Numbers 15:1-16:35 ; Psalm 37:1-9 ; Luke 4:38-5:16 "St. Wolfgangskirche, Reutlingen" © by Terri L. Stricker - Original Pen & Ink on Paper In Numbers 15-16, we see the Lord’s regulations about presenting supplementary offerings such as “special vows, freewill offerings, or festival offerings” (verse 3).  From this we learn that God has certain standards by which He is to be freely and voluntarily worshiped.  Often, we want to honor or worship God out of a special sense of gr

Numbers 13-14 ; Psalm 36 ; Luke 4:14-37 "Parasol Parade" © by Terri L. Stricker - Original Ink & Styrofoam on Paper Yesterday, we saw that whenever we choose our own will over God’s will for our lives, we are rejecting the best for something less than the best.  Today in Numbers 13-14, we see this principle exemplified again.  God wanted to give the Israelites the land, but they were not willing to receive it His way .  We read, “The LORD said to Moses, ‘Send some men to ex

Numbers 11:4–12:16 ; Proverbs 7:21-27 ; Luke 3:23-4:13 "Dark Dream in the Woods" © by Terri L. Stricker - Original Ink & Watercolor on Paper Our readings today emphasize the problems of evil influences.  In Numbers 11:4–12:16, we see that, after things seemed to be going along so well for the Israelites, they began to “ complain  – arousing the anger of the LORD” (cf., Numbers 11:1).  As a result, God “consumed some of them” (verse 2).  In our section for today, we also rea

Numbers 9:15-11:3 ; Psalm 35:19-28 ; Luke 3:1-22 "Moroccan Woman" © by Eric C. Stricker - Original Oil on Canvas Numbers 9:15-11:3 opens with a cloud that represents the presence of the LORD appearing to cover the tabernacle.  “From evening till morning the cloud … looked like fire” (verses 15-16).  Here we see that “whenever the cloud lifted from above the tent, the Israelites set out; whenever the cloud settled, the Israelites encamped” (verse 17).  Having a visible repre

Numbers 7:66-9:14 ; Psalm 35:11-18 ; Luke 2:41-52 "Tylie at 10" © by Terri L. Stricker - Original Watercolor on Paper Today’s readings should encourage us because God “knows how we are formed, and He remembers that we are dust” (Psalm 103:14).  Numbers 7:66 continues the record of the tribal offerings to the tabernacle and gifts presented to the Levites.  Verses 84-88 itemize and summarize these gifts, and as we pointed out yesterday, the voice  of God Himself came to meet

Numbers 7:1-65 ; Psalm 35:1-10 ; Luke 2:21-40 "Double Tree" © by Terri L. Stricker - Original Pen & Ink on Paper Numbers 7 is all about faithfulness, consecration, and dedication.  Today in verses 1-65, we see that Moses “finished setting up the tabernacle, anointed it, and consecrated it and all its furnishings” (verse 1).  After this, the Israelites “brought gifts before the LORD” Who instructed Moses to “accept these gifts from the people” (verses 3-5).  The gifts from e

Numbers 5:11-6:27 ; Proverbs 7:6-20 ; Luke 2:1-20 "The Beauties of Creation" © by Terri L. Stricker - Original Colored Pencil on Paper Today we come to Numbers 5:11-6:27. This section begins with “the law of jealousy” (cf., verse 29).  This was the test for an unfaithful wife, and at first reading, we wonder about the implications of this test and why it was even necessary.  Its procedures seem almost superstitious, although the Bible itself condemns superstitious beliefs.