Deuteronomy 16 - 20

16.
So...the Passover was celebrated to remember God's deliverance. Remembering God's deliverance? Good thinking on His part to institute the Lord's Supper as a fulfillment of a greater Passover: a once-for-all sacrifice. It's almost like He had a plan.
17.
God doesn't want our leftovers or garbage.
Nor does He tolerate evil.
God knew they'd want a king. He also knew it wouldn't end well if it wasn't the right kind of king. You can't say they weren't warned.
18.
Pretty big distinction between God's people and others. They sacrifice children, engage in witchcraft...not cool.
False prophets suck. Pretty easy to catch their red flags if you know God's Word, though.
19.
God wants the truth.
20.
God likes an underdog.
If God goes with you, the odds are always in your favor.

Deuteronomy 11 - 15

So, I did so well for a while. I think deep down, I knew it was inevitable. First, I missed a day here and there and tried to catch up later. Then I got busy, then I took a trip, and pretty soon it was 2 1/2 weeks. Wow. If that's not par for the course in our faith, I don't know what is.

Know what's great about that? God doesn't make me play catch-up. He cleans my slate and lets me start fresh. Consider this me starting fresh.

11.

God did a lot of great things for His people; He still does.
He wanted to do more for them when they entered the Promised Land. All they had to do was live by faith - love God.
There would be temptations toward idolatry, so He wanted them to keep His Word near them...on them. That's what it takes in a sinful world. In the auto world, they call that "scheduled maintenance."
Blessing. Curse. It's an easy choice. Believe. Reject. Not too much gray area in there.
12.
It seems weird to us that God just wanted them to worship at one place. It makes more sense considering the other places represented pagan altars and idols. If God says He is dwelling somewhere, I'd worship there. That's the cool thing about the NT church; He dwells wherever 2 or more are gathered.
I like the "God will give you rest" theme. God is our Sabbath; I think Jesus had something to say about that. If you're living a life near to God, you'll never get burned out no matter how hard you work (if you're doing His work). At least, that's my experience.
But the other crap is exhausting.
13.
Even if a prophecy comes true, if that prophet leads you from God, he's working for the other team. Same with even family who try to lead you to idolatry. God wants to be numero uno.
That's not an ego thing for God; it's just what He deserves.
14.
So God takes a bunch of beggars and slaves and calls them His treasured possession, then He gives them the riches of His love. Good deal for us.
Eat what you want; these rules were abolished. Just be stay away from roadkill and seafood sold out of a guy's trunk. God didn't say that, but I'm pretty sure He'd agree.
We can also eat cheeseburgers...even bacon cheeseburgers. See? If that's not proof of God's love, I don't know what is!
Tithes: the king's share.
15.
Cancelled debts: I like that.
Slavery in the Bible: present but calls for merciful masters...especially since the Israelites should've known what slavery was like.
Back on track; feeling good.

Deuteronomy 1 - 10

Mount Horeb...Mount Sinai...needs trees.
1.
Nice recap. When God says "Do not be afraid...do not be discouraged," He usually gives you prettty good reasons. I'm just saying.
2.
Watch out for Zamzummites.
It's always good to get your game strategy from God.
3.
Og's bed was as big as Shaq's.
Taking the lands east of the Jordan was kinda like the preseason. Just a little tune-up for the main event.
Good leaders know when to pass the torch.
4.
Even Israel was only as good as what the parents passed on to their children.
The day a country turns toward idols is the day their downfall begins.
5.
God delivers. God instructs. God expects obedience. That's not law; that's a response to the Gospel.
6.
Not only was God giving them the Promised Land, He was giving them the equivalent of a "furnished house." Nice set-up.
7.
God has a soft-spot for the little-guy. He still expects fidelity in response, though.
8.
He also doesn't want to be taken for granted during prosperous times. Sometimes He even removes prosperity to get our attention. Apathy is not high on God's list.
9.
God can't stand wickedness or wicked people. Wouldn't it be nice if someone did something to pay for our wickedness so He didn't have to kill us? Oh, wait, didn't someone already do that?
10.
God wants His people to take care of foreigners. After all, He called them (and us) to be His own. Share the wealth, right?

Numbers 26 - Numbers 36

When Lego characters go bad, they take solace in knowing that there are cities of refuge.
26.
I gotta be honest, I skimmed this chapter. Some great names in there, though. How'd you like to be named "Hepher"?
27.
Women had rights, too.
Joshua was a good dude. I wonder what Caleb thought, though. He probably wasn't too put off, since he was a good dude, too.
28.
Nothing to say.
29.
I like the parts about doing no work. You don't have to tell me twice.
30.
So...keep your word.
31.
So they had a fighting force of 600,000 but only took 12,000 and still cleaned up. See what happens when God is with you?
That's a lot of plunder. Seems a little brutal, except these people were a bunch of total idolaters.
32.
I wonder if the rest of the Israelites were jealous that these guys got to settle a little early. I'd hold out for the milk and honey.
33.
Lots of wandering with a lot of idol-smashing at the end.
34.
Good fences make good neighbors (it's good to have boundaries).
35.
Places of refuge...like Australia.
So apparently if you want to kill someone, drop a big rock on them and make it seem accidental.
36.
And then there was Deuteronomy. Numbers was a blast. It's a marathon, not a sprint. It's a marathon, not a sprint. It's a marathon, not a sprint.

Numbers 16 - Numbers 25 (Fun Wilderness Stories)

When it comes to talking donkies, the Bible is on the cutting edge, with the movie industry in a distant second.
16.
Standoff at the tent of meeting. God comes up with such creative ways to kill the bad guys.
17.
Sometimes it's a good thing to fear God a little. It keeps you respectful.
18.
So the priests are provided for but are also expected to give a tithe of the tithe they receive. God it.
19.
Cleansed by a sprinkling...sounds like a good Lutheran baptism.
20.
It's good to follow God's instructions closely. He doesn't like a lot of improv. I'm just saying.
21.
Bronze snake lifted up on a pole: see Jesus lifted up on a cross.
22.
Ah, nothing like a good talking donkey narrative. I like to tell people that I get my speaking confidence from knowing that if God can talk through an ass, He should be able to talk through me.
23.
Things not exactly working according to Balak's plans. Funny how that happens when you oppose God.
24.
I'm guessing Balak regretted getting Balaam involved.
25.
Today's lesson (but probably not in Sunday School): Do not engage in sexual immorality with idolaters or while you are both engaged in the act you may become a person-kabob courtesy of a spear.
Well, I think that's a good note to end on for today.

Numbers 6 - Numbers 15 (10 were bad and 2 were good)

6.
The Aaronic benediction. See, that's why we don't fast-forward through these chapters.
Plus this is the chapter teenage boys use to prove to their parents that God wants them to have long hair.
7.
I wonder if those offerings were tax-deductible...
...God liked them, anyway.
8.
25-50. Not a bad length for a career of service at the Tent of Meeting.
9.
God let the people know when to travel.
10.
God likes trumpet music. I always knew He preferred brass.
Trumpets are also good when you're marching around the wilderness, I guess.
11.
God doesn't like whiners.
Moses didn't like whiners, either. He and God had that in common.
The Israelites liked to whine.
You want meat? I'll give you meat! I'll give you meat till it comes out your nose! Gotta love God's humor.
God has long arms. It's nice to be back into the narrative. This is far more interesting.
Um, quail 3 feet deep a day's walk in any direction? Yeah, that's a lot of quail.
12.
Moses: the most humble man on earth. Not a bad title. Hard to give yourself, though.
Moses was pretty special; God said so.
Don't speak against people God says are special...or you might get leprosy.
13.
12 men went to spy on Canaan; 10 were bad and 2 were good. What did they see when they spied on Canaan? 10 were bad and 2 were good. (Come on, tell me you learned this song in Sunday School.)
The grapes were big there.
So are the people.
Joshua and Caleb trusted. God likes that.
14.
Who wants to willingly go back into slavery? Seems like a bad idea.
Joshua and Caleb were smart; don't rebel, you fools.
...and the doubters ruined it for everyone. Welcome to 40 years in the wilderness. Great job, everyone!
Doing it on their own was also a very bad idea.
I love how dense the Israelites were. I read these chapters, and even I get frustrated with them. Oh, and I see myself in them. And you.
15.
Sinning defiantly = blaspheming the Lord. Not a good idea.

Numbers 1 - Numbers 5 (More Details.)

1.
Moses liked geneology. Good to see Jesus' line of ancestry...a little dry otherwise.
It was, however, a lot of people to herd around the wilderness for 40 years.
Oh, and the census got them ready in case there was a draft.
If numbers of the other tribes were any indication, there were also a lot of (Levite) priests.
2.
It's good to be organized, I guess. It's hard enough to coordinate 2 vehicles on a roadtrip. I'm guessing a couple million Israelites was a taller order.
3.
22,000 Levite priests (except the kids too young to serve). Seems adequate.
4.
God wanted people to take good care of His stuff.
5.
God takes adultery seriously. Very seriously.