Num.24-27; 1 Cor 13:

Num 27:15-17
Moses said to the LORD, "May the LORD, the God of the spirits of all mankind, appoint a man over this community to go out and come in before them, one who will lead them out and bring them in, so the LORD's people will not be like sheep without a shepherd."

As I read these scriptures, I was really interested in the love Moses had for the children of Israel. I have a tendency to see him as, the law giver. A stern man that was firm and condemning. Someone you did not want to cross. But, here at the end of his life after God has let him see the Promised Land, (that he cannot go into) we find Moses not bitter but, ready to go home to his fathers and some of his last thoughts are for the people. He says to God “appoint a man over this community to go out and come in before them, one who will lead them out and bring them in, so the LORD's people will not be like sheep without a shepherd." Moses clearly has learned, as Paul had learned, from the nature of God Himself (1 Cor 13:3) “if I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.” Moses gets it, his job was to guide and teach, to save them from Egypt. He gave Israel the law of God. He laid down his everyday life for them, but (As Paul says) if there was not love than it was worthless. .

1 Cor 13:6-7 “Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.” This was the life of Moses no one sought truth more than Moses. He was their protector, someone they could trust (in God). He gave them hope when they were the slaves of Egypt. He preserved them by handing them over to the one and only living God. I want to be like Moses, not just a leader with good ideas. Not someone with just good words or good direction but one who loves like Jesus loved. Someone who loves others, because of the love of Jesus. If that love is not there, them I think it profits me nothing.

May God bless you and keep you in His love, with His love and because of His love, in love with others.

Pastor Jack

Next reading Num 28,29; Mark 8;