His Face Shone Like The Sun!

By Mary Vee
Mark 9, Matthew 17, Luke 9

Peter

Photo by Mary Vee the church on the
Mount of Transfiguration

I am a disciple of Jesus.

Six days have passed since I've written to you. This morning Jesus asked only James, John, and me to go on a short journey.

We climb a high mountain called Mount Hermon. It was a climb that coud be done in a day, but a steep climb. The grass was soft and green here, and wild flowers grew. 

At the top of the mountain we stopped to catch our breath. Jesus talked with us until we were all rested. That was when something very unusual happened. 

Photo by Mary Vee in the church
on the Mount of Transfiguration

Jesus moved a little distance away from us then he changed in an amazing way. It was a transformation. Stay with me, this is difficult to explain. His face shone like the sun and his clothes became as white as the light. 

I stared, not wanted to miss a single moment and was glad I had because just then Moses and Elijah appeared talking with Jesus.

My heart went wild. I could see my ancestors who had meant to much to my faith. Moses had led the Jewish people out of slavery into the promise land and Elijah was a mighty prophet who performed great miracles. 

I felt so honored to see them, I had to say something, "Lord, I am so honored to be here. To see you and Moses and Elijah. I will build a shelter three shelters. One for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah."

While I was speaking a bright cloud surrounded Jesus, Moses, and Elijah.

Then a voice from the cloud spoke, "this is my Son, whom I love. With him I am well pleased. Listen to him!"

Photo by Mary Vee in the church on the
Mount of Transfiguration

The voice was so very powerful. Power and authority I had never heard before. I immediately fell facedown to the ground and was terrified. James and John had too. This had to be the voice of God. Never before in my life had I been so afraid to stand before someone so powerful. 

I kept my head down and trembled until someone touched me. I looked up and saw Jesus. He said, "Get up. Don't be afraid." The cloud, Moses, and Elijah had vanished.

Photo by Mary Vee. Chapel for Elijah
in the church on the
Mount of Transfiguration

This may sound unusual for me, but I couldn't find words to say. The beautiful image lasted in my mind, the voice of God in my memory, the fear in my soul. I pressed my hand to my chest and took a deep breath. 

Jesus asked us to walk back down the mountain with him to join the others. Along the way he said, "Don't tell anyone what you have seen until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead."

I asked, "Why do the teachers of the law say that Elijah must come first?" He was one of two men who were taken up to heaven without dieing. I was told he would come back first.

Jesus answered, "Elijah will come and restore all things. But I tell you, Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him. They treated him with cruelty. In the same way the Son of Man is going to suffer at their hands."

Photo by Mary Vee. Mt. Hermon

That was when I understood that he was talking about John the Baptist. A great prophet whom I used to follow before he told me to follow Jesus. A man that the teachers treated with cruelty.

We kept everything we saw and heard to ourselves as Jesus asked for the time.

At times I remember in my dreams though and feel so very happy.

 Come back to read the next story.

*Author of blog's note: If you have questions, please feel free to leave them in the comment section. I will see them and will answer as best I can or direct you to a source.


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sources: 
*A Harmony of the Gospels for Historical Study, An Analytical Synopsis of the Four Gospels by William Arnold Stevens and Ernest DeWitt Burton, Charles Scribner's Sons, New York 1932
*New International Version, New King James Version. 
*My Bible College training.
*My notes and walk through classes I've taught in Children's church. Answers to student questions, etc.
*Pastoral sermons on this time
*Matthew Henry Commentary
*F. LaGard Smith Commentary
*My notes from my trip to Israel.
*Photos from my trip to Israel.

Jeremiah- God is With Us and Will Rescue Us

By Mary Vee
Jeremiah 1

From the Journals of the prophet Jeremiah

Photo Courtesy

King Josiah was now twenty-one years old. Last year he went throughout Jerusalem, Judah, Simeon, Manasseh, Ephraim, and even as far north as Naphtali destroying the idols and turning the people back to worshiping God.

But so many other kings before him had taught the men and women of Judah to turn from the very God who loved them. Even without the idols, the people didn't obey God.

My name is Jeremiah. My father, Hilkiah is one of the priests and we live in the territory given to the tribe of Benjamin. That means we live to the west and are on border Judah. 

I heard God speak to me one day. I didn't expect it. Even though my father is a priest, I had never heard the Lord speak to me like this before. 

God said to me, "Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you. Before you were born I set you apart. I appointed you as a prophet to the nations."

My father had told me the story about Moses and when God first spoke to him from a burning bush. God gave Moses an important job. Moses said he didn't think he could do the job because he couldn't speak well. Wow. I completely understand. I have the same problem.

So I said to God, "Ah, Sovereign Lord, I do not know how to speak. I am only a child." I didn't mean in years, although I was young. What I meant was I didn't feel I knew enough about God's commands to do the job. The older men knew these things much better.

The Lord said to me, "Don't say, 'I am only a child.' You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you. Don't be afraid of them. I am with you and will rescue you."

God always knows what is in our heart and what we are thinking. Although, he told me to not be afraid, I still was on the inside. 

The Lord reached out his hand and touched my mouth and said, "Now I have put my words in your mouth. See, today I appoint you over nations and kingdoms to tear down, to build and to plant."

God then said, "What do you see, Jeremiah?"

"I see the branch of an almond tree," I answered.

The Lord said, "You have seen correctly. I am watching to see that my word is done."

God then said, "What do you see?"

"I see a boiling pot, tilting away from the north," I answered.

The Lord said, "Disaster will come on the land from the north because of the wicked things my people do. Get ready. Stand up and say what I tell you to say. Don't be afraid of them, or I will put a punishment on you. I will protect you and help you stand against all the people in the land. You will stand against kings, officials, priests, and the people. They will fight against you but will not win.

"I am with you and will rescue you," said the Lord.

*******************************************
1. How old is king Josiah?
2. What are the people of Judah doing wrong?
3. Who did Jeremiah think of when God first asked him to be a prophet?
4. What did God tell Jeremiah?
5. What will Jeremiah's job be?
6. Who will protect Jeremiah?

Couriosity and the Ark

By Mary Vee
I Samuel 6,7

Samuel's Journal

Now that I am older, God has allowed me to serve Him in the Temple as the leader of the Israelites.

Not long ago, Eli, Israel's last priest, died after he heard the Ark of God had been stolen by the Philistines.

Many months had passed before the Philistines gave the ark back to Israel. They thought they stole our God. But no one can steal the Almighty.


God didn't need our help to solve the problem. He punished each Philistine city that had housed the ark with a plague and disease. After many of their people died, the Philistine lords met together and decided to send the ark back to us.

They set the ark on a cart, included golden offerings for God, and let milkcows deliver the Ark of the Lord to Beth Shemesh. The Israelites ran from the fields and cheered when they saw the ark coming to their city. They offered sacrifices to God in celebration. But some of the people from the city did not show God respect.

One day, while the Ark of God sat at Beth Shemesh, a few of the townspeople became curious. They wanted to take a look inside the ark. They didn't ask permission from God or a priest or a prophet. They simply wanted to look inside, and they did.

A few people crept to the Ark of God, when no one was looking, lifted the lid and looked inside. I don't know if they were surprised, happy, or pleased, but I do know God didn't like it.

They told their friends what they had done. That night a few more crept to the Ark of God, made sure no one was looking then peeked inside. They told their friends who told their friends and soon seventy people had sneaked to the Ark of God without permission to look inside.

That night the people who looked inside the ark became sick. No medicines could help them. They all died.

The people from Beth Shemesh cried when they found God had punished the seventy people.

They called the Israelites from the next village, Kiriath Jearim, to take the ark away.

Like the Philistines, the people of Beth Shemesh didn't realize the importance of the Ark of the Covenant of the Lord. God gave Moses many rules for worship and the care for the pieces belonging in the Temple. The most important piece was the Ark of the Lord.

I was thinking about the time when Moses asked God to see Him. God said no man could see His face and survive because it would be too much for our human bodies. But, God made a way. He had Moses stand in a cleft of a rock, where he would have stone to his left, to his right, behind him, above him, and below his feet. God placed his hand over the opening then allowed his back to pass by the rock. Moses saw a glimps of God's glory. God granted Moses request because he asked and because Moses obeyed and loved Him.

There seemed to be a big difference between the Philistines, the people of Beth Shemesh, and Moses.

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1. Did the Philistines love God?
2. What did 70 of the people from Beth Shemesh do that did not respect God?
3. What did the people of Beth Shemesh do with the Ark of God?
4. What did Moses do different from the 70 people?

Moses Sees the Promised Land

By Mary Vee

Numbers 27: 12-23 and Deuteronomy 31-32

Moses Thoughts

This morning the Lord told me to go up to Mount Nebo to see the Promised Land.

I've known for a while I wouldn't be allowed to cross the Jordan River because I sinned. God--the Almighty God said in His mercy I coud see the land before my last breath.

He's always let me speak my thoughts to Him, so I asked, "Lord, please choose a man from the children of Israel to lead them and go before them and to keep them from wandering around like sheep without a shepherd." 

He answered, "Take Joshua, the son of Nun, with you and lay your hand on him; he is a man filled with the Spirit. Present him to Eleazar the priest and all the Israelites in a ceremony to show he is the new leader I've chosen."

I asked one of the workers to bring Joshua to me and to call all the people to the meeting place. Joshua arrived a little while later. "What do you need, Moses?"

"We're going to a meeting. Are you ready?"

"Well, yes, but--"

I didn't feel like answering his questions yet. We hurried to the meeting place and waited a few minutes for late comers before I spoke. "My people, I'm 120 years old today. I'm no longer able to lead you. Here we are camped on the Jordan River and I can't cross over with you."

"The Lord you God will go before you. He'll destroy the nations and let you possess the land. Joshua will be your new leader. You'll see the Lord hand your enemies over to you. Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them, for the Lord your God will go with you. He won't leave you or give up on you."

I called Joshua to stand next to me. "Joshua, be strong and of good courage, for you must go with these people to the land which the Lord has promised to their fathers. The Lord will be with you. He will not leave you, do not be afraid or dismayed."

I turned to the priest and gave them the law. "Read this to the people every seven years to teach the children God's laws and to fear the Lord your God."

Joshua and I the walked to the Tabernacle where the Lord gave me a song to teach the people. I wrote down the words and taught them as He said. 

Once the people knew the song well, I raised my staff to speak. "Set your hearts on all the words I've taught you today. Teach your children to be do these commands. By these words you will live longer days in the land God has promised."

I looked at all the people standing before me and remembered our journey. The Lord said, "Moses, it's time to go."

I turned back to the people and blessed the tribes one last time then followed the Lord up Mount Nebo. He helped me see far to the northern tip of the Promised land, to the far west where the Great Sea lies, and to the southern edges. 

He said to me, "This is the land which I promised Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. I have helped you to see it with your own eyes, but you will not go there."

I am so thankful for my God, the great God of Heaven, because He let me see the Promised Land even though I sinned. He gave me health and strength to serve Him all these years. He never left me, nor gave up on me. He showed His love for me every day. I have been blessed.

--And, my friend, He will do the same for you.

------------------------------------------------------

1. Who is Moses?

2. Who did God choose to be the new leader.

3. What did God ask Moses to teach the people in today's story?

4. What did the priest have to do every seven years and why?

5. What mountain did Moses climb?

6. What did he see?

7. Who was with him?

8. Why did he go there?

The Importance of Helping Family

By Mary Vee
Numbers 32: 

I am from the tribe of Reuben...

The Israelite families camped on the east side of the Jordan River, waiting for the Lord to say when we should cross into the Promised Land.


Father and mother talked about the good land where we camped with others from the Reuben clan. The pastures fed our cattle and the soil had a dark, rich color. Families from the tribe of Gad agreed. Someone said, "Too bad we can't stay here."


A few days later, Moses announced a command from the Lord. "One thousand men from each tribe of Israel must arm themselves for war. We will attack the Midianites to punish them. Choose your men now and prepare for battle."


Of course I volunteered!  Twelve thousand soldiers set out the next morning to conquer the Midianites. The Lord helped us defeat one city after another throughout their country with amazing speed, including all five kings. I'll never forget the excitement of winning a battle. 
We brought back animals, gold, silver, clothes, and servants and gave it all to Moses. He and Eleazar, the priest, divided everything among the people in the camp and gave the Lord's portion to the priests.


The captains gathered some of their rewards and brought their gifts to Moses. "We have taken a count of the men who went to war.  Not one man from our command is missing. Therefore we have brought this offering to the Lord."  


Moses and Eleazar accepted the gold a placed it in the tabernacle as a memorial for the children of Israel before the Lord. 


After supper, families from my tribe of Reuben joined families from the tribe of Gad.  We laughed and slapped each other on the back while telling stories of the Lord's victory. Someone shouted, "Now that we conquered the land, couldn't we live here instead of the Promised Land?"


The heads of the families thought about the idea for a while then decided to ask Moses for permission to live here.


The next morning Moses' balled his fist and shook it at the family leaders. "You only ask because you don't want to fight. A great punishment will fall on the Israelite camp and it will be your fault. You expect us to fight for the land you want, but you won't help us."


When he paused to pace a few steps, the family leaders cleared their throats. "Moses, we want to build places for our animals, wives and children, but we ourselves promise to be armed and ready to go first in the army. We will fight until the Promised Land is taken. We promise not to return home until every Israelite tribe has received their land. You're our brothers. We want to help."


Moses took a deep breath then stroke his beard. He walked close to the leaders and pointed to them. "If you do as you said, fight in the front of the army until the Lord drives out His enemies and the land is taken over, then you may return blameless and own this land.  But, I warn you. If you don't keep your word, you will answer to God.


"Really, Moses? This land can be ours? Thank you. Thank you! As you have said we will do." I ran with the leaders back to our tents and told all the tribe members the good news: this land would be our home.


**************************


1. What did the tribe of Reuben and Gad not want to go into the Promised land?
2. Who did the Israelites go to battle against?
3. Who really won the battles?
4. What did the family leaders from Reuben and Gad ask Moses?
5. Why did Moses get angry?
6. What did the families from Reuben and Gad promise to do?

Aaron's Rod Bursts Into a Tree

By Mary Vee
Numbers 17

Eleazar's Thoughts

Uncle Moses came out of the Tabernacle this morning and spoke with my dad.  Since I'm a priest in training, Dad invited me to many of their talks. 

The wrinkles on Uncle Moses' forehead pushed down. I wondered what deep thoughts he had. The people had rebelled against God, Moses, and now several men wanted my dad's job. Uncle Moses sighed. "Aaron, God has decided to show the people who He chose as head priest. He's tired of their complaining."

Dad groaned. "Not anything bad, is it?"

Uncle Moses shook his head. "No. The Lord wants us to call the people--"  He stopped and turned to me. "Eleazar, gather the people in the meeting place while I tell Aaron the Lord's instructions."

I raced down the hill to each family leader. "Go to the meeting place. Uncle Moses has a message."  Surprisingly, the families hurried. Maybe they're finally willing to listen to him.

Uncle Moses's eyes drooped; he hadn't slept well. "The Lord asks each family to bring their rod."  The eleven leaders pushed through the crowd and held out their almond rods to him. 

"Now write your name on it." Each man wrote his name then set their rod on the ground. 

Uncle Moses turned to Aaron, "You need to write your name for the tribe of Levi on your rod and put it here, too." Dad did as Uncle Moses asked then stepped back.

"The rods will be taken into the inner part of the Tabernacle and laid in front of the Ark of the Covenant. Tomorrow morning they will be brought out to you. The rod with blossoms will belong to the man God has chosen as head of the priesthood."

We all watched Uncle Moses scoop up the twelve family rods, including Dad's, and carry them into the Tabernacle.  When he came out empty handed, everyone returned to their chores.

The next morning, the whole camp met Uncle Moses at the meeting place. We watched him get the rods from the Tabernacle.  It was easy to see one had blossoms, but no one knew who it belonged to. The family leaders whispered, "I think it's my rod." "No, that's my rod."

Uncle Moses set the rods on the ground.  He picked up the one that had blossomed, turned it sideways and read the name. "Aaron."

The family leaders must not have believed him. They rushed forward to see the rod. They turned the rod up and down and side to side then read the name "Aaron."

Each man shuffled through the pile of rods and found his own. They felt along the wood of their rod to confirm it was truly theirs.

One man shouted. "Moses sneaked into the Tabernacle to switched Aaron's rod for this one."

I knew it wasn't true. Uncle Moses rolled his eyes. "Look again. Tell me what you see."

The leaders looked closer. "Oh, there's blossoms here and fruit over here.  No branch has blossoms AND fruit at the same time. Moses couldn't have found a rod like this. Only the Lord could make a branch with both blossoms and fruit. God has chosen Aaron as priest."

**********************

Here is a freebie for you--do you want to know more about the rods in this story?

R. K. Harrison wrote, "Why the Levites chose an almond branch is uncertain; it may have constituted an unofficial tribal emblem. The almond is one of the earliest trees to blossom after winter, and its beautiful clusters of white flowers, which precede the growth of the leaves, is a welcome harbinger of spring. It blooms in Palestine about the beginning of February, and there as elsewhere it brings joy in the promise of new life," p. 244   Exegetical Commentary on Numbers, Copywrite 1992, Baker Book House Company, P.O. Box 6287, Grand Rapids, MI 49516-6287

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1. What did God want the leaders to do?

2. Why did He ask the leaders to do that?

3. Whose job did the leaders want?

4. What happened to Aaron's rod?
5. How did the leaders know for sure that God changed Aaron's rod?
6. What did you learn from this story?

Thank you Pastor Kaufman for helping me with today's research. :)

Power

By Mary Vee
Numbers 16:34-40

Eleazar's Thoughts

I'd never seen anything so powerful before in my life. My heart is still pounding. 

The earth split apart right under Korah, Dathan, and Abiram's tents spilling everything into the earth. They vanished. 

Uncle Moses warned Korah and the others not to rebel against God's instructions. I could have told Dad and Uncle Moses they wouldn't listen. Korah had talked behind their backs to the children of Israel for days. Well, you can read more about that by clicking on this link:  Korah fights Moses.


After the earth closed over Korah the whole camp went crazy. They ran away like wild people screaming and crying "The earth is going to swallow us too! Get out of my way!"  I couldn't believe my eyes. They pushed into each other, knocking down children and older people, running into tents and tripping over rocks. If any scout from another country saw what our people did, their army would be sent to conquer us before nightfall.

I stayed by the tabernacle next to Uncle Moses and my dad, you might know him as Aaron the high priest.  The two hundred and fifty men who had joined Korah huddled together near where the earth opened. Since they didn't leave with the rest of the camp, I guess they still wanted to fight my uncle, big mistake.

None of them talked. They didn't seem to know what to do now that Korah had been killed. Dad stood next to Uncle Moses as if they knew something else would happen. They didn't fall to the ground and ask for God to forgive the people. They simply stood there, waiting.


The cloud with the presence of the Lord rolled and rumbled over our heads. This didn't look good.  But, like fools, Korah's followers stood their ground.  You'd think they'd come running to Moses to apologize. But they didn't.  A moment later, lightening flames flew from the cloud straight at the group. Before any of them could change their minds, they disappeared in a cloud of black smoke.


Uncle Moses and Dad looked at each other, shook their heads, and sighed. 


I don't understand. When will the children of Israel follow God's instructions? The Lord put Uncle Moses in charge.  End of discussion.


The three of us stood there, alone. The Lord called to my uncle. Dad and I waited to hear the message.  A little later, Uncle Moses walked over to me and put his arm on my shoulder. "Eleazar, the Lord wants you to pick up the censers from the fire and hammer them into plates. Put the plates on top of the altar. The plates will be a reminder to our people not to come near to the Lord to offer incense unless a member of Aaron's family. The plates will also help them remember what happened to Korah and his followers who disobeyed."


I did everything Uncle Moses asked me to do. I wonder if our people have learned who God wants as leader yet.


********************************
1. Why did the people run away?
2. Why did the group of men stay?
3. What did God do?
4. Who did God ask to clean up the censers?
5. Who is Eleazer?

The Earth Swallowed Korah

By Mary Vee
Numbers 16:16-33

An Israelite Leader's Thoughts

Yesterday I watched Korah lead a group of our camp leaders to Moses. Even though I was a leader, he hadn't asked me to join the group. Perhaps he thought I wouldn't agree with his decision to overtake Moses' authority.  

After hearing him tell Moses that anyone from the camp could lead the Israelites, he chose right. I wouldn't have joined his group.


This morning Korah, Dathan, and Abiram along with the two hundred and fifty leaders who followed them brought golden containers called censers with incense and fire to the door of the Tabernacle. I crept near enough to hear, but not close enough to be part of the group.


Moses and Aaron joined them at the door. Aaron presented his golden censer with fire and incense. As the men stood before the Tabernacle the glory of the Lord came down on the Tabernacle.  

My heart beats wildly every time I see the cloud. To think, the glory of the Lord appears before us. I watched in silence, not knowing what the Lord would do. 


The rest of the camp crowded close to Korah's group to watch.  Moments later, the Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron and they fell on their face shouting something like, "O God, will You be angry with all the people because of one man's sin?" The Lord spoke to Moses again, but I'm not sure what He said.


Moses leaped to his feet. He ran to us and shouted, "Get away from the tents of these wicked men! Don't touch anything of theirs or you'll be punished with Korah, Dathan, and Abiram."


Well, I ran like a rabbit with the others from our camp to a safe distance. I turned in time to see Dathan and Abiram bring their wives, sons, and children outside their tents. Moses raised his arms, with his staff in one hand and shouted, "By this you will know that the Lord has sent me to do His works: If these men die naturally, like all men, or have an accident like many men do, then the Lord has not sent me."


He raised his arms even higher and looked toward the sky. "But, if the Lord creates a new thing, and the earth opens its mouth to swallow these men with all their belongings, and if they're buried alive, then you will understand that these men have rejected the Lord."


Korah, Dathan, and Abiram laughed for one short moment. Then they stopped. The earth rumbled and rolled. I grabbed onto the boulder near me and watched the ground by Korah break apart. It split deep like I've never seen before. Korah and the others grabbed onto each other to steady themselves, but it didn't help.  


The crack grew deeper and wider until Korah, Dathan, and Abiram along with everything they had fell into the earth. 

Then as quickly as the rumble started, it stopped--and they were gone. 

Just--

--like

--that. 


****************************
1. Who told Korah and his followers to meet at the Tabernacle?
2. What were they to bring?
3. Moses said, "If_______________ then the Lord has not sent me."
4. Moses said, "But if the Lord _________ these men have been rejected by the Lord."
5. Why didn't the leader who told the story join Korah?
6. What did you learn from this story?

Korah fights Moses

By Mary Vee
Numbers 16:1-16

Moses Thoughts

Aaron and I came out of the Tabernacle and found a group of men standing there.  They looked angry, really angry.

Korah, one of the Levites stepped toward me. I knew right away he didn't have anything good to say. He didn't even wait for me to ask what was going on before blurting his message. "You take too much upon yourselves." From the look on his face, I knew he didn't care about the amount of work Aaron or I did. He had nothing but mischief in mind.

Korah glanced back at the leaders with him.  They gave him a nod and signaled him to keep talking. Korah straightened his shoulders. "Moses, haven't your realized the whole congregation is holy?  All of us. Every member of the children of Israel. You can see the Lord is among us. So, why are you setting Aaron and yourself above us as though God made the both of you the special ones?"

My heart stopped for a moment. I couldn't believe he had the nerve to talk that way. Didn't he realize the Lord heard him? I dropped to the ground and kept my face low. God could punish him and any one standing around him.

"Korah, tomorrow morning the Lord will show you and the entire camp who belongs to Him and which one is holy. He will have that person come near to Him. You and all that are with you must take a golden container. Put incense in the container and set it on fire as you stand before God. At that time, the Lord will show you who He has chosen as the holy one."

My muscles tightened with anger. How dare he challenge the Lord? I stood and glared at Korah. "You take too much on yourself, you sons of Levi!"

He shrugged his shoulders and gave me a smug look. 

That was it. I'd had it with Korah's attitude. "Listen to me, you sons of Levi: Is it such a small thing to you that the God of Israel separated you from everyone else in the camp and brought you closer to Himself? He chose you to do the work of the tabernacle and to serve the people instead of any other group. He brought you and all your families near to Himself.

"But that wasn't good enough, was it?  Now you want the priesthood, too?  You, Korah, and these men with you have come together against the Lord, Himself.  And why do you pick on Aaron, the high priest?"

I called Korah's partners Dathan and Abiram to come forward. They shouted, "We won't come. We won't listen to you."

I squeezed my staff tighter with anger. I could not allow any more disrespect.  "Lord, do not accept their offerings to you. I haven't taken anything from them, nor have I hurt them."

I had one last message for that evil man. "Korah, you and these men with you must be present before the Lord tomorrow. Aaron will stand before the Lord as well. Then you will see who the Lord has chosen."

I snapped my staff into my hand and stomped away to my tent.

******************************
1. What did Korah want to do?
2. Why was that wrong?
3. Why did Moses fall to the ground?
4. What was the Lord going to do the next day?
5. Why was Moses angry?
6. When is it OK to be angry? (if you are not sure of this or any other answer, please ask your parents, pastor, or email me.)

Can't Go into the Promised Land

By Mary Vee
Numbers 14:36-45

Moses' Thoughts

Unbelievable. 

Absolutely unbelievable. 

The entire camp listened to the terrible report of those ten spies yesterday. Caleb and Joshua did everything they could to convince our people not to listen to them. They raised their arms high begging the people, "Let's go now and take the land.  We have the Lord to fight the battles for us!"

But they wouldn't listen. How could our people be that foolish?

Were the plagues, Red Sea, manna, and quail that long ago? Why can't they remember what the Lord did for them?

I'm so frustrated.

Because the people refused to listen to Caleb and Joshua, God punished the ten spies with a plague. They're all dead, now. The entire camp mourned and wailed throughout the night. I'm not sure if the people cried more for the ten men who died or for their sin of disobeying God.

The next morning, I heard a large group from the camp head toward the top of the mountain. They raised their hands and shouted, "Here we are. We'll go into the Promised Land. We have sinned. We'll obey this time and go into the land."

I can't believe my ears. Won't they ever understand God's power? He told them His decision: No Promised Land for anyone age twenty and older. I better go warn them, again.

I grabbed my staff and walked to the front of the group and raised my staff to quiet them.  "Now, why do you sin against the command of the Lord? This isn't going to work. Don't you realize you'll be defeated in the Promised Land because God won't be with you? The Amalekites and Canaanites will come against you with their swords. You will die because the Lord said He won't not go with you."

Do you think they would they listen to God's message this time? No.

They formed an army to send into the Promised land. I refused to go with them and there was no way I'd let them take the ark of the covenant either. 

Later, a few survivors straggled back to the camp.  I gave them water then had them report to the people. They wiped their foreheads and gasped for breath. "Moses was right. We didn't have a chance. The Amalekites and Canaanites came against us with their swords. We alone survived." 

Our people finally realized the Lord meant what He said. All the people age twenty and over wept the rest of the night.

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1. What happened to the ten spies?
2. What punishment did God give the children of Israel who were twenty years old and older?
3. What did the people decide to do, hoping to fix the problem?
4. What happened to their army? 
5. Why did the people age twenty and over cry?
6. What did you learn from this story?

Rejected in the Promised Land

By Mary Vee
Numbers 14:4-35

Moses' Thoughts

I saw it coming but I couldn't stop them.  

The twelve spies returned from the Promised Land. Ten reported giants. The news frightened our people.

They saw the large grapes, juicy pomegranates and figs. Still, the news of giant people caused them to rebel. I listened to them yell and weep all night long. Why bother speaking to them before they calmed down? Warm tears dripped down my face. 

Anytime the people quieted, one of the ten scared them more. By early morning the people cried, "Why has the Lord brought us to this land to fall by the sword, that our wives and children should be victims? Would it not be better for us to return to Egypt?  Let us select a leader and return to Egypt."

"No!" Aaron and I fell on our faces before all the children of Israel. This had gone too far.

Joshua and Caleb tore their clothes. They ran to the front of the crowd and held their hands up to quiet the people. "Listen. The land we passed through as spies is an exceedingly good land. If the Lord is happy with us, He'll bring us into this land and give it to us, 'a land which flows with milk and honey.' Only please, do not rebel against the Lord, or fear the people of the land, their protection has departed from them. But the Lord is with us. Do not fear them."

Their words did no good. The ten spies encouraged the crowd to stone Joshua and Caleb. The children of Israel became wild.

Then, before our eyes, the glory of the Lord appeared. I knew He wouldn't be pleased.

"How long will these people reject Me? How long will they not believe Me with all the miracles which I performed before their eyes. I will strike them down and make a mightier nation with you, Moses." 

I prayed to Him for a long time then said, "Please forgive the sin of this people according to the greatness of Your mercy."

The Lord answered: "I have pardoned according to your word. But because the children of Israel have seen My miracles in Egypt and the wilderness and have put Me to the test, and have not heeded My voice, they certainly shall not see the land of which I promised to their fathers. 

"Only Caleb, Joshua and the little ones, whom the people said would be victims in the Promised land, shall enter the place which I promised to give. Forty years you shall live in the wilderness so you know My rejection for each day the spies were in the land. I the Lord have spoken this. I will surely do so."

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1. Who rejected the Lord?

2. What report did Joshua and Caleb give?

3. Who did the people choose to follow?

4. Where did the people want to go?

5. What punishment did God give them?

Mutiny in the Desert

By Mary Vee
Numbers 12:1-10

Miriam's Thoughts

Many of my friends gobbled the quail as though they'd never eat again. Unfortunately that's exactly what happened. Each one of them suffered from a plague and died. They shouldn't have grumbled against the Lord.  I miss them. I miss the laughing and singing and joking we did together to pass the time. 

The Lord led us to northeast to Hazeroth the day after the plague ended. I walked alone. I did a lot of thinking on that walk. My brother Moses had married an Ethiopian woman. This had bothered me for a long time, but during my thinking time, it made me angry. How could he marry her? Why not marry an Israelite?


I didn't realize I had been grumbling out loud until Aaron came up to me. "What are you mad about?"


"Mad? Oh, nothing."

Aaron smiled his goofy smile. "Come on. Tell."

"Well, if you must know. I don't think Moses should have married that Ethiopian woman."


He nodded and did one of his usual grunts when he's unhappy. "I don't like it either. He isn't the only one the Lord speaks to. We're important, too!"


Well, we complained about Moses for the rest of the journey to Hazeroth. It didn't make me feel better; in fact, I became angrier. A crowd of people gathered near Aaron and me. Soon they grumbled against Moses as well.


When we arrived at Hazeroth, our people set up camp, including the Tabernacle. I didn't feel like eating dinner--I didn't sleep well that night either.

The next morning, the Lord called Moses, Aaron, and me to the Tabernacle. He had never done that before.  My hands grew sweaty and my heart raced. Had we displeased the Lord? As we stood outside the Tabernacle the Lord came down in the pillar of cloud and stood in the doorway. He called Aaron and me.   We looked at each other with wide eyes. I bit my lower lip and stepped forward.


The Lord spoke, "Moses is faithful above all others. I speak to prophets among you in dreams, but to Moses I speak face to face. Even plainly, and not with mysteries. He sees the form of the Lord. You should have been afraid to speak against My servant Moses."


I couldn't speak.  How did He know what we said? My hands trembled. I looked at Aaron then at my hands.  My skin had turned white--completely white. I had leprosy!


I--I will write more next time.


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1. What happened to some of Miriam's friends?
2. What was Miriam angry about?
3. Who did she tell?
4. What did they decided to do?
5. Who heard what they talked about?
6. What did the Lord do?
7. What did you learn?

The Tabernacle-pt. 5 Putting the Pieces Together

By Mary Vee
Exodus 40

Moses

 
I met with the Lord soon after Bezalel and the others presented their work for the tabernacle.  He gave his approval and told me how and when to put the pieces together. After hearing the news the Israelites cheered. There hasn't been this much excitement in the camp since we crossed the  Red Sea.

I called some trustworthy men to help me assemble the pieces in the order the Lord commanded. The first instruction God gave: start the first day of the first month of the second year.  Imagine, it's been one year since the Lord helped us escape Egypt, already.


On that first day,  we raised the tabernacle walls, the top reached above my head.  We set the bars, boards, curtains, and pillars into place, and held it together at the sockets.

Once the walls stood firm, we spread a tent over the top then laid skin coverings.  The people watching us cheered when the walls and roof stood firm.  

Next, I put the stone tablets the Lord gave me inside the Ark of the Covenant, pushed poles through the rings to help us carry it, and set the Mercy seat on top. It looked magnificent. Four of us carried the Ark to the place farthest inside the Tabernacle. Before I took a break, I hung the veil over the doorway between the small room with the Ark and the rest of the Tabernacle. I took one last look at the Ark before letting the veil fall into place. This would be a memory I wouldn't forget.

Next, I put the golden table on the north side of the room and set the showbread as the Lord commanded. On the south side I placed the golden lampstand and lit each lamp.  My shadow stretched across the floor and up to the showbread on the other side. I couldn't help myself; I sang a praise to the Lord. 

Time for the last piece of furniture, the golden altar of incense.  I placed the table in front of the veil then lit the incense.  It smelled sweet.  At the doorway between the large room and the outside, I hung a screen as the Lord commanded.

On the outside, we set the altar near the door but left some room for the Laver. Once the altar stood in place, I offered a burnt offering and a grain offering to the Lord.  I put the laver between the altar and the door for Aaron and the other priests to wash before entering the Tabernacle then filled it with water.


Last, we hurried to raise the court walls before the sun set. We took the curtains and hung them in a rectangle around the tabernacle, laver and altar to form a court.  To close off the court we hung a screen at the doorway.  I anointed everything in the tabernacle, the court, and all the priests. 


There.  

The tabernacle was finished.

Everyone stood in silence and stared.  Moments later the cloud came down and covered the tabernacle and the glory of the Lord filled the whole place.  Every eye watched in awe. How great is our God.


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1.  The children of Israel took seven months to make _______________.
2.  Why did Moses put the Ark of the Covenant in the tabernacle first?
3.  What order did the Lord tell Moses to put the pieces of the tabernacle together?
4.  What happened after Moses put the screen in the doorway of the court?
5.  What would you have done if you would have been in the crowd when the cloud came on the tabernacle?