Old Testament reading: Numbers 33-34
Numbers 33:1-49 reviews Israel’s journey beginning with the Exodus from Egypt. A most powerful statement concerning the Exodus in seen in Numbers 33:3-4. We know that Israel plundered the Egyptians on the night of the Passover (Ex 12:35-36) and that Egypt was glad to see them go (Psalm 105:38). But today’s text says “the children of Israel went out with boldness in the sight of all the Egyptians.” After years of subjugation and persecution, Israel walked out with their heads held high and without an ounce of fear. Neither did they depart with pity as their processions passed every family in Egypt burying their dead (v 4). Finally, the plagues were a Divine judgment on all the gods of Egypt. The Egyptians had no god to which they could turn, as Jehovah had exposed them all as powerless (Ex 12:12, 18:9-11). What a mighty God we serve! Also seen is the command to completely rid Canaan of its idolatrous inhabitants. This command was not obeyed, thus bringing on Israel the wrath God had intended for the Canaanites. Don’t miss this point! Israel’s future punishments were a direct result of their disobedience on this point, for they intermingled with the Canaanites, and thus learned to practice their abominations. Had they rid themselves of the Canaanites, they would have been a people wholly separated to God. Dear Christian friend, rid yourself of ungodly companions!
New Testament reading: Romans 10-12
Today’s reading transitions from the theological (10-11) to the practical (12). I love Romans 12:1-2… “I beseech you therefore brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” This is exactly what we are doing in this series of daily readings – learning God’s will for our lives and (hopefully) making the appropriate transformations in accordance with the same. We also do well to note that serving God is a matter of the mind, and not one of emotion. God’s word transforms our lives by transforming our thinking.
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