Blog Archive

Monday, October 5, 2009

Numbers


"What is many men's business is nobody's business.
The greatest things are accomplished by individual men."
~ Charles H. Spurgeon



Numbers
#biblestudy

Those who were numbered of the tribe of Dan were sixty-two thousand seven hundred.
~ Numbers 1:39 (NKJV)

Dan shall be a serpent by the way,
A viper by the path,
That bites the horse's heels
So that its rider shall fall backward.
~ Genesis 49:17 (NKJV)


No passage of the Bible is boring. Today's passage is Numbers 1-2. It is a detailed account of ... numbers; the numbers and names and camp assignments of the twelve tribes of Israel. On their face, the two chapters look like read-when-you're-trying to fall asleep material.

But look! The nondescript tribe of Dan is prominent. It is the second largest of all the tribes, and is given a curious position of leadership in the encampment layout. This is especially interesting because Revelation 7:5-8 omits the tribe of Dan from the 144,000 of Israel who are sealed in end times. What caused Dan go from prominent leader to forsaken?

The tribe of Dan is otherwise noteworthy only for the precedence it set as idolatrous and rebellious in the account of Judges 17-18. One woman led her Danite son into idolatry. He led a Levite priest into idolatry, and they together influenced five other Danites. The tribe then forsook the central land allotted to them by God to instead obtain their territory in the farthermost north—by their own strength.

No man or woman is without the potential to wield influence which will endure for even thousands of years. No act of disobedience is without its consequences as we fall backward.

Oh Lord, thank You for the value You place on every human life. Thank You for seeing and loving and gifting each of us as individuals. Please let us live up to all the potential You give us. Please let us see no act of obedience or act of turning away from You as insignificant. Please let us see no person as insignificant.

Contrasting points-of-view, questions and feedback are invited. Post to BuildingHisBody.com "Comments" or e-mail to BuildingHisBody@gmail.com. Copyright 2009, Anne Lang Bundy, all rights reserved.

11 comments:

  1. Indispensable in both action and in being. Great insight Anne. I shudder to think what actions might thrust past mortal barriers and follow me into eternity. Time for me to sharpen a heavenly minded attitude and ask the Lord to use me in bringing sheaves of righteousness upon my shoulders all the way home.

    ReplyDelete
  2. May we see everyone for the beautiful one they are through You Lord.

    ReplyDelete
  3. "Please let us see no person as insignificant."
    That is my prayer for today, in addition to Lord, help me walk in obediance with you this very day.
    ~ Wendy

    ReplyDelete
  4. Anne, reading your post declares - No passage of scripture, no moment in time and no person insignificant - Jesus lived His life on earth like that and it didn't take long for Him to finish His work - to save the World. I pray I pay attention.
    Thanks Anne.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Thank you for another wonderful post, Anne. You always inspire me to think broader.

    ReplyDelete
  6. "No act of disobedience is without its consequences..." This is so true, and interesting against what I posted on the Prayer Circle today and the B&B blog tomorrow...

    Blessing Anne... :-)

    ReplyDelete
  7. Awesome post! I noticed on your profile that we have some things in common. I was born in 1962 too, and I was saved in 1986. Cool, huh?

    You're invited to join me:

    www.heavenlyhumor.blogspot.com

    for some laughs and 'God' times...

    ReplyDelete
  8. Great point, Anne. Those consequences stretch for generations.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Glad to see that I'm not the only one who thinks passages like these are fascinating.

    ReplyDelete
  10. What a great reminder that the impact of our every day behavior, choices, and actions add up to a life that can impact not just people around us, but those to come for years and years. It's unbelievable when you think about it. Thanks for making us think about it!

    ReplyDelete
  11. T. Anne, though we are assured of Heaven, Jesus also speaks of a system of rewards. I don't fully understand it, but we are given incentive to be fruitful here.

    Denise, indeed, EVERYone is beautiful in their own way. I'm blessed to know someone like you who sees it.

    Wendy, I know He can give us His eyes for others.

    Doug, indeed, how I wish I maintained my attention. Distractions are a bane!

    Ralene, I'm blessed to know words here inspire you.

    Russell, that wouldn't happen to be on the topic of obedience, would it?

    Deborah, yes, cool. With every passing year it amazes me that the Lord called me at all.

    Rossyln, amazing how far-reaching our actions can be, especially as mothers.

    Billy, can I get away with "great minds think alike" ? ;D

    Brad, history often turned upon events initiated by an individual!

    ReplyDelete

Your comments are appreciated and you can expect a reply. If Blogger doesn't accept your comment, or if you prefer
another method, I hope you'll respond via Twitter or email
(see sidebar icons or the "Contact Me" tab, above).

(Comments to older posts and will appear after approval.)