“When the Israelites set up camp, each tribe will be assigned its own area. The tribal divisions will camp beneath their family banners on all four sides of the Tabernacle, but at some distance from it.” (Numbers 2:2, NLT) In my Bible reading, one of the things I have noticed is the precision, the attention to detail, in everything God does. The pieces all fit together in a well-designed and orderly plan. Every element matters. We see an example of this in Numbers 2. There is nothing haphazard or random in the way God instructed the Israelites to set up their camp in the wilderness. There was absolute order. ORDER IN THE CAMP The Tabernacle, or Tent of Meeting, was always placed in the center of the camp. This strange-looking structure, made of skins and without outward beauty, contained wonderfully fashioned items of pure gold on the inside. Each tribe of Israel had an assigned place to pitch their tents around the Tabernacle. There were three tribes on each side. On the east were Judah, Issachar, and Zebulun. The three tribes on the south side were Reuben, Simeon, and Gad. On the west were Ephraim and Manasseh (the two sons of…

“Behold, the days come saith the Lord God, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the Lord” (Amos 8:11). Each year millions die from hunger and malnutrition. While most of us are not personally affected by it, we have seen photos and heard stories of extreme conditions in many parts of the world. There are numerous causes including poverty, war, natural disasters, and political instability. It’s difficult for those of us who have ample food to comprehend these extreme conditions. The statistics are heartbreaking. Available but Ignored But what is described in Amos 8 is not a shortage of food. It’s a famine of hearing the Word of God. How do we comprehend that, especially those of us who are blessed with religious freedom and who often own numerous Bibles? (Have you counted those in your home—four, eight, a dozen or more?) God’s Word is also found on numerous Bible apps and can be read in many languages. Yet most of those Bibles remain unread. A famine of the Word really does exist today, but this famine is not caused by scarcity.…

Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria and preached Christ to them. And the multitudes with one accord heeded the things spoken by Philip, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did.  (Acts 8:5-6, NKJV) Sounds of revival filled Samaria. As Philip preached, souls were saved. Miracles, healings, and deliverance from unclean spirits happened. Multitudes turned to the Lord in this time of spiritual awakening. Acts 8:8 says there was great joy in the city. With so much happening, it seems strange that an angel instructed Philip to leave the Samaritan revival and head south toward the desert. And yet, that is what Philip was told to do. Now an angel of the Lord spoke to Philip, saying, “Arise and go toward the south along the road which goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” This is desert. (Acts 8:26, NKJV) The Search for Understanding What did Philip find along that desert road? An Ethiopian man sitting in a chariot. Philip was prompted to go near and join the man in the chariot. As Philip approached, he heard the man reading from a scroll of the prophet Isaiah. “Do you understand what you are reading?” Philip inquired. The man admitted…

When was the last time you heard someone exclaim, “I enjoy obeying your commands; I love them!”? Yet, this is exactly what David says multiple times in the Psalms. David’s unwavering delight in God’s Word was key to his relationship with God. From Psalm 119 (ESV), here are seven reasons to delight in God’s Word: The Word guards against sin. “I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you” (verse 11). The Bible is infinitely valuable because it exposes sin, which separates us from God, so we can repent and return to Him. The reward of following God’s law is salvation and eternal life. Delight in that! The Word is wisdom. “Your testimonies are my delight; they are my counselors” (verse 24). The Bible is an advisor we can trust, a friend we seek for counsel. It’s a delight to be guided by the source of all wisdom! The Word inspires obedience. “Lead me in the path of your commandments, for I delight in it. Incline my heart to your testimonies” (verses 35-36). In other words, bend my heart submissively toward Your law, God, and “turn my eyes from looking at worthless things”…