an open grave desiring to consume you!

 

Allow God’s Word to examine you for areas of greed and grumbling.  Repent quickly and determine to live in continual praise and thanksgiving to God for His provision and calling on your life and the lives of those around you. 

 

Pray for Numbers 11:1 not to describe you and those for whom you stand guard as a faithful, prayerful watchman (Isaiah 62:6-7).

 

“Do not let ________ and me become like those who

complain of adversity in Your hearing, LORD. 

We do not want Your anger kindled

and Your fire to burn among us and consume us.

We will praise You by Your Spirit, Jesus~”

 

 

 

 

1.      Retrieved from The New Inductive Study Bible@2000 Precept Ministries International. pg. 242

Numbers 10 - Praying God's Word

 

Please read Numbers 10.

www.blueletterbible.org/nasb/num/10/1/s_127001

Meditate on verse 33.

 

Thus, they set out from the mount of the

LORD three days’ journey, with the ark of the

 covenant of the LORD journeying in front of them

 for the three days, to seek out a resting place for them.

 

Notice the repeated phrase “set out” in Numbers 10.  The LORD gave specific instructions for setting out or journeying with Him.  After leaving Egypt, the children of Israel remained camped at Mount Sinai for over a year; they were not to set out on a journey unless led by the LORD.  Finally, on the twentieth day of the second month of the second year, after leaving Egypt, the Israelites moved out according to the LORD’s command with His presence leading them (vs. 11-13, 33).

 

It is important to journey with God leading you, being careful to set out at His command rather than your own whims and desires.  Journeying with the LORD brings confidence as He guides your steps and protects you along the way.  Ask Him to make it as obvious as the blowing of a trumpet for when and where you are to go every moment of the day.

 

Pray Numbers 10:35, Moses’ prayer for God’s protection, over yourself and those for whom you stand guard as a faithful, prayerful watchman (Isaiah 62:6-7).

 

“Rise up, O LORD, as ___________ and I set out

with You!  And let Your enemies be scattered

and let those who hate You flee before You.

We follow in Your name, Jesus~”

 

The WATCHMAN on the WALL, 4 — Dr. Ron and Marsha Harvell

 

 

 

 

Numbers 9 - Praying God's Word

 

Please read Numbers 9.

www.blueletterbible.org/nasb/num/9/1/s_126001

Meditate on verse 23.

 

At the command of the LORD, they camped, and

 at the command of the LORD, they set out;

They kept the LORD’s charge, according to

 the command of the LORD through Moses.

 

“At the command of the LORD” is a repeated phrase in this chapter.  The Israelites moved, set-up camp, remained camped, and set out at the LORD’s command.  They didn’t presume upon God’s will; they waited to hear from Him about where and when to go.  God literally gave the marching orders.  “Even when the cloud lingered over the tabernacle for many days, the sons of Israel would keep the LORD’s charge and not set out” (v. 19). 

 

Can the same be said about you and your loved ones?  Do you obey the LORD and set out when He says, “Move,” or do you become impatient with God’s timing, rushing ahead of His plans for your life?  

 

Ask the LORD to spiritually tune you to hear His commands and obey what He says.  As you wait for God’s move, embrace the time by lingering in His presence, learning more about Him and gaining strength for the journey.

 

Commit yourself and those you love to the LORD’s command by praying Numbers 9:22-23 as a faithful, prayerful watchman (Isaiah 62:6-7).

 

“LORD, whether it is two days or a month or a

year, let __________ and me linger in Your presence.

 May we remain camped with You and not set

 out without You.  At Your command, we

will camp, and at Your command, we will set out.

 We will keep Your charge according to Your command.

In Your name, LORD Jesus~”

 

The WATCHMAN on the WALL, 4 – Dr. Ron and Marsha Harvell

Numbers 8 - Praying God's Word

 

Please read Numbers 8.

www.blueletterbible.org/nasb/num/8/1/s_125001

Meditate on verses 15-16.  The LORD is speaking.

 

“Then after that the Levites may go in to serve the

 tent of meeting.  But you shall cleanse them and

 present them as a wave offering, for they are wholly

given to Me from among the sons of Israel.  I have

 taken them for Myself instead of every first issue of

 the womb, the firstborn of all the sons of Israel.”

 

Chosen by God to serve in the tent of meeting, the Levites were responsible for setting up the tabernacle and caring for its furniture and utensils.  God set them apart for Himself to serve Him. 

 

When you become a Christian, God also chooses you and sets you apart for Himself:

 

So, as those who have been chosen of God…do your work

 heartily, as for the LORD rather than for men, knowing

 that from the LORD you will receive the reward of the

 inheritance. It is the LORD Christ whom you serve.

—Colossians 3:12, 23-24

 

Wholly give yourself to the LORD (v. 16), asking Him to qualify you to perform every act of service faithfully in His name (v. 11).

 

As a faithful, prayerful watchman (Isaiah 62:6-7), use the words from Numbers 8:6, 11, and 16 to dedicate yourself and those you love to the LORD.

 

“LORD, take _________ and me and cleanse us and present

 us before You as an offering that we may

qualify to perform service for You. 

We give ourselves wholly to You;

please take us for Yourself.

In Your name, Jesus~”

 

 

 

 

Numbers 7 - Praying God's Word

 

Please read Numbers 7.

www.blueletterbible.org/nasb/num/7/1/s_124001

Meditate on verse 11.

 

Then the LORD said to Moses, “Let them

 present their offering, one leader each

 day, for the dedication of the altar.”

 

Perhaps as you read the 89 verses of Numbers 7, you thought Moses could have summarized the 12-day offering event, since each day consisted of the exact same offering; the only difference was the leader and the tribe from whom the offering came.  Keep in mind, Moses wrote what God told him to write; therefore, this lengthy chapter gives insight into God and how important offerings are to Him.  God wanted the details of each day carefully recorded.  Thankfully Moses obeyed.

 

The word translated as “offering” in this chapter is the Hebrew word, qorban.  It is used 28 times in Numbers 7 and means “a sacrificial present.”¹ 

 

Think about what you offer the LORD in terms of time, talent, money, belongings, etc.    Would the LORD call your offerings, qorban, a sacrificial present?  Ponder this exhortation from the New Testament:

 

Therefore, I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God,

 to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable

 to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.

—Romans 12:1

 

As the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 3:16), dedicate yourself to the LORD, using the words from Numbers 7:1 and 11.

 

“LORD, as Your tabernacle, anoint² and consecrate³ me.

I present myself as the offering in dedication to You.

Because of Your name, Jesus~”

 

 

1.      Retrieved from www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?page=2&strongs=H7133&t=NASB#lexResults

2.      Anoint means to besmear or cover.

3.      Consecrate means to set apart, dedicate, and prepare for special purpose.

Numbers 6 - Praying God's Word

 

Please read Numbers 6.  Notice the repeated words: dedicate and separate.

www.blueletterbible.org/nasb/num/6/1/s_123001

Meditate on verse 8.

 

All the days of his separation, he is holy to the LORD.

 

Men and women in Israel could choose to dedicate themselves to the LORD (v. 2).  This separation to God came with promises to behave in ways indicative of being holy and belonging to Him.

 

Ask the LORD to convict you of areas where you need to separate yourself from the ways of the world and dedicate yourself to God, for this Old Testament passage addressing holiness is applied to New Testament believers.

 

Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for

 what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness,

or what fellowship has light with darkness?

 Or what harmony has Christ with Belial (Satan),

or what has a believer in common with an unbeliever?

 Or what agreement has the temple of God

with idols? For we are the temple of the living

 God; just as God said, "I WILL DWELL IN THEM AND

WALK AMONG THEM; AND I WILL BE THEIR GOD, AND

THEY SHALL BE MY PEOPLE.  Therefore, COME OUT FROM THEIR

MIDST AND BE SEPARATE," says the LORD.

 "AND DO NOT TOUCH WHAT IS UNCLEAN; And

 I will welcome you.  And I will be a Father to you, and you shall

 be sons and daughters to Me," says the LORD Almighty.

2 Corinthians 6:14-18

 

Pray Numbers 6:8 and 24-27 over yourself and those for whom you stand guard as a faithful, prayerful watchman (Isaiah 62:6-7).

 

“LORD, keep ___________ and me separate and holy

 to You all our days.  LORD, bless us and keep us.

 LORD, make Your face shine on us and be gracious

to us.  LORD, lift up Your countenance on us and give

 us peace.  LORD, put Your name on us and bless us.

Because of Your name, Jesus~”

 

The WATCHMAN on the WALL, 4 — Dr. Ron and Marsha Harvell