Luke 3:21-38  Jesus went to John by the Jordan River to be baptized.  Even John recognized that Jesus had no need for repentance and baptism.. but Jesus insisted that  it should be "permitted... for in this way it is fitting for us the fulfill all righteousness." ( Matthew 3:15) 

So much happens in this action... Jesus submitted to the Father's will and the Father was "well-pleased". The "heavens were opened". The Holy Spirit descended "like a dove" and came upon Jesus.

John (the baptist) testified " I have beheld the Spirit descending as a dove out of heaven and He remained on Him." John 1:31-34 explains that this was a sign to John the Baptist that this was the One he had been told. about... "He upon whom you see the Spirit descending and remaining upon Him, this is the one who baptizes in the Holy Spirit." (v33) 

The baptism also signals the beginning of Jesus' public ministry.

Verses 23-38 give another genealogy for Jesus.. from His earthly "supposed" father Joseph back to the very beginning.. to Adam " the son of God".  Although this list differs from Matthew's they both substantiate that legally Jesus was of the line of David and therefore of royal heritage...a legitimate King of Israel. 

Chapter 4 begins with a significant entrance into Jesus' ministry... He was led by the Spirit of God into the wilderness and for forty days He fasted.  He was there alone until the devil came to tempt Him.  Forty days with no food and no hunger.  Forty days of preparation for the days ahead,  which would begin with the confrontation with Satan. 

Father in heaven, we are so thankful for such a worthy Savior sent from You to lead us into all righteousness.  Thank You for the Word that leads us into the Light of Your salvation. Thank You that the Word of God became flesh and dwelt on earth so that we might be saved from sin, death, and the evil one. Thank You Jesus for being willing to humble Yourself, empty Yourself, and give Yourself for me. Help me,  Holy Spirit,  to understand more fully the greatness of this salvation in Jesus Christ the Lord. Amen. 

 Luke 3:1-20  Luke gives us a summery of the ministry and life of John the baptist. "And he came into the district around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sin."  John's calling and purpose since before his birth was to be the "voice of one crying in the wilderness, 'Make ready the way of the Lord."  The words of Isaiah continue .. speaking of a smooth path, a straight path, a road that John would prepare so that " all flesh"  would be able to "see the salvation of God." 

John did not try to please his audience with his words.  He did not excuse their sinfulness.  He spoke sternly and powerfully.  He called them "a brood of vipers" and warned them of the "wrath to come".  John did not pull any punches.  His message was the gospel of repentance.. repentance that changed the heart and the life of those who believed in God. There are still people who believe in baptism.. but do not understand true repentance. Those who count on getting into heaven because they went down into the water.. but who have not turned their lives over to the Lord, allowing Him to reign in their hearts... they have not forsaken their sin, and they do not have the Holy Spirit guiding them into all righteousness.  

John preached that a person who truly found salvation would be changed.. They would "bring forth fruits in keeping with repentance."  They would be generous with those in need. They would be honest in all they did.  They would be content with what they had and not demand what was not theirs.  They would have a change in the way they thought and in the way they acted.  Only then would their lives reveal God's forgiveness and salvation. 

John also made it very clear that the Messiah was coming.  The Messiah would be greater than himself and that he would surrender his own life to the  Him.. "As for me, I baptize you with water; but One is coming who is mightier than I, and I am not fit to untie the thong of His sandals; He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire."  

Verse 17 "And His winnowing fork is in His hand to thoroughly clear His threshing floor, and to gather the wheat into His barn; but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire."   Luke records John's message about what Jesus will do.. He will separate those who are "sheep"... those who follow Him and are changed by His Spirit... and those who refuse, the "goats"... those who will not believe but will reject the gospel message. 

We often speak of the message of the gospel.. the good news that Jesus came to earth, that  He lived a perfect, sinless life, that He died on the cross and rose again... all for us, that we might be saved.  But, sometimes we neglect to speak of what we are saved from.  There is a judgment that is coming.. in fact Jesus said we have already been judged and found wanting.. "He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God." ( John 3:18) 

Father in heaven, give us ears to hear the true message of salvation that we might be completely changed and continue to be renewed... that our minds and lives will be transformed by Your Spirit working in us to will and to do Your good pleasure.  Grant us faith that grows and deepens. Bless us with the gifts of Your Spirit in all fullness, that we might overflow with love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, self-control,  gentleness, faithfulness and humility.  We proclaim the name of Jesus Christ , our Lord and Savior, our only Hope and sure salvation. Fill us Lord we pray, Amen. 

 Luke 2:39-52  Here we get a brief look at the "boy Jesus".  The family had moved back to Galilee to Nazareth where they had many relatives. "And the Child continued to grow and become strong, increasing in wisdom; and the grace of God was upon Him."  

The family would go up to Jerusalem as required by the Law "every year".  When Jesus was 12 years old they traveled with a caravan of family and friends up to the Passover Feast.  At the end of the feast the group started their journey back to Nazareth. We know the story... after traveling for a day Mary and Joseph realized that Jesus was not with them or their fellow travelers.  So, they go back to Jerusalem and search for 3 days until they finally found Him in the temple "sitting in the midst of the teachers, both listening to them, and asking them questions." 

Luke tells us that "they were astonished"!  Had they forgotten who He was?  They felt like He had treated them badly, ".. .why have you treated us this way?" Mary asked Him.  Perhaps it was a needed reminder to Mary and Joseph that Jesus was more than just a regular 12 year old boy.. "Why is it that you were looking for Me? Did you not know that I had to be in My Father's house?"  They didn't understand even His question!

Jesus went back to Nazareth with His family and "He continued in subjection to them; and His mother treasured all these things in her heart." 

It is about 18 years or so before Luke takes up the narrative again.  Jesus grows up.. He gains wisdom and stature.  He gains favor "with God and men." 

Humanity.. and Deity..The Son of Man who is the only Begotten Son of God.. such a marvelous mystery! How can we understand.. when Mary and Joseph heard from angels..  watched Him grow up from a newborn Babe.. and couldn't understand Him either.  But.. by faith we come to believe.. and we trust in His Word.. and we grow in the knowledge and understanding that He grants us.. and one day.. one day we will see Him face to face!  O What a day that will be!

Father in heaven, we give You thanks and praise for You have given Your Son to be our Savior.  We need You, Lord Jesus to shine Your great Light into our hearts and minds.  We treasure these things in our hearts as we celebrate that day when You came into the world to overcome the darkness.  And we fix our eyes on You.. as we await the Day when You will come again. Amen. 

 Luke 2:21-40 Luke had "investigated everything carefully.. " so that he could tell the whole account of the life and death of Jesus.. so it is interesting that he chose to skip over the coming of the magi and the escape to Egypt that Matthew included in his gospel.  

However, Luke gives us this story about Jesus being circumcised on the 8th day and then taken to Jerusalem  33 days later  for the purification and atonement  sacrifices required by the Law of Moses. 

Luke tells us about the encounter with Simeon, a righteous man who was "looking for the consolation of Israel;"  This man was led by the Holy Spirit and had been told that he would witness the coming of the Lord before he died. When he saw Jesus.. he knew without doubt that the Lord had kept His promise. "Now Lord, Thou dost let Thy bondservant depart in peace according to Thy word; For my eyes have seen Thy salvation, which Thou hast prepared in the presence of all peoples, A Light of revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of Thy people Israel." 

Not only did Simeon affirm the identity of this Child.. but Anna, a prophetess, also was drawn to the scene "And at that very moment she came up and began giving thanks to God and continued to speak of Him to all those who are looking for the redemption of Jerusalem." 

These two senior citizens.. had spent their lives seeking God.. seeking the Messiah.. waiting and praying and trusting the Lord for His promises to be fulfilled.  And, so we.. growing older.. are waiting, praying and looking for the Messiah to come again.. just as He promised.  

Father in heaven we lift our eyes and hearts to You, knowing that You will fulfill all of the promises You have given and that Jesus is coming again! We give You thanks that one day we will see Your salvation completed and we will be with You, fully and forever... in the Light of Jesus Christ our Lord. We pray again that Your kingdom come and that Your will be done.. in earth as it is in heaven. Thank You for the story of the birth of Jesus so many years ago.. a story we will still tell for all of eternity.. along with the story of His death and resurrection.. and of His coming again for all of His children.  Keep us walking in faith and righteousness.. waiting for that wonderful day, for it is in the grace and power of the Name of Jesus that we come. Amen. 

 Luke 2:1-20  This is the  Christmas story... read and taught and remembered through our lives.. if we have been blessed to have had a chance to hear it.  It is hard to think of anyone never having heard this familiar story... but many have never heard. 

The birth of Jesus as told so often , invokes a tenderness in our hearts.  Any baby.. a precious little one who brings us joy.. just at the sweetness of his face, the softness of his skin,, the little fingers and toes that just draw us to touch and hold and kiss.  But.. this baby.. brings us so much more and we respond to Him with more than just emotions.. but with awe and wonder.  For God has come.. "a Savior is born for you.." 

He came for us.  The One who is "Christ the Lord".. the Messiah.  The Eternal Son of God has humbled Himself... "who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bondservant, and being made in the likeness of men." (Philippians 2:6-7)

They came to Bethlehem, the "house of bread".  There was no room in a house.. so they camped in a stable.. a place for animals.. perhaps a cave.. and Mary went into labor.  And in this most unlikely place Jesus Christ, the Son of God, was born.  Mary wrapped the child in "swaddling clothes".. strips of material used to swathe the Child. Exhausted.. she laid Him in a "manger" a crib.. a feeding trough.  These 2 things.. were the "sign" that the angels told to shepherds to look for: " And this will be a sign for you; you will find a baby wrapped in cloths, and lying in a manger." (v12) 

I recently heard a sermon from my sister's pastor about this event.  There are details that he uncovered here that stirred my heart even more. According to his studies the most likely place was a cave used by the shepherds for birthing lambs.. lambs that would be used in Jerusalem for the atonement offerings. They would be perfect, without spot. The swaddling bands would have been used to protect the lambs from anything that would damage them.  The bands themselves were sacred for they came from the cloth of the  garments of retired priests.  There would be a light in the cave and the wick would come from the used cloth.  Everything.. everything that happened that night in Bethlehem.. pointed to Jesus, the Lamb of God, the Bread of Life, the Light of the world, the great High Priest.. the Son of God!

This Baby.  O so precious and amazing.. the Love of God.. the Word of God who was "with God and the Word (who) was God."  John wrote.   " In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness and the darkness did not comprehend it." ( John 1:1-5)

Father in heaven,  Holy and Glorious is Your Name. It is in Jesus that we come to You, for He has brought us salvation and we have become Your children.  Grow our faith.. increase our joy.. fill our hearts with Your Spirit.. with the Love and Wisdom and Grace of our glorious Lord.  May we know Him more and draw nearer to You this Christmas season and every day, may we shine brightly with the Light that overcomes all the darkness. We thank You in the Name of the Lord Jesus.Amen. 

 Luke 1: 57-80  The day came.. and Elizabeth gave birth to John. Everyone who heard the news rejoiced! Her neighbors.. her relatives.. "were rejoicing with her".... but, no one rejoiced  more than Elizabeth and Zacharias.  They knew that this child was more than just a regular boy.  He would be "the prophet of the Most High".  He would bring the people back to the truth. His ministry was to "go on before the Lord to prepare the His ways; To give to His people the knowledge of salvation by the forgiveness of their sins, because of the tender mercy of our God." (v76-78)

John 's name means-"Jehovah is a gracious giver".  What a gift John was to his mother and father.. and also to Israel, the people of God. From before his birth John was appointed as "the prophet of the Most High".  His ministry was to "give knowledge of salvation".  He would show people what was needed to find "remission of their sins."  This is the message we all need to hear... there is forgiveness and pardon.. there is release from the bondage of sin.. there is deliverance.  John would teach it.. and Jesus would bring it in person.. in His Personhood as He came into the world.. lived, died, and rose again. 

John preached repentance.  He practiced baptism.. "a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins;" (3:3)  He announced the coming of Jesus.. "... One is coming who is mightier than I.."  He warned those who would not repent that judgment was coming if they did not take the message of salvation seriously. 

"And the child continued to grow, and to become strong in spirit, and he lived in the deserts until the day of his public appearance to Israel." ( v 80)  Born only a few months before Jesus,  John would have been taught the ways of the priesthood because of his heritage.. but something happened.  Ever wonder what happened that John went to live in the desert?  Matthew tells us that John came out of the wilderness wearing  "a garment of camel's hair, and a leather belt about his waist; and his food was locusts and honey." (3:4)  John writes this " There came a man from God, whose name was John. He came for a witness that he might bear witness of the light that all might believe through him. He was not the light but he came to bear witness of the light." (John 1:7-8) John may have been born into the priestly line.. but he was meant for a far greater purpose..to bear witness of the Messiah, Jesus Christ! 

John records the testimony that John the Baptist gave and affirmed:

 In John 1: 20 - He says.. " I am not the Christ". 

 In verse 23 He says " I am a voice of one crying int the wilderness , 'Make straight the way of the Lord' " 

In verse 26 He says "I baptize in water, but among you stands One whom you do not know." 

In verse 29 He says, Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!"  

Vin verse 32 He says, "I have beheld the Spirit descending as dove out of heaven, and He remained upon Him." 

And in verse 34  he says, "And I have seen, and have borne witness that  this is the Son of God." 

Father in heaven, we thank You for sending Jesus Christ to come and take away the sins of the world. May we hear the message of John's testimony and exhortations. May we repent and find forgiveness by the "tender mercy" that You have shown to us who have heard this great news!  Teach us how to be voices that call out the Good News so that others would come to know the Lamb of God.. the One who came to take away the sins of the world.  How we need You, Lord God!  Jesus, our Redeemer and King, we come to ask in Your Name.. that the Word of God will fill the earth more and more.. spread rapidly and be glorified for the salvation of souls. Amen .

 Luke 1:39-56   "Now at this time Mary arose and went with haste to the hill country, to a city of Judah."  Nazareth, a city in Galilee..  to Judah's hill country.. possibly Hebron, one of the cities of refuge given to the Levites.. is not a quick trip.  Hebron is even further away than Bethlehem.  It is doubtful that Mary would travel by herself, but we are not told of anyone else going along.  

Elizabeth would have been 6 months pregnant or 7, depending on how long it took for Mary to get there.  But, as soon as Mary entered the room.. Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and the babe in her womb "leaped"!  She knew in an instant that Mary was "the mother of [her] Lord".    John- still in the womb of his mother  "leaped.. for joy"!   How incredible these words are.. the world we live in doesn't even want to recognize and unborn baby as human... while John was aware, filled with God's Spirit and leaping for joy months before he was born!

Mary must have been so encouraged by the reception from Elizabeth!  "And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what had been spoken to her by the Lord."  

Mary's song of praise speaks of God's grace and favor.. she rejoices that God has blessed her even though she is just a humble girl. She magnifies the "Mighty One".. telling of His holiness, His mercy, His power, His justice, His provision, and His help.  

As we come before the Lord in prayer this Christmas season we can learn much from this humble young woman...

Father in heaven, we exalt You and we rejoice in You, our God and Savior.  We are thankful for the grace that You have shown us.. bringing us into fellowship with Your Beloved Son who came to save Your people from their sin.   You have done great things for us.  You have shown mercy to us and upon our families.. those that came before us and those who have come after.  You have done mighty deeds.. bringing down those who are evil and exalting those who humble themselves before You.  You fill the hungry with "good things".  You have helped Israel and You have helped us too.  We give You all praise and glory, with hearts of thanksgiving  and joy. You are precious to us, and we come to adore You today and throughout this blessed Christmas season.  Jesus Christ is Lord and King forever. Hallelujah and Amen. 

Luke 1:26-38  Luke's investigation into all the events "from the beginning"  brings out details of the birth of Christ that none of the other gospels give us.  Did Mary herself inform Luke of these events?  Who else would know that the angel Gabriel visited Mary that day? Who else would report his words "Hail, favored one! The Lord is with you." 

Mary found "favor with God".  He knew her heart.. He knew that she would receive this Word and surrender herself.. her womb.. her reputation.. her relationships.. so that the will of the Father would be done. 

Luke gives us the first glimpse of Mary's Son.. "And behold you will conceive in your womb, and bear a son and you shall name Him Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David; and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever; and His kingdom will have no end." 

This is the promise given to Mary and to us.. the Day is drawing nearer when this will be perfectly complete.  We wait patiently with great anticipation for that blessed day!  Meanwhile we give thanks and rejoice in the greatness of Mary's son... Jesus Christ the Son of God who is coming again!

Father, we are turning our eyes now to Jesus.. looking beyond the "seen" to that which is "unseen". We rejoice in the promise given to Mary.. Jesus will reign over an unending Kingdom and we will be with Him forever!  Lord, haste the day when our faith will become sight and we will know the joy of Heaven in a way we can't ever imagine with our mortal minds. Thank You for coming to save us, Jesus!  Prepare our hearts today for the Day when You come again to take us to be where You are!  Amen!

 Luke 1:1-25   Luke wanted to know and share the whole story of "the things accomplished among us". He talked to eyewitnesses,  he "investigated everything carefully".. he wrote it all down in "consecutive order".   This man became a close friend and companion to Paul the apostle.  Paul calls him the "beloved physician".  It is thought that Luke was a Gentile.  He gives us the perspective of an educated Greek man who believed that Jesus was the long awaited Messiah.. 

The first thing that Luke included in his investigation was the birth of John the Baptist.  He tells us of Zacharias and Elizabeth. We see that both Zacharias and Elizabeth were descendants of Aaron. Zacharias was of the priestly division of Abijah... one of the 24 divisions established by David.  More than that, they were "both righteous in the sight of God".  At the right time, Zacharias was chosen by lot to "enter the temple of the Lord and burn incense."  As others prayed outside, an angel appeared to Zacharias.  He was given the good news that his barren wife would have a child.. even though they were both "advanced in years." 

Not only would Zacharias and Elizabeth have a child, he would be a very special son and they would call him John.  He would be raised like one under a nazarite vow.. never touching wine or liquor.. but filled with the Holy Spirit.. from before he was even born.  John would serve the Lord in a way that none other could. He would "turn back many of the sons of Israel to the Lord God".. and he would "make ready a people prepared for the Lord." 

Zacharias wanted a sign to know that this would happen and the angel Gabriel called this "unbelief".  But..  Zacharias had a sign that could not be ignored.. he could not speak another word until the birth of his son. Elizabeth conceived and rejoiced in the gift that God granted her.. a son. 

Our Father in heaven, You raise up men and women to serve You now, even as You raised John to serve You back in that day. May we also be messengers of good news, helping others to turn back to You and to help others be prepared for the day that Jesus comes again. May we be continually kept full of Your Holy Spirit that we might fulfill Your purposes in us.. according to Your will and for Your glory.  We ask this in the name of Jesus the Lord, Amen. 

 Numbers 32-36  As the people of Israel prepared to enter the promised land there were a few more things that needed to be established.. 

In chapter 32 we see that the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and Manasseh asked to receive the land that they were living on in Gilead. They promised to send their soldiers with the rest of Israel, across the Jordan to help the other tribes,  but desired to live in Gilead because of all of their livestock. 

In chapter 33 Moses recorded their complete journey from Egypt to the Promised land, naming every stop along the way.  He also reminded the people that they must drive out all of the inhabitants of this land, destroy all of their idols, and take full possession of the land given to them by the Lord. 

In chapter 34 the Lord gives them instructions for how to decide the portions of land that would be the inheritance of each tribe. 

In chapter 35 the Lord instructs Israel to give portions of land to the Levites and to prepare cities of refuge for the purpose of protecting someone who accidentally killed another... until judgement is made based on the witnesses. 

And in chapter 36 the Lord clarified the inheritance given to  daughters when there were no sons. 

Plans were made. The time was drawing near.  Moses would soon be gone. The people of Israel were as ready as they would ever be to take the land that the Lord prepared for them. The book of Deuteronomy is a history lesson for the people and at the end of it.. we are told of Moses' death.. high on Mount Nebo...where he was able to see all of the land.  The Lord Himself buried Moses who was 120 years old at that time. 

Psalm 66:5-6 "Come and see the works of God, Who is awesome in His deeds towards the son of men. He turned the sea into dry land; They passed through the river on foot; There let us rejoice in Him!"

From the beginning of the journey until the end.. and beyond.. the Lord led His people to the land He had promised to Abraham's descendants.  From the beginning of our own journeys the Lord leads us and His grace sustains us. Even through failures and disappointments.. even through rebellion and faithlessness.. God will accomplish His purposes... just as He did for Israel.  As the psalmists wrote.. we join the voices of the faithful and  "sing praises" to His holy name.. "Come and hear all who fear God, and I will tell of what He has done for my soul." ( Psalm 66:16) 

Father, I praise Your name and thank You for walking with me through the days and weeks and years.. You have never failed to be faithful and kind. Your grace is sufficient.. Your grace is amazing.. Your grace has been lavished on us and we praise You!  Draw us nearer and nearer to Your heart we pray.. that we might walk in Your Spirit and glorify the name of the Lord with every breath... for You are worthy of all our praise! Amen!

 Numbers 31  Midian was a son of Abraham, born to Keturah, Abraham's wife after Sarah died.  Moses had fled to Midian after running from Pharaoh in Egypt.  He married the daughter of Jethro, a priest of Midian. But, here, these many years later, Midian had become allies with Moab.  They were involved in the seduction of Israel leading into idol worship and immorality.  It was a Midianite woman that came into the camp with Zimri, a Simeonite, and brought about a plague.  It was at that time that the Lord told Moses "Be hostile to the Mideanites and strike them; for they have been hostile to you with their tricks, with which they have deceived you in the affair of Peor...." Numbers 25:17-18. 

The Midianites were involved with Balaam, who counseled them "in the matter of Peor" (Numbers 31:16). Because of this the Lord told Moses to send out an army.. 1000 soldiers from each tribe.  So 12,000 Israelites soldiers went to war.  "..they killed the kings of Midian along with the rest of the slain; Evil and Rekem and Zur and Hur and Reba, the five kings of Midian; they also killed Balaam the son of Beor with the sword." ( v8)  All the males were killed and all the women and children were captured.  All their cities and camps were burned.  They brought back a great amount of booty.. animals, goods, gold and silver.. and people. 

When they returned to Moses.. he made them kill all the women who had been "intimate" with a man.. these were the ones who would be involved in idolatry and immorality.  However, they spared all the girls who were still innocent...32,000 of them.  All the male children were killed.  It sounds so brutal to us. Yet, the Lord ordered this for His purposes, knowing the temptations and the struggles that lay ahead for His people. 

All of the booty was split between the 12,000 soldiers, of which none had been lost during the fighting.. and the rest of the congregation.  A portion was levied as a tax from both halves and given to the Levites and Eleazar the priest.  It was a massive amount of sheep, donkeys, cattle, and people... the girls.  After that the men who had gone to war brought another offering, thankful that none of their army had been killed. They brought "articles of gold, armlets, and bracelets, signet rings, earrings and necklaces, to make atonement for ourselves before the Lord." ( v50)

Not quite a pleasant Christmas passage for today.... This is a message about judgement.  The nation of Midian had not only turned away from the Lord.. they had purposely tried to entice Israel from Him too.  The Lord sees what the nations are doing.. He sees what our own nation is doing.  He will judge the nations.  Psalm 46:10 says, "Cease striving and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth."  It is not a matter of if.. but a matter of when.  Zechariah 2:11 says, "And many nations will join themselves to the Lord in that day and become my people.. "  And this becomes my prayer.. 

Lord, may it be that our nation will join herself with You and be Your people!  Let the United States of America come to repentance and exalt the Lord God! Father, we know that You are near to all who call on You.. Hear us we pray and save us. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen. 

 Numbers 30  This chapter clarifies the Lord's commands about making vows.  "If a man make a vow to the Lord or takes and oath to bind himself with a binding obligation, he shall not violate his word; he shall do according to all that proceeds out of his mouth." 

Ecclesiastes 5:4 says this, "When you make a vow to God, do not be late in paying it, for He takes no delight in fools. Pay what you vow!"  

The psalmists speak about keeping vows also: 

 Psalm 116:14 and 17 "I shall pay my vows to the Lord, Oh may it be in the presence of all His people." 

Psalm 66:13 -14 "I shall come into Thy house with burnt offerings; I shall pay my vows, which my lips uttered and my mouth spoke when I was in distress."

Psalm 22:25 "From Thee comes my praise in the great assembly; I shall pay my vows before those who fear Him." 

The King James version says "If a man vow a vow.. "   It is both a verb and a noun.  It means to make a promise and it is the thing promised.  To make a vow to the Lord is to bind yourself before Him to fulfill Your promise.  To "pay" a vow means to make good.. to complete or finish, to fully do what you have promised to do. It is a covenant of peace between the one who fulfills his vow and the One to whom He make the vow.  Whatever vow or promise that you make to the Lord.. you are bound to Him to complete it.. fully.  

The Lord makes another statement about vows.. ".. if a woman makes a vow to the Lord, and binds herself by an obligation in her father's house in her youth.. "  Then.. it is up to her father to either permit or forbid her to keep this vow.  Or if the woman is married it was up to her husband  to either allow her to keep it or to forbid it.  Only a widow or divorced woman is bound by the vow she makes without intervention.  There is a level of protection over a woman.. her father or her husband can annul the vow if necessary.. especially if her vow was a "rash statement of her lips with which she has bound herself." 

Jesus spoke about vows too... "But I say to you, make no oath at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God, or by the earth, for it is the footstool of His feet.. But let your statement be, 'Yes, yes" or No, no'; and anything beyond these is of evil." ( Matthew 5:34-37)   To make a vow or oath or a promise to God and not keep it is a terrible thing.. So terrible that Jesus tells us not to do it at all! 

We probably do this more than we think.  There are times when people are in desperate situations and they make "foxhole prayers".. promising God whatever He desires if He would just rescue them from the present situation.  But.. afterwards they don't ever remember that they made a promise.  This is "evil"  Jesus tells us.  Many, many people have made marriage vows.. before God.. and failed to keep their promises to love, cherish, or stay together as one.. never realizing who they have spurned.. not just a spouse but the Lord God. 

So, what can we learn from this?  Should we never make a promise?  Maybe... but more so, we must learn to be careful of what we say.. our words mean something.  We may not be making a solemn vow.. but we may speak "rashly" or say that we will do something but fail to complete what we said.  The Lord calls us to be people who have integrity and speak truth.. He calls us to have a guard over our tongues and to be gentle and meek.. self-controlled.. so that our words are pleasing in His ears. 

Father in heaven, once again we seek the Holy Spirit to fill us so completely that we might live holy lives of obedience to Your Word.  May the words of our mouths and the meditations of our hearts be pleasing in  Your sight.  Help us to remember that our tongues have the power of life and death ( Proverbs 18:21) and be mindful whenever we speak.  Thank You Lord for Your great patience and grace towards us.. Forgive us for the times we have broken our promises or have spoken rashly.  Cleanse us from all evil we pray, in Jesus' name. Amen, 

 Numbers 28-29   The Lord gives Moses a reminder for the new generation of Israelites as they prepare to enter their new land.. "You shall be careful to present My offerings.. " 

There were daily offerings; Sabbath day offerings; Monthly.. new moon offerings;  offerings for Passover and for the Feast of weeks when the "new grain" was offered.  There were offerings for the feast of Trumpets and the Feast of Unleavened Bread..  These offerings included many bulls, goats,...lambs  who all  were without defect and 1 year old... there was grain offerings and drink offerings included.  All of these were commanded to be kept every year.. plus votive offerings, sin offerings, and freewill offerings as needed or desired.  The purpose of these offerings were to "make atonement" for the people.. to humble them before the Lord.. to honor the Lord by their obedience.. to keep the relationship that He established with His people. 

Every family would be involved in this.. either growing grain or grapes for the wine.. raising sheep and goats and bulls for the sacrifices.. and by keeping the Law.. the Sabbath days and the Feasts.  Every part of their lives would remind them that they needed to prepare for those days of worship.. as they sowed their fields, tended their flocks, or picked their grapes.. 

Later, we know that the people of Israel began to neglect these required offerings and observances.. til it got to the point where the Lord despised them and refused them.  They neglected the relationship with the Lord that was available to them.. forsaking Him.. while half-heartedly walking through the rituals. 

 We can learn from this.. as we do through every part of God's Word.. 

There are times of the year that are special to us as believers in Jesus Christ.. Christmas is a great celebration of the birth of the Lord Jesus. But.... are we in danger of missing the relationship with our Lord in the midst of the rituals? those things we call "traditions"?   We know that Christmas is not about songs or presents or trees or whatever.. but even things like Christmas programs and Advent wreaths can become half-hearted attempts to include Jesus without really connecting with Him.. 

Father in heaven,  may Your Name be hallowed.. kept as Holy.. honored and lifted up.. as we come before You this day.. and during this season we call Christmas. May Your will be done and Your Kingdom come anew in our hearts as we turn our eyes upon Jesus. Fill us, Lord, with YOUR love and joy and peace as we rejoice that a Savior was born.. and that He fulfilled all of the Law and all of the sacrifices for us.. for our atonement from sin.. for our eternal souls.  May we not miss the most important thing about this celebration.. Jesus Christ came for us that we might come to You.  Thank You Father!  Thank You Jesus. Amen 

 Numbers 27:1-12  This section of the chapter deals with inheritances.. one family from the tribe of Manasseh had only daughters.. and they were concerned about having no inheritance since their father had died.  Moses asked the Lord what should happen in this case.  The Lord gave an answer for this particular case and more!  The daughters could inherit from the father if there wasn't any sons; and if there weren't any sons or daughters.. then  the father's brother would receive the inheritance. And, the Lord went even further... if the father had no brothers then the inheritance would go to the nearest relative. 

The last part of this chapter focuses on what would happen next.. Moses would go up the mountain of Abarim, where he would be allowed to look over the promised land.. and there he would die.  Moses had one concern.. who would lead Israel in his place?  The Lord chose Joshua to become the next leader.  He told Moses to bring Joshua before the people and commission him.  Eleazar the priest would take part in this commissioning.  There would be no question of Joshua's authority as Moses did as the Lord commanded. 

Father, You are just and You are Kind!  You are wise and You are perfect in all Your ways.  Whatever problem we have.. we bring to You. When the questions are more than we can handle.. we come to You. Help us to remember that there is nothing too small or nothing too big that You are not aware of or care about.  You see the sparrow fall.. and You see us with doubts and fears and worries.. and You remind us that we can.. we must.. trust in You.  So, once again we bring our cares to You.. cares about loved ones who need to know Jesus; cares about friends who are sick and need healing from Your Hand;  cares about our world and the darkness that threatens to put out the Light.. and we know.. oh hallelujah.. we know that Jesus reigns.. that He is able to save and to heal and to overcome!  We bring praise and thanksgiving to You, Holy Father... for You are just and You are kind and You have a perfect plan for Your people. May Your Kingdom come and Your will be done.. and Your Name hallowed, we pray.. in the Name of Jesus. Amen. 

 Numbers 26  The new generation...are now grown up ... having lived in the wilderness.. as nomads.. and soldiers. The Lord orders Moses and Eleazar to conduct another census of all the males 20 years old and older.  What is interesting to me in looking at these numbers is that some of the tribes grew greater in number than during the first census.. and some were smaller.. notably the tribe of Simeon went from 59,300 to only 22,200.  Altogether the number of fighting aged men went from 603,550 to 601,730.  Pretty close to where they started out.  Verse 64 tells us "But among these, there was not a man of those who were numbered by Moses and Aaron the priest, who numbered the sons of Israel in the wilderness of Sinai."   The Lord said they would all die.. and they did... with the exception of Caleb and Joshua. 

The Lord was preparing His people for their inheritance in the land He was giving to them. When they entered the promised land each tribe would be given a territory divided by lot.  "To the larger group you shall increase their inheritance, and to the smaller group you shall diminish their inheritance; each shall be given their inheritance according to those who were numbered of them. 

Through the years the tribal identity was very important to the Jews.  Even Paul spoke of being from the tribe of Benjamin. We know that Joseph and Mary were from the tribe of Judah.;; giving Jesus the inheritance belonging to that tribe.  He is the "Lion of Judah".  He is the son of David who was also from the tribe of Judah.  It was important to be identified in that way.  I wonder if it still is?  According to the internet.. ( not sure how reliable that is these days)... most do not know unless their family passed down specific traditions.  Most documentation has been lost through the years.. especially during the holocaust.  It also says that those with the last name "Cohen or Kohanim" or "Levy"  may be the descendants of Levi. It says that some of the Ethiopian Jews claim to be descendants from the tribe of Dan. Some Jews in India claim relationship to the tribe of Manasseh. The Lord only knows for sure!

A lot of people have become interested in their heritage.. Ancestor.com or 23 and me have given people an opportunity to search out some idea of where they come from... perhaps to help them know who they really are.  We identify ourselves by our family name.. our parents and grandparents pass down family lore and traditions... and that is important.. but what is most important is to know that the Lord knows us.. He alone knows the truth.. for He has knit us together in our mothers' wombs.. He has written in His book all the days that He has ordained for us.  He searches our hearts and knows what is in us.  He alone sees us as we really are and leads us in His ways.. the "everlasting way"  (Psalm 139)  He knows the number of hairs on our head.. and He cares for us.  The inheritance that He has given us is "imperishable and undefiled"  ( I Peter 1:4) And because of Jesus Christ our Savior and Lord.. we are called His "sons and daughters" Hallelujah !

Father, once again we come to You with praise and thanksgiving!  You know us and love us and we are Yours forever!  Praise the Name of Jesus who has brought us out of darkness and into the Light of Your grace and glory. Amen!

 Numbers 22-25  This is the story of Balaam.  The king of Moab, Balak, sent for Balaam so that he could put a curse on Israel.  At first Balaam sounds like he is a servant of the Lord... he refuses to go when the Lord tells him not to.. he refuses to accept the offer of honor and wealth from Balak.. and he refuses to speak anything except what God tells him to speak.  But... he ends up going anyway. 

When the donkey stops him three times.. and when she speaks to him.. Balaam confesses that he had sinned in going with the Moabites and Midianites.  However, the Lord tells him to go and to only speak what He tells him to say.  It appears that Balaam obeyed the Lord's directions. Three times Balak takes him to a place to offer sacrifices to the Lord and three times Balaam blesses Israel instead of cursing them. 

Finally Balak gives up on Balaam and sends him away.  Yet, something happened here. II Peter 2:15 ".. forsaking the right way they have gone astray, having followed the way of Balaam, the son of Beor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness, but he received a rebuke for his own transgression; for a dumb donkey, speaking with a voice of a man, restrained the madness of the prophets." 

Who is Peter referring to? Who has gone the way of Balaam?  Those who "indulge the flesh in its corrupt desires and despise authority. Daring, self-willed, they do not tremble when they revile angelic majesties.. but they, like unreasoning animals, born as creatures of instinct to be captured and killed, reviling where they have no knowledge, will in the destruction of those creatures also be destroyed."  These are the revelers, the adulterers, those who "never cease from sin, enticing unstable souls, having a heart trained in greed, accursed children." ( II Peter 2:10-14)   Jude writes about the same kind of people.. "these men, also by dreaming, defile the flesh, and reject authority, and revile angelic majesties.. these men revile the things which they do not understand; and the things which they know by instinct, like unreasoning animals, by these things they are destroyed. Woe to them! For they have gone the way of Cain, and for pay they have rushed headlong into the error of Balaam, and perished in the rebellion of Korah." Jude describes these people as "ungodly sinners" who have "spoken against Him."  They are "grumblers, finding fault, following after their own lusts; they speak arrogantly, flattering people for the sake of gaining an advantage."  

In Revelation 2:14 the Lord Jesus told John to write this to the church at Pergamum .. "But I have a few things against you, because you have there some who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who kept teaching Balak to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit acts of immorality."  This is exactly what happened in Numbers 25.. after Balaam left.. ".. While Israel remained at Shittim, the people began to play the harlot with the daughters of Moab. For they invited the people to the sacrifices of their gods, and the people ate and bowed down to their gods.. and the Lord was angry against Israel." 

It got so bad that an Israelite man brazenly brought a Midianite woman right into the camp.. into the middle of the congregation. A plague began to slay the leaders of the people.. 24.000 died that day.  Phinehas, the son of Eleazar the high priest, took  a spear and killed the man and the Midianite woman and  stopped the plague or more would have  died.  The Lord considered this atonement for the people and blessed Phineas for his righteous deed.  The Lord also placed a curse upon the Midianites for their part in all of this...." affair of Peor".  

Peter and Jude remind us to be aware of those who are like those who go into the "error of Balaam".  Jude wrote, " But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting anxiously for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to eternal life."  Peter tells us to "remember the words spoken".. by the prophets and by the apostles and by the Lord Jesus.  And in Revelation 2, Jesus tells the church to repent.. to hear..  and to overcome. Back in Numbers we are reminded by the act of Phinehas.. to be "jealous for" our God... to have a great love and zeal for our Savior  who has overcome the world.  Let us stand up for His Name.. for His holiness.. for His honor and glory. 

Father, let Your Spirit fall fresh on us today.. May we be mindful of Your Presence and of Your word.. that we might not be like unreasoning animals acting only by instinct.. but that we might come to You and reason together with You.. to know You and to honor and worship You alone.. with great woe and zeal!   We come to You in the Name of Jesus Christ our Lord who has made atonement for us by His death on the cross.  Live in us, Lord Jesus, fill us and build us up to be Your holy people we pray. Amen.