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Let the LORD, the God of the spirits of all flesh, appoint a man over the congregation who shall go out before them and come in before them, who shall lead them out and bring them in, that the congregation of the LORD may not be as sheep that have no shepherd. Numbers 27:16-17 So…
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When you have seen it, you also shall be gathered to your people, as your brother Aaron was, because you rebelled against my word in the wilderness of Zin when the congregation quarreled, failing to uphold me as holy at the waters before their eyes. Numbers 27:13-14 In Christianity, we appropriately celebrate redemption. When someone’s…
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When Phinehas the son of Eleazar, son of Aaron the priest, saw it, he rose and left the congregation and took a spear in his hand and went after the man of Israel into the chamber and pierced both of them, the man of Israel and the woman through her belly. Numbers 25:7-8 Most of…
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And behold, one of the people of Israel came and brought a Midianite woman to his family, in the sight of Moses and in the sight of the whole congregation of the people of Israel, while they were weeping in the entrance of the tent of meeting. Numbers 25:6 In some of the worst behavior…
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While Israel lived in Shittim, the people began to whore with the daughters of Moab. These invited the people to the sacrifices of their gods, and the people ate and bowed down to their gods. So Israel yoked himself to Baal of Peor. And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Israel. Numbers 25:1-3…
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And Balaam said to Balak, “Build for me here seven altars and prepare for me here seven bulls and seven rams.” Numbers 23:29 Every Labor Day weekend, my whole family gets together at a camp in central Iowa. On Saturday morning, a nearby small town always has city-wide garage sales, which every year has drawn…
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When the donkey saw the angel of the LORD, she lay down under Balaam. And Balaam’s anger was kindled, and he struck the donkey with his staff. Numbers 22:27 Years ago, while watching a cop show, the main character – a sardonic old lawman – provided some advice that I’ve remembered ever since (I’ve watered…
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And God came to Balaam at night and said to him, “If the men have come to call you, rise, go with them; but only do what I tell you.” Numbers 22:20 A couple of months after my knee replacement, I found myself at my follow-up appointment with my surgeon, asking what I could do.…
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Come now, curse this people for me, since they are too mighty for me. Perhaps I shall be able to defeat them and drive them from the land, for I know that he whom you bless is blessed, and he whom you curse is cursed. Numbers 22:6 As I’ve mentioned previously, I grew up in…
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But the LORD said to Moses, “Do not fear him, for I have given him into your hand, and all his people, and his land.” Numbers 21:3 Ten years ago, I was in the Emergency Room, where I’d worked for the first 12 years of my career. I’d built a reasonably good reputation, but my…
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