King James Daily Bible Study: But A Sword
Date: Saturday February 26, 2011
Chapters: Numbers 30-31
Click Here to Read Them or Go to: http://www.imfollowingjesus.com/bible-february-26
Details of Today's Reading: Fulfillment of vows to God with men and women, exceptions to breaking a vow, Israel at war with War with Midian, Balaam is killed, the purification of the Israelites who were at war, and the Lord's tribute.

Hello My Friend/Guest,
As Christians we are in a war, a constant battle, not only with the world, but with religion and false Christians as well. Back in the 80's there was a quote that surged the nation, every time there was some kind of conflict between a group of people a person would say, “Can't we all get along?” The truth is, “We can't all get along”. It would be wonderful if there really could be peace on earth, but that will never happen. The only place we will all get along is in heaven. Since we are at war, God is arming His people with the one thing that no one can defeat and that is His Word. There is nothing more powerful than words, you can take out the strongest person simply by uttering a few words. Imagine those words coming from God Himself?

Jesus said, “Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves...But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak. For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you. And the brother shall deliver up the brother to death, and the father the child: and the children shall rise up against their parents, and cause them to be put to death. And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved...Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. ” - Matthew 10:16,19-22,34.

The Israelites were given a command concerning those who made a vow with God, men and women alike were commanded to follow through with whatever it was that they vowed to do for God. However, there were a few exceptions where God would release the person from a vow and he or she would not be obligated to fulfill the commitment.

“And Moses spake unto the heads of the tribes concerning the children of Israel, saying, This is the thing which the LORD hath commanded. If a man vow a vow unto the LORD, or swear an oath to bind his soul with a bond; he shall not break his word, he shall do according to all that proceedeth out of his mouth. If a woman also vow a vow unto the LORD, and bind herself by a bond, being in her father's house in her youth; And her father hear her vow, and her bond wherewith she hath bound her soul, and her father shall hold his peace at her; then all her vows shall stand, and every bond wherewith she hath bound her soul shall stand. But if her father disallow her in the day that he heareth; not any of her vows, or of her bonds wherewith she hath bound her soul, shall stand: and the LORD shall forgive her, because her father disallowed her. And if she had at all an husband, when she vowed, or uttered ought out of her lips, wherewith she bound her soul; And her husband heard it, and held his peace at her in the day that he heard it: then her vows shall stand, and her bonds wherewith she bound her soul shall stand.” - Numbers 30:1-7.

The soul is the center of a person, it is dependent upon the flesh or the Spirit of God for fulfillment, it is much more valuable to God than the flesh and why He expects a person who vows a vow or makes a commitment with their soul to follow through with it. Why? The flesh is all about doing what it wants to do and we all know how much trouble we can get ourselves into by giving into the desires of the flesh. God knows He can not trust the flesh, but He can trust a soul who is dependent upon His Spirit. “Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak.” - Mark 14:38. What is the difference between making a vow with the flesh and soul? Making a vow with the flesh looks to see what fulfillment it gets out of it for itself while making a vow with the soul looks to see what fulfillment it can bring others. “Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul; Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.” - I Peter 2:11,12.

After the plague upon Israel for their fornication and idolatry, into which they were drawn by the daughters of Moab and Midian, and after the sum of the people was taken in the plains of Moab, and new laws were given or repeated, God gave the command for the Israelites to war with Midian.

“Avenge the children of Israel of the Midianites: afterward shalt thou be gathered unto thy people. And Moses spake unto the people, saying, Arm some of yourselves unto the war, and let them go against the Midianites, and avenge the LORD of Midian. Of every tribe a thousand, throughout all the tribes of Israel, shall ye send to the war. So there were delivered out of the thousands of Israel, a thousand of every tribe, twelve thousand armed for war. And Moses sent them to the war, a thousand of every tribe, them and Phinehas the son of Eleazar the priest, to the war, with the holy instruments, and the trumpets to blow in his hand.” - Numbers 31:2-6.

Our worst enemies are those that draw us into sin, while God may wait a while He always avenges those who cause His people to sin. We do not have to go after them ourselves because God will do it for us and when we let God take care of it, we always prevail. Over all such enemies there is absolute victory for those who take sides with God against them. “If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.” - Romans 12:18-21.

We are in a constant war and will be until the day Jesus returns, we need to arm ourselves and be the soldier God expects us to be. The most effective weapon we can possess it the Word of God, there is no need to seek vengeance with the flesh, just speak His Word and He will take care of the rest.“Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.” - Ephesians 6:11-13.

The other day I was out soul winning and I ran into a man who had quite a bit of a different opinion then the Gospel, every time he made a statement I responded by showing him Scripture. He can deny what I say all he wants, but he can not deny Scripture, after a few times I simply said, “You know what, just keep believing what you believe, one day I hope you see the truth.” I walked away that day leaving the most powerful weapon I possessed in his hands and that was the Word of God. We can not let anyone compromise our beliefs because we do not want to make them angry, just keep going in faith knowing that you carry, but a sword. “Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief. For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” - Hebrews 4:11,12.

Jesus Christ Revealed: Today Jesus is revealed through the One who will righteously judge all sinners (31:1-17). “Ye judge after the flesh; I judge no man. And yet if I judge, my judgment is true: for I am not alone, but I and the Father that sent me.” - John 8:15,16.

Thanks and God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina

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