Scott Beyer

“Speak to the sons of Israel that they bring you an unblemished red heifer in which is no defect…” (Numbers 19:2)

         Right now, war continues to rage between Islamic militants and the modern country of Israel.  One of the accusations recently leveled against Israel by Hamas is that they are “bringing red cows” to the land.  What on earth does that even mean?

         Turns out, the answer is in Numbers 19.  To cleanse and dedicate the temple, it takes the ashes of an unblemished red heifer.  Israel supposedly found some from some ranchers in Texas and shipped them across the ocean in hopes that they can rebuild the temple, rededicate it, and reestablish Judaism.  So Hamas continues to do horrible things in the name of Mohammed.

         The answer isn’t Mohammed, and it isn’t a new Jewish temple either.  The answer is Jesus.  He already sacrificed the temple of His body and now He sits at the right hand of God.  The only path to God is Jesus, and the only temple we need is the heavenly one.

Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.”

The Jews then said, “It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and will You raise it up in three days?”

But He was speaking about the temple of His body. When therefore He was raised from the dead, His disciples remembered that He had said this, and they believed the Scripture and the word that Jesus had spoken. (John 2:19-22 ESV)

Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites

This Week’s Reading: Numbers 19-26; Psalm 17; Proverbs 17 This year, #Biblebites are looking at lessons from the history of the Old Testament.  Each week reads a section of history with a Psalm to meditate on and a dash of Proverbs to dwell upon.  If you would like a copy of the reading schedule, you can view it here: https://eastlandchristians.org/news-events/2024-vision

“…and the LORD heard it.” (Numbers 12:2)

         When Miriam and Aaron grumbled about their brother, Moses, they probably thought they were alone… or at least that they were in receptive company.

         Who hasn’t cursed someone behind their back or spoken against another when they believed themselves to be in the right?  Phrases like, “somebody has to say it…” or “bless their heart” are bookends to criticism, grumbling, and murmuring the world over.  Even the word ‘murmur’ sounds like critique said quietly.

         But God heard those two that day.  God hears us, too.  Whatever you said yesterday, remember, the LORD heard it.  Choose your words carefully.

Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites

This Week’s Reading: Numbers 11-18; Psalm 16; Proverbs 16 This year, #Biblebites are looking at lessons from the history of the Old Testament.  Each week reads a section of history with a Psalm to meditate on and a dash of Proverbs to dwell upon.  If you would like a copy of the reading schedule, you can view it here: https://eastlandchristians.org/news-events/2024-vision

“You will make known to me the path of life…” (Psalm 16:11)

         It is not in God’s character to hide from us.  He desires to be known by those who desire to know Him.  As Paul would later say of God’s relationship with mankind, His desire is “that they would seek God… though He is not far from each one of us.” (Acts 19:27)

         When we consider the detail and care God has placed in creating this world and placing us within it, it only makes sense that the same God who makes Himself so visible to us through the very creation would also make a path to Him known, too.

         The Scriptures are the path of life because within them is revealed the will of God and the character of God.  The gospel is “the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes.” (Romans 1:16)

Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites

This Week’s Reading: Numbers 11-18; Psalm 16; Proverbs 16 This year, #Biblebites are looking at lessons from the history of the Old Testament.  Each week reads a section of history with a Psalm to meditate on and a dash of Proverbs to dwell upon.  If you would like a copy of the reading schedule, you can view it here: https://eastlandchristians.org/news-events/2024-vision

“I said to the LORD, ‘You are my Lord; I have no good besides You.’” (Psalm 16:2)

         I think one of the greatest dangers of affluence and prosperity is that it makes it much harder to say, “I have no good besides You.”

         I have a lot of good things.  I live in a powerful country with a strong economy and robust healthcare system.  I’ve got knowledge at my fingertips in the form of the internet and comfort never farther than a couch away.  It is easy to lull myself into believing that I have many good things besides the Lord.

         However, that’s like saying I have lots of water without the river.  The source of blessings is God, and everything else flows down from Him.  He is the headwaters of all that is good, and when I forget that, I dam myself off from the fountain of life.

         It is good to acknowledge this truth in our prayers.  There is value in speaking in His presence and our own, “You are my Lord; I have no good besides You.”

Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites

This Week’s Reading: Numbers 11-18; Psalm 16; Proverbs 16 This year, #Biblebites are looking at lessons from the history of the Old Testament.  Each week reads a section of history with a Psalm to meditate on and a dash of Proverbs to dwell upon.  If you would like a copy of the reading schedule, you can view it here: https://eastlandchristians.org/news-events/2024-vision

“There is a way which seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.” (Proverbs 16:25)

         Just because you are confident doesn’t mean you are right.  The builders of the Titanic were confident, too.

         Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites

This Week’s Reading: Numbers 11-18; Psalm 16; Proverbs 16 This year, #Biblebites are looking at lessons from the history of the Old Testament.  Each week reads a section of history with a Psalm to meditate on and a dash of Proverbs to dwell upon.  If you would like a copy of the reading schedule, you can view it here: https://eastlandchristians.org/news-events/2024-vision

“Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before stumbling.” (Proverbs 16:18)

         I’m not worried about the parent who doubts their ability – they will seek advice.  I’m terrified about the confident parent.

         I’m not worried about the nervous Bible teacher – they will study hard and do their best to find God’s truth.  I’m terrified about the teacher who thinks they know it already.

         I’m not worried about the Christian who doubts and struggles – they will cling to the Lord, pray often, and humble themselves.  I’m terrified about the Christian who never doubts themselves.

         I’m not worried about the leader who feels the impostor – they will try and live up to who they know they should be (but fear they aren’t).  I’m terrified of the leader who never questions themselves.

         I’m not worried about the humble – the humble will improve.  I’m terrified for the proud because I know their only teacher will be consequences.

Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites

This Week’s Reading: Numbers 11-18; Psalm 16; Proverbs 16 This year, #Biblebites are looking at lessons from the history of the Old Testament.  Each week reads a section of history with a Psalm to meditate on and a dash of Proverbs to dwell upon.  If you would like a copy of the reading schedule, you can view it here: https://eastlandchristians.org/news-events/2024-vision

“The tongue of the wise makes knowledge acceptable…” (Proverbs 15:2)

         The above proverb reminds me of Paul’s statement about knowledge and love.  In 1 Corinthians 8, Paul will tell the Christians of Corinth that “knowledge puffs up, but love builds up.”

         Wisdom is saying the right things in the right ways at the right time.  Knowledge is necessary, but it’s not enough in dealing with people.  Wisdom and love make knowledge acceptable.

         If you want others to listen to you, you are going to need to cultivate the ability to convey knowledge in a way that makes it easy to understand and accept.  You may think you have the right answer, but if you are brash, rude, or condescending, your words will fall on deaf ears.

         Wisdom steers the words and opens the ears.

Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites

This Week’s Reading: Numbers 4-10; Psalm 15; Proverbs 15 This year, #Biblebites are looking at lessons from the history of the Old Testament.  Each week reads a section of history with a Psalm to meditate on and a dash of Proverbs to dwell upon.  If you would like a copy of the reading schedule, you can view it here: https://eastlandchristians.org/news-events/2024-vision

“In whose eyes a reprobate is despised, but who honors those who fear the LORD…” (Psalm 15:4)

         Reprobate isn’t a word you often hear, but it is something you see everyday.  A reprobate is an unprincipled person – someone who has no regard for ethical or moral character.  A reprobate is someone of dubious character.  They flatter the boss while stealing company supplies.  They gossip about others with you, and then move on to gossip about you with others.

         Psalm 15 says that part of fearing the Lord is despising the reprobate.  Far too often we accept behavior from others that we know Jesus would (and did!) call out.  We must love like Jesus, but we must also learn to despise what He despises, too.

         Honor ethics and reject the worldly, unprincipled behavior of the world.

Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites

This Week’s Reading: Numbers 4-10; Psalm 15; Proverbs 15 This year, #Biblebites are looking at lessons from the history of the Old Testament.  Each week reads a section of history with a Psalm to meditate on and a dash of Proverbs to dwell upon.  If you would like a copy of the reading schedule, you can view it here: https://eastlandchristians.org/news-events/2024-vision

“But he did not give any [oxen or carts] to the sons of Kohath because theirs was the service of the holy objects, which they carried on the shoulder.” (Numbers 7:9)

         This is likely one of the verses that David had searched to find out how to properly carry the ark “according to the rule” (see 1 Chr. 15:13) after the death of Uzzah in 2 Samuel 6.

         When Uzzah died after touching the ark, David had to rethink his plans to move the ark from Baalah to Jerusalem.  All David wanted to do was reunite the ark with the tabernacle.  Why was such a honorable plan thwarted by God?  Could God not see David’s good intentions?

         The answer is: good motives do not necessarily lead to faithful outcomes.  We cannot simply be sincere – we must follow God’s will, not our own.  Numbers 7 gave clear instructions of how to carry the ark.  The Kohathites were to do it “upon the shoulder”.  What we believe is acceptable isn’t of any consequence – what Scripture says is acceptable is all that matters.  When the Lord speaks, all must listen.

Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites

This Week’s Reading: Numbers 4-10; Psalm 15; Proverbs 15 This year, #Biblebites are looking at lessons from the history of the Old Testament.  Each week reads a section of history with a Psalm to meditate on and a dash of Proverbs to dwell upon.  If you would like a copy of the reading schedule, you can view it here: https://eastlandchristians.org/news-events/2024-vision

“Now on the day that Moses had finished setting up the tabernacle, he anointed it and consecrated it with all its furnishings…” (Numbers 7:1)

         When we view New Testament practices through the lens of Old Testament eyes, certain things stand out richer and holier – worship is one of those things.  When Moses set up the tabernacle for worship, the words ‘consecrate’, ‘anoint’, and ‘dedication’ are littered throughout the text.

         The picture that the early Jews had was that approaching the tabernacle was to be done reverently with a sense of holiness and the sacred.  Though the temple has changed from the shadow of the Old Testament to the pure and elevated temple of the living church, we ought to carry with us the same sacred care as we approach God in worship.  Worship is a consecrated, dedicated thing.  Our hearts tread on holy ground when we approach our Father.

Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites

This Week’s Reading: Numbers 4-10; Psalm 15; Proverbs 15 This year, #Biblebites are looking at lessons from the history of the Old Testament.  Each week reads a section of history with a Psalm to meditate on and a dash of Proverbs to dwell upon.  If you would like a copy of the reading schedule, you can view it here: https://eastlandchristians.org/news-events/2024-vision